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THE AYURVEDIC VIEW ON CARDIOVACULAR HEALTH
Have a (Healthy) Heart! The Maharishi Ayurveda Way...
Ayurveda has always recognized that the human heart is really two
hearts: the physical heart that performs the function of a pump, and
the emotional heart that experiences joy and sorrow and everything in
between.
It follows then, that any problems the heart encounters are also on
two levels: physical and emotional. On the physical level,
accumulated undigested material or "ama" clogs arteries. Free
radicals bombard the system, impairing-among other things-the
efficient functioning of the heart. On the mental and emotional
levels, day-to-day stresses can add up, spewing adrenaline that can
damage the delicate fibers of the heart. According to Maharishi
Ayurveda, stress aggravates two vital subdoshas- Prana Vata, from
mental overload, and Sadhaka Pitta, from emotional trauma.
All these enemies of a healthy heart have one thing in common: they
attack silently, insidiously causing damage over time. "It is
important, therefore, that the heart be maintained at peak level of
efficiency even when there seems to be no apparent damage to it,"
says Vaidya Rama Kant Mishra, Director of Research and Product
Development at Maharishi Ayurveda Products International, Inc.
Ayurveda has scores of herbs in its arsenal to maintain heart health.
The key ayurvedic heart-friendly herbs work on both physical and
emotional levels. Among the stars of heart-care are Arjuna,
Ashwagandha and Guggul. The supporting cast, including Gotu Kola and
Shankhapushpi, also play vital roles. "It is important to look for a
synergistic, balanced combination of herbs," advises Vaidya Mishra.
HEART-FRIENDLY AYURVEDIC HERBS
How the ayurvedic herb "Arjuna" got its name is by itself an
interesting story. Legend has it that when the need arose on earth
for such an herb, Nature manifested it. Arjuna, the archer-hero of
the Mahabharata, was traumatized by the thought of having to wage war
on his relatives and his teacher, and Lord Krishna had to counsel him
at length (the origin of the Bhagavad Gita) before Arjuna's heart was
strong once more. "If this could happen to the great Arjuna,"
reasoned Brahma the Creator, "what of the lesser mortals who find
themselves unable to cope with emotional strain?" Thus was born the
mighty herb Arjuna, which, it is said, can live for several hundred
years in ideal conditions.
The herb lives up to its name. A great restorative, Arjuna soothes
both physical and emotional hearts. It calms an aggravated Sadhaka
Pitta, slowing down the release of toxic hormones. Arjuna has the
unique ability to balance all three doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Recent research has revalidated Arjuna's role in promoting
cardiovascular health.
Ashwagandha is another powerful rasayana that sweeps away stress and
ensures good sleep, thereby healing an overworked heart. A clinical
study in 1997 established the role of Ashwagandha in slowing down the
circulation of adrenaline, the stress hormone that can literally tear
heart muscle fibers. Scientists now know that Ashwagandha also
reduces plasma cortisol, which impairs heart health.
MAHARISHI AYURVEDA FORMULATIONS FOR CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
Herbal formulations are demanding -- they work best when the
ingredients used are of the highest quality and are correctly
combined. In the best tradition of the ancient healers, Maharishi
Ayurveda prepares its herbal formulations with utmost precision. Its
researchers are intimate with every part of the plants they use: be
it root, stem, leaf, seed, bark, sap, juice. They know the role each
of these parts can play in either promoting health or simply counter-
balancing the side-effects. If the root, for instance, has a potent
anti-bacterial ingredient, the leaf has a built-in antidote to
counter the side-effects of that ingredient. The result is a
balanced, synergistic formulation that supports good health with no
damaging side effects.
But herbs are not the only weapons in the arsenal of Ayurveda. "In
fact, on their own, herbs may not yield the best results," cautions
Vaidya Mishra. "Ayurveda believes in prevention, as well as a
holistic approach to healing. Make a lifelong commitment to total
health. Follow a regular routine of eating, sleeping and working.
Meditate and think positive. Those are as active ingredients as any
to help your heart stay strong and healthy."
VAIDYA MISHRA'S TIPS FOR A HEALTHY HEART
• Sleep on time. Good sleep sets the tone for a fresh, stress-
free day. Include Poppy Seed Chutney in your diet.
• Emotional trauma aggravates Sadhaka Pitta, and one result can
be waking up at night feeling restless and depressed. To soothe your
Sadhaka Pitta and help the process of going back to sleep, drink a
cool glass of milk with a spoonful of rose petal jam.
• Do not skip meals.
• Include some cracked black pepper in your diet, black pepper
clears the channels of the body and supports the free flow of oxygen
to the brain, helping you stay composed yet alert.
• The daily Ayurvedic massage -- abhyanga -- is helpful for
stimulating circulation and toning up muscles.
• Start your morning with a stewed apple.
• Ayurveda recommends moderate exercise, especially Yogasanas
(Yoga postures) and Pranayam (breathing exercises). However, Ayurveda
believes that there is such a thing as too much exercise. Follow the
Ayurvedic concept of "balardha" or exercising such that you use up
half your energy and conserve the other 50 %.
• Practice Transcendental Meditation twice a day or use other
relaxation techniques to manage stress.
Note : This ayurvedic information is educational and is not intended
to replace standard medical care or advice.
Copyright MAPI, 2002.
For more information on Ayurveda or to subscribe to free newsletters,
plaese visit http://www.mapi.com
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