Ayurveda Article - Guide To A Healthy Heart

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THE AYURVEDIC VIEW ON CARDIOVACULAR HEALTH:

 

Have a (Healthy) Heart! The Maharishi Ayurveda Way...

Ayurveda has always recognized that the human heart is really two

hearts: the physical heart that performs the function of a pump, and

the emotional heart that experiences joy and sorrow and everything in

between.

It follows then, that any problems the heart encounters are also on

two levels: physical and emotional. On the physical level,

accumulated undigested material or "ama" clogs arteries. Free

radicals bombard the system, impairing-among other things-the

efficient functioning of the heart. On the mental and emotional

levels, day-to-day stresses can add up, spewing adrenaline that can

damage the delicate fibers of the heart. According to Maharishi

Ayurveda, stress aggravates two vital subdoshas- Prana Vata, from

mental overload, and Sadhaka Pitta, from emotional trauma.

All these enemies of a healthy heart have one thing in common: they

attack silently, insidiously causing damage over time. "It is

important, therefore, that the heart be maintained at peak level of

efficiency even when there seems to be no apparent damage to it,"

says Vaidya Rama Kant Mishra, Director of Research and Product

Development at Maharishi Ayurveda Products International, Inc.

Ayurveda has scores of herbs in its arsenal to maintain heart health.

The key ayurvedic heart-friendly herbs work on both physical and

emotional levels. Among the stars of heart-care are Arjuna,

Ashwagandha and Guggul. The supporting cast, including Gotu Kola and

Shankhapushpi, also play vital roles. "It is important to look for a

synergistic, balanced combination of herbs," advises Vaidya Mishra.

 

HEART-FRIENDLY AYURVEDIC HERBS

How the ayurvedic herb "Arjuna" got its name is by itself an

interesting story. Legend has it that when the need arose on earth

for such an herb, Nature manifested it. Arjuna, the archer-hero of

the Mahabharata, was traumatized by the thought of having to wage war

on his relatives and his teacher, and Lord Krishna had to counsel him

at length (the origin of the Bhagavad Gita) before Arjuna's heart was

strong once more. "If this could happen to the great Arjuna,"

reasoned Brahma the Creator, "what of the lesser mortals who find

themselves unable to cope with emotional strain?" Thus was born the

mighty herb Arjuna, which, it is said, can live for several hundred

years in ideal conditions.

The herb lives up to its name. A great restorative, Arjuna soothes

both physical and emotional hearts. It calms an aggravated Sadhaka

Pitta, slowing down the release of toxic hormones. Arjuna has the

unique ability to balance all three doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Recent research has revalidated Arjuna's role in promoting

cardiovascular health.

Ashwagandha is another powerful rasayana that sweeps away stress and

ensures good sleep, thereby healing an overworked heart. A clinical

study in 1997 established the role of Ashwagandha in slowing down the

circulation of adrenaline, the stress hormone that can literally tear

heart muscle fibers. Scientists now know that Ashwagandha also

reduces plasma cortisol, which impairs heart health.

 

MAHARISHI AYURVEDA FORMULATIONS FOR CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH

Herbal formulations are demanding -- they work best when the

ingredients used are of the highest quality and are correctly

combined. In the best tradition of the ancient healers, Maharishi

Ayurveda prepares its herbal formulations with utmost precision. Its

researchers are intimate with every part of the plants they use: be

it root, stem, leaf, seed, bark, sap, juice. They know the role each

of these parts can play in either promoting health or simply counter-

balancing the side-effects. If the root, for instance, has a potent

anti-bacterial ingredient, the leaf has a built-in antidote to

counter the side-effects of that ingredient. The result is a

balanced, synergistic formulation that supports good health with no

damaging side effects.

But herbs are not the only weapons in the arsenal of Ayurveda. "In

fact, on their own, herbs may not yield the best results," cautions

Vaidya Mishra. "Ayurveda believes in prevention, as well as a

holistic approach to healing. Make a lifelong commitment to total

health. Follow a regular routine of eating, sleeping and working.

Meditate and think positive. Those are as active ingredients as any

to help your heart stay strong and healthy."

 

VAIDYA MISHRA'S TIPS FOR A HEALTHY HEART

• Sleep on time. Good sleep sets the tone for a fresh, stress-

free day. Include Poppy Seed Chutney in your diet.

• Emotional trauma aggravates Sadhaka Pitta, and one result can

be waking up at night feeling restless and depressed. To soothe your

Sadhaka Pitta and help the process of going back to sleep, drink a

cool glass of milk with a spoonful of rose petal jam.

• Do not skip meals.

• Include some cracked black pepper in your diet, black pepper

clears the channels of the body and supports the free flow of oxygen

to the brain, helping you stay composed yet alert.

• The daily Ayurvedic massage -- abhyanga -- is helpful for

stimulating circulation and toning up muscles.

• Start your morning with a stewed apple.

• Ayurveda recommends moderate exercise, especially Yogasanas

(Yoga postures) and Pranayam (breathing exercises). However, Ayurveda

believes that there is such a thing as too much exercise. Follow the

Ayurvedic concept of "balardha" or exercising such that you use up

half your energy and conserve the other 50 %.

• Practice Transcendental Meditation twice a day or use other

relaxation techniques to manage stress.

 

Note : This ayurvedic information is educational and is not intended

to replace standard medical care or advice.

Copyright MAPI, 2002.

 

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