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**Perhaps time’s definition of coal is the diamond

- Khalil Gibran**

The term ‘Yoga’ can be interpreted as ‘to unite with the real’ & ‘separate oneself from the unreal’. It also means to have discipline. We can say that the discipline of Yoga is not limited to but extends across all three elements leading to physical, mental and spiritual well being.

At the molecular level coal and diamonds are nothing but Carbon. But in coal these carbon is mixed with other impurities and not the molecules are arranged randomly. Whereas in Diamonds due to pressure the carbon molecules are more structured and uniformly placed. So the 8 branches of yoga (see. fig) are a means to achieve this unity within.

In the human equivalent to coal, the impurities can range from materialism, unruly emotions, desires, insecurities, etc. Following the rules as enumerated by the yoga sutra could lead towards a sense of self realization or awareness .

Yoga has come a long way today. Recognized by the WHO and celebrated across the world on the 21st of June world over.  Yes,  we can say that Yoga and Ayurveda does have the world in its grip and thrall.

At one point in time ‘Yoga’ was a means to attain Salvation or Moksha. The scenario today is different and is changing every moment. Currently, we are utilizing a small part of Ashtanga yoga for rehabilitative and restorative purposes. It has become a way to tackle weight concerns, mobility issues, rejuvenate and more. To be more precise it is now more body focused than spiritual, inspiring hashtag trends, challenges and other social media storms. But we also need to look deeper into what it is trying to tell us. It is an opportunity to recognise the universe that is you with its own unique complexities, understand how it operates  and have control on your mind. 

Human nature as we are well aware always prevails. Yet again we find that we are taking what we want for ourselves with the commercialization of yoga that is so prevalent today. In this way it is losing its purpose and we have become trapped into exactly what ‘Yoga Sutras’ teach us to be free from. This again leads to ‘Dukha’.

While practicing the yoga asanas if we try to practice some of its teachings then even in its simple & humble  form ‘Yoga’ itself will be enough.

**Better to complete a task well, than to do much imperfectly - Plato**

#Internationalyogaday #Yoga #Sandupharma #Ayurveda #Sayyestoayurveda #asana

Article By

Dr. Madhuri Bhogan (MD AYU)

Research Associate

We have always heard the phrase to go with the flow, haven’t we? Just as we move along the curve of the road when driving. This simple tactic is extremely beneficial for maintaining optimum health too. In these blogs focused on Ayurveda and its aspects, we have regularly emphasized adapting to seasonal changes to prevent occurrence of diseases. The movement of the sun influences many factors within the body. Along with energy or bala, the digestive fire within the body is also weak during this rainy season. The damp and cold climate leads to vitiation of vata predominantly along with other 2 doshas. Generally, Varsha ritu is believed to last from Mid July till the mid of September.  The best scenario to help you imagine the state of your digestive fire is :- trying to light a fire or bonfire with wet branches or twigs. It's difficult and time consuming for those to take light. This is true for your digestive fire during this season. So burdening your already weakened digestive fire with an unsuitable diet will only further dampen it and cause health problems. Lack of sunshine, cloudy atmosphere could also lead to mental disturbances. Thus it is recommended to use a lot of aromatic herbs like Chandana (Sandalwood), wearing fragrant garlands, etc. These aromatic herbs contain phytochemicals that relieve mood disturbances and uplift the mood and atmosphere. They may activate certain areas in the brain which helps in controlling emotions and releases happy hormones.

Few guidelines that can be followed during the Varsha Ritu :- 

Try to refrain from: 

• Excessive liquid intake, wine, achar (pickles of all types), food which is heavy and hard to digest
• Getting wet in rain, day sleep, exercise, hard work, staying at river bank, and exposure to sunlight, wind are to be avoided

 Seasonal Daily Regime: 

• Use of hot water for baths
• Rubbing the body with Oil properly after a bath is advised
• Medicated Basti (enema) under the supervision of a Registered Physician, to expel vitiated doshas

 As always, we need to walk with nature, work with nature and be insync with nature. Doing what is possible is completely under our control and small steps may be implemented gradually and adopted. Choose an ideal routine just for yourself !!  To tackle unexpected health concerns Sandu pharma offers;

• Tab Corysan,
• Sandu Mahasudarshan Kadha,
• Sandu Sitopalasav,
• Sandu Mahamanjishthadi kadha,
• Sandu Chyavanprash,
• Makarprash etc only on advice of Registered Medical Practitioner.

 Leaving you with following words from American marine biologist, writer, and conservationist; to think about;  ‘But man is a part of nature, and his war against nature is inevitably a war against himself’ - Rachel Carson  #sayyestoayurveda #sandupharma #ritucharya #varsharitu #ayurveda # rainyseason #ayurvedalifestyle #monsoonregimen  References:  Ganeshrao, Bakal Nilesh, Lode Dattatraya Somaji, and Patil Aparna Shrikrishna. "Ritu (Season), Ritucharya and Prakriti-A Conceptual Study." Int. J Ayur. Pharma Research 2.2 (2014): 101-110. Article by Dr.Madhuri Bhogan Research Associate

KNOW YOUR PRAKRUTI

The Ayurvedic concept of Prakriti is helpful in maintaining health, understanding disease and its management. Analysing your own Prakriti helps you know about your body and its requirements. It will help to maintain a good and balanced personal, family and professional life.  It helps to plan your lifestyle, diet etc according to your body  requirements. So, Take a look at the questionnaire.

A = VATA,   B = PITTA,  C = KAPHA

HOW IS YOUR:

Body:

1.  Lean & tall body
2. Average weight & medium built
3. Plump, delicate & well built

Skin:

1. Rough with tendency to darken
2. Clear, smooth with excessive red skin, freckles, pimples & black moles
3. Bright, smooth & attractive

Nails

1. Rough, dry irregular, cracked
2. Glossy & red
3. Long, thick, smooth & appear white

Lips:

1. Dry & thin having a dark tone
2. Glossy and reducing
3. Thick & full lips having glossy & smooth

Hair:

1. Rough, dry & break easily
2. Early greying
3. Pleanty, thick & glossy

Joints:

1. Prominent with cracking noise on movement
2. Medium, not too defined
3. Strong & compact

Body Strength:

1. Weak
2. Moderate
3. Strong

Body Temperature:

1. Intolerance to Cold temperature
2. Intolerance to Hot temperature
3. Normal

Sweating:

1. Seldom with no odor
2. Excessive with foul odor
3. Normal with peculiar smell

Walk:

1. Quick & light gait
2. Normal gait
3. Slow & steady gait

Appetite:

1. Poor eater & irregular appetite 
2. Voracious eater & strong appetite
3. Slow eater & poor appetite

Digestive Fire:

1. Irregular
2. Powerful
3. Weak

Bowel Conditions:

1. Irregular
2. Loose
3. Regular

Speech:

1. Very fast
2. Sharp
3. Slow & resonant

HOW ARE YOUR:

Moods:

1. Quick to like & dislike & highly irritable
2. Quick to temper & recovery
3. Slow temper

Stress Tolerance:

1. Poor stress tolerance
2. Low stress tolerance
3. Calm, low irritability & patient

Memory:

1. Irregular, short term- excellent, long term-weak
2. Powerful
3. Long term-good

Sleep:

1. Interrupted
2. Normal
3. Excessive

Grasping power:

1. Very fast
2. Quick
3. Slow

Out of these three options select only one.

Each question will carry 1 point.

All option A will correspond to Vata. Similarly option B for Pitta and option C for Kapha.

After receiving all answers, calculate how many times each option is selected.

Body type corresponding to option selected for highest times will be your Prakruti.

eg. Out of 41 questions,

If person selects option A 18 times, option B 12 times and option C 11 times then his Prakruti will be Vata type.  

If person selects option A 7 times, option B 20 times and option C 14 times then his Prakruti will  be Pitta type.  

If person selects option A 9 times, option B 10 times and Option C 21 times then his Prakruti will be Kapha type.

In case of tie for first two positions, then his body type will be of two doshas.

If final score for Option A (Vata) and Option B (Pitta) is same (eg 15 for each one) and for Option C is 11; then he will have Vatapitta Prakruti.

If final score for option B(Pitta) and Option C(Kapha) is same then his Prakruti will be PittaKapha.

If final score for option A(Vata) and option C(Kapha) is same then Prakruti will be Vatakapha.

According to indivisual's Prakruti Do's and Dont's are displayed in Sandu Arogyadarshika.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COMMUNICATE FOR ANY QUERY

@ Dr. Sandu -  medicalcell@sandu.in

Let's start this blog with a riddle:

What is that natural pause in a Woman's life?

Answering this question is a reality check of how aware you are of yourself  & in case you are a male then about the women in your life.

If you are still left wondering then the answer is ‘Menopause’ - The name itself suggest that it’s a Pause in Menstural cycle.

Everyone is aware of the time in school when the concept of menstrual cycle was introduced to them. Through these videos every boy and girl is educated on the changes that happen during this time in the women’s body. So everyone is well informed about ‘Menarche’, but why not about ‘Menopause’ ?

Just like the sun rises, eventually there comes a time where it sets. If ‘Menarche’ is the starting point of the menstrual cycle then a ‘Menopause’ is when it gradually comes to a stop.

Menopause is not sudden but is marked with a period of signs that can vary woman to woman. When there is absence of periods for  more than 12 months it is considered that menopause has occured. This doesn’t mean that it's something only women must face and go through alone. This literal and figurative upheaval in her life affects people around her & needs support from other family members.

Just as a Mother always has a kind word to say to us on our worst days similarly she needs the same.

As it's true in any given situation awareness plays a major role in helping to cope with it better. Not surprisingly what exactly is menopause is not known to many women. Recent studies suggest that women are not aware of the term or the signs to look out for. Unlike how knowledge of menstrual cycle is circulated through schools from young age this is not the same for a subject like “Menopause”. So when they start going through the transition period they not only don’t seek professional help but also prefer to remain quiet.

To outline Menopause:

Menopause tends to set in around the age of 40 or 45 which will vary person to person.                                                                     

General signs and symptoms:

Physical symptoms -

• There is decline in hormones that are responsible for ovulation as well as other reproductive functions.
• Menstrual irregularities
• Hot flushes or flashes & Night sweats
• Palpitations (irregular heart beats) & Headaches
• Thinning hair and Dry Skin
• Weight gain and slowed metabolism
• Osteoporosis (bones become weak and brittle)

Emotional Symptoms

• Mood changes
• Sleep disturbances
• Depression
• Lack of energy
• Difficulty concentrating, and dizzy spells.

Through Ayurveda this absolutely normal transition in a woman's life can become manageable and smooth. Following an appropriate diet and lifestyle definitely makes a difference in relieving these symptoms. Depending on the predominance of doshas during this period an appropriate diet may be followed.

Dosha	Signs & Symptoms	Diet
Vata predominant Menopause	Nervousness, anxiety, pain, mood swings, irregular periods, insomnia, mild hot flashes, constipation,	increase warm food and drinks.  Avoid caffeine, other stimulants & refined sugar
Pitta predominant Menopause	Temper, anger, irritability, feeling hot, hot flashes, night sweats, heavy & excessive periods	Increase cooling foods, water intake, sweet juicy fruits, Avoid hot spicy food and alcohol
Kapha predominant Menopause	Weight gain, lethargy, fluid retention, laziness, depression	Light, dry & warm food, consume fruits, whole grown vegetables

To manage menopause & its associated symptoms through supportive medications, Sandu Pharmaceuticals has

• Sandu Ashokarishta
• Sandu Saraswatarishta
• Sandu Ashwagandharishta
• Tablet Stresan
• Ashoka compound
• Makarprash

From our versatile product range. These products may be used on the advice of the physician.

#Sandupharma #Ayurveda #Menopause #Mothersday #SayyestoAyurveda

Reference:

Gati Krushna Panda et al. Menopausal Syndrome and Its Management with Ayurveda,International Journal of Health Sciences & Research (www.ijhsr.org), Vol.8; Issue: 5; May 2018

Article By:

Dr.Madhuri Bhogan (MD AYU)

Research Associate

Discover the power of Sandu Mahasudarshan Kadha, an Ayurvedic immunity-booster that helps for holistic well-being. Learn more now.

In Ayurveda, as there is a daily regimen or routine recommended, there is also a seasonal regimen. The reason is as simple as it gets-

As our external environment changes our body’s internal environment also gets affected. ‘Ritucharya’ (seasonal regimens) mentioned in Ayurveda was devised depending on the movements of the Sun. They are nothing but adaptation techniques so our body can maintain homeostasis at all times. This time period of ‘Makar Sankranti’ is the celebration of ‘Uttarayan’ - Uttara ( North) and Ayana (Movement) of the Sun. It provides us with best quality sunlight to restore the bodies Vit D reserves that the body can utilize up to a year. The food prepared and indulged in during this time also reflects this thought.

 When we talk about the ‘Faral’ of Diwali season or the ‘Tilgul ladoos’ of Makar sankranti we are enriching our bodies to have good stores of energy and immunity for the year ahead.

 Let us understand this using the perfect example of Makar Sankranti. This day forward we often find large quantities of freshly prepared Tilgul ladoos in our homes.As our external environment changes our body’s internal environment also gets affected. ‘Ritucharya’ (seasonal regimens) mentioned in Ayurveda was devised depending on the movements of the Sun. They are nothing but adaptation techniques so our body can maintain homeostasis at all times. This time period of ‘Makar Sankranti’ is the celebration of ‘Uttarayan’ - Uttara ( North) and Ayana (Movement) of the Sun. It provides us with best quality sunlight to restore the bodies Vit D reserves that the body can utilize up to a year. The food prepared and indulged in during this time also reflects this thought.

When we talk about the ‘Faral’ of Diwali season or the ‘Tilgul ladoos’ of Makar sankranti we are enriching our bodies to have good stores of energy and immunity for the year ahead.

Let us understand this using the perfect example of Makar Sankranti. This day forward we often find large quantities of freshly prepared Tilgul ladoos in our homes.       

Thus, it acts as an appetite enhancer and digestive. It helps to lower bad cholesterol and inflammation. The Ayush Ministry also recommends using sesame oil for nasal instillation (Nasya) and oil pulling (Gandusha) as immunity promoting measures.

So just, imagine what this combo, together, does to your body. 

• Packed with nutrients, tilgul ladoos provide support to our musculoskeletal system and keep joint troubles away as the cold environment affects joints and muscles also.
• This is the coldest period of the winter season so they help in generating heat in our bodies.
• Til and Gud make the perfect combination like an energy bar, which not only satisfies the Digestive fire but also balances the doshas and enhances our immunity.
• It is also beneficial in keeping the skin and hair nice and soft during this cold and dry season.
• Not only Tilgul but also Chikki, Gulachi poli, etc, serve the same purpose. 

Some of the Best things come in small packages.’ Tilgul ladoos’ are perfect examples.

So, it's good to remember in the back of our minds, this Makar Sankranti we are not exchanging just sweets but - health and positivity for the rest of the year ahead.

For more information watch our #SAYYESTOAYURVEDA series on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. You can also visit our official website under Ayurveda: The Science of Life for more videos.

Article By: Dr.Madhuri Bhogan (MD Ayurveda)