I am sure you have already noticed that the Ayurvedic Clinic that was located next to the Doctor in Dayboro has moved.  I decided to take my clinic home at the end of my lease because I have taken on more study and have applied for an internship with my teacher Dr Ajit.

If anyone would like an appointment please phone my home 3425 3242 or my mobile 0402 809 926.
What is Ayurveda?  Ayurvedic teachings were recorded a “Sutras” (succinct poetic verses in Sanskrit).  The Vedas are the most sacred and oldest written records of mankind.  The words of the Vedas were carefully memorized according to chants and passed from generation to generation.  The four Vedas are the Rig, Sama, Yajur and Antharva.
The two aims of Ayurveda are:
 - To preserve the health of healthy individuals;
 - To alleviate sufferings in ailing individuals.
To Ayurveda health is not merely a matter of the state of the body.  Ayurveda focuses on maintaining a balanced integrated relationship among the four parts of life, the Soul, the Mind, the Senses and the Body.  Each aspect has specific functions which contribute to the wholeness.
How does it work?  Ayurveda is based on the principles or elements of Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth which make up all matter.  These five basic elements manifest in the human body as three basic constitutions or doshas;
VATA – ether and air, PITTA – fire and water, KAPHA – water and earth
These three doshas govern all the biological, psychological and physiological functions of the body, mind and spirit.  When they are in balance they maintain health and when they are out of balance they contribute to the disease process.
Vata relates to the principle of motion and within the body is responsible for all movement and its qualities are: cold; dry; light; mobile; rough; clear and subtle.
Pitta relates to the principle of transformation and within the body governs our metabolism and its qualities are:  hot; slightly oily; light; sharp; liquid and soft.
Kapha relates to the principle of structure and holds together the elements of the body and its qualities are: cold; heavy; soft; unctuous (oily); stable; solid; dense; slow and liquid.
Each constitution has its own unique qualities and we are all born with a unique combination of Vata, Pitta and Kapha that makes us who we are.  By understanding our individual constitution Ayurveda can identify the aspects of our life that are causing imbalance and symptoms of ill health.  The primary focus of Ayurveda is to maintain wellbeing and where disease occurs identify and remove the cause rather than only treating symptoms.
As Spring is here, I thought it would good to include some cleansing ideas so we can give our bodies a Spring Clean.  Ayurvedic texts say that disease is most likely to take root in the body during the junctions between seasons when nature is in a state of flux.  Taking time to cleanse and nourish our body at this time is another way of safeguarding our balance and wellbeing.  Some simple steps to observe for two weeks during the transition between Winter and Spring include:
1.    Adopting a light nourishing diet of grains and vegetables to rest the digestion. (See example recipe of Green Mung Bean Soup below);
Green Mung Bean Soup
1 cup green mung beans - soaked overnight or until sprouted (2-3 days)
1 tbsp ghee
1tbsp grated ginger 
½ tsp mustard seeds
¼ tsp Hing (known as Asafoetida in the West)
1 bay leaf
1 tsp  turmeric, cumin, coriander and fennel powder
½ - 1 tsp trikatru or black pepper
2 cups chopped vegetables
1 tsp. salt
1½ tsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. raw sugar
Method
Soak the mung beans in water overnight or 3 days.  Change water twice a day. 
Drain and wash mung beans
Using a pressure cooker - melt ghee and then sauté ginger and mustard seeds over medium heat until seeds pop.
Add beans and sauté for 5 minutes.
Add remaining spices (except salt).
Add vegetables of choice e.g. leafy greens, carrots, asparagus, sweet potato, zucchini
Add 7-8 cups of water.
Seal cooker and cook (30 minutes if sprouted – 40 minutes if soaked overnight).
Add salt, lemon juice & sugar when cooked.
If not using a pressure cooker cook beans for 1 hour and then add spices and vegetables for another ½ hour – you may need some extra water.
2.    Taking the Detoxifying Decoction daily. (See recipe below)
Detoxifying Decoction Recipe
1 tsp each of coriander, ajwain & fennel seeds
1 tspn fresh grated ginger
1 small handful of raisins’
4 green cardamom pods
2 cups of water
Method
Simmer until liquid reduces to 1 cup and strain. Add 1-2 tablespoons to hot water and drink as a tea throughout the day. Make fresh each day.
Note: Substitute cumin seeds for ajwain if you have a heat/pitta disorder.
3.    Taking time to reflect and sort through your feelings and emotions.
(Santoshi House Indian Shop in Dixon Street Strathpine has the spices if you can’t find them.)
These are just some simple steps we can take to help ourselves.  Enjoy the change of season.
I was up at Four Winds, Ocean View on 5th September participating in their day on Women’s Health, Herbs and Healing, running a workshop and cooking a couple of simple recipes for tasting.
Yours in health
Linda
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti