Category Archives: Ayurvedic Writings

The Background of Ayurvedic Medicine

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Taken from “The Yoga of Herbs – An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine” written by: Dr. David Frawley and Dr. Vasant Lad

SPIRITUAL BACKGROUND

In order to understand the Ayurvedic approach to herbs, one must understand the basic system of Ayurveda, which is a complete healing science, including the physical, psychological and spiritual aspects of life.

The ancient seers of India envisioned two fundamental principles behind existence: Purusha, the Primal Spirit, the principle of sentience of consciousness; and the Prakruti, or Great Nature, the principle of creativity. The union of these two, Spirit and Matter, produces all things.

Yet these two are also one, the primordial Two-in-One, Consciousness and its creative, executive force, Shiva-Shakti. Within all things is essence, individuality, consciousness – the Purusha.  Within all things is also the power of manifestation, the capacity for creative enfoldment – Prakruti.

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From these two great forces in their initial coming together is born Cosmic Intelligence, Mahat, which contains the seeds of all manifestation. Inherent in the Mahat are all laws of nature.

The Cosmic Intelligence also exists in the human being as the intelligence in the individual. As such it is called Buddhi, the means of awakening, developing fully which one becomes enlightened, a Buddha. Buddhi is our capacity for perception, our ability to discern the real from the unreal. But this intelligence, in its evolution into material forms, may give rise to the ego, the sense of separate self, or Ahamkara. It is the principle of division as it is only our sense of a separate ego that divides us from the unity of life.

In turn, the ego gives rise to the conditioned mind or conditioned consciousness called Manas, which, as our sense of self-consciousness, creates a protective thought-field around itself in which we become bound.

Finally, this links us up with the collective unconscious called Chitta, the storehouse of thoughts of all limited mentalities. Through the Chitta we remain under the influence of latencies, compulsions and drives of the earlier stages of evolution, going all the way back to the animal realm and before.

Ayurveda aims at a life in harmony with Cosmic Intelligence, whereby our own intelligence is perfected, so that through it we can return to unity with nature; and through nature our true self and spirit, the Purusha. This is the spiritual background of Ayurveda, which is the same as that of Yoga, and the basis of Ayurvedic psychology.

This requires the awakening of intelligence wherein we go beyond the rule of the ego. The ego is the basis for all deviation from nature. Health is natural, Prakruti. Disease is artificial, Vikruti. Hence, most diseases, except those natural to the course of time, are from the psychological imbalance born of unnecessary self-consciousness.

Agni and Plants

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An excerpt from The Yoga of Herbs – An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine

by Dr. David Frawley and Dr. Vasant Lad

Ayurveda views the health of the body as the functioning of a biological fire governing metabolism. It is called agni. Agni is not simply a symbol for the power of digestion. In the broader sense, it is the creative flame that works behind all life, building up the entire universe as a stage by stage unfoldment of itself, which, thereby, contains within itself the key to all transformations.

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Agni is present not only in human beings but in all nature. It has a special ab

ode in plants, which contain the agni of photosynthesis. When agni is strong, food is digested properly, toxins of various kinds, largely from undigested food particles, (called ama in Ayurveda), accumulate and breed disease.

Plants contain agni, through which they digest sunlight and produce life. Herbs can transmit their agni to us, their capacity to digest and transform, and this may augment our own power of digestion, or give us the capacity to digest substances we normally cannot. The agni of plants can feed our agni. Through this interconnection, we join ourselves with the cosmic agni, the creative force of life and healing.

The agni from plants is magnetically attracted by its opposite nature to the negative life-force of the ama, or various toxic accumulations in our body. The result is their neutralization and a restoration of harmony.

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Herbs can be used to supplement agni and thereby restore our autoimmune system. This restores the power of our aura, which is nothing more than the glow of our agni.

By their very nature the fight herbs and spices can feed agni, directly strengthening the basic energy of the body-mind, allowing for the right digestion, not only of food but also experience.

 

What to Look For When Buying Health Supplements

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When it comes to buying health supplements, there are seemingly endless options to choose from. Particularly online, there are thousands of companies selling health products, which at first glance, can be hard to distinguish if you don’t know what you are looking for. Many people become frustrated, or don’t know that there is a difference from one product to another, and end up with the cheapest option. Unfortunately, supplements like anything else, tend to give you what you pay for. There are many companies that sell Turmeric for example, for very cheap ($2 / bottle?!), but as we will explain, the devil is in the details.

In this post, we will explain what makes Tattva’s Herbs products different from the competition, and what you should look for when purchasing from other companies.

We will begin by explaining how our supplements are processed at Tattva’s Herbs. All of our supplements or herbs are grown on Certified Organic farms in the mountains of Northern India. Every year EcoCert inspects the farm and re-certifies our entire farm operation as certified Organic.

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Once the herbs are harvested from the ground, we have a team of Ayurvedic experts, analytic chemists and pharmacology experts who work together to begin the processing.

This is where our product begins to stand out.

The first step is a supercritical (Co2) full-spectrum extract of the herb. In short, this means that we use Co2 during extraction which has countless benefits that you can see here. This type of extraction draws parts of the plants (phytonutrients) that your body wouldn’t otherwise be able to realize the benefits of.

After the initial Co2 extract, we perform a second full-spectrum hydroethanolic extract, to extract additional critical components of the plant.

Finally, we combine the two different extracts with the raw unprocessed plant. The raw plant acts as a chemical messenger in the body, and tells your cells what to do with the extracted components. This breakthrough process provides a full spectrum product, that is free from harsh residues, extremely potent and absorb-able, and is bio available to your cells.

While this may sound very complex and scientific – it’s because it is! We do encourage you to research extraction methods and technology, and benefits of organic farming, however we also realize this is our business, not yours. Most people do not have the time to spend, so here is a quick recap of what we provide.

  • Our products are complete – 3 separate components in each product (Co2 extract, hydroethanolic extract, and raw herb) that all work together to for maximum benefit
  • Certified Organic, sustainably sourced, and harvested with respect for the Earth (we care!)
  • All products are 100% Vegetarian and cruelty free (no animals were harmed to bring you these products)
  • Our Products are Healthy – Gluten, Sugar, Soy & Dairy Free
  • Our Products are Clean – Solvent and residue free, and independently Tested for Heavy Metals, CGMP Compliant

Now that we have tooted our own horn, we want to make it clear what you should look for when purchasing supplements, even if you a company other than us.

Here are our tips and things to watch for when making a purchase.

  • Buy organic – There is no reason to put additional chemicals in your body than you are exposed to daily
  • Extract vs. Unprocessed Herbs – It is our belief that extracts are superior in potency and bio-availability. Unprocessed herbs are great if you can get them fresh, but the truth is by the time they are harvested, bottled and sold they have most likely lost a large amount of their prana. Extracts have the ability to “lock in” the prana of plants. In our research Co2 extraction is far superior and leaves no chemical residue.
  • Buy Vegetarian – Many companies encapsulate in gel caps, which is unnecessary for most products.
  • Pay attention to serving size, and mg./capsule – Many companies (we won’t mention any names) save money by serving small capsules (1-300 mg.), and than recommending large serving size (3-6 capsules). This is usually marketing and a way to make the product seem less expensive. You may have to do some math, but generally speaking you want to strive for a 4-500 mg./capsule, and a serving size of 1-2 caps.

We hope this information is useful in your future purchasing decisions. Remember, just because a product appears cheap or has a nice label doesn’t make it the best. Read the label and make sure you know what you are getting! Your body, mind & spirit will thank you for it.

Here is a link to our supplement list.

Guggul – “One that protects against diseases.”

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GuggulGuggul or guggulu (commiphora mukul, also commiphora wightii) is derived from the gummy resinous exudate of a plant closely related to myrrh that is found in arid to semi-arid areas of Northern India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. This tree has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, and Ayurvedic texts dating back to 600 BC recommend it for treatment of atherosclerosis and digestive disorders.

The Sanskrit definition of the term “guggul” is “one that protects against diseases.” This attests to the wide respect and therapeutic Ayurvedic applications for this botanical, considered to be the most important herb for the removal of “ama,” or toxic substances which accumulate as a result of sluggish digestion and circulation associated with a slowing of metabolism.

Similar to another important Ayurvedic preparation called triphala, guggul is considered tridoshic, or balancing to all three doshas in the body. The three doshas, or bodily constitutions represent the foundation of traditional Ayurveda. These are: kapha or the anabolic humour, watery humour; pitta or the catabolic, fiery humour; and vata, the air or nervous system humour. When all three humours are in balance, the result is health and wellness. When one or more are in excess or deficient this represents imbalance or disease. Guggul stimulates pitta and thus enhances warmth, digestion, circulatory and reproductive processes. It also regulates vata (nerve force) and kapha (fluidic aspects).

As an “ama”-resolving herb, guggul has a wide range of applications beginning with rheumatic and arthritic pains, lowering high cholesterol, “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis), and obesity. Guggul is warming and stimulates metabolism that is why it is one of the few botanicals that has been used to treat hypothyroid conditions. In addition, it is used to treat a sluggish liver, malaria, to stimulate libido, nervous diseases, bronchial congestion, cardiac and circulatory problems, weak digestion, gynecological problems, leucorrhea, sterility, impotence, and various skin diseases including acne and psoriasis. (One of the substances contained in Guggul which is known to lower cholesterol and triglycerides is also noted for its ability to decrease the redness and swelling that occurs in some types of acne) Guggul, as with other resins, is excreted through the skin, mucus membranes and the kidneys. This is what makes it particularly useful for the urinary tract and for a wide number of skin diseases.

Guggul has been used for over 3,000 years and is described in all of the classical Ayurvedic texts including the Sushruta Samhita (3rd to 4th centuries) where it is especially recommended for the treatment of rheumatic pains and obesity, as mentioned above. It is one of the most important rasayanas (herbal tonics) of Ayurveda where it is described as warm, dry, pungent-flavored, and aromatic with nutritive, lubricant, stimulant and digestion-enhancing properties. Current research substantiates its benefit for the treatment of elevated blood lipids and coronary and arterial plaque known as atherosclerosis. As a result, today in India standardized guggul extracts are being approved for lowering elevated serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

­Tattva’s Herbs natural supplements combine the wisdom of Mother Nature with the very latest technology known as supercritical extraction. This state of the art technology delivers a very pure extract that is both full spectrum and extremely concentrated at the same time. It is so pure that you can actually smell the qualities of the original herb in the extract, and you are greeted with this aroma when you open a bottle. It is sweet and powerful. There is simply no other extraction method so effective that you can actually smell the purity, fragrance and essence of the herb. This is a testimony to the great care that goes into the selection of the herbs and the supercritical extraction process itself. To give you an idea of the potency and concentration of the extract, we can often use as much as 200 to 250 pounds of fresh herbs to produce just one pound of supercritical extract. All of the herbs are grown on organic farms and selected with the greatest of care. The supercritical process produces an exceptionally broad representation of the herbs’ active constituents, which oftentimes traditional methods of extraction cannot even begin to extract. Furthermore, the supercritical process does not use any chemical solvents at all. Instead, it utilizes safe and environmentally friendly carbon dioxide, the same carbon dioxide that is found in your sparkling water.

Finally, the supercritical extract, post-supercritical extract (PSE) (a water-soluble extract), and the raw whole herb are combined to create our herbal formula. The finished product is superior in terms of both freshness and breadth of active constituents. It delivers the full spectrum of the herbs with a potency that cannot be surpassed. In addition, all of the herbs are independently tested for heavy metals and other contaminates. The result is an exquisite formula that delivers simplicity, purity and incredible potency all at once.

Click here for Tattva’s Herbs Guggul.

Shatavari – “Queen of Herbs”

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Shatavari RootsShatavari, also known as Asparagus racemosus  is known as the “Queen of Herbs” because it promotes love and devotion. It is a cooling, calming, nourishing and purifying herb which has a special affinity with women, though it is also excellent for men.

The name Shatavari comes from an Indian word meaning “a woman possessing a hundred husbands. It is used to maintain and nourish the female reproductive organs and is the main herb, and highly regarded in Ayurvedic medicine for issues connected to women’s fertility, menstrual irregularity and controlling blood loss, menopausal issues, and loss of libido. It acts as a womens’ rejuvenative, helping to balance estrogen, stimulate lactation and prevent miscarriage. For men it is a nutritive tonic similar to ginseng. Because Shatavari is a gentle herb, acting as a systemic tonic and is calming, it is considered, along with Ashwagandha and Brahmi, (or Bacopa) to be excellent for people of all ages.

Shatavari has also been used as a tonic for circulatory, digestive and respiratory organs, ulcers, bronchial infections, diarrhea, rheumatism, diabetes, bleeding ulcers, gastritis, dysentery, dry cough, sore throat, inflammation in the lungs due to dryness and heat, male fertility and impotence, building body mass and muscle tissue, nourishing the blood, the immune system, calming the nerves, and insomnia.

Tattva’s Herbs natural supplements combine the wisdom of Mother Nature with the very latest technology known as supercritical extraction. This state of the art technology delivers a very pure extract that is both full spectrum and extremely concentrated at the same time. It is so pure that you can actually smell the qualities of the original herb in the extract, and you are greeted with this aroma when you open a bottle. It is sweet and powerful. There is simply no other extraction method so effective that you can actually smell the purity, fragrance and essence of the herb. This is a testimony to the great care that goes into the selection of the herbs and the supercritical extraction process itself. To give you an idea of the potency and concentration of the extract, we can often use as much as 200 to 250 pounds of fresh herbs to produce just one pound of supercritical extract. All of the herbs are grown on organic farms and selected with the greatest of care. The supercritical process produces an exceptionally broad representation of the herbs’ active constituents, which oftentimes traditional methods of extraction cannot even begin to extract. Furthermore, the supercritical process does not use any chemical solvents at all. Instead, it utilizes safe and environmentally friendly carbon dioxide, the same carbon dioxide that is found in your sparkling water.

Finally, the supercritical extract, post-supercritical extract (PSE) (a water-soluble extract), and the raw whole herb are combined to create our herbal formula. The finished product is superior in terms of both freshness and breadth of active constituents. It delivers the full spectrum of the herbs with a potency that cannot be surpassed. In addition, all of the herbs are independently tested for heavy metals and other contaminates. The result is an exquisite formula that delivers simplicity, purity and incredible potency all at once.

Click here for Tattva’s Herbs Shatavari.

An Ayurvedic View on Depression and Bipolar Disorder

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Bipolar disorder,  also known as manic-depression is a Western psychological diagnosis, characterized by mood swings between elation (or mania) and depression. There are an extensive amount of symptoms and manifestations relating to these diagnoses that can vary greatly, depending on the environment and varied imbalances of the individual. Symptoms of bipolar disorder are different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through from time to time in modern life. It can cause unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.

Depression also affects one’s mood and ability to cope by causing a sense of hopelessness, despondency, cheerlessness, worry, anxiety and sorrow.  In susceptible individuals, bipolar disorder and depression are primarily amplified by low ojas (vigor, immunity, strength, contentment, essentially the fluid of life) and high vata (biological principle of movement and dryness) in the mind and nervous system. As we shall discover, Ayurveda offers a multitude of holistic tools and ways of approaching this disease that can restore health so one does not have to rely as heavily on conventional western treatments and medications that can carry with them so many negative side effects.

Traditional Ayurveda has no specific equivalent description for the diagnosis of bipolar disorder written in the classical Ayurvedic texts.  One of the main ancient treatises on Ayurveda is the Charaka Samhita, describe such mental disorders as “wandering about of mind, intellect, consciousness, knowledge, memory, inclination, manners, activities and conduct.”  Some of the descriptions and symptoms written in these texts are similar to western diagnostics, and some parallels can be drawn. One who is familiar with the practice of Ayurvedic medicine will look at the underlying causes of the symptoms in the individual. Brain, or mood disorders manifest due to imbalances in the three fundamental biological qualities, or doshas that govern the body and mind; vata, pitta and kapha; and the mental principles of sattva, rajas and tamas, which, to simplify, are the “qualities of consciousness.”

The stresses of today’s modern lifestyles can cause many doshic imbalances, which in turn can cause mood disorders.  As mentioned earlier, western medical doctors are eager to prescribe any number of anti-depressant drugs on the market, without looking at the underlying root causes of these conditions. The main tools used in Ayurveda for managing the mind are “diet and herbs on a physical level, prana and the senses working at a more subtle level, and mantra and meditation working more at the level of the mind itself.”

Keeping regular daily routines, eating a healthy diet, getting appropriate exercise, and using some quality herbal supplements, such as Bacopa, Ashwagandha, Gotu Kola and Jatamansi  can make a big difference in managing one’s mental state, and in helping to improve the lives of individuals suffering from these conditions. Triphala is a useful combination of three fruits that help reduce vata in the intestines, and also helps with the absorption of the other herbs and foods that are being taken and will exponentially multiply their effects.

Since Ayurveda is not a quick process, and the science relies on the development of healthy routines and habits over a lifetime, it is important for a patient to practice and have patience with the process.

An Ayurvedic Perspective on Exercise

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written by: Susan Bowes, Owner – Tattva’s Herbs

yoga poseAs with any health issue, Ayurveda bases its instructions on the person, and the particular doshas that dominate that individual. Exercise should be in harmony with one’s specific constitution. For instance, those with high Kapha can take on the most strenuous exercise programs, whereas people with Pitta dominating can take some intense exercise, but not  extremely strenuous and intense all the time. Aerobic exercise, swimming, biking and fast walking are all positive ways of expending energy for Pitta and Kapha types. Those with Vata dominating usually have a strong desire to do strenuous activities such as jogging, jumping, lifting weights, etc. but should actually avoid these, and practice a gentler form of exercise like yoga, stretching, Tai Chi and Qi Gong. Walking is a safe and practical form of exercise for people of any constitution.

Ayurveda instructs that healthy individuals should practice a workout that is half of one’s capacity (very different from the western attitude of pushing one’s self to the limit) One should exercise until sweat appears on the forehead, under the armpits, and up and down the spinal column, but once reaching that point, maintain for a short time, then slow down. This amount of exercise improves digestion by stimulating the gastric fire, induces relaxation, and promotes sound sleep. Sweating helps the body release toxins, control weight gain, and makes you feel good. Over exercising may cause breathlessness, dehydration, and can cause or increase pain in the muscles of the body.

So, as we can see – a lot of this information is based on common sense. We need to stay in tune to our bodys’ needs, and work to improve health, balance and tranquility in all the aspects of our lives.

Chyawanprash has Arrived!

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chyawanprash The long wait has come to an end at Tattva’s Herbs for Chyawanprash. Chyawanprash is only able to be processed once per year due to the large amount of herbs it consists of.

This picture is part of the Tattva’s Herbs team on arrival day in Seattle.

Give your immune system a Boost with

Chyawanprash- the “Ageless Wonder”

Love that Jam!

Chyawanprash, pronounced CHA-WON- PROSH is a traditional Ayurvedic herbal jam made in a base of Amalaki fruit. Amalaki fruit – or Amla is the richest source of vitamin C known to man. It is often called the “Ageless Wonder” due to its remarkable rejuvenative properties and its ability to promote vigor, vitality, and youthfulness. This powerful herbal jam is rich in antioxidants, and is known to have phenomenal and profound effects on numerous systems within the body, including: respiratory, nervous, and circulatory systems. While providing energy and vitality to all the cells of the body, it both nourishes and strengthens the immune system. In Ayurveda, Chyawanprash is the most respected and well known “rasayana” of all, (sanskrit word describing an “elixir of life”). This time-tested remedy is certainly remarkable, and a true pillar of a healthy lifestyle. Today it is praised with the same esteem that it was over 4,000 years ago. Literally thousands of years of experience and knowledge are combined in the preparation of Chyawanprash, which makes it one of the most widely recognized and highly respected of all of the Ayurvedic formulas. It serves to gently balance the nervous system, the mind, the respiratory system and helps to promote healthy digestion and elimination.

Tattva’s Herbs’ Chyawanprash is formulated from a traditional recipe that contains nearly 50 herbs, including Ashwagandha, pippali, cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon and many other well known herbs and spices in a base of clarified butter and honey. Our formula contains no herbicides, pesticides, chemicals or artificial fillers. This energizing formula is slightly warming, and thus helps to promote healthy digestion and stimulates the metabolism. It is suitable and safe for people of all ages, adults and children alike.

Chyawanprash is the supreme anti-stress and anti-aging formula, but is also extremely effective in preventing the common colds and coughs that plague so many of us. If you are one of the many people who are affected by the common work environment, where daily exposure to many people and all of their germs keep you in a constant state of coughing, sniffling and general low energy – Chyawanprash could be especially helpful for you. Taken on a regular daily basis this amazing tonic has the ability to improve all aspects of health. Most people report that they are no longer bothered by nagging coughs and colds. Many people report that their skin clears up and they look younger than they have in years. Almost all users report that they feel a tremendous amount of new energy and vigor. This is due to the synergy created by combining over forty of the most powerful Ayurvedic herbs in a meticulously prepared base.

Chyawanprash  is traditionally taken as a snack on crackers or bread, as the flavor is like a spicy jam, but it can also be taken alone, one teaspoon, one to three times per day. We have also heard of people adding a dose to their protein shake, fruit or vegetable juice, smoothie, or even adding it to coffee or tea as a morning treat – there are endless possibilities with almost countless benefits!

Click here for Chyawanprash.