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Physical Channels

in

Ayurveda

What they Are & What they Do…

One of Ayurveda’s most precious offerings are the self-care rituals designed to keep the body working in harmony with the seasonal changes driven by the journey of the sun across the cosmic skies. Each season brings along its own properties and has great impact on our physical as well as mental and emotional health. Seasonal change is much, so much more, than a day-light savings time kind of change! Our bodies operate differently in each season, and ideally our diet needs to be adjusted, as well as our rest and activity routines. We tend to live our lives oblivious of these seasonal shifts. And it’s ok. But when you start paying attention to what’s happening to your body inside and out depending on the season, and you start adjusting your diet according to the seasonal needs, you will be surprised to discover how it can impact your overall well-being and happiness. Spices and herbs key factors in this context. Here in the West, we tend to think of them solely as flavoring agents, but they are so essential for health. Specially when they are assembled synergistically to play a specific role in our bodies.

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Here’s what the massage oil contains and how each ingredient may help you:

Indian Sarsaparilla: Indian Sarsaparilla purifies the fat tissue, fat channels, sweat, sweat glands, and swedavaha srotas (sweat channels) particularly purifying them of amavisha (hot, reactive toxins). 

Nutmeg: (jaiphal) has a ”shamaka” (pacifying) effect on the nerves and calms down prana vata (governing the mind) and will help calm down hyperactivity of the channels that make occur from cleansing them; 

Black Pepper: (maricham in Sanskrit) is excellent for amapachan, burning ama in the tissues and srotamsi (channels); 

Sunthi: (Ayurvedic ginger) opens the channels without overheating them and with less risk of aggravating amavisha (reactive acidic toxins); 

Ajwain: Ajwain is another great channel opener that operates through its strong thermogenic property;

Clove: Opens the channels, helps burns ama without overheating them, and gives a pleasant, stimulating fragrance; 

Nirgundi: Reduces inflammation and inflammatory conditions in the channels that can result in blockages; 

Manjistha: Opening the channels can sometimes cause unwanted reactions by the immune system, Manjistha is the perfect plant to keep the immune response under control; 

Coriander: Helps bind and eliminate virulent toxins stuck in the channels (heavy metals, etc.) and supports the elimination of toxins through the urinary system; 

Pashanbhed: Growing on rocky soil, this remarkable plant is quite useful in cases where toxins are resistant to removal because they have hardened and crystallized; 

Mint: Opens the nadis (vibrational channels) and srotas (physical channels), this action helps with pranic reception in the channels and gently opens them without overheating; 

Camphor: Camphor (kapoor) both unblocks and helps to relax the physical and vibrational channels. 

Directions:

Warm the oil slightly in your sink by placing it in hot water (you may also use a massage oil warming device if you prefer). Once the oil is comfortably warm, apply a small amount in the palm of your hand and apply on your limbs and body and start massaging. Go in circular motion on the joint areas and lengthwise for the rest, on the limbs – for example going from shoulder to fingertips on your arms. Apply only gentle pressure on the stomach area and go only clockwise. After applying the oil on the whole body, allow yourself 10-15 minutes rest in a warm room – make sure there are no cold drafts – lie down, cover yourself with a towel, and close your eyes. You may also oil your hair (with a hair oil, don’t use body massage oils for the head) and cover your head while resting. You may want to wipe the oil off with paper towels before taking a bath or a shower. Repeat daily, at least on legs and arms, for optimal results. At least once a week full body massage is a must! Twice a week is better…Three times a week full body massage is ideal!

Namaste!

(“Physical Channels” article continued)

We are fortunate that Vaidya Mishra gave us so many balanced and powerful tea and spice blends. One of these is the Shroto Sudhi tea to help support our bodies during the Winter, as well as during the Spring seasonal transition. It can also be used at other times of the year depending on one’s needs, but it is a great and delicious cup of tea for this time of year in particular.

The shrotas, physical channels, in the body are given immense importance in Shakha Vansya Ayurveda. The Ayurvedic texts declare: “shroto mayo purusha” – the whole body is nothing but shrotas or physical circulatory channels. In this sense, only when these circulatory channels are open and “free-flowing” — you can think of them in terms of highways or roads – can there be health. These channels not only are the pathways through which nourishment is distributed and carried through the tissues, but they also are the pathways through which toxins are evacuated. Traffic goes both ways! And traffic needs to flow without blockages. 

The Shroto Shudhi tea (and masala or spice mix) that Vaidya made targets this aspect of our health. The tea and the spice mix complement each other in terms of their functions. The masala addresses the channels in the body that carry “earthy soma” (food materials. We use this spice mix along with some ghee or olive oil, and it targets channels that carry lipid soluble materials. 

The tea, on the other hand, targets channels in the body that carry “liquid soma” or water-soluble materials. 

Both the tea and the masala support overall metabolism but “cooking up ama” – partially digested food materials, without aggravating “amavisha” – reactive toxins. 

So what’s in the Shroto Shudhi tea?

And why? 

Black Pepper: Opens the micro and macro channels of the body and brain, enhances the oxygenation in the channels of the brain, supports the kidney channels.

Cinnamon: Encourages glucose and carbohydrate metabolism.

Kalonji: Balances the hormonal system, adds a unique flavor, and balances the subdosas of the colon and stomach.

Green Cardamom: Supports the metabolism of proteins, and balances the coordination of the three sub-doshas of the stomach; samana vata, kledaka kapha, and pachaka pitta.

Nutmeg: Establishes a deeper connection between the mind, stomach and colon, helps to retain the integrity of intelligence in the channels when they become open and receptive to becoming overwhelmed.

All-spice: Opens the channels without overwhelming them.

White Pepper: Adds a unique flavor, opens the micro and macro channels of the body and brain, enhances the oxygenation in the channels of the brain, supports the kidney channels.

Mace: Unique flavor, opens channels and calms the mind, enhances the connection between the mind and the digestive tract.

Clove: Opening the channels and cools the digestive system.

Of course, the secret lies in the ratio of these different spices – and Vaidya was a master formulator in that sense. Try it and see of for yourself. Make yourself a cup: boil ½ tsp of the tea mix in 8o water for 3-5 minutes, strain and sip slowly. Use mostly after lunch or dinner. 

Boil 1/2 tsp. of the tea for 3 minutes in 8 oz. water and sip slowly. Try to use after lunch and dinner.

Shroto-Shudhi Tea stimulates the whole body and opens the micro and macro channels.  It is great when you have a cold, are feeling sluggish, or anytime in winter, or when the body’s shrotas (physical channels) are closed. Enjoy a cup specially in this season – you will see what we meant!

Namaste!

Caution: Always be mindful and do not use if you have a medical condition without consulting your physician first.

Stay in the Know with Vaidya Mishra, Here, There, & Everywhere!

if you ever had the opportunity to meet Vaidya Mishra in person, or have encountered him via his many youtube videos or online courses, then you know what we mean! We all want to have him travel with us in this earthly journey, to help us in our decisions along the way, through the timeless wisdom and knowledge of SV Ayurved. And now we can! If you have not discovered our podcast channel yet, we invite you to look it up and explore the timeless teachings of SVAyurveda, as well as fabulous talks by other SVAyurveda doctors and educators. We update and add new episodes every month. Tune in and listen. And leave us a comment about how you like things!

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