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This article appeared in Yoga Aktuell, Aug/Sep 2017 issue

 

We all have stress, but not everyone suffers from it. Depending on our mental resilience and individual constitution, we react differently to the stress factors of everyday life. The amla fruit is a real Ayurvedic treasure for strengthening mental immunity.

 

How strong is your mind? This question is the focus of an Ayurvedic assessment with a psychotherapeutic approach to treating stress-related complaints. The assessment of the individual resilience of the mind now determines the use of suitable tonics that renew the mental powers. If we are in the fortunate position of still having a strong mind (pravara), we are internally stable and balanced despite mental stress factors. Although stress, time pressure and conflicts are exhausting, they do not diminish our performance and good mood.

However, if we live in the fast lane with constant stress over a longer period of time, it is only a matter of time before our mental resilience is reduced and the first symptoms of stress such as nervousness, lack of concentration, forgetfulness, irritability and a feeling of being overwhelmed appear. In the stage of medium mental resilience (madhya), we find it increasingly difficult to cope with the demands of everyday life. Depending on our personal constitution, we increasingly suffer from fears, worries and doubts (vata), irritability and aggression (pitta) or listlessness and lack of motivation (kapha). Professional and private challenges that we used to master with ease are now perceived as insurmountable problems that can only be overcome with great effort.

Fortunately, many people start practicing yoga, Ayurveda and meditation during this Madhya phase of life and thus regain their physical and mental health and performance. However, if mental resilience falls to the status of a weak mind (avara), then all stress-defending reserves have been depleted and we suffer from mental illnesses such as depression and burnout. Now it is extremely difficult to "pull ourselves out of the mire" by our own efforts. From an Ayurvedic point of view, people whose mental immunity is very weakened need the qualified help of others in order to regain self-responsibility and the ability to act and perform. (see box above)

 

Tonics for the mind

To strengthen the mind, Ayurvedic psychology not only uses yoga, pranayama and coaching in a type-appropriate manner, nutritional and herbal therapy measures are also an important part of the successful treatment concept. In particular, the intake of medhya rasayanas, herbs and spices with a mentally strengthening effect, is recommended for all states of mind - from pravara to avara. The herbs can help us maintain or restore mental stability.

One of the best-known remedies in Ayurveda for strengthening the immune system is amla (Phyllanthus emblica). The fruit is also very well known here and is administered dried as amalaki or in fruit puree as chyavanprash. Like no other fruit, amla is characterized by its protective, strengthening, regenerative and preventative effect against all stress-related illnesses. For this reason, it is affectionately known in India as the "mother of medicine" and is integrated into the daily diet in a variety of ways. The fresh fruit can be made into chutney or juice, the dried amla powder is taken with honey or grape juice as a dietary supplement, and the amla fruit puree chyavanprash is an integral part of the breakfast table for many.

 

The mirabelle plum-sized and gooseberry-green amla fruit has an unusual taste that is composed of sour, sweet, spicy, bitter and tart. Similar to a quince, the small, hard fruit cannot be eaten straight from the tree, but is traditionally processed into juice, syrup or jam. Initially, the sour taste predominates, becoming sweeter over time and leaving a tart aftertaste. The effect after digestion is sweet, alkaline and anabolic. For this reason, amla is excellent for every constitutional type as an antioxidant for cell regeneration and immune strengthening. In combination with ginger and turmeric, it is also often used as a recipe to regulate the metabolism and for food intolerances.

 

For the psyche, amla is mainly used to prevent depression and burnout. The calming and uplifting quality of the amla fruit noticeably improves concentration and performance. When we mix amla with sesame and jaggery (brown palm sugar), we create a traditional recipe for strengthening memory.

Amalaki is also used to treat stress-related illnesses such as cardiovascular complaints, tinnitus and sleep disorders. Here, the fruit powder is used in combination with ashvagandha as an acute remedy for stress. Ashvagandha (Withania somnifera) is also a well-known Medhya plant in Ayurveda, which is characterized in particular by its nerve-strengthening, performance-enhancing and sleep-promoting qualities. If we mix Amla and Ashvagandha in equal parts, their stabilizing effect on the nervous system is enhanced. Milk, ghi or pomegranate juice are now suitable as an optimal carrier substance (anupara) for daily intake.

 

Care should be taken with amla superfoods for all Pitta types! The stimulating fruit also activates digestive activity and can lead to diarrhea if taken in excess. Pitta types should therefore consume a maximum of one teaspoon of amla per day and ideally mix it with shatavari (Asparagus racemosus). Asparagus root is also a good Medhya Rasayana and is preferably effective against all Pitta complaints such as hyperacidity, mental irritability and exhaustion.

 

From an Ayurvedic point of view, the best breakfast to combat stress is a teaspoon of chyavanprash in the morning. In addition to its main ingredient amla, the spicy fruit puree contains 67 other spices, herbs and rasayana ingredients. This makes it an all-rounder for boosting physical and mental energy and is recommended as the best remedy for strengthening the immune system.

 

In accordance with the Ayurvedic principle "Health must also taste good", everyone should choose the form that can be integrated into everyday life in a simple and tasty way. And even a cup of milk with Chyavanprash for breakfast or a glass of grape and pomegranate juice with some Amalaki powder in the afternoon can prevent mental complaints. So mental strengthening doesn't cause stress!