As a child perhaps your imagination was also swayed by tales where enhancing trees and fruits gave superhuman powers to the pure and heroic at heart. Fiction and our wildest dreams are more true than reality, and nowhere is this better seen than in Ayurveda. When it comes to the kingdom of plants, the Amla berry tree fulfills that promise. Officially classified as Indian Gooseberry tree, (Phyllanthus emblica or Emblica officinalis), the Amla or Amalaki plant is a deciduous tree of the Phyllanthaceae family. It is small to medium size with spreading branches. It is a very generous tree, as no part of the Amla plant goes to waste! The fruit, seeds, leaves, root, bark, and flowers are all beneficial and are used in different preparations and carry all kinds of different healing properties. But what really makes up Amla’s balancing power? What is it in this berry that defies our common expectations?

The ancient rishi-s, or enlightened seers of India who cognized the universe and lay down Vedic knowledge, explaining every aspect of it on a cosmic as well as minute level, also taught us that in order for us to be happy with healthy bodies, we need to maintain a daily diet that contains six different tastes. According to them, all the food items, whether natural or prepared, that have existed or will exist, are made up of 3 three primary elements that make-up our universe, Soma, Agni, and Marut. When these 3 primal cosmic element come together in different proportions, they create 6 tastes, which are:

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(This article was co-authored by Vaidya RK Mishra and Dr M. Teitelbaum)

If our body creates its own friendly bacteria, why do we need to use synbiotic (prebiotic and probiotic) foods, supplements and skincare? It’s simple; we are depleting our own friendly bacteria through the use of antibiotics, environmental toxins, poor diet, parabens (yes, we have all heard that dirty word!) preservatives, highly acidic food, acidic personal care products, excess alcohol intake, too many anti-bacterial solutions in skin products, chemical peels and more. The overuse of antibiotics is of particular concern as antibiotics not only kill germs and disease, they also kill beneficial bacteria. Simply put, antibiotics kill without prejudice. Over time, these etiological factors have altered our friendly bacteria so much that we have depleted our immune system and we are more susceptible to disease and illness.
As discussed earlier, the use of probiotics as a complement to a healthy diet and lifestyle is not new, and has been documented in the Vedas and used for thousands of years for digestive, gastro-intestinal, urogenital, auto-immune and skin ailments. Up until recently, probiotics have always been ingested internally, but are now available as topical solutions that directly improve the composition of the skin’s microflora and friendly bacteria. A growing body of scientific evidence and research is showing that in addition to certain foods and supplements, topical creams, ointments and clays containing certain live and friendly bacteria can alleviate and prevent a variety of skin conditions and symptoms. (see list of sample references at the end of this article).
Our skin, our largest organ, is full of little ecosystems that need to be balanced in order to function optimally. Through its layers we absorb the universal pranic energy we need to sustain our life, as well as protect us from hazardous effects of environmental toxins such as chemicals, EMF and EMR (electromagnetic fields and radiation). Our skin also supports our immune system helping to prevent infections. By supporting our skin with prebiotics and probiotics we can reestablish a state of balance and optimize the naturally occurring friendly bacteria in our bodies. Remember, our food is our medicine and our skin is an organ, so feeding our skin adequately with nature-derived nourishment will help restore its balance, luster and vibrancy.
Low levels of friendly bacteria in our skin shows up as symptoms of dry and rough skin, thinning and scaly skin, lack of resistance against environmental and seasonal changes and allergies, and flare-ups related to auto-immune conditions. Common bothersome and often painful (both physically and mentally) skin conditions include; eczema, acne, psoriasis, rosacea, allergies, dermatitis, rashes etc.
The symbiotic approach of using prebiotics and probiotics in skincare is a straightforward one; reduce the amount of bad bacteria, while preserving and supporting the beneficial bacteria that protect our skin from infections and other environmental effects. But it should be noted that for optimal results, the application of synbiotics on the skin should be a coordinated one as bacterial equilibrium on the skin can be easily disturbed. The topical application of prebiotics will promote the growth of beneficial bacterial and inhibit harmful bacteria. The topical application of probiotics provides a preventative and alleviating effect of skin issues. Together, they provide a balanced approach that improves the function of the skin and supports the overall immune system. The skin acts as a barrier against harsh chemical and vibrational environmental effects that we sometimes cannot avoid and therefore requires our long-term care and attention.

What are the key differences between conventional antibacterial skincare products and synbiotic skincare products?
Conventional anti-bacterial skincare products reduce all bacterial growth, good and bad. Synbiotic skincare products fight and limit the growth of infectious bad bacteria, yet preserve and stimulate beneficial and friendly bacteria. Probiotics also aid the skin in absorbing nutrients, sooth inflammation, and boost immune function.
When evaluating your use of synbiotic, prebiotic and probiotic skincare, it is important that you research the validity of the products and educate yourself sufficiently. It is also key to understand that true health is not simply about treating symptoms – it is about considering the mind, body and soul as a whole entity.
The Charak Samhita[1] teaches us that Ayurvedic healing should have a three-pronged or tri-sutra approach; we should understand the etiological factors of those we are healing (hetu sutra), we should analyze the symptoms (lingam sutra), and third, we should use therapeutics (aushadhi gyanam sutra) to prevent and heal. Etiological factors are risks factors that contribute to the cause of a disease and those specifically related to our skin may include; the use of antibiotics, unnatural preservatives, acidic food, intake of high sulphur foods, excessive alcohol, chemical-based personal care items, makeup and sunscreens. The etiological factors will cause symptoms that manifest as dryness, roughness, premature wrinkles, lack of resistance to environment fluctuations, lack of glow, flare-ups related to auto-immune deficiencies, as well as thinning and scaling. Therapeutics should be offered as guidelines in avoiding etiological factors, using safe cleansing agents for our skin, and supplementing our skin with prebiotics (discussed below) and probiotics to support the friendly bacteria.

Vaidya’s SVA Probiotic Line
Vaidya Mishra has developed the SVA pre-and-probiotic facial cleansers, clays, creams and soaps to target common skin ailments, provide anti-aging benefits, and support an environment for healthy and friendly bacteria to thrive. The proprietary formulations are based on ancient Vedic texts, time-tested research studies and practice by the SVA Ayurvedic lineage, as well as basic universal truths and philosophical concepts. This skincare line is designed to be used as part of the tri-sutra Ayurvedic approach; avoid as many etiological factors as possible to help support the friendly bacteria on your skin, and treat the symptoms and skin with therapeutics such as the SVA prebiotic and probiotic skincare line.
The prebiotic herbs used in the SVA skincare line are bacteriostatic, as they stop bacteria from reproducing without harming them. They provide a healthy environment of food for friendly bacteria to thrive, and keep the PH level of the skin neutral. Since the bad bacteria are not welcome, they leave or simply do not multiply. The SVA skincare line does not use bacteriocidal substances, which are designed to kill bacteria. Examples of bacteriocidal formulations are disinfectants, antiseptics, and antibiotics.
Prebiotic herbs in the SVA line provide a wonderful environment for the yoginies to flourish and include:
turmeric – immune modulator and bacteriostatic (in body prebiotic clay only)
neem leaf – supports cellular immunity (in body prebiotic clay only)
ashoka – binds auto-immune toxins (in body prebiotic clay only)
lodra – firms and reshapes skin (in body prebiotic clay only)
triphala – nurturing and helps bind toxins (in body prebiotic clay only)
iron bhasma – provides extra food and supports immune system (in body prebiotic clay only)
praval pishti – coral calcium (in body prebiotic clay only)
baking powder – alkalizing and cleansing effect (in body prebiotic clay only)
marshmallow root – contains inulin an adaptable substance that helps bind toxins
slippery elm – similar effects as marshmallow root
Indian sarsaparilla – fat purifier (fat is acidic which can kill friendly bacteria)
praval bhasma – neutralizes PH balance
pranic clay – for enhanced delivery of life-enforcing pranic energy
Sweet orange and grapefruit – gentle natural preservatives
manjistha – immune corrector
vegetable glycerin – emulsifier
ylang ylang, jasmine, lavender – fragrances
The probiotic creams in the SVA line include an organic base of coconut and vegetable glycerin, ylang ylang, jasmine, sweet orange and grapefruit as natural preservatives, neem, turmeric, manjistha, indian sarsaparilla, guduchi, aloe vera, and lactobacillus bulgaricus as the active probiotic ingredient.
The SVA pre and probiotic products should be used together and provide a safe and effective two-step solution for detoxification and restoring balance to the skin and include:
-Step 1 for face: Prebiotic facial cleanser
Clean your face with a thin layer of prebiotic cleanser
Leave it on for 2-3 minutes, then rinse off
Should be kept in a cool and dry place
-Step 2 for face: Probiotic facial cream
Apply a thin layer of probiotic facial cream
Keep in the fridge and finish within one month of opening
If aroma disappears or goes off, discard the cream
-Step 1 for body: Prebiotic cream clay
Apply a thin layer of clay on your body
Leave it on for 5 minutes, then rinse off
Should be kept in a cool and dry place
-Step 2 for body: Probiotic body cream
Apply a thin layer of probiotic body cream
Keep in the fridge and finish within one month of opening
If aroma disappears or goes off, discard the cream
In addition, Dr. Mishra has developed a line of synbiotic soaps with prebiotic and probiotic ingredients that are extra-strength and should only be used by licensed Ayurvedic practitioners and physicians. This soap is designed for affected areas of the body only and should not be used on the face. Afterwards, one should apply probiotic cream on the body. A lesser-strength soap is available for daily use.
After following the two-step SVA pre and probiotic application, users have reported that their skin felt instantly nourished, hydrated and provided them with an overall feeling of bliss.
Based on divine guidance, the wisdom and knowledge of ancient Vedic texts, and the Shaka Vansya (SVA) Ayurvedic lineage, Vaidya Mishra and his team have been able to capture the essence of a revolutionary skincare formula that balances and strengthens the immune system, and protects, enhances and enriches the skin.

Please send your questions to:
Vaidya Mishra
Phone: 888-324-2634, or 818-709-1005/1006
Livingtradition@prana-center.com
http://www.vaidyamishra.com
http://www.chandika.com/categories/Skin-and-Hair-Care/

References and further reading on probiotic studies:
There are now hundreds of studies that show the direct connection and relationship between probiotics, the skin, and immunity. Below are a few references:
Coordinated application of pre and probiotics to get optimum results on skin.[2]
Conventional cosmetic strategies use antibacterial methods which reduce the amount of bad bacteria, but also effect beneficial bacteria. A prebiotic strategy would rebalance the composition of the skin’s microflora by inhibiting the growth of P. acnes and at the same time preserving the growth of beneficial bacteria.[3][4][5]
Probiotics may alleviate and even prevent eczema in infants.[6]
Significant improvement in atopic dermatitis has been reported in infants given probiotic-supplemented elimination diets.[7]
Probiotics administered pre-and post natal for 6 months may be able to reduce the prevalence of atopic eczema in children at high risk for atopic diseases as compared with placebo treatment.[8]
Double-blind, randomized clinical study has shown that as 24-week skin nutrition intervention with a fermented dairy product in female volunteers having dry and sensitive, but otherwise healthy skin significantly reduced trans-epidermal water loss and thus improved stratum corneum barrier function compared to a placebo product.[9]
[1] The Charaka Samhitā Sutra is the canonical and authoritative early Ayurvedic text on internal medicine
[2] Journal of Dermatological science. Leyden JJ, McGinley KJ, Bowels B. Propionibacterium acnes colonization in acne and nonacne. Dermatology 1998; 196:55-8.
[3] Journal of Dermatological Science. Pre-and probiotics for human skin by Jean Krutmann.
[4] Bockmuhl D, Jasoy C, Nieveler S, Scholtyseek R., Wadle A, Waldmann-Laue M. Prebiotic cosmetics: an alternative to antibacterial products. IFSSC Mag 2006; 9-1-5
[5] Freter R. Factors affecting the mircoecology of the gut. In: Fuller R, ed. Probiotics, the scientific basis. London: Champan & Hall, 1992: 111-44.
[6] Food allergy, anaphylaxix, dermatology and drug allergy. Probiotics in prevention of IgE-associated eczema: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. By Thomas R. Abrahamson, MD., Ted Jakobsoon, PhD, Bengt Bjorksten, MD, PhD, and Goran Oldaeus, Md, PhD (Linkoping, Stockholm, and Jonkopimg, Sweden
[7] Isolauri E., Arvola T, Sutas Y, Moilanen E, Salminen S. Probiotics in the management of atopic eczema. Clin Exp Allergy 2000; 30:1605-10, Rosenfeldt V, Benfeldt E, Dam Nielsen S, Fleichsler Michaelsen K, Jppesen DL, Valerius NH, et al. Effect of probiotic Lactobacillus strains in children with atopic eczema. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2003; 111:389-95., Viljnen M., Savilahti E, Haahtela. Et al. Probiotics in the treatment of atopic eczema/dermatitis syndromein infants: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Allergy 2005; 60:494-500, Weston S., Halbert A, Rihmond P, Prescott SL. Effects of prebiotics on atopic dermatitis: a randomized controlled trial. Arch Dis Child 2005: 90:892-7.
[8] Kalliomaki M, Salminen S, Arviommi H, Kero P, Kaskinen P, Isolauri E. Probiotics in primary prevention of atopic disease: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Lancet 2001; 357:1076-9.
[9] Puch F, Samson-Villeger S, Guyonnet D, Blachon JL, Rawlings AV, Lassel T. The consumption of functional fermented milk containing borage oil, green tea and vitamin E enhances skin barrier funtion. Exp Dermatol 2008; 7:668-74.

Timing is essential for total health and there can be no two ways about that! There are innumerable benefits to keeping our daily routine in sync with Nature’s rhythms as we read in a previous issue of Vaidya’s newsletter. Being aware of the cycles of time that keep life going around us can make things much easier in our days, because when we are in-tune with our environment the functioning of our bodies on all levels – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual – is optimal. Why? Our bodies are made of the same materials that the environment we live in is made up of. The same energies that go into the making of the trees, the sky and the creatures that co-habit this planet also make up our bodies. As such, our bodies function optimally under specific circumstances rather than others. The SVA tradition explains the benefits of a specific daily routine protocol that has its basis in the vedic recommendations but that also addresses our modern daily needs. These are recommendations that can help improve your life overall. But remember: if it is not possible for you to stick by one or any of the recommendations due to specific conditions in your life, then stressing out to make changes can actually have the adverse effect! It is always good to know what the ideal we are all working towards is, without having to punish ourselves for not being able to live up to that ideal when it is not possible to do so…
Waking-up and sleeping on timeI

Wake up an hour and a half before sunrise – only IF you went to bed early enough (by 9pm at the latest!). Just forcing ourselves to wake up early to do our morning yogic practice is of no avail if we have not allowed our physiology enough deep rest in a daily cycle. It won’t work! You’ll be groggy, tired, and fall back asleep the minute you settle down into a slower physical activity, even while driving your car to work!
Why is it recommended to sleep early? Each day goes into specific energetic cycles (of Soma, Agni, and Marut) based on the motion of the Sun as well as on the seasonal differences that impact our climate depending on our geographic location. Nature is very systematic in terms of supporting our activities at different and distinct times of the day rather than at others. For example, it is always best to eat a nourishing full lunch meal between 11:30am and 1pm (latest) because this is when the Agni energy is at its peak in our environment and therefore in our bodies. We need peak Agni activity in our stomach and tissues to digest, metabolize, and absorb our meals to the fullest with no side-effects (i.e, toxic build-up). In The same manner, Soma energy is at its peak in the evening time, from about 6-9:45 pm. When we go to bed preferably by 9pm, our physiology goes into rest mode during a peak Soma time and therefore carries that Soma quality into the rest of our sleeping hours. As a result our physiology gets rejuvenated on a much deeper level and when we wake up in the morning we will feel much more refreshed. If you have a hard time falling asleep by 9pm, it is recommended that you start slowing down your evening and reducing EMF exposure and otherwise exciting activities (loud music or TV, intense stressful work-out or intellectual activity, etc). lowering the lights and the volume, doing a gentle peaceful activity (Marma massage) that will be soothing to the heart and the body, you will notice that you will start to yawn by about 8pm, and your body is then ready to hit the sack for a good night’s rest!

What’s Next?
Let’s say you slept by 9pm and woke up by 5:30am. What’s next? If you ate your meals on time the previous day, then chances are you will get the urge the discharge your bowels. When this happens before sunrise, it is great news! After the sun rises, the body’s Agni functions go high and absorption increases. When there are residual toxins (in the form of fecal matter or other) in your physiology, these will get inevitably re-absorbed into your physiology, and we don’t want that! Click here to watch Vaidya discuss this.
If you don’t get the urge to have bowel movement first thing in the morning, then no stress, just move on to the next item that may actually help you: eating a delicious dish of stewed fruits. This is a classic SVA recommendation that Vaidya has been guiding people with for the past 20 years.

Stew your fruits!
Why stewed fruits first thing in the morning? When we wake up after 6-8 hours of sleep/rest, our physiology is in a state of quasi-stupor. It has been running on “save mode” for the past several hours and needs to be slowly re-animated to run at full speed. And this is particularly true of our digestive system. Vaidya gives the image of slumbering embers, after the fire was used the previous day to cook full meals, it was abated at night but not quite fully put out. If we move the layer of ash on the top surface, you can see sparkling little embers still ignited and keeping some warmth going. You then have to stoke the fire, feed it, and let it grow to its proper dimensions again. This is what the morning stewed fruit does. Fruits in general are considered to be very high in Soma and to therefore need very good metabolic fire or Agni to be fully digested. But when you gently cook the fruit, you infuse Agni into it, you also make it easier to digest, plus when you add 2-3 cloves while cooking, you also infuse another Agni Vardana (agni enhancing) spice that also pacifies Pitta dosha and opens circulatory channels to discharge accumulated Pitta and gets things moving again. This is the magic of clove compliments of ayurvedic knowlege! And then you’ll experience the magic of stewed fruits (preferably apples or pears only) with clove.

Morning Massage
By this point, if you have not yet had a bowel movement you can move on to the next step and do a quick morning Abhyanga massage. An Abhyanga massage is usually done with an oil that is infused with specific herbal extracts and aromas. The function of an Abhyanga massage and its benefits are countless, but put in a nutshell, ayurvedic oil massages rejuvenate through the skin, re-invigorate by enhancing circulation again in the morning, and aid in the discharge of toxic built-up resulting from the night of sleep. It is recommended to do a quick massage with circular motion on the joints and outward long movements on the limbs. You can leave the oil on for about 10 minutes and then hop into the shower.
By this point, if you still have not had a bowel movement, you do not stress out, as stressing out about it will only delay it further! The mind and the gut have a very intimate relationship, and while you can train your gut to discharge in the mornings by following a good routine during the previous day, nothing works better for bringing about constipation than a worried mind! So when bowel movements are not occurring when they are supposed to, we do not mind, we keep going about our business of maintain the daily routine, ignoring the delay! Drinking warm water with some fresh squeezed lime in it can also help with the process.

Time to Eat
After your shower and the morning stewed fruits, Pitta dosha is under balance, channels are open and flowing energy again, so this is the best time to do a yogic practice or to connect with the spiritual within. Whether prayer or meditation or contemplation. By this point it is probably about 6:30am. By 7 or 7:30am you are ready to start your day. You will start to feel hungry as well. For something a little more nourishing. This is the time to have your oatmeal (with or without milk as you prefer) with a natural sweetener. If oatmeal is too heavy, then Vaidya recommends a savory quinoa flake Upma. (Recipe in the right column). At this point you can also prep for your early morning protein snack that will consists of a thin dahl (masoor, mung, or French lentils). The early morning protein snack is to be consumed around 10am lastest ideally, otherwise it will interfere with your appetite for lunch which will then interfere with the rest of your daily routine! If your Pitta dosha is out of balance and you are experiencing sharp hunger pangs between 10am and 12pm, you can have a fresh sweet juicy pear regardless of the season. If pears are not available, you can go for some soaked raisins.
Lunch should be consumed between 11:30am-1pm latest. You will feel that when you eat an earlier lunch you will have more and better energy to keep on working through the afternoon as the meal will get digested better. A balanced lunch will consist of at least one green vegetable dish, one protein dish, one grain dish, some bread (preferably yeast free flat breads), and some fresh yogurt.
When lunch is consumed at the right time, by 3pm a little craving for something to snack on will be there! This is a good time to have a sweet juicy raw fruit that will pacify the Pitta and Vata doshas during hot summer weather, or you can have a handful of soaked nuts (almonds, walnuts) and soaked raisins or dates during colder weather. Soaking makes it more easily digestible for the stomach, reducing the sugar content.

Winding it down
As the day winds down, we have what the Vedic Shastras call the second Sandhi of the day. A Sandhi is a transitional point, also known as a gap because it is exactly that, a, interim state in-between two states. This happens once in the morning, when the sun is breaking, and night is giving place to day, and the air is fully and magically charged with Prana. In the evening, the same happens in reverse mode, as the activities of the day slowly give place to the quiet of the darkness coming on as the sun sets. These Sandhi times are the best times to do your yogic practice. That is why it is advisable to wake up before sunrise and to prep yourself with shower etc and be ready for when the Sandhi arrives. In the evening, as the sun is setting, we sit down to gather ourselves again and signal the end of a day of activity to our physiologies. After yogic practice, we eat a nourishing but lighter dinner, perhaps ideally a kicheri, with enough protein and well-balanced spice-wise but not too much pungent, specially for people with high Pitta constitution, so that we can have a nourishing Somagenic sleep.
Soft pleasing activities to the heart and mind to conclude our day so that we can let go fully and replenish our physiologies for another day of blissful activity…

Do you ever feel like you are not getting the most out of your day? Out of your body? Out of your own life?!!! Of course, there could be a myriad of reasons for experiencing lassitude in general! However, there is one thing you might want to try before you call your health expert to get to the bottom of things: how attuned are you with Nature?
In other terms, is your daily routine in-sync with Mother Nature’s daily cycles? The relationship between our biological bodies and the environment goes very deep as our bodies and the environment are mutually co-dependent. Nature needs us to care for her, just as she cares for us by supplying us with bountiful blessings. We give back to her when we take care of the gift of life and the miraculous bodies she has endowed us with.

Chose Right!
But sometimes things go wrong because we chose to ignore Nature’s prodddings…! Just because we can! While we can count on the early morning birds chirping outside our bedroom windows, others may be able to count on us to be just as fresh and full of life in the early morning because we might have chosen to work or party through the night. We might have decided to keep on going ignoring our bodies telling us to rest, that exhaustion had set in and it was time to recoup. Instead we had reached out for yet another cup of coffee to pump our body body chemistry and get second wind! Another expample of being out of sync with Nature’s rhythms: our stomachs tell us that the Chinese dish served in the restaurant next door is not really sitting well and causing quite a few physical and even emotional upsets, but the taste of that soy sauce on the deep fried spring rolls is just too irresistible to our palate…
These are small signals that Mother Nature communicates to us through our own bodies. And modern science itself is on to them.

What Science is Saying:
In the 1950s, the term “circadian” was coined to refer to our bodies’ attunement with the cycles of nature. The word “circadian” comes from “circa” = about and “diem” = day, so it is a daily cycle.
In nature, there are large (macro) and small (micro) cycles, that is, some that take a really long time, and others that happen much faster. The circadian cycle is all about what happens to our bodies in one day in terms of metabolism, hormonal balance, etc. It defines the relationship between our bodies and the environment, explaining how and why specific functions and results can be optimal at specific times of the day and not at other times.So we can understand that working through the night on high caffeine is not necessarily a good idea even though we can do so, because our bodies are prone to optimal activity on the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual levels, when specific conditions and situations are satisfied.

But so what if we are a little tired the next day, we can catch up! So what if we get heartburn continuously, we can get some anti-acid tablets etc… Because both science and ancient ayurvedic wisdom confirm that this is what amounts to aging. And aging can be an experssion of an overworked body that has never really gotten the opportunity to recover from constant work; or it can be the expression of mental and emotional exhaustion where an individual simply breaks down even when faced with the minutest of daily happenings. Over time, the cumulative effect of delayed bedtime, of acidic food residues, of non-processed emotional stress work their way into the physiology creating a slump in our personality and outlooks! When this happens, no medicine, no herb, no strong will-power can do anything! There is a biological and chemical reality that has set in that needs to be altered through the original cause. And this is where “lifestyle medicine” becomes so signficant.
For example, in Vaidya Mishra’s Prana Center, many clients have come in complaining of mental fog, overall fatigue, lack of appetite, lack of spirit. Much to their surprise, their recommendation has been to do one thing only: re-schedule their lives to be back on track with the rhythms of Mother Nature. Even modern science is on this! See the diagram below:

Things as simple as correcting the sleeping/waking routines, our eating times and frequency, etc. have much to do with our output and thus pre-determine the success of our actions and the happiness of our lives!
In Ayurveda, the importance of being in-sync with Nature’s cycles has always been known. In fact, the discussion of this very important subject is very detailed and interesting, because the understanding of the human physiology and its relationship to Mother Nature is much more in-depth and layered.

 

The SVA Perspective
More specifically, in Vaidya Mishra’s SVA tradition, we find many unexpected details to help reset our internal metabolic and other clocks, so as to stay on the right path of bliss and balance.
The Charak Samhita explains that there are 3 Upasthambas, or subpillars, of life: Ahar, Nidra, and Brahmacharya. What do these 3 support? They support the reception and flow of Prana. Because, as Vaidya explains, life is defined as the flow of Prana. So health and happiness, in a nutshell, depend on the proper reception and flow of Prana. Then supplying Prana to every organ and system and molecule is the ultimate healthy thing to do. Click here to hear more about the 3 sub-pillars of life with Vaidya Mishra on youtube.
The discussion of these sub-pillars of life shows us the value of “lifestyle as medicine” in Ayurveda. We talk a lot about “food as medicine” but lifestyle plays an even greater role as a preventative modality. All the shastras of Ayurveda talk about the importance of balance between rest and activity, about morning routine, daytime routine, night routine, what are good activities to maintain, what would be bad and not recommended activities. In Ayurveda that section is called “Swastha Vritha.”
In SVA, the primary recommendations are based on Swastha Vritha, because we believe that unless daily routine and dietary protocols are proper, no herbs or medicine can help correct an imbalance! Although in this day and age, given the rhythm of our daily lives, it is not easy to follow the right lifestyle 100%, sowing the seed of knowledge and its value always give the desire to follow and wherever deep desire is, there Mother Nature supplies the means to follow…

 

Why to Follow Swastha Vritha? The SVA Perspective:
We know by now that the components of Prana are Soma, Agni, and Marut. Prana is found in the environment, in Nature, and enters our bodies. The environment and our bodies are connected through the flow of Prana and the ratio of Soma, Agni, and Marut in the environment changes on a daily basis as well as a seasonal basis. It also gets influenced by the planets and their orbits, their vicinity to earth. There are thus many varying factors that are constantly changing and affecting the body on a daily basis. That is why it is even more important to try to follow as much as possible, on a daily basis or seasonal basis, all the proper dietary and lifestyle guideline routine so as to keep the body grounded despite all the ongoing changes, since so many activities in the body are of a repetitive nature and thus need constant continuous repetitive feedback as well from us – we cannot survive long without eating, drinking, resting, etc. We have to go through these activities on a daily basis to maintain life…
There are even distinct terms for the different times of day that require specific routines. For example, the daytime routine is referred to as “Dinacharya” while the specific routine for the nighttime is called “Ratricharya.” The lifestyle medicine of Ayurveda is all about teaching us to cope up with the daytime environmental and other changes that affect our behavior and aptitudes; and the nighttime routine is about helping us adjust to the environmental changes at night so that the reception and flow and delivery of Prana are not interrupted in our physiologies.

 

Samadosha, Samagni and Samadhatu:
If we were to summarize everything that comes under topic, we would say that it is all about maintaining Samadosha, Samagni and Samadhatu. Because, as we have seen, Soma, Agni, and Marut are the raw material for Kapha, Pitta, and Vata, and these doshas, in their turn, govern all the Agni-s (metabolic principles). This is all it takes to maintain perfect health: Samadosha – that all the doshas are maintained in perfect equilibrium so that the body has the opportunity to run all its organs and organ systems optimally; Samagni – making sure that all that is ingested is properly transformed into the next stage, so that energy is gained, and the body is not carrying a load of unprocessed materials that are slowing it down; Samadhatu – so that when the body is functioning perfectly then it renews all its tissues and systems on the physical level, and then the subtler connections that pervade the consciousness are able to thrive supplying more bliss to the mind and heart…

 

Turmeric has long been known as an auspicious spice in India. It has been used not only in cooking but also in spiritual and social rituals. The vedic shastras laud its benefits. So much so, that even a pinch of turmeric is considered enough! Click here to watch Vaidya talk about the top 20 benefits of turmeric. But should we just go with what the shastras say or is there any scientific validation for this? Is it just an ancient indian myth or can it have meaning for us in our modern daily lives?
If you have not had the opportunity to check, you might want to google turmeric and scientific findings. The literature is recent, vast, and growing. Over the past few years, interest in turmeric has grown exponentially, hundreds of studies have been conducted not only confirming what the ancient vedic scriptures spoke of thousands of years ago, but also showing the potential this spice has for healing and preventing so many of our modern chronic and fatal diseases.
So it’s good for you! But what does that mean? And how and why is it good for you? The scientific world will say that it contains specific chemicals (curcumin) that behave a certain way when ingested, and therefore heal. But there is a much bigger picture to things. Here is what Vaidya Mishra has to say about turmeric. His SVA explanation of turmeric is very distinct and as always particular to his lineage. You will not be able to read this anywhere else!

THE SVA PERSPECTIVE : Vaidya explains that turmeric is highly pranic. We have learnt that Prana is itself made of three components, Soma, Agni and Marut. Turmeric is mostly made up of Marut and Agni. Because turmeric has more Marut and Agni, it is a very active ingredient that acts as a catalyst when ingested or applied transdermally. It does not sit idle.
The healing and health-supporting effect of turmeric derives primarily from its characteristics of Agni and Marut. This is why detox is its primary property. In addition, it target a specific organ first and foremost: the liver. To define it in one sentence: turmeric detoxifies the liver. That is its primary target. Because it addresses the liver first, it also supports and helps the whole cellular system of the body – through its primary action on the liver it supports all the 5 Agni-s or metabolic factors that are seated in the liver. Each Bhutagni (or agni of the liver) corresponds to an element: space, air, fire, earth and water.
The liver is primarily made of Agni and Marut but it also has some Soma. When the liver is intelligent (meaning it is able to perform its activities in the way it was meant to) and does not meet any hindrances for absorbing, processing and transforming Soma, then it can produce intelligent blood. When blood is intelligent (meaning it is not overloaded with toxins due to a weak liver, it carries all the information it is meant to, and is full of Prana due to a good satwic diet), then such blood supports the immune system and helps maintain the health of all the organs and organ systems in the body, maintaining as well the pH of the blood. This, in turn, reduces inflammation in the body overall. Inflammation can be the number one cause of many diseases. Turmeric is thus an alkalizing and therefore an anti-inflammatory. Its ability to support the liver in processing and transforming Soma results in alkalinity in the body. In scientific terms, researchers confirm that turmeric is an immuno-modulator, anti-inflammatory, it helps balance cholesterol, as a result it repairs DNA, is good for chemo-prevention, helps in senile dementia… and these are just a few of the findings… (see the column to your right for additional research references).
Does this mean we should be ingesting large doses of turmeric? Nowadays curcumin capsules are prevalent in health food stores across the country, and countless people are swallowing a couple capsules a day. SVA explains that this can be highly detrimental to your health. In fact, if used improperly, turmeric can have unwanted negative results. So what is the proper use of turmeric then? Click here to watch Vaidya explain all about it.

HOW MUCH TURMERIC IS TOO MUCH? In traditional ayurvedic medicine, it is not recommended that turmeric be used alone. It is also not recommended that turmeric be consumed raw. Why? As explained, the primary effect of turmeric is on the liver organ. Turmeric activates the liver and promotes its detox. turmeric brideWhen the liver starts to leach out toxins with the help of turmeric, and if the detox pathways found all over the body are not ready (they could be blocked, or incapable to handle a sudden toxic load efficiently) then this will affect the rest of the organs. Similarly, if the other organs such as the kidneys, or the urinary tract , or the colon, have not been prepped to handle the release of large toxic loads, then the toxic waste being released by the liver all at once without previous preparation will surely result in a “detox crisis.” It can rupture the circulatory channels while moving here and there, and worst of all, if it does not find its way out of the body safely and effectively, it will get reabsorbed which can result in auto-immune conditions. To use a simple analogy: a fast-forward detox with turmeric when you have never done any gentle detox protocols would be like trying to clean your house when you’ve not done it in years (5,10, 15 or more!). One fine morning you bring in this expert contractor, Turmeric Inc., who tells you have to start from the most important room in your house (your liver) that happens to be in the middle of the house (situated in terms of its role). So while you are discharging loads of junk and garbage from that room you have to be able to move and throw it all out, but all the pathways are filled with clutter, there’s barely any room to move or walk, so you start to put little little bags here and there in an effort to clean that first room, but you end up making the rest of the house even more cluttered, even more messy. What’s worse, you move things that had been sitting in their place and putrifying for a long long time, and naturally when you move them, you notice that there are strong chemical reactions, toxic gases that are released but you are not able to open your windows and doors to bring in some fresh air as everything is backed up against walls… What a mess!

So the first rule of thumb: 1) never consume turmeric raw. The second: 2) never eat it alone. After discovering turmeric for the first time and tasting its gentle bitter taste and reading about its health benefits, many people start to leave it on their tables along with the salt and pepper in a little shaker! When you visit Whole Foods market, you will in fact see next to their salad bar a little shaker with turmeric in it for those who are more health conscious! Someone should notify their management that it is a health risk…
A DELICIOUS AND SAFE SPICE MIXTURE: SVA recommends that turmeric be cooked. If you are introducing turmeric to your diet for the first time, you must do so only in pinches. bags of spicesSVA also recommends that turmeric be cooked with other spices. Here is a safe and delicious spice recipe with turmeric. Combine 1 part turmeric powder with 1 part cumin, 6 parts coriander, and 6 parts fennel. The cumin, coriander and fennel seeds will be measured in seed form, then ground and then added to the turmeric powder. This recipe is not only delicious but it also has very specific effects. This is what the rest of the spices do.
Cumin helps to open the circulatory channels and restore their intelligence. Cumin has more Marut than Agni, it is not as pungent as chilies. It also knows what to absorb and what to eliminate.
Coriander has the amazing quality of collecting and binding toxins from and in the blood and exiting them through the urinary tract.
Fennel is added to this mixture because the detox process initiated by the previous spices creates a little more cleansing activity in the body, and something is needed to overlook the cleansing operation to make sure everything is progressing on schedule. Fennel creates a friendly and cooling environment at the same time supporting the enzymatic processes to make sure detox happens safely and effectively.
Even though this recipe is balanced and balancing, if this is your first time introducing spices to your diet you must start using this mixture only in pinches. Add a pinch or two to your food while it is cooking. Increase a pinch every three days and go up to half a teaspoon and eventually up to a teaspoon. Do not sprinkle on your food for added flavor!
If you experience unwanted rash or nausea, or bloating and gas, reduce the dose until you feel comfortable again. Do not make tea out of this mixture, always only cook with it (protein, vegetables, lentils).
Put enough water in your vegetables or lentils so that the water becomes the medium for the transformative power of the spice. And then add a lipid medium as well, like ghee or olive oil, that way you can get both the lipid soluble and the water soluble factions of the spices. It is recommended that you cover your pot while cooking so as to preserve the aroma in the Soma.
TURMERIC AND SOCIAL RITES AND RITUALS: Turmeric is considered a divine tuber. For any auspicious ritual celebration turmeric is used either as a powder or a paste. Clothes are dyed in turmeric. A mixture of turmeric and sandalwood paste is made to and applied on the body (face, limbs, etc) of brides and grooms before their wedding ceremony. turmeric bride

Only if death occurs, then turmeric should not be used. Why? When you grieving, mourning, your Sadhak Pitta is high. All the Pitta subdoshas (the metabolic principles of the physiology) are related to the liver and its 5 Agnis. If you ignite the fires in your liver, it will also increase the fires residing elsewhere in your body, and you don’t want to increase Sadhak Pitta when it is already high due to loss. In vedic India, when a person passes away, no turmeric is used during the 13 day vedic ritual. All close members dress in white as a sign of mourning, and avoid eating heating foods or agni-enhancing foods (turmeric, ginger, onion, garlic, or other spicy foods). You need more Soma during periods of high grief or emotional turmoil, more Soma and more Ojas to connect your brain to your heart. Anything that consumes Soma is counter-indicated.
COUNTER-INDICATIONS: Since turmeric ignites the five Agni-s of the liver Turmeric is also contraindicated in cases of high fever, chicken pox, small pox, active hemorrhoids, tuberculosis. if you are currently on any medication or are experiencing any serious health conditions, you must check with your medical doctor before perusing any turmeric or turmeric products.

Proper digestion of food is the foundation of our health. But what does proper digestion mean in ayurvedic terms and what does it entail? Vaidya Mishra offers a very specific and clear answer. Click here to hear Vaidya Mishra explain the details of the ayurvedic digestive process. But do we every stop to think about what triggers digestion? How does our body “know” when to start the process of digestion?
The SVA tradition reminds us that the process of human digestion is initiated even before you put something into your mouth! When you see and smell the food, your body already prepares itself by sending signals to your different brain centers. The brain then triggers the release of specialized chemicals that will help in the break-down, digestion, and absorption of your food. We have all experienced this. Remember what happens when you look at pickles? Your mouth automatically produces more saliva to coat the spice, salt and sour that is coming in with the pickle! Or the feeling of content in your heart when you see or smell a freshly baked hot-from the-oven cake?

This is your brain sending signals to your digestive system based on what the senses are gathering.
Science confirms the fact that digestion begins with the sight and smell of food and calls this stage of digestion “cephalic phase” (cephalic means that which has to do with the head). This phase occurs before food enters the stomach and is very important because it readies the body for eating and digestion. The sight and thought of the food stimulate our cerebral cortex. Then the taste and smell of our food are sent to yet other specialized parts of our brain, the hypothalamus (this is a small chamber in our brain that connects the nervous system to the endocrine system) and the medulla (this part of the brain deals with the cardiac, respiratory, vomiting, and involuntary functions, such as breathing, heart-rate, blood pressure). When the cerebral cortext, the medula and the hypothalamus receive all this information they adjust their functions and ready the physiology in all its aspects to enhance the secretion of gastric juices and enzymes.
Ayurveda also explains this complex system of digestion in detail.Vaidya Mishra’s lineage, Shaka Vansiya Ayurveda, likens the digestive system to a burner and uses the analogy to its fullest to explain its different components. This is how Vaidya Kameshwar Mishra explained the digestive process to his interning son, Vaidya Ramakant Mishra, when his college teacher was unable to explain and elucidate the difference between Pachak Pitta and Pachak Agni….

SV Ayurveda likens the stomach to a digestive tract’burner’ – imagine a burner as the one in your kitchen stove on which you cook everyday. In order to function and cook food placed on top of it, your burner needs fuel. Our stomach supplies such fuel (gastric acid, pepsin, digestive enzymes). In ayurveda, the fuel of this burner is called “pachak pitta.” How do you ignite this fuel? When your brain receives the signal that food is coming, it starts releasing pachak pitta in the stomach cavity which amounts to lowering the stomach pH so that the “cooking of the ingested food” can be initiated. This produces a flame/fire called “pachak agni” or “jathar agni” which is responsible for transforming the food that was ingested. This phase is called the gastric phase (or the stomach phase) that takes approximately 3-4 hours to complete! At this point in the stomach we have food, we have gastric and digestive juices (pachak pitta), a lowered pH (1-3), and automatic reflexes that churn the food breaking it down into smaller molecules and particles and this constitutes the pachak agni, the actual cooking activity.

SVA highlights that in order to support this highly sophisticated activity of eating and digesting food, of maintaining the proper balanced activity of Pachak Agni and Pachak Pitta in the burner, the gap, it is necessary to chew well, and helpful to eat in silence because chewing helps to break down the food by mixing it in with the digestive fluids found in the saliva, because unlike some other species, for humans, digestion begins in the oral cavity or the mouth. We secrete large amounts of saliva every day (1-1.5 litres/day). This saliva helps moisten the food and it contains digestive enzymes which aid in the chemical breakdown of complex molecules. The tongue helps form the food into a ball and pushes it to the back of the mouth and then down the esophagus where it is ready to be broken down by the stomach.
Keeping silence helps to focus on the food. It gives the brain the opportunity to put undivided attention to govern all the activities in the mouth, the esophagus, the burner, or the digestive gaps. When the brain’s attention is not divided by other activities, then it can better determine how much flame needs to be given during the process of digestion. The brain then knows best what to do if there are problems arising due to either the food that was ingested (if it needs more breaking down if it is too rich in fat or protein) or if the digestion is slow because the individual is tired(not sleeping enough and working too much) or undergoing emotional stress etc. If digestion is slow due to heavy foods, it may also be due to the lack of proper spicing and cooking or the quality of the food or the quantity of the food, or the temperature of the food.
This is where the concept of Ama comes in. The vedic shastras (ancient classical texts) say that no physical disease can happen without Ama hence one of the synonyms of disease is “amaya” (full of ama).
What are some ayurvedic digestive imbalances? There can be 3 kinds of imbalances that the flame can have due to problems in the fuel or the burner. Click here to listen to Vaidya explain these.
For example, if the fuel is less in quantity or the burner is clogged (different parts of the stomach are not functioning optimally) or both then the flame, the Agni (overall cooking process) will be low. This state is called Mandagni – or low Agni. In this case, when the food reaches the stomach without proper spicing that would correct that condition, then whatever portion of the food is not cooked properly will result in Ama. Proper spicing can help this situation very easily as different spices can help with different parts of the digestive process – some enhance the Pachak Pitta, others correct the Pachak Agni, others yet just clean the gaps on the burner to let the Pachak Pitta and Pachak Agni interact and do their job better in a cleaner environment!
Modern nutraceutical science promotes high nutrient content diets across the board for all individuals. For example, brown rice. Brown rice contains more nutrients than white rice but then what happen when somebody has low Agni? When they eat heavier food that their stomach cannot fully properly digest, it will remain semi-digested, that is they will produce ama (semi-digested toxins) out of the nutrients in brown rice. In the case of Mandagni or the slow flame, SV Ayurveda gives specific recommendations for spices based on specific body types, age, climate, or season, and even ethnic background. Taking care of Mandagni or low agni situation through recommending spices is easier than other conditions
Common helpful spices for Mandagni are: fresh ginger, sunthi(pitta-pacifying ginger), black pepper corns, long pepper (pippali), green thai chilies, ajwain seeds, cumin seeds. But recommending these spices to all low Agni or Mandagni people would be dangerous in the situation where the person is either high Pitta by Prakriti (natal constitution), or if the Pitta is aggravated and accumulated in the stomach or the Sandhi (gap) or the burner is clogged, due to vibrational toxins (resulting from emotional or other non-material stress).
Unlike mainstream Ayurveda, SV Ayurveda identifies this condition called “High Pitta Low Agni” and has remedies to help balance it preventing further digestive and emotional aggravation. If an individual has high Pitta low Agni when the fuel is hot and the flame is low, then all the above spices will heat up the Pitta even more and create aggravation (desire to eat more but ability to digest less and less resulting in heaviness, fatigue, acidity, heartburn, emotional upset). In this situation, SVA recommends spices such as fennel, coriander to cook with. Clove is also very good for high Pitta and low Agni situations. but in very moderate doses. As far as turmeric, the king of spices goes, it has to be used in high Pitta low Agni with lots of coriander and fennel.
Connecting the mind and the stomach, that is keeping your attention on the eating process and not on TV or a conversation or reading a book is also recommended in Ayurveda. In ayurvedic terms, the mobility factor in the our bodies is call the Vata Dosha. The Vata Dosha helps to move things where they are meant to go. It supplies the air principle to our physiology. It has many subcategories. During digestion, it is important to keep Prana Vata (that runs the brain activity) and Samana vata (that keeps activity in the stomach going) balanced and coordinated, since the brain always commands the conversion and flow of the flame as modern science also recognizes. Hear more about the sub-doshas with Vaidya Mishra, click here

Tips for connecting Samana and Prana Vata: when you eat, keep your spine straight to allow for the optimal flow of Prana Vata to the stomach area and also to give better room for Samana Vata to do its job. If you are having trouble with your circulatory vibrational channels, you can use Vaidya Mishra’s Supersport Transdermal cream on the spine or Supersport spray on the stomach (apply in clockwise motion) before food.