Monthly Archives: January 2014

AYURVEDA Provides The Perfect New Year’s Resolutions

Ten Ayurvedic Health Tips to Implement for the New Year

by  on DECEMBER 30, 2013

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The original article can be found at the following excellent website:
VedicHealing.com

It’s the new year and we habitually set New Year’s resolutions.  Quite often, at least one resolution involves our health.  Ayurveda teaches us to live in harmony with our environment and thus have healthier lives.  The following are ten simple Ayurvedic health tips to implement for a more fulfilling new year.

1. Use a tongue cleaner.  Did you know that each part of the tongue is connected to a bodily organ? Thus utilizing a tongue cleaner removes the toxins which have accumulated overnight and stimulates the organs in the morning, so that they function more optimally. Upon rising, brush your teeth and scrape your tongue,  before ingesting anything. Astainless steel tongue scraper is good for all three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.  Kapha people can also use copper tongue cleaners.

2. Gargle with sesame oil. To strengthen the teeth and gums, to help with TMJ, and deter from the appearance of wrinkles, swish some sesame oil around in your mouth for 5-10 minutes. Do so after you brush your teeth and scrape your tongue. After swishing the oil around, you can spit it out.  Massaging your gums afterwards will be even more beneficial

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3. Add turmeric to your diet. Turmeric is one of the most healing spices in your pantry. It’s anti-bacterial, a blood purifier, as well as a great digestive, among many other qualities.  You can start the day (after brushing your teeth and scraping your tongue) by having a glass of warm water with ½ – 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder.  You can utilize turmeric when cooking your vegetables or lentils.  Turmeric is also available in tablet and tincture form.

4. Oil massage.  Are you plagued by constant dryness? Rather than looking for the best moisturizer on the market, address the cause internally.   The dryness is inside the body, and that is where it needs to be alleviated.   Doing an oil massage, or abhyanga, and then taking a warm shower allows the oil to penetrate into the skin and help relieve the dryness inside.  For oil massage, those with a Vata imbalance can use sesame oil, those with a Pitta imbalance can use sunflower oil orcoconut oil, and people with a Kapha imbalance may use sesame oil or sunflower oil.  Make sure you use a bath mat, as the tub and shower get slippery with the oil.  An injury could really aggravate the doshas!   Continue reading