Dating back at least 5,000 years in India, Ayurveda is considered by some to be the oldest healing science in the world. Using a holistic approach regarding medicine, Ayurvedic practices aim to assist people in achieving long-lasting, healthy, balanced lives. As more Western cultures catch on to the effectiveness and benefits of Ayurvedic home remedies, you may want to get familiar with some of the basic techniques and treatments.
Ayurvedic Home Remedies 36 Ayurvedic Home Remedies
What is Ayurveda?
When breaking down the term ‘Ayurveda,’ you will learn that it is built upon the Sanskrit words for life or lifespan (‘ayus’) and knowledge (‘veda’). The fundamental principles of Ayurveda center on preventing and treating illness through the balance of the body, mind and consciousness, which are achieved by making the right diet and lifestyle choices. Natural remedies also play a role in maintaining this equilibrium.
According to Ayurvedic beliefs, everyone has their own special pattern of energy that blends individual characteristics, such as their emotions, mental capacity, and physical attributes. Practitioners also believe that three basic types of energy are present in every body:
- Vata – energy that controls bodily functions, such as blood circulation and breathing
- Pitta – energy that controls the body’s metabolic systems, including nutrition and digestion
- Kapha – energy that controls growth in the body, which is related to the immune system
Ayurveda home remedies help to keep the energies of the body in a balanced state.
Home Remedies of Ayurveda
Not everyone will respond to all the treatments of Ayurveda, and may find themselves gravitating to remedies that speak to different senses. The practice addresses each of the five senses with therapies that involve herbs/foods (sense of taste), massage/exercise (touch), color therapy (sight), aromatherapy (smell), and music/mantras (hearing). To learn more about Ayurveda home remedies, consider the following suggestions:
Peppermint Tea:
Drinking a cup of peppermint tea can help address some of the symptoms of PMS.
Cardamom Seeds:
Cultivated in western and southern India, cardamom produces a dry ripened seed and oil (from the seeds) that has found a place in both external and internal medicine. The highly active aromatic, stimulant is known to reduce kapha and treat stomach disorders. Some people can take advantage of its tonic effect to cure a cough, dyspepsia (an upset stomach), and conditions that make it difficult to pass urine. Applying the oil of the seed to painful joints can help ease discomfort. Cardamom seeds also come in handy when preparing tooth-healing powders because of the germicidal and flavoring properties they possess.
Cardamom, Ginger, Cloves & Caraway Seeds:
The combination of cardamom, ginger, cloves and caraway seeds (in a powdered form) can treat an upset stomach and the loss of appetite associated with indigestion.
Turmeric:
The rhizomes and tubers of turmeric are used to create Ayurvedic remedies that act as a stimulant, tonic, and astringent. Turmeric is an herbaceous perennial plant that belongs to the ginger family – best known as a primary ingredient in making curry powder. Parts of the plant are known to decrease vayu (aches and pains), as well as fight coughs, anemia, swelling, ulcers, and even hiccups. Turmeric is sometimes given to women during their post-delivery period to purify their breast milk and give a boost to their reproductive organs.
Turmeric & Milk:
Boil tiny pieces of turmeric in milk to create a home remedy that clears the throat during times of cold and cough. You should eat the turmeric and drink the milk.
Turmeric, Milk & Other Ingredients:
You can create an Ayurvedic remedy with turmeric (referred to as ‘golden milk’) that has a lubricating effect on the joints by combining 1/8 teaspoon turmeric, three cardamom pods (optional), and ¼ cup of water in a small pot. Simmer the ingredients for five to seven minutes, and then add one cup of milk and two tablespoons of cold pressed almond oil. Bring the contents just to the boiling point, but do not allow the remedy to boil. You can add honey or maple syrup to enhance the taste, as you sip the beverage slowly – like a hot tea.
Turmeric Juice:
Fresh turmeric juice is applied to ulcers and wounds to aid the healing process.
Cinnamon:
Throughout India, the dried inner bark of the cinnamon plant has been used to make a range of medicinal remedies. Found in many cough remedies, cinnamon is also used in tooth powders for combating bad breath and killing oral bacteria. Properties in the spice are known to aid in gum health, as well as help whiten teeth. Other remedies tap into the blood purifying properties of cinnamon with an ability to address painful menstrual cycles.
Black Pepper:
Used to treat diseases of the chest, dyspepsia, piles, coughing, and urinary disorders, black pepper offers the body wide-ranging benefits. The spice helps people to better digest their food. In some rural regions of India, black pepper is used as an inhalant for people that have fainted or are experiencing hysteria.
Spice Tea:
A spice tea (called masala) made with black pepper, ginger, cloves, cardamom, dry ginger, and cinnamon can fight cold symptoms and decrease the effects of kapha.
Cinnamon, Ginger & Cardamom:
To fight digestive disorders, diarrhea, and amoebic dysentery, Ayurvedic physicians have administered a remedy made out of the combined powder form of ginger, cardamom and cinnamon. A suggested dose is 5 to 10 grains of this remedy taken with honey.
Tamarinds:
Ayurveda medicine believes that a healthy diet consists of all six tastes (sweet, sour, pungent, acid, bitter and astringent). The tamarind (known as the Indian date) is defined by its acid-sweet taste, which works as a natural appetizer. Growing in tropical climates, the tamarind is a popular fruit in places, such as Mexico. The pulp provides the body a rich source of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) or dietary fiber – an aid in preventing constipation. Tamarind also contains potassium, which helps assist hypertensive and heart patients. Eating the fruit can help protect against vitamin C deficiency.
Tamarind Juice:
Tamarind juice makes an effective natural mouthwash, and when gargled, can relieve a sore throat. The juice also aids in digestion and increasing the production of bile.
Powdered Tamarind Seeds:
Powdered tamarind seeds can be rubbed on the gums and teeth to give them strength. Taking ½ spoonful of roasted seed powder (two times daily) with water is believed to address the joint pain of arthritis by providing lubrication.
Rose Petals:
To fight depression, Ayurvedic treatments may include boiling rose petals in water to create a tea that should be consumed several times a day.
Foods with Complex Carbs:
Eating foods and meals that contain complex carbohydrates (like potatoes, pasta and oatmeal) can help trigger serotonin production in the brain, which can help treat ailments, such as depression and moodiness.
Hot Tea, Whiskey & Lemon Juice:
To combat some of the unwanted symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), add a dash of lemon juice and one teaspoon of whiskey to a cup of hot tea. This remedy will help provide relief for cramps and pain.
Cold Shower:
For people that react most to the sense of touch, Ayurveda beliefs enlist the help of cold showers to bring about a range of positive effects. The cold temperature increases circulation throughout the body by bringing blood to the capillaries. Cold showers have a cleansing effect on the circulatory system, help the muscles eliminate toxins, and strengthen mucous membranes, which can help build a resistance against colds, cough, allergies and hay fever.
Vitamin B-6:
You can use a vitamin B-6 supplement or increase your intake of foods with the vitamin to relieve water tension, as well as boost blood circulation. Foods, such as soybeans and alfalfa seeds, can aid healthy hormone production.
Coconut Water:
To soothe the presence of acid stomach or heartburn, drink coconut water for three to four times a day.
Cucumber or Watermelon:
An Ayurvedic treatment for heartburn includes the consumption of watermelon or cucumber every hour as a way to counteract acidity.
Radishes:
It is recommended to eat a lot of fresh radishes as a way to treat heartburn.
Chamomile Tea:
Drinking chamomile tea is often associated with having a calming effect, but in Ayurvedic circles, it also works towards eliminating indigestion. A cup of the brew can also ease the symptoms of PMS.
Sesame Seeds:
Sesame is highly regarded in Ayurvedic medicine with the seed, oil and whole plant playing a significant role. Sesame is rich in vitamin E and contains vitamin K, magnesium, copper, calcium, iron, zinc, and vitamin B6. It also acts as a natural antioxidant. One way to prepare a home remedy with sesame seeds is to toast the seeds until you hear a single popping sound – this may take about 20 seconds or even less. Grind the seeds until an oily, pulverized substance is created. After grinding the seeds, add sesame oil or paste (with honey) to create an oral treatment. Sesame is known as a cleanser, digestive aid (and laxative), tooth treatment, calming massage oil, skin moisturizer and skin softener.
Onion:
The bulb and seeds of an onion is used as an effective home remedy for a multitude of medical issues. In Ayurvedic treatments, one or two drops of onion juice administered to the ear can heal an earache. The juice is also applied to the skin after a scorpion sting. A poultice made after boiling an onion can be applied to an abscess to draw out toxins. A broken bulb has been used to revive the unconscious in times of emergency.
Prunes:
To treat a case of chronic constipation, it is suggested to consume three to five prunes that have been boiled for 15 minutes or longer every morning.
Lemon:
The cooling and soothing properties of the lemon offers a healing tonic that can ease the symptoms of nausea, anorexia, indigestion and swelling.
Lemon, Ginger & Salt:
Before consuming a meal, you can regulate vayu and kapha by eating fresh ginger with lemon and a pinch of salt. Not only does this remedy enhance your appetite, but it also increases the peristaltic movement of the intestines and helps combat a case of constipation.
Lemon Juice:
Adding the juice from one to two lemons to a glass of boiling water can help treat a bad cold when consumed before bedtime.
Lemon Juice, Honey & Water:
A mixture of lemon juice, honey and lukewarm water has been found to offer beneficial qualities to pregnant women who cannot stop vomiting, as well as overweight individuals.
Cumin Seeds:
Containing an aromatic volatile oil, cumin seeds are linked to improving the digestive health of an individual. Ayurvedic practices used the seeds in treatments for the eyes, heart, and the uterus. Cumin seeds are also known to deliver a diuretic effect.
Breathing Exercises:
In Ayurvedic medicine, breathing exercises (called pranayama) is a way to bring a state of calmness.
Mantras:
A mantra is a set of repeated words or phrases used during a meditation session that are combined with various herbs meant to rejuvenate an individual. Ayurvedic practitioners call this rasayana.
Yoga:
The combination of movement, meditation and breathing exercises is called yoga a practice of Ayurveda that can help a person improve their digestion system, circulation, as well as lower their blood pressure and cholesterol levels, treat asthma and arthritis, ease anxiety, and address chronic pain issues.
Cleanse the Body:
Whether sweat techniques, induced bowel movements, or vomiting are used to cleanse the body, the purifying results can help enhance an individual’s overall health by getting rid of toxins in the body.
Rosemary:
After washing the hair, Ayurvedic traditions state that rosemary makes a suitable rinse. After boiling a pint of water, add a handful of rosemary and allow the contents to steep for 15 minutes.
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