4 Incredible Things The World Learned From Ayurveda
Ayurveda is an age-old, time-tested science that finds mention in ancient Hindu scriptures and texts dating back several millennia. The inner workings of our bodies were closely studied many centuries ago by revered Ayurveda practitioners. These experts healed bodily imbalances with the application of medicinal herbs and Ayurvedic therapies.
However, although an age-old science, Ayurveda in India has now come onto the world stage only in the past few decades. Today, many fitness gurus, celebrities and health experts recommend Ayurvedic medicinal herbs and concoctions to improve our health and wellness quotient. The Ayurvedic philosophy is now being studied in more detail. and complemented with modern medical practices. Some of the Ayurvedic interventions which were ingrained and practised in India for ages are now taking the world by storm.
So, folks, let’s take you through 4 such incredible things the world learned from Ayurveda.
- The golden milk latte
The humble spice turmeric, which is a staple in many Indian kitchens is now becoming a global phenomenon. Indians have been using this humble yellow-tinged spice in their curries, drinks and skin care regimens since time immemorial. The quintessential ‘haldi doodh’ that many Indians swear by has now received a fancy connotation of “the golden latte”. Ground turmeric powder or turmeric juice is mixed with coconut milk or milk and topped with a liberal sprinkle of cinnamon. This drink is now being touted as a ‘health elixir’ by the Western world. The ancient Vedas already knew the immunity-boosting and relaxing attributes of turmeric. When combined with milk, turmeric induces sleep and relaxes any achy joints or muscles. In India, many households consume this golden milk latte as part of their daily bedtime ritual. Also, turmeric is rich in antioxidants and with regular intake, accords a good radiance to the skin.
Now, the Western world is following suit and lapping up this golden-hued drink as a morning pick-me-up. Also, many health-conscious Westerners are replacing caffeinated drinks with this turmeric-laced drink. In fact, the golden latte is now being served at Starbucks with delicious dairy alternatives of coconut and almond milk. What’s more? This delicious latte also makes for Insta-worthy latte artistry.
- Edible beauty potions
Ayurveda philosophy and the Ayurveda training in India believe that whatever we cannot eat should not be applied to our faces. Today, you will find a plethora of face mask sheets and other cosmetic products touting an all-natural list of ingredients selling like hot cakes. From the soothing aloe vera to the versatile seaweed, many modern cosmetic companies are now jumping on the bandwagon to cash in on this trend.
However, in India, the use of common kitchen ingredients like turmeric and chickpea flour in face masks is commonplace. In fact, their use and benefits can be traced back to ancient Vedic times. The use of pure rose water as a natural toner or the honey and gram flour masks as exfoliators have been mentioned in Ayurvedic scriptures aeons ago. These beauty hacks and secret natural ingredient combinations for beautiful and radiant skin have been passed on through subsequent generations in India. Hence, no wonder you will find your granny’s all-natural beauty hack more effective than any chemical-laced synthetic product available on market.
Today many beauty products sitting on shelves boast natural ingredients like clay, sandalwood and yoghurt to enhance skin health. Each such mixes are gentle yet effective to fight skin problems of ageing, dull and dead skin. Hence, today, the world is waking up to such potent natural combinations and using them in creams, serums, masks and other cosmetic purposes.
- Use of copper utensils
Since ancient times, Ayurveda in India has been propagating the use of copper bottles and vessels for drinking water. The argument is that when you store water in a copper bottle overnight, this water gets ionized and cleansed. This therapeutic positively charged copperized water is laced with natural antioxidants that help balance the tri-doshas in the body. When considered from a scientific perspective, when water is stored in a copper bottle for more than eight hours, small amounts of copper dissolve in the water and destroy many types of molds, bacteria and fungi therein removing any toxicity from the water. Also, this copperized water does not get stale and can be used for a long time. Today, our drinking water might be safe due to the multiple filtration processes it undergoes before reaching our homes. However, the treated water is devoid of minerals and a natural pH balance. Hence, storing even such treated water in copper vessels can bring back its vital energy force.
Taking a cue from the aforementioned wisdom, many people are now replacing their fancy crockery with copper utensils. These Ayurvedic drinking vessels are now finding their place as copper mugs in bars in the United States. People are enjoying their ginger beer and vodka from these copper mugs. Also, yoga studios in various suburban regions of the United States and many wellness blogs are now promoting this trend in a big way.
However, the US FDA recommends a copper dosage of 12 mg to meet your daily requirements. Hence, drinking two to three glasses of copperized water should be enough for you.
- Using Ashwagandha as a potent adaptogen
The use of Ashwagandha is well documented in Ayurveda. This herb is native to India, Africa and some parts of the Mediterranean region. Ashwagandha and its benefits are widely acknowledged especially at Ayurveda Centers In India.
Ashwagandha aka ‘Indian ginseng’ accords strength and stamina besides nourishing the nervous systems and the reproductive organs. This versatile adaptogen has multiple uses and benefits to health and well-being. Since, Ashwagandha helps to deal with anxiety and induces a sense of calm, its use spiked during the stressful times of the COVID-19 Pandemic. In the year 2020, the herb’s sales spiked to $ 198 million (50.4%) in the United States. The Ashwagandha market is on the rise in the United States owing to more investments in its scientific research, media attention and flashy advertisements that feature prominent celebrities promoting its use. Today, Ashwagandha finds a place in many consumer packaged items beyond the usual supplement use. For instance, in 2021, Ashwagandha figured on the ingredients list of a novel segment of wellness waters introduced by the Coca-Cola Co. The related campaign pitched the drink to people who were looking to enhance their emotional calmness.
Closing thoughts
There is not an iota of doubt that Ayurvedic herbs and remedies help enhance our quality of life. But, as with other natural treatments, Ayurvedic interventions require knowledge and experience. Also, as a word of caution, please talk to your doctor before incorporating any of the above mentioned things into your lifestyle.