The Spice of Life

 

Actress Demi Moor is an advocate as is western medical doctor Deepak Chopra. It is used for beauty treatments, creating health and healing. It is Ayurveda, India’s traditional medicine system and it literally means "science of life."

If we want to find out about the secrets of keeping healthy, well and looking great, Ayurveda can offer some sound advice. It offers guidance on living a holistic life as well as being able to deal with ill health, principally looking at not doing things that cause ill health in the first place, fitting in with our modern context of prevention is better than cure.

In India Ayurveda is run alongside modern medicine practices. So much knowledge and information can be gleaned from this ancient system of medicine that the Indian authorities are creating a national database of herbal remedies to prevent western pharmaceutical giants from steeling years of traditional knowledge, claiming it’s theirs and trying to get patents for products!

At the heart of this medicine system is the use of herbs and spices. If you enjoy Indian food, and a lot Brits do because chicken tikka masala is now one of the most popular dishes in Britain, you will know that Indian cooking embraces an abundant use of herbs and spices. The aroma’s from Indian cooking are delightful and many of the dishes offer much choice particularly for those on wheat, dairy and sugar free diets.

Not only are these used in foods but many are incorporated within traditional herbal remedies. One spice we know that is used in curries that has a very beneficial effect on health is Tumeric. It’s medicinal use as an anti-inflammatory has been well researched and documented and therefore can help in joint and other inflammatory conditions.

The incorporation of working on the inside and outside the body is important for health.

Ayurveda advocates regular massage to keep stress and tension out of the body. Stress can create much tension in our muscles tightening them so much that blood flow becomes restricted preventing adequate lymph drainage. This can create all sorts of symptoms such as headaches, aches and pains and back problems.

Our Practice now offers the services of Ayurveda. This includes hosting demonstrations of Indian cooking at home, so you can learn the art of making curries and dishes suited to special diets; Ayurvedic massage which is deeply therapeutic and drawing out everyday tensions; you will also be able to find out your Ayurvedic type - are you a Vata, Pitta or Kapha constitution?

We are running a series of free tele-seminars and the next one is on Ayurveda and healthy Indian recipes. For more information or to register please visit our website.

 

Rumana Zahn is a Naturopath and Medical Herbalist and runs clinics in Newcastle (within a GPs practice), Darlington and Seaham Hall’s Serenity Spa. She is a leader within the field of Natural Medicine, writes and speaks extensively on the subject. She can be contacted on 01325 722803 or www.rumanahealth.com

Rumana is a member of the British Register of Complementary Practitioners.

 

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