How Ayurvedic Herbs Help us to Manage Lifestyle Disorders

About Lifestyle Disorders

To understand the term lifestyle disorder one needs to know about the term “lifestyle” which means a manner of living that reflects a person’s values and attitude. The explanation of lifestyle without considering the effects of culture, habits of the population, geographic location, and economic status of the community would not be possible. Also, lifestyle is the collection of ideas, plans, and habitual patterns of behavior, desires, and personal conditions of an individual that determines his way of living. Therefore, the group of diseases that are primarily associated with abnormal lifestyle comprises the term lifestyle disorder.

Causes of Lifestyle Disorders

Lifestyle disorders mainly include non-communicable chronic diseases that are a direct result of improper & unhealthy dietary habits and customs, physical inactivity, irregular sleeping patterns, overuse of drugs, alcohol & smoking, limited exposure to sun and fresh air, occupational stress, incorrect body posture due to long hours of sitting, unhealthy surroundings and polluted environment.

Not restricted to adults alone these lifestyle disorders are affecting kids as well. Some of the common lifestyle diseases that have emerged more fatal than hereditary diseases or infectious ones and have also become an emerging challenge in the field of medicine are listed below:

 Common Lifestyle Disorders

• Obesity
• Type 2 diabetes (Diabetes mellitus)
• Arteriosclerosis
• Heart Diseases
• Hypertension
• Stroke
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Liver Cirrhosis
• Cancer
• Nephritis / Chronic renal failure

Role Of Ayurveda In Managing  Lifestyle Disorders

The lifestyle diseases are multi-dimensional and are generally complex to cure, that’s why the conventional medical system with its structural approach is still struggling to keep the check as one condition leads to another.
Here Ayurveda being the foremost life science with its broader approach brightens up the hope to manage and prevent these lifestyle disorders. The Ayurvedic system understands the functioning of the human body as a whole and the imbalance of tridoshas – Vata, Pitta & Kapha is considered as the most basic factor responsible for any disease. So, to maintain good health, balancing this tridoshas is mandatory. Ayurveda provides a well-organized system of traditional health care both in preventive as well as treatment spheres. It provides supportive solutions in the form of proper dietary management, lifestyle advice, panchakarma therapies for detoxification & rejuvenation, and medications that work great and perfect for the management of lifestyle disorders.

Ayurvedic Cause of Lifestyle Disorders

According to Ayurveda, basically, the cause of any lifestyle disorder is ‘Pragyapradha’ (intellectual blasphemy} which is one of the three basic causes of many diseases, the other two are Kala parinama (abnormal changes in seasons)  & Asatmendriyartha samyoga (overuse, less use & misuse of sense organs)

Ayurveda has Two Main Objectives for the Treatment of any Health Concern

• Preservation of Health in the Healthy.
• Treatment of Disorders in the Sick Person.

In order to achieve this, there must be an establishment of homeostasis between tridosha (Body’s vital energies), dhatus (body tissues), and mala/toxins (Body’s waste products). Because, as per Ayurveda, when doshas get vitiated, they damage all other components of the body, similarly dhatus (body tissues) get invaded by vitiated doshas which in turn lead to a process of getting sick, the mala/toxins (body’s waste products) also need to be eliminated daily to keep the body clean & healthy, as their accumulation also leads to the manifestation of many diseases.

Ayurvedic Measures to Avoid Lifestyle Disorders 

Dinacharya (Daily Regimen) – It includes all the activities and habits done throughout the day. According to Ayurveda, it should be done in Kapha time which is commonly known as Brahmamuhurta. It includes regimens like tongue cleaning or tongue scraping, oil pulling, drinking warm water, excretion of body waste (defecation & micturation), Nasya (ayurvedic nasal therapy), self abhyanga (body massage), and meditation, etc. If performed daily, these habits will help in maintaining holistic health.

Ritucharya (Seasonal Regimen) – According to Ayurveda, all humans get affected by seasonal & environmental shifts, and failure to adapt to these changes lead to illness. Therefore, a specific regimen has been described in the ayurvedic text, following it properly helps a person to overcome all the stresses of seasonal variations.

Panchkarma (Five Detoxification and Bio- Purification Therapies) – It includes five measures which are Vamana (emesis), virechana (purgation), niruha (non-unctuous enema), anuvasana (unctuous enema), and Nasya or shirovirechana. Raktamokshan (bloodletting) is also included in this by some Acharyas. These purification procedures cover a wide range of preventive, curative, and promotive measures. It helps in eliminating all the toxins (vitiated doshas) thereby preventing the diseases.

Vyayama (Exercise)- According to ayurvedic texts when moderately performed, the physical exercises provide lightness in the body, physical activity, steadiness, and fortitude. Muscular activity is essential to promote physical & biological strength and enables the body to fight diseases. According to Ayurvedic acharyas, Vayama should be done daily as per the body constitution and proper measures as an excess of it can bring exhaustion (ayasa), depletion of body tissues, and even death.

Rasayana (Rejuvenation Therapies)- It is not a drug therapy but is a specialized procedure practiced in the form of rejuvenating recipes, dietary regimen, and special health-promoting conduct and behavior are also known as Achara Rasayana. This therapy provides longevity, boosts immunity against diseases, improves mental and intellectual competence, etc.

Ayurvedic classics also give special emphasis on the maintenance of three major values i.e Ahara (food), Nidra(sleep) & Brahmacharya (celibacy) for attaining utmost physical & mental wellbeing. Since lifestyle disorders are a result of improper dietary habits, disturbing patterns of sleeping & indulging in wrong bodily pleasures, it becomes important to follow the path of Ayurveda & its principles which is the ultimate way of living a peaceful healthy life. Ayurveda reminds us that health is the balanced and dynamic integration between our surroundings, body, mind, and spirit. By providing guidelines on ideal daily routines, diet & behavior, Ayurveda proves to be a super-beneficial way for the Management of Lifestyle Disorders.

Ayurvedic Herbal Supplements that  are Proven Beneficial in Various Lifestyle Diseases 

1. Arjun Tea

It is made using pure herbs like Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna), Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Pipal tvak (Ficus religiosa), Dalchini (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) & Choti Elaichi (Elettaria cardamomum). It is considered an amazing herbal tea for high blood pressure, high cholesterol & cardiac ailments. It contains natural flavonoids, cardiac glycosides which improve the pumping capacity of the heart and also improve blood circulation thus, prevents lifestyle diseases like congestive heart failure.

2. Brahmi Capsule

It consists of the standardized extract of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) which is one of the oldest and most powerful brain tonic used in the ayurvedic system. This herb helps in improving strength and immunity. The active compound found in it i.e., bacosides works wonderfully on brain health. Also, this herb is helpful in maintaining normal blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Adding to its multiple effects, Brahmi is very beneficial in overcoming sleep disorders like insomnia and acts as the best stress buster.

3. Brahmi Chyawanprash

It is a traditional ayurvedic polyherbal formulation prepared according to the ancient formula with multiple health benefits. It has been used for centuries as a supplement for strengthening the digestive system, promoting food absorption, correcting hyperacidity, dyspepsia, peptic ulcers, gastritis, and delay aging.

4. Navkarshik Churna

It contains Amla (Emblica Officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Bahera (Terminalia bellerica), Vacha (Acorus calamus), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Katuki (Picrorhiza kurroa), Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), Daruhaldi (Berberis aristata). These herbs are immunomodulators. This Churna also acts as an anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial formula. It is very effective for gouty arthritis & other types of arthritis by relieving pain & strengthening the joints and ligaments.

5. Arogyavardhini Vati

It is a multi-herb supplement that has been used to treat liver and skin conditions in ayurvedic medicine for centuries, It has been used to treat numerous conditions like fever, eczema, edema, jaundice & many other liver disorders as well.

6. Kumari Saar

It is a pure extract of Aloe vera juice. It contains lipases and proteases which break down foods and aids in healthy digestion. It also contains bradykinesia which helps to reduce excessive inflammation and pain when applied to the skin. Recent studies published in various scientific journals have shown that oral consumption of aloe vera juice can facilitate controlling blood sugar and lowering lipids in diabetics and hyperlipidemia patients. It also balances hormonal problems, helps in treating anemia, liver disorders, etc.

Hence, we have clearly discussed the most common lifestyle diseases and their Ayurvedic management without any negative effects on health. So, try the above provided natural tips and remedies and stay away from the lifestyle diseases to lead a healthier life ahead. For more details, stay in touch with us at www.planetayurveda.com.