Okanagan Ayurveda

30/08/2025

MIndfulness.

05/08/2025

A special evening from The Art of Living where Swami Sadyojathah will be the guest speaker.
A journey through healing sounds, meditation and wisdom. Proceeds to go to Syilx Language House.

Tue, Aug 19, 2025 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM PDT. Doors at 6:15pm
Location
Okanagan Centre Hall
11099 Maddock Avenue Lake Country, BC V4V 2J7

In a time of chaos, we're inviting you to pause for an evening. Immerse yourself in a blend of transformational sounds and teachings from diverse cultures that will take you on a journey from sound to silence.

http://tiny.cc/Sound2Silence

05/08/2025

Skip the Spray, Let Me Stay

02/08/2025

Use of Bhrami/Bhrami Gritham in Menopause

The properties and mode of action of Brahmi have been studied intensively in the past few years. It has revealed that Bacopa monnieri exerts numerous pharmacological properties including memory boosting effect in the treatment of Alzheimer Disease and Schizophrenia, It also has been shown to displaying antiparkinsonian, anti-stroke, and anticonvulsant capabilities.

Research has shown it to be an effective way of stimulating the creation of new neural pathways and lowering oxidative stress in the brain, which keeps our minds sharp well into our old age. (Russo and Borrelli 2005)

Although Brahmi is progressively being used in modern science for treatment of CNS (Central Nervous System) disorders; its application is already being practiced in Ayurveda for centuries.

Its application in memory, brain fog for peri and post menopausal women show great promise.
It has a Rasa of Madhura ( sweet), Tikta, Kashaya. The madura guna( quality) give nourishment and hydration to the excess vata in menopause.The Guna are Laghu, Sara allowing it to reach the deeper tissues such as the majja dhatu( nervous system and mind) Bhrami is sheeta virya ( col) making it great for the excess heat of Piita. Bhramis Vipaka is Madhura helping soft and cool the body and mind.. Its is Medhya, Rasayana, Vatahara, Matiprada ( urinary issues), Prajasthapana,(aphrodisiac) tridosha..

Bhrami grita gives a better combination of benefits thanks to the addition of other herbs and ghee. Bacopia. monneri gritham ( Bhrami Ghee) has been used as a well-known medicine for a number of disorders, particularly those involving anxiety, learning and memory disorders.

The addition the roots and rhizomes of A. calamus which in Ayurveda helps with of insomnia, melancholia, neurosis, loss of memory and remittent fevers. is important in menopause. Convolvulus pluricaulis also know a shankapushpi, improve learning and memory.
In Ayurvedic medicine, ghee is considered a "yogavahi," a substance that acts as a carrier for the medicinal properties of herbs and other substances, enhancing their absorption and effectiveness within the body. It is believed to carry the properties of the herbs in Bhrami ghritam to the seven dhatus (tissues) of the body..Be mindful of ghee is you have ama.

29/07/2025

Ashokarishta for Menopause.

There are many Ayurveda choices for menopause depending on the dosha predominance and the symptoms.

Ashokaristam is a multi dimensional herbal formula. It is mainly Madhura( sweet), Tikta,( bitter) Kashaya,( astringent) Katu Rasa, Sheeta (cold) Virya, Madhura Vipaka, Laghu ( light) Guna, and Tridoshashamaka ( works on all three dosha)

The ingredients are also have a Rasayana, Vayahsthapana, ( aqnti-aging) Balya, (strengthening) Medhya,( vigor) Manasdoshahara,( neurotropic).

In Rajonivritti,( menopause) the Vata Dosha is dominant, majority of symptoms occur due to Vatavriddhi( imbalance of vata). Ashokaristam with its Snigdha (uncutous)Guna acts against Ruksha (rough)Guna of Vata Dosha and pacifies it. Many symptoms of Rajonivritti may subside.

Agnimandhya is also a common manifestation of Rajonivritti. Ashokarisatam Deepana-Pachana action, acts on Jatharagni and relieves the symptom of GIT (Gastro Intestinal Tract) like dyspepsia, decreased appetite, flatulence, constipation, diarrhea.

Ashoka,( divine herb) Shunthi, Haritaki, Vasa, and Chandana in the formula are Hridya ( help the heart)and Balya and act as Rasayana ( anti aging).
Utpala, Haritaki and Bibhitaki are Medhya and act as Manasa ( mind) and Indriya Tarpaka,(senses)) which decreases Chinta,( anxiety) Shoka( grief) and sleep disturbances.

All this in one Ayurveda formula for menopause.
It is always best to see an Ayurveda practitioner before using.

27/07/2025

Vata-Rakta, as described in Ayurveda, is a condition characterized by aggravated Vata and Rakta (blood) that primarily affects the extremities, causing pain, inflammation, and discoloration in the joints. It is often correlated as a metabolic disorder involving uric acid deposition in joints.

Vata-Rakta is a Vata-predominant condition where Rakta (blood) is also affected, leading to joint pain, swelling, discoloration, and stiffness, particularly in the extremitie

Research correlates one of the conditions of Vata-Rakta with gout, examining the similarities in symptoms and the potential for Ayurvedic management of gout.
In Ayurveda Vata Rhakta is corelated to many conditons not only gout.

19/07/2025

Ayurvedic Foods and Treatment for Menopausal Symptoms involves correcting Dosha imbalance with appropriate diet, Samshamana therapy, internal detoxification (Panchakarma therapy/Samshodhan therapy), Sattvavjaya Chikitsa, Yoga therapy, Rasayan therapy with each part begin customized to your specific Prarkiti , Vikriti. Ama evel and Agni.

Vata dominant menopause
Symptoms:
Dry skin or mucous membranes (including the va**na)
Scanty bleeding during perimenopause
Digestive discomfort and occasional constipation
Trouble concentrating or sleeping
Anxiousness, worry, and fear
Bone loss
Diet - Increase warm food and drinks, regular meals, and use spices such as fennel and cumin. Decrease caffeine and other stimulants, refined sugar, cold drinks, salads.
Lifestyle - Early bedtime, oil massage using Dhanwantaram or sesame oil, meditation, yoga, Regular exercise like walking

Pitta dominant menopause
Symptoms
Hot flashes
Irritability
Heavy bleeding during perimenopause
Skin discomfort and imbalances
Anger, irritation, jealousy, criticism, competitiveness
Feelings of excess heat in the body
Heart imbalances

Diet - Increase cooling foods, water intake, sweet juicy fruits (grapes, pears, plums, mango, melons, apples, zucchini, yellow squash, cucumber, organic foods. Use spices such as cinnamon, cardamom and fennel. Avoid hot spicy foods, hot drinks and alcohol.
Lifestyle - Oil massage using Chandra and coconut oil. Use Meditation and pranayama techniques to reduce anger, hatred and resentment. Exercise and exposure to the sun are limited.

Kapha dominant menopause
Symptoms
Weight gain
Feeling sad, unmotivated, or greedy
Decreased concentration due to dullness
Feeling “bogged down”

Diet - Prefer light, dry and warm food, Consume fruits, whole grains, legumes, and vegetables. Use spices such as black pepper, turmeric and ginger. Avoid meat, cheese, sugar, cold foods and drinks. Weekly fasting is helpful. Most or all of the daily food should be consumed before 6 p.m.
Lifestyle - Get up early. Mustard oil or Kapha oil can be used but usually dry brushing is better with a light oiling after brushing.

14/07/2025

Agni and Peri and Post Menopause:

The Ayurvedic understanding of Agni as the cornerstone of health provides a unique and comprehensive lens through which the menopausal transition can be examined. Agni, often referred to as the digestive and metabolic fire, plays a vital role not only in the digestion and assimilation of food but also in the transformation of experiences and emotions.

For many women the beginning or peri-menopausal and menopausal symptoms can begin after childbirth!

The act of giving birth is an amazing experience but Vata aggravating. After childbirth many women do not use the Ayurveda principals to nurture themselves and vata aggravating continues with vihara ( lifestyle choices) of going back to work too soon, eating light , dry and bitter foods and lack of sleep. With this comes the continued continued disruption of the Vata and Agni and when a women transitions into peri menopause or even before symptoms are severe.

During menopause — a Vata-dominant phase of life — the natural decline in reproductive hormones is accompanied by significant physiological, metabolic, and psychological changes. These transitions are understood in Ayurveda to be intricately connected with the state of Agni. As a woman approaches Rajonivritti, or the cessation of menstruation, Agni becomes more vulnerable due to the cumulative effects of ageing, stress, improper diet, and lifestyle disturbances. This weakened or imbalanced Agni (Agni Dushti) leads to the formation of ama, disturbed doshic balance, especially vata and dhatukshaya (tissue depletion), all of which contribute to the manifestation of menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, joint pain, emotional instability, and digestive irregularities.
Any vitiation of Vata, especially Apana vayu, may result in symptoms such as va**nal dryness and irregular bleeding. The connection between Agni and tissue formation (Dhatvagni) is particularly critical during menopause. Impaired Agni disrupts the proper transformation and nourishment of Asthi Dhatu (bone tissue), which aligns with modern findings of reduced bone density and osteoporosis post-menopause.

10/07/2025

Ayurveda Bio-energies and Menopause

The bio-energies of Vata, Pitta and Kapha play a crucial role in regulating all bodily functions, particularly the endocrine system. When the Doshas exist in a state of equilibrium, the hormones operate at their best, which in turn supports reproductive health, metabolic stability, and emotional well-being. Yet, this delicate balance can easily be disturbed by a variety of influences, including an unhealthy diet, excessive stress, a lack of physical activity, exposure to environmental toxins, and even genetic factors. Such disruptions can lead to significant hormonal disorders, creating imbalances that affect overall health.

In Ayurvedic medicine, the Vata Dosha is linked to the body's movement and communication functions, which encompass neural, hormonal and digestive signals. When Vata is out of balance, it can lead to issues such as irregular menstrual cycles, increased anxiety, infertility and menopause symptoms.

When digestion is compromised, it can lead to the build-up of Ama, or toxins, which can hinder hormone function and disrupt the endocrine system. This toxic build- up may contribute to metabolic disorders, irregular menstrual cycles, and issues during menopause. As a result, Ayurveda stresses the importance of detoxification, effective digestion, and stress management to help restore hormonal equilibrium.

Simple step like regulating food and sleep cycles can be the best place to start.
We may eat good food but in Ayurveda the timing of food is as important as the food you consume. Vata balancing needs warm and unctuous foods. Salads and raw food are not the best.

09/07/2025

Nasaya in Peri and Post Menopause

Hormonal imbalances significantly contribute to the onset of various gynecological disorders, impacting menstrual health, fertility.and transition into peri menopause and onward.
These imbalances can arise from disruptions within the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, compounded by stress, environmental influences, and lifestyle choices. All of which needs to be regulated with the use of Nasaya therapy.

Traditional treatments typically emphasize hormonal replacement therapy and medications, which may result in long-term adverse effects. In contrast, Ayurveda presents holistic treatment options, notably Nasaya Karma can be a a key therapy within or without Panchakarma.

The implementation of Nasaya has its place in the order of treating the HPO axis.

In social media I see a herb or product being touted to help with a particular symptom of disease without any guidelines as to what stage the disease is at.
In Ayurveda the implementation of any herb or formula has its place in the disease healing process and that needs to be honored.

Depending on the person, Ayurvedic herbs and oils utilized in Nasya therapy, including Brahmi, Jatamansi, Shatavari, and Yashtimadhu, highlighting their adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory, and hormonal-regulating properties. By combining Nasya with lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, and stress reduction techniques, Ayurveda offers a well- rounded and natural strategy for addressing hormonal imbalances.
Ayurveda research has shown Nasya as a natural solution for enhancing women’s reproductive health, serving as a non-invasive, sustainable, and alternative for hormonal regulation and overall wellness.

22/06/2025

Happy and Joyous Yoga Day

07/06/2025