Ayurveda knowledge

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Stress-related illnesses are not just a modern-day phenomenon: even the ancient Ayurvedic texts of the Charaka Samhita describe stress as a physical and mental weakening caused by the suppression or non-fulfilment of natural needs and the incorrect, excessive or absent use of the mind. However, if we take a closer look at the causes of stress, we can quickly understand why more than two thirds of the population today suffer from stress-related complaints:

 

1. Suppressing natural needs

Whenever we do not fulfill our natural needs on a physical level, such as eating, sleeping, urinating, yawning, moving, etc., stress arises. This means that every bus driver who can't go to the toilet when they need to, every nurse who fights sleep on the night shift and every child who sits in school instead of running around outside is already suffering from stress-inducing life circumstances that reduce physical and mental immunity and performance. Added to this is the non-fulfilment of emotional needs, such as a lack of love, tenderness, recognition, self-esteem, enthusiasm or relaxation. This is because emotional deficiency also upsets the balance of physical, mental and spiritual forces within us and leads to excessive consumption of essential life energy (ojas), which in turn can lead to stress-related illnesses such as burnout or exhaustion depression.

 

 

"Even the ancient Ayurvedic texts of the Charaka Samhita describe stress as a physical and mental weakening caused by the suppression or non-fulfilment of natural needs and the incorrect, excessive or non-use of the mind."

 

 

2. The wrong, excessive or non-use of the mind

From an Ayurvedic point of view, our mind has various functions that are constantly overstrained by our fast-paced, stimulus- and information-intensive lifestyle - starting with the all-encompassing sensory overload of our sensory organs, which are exposed to permanent stress through computer work, TV, neon lights, air conditioning, traffic noise, flavor enhancers, etc., to the excessive activity of the mind (manas) and emotional stress factors that break down our mental balance and mental strength. From early in the morning until late at night, our mind (manas) is flooded with new information, impressions and challenges via smartphone and email program, which it has to absorb, select, analyze and process. Another stress factor is the many painful experiences and unprocessed memories from the past, which weaken our emotional immune system and put a strain on our relationships and communication with other people.

 

Too much Vata, Pitta and Rajas make the psyche ill

Stress-causing factors put a strain on our physical and mental health. External overstimulation and inner tension lead to an increase in vata and/or pitta dosha. Nervousness, lack of concentration, a tendency to anger and impatience, sleep disorders, hyperacidity and a tendency to auto-immune diseases or cardiovascular complaints are the result. The psyche also suffers as the psycho-mental forces of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas are thrown out of their natural balance. The excess of vata-pitta directly increases the rajasic forces, which make the mind restless, unrestrained, violent and unstable. We live, eat and work without the right measure and allow the desires of unfulfilled wishes to rob us of our inner peace, joie de vivre and satisfaction. This creates a template for all mental illnesses, which always arise from an imbalance of rajas (excessive mental activity) and tamas (lack of mental activity).

 

Diet and herbs to combat stress

Ayurvedic medicine and psychotherapy recommends various measures of Sattvavajaya-Chikitsa as a therapy against stress-related illnesses. These range from meditation, relaxation and breathing exercises to type-appropriate conversation and nutritional therapy. Special herbs and spices used as tonics for the mind, known as medhya-rasayanas, also help. These include Ayurvedic medicinal plants such as amalaki, guduchi, brahmi, shankhapushpi, ashvagandha, pippali or yashti (see extra box), which, when used preventively, improve mental resilience and, as phytotherapeutic preparations, support the treatment of stress-related and psychomental symptoms such as insomnia, depression, anxiety attacks, memory disorders or burnout.

 

An important component of any psychomental Ayurveda therapy is also the right diet. This is because we nourish the body, mind and soul in a healing way with fresh food rich in vital substances. The be-all and end-all of healthy Ayurvedic brain food is that the food is always freshly prepared. If, on the other hand, the food consists of ready-made products or leftovers from the previous day, it has lost its balancing, sattvic vitality and increases the pathogenic factors of the psyche (tamas). Ayurvedic dietetics praises a vegetarian diet with a high proportion of milk, ghi, sweet vegetables, light grains and pulses as valuable foods for mental health. Almonds, walnuts, dates and honey also have a directly noticeable effect on mental performance and resilience. Spices such as ajwain, fenugreek, rosemary and asafoetida calm vata, reduce tamas and promote awareness. Meals should be simple but tasty, prepared with love and eaten in a relaxed atmosphere in friendly company.

 

As simple as these dietary recommendations sound, many stress-ridden patients have great difficulty putting these health-promoting tips into practice on a daily basis. Due to their pronounced Vata-Rajas elevation, they suffer from cravings for sweet, sour and salty foods, which they often consume with compulsive pleasure in the form of chocolate, fast food and alcohol. The afternoon and evening in particular are a "dangerous zone" in which physical and emotional stress and deficiencies are compensated for with unhealthy, tamas-promoting foods. To break this vicious circle, psycho-mentally balancing relaxation therapies and herbal preparations help to nip stress-related misbehavior in the bud. Ayurveda advises that balancing activities that increase relaxed well-being - such as yoga, walking, cooking, stroking the cat, meeting friends - should be planned into the daily routine from 5 p.m. at the latest and that these should be the focus of attention.

 

 

Medhya rasayanas

Herbs for psycho-mental balance

Ashvagandha: Winter cherry (ashvagandha) is known in Ayurveda as a plant that boosts strength and the immune system. It promotes the digestive fire and the ability to concentrate, calms the nerves and is particularly good for insomnia and depression.

Amalaki: The amla fruit (amalaki) is also known as the "mother of medicine" due to its protective, strengthening, regenerative and preventative effect against all stress-related illnesses. It calms the mind, improves memory and is recommended for the prevention and treatment of depression and burnout.

Brahmi: The navel herb (brahmi) is one of the best-known medhya rasayanas in Ayurveda today. It calms the nerves, promotes the ability to concentrate and strengthens the memory.

Guduchi: The climbing plant guduchi is known in Ayurveda for its balancing effect. It balances all three doshas, helps against all behavioral disorders - such as tics, attention deficit disorder, etc. - and is one of the best remedies against metabolic waste products (ama).

Shankhapushpi: Shankapushpi is highly valued in Ayurvedic psychotherapy because of its balancing properties for the mind. It harmonizes all three doshas, strengthens the mind (manas) and consciousness (buddhi) and has an intensive anti-stress effect on burnout. Together with brahmi (navel herb) and pippali (long pepper), it is also used to treat depression, severe inner restlessness and memory disorders.

 

Tulsi: Indian basil (Tulsi) is a beneficial herb for mental and emotional balance. It is one of our best anti-stress plants that relaxes, invigorates and rejuvenates the body. Tulsi calms and strengthens the mind, promotes mental resilience and has an immediate effect on severe irritability, nervousness and aggression.

Pippali: The long pepper (Pippali, Piper longum) is a very good tonic for body and mind. It improves digestion and the immune system, sharpens the ability to think and comprehend and is used as a classic remedy for reading and writing difficulties. It should be taken with a little honey so that it can develop its full effect as a rasayana.

Yashti: With its calming effect, licorice (yashti) helps against agitation, stress, nervousness and difficulty falling asleep. It nourishes the brain, promotes contentment and improves voice and eyesight.