Eating Biorhythms
Biorhythms of sleep have become well recognized patterns and research has shown that they are intimately associated with health and the prevention of disease For example, people who work night shifts are more prone to health problems But the energy science of Ayurveda also gives us a biorhythm of eating which if adhered to improves the entire digestive process and supports this important concept of agni that I've talked about in the past
The biorhythm research data confirms what the energy science gives us as guidance about eating and rest As a matter of fact most contemporary research continues to support what the energy science talks about regarding prevention of progressive disease If we are plagued with disease of any kind, then we certainly don't want to get worse
The Eating Biorhythm
Since we are part of Nature(if you don't agree then show me how you remove yourself from Her) we will naturally flow with Her rhythms I just alluded to the health problems that occur when we don't go to bed with Nature and wake up with Her So it is with our eating biorhythm cycle
If we don't take our biggest meal when Nature is doing so then our digestion suffers Our agni or digestive power is maximal at between 11a and 2p Even if our agni is suboptimal the point is that it will be as good as it can be around the noon hour This is completely compatible with what our ancestors knew before we became accustomed to "city life" where schedules for a healthy lifestyle are abandoned
The energy science says that eating our biggest meal of the day at noon time is optimal for health and encourages the best chance for us to digest well What does "biggest" mean? What you can comfortably hold in your 2 hands represents two-thirds of your stomach capacity and Ayurveda's guideline is that more than 2 handfuls overdistends the stomach capacity and risks the chance to form ama or undigested unprocessed food If ama is formed due to poor agni it can escape from the GIT(gastrointestinal tract) and will spread to peripheral tissues where it can interfere with function
Eating out can be a major problem There are several reasons for this Things are done by restaurants that aren't conducive for good digestion The most common infraction is ice water Many of the entrees served in public eateries are popular but are not necessarily good for us(chocolate coffee ice cream) Many restaurants nowadays are serving incompatible food combinations The most common one is fruit with other foods
Eating Biorhythms: 3 Healthy Ways To Support
But probably the most damaging of all with our "restaurant fetish" is that it typically interferes with healthy biorhythms of eating Typically eating our biggest meal of the day turns out to be done at 7p or beyond which in the end is ama promoting Not only is it our biggest meal of the day but it's associated with all of the other ama promoting eating habits foisted on us because we're at the restaurant
So what can we do?
1 Make a pact with yourself to eat your biggest meal at noon
2 Minimize eating out...will be healthier and enhance the pocketbook If you have to eat out try to stay away from night time meals, avoid ice, eat according to your energy constitutional makeup(see foodsheal.com), and avoid incompatible food combinations
3 Breakfast is optional If hungry try fruit It should NOT be the biggest meal of the day
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Health and Numbing Out
Examples of Numbing Out
Numbing out is the inability to focus on the sensory experience that is bothering us Sure we notice the pain and inconveniences that "crimp our plans" but that's as far as it goes
Whether we know it or not numbing out is in our life experience The reason I can say this with such assurance is that we all do it to some degree or another Now one might claim that it's impossible to numb out when pain is in your face day after day and that is indeed true so we should define numbing out
Reasons for numb out are several 1 Often we don't have the tools to be more present with whatever is bothering us 2 At times it's inconvenient to bother or it's the same thing day after day so why bother 3 It's quick and easy to numb out 4 We get rewarded because of the pleasure that comes from numbing out
When we become students of whatever is bothering us we bring our full attention and in so doing intention to the issue at hand This is the crux of not numbing out By stopping the numbing out process we bring intention into the equation and voila healing occurs
Common examples of numbing out
Addictions of any kind...food(aka "comfort foods"), alcohol, marijuana, prescription drugs
Not managing stress and anxiety so we numb out unconsciously
Stress and anxiety produce flightiness which is a form or "run away" which is the heart of the numbing out process
Circles not together...essentially denial of the problems at hand
Social media....great way to avoid dealing with a problem
Ways to Avoid Numbing Out
1 Journal
Be aware of insights that come about the issue and solutions that will help the problem
2 Meditate on the problem at hand
Be willing to sit, think, and talk about the issue that you want to correct
Spiritual practices sometimes help uncover the unconscious processes such as fear,stress, and anxiety
Grounded minds produce composure to sit
3 The above process allows us to observe something that comes up and not be overwhelmed by it
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Sleep Disturbance: 7 Energy Science Solutions
There is nothing like a good night's rest and when that doesn't happen it's a source of deteriorating health Chronic disease ) is often associated with sleep problems More than 25% of the US population have sleep disturbances and 10% have chronic insomnia Although not specifically studied with the IC syndrome, sleep disturbances occur in people with diabetes, depression, obesity, and those with cardiovascular disease
It's not too difficult to understand why sleep disturbances would occur with chronic disease Getting up at night in order to pacify a bladder that wants to urinate is understandable but other situations such as rectal spasm or bowel symptoms may also play a role in altering the sleep pattern And of course the ramifications of chronic fatigue from sleep deprivation begin to show when continued problems of interrupted sleep occur
So what can be done to help with sleep disturbance that can support pharmaceuticals that are prescribed?
Sleep Aids
There are many effective sleep pharmaceuticals to use but they have the potential of sleep hangover so there are some natural sleep aids that can help Try several of these suggestions as their effects will mount up
Eating cherries or drinking cherry juice This fruit is a natural source of melatonin and tryptophan so drinking cherry juice around bedtime makes complete sense Researchers at LSU used tart cherry juice and found an increase of 90minutes of sleep a night
Moderate exercise This helps tax the body so that it wants rest at night Nothing like making the body tired Pranayama can be a very effective way to exercise if you have difficulty with walking, running, or accessing equipment
Prepare for sleep If a sleep disturbance occurs one of the first things is to look at what time you're going to bed and what time you're waking up In general bedtime should be around 10pm and wakeup around 7am So if your planned bedtime is 10p begin getting ready for bed around 930p taking a warm calming tub bath and massaging the head and feet with bhringaraj oil that relaxes the nervous system Listening to calming music, pleasant reading and NOT watching TV are good things to do for sleep preparation
So Hum There may be times when you want to fall asleep but the mind is just too agitated for one reason or another to let the body relax Instead of counting sheep or listening to the mind's endless chatter you can use So Hum breathing So Hum is a mantra that mimics the sound of the breath So on inhalation and Hum on exhalation When you use this mantra you can calm the nervous system and bring on sleep much more easily
Interrupted sleep Some recommend that if you're having trouble waking up in the middle of the night and cannot get back to sleep that you stay up if you have given yourself an adequate chance to go back to sleep When you stay up and begin the day at 3am and do that for three days in a row, it will be impossible for you not to have a good night's sleep This is especially if you avoid naps during the day The body requires sleep and deprivation for 17 days leads to death so forcing sleep deprivation can become a solution
Nutmeg and milk The herb nutmeg is an excellent sleep aid and coupled with a soothing cup of warm milk will help take the edge off and allow you to go into slumberlands Other herbal therapies There are a number of herbs that can act synergistically with one another in order to cumulatively give you better rest along with dealing with other physiologic problems Rasayans as well as tagar, valerian, brahmi, shankapushpi, jatamamsi, and vidari are excellent at calming the nervous system and promoting better sleep
Chamomile tea This herb also has a sedating effect to the nervous system and can be effective as a sleep aid
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Getting More Energy From Your Foods
All disease except for trauma begins in the GIT and so this underscores why nutritional habits are so important
But what nutritional habits? This is where the energy science can make its biggest contribution because the matter science molecular approach has no adequate model of disease So it becomes hit and miss recommendations So to heal any disease process one has to do this foundational work of nutrition which according to the energy science guidelines is very very important
Ten Ways to Feel Energized by Food
1 Eat Foods with High Prana
Prana is the vital energy present in fresh vegetables and fruits and pure air that we breathe From an energetic point of view one of the reasons for eating is to gain prana, so you want to choose foods that are high in prana
Incorporating more fresh vegetables and fruits in your diet will give you an immediate energy boost It's also important to cut the vegetables and cook them fresh at every meal Buying pre-cut vegetables means that you have already lost some of the prana For that reason, buy vegetables and fruits whole for maximum vitality
2 Eat Organic or Locally Grown Foods Whenever Possible
Organic foods have more prana than foods that have been polluted with chemical fertilizers and pesticides If your body has to work hard to detoxity the chemicals every time you eat with the liver, you'll feel fatigued and toxic
Locally grown foods are also higher in prana, because they don't have to be shipped or stored and can be bought tree-ripened There is another reason to eat locally grown foods--they contain the same ratio of the five fundamental levels as the climate in which you live
One ayurvedic principle says that equal proportions of the elements is always enhancing Locally grown herbs, fruits, vegetables and dairy products will have a more powerful and energizing biological impact Herbs and plants grown in the desert are more helpful for the people who live in that kind of dry, hot climate
This principle doesn't apply to grains or beans, which are grown in different regions And if you can't get locally grown veggies or fruits, it's better to eat imported produce The point here is that if you have a choice, buy or grow local produce for more vitality
3 Avoid Eating Dead or Unintelligent Food
Just as fresh produce has more prana, food that is old, dead, or heavily processed contains very little life force Frozen, canned, packaged, processed, bottled, fermented or leftover foods are either too old to be healthy, or even worse, have been altered with chemical preservatives and flavorings This kind of unintelligent, dead food is difficult to digest and creates ama, which clogs the body's channels and creates fatigue Choose food that is fresh, whole and unaltered by chemicals or harmful processing methods
4 Eat Energizing Foods
Besides fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, an energizing diet includes whole grains such as quinoa, barley and amaranth For protein, organic milk, lassi (a yogurt drink), paneer(fresh cheese) are energy-producing Almonds, cashews, or walnuts are an excellent source of protein if they are soaked first or cooked with the grains to make them more digestible Split-mung dhal and other small or split beans are an excellent source of protein Some delightful foods that are also excellent sources of protein are Milk-date Shake and Rice Pudding
Rice Pudding
Ingredients:
1 c. water
1/2 c. basmati rice
4 c. whole milk
1 tsp. chopped dates
2 tsp. cashews or pistachios
3 small pieces green cardamom, crushed
1 tsp. sugar (or to taste)
Directions:
Soak rice in water for 2 hours Boil milk Add rice and all other ingredients Boil slowly for 30 minutes or more until the mixture reaches a slightly thick consistency, but you can stir it easily It will thicken a little more when you let it cool
Fresh, easy-to-digest oils are another important part of the energizing diet Ghee is an excellent cooking oil or baking oil because it doesn't burn at high heat Extra virgin olive oil from the first press is healthy for baking or sautéing at low temperatures
5 Eat a Variety of Foods
Rather than getting in a rut and just making rice, dhal and the same vegetables every day, be sure to rotate your selection so you are always getting a wide variety of grains, fruits, vegetables, proteins and flavors
Ayurveda recommends that you eat all six flavors--sweet, sour, salty, bitter, astringent and pungent--in every meal If you are getting bored with your food, or if you are having cravings for unhealthy foods, that's a clue that you are not getting all six tastes You can take the guess work out of food selection by going to foodsheal.com to see what foods are best for you
One way to add more flavor and fun is to use Peach Chutney and Mango Chutney to complement the food. Each contains all six tastes, adding zest and energizing spice to the meal
6 Cook with Energizing Spices
Cooking with spices makes the food more digestible and creates energy The ayurvedic way to cook with spices is to sauté them at low heat in olive oil and ghee, then stir them into steamed vegetables, cooked grains, or soupy dals An alternative method is to sauté the spices in Ghee or olive oil and then sauté the raw vegetables, grains or dal Add water and cook until tender
Choose spices that are recommended for your body type Spice mixtures called churnas can be made from recipes at foodsheal.com
7 Avoid Energy-Draining Combinations
Avoid foods that don't digest well when combined Combining the following foods create ama and low energy
8 Drink Energizing Water
Drinking lots of coffee, tea or caffeinated soft drinks may give you a false burst of energy, but caffeine taxes the liver, creating a toxic build-up and fatigue It's better to drink beverages that clear toxins from the channels of the body
9 Minimize Restaurant Eating
If you must eat out, choose your restaurant carefully Keep an eye on the ingredients and cooking methods. Are the ingredients fresh or frozen? Are leftovers served? Are there healthy oils? These are the questions you can ask
10 Eat in a Settled Atmosphere
Ayurveda recommends that you eat in a settled atmosphere to gain maximum vitality from food If you talk on the phone, watch TV or conduct a business meeting over lunch, your food is not going to digest properly It will probably create ama, which is the cause of dullness and fatigue. Eating while standing, walking or driving also creates ama rather than energy
Turn off the electronic devices and eat with someone you care about Leave your responsibilities at the door--and instead revel in the beautiful colors, tastes, smells and textures of the food All of this amounts to respecting your food and your digestion, and will help create the kind of light, clear, vital feeling that good food is meant to do
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Windows of Observation: Stories from the Energy Body
In any physiologic dis-ease qualities become our way of having awareness that something is "not right in river city" For example the sensation of hot leads to the burning sensation on urination or a feeling of burning in the vagina, prostate, or perineum This quality also leads to irritability, impatience, anger, resentments about the disease that's being experienced
The mobile quality leads to frequency of urination, getting up at night, urgency to urinate, and anxiety of not knowing what's going on or if the problem will ever go away
Sensations Are More Than You Think
Have you had the experience of equanimity? That is, the sense that the body is peaceful and restful There are no abnormal sensations being reported to you Yes, I think we can all relate to that sense of peace in the mindbody
So when we have sensations in our body they are messengers from inner space from our energy field And rather than be stressed out about them we can welcome them for what they truly are...messages from the mindbody of dis-ease Nothing more and nothing less It's the mindbody's way of getting in touch with us and letting us know that something is not quite right
Hence sensations become our windows of observation of the inner workings of our energy field and so we should never ever discount sensations Rather than be fearful of the abnormal sensations we can simply observe and be grateful that the mindbody is letting us know that something has caused us to leave our state of equanimity
For example, if you go on a hike with your kids and you find that your back muscles are getting tired due to the steep grade of the hill your kids are running up, you take a rest because the mindbody is telling you that your muscles are not conditioned enough to keep on doing the task You give the muscles some rest and they're ready to begin to do some more work This process is called conditioning and the messages from your mindbody are not to stop but to simply rest
What about emotions? Do they lack sensations? Of course not The sense of compassion, kindness, gratitude, and love all carry sensations of oily, liquid, soft, warm, light, subtle, and clear
Using Sensations in Dis-eases of the Energy Mindbody
So it's important as much as we can to observe our energy field by noticing our sensations When we begin becoming a better observer we become a better healer How could this be?
The subtle noticing of how the sensation of hot or mobile is changing for the better gives us a clue that what we are doing is making a difference....that we're on the right track toward dealing with our dis-ease whatever that might be
I've mentioned journaling in past blogs and this is where jotting down your observations can be very helpful because at times the changes in sensation can be so subtle that we may not be able to remember how that sensation was yesterday or last month or even last year Being able to go back over your notes can reassuringly help remind you of how much progress you have made
Healing is not made in a straightline It occurs in waves exactly how the energy field expresses itself So there are good days and bad days and by journaling we get to see this wave like effect in action
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7 Characteristics of Healing
Imagination is necessary for healing any dis-ease because it's part of the creative process The creative process is not just in the realm of the arts but is part of the fabric of all human endeavor including the one that is closest to home called healing Healing is in reality an art form and we are the artists Such a perspective requires the recognition that we are the creator
When we assume an artistic touch to our healing we have to become responsible since we are the architect of our project of healing It demands taking charge so that victimhood is not acceptable We no longer look to the white coat to heal us because we are on to something much more profound, our own creative project
These words may sound philosophical as if they have nothing to do with dealing with the daily trials and tribulations of the dis-ease process but unless you hear them you will continue to suffer with your dis-ease So what are the characteristics of a creative or healing event? Although this verbal list can be longer it should be noted that the healing act transcends the verbal because it comes from the level of the soul
7 Characteristics of Healing
Imagination Simply believing that you can get through this turbulent time of your life and imagining your life as different is a significant first step Einstein said that more important than knowledge, imagination was at the heart of the creative or healing process
Innovation Doing new things and thinking outside the box, outside conventional knowledge, exercises creativity and healing
Faith that what you are doing will bring the outcome you're looking for
Motivation Pain IS the great motivator that moves people to get off point zero and toward solution The internet and social communication is a great tool to utilize to help along the way, getting fresh ideas
Discovery is always part of the creative process because there are always new things uncovered going forward through the healing process
Never Give Up An attitude that fosters a "can do" mentality no matter how you're feeling or doing in the process
Hard Work requires courage, fortitude, resilience, and daily affirmation
The Mind: Roadblock to Healing
Of course there will be mental or psychological roadblocks I don't have enough money, not enough time, or my job or family prevent me from doing the work necessary to bring about healing But that's all a form of procrastination to get to work The mind will always support the status quo and prevent us from exercising our creativity
But for some of us there will come this Eureka moment when it all fits into place and you're willing to tell the mind to shut up And you will get on with your creative act of healing
Miles Davis has been credited with this phrase "Don't end nothin" It implies that creativity is never ending as is healing We can always be healthier than we were yesterday, that there are always things that we can work on to heal the imbalances that we have
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Healthy Rest: 9 Energy Science Guidelines
Healthy rest with chronic dis-ease is essential in healing because it takes more energy to heal Any chronic dis-ease from a complex of labels that we use can often be associated with sleep disruption But even then an apparently "healthy" person can have a sleep disturbance due to the chronic Vata imbalance in our culture(hurry hurry hurry up indicating the mobile quality)
Proper and sufficient sleep is essential for optimal health and without it, body and mind can suffer, particularly if chronic dis-ease is present But what actually is proper rest has a lot to do with who you are energetically
The Ayurvedic Perspective of Sleep
People with a Vata energy makeup require the most sleep(7-8h) and Kapha even though they like to sleep require the least(6-7h) Pitta's requirements are somewhere in between
Since most dis-eases have a Vata component it's not surprising that sleep disorders are common in particular with chronic dis-ease which are primarily vata disorders Vata sleep disturbances include restlessness and light, easily disturbed sleep that may be precipitated by worry and anxiety There may be tossing and turning and/or frequent kicking of the legs
Disturbed pitta can be a factor also, in the form of excess focus on problem solving/planning and attempting to sleep in hot weather Kapha sleep disturbance usually takes on the appearance of sleeping too much This can lead to slowing an already slow metabolism which then leads to weight gain
How to Get Good Sleep: An Energy Science Approach
In the energy science of Ayurveda, healthy lifestyle is paramount Ayurveda provides lots of suggestions for healthy routines to begin each day, which supports optimal health and peace of mind And by creating healthy routines at bedtime, you are helping ensure a nice, peaceful night’s sleep Importantly going to bed at a proper time sets the stage for waking up early and beginning the day away from the energetically lethargic time of the morning(6-10a) Following are suggestions for creating healthy bedtime routines and optimizing sleep.
Consider that about one hour before actually going to bed is when to start winding down to prepare for sleep If your mind and body are active all the way until your head hits the pillow, it often will take awhile to calm down and settle into a state that will allow you to sleep Instead, begin this process about an hour before you climb into the sheets Avoid stimulating activities during this time, such as heated discussions, violent television shows, unsettling news, computer work, resolving financial issues, etc
Strive for not using an alarm clock so as to arise naturally and well rested
If you are having problems getting to sleep or staying asleep consider doing some soothing rituals
Warm bath
Soothing music
Deep relaxation exercises....sleep is the best meditation
Warm oil massage... foot or scalp massage before bed with bhringaraj oil
Light or spiritual reading
Turn down lights and use candles instead
One of the most important ways to ensure a good night's sleep is simply to maintain a regular bed and wake time schedule, including weekends The best sleep schedule to maintain is to go to bed by 10:00 pm and rise at about 6:00 am This is the time that is most conducive to sleep If you are used to going to bed later and getting up later, this may be difficult at first But your body will soon adjust, and over time you will likely find this schedule allows for a more restful night's sleep
Try not to have the head under pillows This habit reduces good oxygenation during sleep and inhibits good sound sleep
Regular mealtimes (and do not eat anything heavy after 7:00 pm); a cup of warm milk before bed, perhaps with a little fresh nutmeg grated into it
Gentle yoga practice
Aromatherapy, such as lavender and/or jatamansi
Outdoor work in the garden or spending time in nature can be beneficial, as this brings the influence of the earth element and its heavy, slow qualities into the bodymind
Disruption of Sleep by Energy Patterns
Vata Insomnia:
Vata insomnia tends to involve awakening during the early hours of the morning (2-4am) accompanied with fatigue and drowsiness. This is usually due to:
· Cold weather
· Excessive exercise
· Over consumption of raw foods, beans and light cold foods such as salads
· Excess sexual activity
· Excess travel and noise
· Constipation, bloating
· Rheumatism and arthritis
Pitta Insomnia:
Pitta insomnia involves difficulty falling asleep and staying up past midnight. It is commonly associated with:
· Hot weather
· Over consumption of sour, citrus and spicy foods
· Hyperacidity
· Caffeine and alcohol consumption
· Staying up too late
Kapha Insomnia:
Kapha insomnia is usually early morning arising which is related to;
· Overeating heavy foods such as meats, dairy, sweets
· Snoring
· Sleep apnea
· Restless leg syndrome
· Depression
· Breathlessness
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SIBO(Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth): 5 Energy Science Solutions
The energy science model of dis-ease states that except for trauma every dis-ease or imbalance begins in the GIT(gastrointestinal tract) Since this is the case we can appreciate how important foods become in the evolution of dis-ease and conversely how important foods become in the management and healing of dis-ease Correct food selection appropriate for own's energy constitutional makeup along with incompatible food combinations become foundational in any dis-ease healing
Short term acute dis-ease processes can be readily corrected over brief(months) periods of time Obviously the longer the imbalance the more likely that other energy science techniques will be necessary to deal with advanced dis-ease conditions This term dis-ease emphasizes that the energy patterns are not at ease or that an imbalance of qualities is physiologically present
The matter science(allopathy, naturopathy) often look at infection as a cause of many diseases Every once in a while you'll see matter science research studies attempt to unsuccessfully or questionably successfully incriminate bacteria in the cause of specific disease Because bacteria are treatable by antibiotics which is a big tool in the matter science toolbox an attempt to incriminate bacteria can be a scientific "home run" These attempts have happened unsuccessfully with GERD(gastroesophageal reflux), rheumatoid arthritis, and obviously IBS
Symptoms of Poor Digestion
Many experience poor digestion but discount it as just the way they are.....but in reality these symptoms should not be ignored Any unphysiologic food craving is unhealthy and shoud be best avoided Overeating is abnormal(eating more than 2 handfuls at any one meal) as well as cravings for ice Post meal digestive problems such as heaviness, bloating, loss of energy after eating, need for naps after eating, diarrhea, and constipation are major warning signs that things are not healthy in the GIT
Matter Science and Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth(SIBO)
Now the matter science is getting closer to what the energy science has been saying for 1000's of years....the GIT is responsible for all dis-ease But since the matter science model of disease can only hold space for offending insults such as internal(autoimmune) and external(bacteria, parasites, fungus, and viruses) it becomes limited as to seeing the origins of dis-ease Presently the matter science has a new approach to disease seeking an understanding through the alteration in bowel flora
This alteration or better yet described as disruption of normal bowel flora has become known as SIBO where "bad" bacteria overgrow the "good" bacteria is probably not only the small bowel but large bowel as well There are past models that lead to grounding in this kind of disease origin such as leaky gut syndrome and the candidal(fungus) overgrowth theories that have their proof in patient improvement by flora manipulations
Now the current rage for bowel disorder from IBS to systemic disease is to manipulate the small bowel flora with antibiotics(killing off the "bad" bacteria) or better yet "fecal bowel flora" transplants which have seen benefits
Energy Science Understanding of SIBO in Agni Terms
As we have discussed at length in past blogs the bacterial flora of the GIT which is 10x the cellular mass of our own individual body's cell mass is part of a greater concept called agni Called metabolism in matter science terms, agni is not only more user friendly, but as we have talked about in the past, a highly functional and malleable term that is freely manipulative by energy science techniques As a matter of fact one of the main tenets of the energy science that separates it from the matter science is this concept of agni
As we have alluded to earlier, qualities(vibrational frequencies) become disrupted in the GIT and this subsequently leads to an alteration in agni This disruption leads to SIBO but at times gut mucosal changes as well making this look like IBS in some respects
Then if the matter and enegy science models are talking about the same thing then what's the big fuss? Just use the matter science techniques that we have discussed above
Energy Science Solutions for SIBO
There is a general tenet in healing disciplines that the closer your treatment touches the origin of the disease the greater success the healer will have So what's better, to treat SIBO or the cause of the SIBO? If the energy science model tells us that the cause of SIBO is an energy imbalance leading to the SIBO, the best solution is to deal with the imbalance This is not rocket science folks!
1 So what is foundational in healing the bowel? Well from what we said already choosing foods appropriate for you energy makeup and observing incompatible food combinations are support any further manipulation
2 Probiotic It makes complete sense to support the "good bacteria" in the gut so as to improve agni But it's often too much of a good thing at times with probiotic use Find a good probiotic(not necessarily the most expensive)but supplement for 2-3 weeks and then do a break and perhaps another couple of rounds Then done
3 Yogurt as a probiotic As we've discussed in the past homemade yogurt is a great food to use to support the bowel flora Kefir has the potential of carrying yeast along with the probiotic so it's not recommended from an energy science point of view
4 Avoid antibiotics if possible All that antibiotics do is further disrupt the already compromised bowel flora If you have to use antibiotics then you should definitely supplement with probiotic or yogurt for a period of time
5 Reduce ama As we have talked about in the past when agni suffers ama forms in the gut and begins to leave the GIT This unprocessed undigested debris which is the result of poor digestion is the basis of all chronic dis-ease
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Aloe vera and Inflammatory Disease
The use of aloe for sunburn is the herb's biggest notoriety If you think about this from an energy science point of view it becomes clear that aloe's main use is to reduce the hot quality physiologically The hot quality is present in all inflammatory conditions from diarrhea to arthritis to infection to cancer Because of this aloe vera has had a growing popularity as a herb for inflammatory conditions And certainly aloe is cheaper than targeted antiinflammatory pharmaceuticals even with insurance
The Inflammatory Condition
The matter science theory of inflammatory conditions involves complex biological micromanagement with many different entry points in the cascade After you've listened or read a discussion regarding this cascade you walk away bewildered Due to the confusion the public literally gets hoodwinked into believing that the hocuspokus of the pharmaceutical industry science is valid stuff But like every other business they are in it to turn a profit and therein lies a bias
The energy science approach to inflammation is simple but elegant It sees the Pitta imbalance as the crux of the problem since Pitta is the only energy pattern of the three that carries the hot quality Due to the accumulation of the hot quality inflammation occurs Herbs such as aloe as we experience with sunburns reduce the hot quality
The liver and spleen are the functional sites of Pitta and the liver can become overheated with resultant slight elevations in liver function usually not considered as important by the clinician evaluating the labs unless they're markedly elevated Hence aloe as a herb becomes an excellent liver healing agent and liver protectant
Since the skin is another functional site of Pitta it comes as no surprise that aloe can be used in all forms of skin rashes, such as hives, urticaria, exzema, and psoriasis As the skin problems become more complex of course increased and different energy science interventions are necessary
Aloe has an impact on the health of the GIT(gastrointestinal tract) and can help cool down excessive heat that occurs with Pitta imbalance The affect aloe has on the mind can reduce impatience and irritability Of course all these energy science manipulations don't occur within a couple of days but rather in terms of months or years of use
Forms of Aloe
There are currently many forms of aloe vera gel or juice on the market and many have citric acid as a preservative If used in large volumes aloe may aggravate the Pitta condition due to the citric acid and not the aloe itself The most common side effect of too much is diarrhea
The advantage of the freeze dried aloe is that it doesn't have the need for preservatives such as citric acid which is appealing Some time ago Desert Harvest perhaps to avoid the citric acid preservative began using a freeze dried product in capsule form....and maybe the primary reason when they thought of it was to make it more user friendly for patients(everybody is used to taking a pill)
Since that time other companies have followed even having powders available Aloe Farms has such a pill form freeze dried product In general I have some misgivings about these products because the freeze drying process which may affect the the bioavailablity of the aloe vera herbal nutrient....the rasayana energetic effect of aloe may also be lost since it's not just about the molecules but also the subtle energetics of the plant which has significant medicinal value
The value of aloe vera gel is that when used as an anupan(serves as a taxicab to take the herbs to targeted tissues) with herbal formulas it can theoretically produce a slow release to the GIT mucosa Agni is invariably adversely affected so this technique assures that there will be good absorption and assimilation of the herbal mixture The amount of aloe when used as a anupan is small so citric acid is not a problem For use as an antiinflammatory using large volumes(6T three times per day) the citric acid could become an issue But the remedy is simple....cut back on the dosing
The two brands that don't have citric acid are George's and Aloe Farms Aloe Farms uses Vit C(ascorbic acid) and potassium sorbate as preservatives These two gels available don't have caraggeneen which has concerned the IC community due to studies suggesting the seaweed is carcinogenic in animal studies using large doses(I tend to discount such "unbiologic studies") Both available through Amazon or the ic-solutions.tv Amazon store under Health and Personal Care George's goes for 7.42 for 32oz and cheaper in the gallon size per oz
George's gel by their labeling has no preservatives making it a favorable product in the market
Remember that just like pharmaceuticals aloe can become a bandaid so we can go on eating foods that aggravate and produce IC However when used appropriately to help with symptoms as we make dietary changes makes the most sense
Aloe should not be thought of as THE tool in the tool chest to heal IC but rather as one of the many Remember that energetically it's not just one thing that causes IC but a multiplicity of things(foods, incompatible foods, season, lifestyle choices producing too much of the hot quality etc) and so it's just not one thing that deals with healing IC but a multimodality approach with herbs like aloe vera being one small part
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Yeast and Dis-ease
While naturally occurring yeast in our nutrition is healthy, in the West we have become excessive users of yeasted products primarily in the form of bread products and pastry This adversely affects the bowel flora or the microbiome of the gut because yeast overgrowth is a definite complication This is why yeasted bread products are listed in the No column in the energy science nutritional formats
Energetically the sweet taste soothes the nervous system Even though we grow up with the sweet smell of oven baked bread and yearn for the sweet taste in its many different forms unfortunately the yeast in bread products can do a number on our gut flora This is why if we look at the planetary nutritional habits we'll see that 80% of the population uses flatbreads as a way of taking their grains which have naturally occurring yeast, not yeast that has been artificially added to produce the puffiness of the dough
Dis-ease and Yeast
What does yeast have to do with dis-ease in the energy physiology?
Think about what yeast does to dough as it rises The excess yeast in the dough produces the hot quality during the rising process We can feel that hot quality on the sides of the bowl as the process is occurring This hot quality is delivered to the GIT and produces an additive effect to the already present hot quality in the gut As you may remember it's the hot quality that produces many of the symptoms of dis-eases such as gastroesophageal reflux(heartburn), diarrhea, inflammatory bowel dis-ease, and inflammatory joint dis-ease
But what else are we observing? The dough begins to "rise" This rising is an result of the CO2 gas being produced by the yeasties as a byproduct of their metabolizing of sugars in the flour The result energetically is the qualities of cold, light, mobile, dry, rough, subtle, and clear are being added to the GIT when we consume yeasted products These qualities of gas lead to a build up of the Vata energy pattern in the GIT
Vata is a primary player in all dis-ease processes in the mindbody and in particular 80% of dis-eases that are seen So you can see how very important it is to limit the influence of Vata in the body
What To Do About Dietary Yeast?
So there are a number of different lifestyle behaviors that you can take on that will make your gut a happier place
Use flatbreads such as sprouted wheat tortillas, pancakes, or corn tortillas(corn should not be used for PV energy makeup)
Consume naturally occurring yeast found in all grain flours We don't have to go looking for this because it's naturally there for us
Avoid the bakery section in grocery stores As Vata pacifying as it may be this section of the store should be off limits
Scones which are a great bakery good without the yeast
Don't supplement with yeast This seems obvious but in many matter science health communities we find recommendations for yeast supplementation While this may be a good idea from a molecular point of view it makes little sense from an energy science perspective
Toast the bread if you have to have it so that the residual yeast and the Vata qualities are not consumed
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