7 Ayurvedic Treatments to Try for Holistic Health

If you are interested in giving holistic health a try, the best place to start is with Ayurvedic Treatments. Ayurveda is a natural system of medicine that originated in India more than 3,000 years ago. Broken down in Sanskrit, ayur means life while veda means science or knowledge. Translation: Ayurveda is the science of life. 

Unlike classic Western medicine, Ayurveda helps individuals achieve optimal health and wellness through certain lifestyle interventions and natural therapies to treat the root cause of illnesses rather than just the symptoms. Whether you are interested in holistic health or are just dabbling, here are seven Ayurveda treatments you can try.

ayurvedic treatments

1. Drink hot or warm water

According to Ayurveda, cold water disrupts bodily balance, which has a negative effect on a number of internal functions, mostly the digestive system, says Jamie Bacharach, Head of Practice at Acupuncture Jerusalem. The body needs to maintain its optimal core temperature, which drinking cold water can lower. On the other hand, warm water is known to promote digestive health and maintain a balanced temperature, so if you are giving Ayurveda a try, ditch the glass of ice  cold water and opt for a mug of warm water or hot herbal tea instead. 

2. Eat mindfully

Eating mindfully may not be high on your list of priorities, but in Ayurveda, how we eat is just as important as what we eat. Eating with mindfulness is vital for a balanced body and mind, but in a world where our meals are mostly accompanied by a screen, focusing on each and every bite can seem like a near impossible feat.

In Ayurveda, food is sacred and should be eaten mindfully and with intention, so when incorporating mindful eating, remember to slow down, thoroughly chew each bite and honor the food you are putting in your body.

3. Get your yoga on

Ayurveda is the sister science to yoga and although Ayurveda and yoga are two separate entities on their own, together they bring full healing benefits. When practiced together, Ayurveda and yoga provide a fulfilling way of living a complete model of preventative health.

[Link: How to choose the right yoga practice for you.]

4. Oil pulling

Oil pulling is essentially Ayurveda mouthwash. Oil pulling consists of swishing oil (usually coconut oil or sesame seed oil) in your mouth for 20-30 minutes. This Ayurvedic practice extracts any bacteria, plaque or toxins from your mouth, so once you are done swishing, be sure to spit the oil out in the trash.

Bacharach also notes, “Oil pulling is said to promote the health of the face, jaw, lips, teeth, gums and any and all associated body parts or muscles involved with the process of oil pulling.” Why research a future face lift when you have Ayurvedic oil pulling?

[Link: Oil pulling can help create a sparkling smile, but if you are looking for more ways to naturally whiten your teeth, try these five dentist approved teeth whitening tips.]

5. Rise with the sun

Ayurveda believes we should live our lives in rhythm with the sun’s cycles so we can stay deeply connected to nature, which is why Ayurveda encourages us to rise with the sun.

Bacharach says, “Ayurvedic medicine dictates that the ideal time to wake up in the morning is anywhere from 45 minutes before sunrise right up until sunrise. This practice helps to promote energy, assuring a link between the rising of the sun and the rising of body and energy. Waking up late, on the other hand, is said to lead to a slower, less energetic day. In Ayurveda, rising early with the sun promotes rhythm between the body and mind.” 

6. Self massage

In Ayurveda, abhyanga is known as luxurious ritual that involves self-massage with a warm oil applied to the entire body. Not only will you enjoy baby-soft skin that is well-hydrated, but it’s believed the oil will nourish all parts of the body while enhancing circulation and stimulating the lymphatic system. Self-massage involves the sense of touch, which is a nurturing ritual and an even more important healing tool in the practice of Ayurveda.

Before you self-massage, consider dry-brushing. Cristin Smith, founder and spiritual director at Saffron & Sage says dry brushing supports lymphatic drainage and immune system.

7. Tongue scraping

Tongue scraping is one of my personal Ayurveda favorites and is an excellent way to remove bacteria and toxins. In Ayurveda, overall health is closely linked with the presence of toxins in the body, so by using a tongue scraper first thing in the morning, you are removing toxins that have accumulated in the mouth while we sleep. Not only can tongue scraping also improve your breath and overall oral health, tongue scraping can enhance the sense of taste.

Ayurveda may be thousands of years old, but it still has a place in today’s world of health and wellness. If you are interested in giving Ayurveda a try, begin with these seven, simple Ayurveda treatments.

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About Ashley Martens

Ashley Martens is a Wellness Writer based in Chicago, Illinois. With a lifelong passion for all things health and wellness, Ashley enjoys writing about topics to help people live happier and healthier lives. With a foundation in fitness, food, and nutrition, Ashley covers it all including sexual health and travel topics.