Guest guest Posted March 16, 2009 Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 Dear members, While reading the newsletter from " Ayurveda for you " , I came across an article on the stress. It suggested the following herbs to reduce the stress. " Herbs known as adaptogens are beneficial in alleviating stress. Traditionally, Ayurveda recommends the root of winter cherry or ashwagandha, brahmi (gotu kola), jatamansi (muskweed), shakhpushpi, Yashtimadhu and Vacha among other herbs, to reduce stress and fix the imbalance in the vata dosha. " However it did not mention how we can take these herbs. I have read on messages in this forum that ashwagandha can be boiled in milk and taken. Does anybody know how can we take the other above mentioned herbs? Regards Vibhuti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 16, 2009 Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 Stress-modulating herbs are called adaptogens, and work on the various endocrine glands such as the adrenals, and also in the brain. In ayurveda, not only is the choice of herb important, but also the choice of " vehicle " which brings the herb into the body. Warm milk is considered a nourishing (rasayana) vehicle which potentiates adaptogenic herbs, and pacifies Vata. Another highly-regarded vehicle is ghee (clarified butter). Being a fat, it goes through the blood-brain barrier, bringing the stress-relieving herbs where they are most needed - in the brain. Ghee also also easily transports the herbs through cell membranes where they can act directly. Medicated ghee is called ghrta, the main one for stress being Brahmi Ghrta. To make a ghrta at home, boil a block of unsalted butter with 1/4 amount herbs, in equivalent amount of water as the butter. If the herbs are dried powder you can use less e.g. 1/8 the amount of ghee. Boil on low heat until the water has completely evaporated i.e. the bubbles are no longer big and cloudy, but are small and clear. Cool and strain off the butterfat, and store in a jar. Take 2-3 tspns a day. Shankhapushpi is considered by some authorities to be best taken as a syrup, which again is easy to make. Alternatively, the herbs can be taken as a medicated wine. Again, the alcohol acts as a vehicle which brings the herbs into the brain very quickly. 15-20ml a day after a dinner is enough. Formulas include Saraswata Arishta and Ashwagandha Arishta. The first five herbs are safe, but use Vacha only in small amounts as it is very powerful. Best regards, Gerald Auckland, New Zealand www.ScienceOfLife.co.nz <http://scienceoflife.co.nz> ___________ Traditionally, Ayurveda recommends the root of winter cherry or ashwagandha, brahmi (gotu kola), jatamansi (muskweed), shakhpushpi, Yashtimadhu and Vacha among other herbs, to reduce stress and fix the imbalance in the vata dosha. " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 I have used all of these mediines I used to take 2-3 gms of each in a up add 1 spoon of honey . (Honey maximises the effects of herbs.) and add water to it and drink it. ______________ I have read on messages in this forum that ashwagandha can be boiled in milk and taken. Does anybody know how can we take the other above mentioned herbs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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