You don’t need to go to a fancy spa or shell out a lot of money to experience ayurveda. Many ayurvedic prescriptions for common ailments are easy to try at home. The next time you’re feeling under the weather, brew up one of these traditional remedies.
For colds:
• Mix 1/2 tsp (2 mL) each cinnamon, fennel seeds and ground ginger.
• Add a pinch of cloves.
• Steep in 1 cup (250 mL) of hot water for 10 minutes.
• Strain before drinking.
For stomachache:
• Sprinkle pinch each salt and pepper on 1 oz (30 g) pomegranate seeds.
• Mix well and enjoy.
For headaches:
• Massage forehead, temples, neck and shoulder muscles with peppermint-scented oil.
How to find an ayurvedic doctor
Ayurvedic practitioners are not regulated by legislation in Canada. Nor are there any ayurvedic programs in North America.
Try to find a practitioner with a postgraduate degree in holistic and ayurvedic medicine from a university in India. Look for one with a bachelor of ayurvedic medicine and surgery or a doctor of ayurvedic medicine. Be wary if one offers quick fixes; ayurveda is more about preventing illness and maintaining health than about cures.
To find a practitioner in your area, contact:
The Ayurvedic Medical Association of Canada
102–1 Gloucester St.
Toronto M4Y 1L8
Phone: (416) 967-6891
Fax: (416) 922-2287
Website: www.althealth.ca
For more information, visit the International Council of Ayurvedic Physicians Inc.
But does it work?
Ayurveda is not an instant cure-all. You can’t take an herb prescribed by an ayurvedic doctor and expect perfect health tomorrow. Instead, ayurveda advocates a complete, healthy lifestyle that includes your diet, your type and level of exercise, and your spiritual practices. In this regard, ayurveda resembles the Chinese system of medicine, which also incorporates physical aspects (tai chi), diet (lots of ginger), acupuncture (touch) and spiritual habits to improve or maintain health.
Many of the tools used by ayurvedic specialists are also in accord with Western medical wisdom. Most doctors would agree with Ramesh Modi, who practises out of the Ayurved and Acupuncture Centre in Toronto. His advice is to watch what you eat, get exercise and engage in activities that decrease stress and promote a sense of well-being.
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• 8 yoga benefits for men
• 10 secrets to a good night's sleep
• Health secrets from people around the world
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