Ayurveda Article - Dealing With The Teen Years Now

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The Teen Years: Laying the Foundation for Health

 

Adolescence is the age of major physical, intellectual, and emotional

growth. Children become adults, leave home, and become independent.

Because these changes happen so fast, this time is often difficult

both for teenager and parent. To make this transition smoother,

Maharishi Ayurveda offers practical advice on how to take advantage

of the characteristics of this age and create healthier and happier

teens.

 

Use the transforming power of Pitta

 

Pitta dosha, which governs this stage of life, is associated with

transformation, heat and metabolism. To utilize this transforming

power and balance Pitta, teenagers should eat cooling and nurturing

foods. "This is the time to start building the foundation for healthy

tissues," says Vaidya Rama Kant Mishra, ayurvedic expert. "If teens

eat nourishing food, it will quickly turn into healthy cells and

tissues. If they live on junk food and fast food, that will also

transform fast into toxins, giving rise to future health problems."

 

A cooling and nourishing diet includes lots of fresh vegetables,

especially squashes, sweet juicy seasonal fruits, soaked nuts and

seeds, raisins and dates, milk, lassi and home-made cheese like

paneer. Rotating grains, vegetables and fruits will give enough

variety to make the diet more attractive. Eating a stewed apple in

the morning balances the digestive fire and creates Ojas, the

substance within us that maintains life and promotes bliss. Four

meals a day are recommended for teenagers, with the main meal at

noon. They should not overeat even if they are very hungry, because

undigested food can create Ama, toxins that will aggravate Pitta.

 

Drinking plenty of water during the day is a good habit to start

early. Water cools and balances Pitta and detoxifies the body. By

water, ayurveda means clear, purified drinking water, not sweetened,

flavored and carbonated soft drinks.

 

Ayurveda also recommends moderate exercise. Games and sports can

be a fun way to get into a healthy habit. In addition to boosting

circulation and metabolism, exercise enhances immunity and endurance.

Yoga asanas are ideal because they not only tone the muscles but

stimulate the functioning of internal organs. Maharishi Ayurveda

recommends Amla-Berry, an excellent supplement for muscle growth and

vitality.

 

Teenagers can greatly benefit from practicing Transcendental

Meditation, which increases IQ, enhances learning ability, increases

mental clarity and calms the mind and body.

 

The Study Power herbal formula also helps with learning new

information. Research has shown that it helps increase intelligence.

 

Balance all the five Pittas

 

All the five subdoshas of Pitta need special attention in this period

of life. Each represents an aspect of Pitta and governs certain

functions of the body.

1. Alochaka Pitta represents the eyes and is best balanced by

consuming a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables.

2. Bhrajaka Pitta supports the skin, which is sensitive during

adolescence. Since this is a period of faster transformation,

chemicals from skin care products and cosmetics absorb easily into

the skin, disturb Pitta, and can create rashes and acne. Products

made with natural ingredients, on the other hand, nourish the skin

without irritating it. The same principle applies to diet. Fresh,

natural food without preservatives and additives feeds the skin from

the inside. Consuming Pitta aggravating meals, such as spicy and

salty fast food, or pizza with tomatoes and cheese, can also irritate

the skin, especially on hot sunny days. When Pitta is aggravated, the

skin becomes less resistant to sun damage. Even a mild sunburn can

turn into more serious symptoms later.

3. Sadhaka Pitta is seated in the heart and governs emotion,

contentment, memory and intelligence. This subdosha is also highly

sensitive in teenagers. A regular routine, for example going to bed

early, before 10 P.M., and eating regular meals, is very stabilizing.

Skipping meals, and watching violent movies, however, aggravate

Sadhaka Pitta, leading to negative emotions.

Sweet juicy fruits, such as pears, watermelon, and stewed apples are

very comforting to Sadhaka Pitta. Raisins, milk-date shakes, milk-

mango shakes and rice pudding are delicious, satisfying, and also

pacify this dosha.

4. Pachaka Pitta governs the stomach and small intestines and is

responsible for digestion and assimilation of nutrients. To keep

Pachaka Pitta in balance, one should eat cooling and nurturing meals

made with squashes, mung beans and lassi. The following spice mix is

also cooling and can be added to every meal.

Mix one part turmeric, one part cumin, two parts coriander and six

parts fennel. Saute the powder mix in ghee and olive oil and add it

to vegetables, dahl or grains.

5. Ranjaka Pitta represents the liver and blood and is especially

aggravated by toxins from environmental pollutants and food, which

can lead to skin and blood disorders. Foods that support the liver

include white daikon radish, loki, and Rose Petal Preserve with milk.

The spice turmeric also helps the functioning and detoxification of

the liver.

 

Intelligent food for an intelligent mind

 

Mental and intellectual development is also accelerated by Pitta. To

nourish the brain, one should eat almonds, walnuts and sunflower

seeds, milk, ghee and olive oil, and sweet juicy fruits. "If you want

to become more intelligent, eat more intelligent food," says Vaidya

Mishra. Intelligent food is fresh, organically grown, prepared with

loving attention and contains Prana, or life. Unintelligent food

includes junk food, fast food, canned, packaged and frozen foods and

leftovers.

 

Artificial colors, flavors and preservatives not only load the liver

with toxins, but weaken the immune system, and can lead to food

allergies, or contribute to disorders such as Attention Deficit

Disorder and Hyperactivity.

 

Adolescence is the time when children start building their adult

bodies. Whether they become healthy, balanced individuals or weak,

illness-prone people depends largely on what they are eating and

doing now. Skip the Big Mac at McDonald's and switch to fresh,

homemade meals. The whole family will enjoy the health benefits.

 

 

 

 

 

Note : This ayurvedic information is educational and is not intended

to replace standard medical care or advice.

Copyright MAPI, 2002.

 

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