Food supplements in Ayurveda

Some call them herbal pills, others spice powders, healing schnapps or medicines. No matter what name we want to assign to Ayurvedic products, one thing is certain: no health system in the world has a variety of herbal products and formulations comparable to Ayurveda.

The doctrine behind these products is called „Dravyagunavijnana“, which translates as the „science of substances and their properties“. This science is based on a unique classification of foods, medicinal plants and mineral products into six categories, on the basis of which the selection is made.

Over the past 2,500 years, thousands of recipes have been developed in India and Sri Lanka to strengthen health, cleanse the body and alleviate ailments. Some of them have been on the European market as foods and food supplements for over three decades and are becoming increasingly popular.

Ayurveda products in India and Europe - the legal status

Ayurveda is the traditional medicine of India. Consequently, Ayurveda products are largely registered as herbal or mineral medicines in the country of origin.

In Europe, on the other hand, Ayurveda is primarily a health science for prevention and lifestyle changes and is also used by health professionals as complementary medicine. Ayurveda products are legally categorised as food or food supplements in Europe and are subject to the relevant legislation.

Health claims on foods are generally prohibited unless they are authorised by the European Commission as „health claims“. Such claims exist for vitamins and minerals, but not for Ayurvedic medicinal plants.

For this reason, Ayurveda products in Europe may not contain „package inserts“ like medicines or convey indications on labels. They are used exclusively according to Ayurvedic principles such as the five elements, the „Tridosha“ Vata-Pitta-Kapha with their subtypes, „Agni“ (body fire) or „Dhatu“ (tissue).

Some therapists who want to achieve health benefits for their clients through the use of Ayurvedic products often find this - understandably - annoying and irritating, as there are thousands of scientific studies on many individual medicinal plants that can be viewed on the Internet.

However, the legal restrictions imposed by the legislators also offer advantages. The typical Western thinking that remedy X is effective against illness Y is deeply alien to Ayurveda. Without well-founded Ayurvedic diagnostics, herbal products can only be used symptomatically, but not holistically. Ayurveda strongly advises against „self-medication“ for the treatment of illnesses. Instead, the focus is on strengthening our health, adaptability and body defences.

Flavour, properties & Co. | The Ayurvedic classification

All substances are classified in Ayurveda according to the following six criteria:

RASA - the flavour

There are six different flavours: sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter and tart. Many substances have two or three flavours. Each flavour has specific effects on the five elements, the three dosha, our tissues, the excretory functions and the circulation in our body.

GUNA - the properties

Ayurveda describes twenty properties in ten pairs of opposites - the most important of which are hot-cold, light-heavy, dry-moist and sluggish-spicy. We should primarily consume substances with the properties that have become deficient in our body - for example, hot spices when it is cold.

VIPAKA - Effect after digestion

After substances have been broken down in the stomach and upper small intestine and absorbed in the middle small intestine, they can develop three active forces: the sweet force nourishes and increases Kapha, the acidic force stimulates elimination and increases Pitta, the pungent force has a drying, light effect and increases Vata.

VIRYA - Potency

Virya is the force of dominant qualities (guna) through which a substance acts. According to the old generalisation, the two main forces are hot and cold. Hot warms and stimulates circulation, promotes digestion and metabolism and has a catabolic (tissue-reducing) effect. Cold cools and astringes, slows down and has an anabolic (tissue-building) effect.

PRABHAVA - Specificity

Some medicinal plants have an extraordinarily strong effect on a function or structure of our body - this specificity was called Prabhava in Ayurveda and declared to the respective substances.

KARMA - Overall effect

Karma describes the response of all structures and functions to a substance. From a Western perspective, a list of indications can be derived from this.

The trained Ayurveda phytotherapist first diagnoses the client's condition and then creates a personalised recipe to balance the disordered elements.

Many fruits, aromatic plants, leaves and roots can also be used preventively on your own - here are a few examples:

• Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) lowers elevated Vata, has an energising effect in cases of exhaustion, builds up our muscle tissue and promotes healthy sleep architecture.
• Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) is used as a nerve tonic to increase absorption and concentration and to balance the mood.
• Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) strengthens ojas and the immune system, protects our liver, purifies the blood and bodily fluids and promotes our skin health.
• Haridra (Curcuma longa) is one of the most researched medicinal plants on our planet. You can find countless indications online, the yellow gold is a true jack-of-all-trades.
• Pippali (Piper longum) is much more than just a pepper: it reduces Kapha (phlegm) and clears the airways, stimulates the digestive fire (Agni) and burns off residues from inadequate digestion (Ama).
• Triphala (three-fruit mixture) is one of the most famous Ayurvedic formulas and is considered a regenerative mixture (Rasayana) for healthy eyes, skin and hair as well as a pain-free digestion.
• Trikatu (the three spicy ones) consists of ginger, long and black pepper and is considered an important „Agni booster“, lowers Kapha, helps to lose weight and remove mucus.

The most important preparations of Ayurvedic recipes are powder mixtures (Churna), tablets (Vati), tea infusions (Phanta), decoctions (Kvatha), sweet confections (Avaleha), fatty preparations with vegetable oils or ghee (Taila and Ghrta) as well as alcoholic elixirs (Asava and Arishta).

Many classic recipes are over 2,000 years old and still have the same powerful effect today. The knowledge (Veda) of Ayurveda is timeless and valid regardless of location. Modern, individualised formulas complement the classic portfolio to meet all modern-day needs.

It is best to have yourself examined by an experienced Ayurvedic therapist and have your constitution analysed in depth. With this knowledge, you can choose some food supplements responsibly. You can deepen your knowledge in workshops and seminars and take more and more responsibility for your own health.

Secondary plant substances | The western view

How can the effects of Ayurvedic spices, fruits and medicinal plants be explained in modern scientific terms? It is worth taking a brief look at plant metabolism.

The primary or basic metabolism of plants ensures the build-up and breakdown of molecules (amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates) that are necessary for growth, development and reproduction.

In secondary metabolism, many compounds are produced that are known as secondary plant substances are referred to. They consist of up to 100,000 substances that are produced by plants as colourants, growth regulators, defence substances against pests and diseases as well as flavourings and fragrances.

Important groups are carotenoids, phytosterols, saponins, glucosinolates, polyphenols, protease inhibitors, terpenes, phytoestrogens and sulphides. Although secondary plant substances are not „essential“, they are of comparable nutritional and physiological importance to vitamins and are therefore referred to as PHYTAMINE labelled.

Many of these phytamines are of great health benefit to us humans:

• They have pronounced free radical scavenging properties. Free radicals are involved in the development of numerous chronic diseases and the ageing process.
• They inhibit inflammation.
• They have a positive influence on the permeability and stability of the blood capillaries and prevent vascular calcification and thrombosis.
• As tumour inhibitors, they have an inhibiting effect on the development of malignant diseases - famous examples are the catechins in green tea or the resveratrol in the skin of red grapes.
• They develop hormone-like effects and thus have a balancing effect - examples of this are isoflavones, coumestans and lignans.

We can demonstrably support our health with these secondary plant substances through our diet and the consumption of food supplements. Diversity and daily variety are crucial for prevention; the high value results from the diverse interactions and synergisms of the individual substance groups.

Food supplements and the three pillars of our health

An Ayurvedic proverb says: „If the diet is not beneficial, medicine cannot have any effect. If the diet is beneficial, there is no need for medicine.“

Health is the result of a diet and lifestyle that are appropriate to your constitution and condition, as well as mental balance. Herbal products can effectively support all three pillars, but never replace them.

Food supplements as a dietary prescription

We've all been there: we often don't have the time to buy high-quality food at the organic food shop or producers' market, to lovingly prepare an Ayurvedic menu, to eat consciously in peace and with self-respect. Instead, we rush to the canteen, eat out of a bag on the go or prepare a quick pasta dish with pesto.

As a result, deficiencies can develop, digestion and intestinal health can be impaired, body weight can increase and metabolic disorders can be a burden. One of the most common problems is pronounced tiredness, especially after eating.

Ayurvedic food supplements such as Hingvashtaka, Triphala, Trikatu or Chitrakadi Vati stimulate the digestive glands, promote the movement of the chyme through the gastrointestinal tract and the evacuation of faeces. They prevent bloating, flatulence and cramps and increase our energy levels.

Food supplements as a lifestyle tool

In Ayurveda, a healthy lifestyle begins with a favourable day-night rhythm. Many people sleep too little or too late, work too long and hardly take a break during the day. In short, the regulation of tension is disturbed, we stand on the accelerator and brake too seldom. In many professions, people sit at desks in front of screens for 8-10 hours a day - and hardly move at all. Without compensatory sport and the targeted training of endurance, strength and flexibility, many illnesses can develop.

In my experience, Ayurvedic food supplements work in two ways here: on the one hand, they symptomatically counteract the negative effects of the lifestyle described above and, on the other, they raise awareness of a healthy lifestyle. Anyone who takes powder mixtures, tablets, capsules, tea decoctions or elixirs three times a day is inevitably thinking about their health.

Many people feel the need to temporarily cleanse and rid their body (and mind) of accumulated residues. Numerous nutritional supplements are used for various detox programmes in the home, as an outpatient in a practice or as part of an inpatient cure.

Food supplements for mental balance

In the constant struggle for security, prestige and success, many needs fall by the wayside: we neglect social relationships, conflicts arise in family and partnerships and our ability to cope with stress is challenged. If this condition becomes chronic, we lose touch with our values and mental illnesses such as anxiety disorders or depression with physical consequences can develop.

An important strength for staying healthy and balanced in the hustle and bustle of everyday life is the ability to adapt - called „Satmya“ in Ayurveda. This can be supported by food supplements from the group of „adaptogens“: prominent examples are ashwagandha, brahmi, shankhapushpi and guduchi.

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When we use nutritional supplements to support our healthy diet, conscious lifestyle and mental balance, they can develop their full potential and strengthen us in our endeavours to treat our health as a precious commodity with a little more care every day.

With best regards from Bad Homburg,

Ralph Steuernagel