Chronic pain is a modern pandemic – in the United States, we are looking at an estimated annual costs of management – including healthcare expenses, lost income, and lost productivity – of more than a $100 billion! Chronic pain interferes with our daily lives and happiness, hampering our productivity. The American Academy of Pain Medicine distinguishes between acute and chronic pain. Acute pain is triggered by a (medical) condition, and once the cause is addressed, the pain subsides. Chronic pain, on the other hand, is difficult to address: “while acute pain is a normal sensation triggered in the nervous system to alert you to possible injury and the need to take care of yourself […] chronic pain persists. Pain signals keep firing in the nervous system for weeks, months, even years.” (http://www.painmed.org/files/facts-and-figures-on-pain.pdf)

Acute pain can originate in an injury — a fall; a sprained back; an infection, etc.  Or there may be a medical condition at its origin — arthritis, cancer, an inflammatory or infectuous disease, etc. However, some people suffer chronic pain in the absence of any past injury or evidence of body damage. Some common chronic pain conditions include: headaches, lower back pain, generalized body aches; neurogenic pain (pain resulting from damage to the peripheral nerves or to the central nervous system itself); psychogenic pain (pain not due to past disease or injury or any visible sign of damage inside or outside the nervous system). Our attitude to chronic pain, and how we deal with it, is telling of our cultural customs.

Pain is a signal. It’s a message. It’s your body’s early warning system that something is wrong, so you can take steps to correct the problem. If you couldn’t feel pain, and you had your hand on a hot stove, for example, you wouldn’t know your hand was burning -because of pain, your brain gets the message to get your hand off the stove right away!

But we have been conditioned to think of pain as a nuisance, and to reach out for the strongest painkiller without hesitation. Do you know how painkillers do not “kill” pain? Nor relieve it? They simply stifle the messages our body is giving us. Pain relievers work with your cells, your body’s nerve endings, your nervous system, and your brain to keep you from feeling the pain. When any part of your body is injured or inflammed, special nerve endings in that area instantly send chemical signals/messages to your brain, to alert you of what is going on. Painkilling drugs interfere with these messages, either at the site of the injury, in the spinal cord, or in the brain itself. They keep the message from reaching your brain, or numb the brain centers from hearing the messages. So you don’t feel the pain. Sometimes life is such that we don’t have time to deal with pain, we just need to keep going with work and responsibilities, so swallowing that painkiller is fast and easy. However, we should find the root causes of our chronic pain and address them.

Chronic pain is a modern global epidemic, and a lot of it has to do with how we live and what we eat. But what can we do about that? Drown ourselves in a deluge to start a new world order, start fresh with a clean slate? Or, we could try to usher in some gentle daily routine and lifestyle changes….

The renewed interest in ancient plant-based healing sciences can help us improve our lives by teaching us gentle alternative methods of re-attunining ourselves with our bodies, resetting our rest and activity cycles to be in synch with the rhythms of Mother Nature. In this sense, Ayurveda can be a treasure trove of information. Ayurveda can help us determine the type of pain as well as its origin, offering us a number of gentle alternative and herbal formulations. Understanding pain fully can help us address it fully – keep in mind that when you have pain, it is best to consult with your medical doctor first and foremost. Any alternative modalities, as presented in this article, are only for educational purposes, and should not be perused to self-diagnose or self-treat, and in lieu of proper medical care. However, educating yourself about how your body responds to the environment and to food, and rest and activity routines can prove to be invaluable benefit. I’ve personally helped countless individuals successfully address different types of pain by helping them correct their lifestyle and diets.

Pain According to Ayurveda: Nij vs Agantuj

Several ancient shastras – ayurvedic texts – categorize pain in different terms based on the type, source, and location of pain.

In general, the texts give two broad categories, nij and agantuj.

1. NIJ: biological or internal pain that originates from within the body. This could be due to doshic imbalances or accumulation, toxic build-up, inflammation, etc. A sedentary lifestyle, ongoing mental stress, a poor diet, etc., can all contribute to bodily imbalances that can result in pain.

2. AGANTUJ: pain that originates from outside the body, for example, xenobiotics as in exposure to toxic chemical fumes found in cleaning household products; external events that cause mental and emotional trauma; EMF or other electromagnetic fields that disrupt the physiology’s subtle flow of prana, as well as clog and damage the physical channels, tissues, and organs; etc.

Based on the hetu of the pain, etiological factors, pain can be located in four possible areas of our bodies:

in the shrotas or physical channel

in the nadi-s vibrational channels

in the angas, organs and organ systems

in the dhatus or tissues
Ayurvedic shastras say that dis-ease goes through distinct periods of development before it reaches its final 6th irreversible stage and fully materializes as an incurable condition. Similarly, unaddressed minor pain travels from one dhatu or tissue to another, diving deeper into the physiology, until it becomes chronic and sometimes impossible to manage without drugs or surgical intervention. The deeper the pain is allowed to travel, the more difficult it becomes to treat.  When any pathogenic factor crosses meda dhatu (fat) and reaches the bone marrow, it sets the stage for advanced clinical conditions such as cancer, or auto-immune conditions.   Then it becomes very difficult to manage even with the most powerful pain management modalities of modern medicine.

Besides these two broad categories, Ayurveda also classifies pain in terms of its properties. Pain can be one of the following:

1. Vedana:  Vedana translates as “unpleasant knowing.”

2. Shoola:    Sharp, pulsating, throbbing pain

3. Toda:       Deep, dull constant pain

Pain and its Hetu in SVA 

In SV Ayurveda we categorize pain according to the hetu – causative factors:

• Vataja:  By vata dosha

• Pittaja:  By pitta dosha

• Kaphaja:  By kapha dosha

• Dwandaja:  By two-dosha combinations – VK, VP, KV, KP

• Tri-doshaja:  By all three doshas

• Abhighataja: Trauma or injury to the tissues

• Manas-aja: By psychological factors

• Ama:   By channel blocking toxins

• Amavisha:  By reactive toxins

• Garvisha: By xenobiotics (environmental toxins from outside body)

• Indravajrabhijanyavisha:  By EMF/EMR/RF (disruption of nadis and sandhis by vibrational toxins)

In general, superficial generalized body ache and pain means blockage or inflammation in the rasa (plasma) and rakta (blood) channels or nadi-s, sandhi-s, whereby marma points become compromised.   Muscle pain (mamsa) can be more serious, but still quite manageable.   Consequently, we limit our discussion of pain to include up to the mamsa dhatu (muscle tissue.)

In all types of pain, SVA first focuses on isolating and identifying the specific hetu (etiological factors) for each individual.

Vataja  

Vata easily becomes aggravated from stress, EMFs, physical fatigue, dehydration, malnutrition, overuse of the senses, dry or drying food, improper daily routine, skipping meals, not sleeping on time, cold windy weather, etc.  Vata can also become aggravated if there is a deficiency of a specific nutrient that is required by the body.  Vata body types have a tendency toward high vata.  Above 50, everyone moves into a vata time of life, causing vata to increase even more easily.

Vata impacts the nadis (vibrational channels) and their coordination with the srotas (physical channels.) In vataja pain – as in all other types of pain – agni is involved in the samprapti (pathogenis.) Vata imbalance causes vishmagni – sometimes low agni, sometimes high agni.  When low, ama gets made.  When high, amavisha gets made directly.   Whatever the adhisthan (prime site of aggravation or deposition) ama and amavisha cause pain.  Simple ama causes toda (stiffness,) in the shoulders, for example.  Amavisha in the same area, for example, would cause shoola pain (burning and inflammation.)

General management:  First, avoid the hetu.  Pacify vata with SVA dietary and lifestyle recommendations.   Maintain a regular routine.  The calming effect of regular routine cannot be over-emphasized.  Go to bed early, and never skip or delay meals.  Better to eat smaller, more frequent meals.  Avoid cold, windy weather conditions.  Adequate intake of high-quality protein each day is essential for vata balancing.  I recommend daily use of Vegan Protein Powder.

For local pain, there will almost always be a mix of ama and amavisha.  We have to pacify vata, burn ama, bind and neutralize amavisha as well as open the nadis and srotas:  all this without creating additional inflammation.  We have easy steps:

1. Apply DGL Transdermal Cream (or roll-on) on the affected area first

2. Apply Super Sport Transdermal Cream (or roll-on) next

3. Swipe the lower back 7 times with DGL and next Super Sport (opens shushumna nadi for overall pranic flow to all organs and systems.)

4. Self-massage with SVA Vata Abhyanga Oil with Magnesium and Vit D

SVA clients love Super Sport and have given many testimonials on how effectively it handles aches and pains, for example:

The Super Sport product is magical – it is great at relieving pain and providing increased flexibility in joints, muscles, and other body parts. I have offered it to others who have likewise been amazed at how well it works. A golfing friend used it on his knees and had his first pain-free round in 20 years (and he always medicates with ibuprofen or other drugs before playing). Needless to say, he has ordered his own Super Sport container.  More Super-Sport Testimonials on www.chandika.com

Pittaja

Pitta easily becomes aggravated by stress, spicy foods, skipping or delaying meals, hot weather, excess sour & salty tastes, trying to meet deadlines, anger, hot baths, staying up late, alcohol, etc.  Pitta time of life (mid-life) also contributes to increase of pitta.

The teekshnagni (sharp agni) of pitta creates amavisha and inflammation in the channels and organs.  In this situation, the pranic flow of nadis gets disturbed due to agneya (full of agni) nature of amavisha. The result is shoola, burning, throbbing, and radiating pain.

General management:  Follow pitta pacifying diet and behavior.   Favor cooling, soothing foods, cooked only with mild non-pungent spices.  Go to bed on time – no later 9:45pm.  Watch any tendency to overwork yourself.  Avoid too much sun and hot weather.  Be moderate in all you do.  Transdermally, first apply DGL TD, then Flex ’n Flow Cream or Body Mist on affected muscles.  (Avoid the face and other sensitive areas.)  DGL will cool the inflammation and balance the thermogenic energy of Flex ’n Flow.  Flex ’n Flow will further relief pain by unclogging and supporting the flow of prana in the nadis and srotas.  Moreover, it will support and enhance the interaction between the physical and vibrational channels.   Self-massage with Pitta Massage Oil with Magnesium

 

Kaphaja

Kapha becomes aggravated by heavy foods/oily foods; too much sweet and salty foods; cold, damp weather; sedentary lifestyle; over eating; and too much sleep.  Kapha time of life, childhood to early adulthood, is also a factor.

Kapha creates manda (dull agni) in early stages with toda (dull, constant pain.)  (Long standing ama eventually becomes amavisha.)   Kapha, and ama, clog the srotas in different organs and systems, particularly the lungs, brain, kidneys, and throat.   Kapha and ama may also affect the muscles and joints.

General management:  Avoid those foods mentioned in excess; get adequate exercise, stay warm in cold weather, watch your sugar and fat consumption. No sleep during the daytime. If you are feeling inordinately tired, sit up in a comfortable position and meditate for 20 minutes. For pain, we base our management on the adhisthan – the source.  Cough and Cold Transdermal Cream for example helps to clear away the ama of throat and upper lungs.  We can also use Tribindu by inhaling in the air or sprayed on a piece of tissue.  Tribindu can also be sprayed on the hands and swiped down the lower spine to unclog the spinal energy flow.  Tribindu is thermogenic.  Be careful: if you tend to have white/caucasian skin, even with high kapha, you have more pitta in the skin and therefore tendency to pitta imbalance – use even Tribindu with caution: do a test on a small patch of skin to see if you react to it or not.  Although kapha needs agneya products, we cannot always use them.   If Tribindu irritates your skin in any way, first apply DGL and then Tribindu.   Flex ’n  Flow swiped down the spine also works very well to uncloud kapha.  Self-massage with either Turmeric & Magnesium Massage Oil or with Magnesium Body Massage Oil with Ashwagandha

Dwandaja (pain caused by two doshas)

Dual dosha pain is more complex.  When any two symptoms are present, then you have to address one at a time.  Again, avoid the hetus aggravating those doshas.  Focus on your predominant symptom at a given time.  For example, let’s consider VK (Vata and Kapha) pain.  Early to mid-morning (6-10am) kapha predominates.  You may want to add some ginger, and/or black pepper to your early morning tea at that time to balance kapha.   In the afternoon, a nice self-massage with Vata Massage Oil with Magnesium and Vit D might be called for.  For all types of dwandaja you can help by following a balanced SVA diet cooked with one of my spice mixes according to the predominate imbalances. My  SVA Green Protein recipe is especially useful to eat for most any combination of doshic imbalances.

Tri-doshaja

Tri-doshaja pain means symptoms of all three doshas together all the time.  This type produces both inflammation (shoola), stiffness (toda), and the pain goes fast to the deeper tissues faster with more virulent manifestation of amavisha.  Generally, this condition is very complicated.  It is best to consult with your SVA practitioner.

Abhighataja

Trauma and injury creates an obstruction in the physical and vibrational channels.  For minor to moderate injuries (no open wounds) we can self-manage abhighataja up to the muscles tissue level.  For example, muscle sprain or strain.  First apply DGL TD.  We use this first because bhrajaka pitta of the skin gets aggravated by any trauma.  DGL will cool the skin.  Then, we can apply Super-Sport TD or roll-on.  Or, we can apply Flex’n Flow Cream or Flex’n Flow Body Mist to the affected area.  For even greater management, apply the new Triple Action Synergy Transdermal Cream (or lotion) after these two products.

Manas-aja

For psychological, or mental and emotional pain, we have several products: Stress-Free Oral Mist; the Samadhi Set; Mahavedana Shanti Herbal Memory Nectar.  Also, self-massage with Magnesium Body Massage Oil with Ashwagandha provides adaptogenic energy to handle physical, mental, and emotional stress.  Use as directed on the label of each product – you can read more on www.chandika.com.

Ama, Amavisha, & Garvisha

Ama blocks the channels, causing pain.  Amavisha inflames the channels, causing pain.  For both types, follow a SVA diet:  avoid all nightshades, larger beans, canned and boxes foods, & left-overs.  Use only Soma Salt.  Regular salt will retain more toxins creating further blockages and inflammation and resulting in greater pain.  Follow the hetu management according to the doshas that are accumulating the toxins.  If garavisha (xenobiotics) are involved any pain, you will find more intense inflammation and the toxins (and pain) will travel faster from tissue to tissue.  Most of the time, garvisha symptoms are indicative of a medical condition.  Do not treat yourself.  See a SVA expert.   And contact your primary care provider.

Indravajrabhijanyavisha

EMF/EMR/RF by themselves can create bodily imbalances that result in inflammatory  pain.  Vibrational toxins can also exacerbate any other type of pain already present in the body, by disrupting the flow of healing prana to a tissue, organ, or organ-system. Learn how to manage these toxins by reading my SVA Electromagnetic Toxins Booklet   Applying Flex’n Flow Cream down your lower spine will immediately help most any pain caused by vibrational toxins.

Other SVA Formulations for Pain Management    

Triple Action Synergy –  Tridoshic Advanced Thermogenesis, Opens & Clears Physical Channels

Triple Action Synergy is very special cream which works on any doshas up to the mamsa dhatu or muscle tissue.  Triple Action Synergy works by offering a natural way to help the body relieve pain and assist it in addressing inflammation long term when used in conjunction with SVA dietary guidelines.  Triple Action comes in transdermal Shea Butter based cream and water-based lotion form.  The transdermal cream (lipid-based) gives slow, sustained, delivery.  It goes to all lipid areas of the cellular system.  The water-based cream has faster action, but shorter delivery.  It goes to all water based areas of the cellular system.   Both products offer triple action benefits.

1.       Naturally supports the body’s pain relief mechanisms

2.       Aids the body in relief of inflammation long term (with SVA dietary guidelines)

3.       Nurtures the bones and helps cartilage in the long-term

Use and Precautions:  For best results, first apply Flex ‘n Flow Cream   Flex’n Flow has high concentration of Prasarani to open the nadis (vibrational channels) and the sandhis (gaps.)  It calms down the nervous system.  Using Flex’n Flow first will ensure faster better results.

If you are extreme pitta or prone to pitta imbalance, use DGL Transdermal Cream first, before applying the Triple Action Synergy.   If any burning sensation is experienced afterwards, stop using it.

Flex ‘N Flow Cream, Flex’n Flow Roll-0n, and Flex’n Flow Body Mist: all support pain relief because they open reception and delivery of prana along with the intelligence of how much soma, how much agni is needed in whatever organs and systems are involved in the pain.  They awaken the intelligence of the body’s own healing power.   They are great for all pain generally.

Mahavedana Shanti Cream and Mahavedana Shanti Herbal Memory Nectar: The ancient Ayurvedic texts say, “No pain without vata aggravation.”  Apply this cream where needed for vatagenic pain and deep thermogenesis.  Vata dosha governs all movement in the body.  When vata cannot move, when the physical channels (shrotas) are blocked, then pain is experienced.  This cream when applied topically, penetrates to the deep tissues and warms them.  As it warms the area, the shrotas (physical channels) begin to open and vata can begin to move again.  As blocked vata is released, the pain eases. 

The cream and the Herbal-Memory Nectar can be used in any of the categories of pain.  Use the Herbal Memory Nectar by putting 2 – 5 drops in one cup of high pH spring water.  It can be taken like this up to four times per day.  The drops can even be used by pitta types with shoola.  The Maha Vedana Shanti Cream however is definitely contraindicated in extreme pitta inflammatory conditions.

Specific Pain

a) Joint pain is common and can result from a wide variety of causes.  Always address the hetu and seek medical care where needed.  For mild cases, this protocol can be helpful.  Apply 1) DGL;  2) Triple Action Synergy; and 3) Mahakanchanar.  Apply in exactly this order at least twice a day – morning and evening – and then as needed during the day as well.

b) Calf Muscle Pain:  Amavisha and garvisha accumulate and obstruct the calf muscles quite often, as circulation to the extremeties tends to be slower.  We apply on the calf muscles swiping outwards toward the feet: 1) Flex ‘n Flow 2) Anushudhi Detox Cream.  Flex’n Flow opens the nadis to the area and makes them more intelligent.  Anushudhi acts to remove the toxins.   This protocol works great for mild to moderate pain.

c) General Body Aches & Pains, including lower back pain, shoulder pain and stiff neck pain: these result from an accumulation of different doshic imbalances and there’s nothing like a relaxing bath with Detox & Relax Bath Pouches or my  SVA Rasayana Bath Pouches to help ease away the pain and teh stress.  These pouches soothe away aches by opening the physical channels and by removing toxins from the tissues.  Vata & Kapha types should use Detox & Relax Bath Pouches.   Pitta types should use the milder SVA Rasayana Bath Pouches.  Read Bathe to Detox

 

Caution: Detoxing with an herbal bath can cause loss of electrolytes.  If you feel weak and thirsty after bathing, you MUST make the rehydration drink (pg. 46 of Home Detox Manual) on the day you use the pouches.

SVA Marma Protocols

Whenever there has been a condition of long-standing chronic pain in the body, the marmas (energy points) corresponding to that organ, tissue, or system get impacted as well. Likewise, trouble in the marmas can itself lead to pain. We can manage with marma chikitsa (therapy) by applying Triple Action Synergy on the affected marmas.  Based on the location of the pain, chose the marmas in the diagram closely corresponding.  But Do Not apply on face, head, heart, or other sensitive areas.   With your ring finger, apply your cream and rotate finger on the point(s) 7 – 14 times.  Then hold the point(s) 15 – 30 seconds.  (Graduates of the SVA Pulse and Marma Course are invited to correlate symptoms dhatu-wise with doshas and toxins and proceed accordingly with marma therapy.)

 

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… celebrating the lineage, the knowledge, the teacher, the students, the books – now and upcoming …

more knowledge more experts more balance and always more bliss

Did you know that your health and happiness thrive on a very simple formula? All you really need is: food, sleep, and “soul-centered conduct.” Ayurveda teaches us that these are the 3 pillars that support our lives. When/if you cheat on any of these in any way, when any one of these 3 is compromised – sleeping late or not enough; eating left-over or processed foods; treating others as you would not treat your own self; then: your health and overall productivity will suffer. If not now, then slowly but surely tomorrow karma inevitably comes back!

In the Charak Samhita we read:

Three sub-pillars, food, sleep/dream, and “brahm-based” conduct (brahmacarya) have an order of precedence too. One comes before the other: food first, then rest, and then proper conduct. Because without good food, the body cannot get full rejuvenative rest. And without a well-rested body and mind, one cannot choose evolutionary right actions. It’s as simple as that. Food is what matters first and foremost. Nowadays, we don’t even stop to think about what we are eating! When we are hungry in-between two meetings at work, or picking up and driving the children, or running around chasing after other ephemeral activities, we gulp down a protein-enhanced shake, or shove down a power-bar, grab a bag of snacks and keep rushing on… With time, we end up having to pay a heavy price for this. Food is a gift of Mother Nature, eating is a yagya…

Through the Charak Samhita, we understand that ahar, or food, should not just be any food. Rather, it is food that is prepared in a particular manner, with specific “samyog” and “samskar” – specific combination and prepping of ingredients. In addition, we learn through SV Ayurveda, that food should not just nourish the physical body, but also nurture the satwa, the “light of our soul.” Satwic food guides our steps towards karmic emancipation with every bite, inspiring us into right actions and thoughts – free from violence towards the self and others.

Satwic food is, by definition, intelligent – not dumb or dead as I like to say. That is: it is fresh, free from chemical preservatives and flavoring agents that upset the bio-chemical balance of our metabolic system. Satwic food is also animal-cruelty free.

My SVA Cookbook is finally out, with the unstinting help and support of my dear friend, Rick Talcott. Now, you can transform your life and revolutionize your days with a wealth of satwic recipes and guidelines. In this cookbook, you will find recipes that originated in my mother’s kitchen, during my childhood years, where I personally helped her prepare them; as well as recipes that I put together, 100% based on SVA siddhantas (ayurvedic guidelines), to help all those who came to me with different doshic imbalances for ayurvedic help over the years. PLUS, ALL of these recipes are free from onion, garlic, and all the nightshades (potato, tomato, eggplant, bell-peppers), and yet will delight your taste-buds and senses. Easy and fast to make, with ample details and explanations.

Rick, through his practical questions and his habit to always take things one step further, helped to inspire and assemble all these recipes.

With this book, you will not only transform your kitchen into a healing hearth where delicious recipes will bring in balance and bliss into your family, but you will also gain in-depth understanding of the basic principles of SV Ayurveda – in relation to food and overall health. All the recipes are made for you, living here in the West, with the ingredients and raw materials you can find at your local grocery store.

But further than that, this SVA Health Compendium also gives you a step-by-step, daily home detox program – with recipes. Do your own detox and cut the cost of travel and taking time off of work and family life. Do your own, at your own pace.

See for yourself! Below is the table of contents. Start off with the basics –

 because in addition to being an in-depth cookbook, you have between your hands a SVA Health Compendium where you will learn a wealth of information to usher in more balance and bliss into your life:

Or you may skip these initial chapters altogether relegating them to your afternoon read, and move on straight to the core and start to cook, after another quick survey over some additional key concepts taking you to Part two:

 

Ok, so now you are really ready to cook a meal:

 

and go further:

 

However, since this is a SVA Cookbook, it has to tie down all to health. In the big picture it’s all about eating and detoxing daily. The Cookbook concludes on a high note with a seven week daily detox plan:

All it takes are just a few drops of a floral essential oil in the infuser, an aromatic candle, or a scented soap in the shower, and the air is clear, your mood is lifted, your emotional fog is dispersed. Flower and aromatic plant essences carry and deliver potent healing and balancing properties faster and more effectively than anything else. Of the 3 possible paths, or marga-s, of delivering herbal healing to the body that the Charak Samhita discusses, the aromatic path is the most efficient: 1) transdermal: through the skin; 2) oral, through the digestive system and organs; 3) aromatically.

When you inhale a pleasant aroma, it communicates with your limbic system instantaneously affecting molecular chemical changes in your brain chemistry and firing up neuronal pathways that generate waves of well-being. From the brain, the aromatic molecules enter the blood stream and are delivered to the whole body. The Susrut Samhita says it clearly: pleasant aromatic molecules have the power to deliver instantaneous deep bliss as they are very small in size and they travel faster than any other molecules, crossing the blood-brain barrier and entering into the deepest recesses of our cellular system. The Susrut Samhita says that “sughand,” or a pleasant scent, is:

 

It generates “sukha” or bliss, in the mind, as it carries soft and pleasant aromatic micromolecules. And when Mother Nature gives, she does so profusely – she has bestowed upon us thousands of aromatic plants and flowers, each carrying bliss-infusing molecules that not only uplift, but that can also heal us! Two of these aromatic plants are Vetiver and Sandalwood, reputed as ideal ingredients for the Summer time.

 

When plants carry life-supporting, balancing, and bliss-enhancing properties, they are known as “divine.” Vetiver and Sandalwood are definitely members of that family of select ayurvedic plants favored over others, and used widely even for ritual purposes. The vibrational energetic frequencies of Vetiver and Sandalwood are so elevating and efficient, they are known to travel unencumbered to the mind and the satwa instantly. Their “prabhava,” or subtle vibrational effect,   is called:

 

Their aroma creates (“janani”) coherence in the “manas” or mind, by strengthening and connecting in all functional aspects of the mind – the dhi, dritti, and smritti – the three powers of identifying, storing, and recalling. But such divine plants also bring many more healing and balancing properties as well.

 

Sandalwood

For example, Sandalwood deodorizes – it is known to be a “durgand hara” – eliminates foul smell. When used transdermally, as a local application it can pacify burning: “daha” = burning as a “lepanam” = paste application; it is also “nirvan” = it gets rid of; and is “shreshtam” = is the best for such local cooling applications.

 

Here is a word-by-word explanation of the above verse from the Dhanvatari Nighantu:

shrikhandam = white sandalwood

sitalam = cooling

svadu = flavorful

tiktam = bitter

pitta vinashinim = pacifies pitta

 

rasaprasadanam = cleans the rasa dhatu

vrishyam = supports shukra dhatu

antara daha pahrakam = gets rid of the body’s internal burning

 

pittasravi= pacifies pitta generated toxins (or amavisha) related burning in the blood, and it is also krimignam = supports the body’s immune system against krimis or microbes through supporting the immune system

 

guru = it’s heavy

ruksha = it is drying

 

sarvam = always

sattiktam = it has a flavor/bitter taste

 

chandanam = always cooling

 

sisiram = pleasantly cool

param = best

 

This verse illustrates well why Sandalwood is such a prized item in India, and the rest of the world as well, as its uses for overall balance and bliss abound. However, Vetiver, carries just as many amazing properties, and deserves just as much praise. Here is what we can say about Vetiver.

Vetiver 

 

usiram = anothe name for vetiver

sitalam = cooling

tiktam = bitter

dahaklanti = removes burning and sadness – it’s uplifting

hara = removes

tat = that

 

vataghnam = pacifies vata

jvara= pacifies fever

trnmeha = rehydrates

nud = thirst due to fever

raktam = blood

yogatah = including pacifies the heat of the blood due to fever

 

usiram = vetiver

sveda = sweat

daurgandh= bad smell of the sweat and also pacifies pitta

snigdha tiktakam = it is unctuous and bitter

 

Another verse from the Raaj Nighantu says that Vetiver is:

 

usiram = vetiver

sitalam = cooling

tiktam = bitter

daha=burning

sramahar = removes fatigue

param = best for

 

pitta jvara samana = removes fever through pacifying pitta

jala saugandha dayakam = it perfumes water

 

Another verse  says:

 

 

usiram = vetiver

pacanam = digestive

sitam = cools

stambhana = firms the skin

laghu = light

tikt = bitter

 

Vetiver pacifies pachak pitta/is a digestive, it also has an immediate action of cooling and firming the skin; it is also light and bitter in its properties, further pacifying pitta.

 

lamajjakisire = [when] vetiver [is administered in the form of] paste

daha= removes burning of skin

tvag dosha = removes toxins and pacifies all doshas

swedapa nayana = cleans the sweat

pralepanam = application of the paste

 

Sandalwood displays many beneficial properties that are similar to those carried by Vetiver. With some differences, for example: Sandalwood is “guru,” or heavy, and “usir,” or light, on the skin. Sandalwood has “ruksha” or drying properties, while Vetiver carries an unctuous quality – it is “snigdham.” In the big picture, Vetiver not only carries all the properties that Sandalwood has, but long term use of Vetiver is “tvagadosha” it pacifies all the doshas, by helping eliminate and evactuate all toxins from the skin. One last desirable property it carries for the skin, it is “stambhanam” – it is firming for the skin with long term use.

 

This Summer, choose Vetiver over Sandalwood. And choose it well. I make all my SVA formulations with two distinct types of Vetiver oil. One type is the crude Vetiver oil, or oleo-resinous oil which has bigger molecules. This Vetiver oil I use in all my soap and detergent products. The other kind of Vetiver oil that carries smaller water-soluble molecules and also has a wonderful aroma, is the more highly prized version of Vetiver oil. It is also very expensive. It carries all the properties we discussed above in our article, but in an amplified manner, so it’s even more balancing to the physiology in the summertime.

 

So, this Summer, if you are looking for the perfect SVA formula to cool off from the scorching heat, go for my newest Vetiver formulation, the Aloe and Vetiver Body Lotion. In this formula, as you might have read in last week’s newsletter, the power of Vetiver is combined with Aloe, another excellent plant for the skin.

Also, favor Vetiver soap over other soaps for more seasonal balance. Or use my Vetiver essential oil on your wrists – the essential oil will be transported transdermally into your blood stream instantly and give you cooling and soothing so you can enjoy your Summer even more.

Wash your laundry with the all natural Soap Nut and Vetiver Detergent I have put together. Read more about my full range of SVA Vetiver formulations on my pranic formulations’ website: www.chandika.com.

When it’s hot outside it gets hot inside: when temperatures in the environment rise, our circulatory channels dilate, our metabolic fire gets re-ignited and circulated at full flow, increasing pitta, or liquid metabolic juices, in our body. And if by chance, we happen to have accumulated hot/acidic toxins stuck in our channels, then we can easily tip over and feel emotionally and mentally heated up! This is enough to ruin our joyful summer, making us cranky, snappy, and overall miserable!

Ayurveda offers plenty of solutions to help us cool off. Diet is of course number one, also making sure we are keeping our work load pleasantly light and taking enough breaks to refresh. You can read about all the details on Vaidya’s blog. Here is a list of different articles to learn how to manage heat and pitta dosha in the summer time:

SVA Summer Care Tips

Summer Smoothie

Summer Skin Care and Ojas

Otherwise, there’s more you can do by harnessing the intelligence of natural plants and ingredients. Such as Vetiver. Or Aloe. In Vaidya’s ancestral village in NorthEast India, there is a long local tradition of using vetiver to refresh and cool things off on hot summer days. That’s has has inspired him to put together a brand new SVA lotion, the “Aloe Vetiver Summer Lotion.”

This new summer lotion carries the following herbal synergistic preparation:

Vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides); Aloe vera; Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis); Saffron (Crocus sativus); Flame of forest (Delonix regia); Devil’s Apple (Solanum linnaeanum); Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa); Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia); Turmeric (Curcuma longa); Gotu kola (Centella asiatica); Brahmi (Bacopa moniera); Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans); Mucuna (Mucuna pruriens); Green tea (Camellia sinensis); Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera); Lemon (Citrus  limon); Indian Sarsaparilla (Hemidesmus indicus); Asoka (Saraca asoca); Shirish bark (Albizzia lebbeck); Sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica); White grapefruit (Citrus paradisi).

This herbal synergy is pranically preserved as per Vaidya’s lineage formulation techniques, and added to a base of organic coconut (Cocos nucifera), Grapeseed oil (Vitis vinifera), Vegetable stearic acid, Organic aloe juice, Neem (Azadirachta indica), Kosher vegetable glycerin, Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), and Emulsifying wax (NF).

 

How does it work?

Before the use of Air Conditioning devices was introduced in remote Indian villages, and even nowadays, Indian homes in North India used vetiver grass mats hanging on their windows to cool off from stifling summer heat. Freshly woven Vetiver grass mats not only infuse a delightful cooling aroma to the entire house, but the scented molecules actually carry cooling properties.  Ayurveda teaches us that, property-wise, vetiver is: sheeta (cooling); snigdha (unctuous or anti-drying); and sugandha (highly aromatic.)  Vetiver nurtures the first layer of the skin called udakdhara (water-holding), and penetrates even deeper to the raktadhara (blood layer.)  In summer, the increased agni in the environment increases the heat in the blood.  That’s why we experience more heat in the body and brain.  Vetiver aromatically cools off the blood and with regular use can even cool the muscle and fat tissues.

When you combine Vetiver with Aloe Vera, you get double the power!

Aloe Vera is famous world-wide for soothing topical burns.  Mostly water soluble, aloe offers refreshing coolness to the first layer of the skin – udakdhara (water holding) – and enhances the skin’s luster and complexion. Aloe is also known for cooling raktadhara – (blood holding layer) – as well. Transdermally, aloe quickly reaches the liver and spleen, and cools off and detoxifies the liver.

When combining Aloe with Vetiver, the way Vaidya Mishra has done, in his Aloe-Vetiver Summer Lotion, you get a wining combination of cooling and soothing aromatic herbs ideal for use in the hot Summer days. The lotion will not only refresh but protect your skin against pitta imbalances as well, supporting it to maintain normal functioning and optimal intelligence, so the skin can also carry out its daily central task of detox through sweat.

 

See what the Ingredients Can Do For You

All of Vaidya Mishra’s SVA formulations contain an intelligent pranic blend of specific herbs that work together to enhance eachother’s actions and results in the body. Each herb carries balancing properties as well. Here is a list of what you can expect from each ingredient.

Aloe Vera:  Calms and soothes the skin through its deep cooling effect on rasa (plasma) and rakta (blood.)  It is present in a highly active form.

Vetiver: carries the following ayurvedic properties –  Sheeta (cooling); Snigdha (unctuous); and Sugandha (cooling aromatic). Vetiver’s properties are magnified when it is combined with Aloe.

Jojoba: is an ideal tridoshic cooling skin lubricant that blends in well to uphold the properties of Vetiver and Aloe.

Saffron:  is hands-down the best ayurvedic “varnya”  – skin complexion enhancer.  It helps preserve skin tone and texture.

Flame of Forest:  Enhances the intelligence of the skin to fight against sunlight and is also an excellent “varnya.”

Devil’s Apple:  Increases cellular intelligence of the skin to help our skin maintain its youthfulness against climactic and other factors.

Punarnava:  Mobilizes and evacuates toxins from the udakdhara layer (water layer) of the skin.

Manjishta: Maintains skin intelligence & pacifies bhrajaka pitta – the governing factor of the skin that can get easily aggravated by overexposure to the sun.

Turmeric:  Fights against inflammation of the skin created by over-exposure to  sunlight

Gotu Kola:  Supports collagen synthesis

Brahmi:  Maintains intelligence of the skin

Nutmeg:  Maintains normal skin pigmentation

Mucuna: Supports dopamine production to maintain coordination between mind and skin (prana and vyana)

Green Tea: is a great anti-oxidant for the skin. Prevents free-radicals (amavisha) that can result from overexposure to sunlight

Ashwagandha:  supports the tactile nerves of the skin

Lemon:  checks against excess pigmentation caused by sun exposure

Indian Sarsaparilla:  acidic toxins (amavisha) released from sweat irritates the skin. Indian Sarsaparilla helps clean the sweat and the sweat glands.

Ashoka:  maintains the bliss of the heart and thus helps balance bharajak pitta of the skin

Shirish bark:  provides long-term slow but steady skin detoxification

Sensitive Plant:  nourishes and repairs the tactile nerves from the damage arising from excess sun exposure

Neem:  supports the immunity of skin

Rosemary:  dilates the channels of the skin without heating things up

These ingredients are added to a synergistic base containing: White grapefruit  for natural preservation; Organic Coconut  for adding a cooling, nurturing, and lubricating layer; Organic Aloe Juice; and Emulsifying wax; in a base of Kosher vegetable glycerin.

This is a great lotion to apply at all times, and it can be used by all body types and skin types. Whether you are exposing yourself actively to the sun or not, go ahead and put it on, the high index of solar energy saturating the environment affects your skin health regardless of whether you are in the shade or not. You may be apply this lotion on your body as well as your face. If you already use a facial cream in the morning, you can use it as usual, and then a few hours later start applying this lotion for added coolness as temperatures rise. Apply liberally on areas of the body directly exposed to the sun.

 

Contradictions:  Not for use in pregnancy.  

Disclaimer: The information above is for educational purposes only. This product and the statements above have not been evaluated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). It is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent, any disease. 

 

What could be more than a powerhouse of vitamins, minerals , antioxidants, polyphenols, including plant fibre, with zero or minimal calories, and still taste good? In the Spring and Summertime, we get spoiled with a rich array of fruits – apples, grapes, pears, cherries, ripe berries. Fruits are a great gift of Mother Nature, delicious and refreshing. But not all fruits were created equal! Some are more special than others, because eating some may reduce your risk of chronic disease, prolong your life, improve your metabolism… I was very fortunate to grow up consuming fresh amla berries. And it still remains my most favorite fruit.  My father, Vaidya Kameshwar Mishra, loved amla as well and placed it in the highest regard as an ingredient in several of his ayurvedic preparations to heal the sick and to maintain the health of the healthy.   In her kitchen, my mom used amla extensively as well, creating delicious ayurvedic chutney and preserve recipes.

Growing up eating fresh or freshly prepared amla fruit was a blessing.  I personally experienced the amazing health benefits of this light-green berry-size fruit.  When I started my Ayurvedic practice in the West in 1996, I was very eager to bring the healing properties of amla to my clients as soon as possible.  In 2003, I used wild harvested amla berries for  one of my very first SVA formulations – the Wild Amla Tablets.  I used only the amla fruit growing “in the wild,” in un-harvested lands and forests, vs the hybridized, high-yield variety extensively used in commercial applications.

It’s a Divyaushadhi

The Amla fruit, also called amalaki, Indian Gooseberry (Emblica Officinalis in the Latin), grows on a moderate-size deciduous trees primarily in India.  Arguably, it is the most important medicinal plant in Ayurveda – and for good reason.  The fruit is used either alone or in combination with other plants to treat many ailments: for the common cold and fever; as a diuretic; a laxative; a liver tonic; to pacify stomach colics; its considered a restorative; a highly prized anti-inflammatory; a hair tonic whether used internally or transdermally; it has also been shown to prevent peptic ulcer and dyspepsia.  The ancient Puranic texts go so far as to glorify amla as belonging to the realm of divyaushadhi – a divinely conceived plant that carries unsurpassed healing restorative powers. Of course the Guduchi plant and

Turmeric root are also part of this family of divine plants.  However, the Amla berry stands unparalleled. Did you know that it is the only fruit that has a special day assigned it for ritual worship? It’s called the day of Amla Naumi, observed in the month of November. On this day, people offer flowers, and all arrays of desirable gifts – kumkum or sandalwood powder, tying beautiful mantra-charged sacred threads around the trunk of the amla tree, reciting its life-bestowing properties with gratitude, and asking its permission, with heartfelt gratitude, for the use of its fruit and all other parts for human consumption. This festival is observed throughout India.

But what really are these “divyaushadhi plants?” It’s something to call them divine and healing; but what does that mean? All things, everything, under the sun, is made of its own vibrational blueprint. The ancient sages of India knew this, they described and categorized the innermost vibrational make-up of all things in creation by creating a specific language to match this knowledge, a language where words vibrationally reflect the very properties they are describing. Our bodies are also highly complex and organized packets of vibrational energy. We can support our individual body’s innate vibrational make-up, or disrupt it. Through activities, sound, food, etc. So it is that some fruits re-align, nourish, nurture, and balance our bodies through their vibrational properties and frequencies; while others drag it down, disrupt it, undo it. These properties can be extreme: life-saving or destructive. So it is that some fruits such as the amla berry, can help the body recover from great dis-ease, such as cancer, or auto-immune diseases, when used in conjuction with full dietary and other life-style protocols.

My Father used to say that if a healthy person adopts and regularly consumes amla and turmeric in their daily diet, they will be bestowed a great armor against any life-threatening diseases, nowadays so prevalent in modern society – of course, no one ingredient alone can work any magic unless one also maintains a good diet and healthy routine as you know by now.

For me, personally, the most amazing vibrational property, as described in the shastras, of the amla is that it cleans the sattva guna – the light or aura of our soul.  The Upanishads say that along with a clean diet and balanced lifestyle, taking amla regularly can wipe-out the karmic residues, I like to call them, i n my father’s terms, ‘dark bugs’  that cast a shadow on the light radiating from our souls. Amla is one of the most sattvic foods that can take care of one’s karmic load, silently and surely.

Medical Science is researching and validating the ancient wisdom found in the shastras, including these divyaushadhi plants – turmeric, amla, etc.   With regards to amla, research has found that amla modulates the behavior of the cellular system to destroy cancerous cells without damaging healthy cells through ‘selective nutrition.’  Amla also makes the normal cells even more intelligent so that they do not themselves become cancerous.

Selective nutrition is not a new concept.  In my Pulse & Marma Course (2014-2016), I talk extensively about understanding this biological process using the ‘nyayas.’ Nyayas are a structured system of reasoning in Vedic wisdom used to facilitate the understanding of a particularly complex issue. For understanding selective nutrition, we use the “khale kapothan nyaya.”

It works like this: Rasa dhatu (the clear part of plasma) carries all ingested materials – the fats, proteins, minerals, salt, etc. It’s the first bodily tissue that gets formed directly after we eat. The physiology has a system whereby all these nutrients are guided to nourish the targeted tissues or organs. The khale kapothan nyaya helps us understand how the body does this.  Khale means intelligent or smart; kapota means pigeon. We use the image of ‘pigeons’ – seven pigeons for seven tissues.  These ‘pigeons’ directly deliver nutrients to the tissues according to the needs of that tissue.  For example, there is a pigeon to select and deliver calcium molecules to the bone tissues.  Pigeons are smart energy which help amla perform many functions in physiology – like nurturing the good cells and eliminating or dismantling erratic cells.  Theirs is a symbiotic relationship.  Amla makes the pigeons more intelligent in their ability to select and deliver the appropriate nutrients to a specific dhatu or bodily tissue. Look at the extensive list of scientific properties the amla berry has been known to carry:

• Amla is a chemo-protective: it empowers normal cells to become more intelligent to fight against the damage of chemotherapy selectively protecting the normal cells against the deleterious effects of chemotherapy.

• Amla is an immuno-modulator: its actions serve as an effective protective shield against emerging infectious diseases and certain cancers. Amla enhances natural killer (NK) cell activity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity in BALB/c mice bearing Dalton’s lymphoma ascites tumor.

• Amla is chemo-preventative: it is reported to be effective in stopping initiation, promotion, and progression of cancer.

• Amla is radio-protective: studies have shown that administering (50, 100, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg b.wt./day) amla once daily for 7 consecutive days before exposure to sub-lethal dose of γ-radiation (9 Gy) protected mice against the radiation-induced sickness and mortality.

• Amla is anti-mutagenic: studies carried out in the last two decades have conclusively shown that amla supports the repair of DNA damage brought about by different carcinogens and mutagens.

 

[Source: European Journal of Cancer Prevention and in the Nutrition Facts Amla vs Cancer Video]

Interestingly, cancer research has also found that animal protein feeds cancer cells and may also complicate auto-immune conditions.  In SVA we know that the micro molecules of animal protein have a tendency towards rapid oxidization and consequent damage to the cells.  If your body needs daily protein but you would like to avoid consuming animal flesh, you can try my Easy-to-digest Green Protein Recipe – I have specially formulated this to supply easily available nourishing protein molecules. Daily consuming my Maha Wild Amla Tablets can also help by protecting the protein molecules during synthesis – if you do need to stay on an animal protein diet. But there’s more!

The Amla Berry further Empowered through Advanced Processing with 14 Bhavanas 

The divinity of amalaki has inspired me so much that whenever I think about its properties and benefits, I find divine guidance to make new amla formulations! After formulating Wild Amla Tablets 13 years ago, I added several new amla rich products in my SVA pharmacoepeia, such as:  

• SVA Tamarind Wild Amla Preserve

• Wild Amla HMN (Herbal-Memory Nectar)

• Maha Amla Loha HMN

• Maha Wild Amla HP

• Chyawanprash Herbal Tonic Paste

• Chyawanprash Sugar-Free Fat-Free Syrup

 

In Ayurveda, there is a specific method of boosting the power of an already powerful plant of ingredient, it is called “bhavana.” We take the fresh amla fruit and remove the seeds and fiber. Next we dehydrate and then pulverize the amla fruit into a fine powder.  The next step is to add freshly extracted amla juice to this pulverized amla, in order to get a thick paste.  This mixture is  then further dried and ground into a powder and mixed with more fresh juice of the amla fruit. Usually, this procedure is repeated for 7 ties. I have put together a new tablet, the Maha Wild Amla Tablets, where this procedure is meticulously repeated for a total of 14 times! My new Maha Wild Amla Tablets are made with this specific SVA handling methods to further protect the divinity of the amalaki berry from being disrupted or lost during the preparation. Besides selecting the best quality of wild harvested amla, I take extreme care in processing it, as amla is more delicate and complex than many other plants grown in the wild.  Consequently, amla must be handled carefully to maintain is purity and divine qualities. All these multiple bhavanas and special handling steps make my new Maha Wild Amla Tablets many times more powerful than the simple fruit or powder and enhances its rasayana qualities many times over.

Super Anti-Oxidant Power:  Amla is a super anti-oxidant. Its anti-oxidant power goes deeper into the tissues. However, the anti-oxidant action and other health-bestowing benefits, especially the vibrational powers, are only retained through strict adherence to the following points:

1. The amla must be the smaller ‘wild’ variety, grown in pure clean energy of the dense forest.  My amla berries are sourced from remote, dense forests in Madhya Pradesh.

2. Amla should be picked seasonally and fully mature and used to produce the product right away (not stored) – so as not to lose its lively pranic divine properties.

3. The heat of the drying process should be minimal and moderate so as not to damage the bio-availability of the fruit’s properties.  I use actual solar energy (not solar electric) to gently dehydrate the fruit during the bhavana process.

4. In the final product, there must not be any ingredient which brings in disruptive elements, such as any chemical additives, preservatives, bad binders, etc.

All of my amalaki products are made only with the wild amla variety, gently processed, and free from any unnatural additives, bases, or preservatives.

If you are still wondering whether or not Wild Amla is for you, in one of its many forms – drops, tablets, or paste – then hear my video talk about the Top 25 Benefits of Wild Amla! here:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1JRT_ekL7E

Top 25 Benefits of Wild Amla!

1. Protein syntheses: Amla is the known and confirmed number one ingredient for protein synthesis.  It nourishes and maintains the muscle tissue and tones it by enhancing the absorption and digestion of proteins.

2. Vitamin C Super-source:  Amla is a super-source of Vit C.  It contains a particular molecule of Vit C that does not decompose in heat. Most forms of Vit C are heat sensitive and become damaged in hot areas of the body like the acidic environment of the stomach.  Amla’s Vita C molecules are bound with heat-resistant tannins.  They do not decompose under heat like regular ascorbic acid.  Amla does not create acidity in the body, but alkalizes the body by its sweet post-digestive effect. In addition, it has been shown to have 60 times the regular content of Vit C in citrus fruits.

3. No Malas – toxins: ‘A-mala-ki’ means no mala or toxins ‒ it supports the digestive system, strengthening pachaka agni so the body makes less or zero ama or toxic build-up ‒ the number one cause for disease. As a result of correct digestion and assimilation, amla facilitates optimal elimination as well.

4. Vyastha: Amla is said to bestow everlasting youth because it is balancing to all body types, and highly alkalizing.

5. Skin Beauty and Health:  Amla is the best nurturing fruit for the skin.  Highly nourishing for rasa dhatu, the first layer of the skin, and rakta or blood which is the second layer. Healthy first and second tissues give the skin its glow. No malas or toxins stand a chance of accumulating in and affecting the skin, giving it all kinds of associated problems of discoloration, sagging, fudginess.  The collagen or protein of the skin is supported by increased protein synthesis supplied by the amla berry.

6. Liver Health:  Amla helps produce clean rasa so the liver’s job of detox is made easier. Due to its alkalizing effect, it further supports the liver to detoxify the blood.

7. Balancing for all Body types: did you know that the amla berry contains 5 out of the 6 possible tastes – all tastes except for salt? It is sweet, sour, bitter, astringent, and even slightly pungent. This makes the amla berry a most perfect fully balanced fruit ideal for daily consumption by all body types and all constitutions. Ayurveda recommends daily consuming all 6 tastes not just for physical but for emotional and mental balance as well.

8. Hormonal Modulator:  For both men and women – amla maintains optimal hormonal health and enhances fertility via support for the seven tissues and support for the shukra dhatu or reproductive tissue.

9. Medhya:  Highly nourishing for the brain and its 3 functions of mental activity “dhi, dhriti, and smriti” ‒ gathering storing and recalling information. Thus, amla is especially beneficial for   students and the growing intellect of children.

10. Rasayana: amla berry is famed for being a rasayana of choice – a rejuvenative substance. Many herbs have wonderful life-supporting properties, but not all carry the property of rasayana or rejuvenation as well.

11. Amrita:  A means no; mrita means death. The amla berry is a known “amrita” – its regular consumption promotes and extends one’s life span.

12. Dhatri: the amla berry is known to be as pure and divine and nourishing as Mother’s milk! Freely giving, or dhatri, in its health and life sustaining properties.

13: Tishyaphala: did you know that the amla fruit eliminates misaligned vibrations from the body?  It connects the mano-buddhi (mental intellect) to the satya-buddhi (spiritual

intellect) to make all thoughts and actions auspicious and integrated and thus powerful.

14: Three Dosha Pacifying: pacifies vata dosha because it is amla (sour) and madhura (sweet), and through its nourishing properties. It pacifies kapha due to its kashaya rasa or astringent taste,  and ruksha guna or drying property. It pacifies pitta dosha due to its seeta guna or cooling properties, and sweet taste and vipak, or post-digestive effect.

15. Enhances Food Absorption:  balances and enhances all 13 agnis and all the deha agnis, or cellular agnis, for maximum nutrient absorption and assimilation.  Amla’s astringent rasa supports the absorption of food in the colon.

16. Balances Stomach Acid:  The sour taste supports normal levels of acid in the stomach. The sweet post-digestive action ensures no excess acidity.

17. Hridya:  Supports the physical heart.  Regular use of the amla berry reduces cholesterol.  Amla will alkalize the body,  hindering inflammation, and prohibiting the production of C-reactive proteins.

18. Lung Support:  the Chyawanprash paste where the primary ingredient is amla, is known to be the best rasayana for the lungs.  Amla supports oxygen exchange in the lungs through supporting normal pH levels of the blood.  It facilitates the lungs’ functioning by boosting oxygen levels in the blood.

19. Elimination Support:  the amla berry works with the brain centers that are connected to colon functioning, simultaneously addressing and nourishing both.  An ingredient of the classical formula called triphala, or three fruits (phala), amla is balanced in that it promotes neither too much absorption nor too much elimination. It is thus ideal for daily use for bowel regulation.

20. Urinary System:  Balances the blood and urinary ph and the coordination between the kidneys and the brain.  A pro-diuretic, especially combined with coriander seeds as in the SVA Tamarind Wild Amla Preserve.

21. Hair Beauty and Health:  the amla berry nurtures all aspects of hair – its luster, strength, glow, and color.

22. Eyes and Visual Support:  the Ayurvedic shastras state that amla is best for the eyes, as it balances the ranjaka pitta of the liver and alochaka pitta that governs the eyes.

23. Chelating Agent:  amla can bind garvisha (environmental toxins) facilitating their safe removal through the srotas or physical channels.

24. Glucose Intolerance:  the bitter rasa or taste, and the agni enhancing qualities of amla can support/maintain normal sugar levels.

25. Shodhana: it’s bitter rasa detoxifies the body, opening and awakening the micro-channels of the cellular system, to help flush out toxins.

You can choose from any/all of my available formulations, keeping in mind that my most recent Maha Wild Amla Suppl will supply you the most potent dose of this divine rasayana. To sum it all up: if you are looking for that one-size-fits-all daily nutritional supplement for overall physical, mental, and emotional health support, the Amla berry is your best bet!

Maha Wild Amla will nurture your eyes; calm and nourish your nerves; boost your appetite; build your healthy muscle tissue; clean your fat tissue; act as a brain tonix; detoxify your colon and bodily tissues; it is also great for lactating mothers and during pregnancy. It is not recommended for children 12 years and below.

All my other formulations, including Chyawanprash Syrup for children starting age 3 and above. The SVA Tamarind and Wild Amla Preserve is also a childrens’ favorite as it passes for having the look and taste of Ketchup, minus the side-effects, plus with side-benefits!

Precautions: Maha Wild Amla Tablets possess a strong tonic effect on the heart.   DO NOT take if you are currently on medical prescription drugs containing beta blockers, or if you have any established heart condition.

 

This product and statements have not been evaluated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and are not intended to be used to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. All of the information above is intended to be used for educational purposes only and may not be used to replace or compliment medical advice.