General Habits

Apart from different eating habits for different seasons, ayurveda prescribes day habits (Dincharya) and night time habits (Ratricharya) as well.

·       It is advised to wake up early morning (Brahm muhurta) which is 2 hours prior to sunrise. It is also said that brahm muhurta is “Vata kaal” which means gas/air in the stomach/body is high which helps evacuating the intestine.

·       One should not keep occupied in other works(Reading newspaper, Mobile handling) while attending natural calls. Also one should not force himself/herself for natural calls. Amoristic sentiment, sorrow, fear and anger like emotions should be avoided while attending natural calls.

·       Washing hands and feet after attending natural calls are called healthy for body and especially for eyes.

·       One should brush (Wooden stick is suggested) his teeth facing east or north peacefully in sitting position. Paste of honey, long pepper (Pipali), black pepper (Kali Mirch) and Dried Ginger (sunthi) or paste of rock salt with mustard oil can be used to clean your teeth.

·       Nasya or nasal intake of bitter oils should be done every day. In morning if “Kapha” is in excess, mid-day if “Pitta” is in excess and in evening if “Vata” is in excess in body.

·       One should shave or get hair and nail cut every 5^th day. Do not pluck your nasal hair as it will weaken your eyesight. Hair combing should be done repeatedly for good hair. Looking self-image in mirror is very beneficial.

·       Daily work out should be practiced especially during winters and spring however half of your strength exercise should be practiced during rainy and summer seasons (Mid May to Mid Nov). Its calms down the doshas of the body and increases efficiency with improvement of digestive fire.

·       “Abhyang” or oil massage is recommended daily, particularly the feet, head and ears. Oil massage nourishes all the 7 components of the body. Full body massage before bath is stressed in ayurveda.

·       Using of “Ubtan” which is typically a mixture of gram flour and turmeric clams down the “Kapha” and reduces “Med” (Fat). It softens the skin.

·       Taking bath ignites digestive fire. Morning bath is recommended. Cold water bath calms “Pitta” and warm water bath provides strength to the body and calms “Vata” and “Kapha”. Warm should be used below head only exception given to the patient of “Kapha” and “Vata”. Continuous use of warm water on head effects eyesight and hair. Do not bathe immediately after meal.

·       Ayurveda recommends eating in the morning and evening only. However also mentions that when a person becomes hungry, that is his time to eat. Eating and attending natural calls, both should be done in a place of peace or loneliness.

Refer for utensils to be used: https://muscularayurveda.blogspot.com/2019/03/metals-in-kitchen.html

·       Pomegranate or fruits should be eaten before meal. Banana and Cucumis melo var. flexuosus (Kakadi) should be avoided before meal. Proper meal should start from sweet dishes, salty and sour in the middle and should end with bitter, pungent and astringent. Fruits which should be avoided in morning are Buchanania lanzan(Chironji), Blueberries(Jamun), Indian Jujube(Ber), Cluster fig(Gular), Tamarind(Imli), Asian Palmyra(Taal ka Phal), Dried Ginger(Sunthi), Coconut(Nariyal), Sesame(Til), Mango(Aam), Banana(Kela) and Indian gooseberry(Amla).

·       Foods when eaten hot, cold or dry destroy body strength. One should not eat very fast or very slow. Food which is sweet contributes to blood, sour contributes to marrow, salty contributes to bones, pungent contributes to fat, bitter contributes to flesh and astringent contributes to sexual hormones.

·       Sip water between two types of food in the middle of the meal. Sipping water in the beginning of meal makes a person weak and sipping at the end makes obese but small amount is allowed at the end called “Anupaan”. “Kapha” in the body increases immediately after eating, “Pitta” during digestion and “Vata” when completely digested. Ayurvedic smoking is permitted after meal to calm down the “Kapha”.

Refer: https://muscularayurveda.blogspot.com/2019/03/AyurvedicSmoking.html

·       Food which gives immediate strength: Fresh flesh, newly harvested grains, milk products, “Ghee” or clarified butter and warm water bath.   Aged Flesh, fresh curd, morning sex and morning sleep destroys strength quick.

·       100 mild steps after food are suggested to settle the food eaten. It relieves your stomach, waist and knees. After walk, one should sleep straight for 8 breaths, and then should turn on right for next 16 breaths and then to left for 32 breaths. Afterwards one can sleep as he/she wants however for good digestion; left side is recommended because “Jatharagni” is located on the left above naval. Woven cot is best for sleeping. Sleeping on hard surface aggravates “Vata”.

·       Things which should be avoided after meal are: Too much sleep, too much sitting, too much of liquid intake, exposure to heat or sun, swimming etc.

·       Day sleeping is allowed only in summer season as it increases “Kapha” in the body. However who is habituated of sleeping during daytime must sleep otherwise their “Vata” will get aggravated. Also people who work out, who mates during night, does field work, tired, who suffers from diarrhea, breathing problems, gas/air trouble, whose “Kapha” is low, whose health is destroyed by liquors, kids or elderly who eats less should sleep in day.

·       One should never accept food offered by your enemy or a prostitute. One should not sleep on a broken bed. One should not sleep in a cave, temple or under a tree alone in night.

·       Five things one should not do in evening: Eating, Mating, Sleeping, Studying and Street walking.

·       Moon light is coolant, quenches thirst and calms “Pitta” and heat in the body. When accompanied with dew, moonlight increases “Vata” and “Kapha” as well.

·       One should not eat heavy food in night and should eat in the early hours of night. Suppressing strong desire of sex can cause diabetes and makes the person obese and lazy. Day mating is only allowed from mid-May to mid-July (Grishm Ritu).

·       Night watching causes dryness in body decreasing “Kapha”. Sleeping well in night keeps the doshas balanced. Drinking water at the end of night i.e. before sunrise has innumerable benefits.

Note: “Vata”, “Pitta” and “Kapha” are three doshas of body mentioned in ayurveda which in balanced state keeps the person healthy.

“Vata” is gas or air in your body. If aggravated, it causes joints pain and gas trouble.

“Pitta” is acid and heat in the body. If aggravated, it  causes burning sensation, thirst, over hunger etc.

“Kapha” is cough or lubrication which lubricates the body.

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Oil and Fat Consumption

Ayurveda classifies lubricants in two major types according to their source.

1)   “Sthawar” or static: Lubricants obtained from Sesame(Til), Buchanania lanzan(Chironji),Pine nut(Chilgoza), Beleric myrobalan(Bahera), Myrobalan(Badi Harad), Castor(Arand), Bassia Latifolia(Mahua), Mustard(Sarso), Schleichera oleosa(Kusumbh), Aegle marmelos(Belgiri), Semecarpus anacardium(Bhilawa),Radish seed(Mulak), Flaxseed(Alsi), Wallnut(Akhrot) and Pongamia Glabra(Nata Karanjua) are “Sthawar” or static lubricants.

Among the static sources of lubricants Sesame (Til) oil is best to bring strength and softness. Castor (Arand) oil is best for purgation.

2)   “Jangam” or Dynamic: Lubricants obtained from Fish,    animals, birds their milk, curd, clarified butter (Ghee), flesh and marrow are “Jangam” or dynamic lubricants.

Among dynamic sources Clarified butter (Ghee) is the best because it can absorb the properties of the other stuffs when mixed.

Who should consume which oil?

·       Person whose body is, of “Vata-Pitta” type, who suffers from aggravated “Vata” or “Pitta”, who wants great eyesight, weak, aged, kid, who wants to live long, who wants strength and glowing skin, who wants great voice, who is trying for child, who wants softness, who wants good memory, brain and digestive fire, who wants strong senses and those who are injured from arms or fire or poison should consume clarified butter “Ghee”.

·       One who has excess of “Kapha” and fat in the body. Whose tummy and neck is thick and loose, who is suffering from “Vata” imbalance like joint pain, who wants strength, who wants to loose weight, lightness of body, contraction of the body, smooth and lustrous skin, who has worms in stomach, who experiences purgation and who is suffering from Pilonidal sinus(Nadivrana) should consume oil in Hemant and Shishir Ritu (mid Nov-mid Mar) during daytime.

·       One who bears the air and sun all day, whose body is dry, who lifts heavy weight, who has become weak because of labour, whose blood and hormones have dried, who has very low “Kapha” and fat in the body, who has disease related to bones, joints, vessels and trunk, whose digestive fire is very strong should consume animal fat.

·       Those whose digestive fire is good, who can bear painful emotions, who eats a lot, one who is used to consuming oils, who have gas/air trouble can consume marrow.

Quantity of oil:

Quantity has to determined by time period in which the oil gets digested completely.

“Pradhan Matra” or primary amount: This amount takes 24 hours to digest. This amount has to be given to person who is a regular user of oil. Who cannot tolerate hunger and thirst, one who is strong and have strong digestive fire, who have gastric ball in stomach, whose body is intoxicated, mentally ill, who have urinary problem and whose faeces comes dry. This amount of oil spreads in entire body and draws out the toxins.

“Madhyam Matra” or medium amount: This amount takes 12 hours to digest. The person who have Lipoma, Abscess, Rash, Itch, Scab and other skin problems. One who is diabetic, have excess urination problem, eats in balanced amount, whose intestine is not very strong (Even milk acts as purgative) and is fairly strong, should be given this amount.

“Hasva Matra” or least amount: This amount takes 6 hours to digest. Elderly, kids, who is fragile physically, who lives luxurious life, who experience stomach ache on being empty stomach, who have low digestive fire, who is suffering from prolonged fever, dysentery, cough etc should be given least amount of oil so it gets digested easily. This can also be used for long.

Caution: Ayurveda has defined ways to take the oils and have called it “Snehpaan”. Based on the nature and strength of body of a person, the oil is selected and given for either 3 or 7 nights.

Note: “Vata”, “Pitta” and “Kapha” are three doshas of body mentioned in ayurveda which in balanced state keeps the person healthy.

“Vata” is gas or air in your body. If aggravated, it causes joints pain and gas trouble.

“Pitta” is acid and heat in the body. If aggravated, it  causes burning sensation, thirst, over hunger etc.

“Kapha” is cough or lubrication which lubricates the body.

“Dhumrapan” or smoking

No doctor prescribes it right? On the contrary if you smoke the ayurvedic way, it is going to solve many ENT problems. Smoking can give you relief from heaviness- ache-migraine of head, ear pain, paining eyes, cough, hiccups, asthma, weakness of teeth, ear-eye or nose discharge, foul smelling mouth, reluctance to food, stiffness of neck, voice problem, hairfall, sneeze, laziness etc. Smoking can strengthen your skull and sense organs.

Apparatus for smoking: Ayurveda suggests different length of pipes and number of bends to be used for different types of smoking where the intention is to reduce the acuity of the smoke. In my opinion, hookah is safer than earthen or metal pipes. Ayurveda do not suggest use of charcoal but the herbs are dried enough to be smoldered.

Rishi “Charak” have defined three major types of smoking.

1.   “Prayogik” or regular smoking: Herbs used in preparation are Henna Seeds(Mehandi Beej), Callicarpa macrophylla(Priyangu Flower), Black Cumin(Kala Jeera), Mesua ferrea(Nagkesar), Pavonia odorata(Netrabala), White Sandal(Chandan), Cinnamomum tamala (Tezpatra), Cinnamon(Daalchini), Cardamom(Choti ilayichi), Vetiver(Khas), Liquorice(Mulhati), Spikenard(Jatamansi), Indianbdellium(Guggul), Agar, Sugar, Bark of Banyan, Bark of Ficus Racemosa(Gullar), Bark of Ficus Religiosa(Pipal), Bark of Ficus viren (Pilkhan), Kaivart Mustak, Shorea Robusta(Sarj Ras), Cyperus Rotundus(Nagarmotha), Parmelia Perlata(Shaley), Lotus Saffron, Shrivestak, Indian frankincense(Shallaki) and Shukbahr. All the mentioned herbs should be grinded in water and dried over a hollow stick(Sarkanda) in shape of a barley which should be 8 fingers in length and after it is completely dried; a cotton lint soaked in clarified butter should be inserted in the hollow part. The suggested length of smoking pipe is 36 fingers. This could be lit up and smoked. I consider hokkah a better option. This can be used regularly.  

2.   “Snaihik” or Lubricant smoking: Fat, Clarified Butter(Ghee) and Natural wax. These should be mixed with (Jivaniya Gan) enlivening, anti aging group of herbswhich are Malaxis acuminate(Jeevaka), Manilakara Hexandra(Rishbhaka), Polygonatum cirrhifolium(Meda), Polygonatum verticillatum(Mahameda), Friltillaria royeli(Kakoli), Roscoea pupurea(Kshira kakoli), Phaseolus trilobus(Mudgaparni), Teramnus labialis(Mashaparni), Leptadenia reticulate(Jivanti), Licorice (Madhuka). These should be mixed to make a hard paste to be cast in cylindrical or conical shape. The suggested length of smoking pipe is 32 fingers. This can be smoked by person who is dry by nature and have gas and air trouble. Cannot be used regularly.

3.   “Vairechanik” or Purgative smoking: This is used to bring out cough stuck in head. Herb to be used are Clitoria Ternatea(Aparajita), Celastrus Paniculatus(Jyotismati), Orpiment (Hartal), Realgar(Mahashila) and Agarwood leaves(Agur Patr). The herbs should be grinded in agur oil and should be smoked similar to “Prayogik”. The suggested length of smoking pipe is 24 fingers. One suffering from cough problem should use it.

Right time to smoke: Ayurveda prescribes smoking at the times when the “Kapha” and “Vata” in the body are high. After bath, after meal, after vomit, after sneezing and cleaning your teeth- tongue and “Nasya(taking drops of oil or ghee in nose)” after washing your eyes, after you wake up, in happy mood. However considering the acuity of once “Dosha” they should consider regular type smoking for couple of times in place of other smoking. “Snaihik” is allowed only once a day and “Virechainik” can be done 3-4 times a day.

One should inhale from mouth and release from mouth. Number of puff defined is only 9 for any type of smoking.

Caution: Over smoking can cause you deafness, blindness, dumbness, increases “Pitta” in blood and giddiness etc. Person who has gone through detoxification of the body, taken enema, with infectious blood, pregnant lady, tired, drunk, with low digestive fire, who watch night, with giddiness, when thirsty, just had milk, just had honey, just had curd rice, is angry, is injured on head, is diabetic or suffering from diphtheria should not smoke.

Note: “Vata”, “Pitta” and “Kapha” are three doshas of body mentioned in ayurveda which in balanced state keeps the person healthy.

“Vata” is gas or air in your body. If aggravated, it causes joints pain and gas trouble.

“Pitta” is acid/bile and heat in the body. If aggravated, it  causes burning sensation, thirst, over hunger etc.

“Kapha” is cough or lubrication which lubricates the body.

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