February 12, 2024

Take Care of Low Back Pain

February 12, 2024/ Alandi Ashram

Today I’d like to spend a few minutes on an all-too-common problem—low back pain. A recent article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal helps us see the importance of taking care of low back pain quickly. If you can take care of low back pain within the first six weeks, there is a good chance of full recovery. But if back pain persists after six weeks, it’s very important to receive ongoing care, as the symptom may then evolve into persistent low back pain—and we don’t want that.

Low back pain is a major problem worldwide, with over a third of adults suffering with it in any given year. If you have low back pain, chances are that it is nonspecific and will best be treated by complementary measures like Ayurveda and yoga. However, you should see a spine specialist at the outset, to make sure there isn’t any important and treatable cause. For instance, I tend to low back pain due to a pathoantomical cause, since I have scoliosis. It was important for me to know this and get a physical therapy routine to manage the scoliosis. Nonetheless, I still benefit from Ayurvedic complementary care as well.

Once you know the cause of your back pain or have made sure it is non-specific and has no dangerous implications, it’s time to visit an Ayurvedic practitioner. Low back pain is classed as vatavyadhi, a vata-based condition. So you’ll need support to put a vata soothing diet and lifestyle in place in a way that’s appropriate for your constitution. Your practitioner will also recommend herbs to help with managing aggravated vata and reducing pain and inflammation. You’ll get special pain-relieving oils and salves as well.

Most important, because persistent back pain can wreck your life in significant ways, take advantage of the opportunity to get a series of kati vasti dough ring treatments for your low back. Low back pain is as old as the human race, and the sages of Ayurveda developed this powerful way to treat it. In this therapy, a warm medicated oil is retained over the low back, held in place by a dough ring. It’s the retaining of the oil that earns this therapy the name vasti. This is the ideal treatment for localized pain. While one treatment is definitely beneficial, it’s best to sign up for a series of regular treatments to maximize the benefit.

If you live in the local area, you are in luck! These treatments can be quite costly and we offer a special price so our students can gain plenty of experience.

https://www.cmaj.ca/content/196/2/E29#sec-24

Alakananda Ma M.B., B.S. (Lond.) is an Ayurvedic Doctor (NAMA) and graduate of a top London medical school. She is co-founder of Alandi Ayurveda Clinic and Alandi Ayurveda Gurukula in Boulder Colorado, as well as a spiritual mother, teacher, flower essence maker and storyteller. Alakananda is a well known and highly respected practitioner in the Ayurveda community both nationally and internationally.

Enliven your holistic health! Visit Alakananda Ma in Alandi Ashram’s ayurvedic clinic to support the overall rejuvenation of your body, mind, and spirit. In-person and virtual appointments available. Book now!

March 13, 2023

Is the pandemic really over?

March 13, 2023/ Alandi Ashram

Almost every day, I read, hear or see someone talking about how the Pandemic is over and normal life is resuming. And almost every day I learn of entire families falling sick with COVID, appointments being cancelled because of sickness, or people not being well enough after COVID to resume anything resembling their normal lives. I hear that masks are no longer required at hospitals, which are filled with extremely ill and clinically vulnerable people. The cognitive dissonance can be overwhelming at times.

The other day, someone brightly said on the radio that we were in a Pandemic and now we’re in an Endemic instead. I have news for her. Endemic is an adjective, not a noun. An endemic disease is one that occurs at a stable rate in the susceptible population. We’re most likely not there with COVID, which is still going in waves, with rapid generation of variants—although we certainly do have a very high baseline of infection. But if COVID really does become endemic, that would not be cause for celebration, rather, it would be a major public health failure. Endemic diseases are the scourge of humanity. Malaria is endemic in many regions, but that doesn’t mean people will be throwing away their mosquito nets any time soon. Polio, an endemic disease, has left the world with 10-20 million disabled survivors. Smallpox was endemic until we eradicated it through vaccination. And in thousands of years, it never became any milder. TB is endemic and killed 1.5 million people in 2020 alone. If we are stuck with lifetimes of endemic COVID, causing mass disability and death and falling life expectancy rates, we will have wiped out generations of public health work in trying to overcome infectious diseases.

We tackled cholera with clean drinking water, and we need to tackle COVID with clean indoor air. But most of all, we need to let this horrible disease teach us a little bit about compassion. Let’s have the compassion to meet outside, in small groups. Let’s have the compassion to wear a mask. Maybe you’re willing to play 1:10 Russian Roulette with Long COVID. But what about that child with cancer, that neighbour with diabetes, that friend with ME, that immunosuppressed colleague? What about all the people with Long COVID who want, more than anything else, not to get COVID again. Are we so eager to get our lives back that we’re willing to rob others of theirs?

I turned seventy during the Pandemic, joining the cohort of the elderly and facing the challenge of Ageism. So, it hasn’t exactly been fun hearing about how ‘only’ old people are going to die of COVID (not true, by the way)—and that doesn’t matter because they’re going to die anyway and are a burden and not productive. In fact, all of us want to live long, which means, all of us want a chance to grow old.

What’s all this got to do with Ayurveda?

Hitahitam Sukham Duhkhamayustasya Hitahitam |
Mananca Tacca Yatroktamayurvedah Sa Ucyate

Ayurveda is that which deals with good, bad, happy and unhappy life, its promoters and non-promoters, measure and nature. Charak, Su, ch 1 v41

So in times of COVID, Ayurveda teaches us to wear a mask to promote healthy and happy life for ourselves and others.

Please join us at Alandi’s COVID-safe clinic to see compassion in action.

February 27, 2023

Is masturbation necessary for prostate health?

February 27, 2023/ Alandi Ashram

As a follow-on to our topic of apana vayu, let’s take a look at ejaculation and prostate cancer.

If there’s one area where yoga and Ayurveda are at loggerheads with Western medicine, it’s the question of ejaculation. From a yogic, tantric and Ayurvedic standpoint, a man’s semen is something precious that should be conserved, in order to build ojas and raise spiritual energy. On the other hand, you’ll find a lot of urologists recommending frequent ejaculation, i.e. three times a week, as a preventative for prostate cancer. How do we resolve this?

Well, it’s true that there is a large study linking frequent ejaculation (21 times a month or more) to a lower risk of prostate cancer.

The study does not distinguish between sexual intercourse, masturbation and nocturnal emissions. The topic definitely needs more study, as the type of semen emitted by masturbation is not actually the same as that emitted during sex. Not everyone has the opportunity to have actual sexual intercourse three or more times a week.

Secondly, while there was an overall reduction in prostate cancer rates, there was no difference in the rates of aggressive cancer, the kind that could kill you.

Thirdly, these studies focus on younger age groups, so if you are an older man and have been conserving your semen all these years, there’s no point in trying to play catchup. The apparent benefit of frequent ejaculation accrues over decades.

One thing that stands out to me is that there really aren’t any studies on prostate cancer rates in men who practice yogic and tantric methods of conserving semen. So, we don’t have a way of knowing whether these practices, in themselves, benefit prostate health and counterbalance the perceived benefit of frequent ejaculation.

One thing we can be sure of, though. A man who is so deep into yoga or tantra that he is able to control ejaculation is most probably leading a very healthy lifestyle. To continue your practice of celibacy or of non-ejaculatory orgasm while protecting your prostate, follow these simple steps:

1. Prevent cancer with an Ayurvedic diet with plenty of whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables and cancer-fighting spices like turmeric.

2. Don’t smoke.

3. Take fewer than two alcoholic beverages a week.

4. Take regular exercise.

5. Keep your stress low with a regular meditation practice. Don’t worry, be happy! Happiness is your true nature.

February 20, 2023

Yoga and Ayurveda: Udana Vayu

February 20, 2023/ Alandi Ashram

In the last few weeks, we’ve been turning our attention to the five pranas, also known as the five vāyus. This week, we reach the grand finale with udana vayu, the upward-moving breath.

As the great yogi Nityananda said:

To bring your creative energy under control

Breathe.

Samadhi is the upward breath, the God within.

With the upward breath established,

You will find the entire universe inside.

In all creatures the upward breath is the same.

(The Sky of the Heart, Rudra Press)

The seat of udāna vāyu is the diaphragm. Udāna is an extremely important vāyu, as it is the only vāyu that moves energy upwards. Udāna is important to any work requiring uplift of the mind, including meditation and mantra chanting. It governs speech and recollection and is functionally integrated with prāna vāyu. Prāna vāyu gives light to memory, and udāna vāyu is the energy which causes memory to function in the appropriate time, the trigger which causes the neurons to fire and release memory appropriately.

Udāna vāyu is also responsible for effort, energy, color complexion, memory retention and the outbreath.

In the text Ashtanga Hridayam, it is described thus:

The chest is the seat of udāna, it moves in the nose, umbilicus and throat; its functions are initiation of speech, effort, enthusiasm, strength (capacity of work), colour (complexion) and memory (awareness).

Other texts state, more specifically, that the lungs are the seat of udāna vāyu.

Belching and hiccoughs, which are spasms of the diaphragm, are dysfunctions of the upward movement of udāna vāyu. Other symptoms related to udāna vāyu dysfunction include breathlessness, asthma, poor memory recall and fatigue.

Home remedies for udāna vāyu include pippali and licorice tea. Pippali, or long pepper, is available from your Ayurvedic practitioner. It’s good to have some on hand. You can take pippali with honey to soothe the throat and pippali with rock candy (available at your Indian grocery store) for the larynx and voice.

Licorice tea is a wonderful home remedy for all udāna vāyu concerns.

For this week’s yoga tip, strengthen udāna vāyu with ujayyi pranayama.

For those of you who are serious yoga practitioners, tribandha pranayama is the practice that brings apana upwards, prana downwards, sparks the heat of samana and moves udāna vāyu upwards in sushumna nadi. Don’t try to learn this one on your own; it must be taught by a qualified teacher.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this journey through the five pranas as much as I have!

February 06, 2023

Yoga and Ayurveda: Vyana Vayu

February 06, 2023/ Alandi Ashram

In the last few weeks, we’ve been turning our attention to the five pranas, also known as the five vāyus. This week, vyāna vāyu, the circulating wind. The function of vyāna is praspanadanam or pulsation. Vyāna vāyu governs the circulation of the blood, maintains the blood pressure and supports the free movement of the joints and reflexes.

In the text Ashtanga Hridayam, it is described thus:

Vyāna is located in the heart, moves all over the body in great speed, attends to functions such as walking, bringing the body parts downwards, lifting the body parts upward, opening and closing of the eyes etc. generally all the activi ties concerned with the body.

Any disorder of circulation, blood pressure or movement of the joints may involve vyāna vāyu.

Home remedies for vyāna vāyu include gold water, gold rice and copper water.

Gold Water

To make gold water, use 24 carat gold in pure water, boil in glass kettle, clay or ceramic pot (electrolysis will pull the metal into the water in a metal pot). Reduce water to half, bottle, and take 1 tsp 3x/day.

Gold Rice

Make rice infused with 24 carat gold. As a helpful hint, tie the gold ring to a string for ease in removing the ring when done.

Copper Water

Keep four ounces of pure water overnight in a copper vessel and drink it in the morning.

Abhyanga

Self-massage with sesame oil or medicated oil is especially helpful in managing and pacifying vyāna vāyu.

And today’s yoga tip: Any type of vinyasa or yoga flow is good for vyāna vāyu. Sun salutations are ideal. But if it’s hot or pitta is provoked, moon salutations might be best.

January 30, 2023

Yoga and Ayurveda: Apana Vayu

January 30, 2023/ Alandi Ashram

In the next few weeks, we’re turning our attention to the five pranas, also known as the five vāyus. This week, apana vayu, the downward-moving wind.

The seat of apāna vāyu is the colon and the pelvic cavity, which is the seat of vāta in the body. Apāna vāyu moves from below the navel, and expels downward and outward, governing micturition, parturition, menstruation, ejaculation, and defecation.

Its function is dharana--holding or retention. Thanks to the proper action of apāna vāyu, we are able to hold our urine and stool until we find a suitable place to pass them. Also thanks to apāna vāyu, the fetus is safely held in the womb.

Interestingly, we cultivate dhārana in our spiritual practice as a prerequisite for dhyana. The practice of meditation cultivates prāna and udāna vāyus, the inward and upward moving energies, to aid in the upward movement of the kundalini shakti. Since apāna is the downward energy, it runs counter to this vector. Thus, many yogic, tantric and Taoist lineages discourage ejaculation, as it is a strong downward movement of apāna. While most yogic traditions mandate brahmacharya or celibacy, tantric and Taoist practices encourage men to engage in sexual practices without ejaculation. This is said to cultivate higher levels of bliss and energy, which then can be directed towards spiritual attainment and realization.

Common disorders of apāna vāyu include constipation, gas and bloating, menstrual disorders, prostate issues and bladder problems, including stress incontinence.

The star remedy for apāna vāyu is triphala, a combination of three special medicinal fruits. Steep half a teaspoon of triphala in a cup of boiling water for at least ten minutes, strain or decant and drink on an empty stomach, early morning or at bedtime.

And for today’s yoga tip, the best practice for apāna vāyu is Ashwini mudra. This practice is designed to strengthen the dharana function of apāna vāyu, benefitting both your health and your spiritual practice.

January 23, 2023

Yoga and Ayurveda: Samana Vayu

January 23, 2023/ Alandi Ashram

In the next few weeks, we’re turning our attention to the five pranas, also known as the five vāyus. This week, samana vayu, the equalizing wind. Samāna vāyu is located in the centre of the body, between the diaphragm and the navel. Samāna vāyu is responsible for the movement of peristalsis during digestion, and the proper mixing of the digestive juices necessary for proper digestion. Its primary function is viveka or discrimination-- the ability of the stomach to discriminate, distinguish, and separate essential from non-essential as we digest the food we’ve eaten.

In the text Ashtanga Hridayam, it is described thus.

Samāna is located near the digestive fire, moves in the alimentary tract, withholds the food in the alimentary tract for some time, digests it, separates the essence and wastes and eliminates the waste.

Samāna vāyu regulates digestion, absorption and assimilation. When samāna vāyu is disturbed, we experience symptoms such as indigestion, hyperacidity, belching or bloating. We can also get a sensation of butterflies in the stomach when we are nervous. There is a specific fiery quality to samana, as it works so closely with the digestive fire.

To support samāna vāyu and help with digestion, try chewing sliced ginger before meals, eating ginger with meals and sipping ginger tea. You can also try our agni kindler recipe. .

Chew a handful of roasted fennel seeds after meals to improve digestion and soothe samāna vāyu.

Among yoga tips for samāna vāyu, try agnisar dhauti or fire wash. This is a great practice to support samana vayu and digestive fire.

Each of the five vayus is associated with one of the five elements. And as we’ve alluded to, samana vayu is associated with the fire element. The seed syllable for the fire element is ram—very close to the name of Lord Ram, who is the scion of the solar race. So, you can also support your digestion and uplift your spirit by chanting Ram Ram Ram after meals.

January 16, 2023

Yoga and Ayurveda: Prana Vayu

January 16, 2023/ Alandi Ashram

In the next few weeks, we’re turning our attention to the five pranas, also known as the five vāyus. This week, prana vayu, the nourishing wind. The main seat of prāna vāyu is the head. Prāna vāyu governs thinking and the movement of thought. It also regulates the inbreath and swallowing. Prāna is responsible for the appropriate and timely beating of the heart and for the electrical impulses of the heart.

In the text Ashtanga Hridaya, it is described thus:

Prana is located in the head and moves in the chest and throat; supports the mind, heart, sense organs and intelligence, attends to expectoration, sneezing, belching, inspiration and swallowing of food.

When prāna vāyu becomes vitiated, we may experience heightened mental chatter, insomnia and other sleep problems, ringing in the ears, difficulties with comprehension, headaches, and problems swallowing. Take care; prana vayu can be disturbed by excessive or incorrect practice of pranayama. Make sure you are not being aggressive in pranayama practice and that you have a good teacher and follow their instructions. If you do notice issues such as ringing in the ears after pranayama, Hatha Yoga Pradīpika advises us to practice viparita karani mudra to get back in balance.

Your Ayurvedic practitioner can also recommend a special nasya oil for you to balance prana vayu.

Other simple ways to calm and support prana vayu include: Apply 10 drops of warm sesame oil to one ear, lie for 10 minutes with the ear up, then roll over and drain. Repeat on other side.

As a simple home remedy, oiling the feet with warm sesame oil or a medicated oil is very helpful in pacifying prāna vāyu.

And in general, getting good sleep, fresh air, sunlight and moderate exercise will support prana vayu.

January 08, 2023

Yoga and Ayurveda: Introducing the five pranas

January 08, 2023/ Alandi Ashram

In the next few weeks, I’d like to turn our attention to the five pranas, also known as the five vāyus. This week we’ll introduce the topic, and in subsequent weeks, we’ll look at each of the five pranas individually.

The five vāyus, also known as the five pranas, are the subdivisions of vata in the body, prāna, udāna, vyāna, samāna and apāna. Vāyu, simply translated, means “wind.” In fact, vata is also known as vayu. The five vāyus are responsible for all kinetic motion in the body. Every meditation practitioner, yoga practitioner, and practitioner of tantra must know and understand the five vāyus in order to successfully work with prāna, or vital life energy. These five vayus are discussed not only in the texts of Ayurveda, but also in yogic and tantric texts like Hatha Yoga Pradīpika and Tantrasāra.

Because they are the subdivisions of vata, let’s take a look at how Charak Samhita describes vata. In this passage he uses the synonym vayu.

“Vayu, when unvitiated, holds up the systems and organs, has five forms--prana, udāna, samāna, vyana and apana, initiates upward and downward movements, leads and controls the mind, employs all sense organs in their activity, carries all sense objects, causes structural formation of all bodily dhatus, promotes union in body, prompts speech, originates touch and sound, is the root of auditory and tactile sense organs, is source of exhilaration and courage, stimulates agni (digestion), absorbs dosas, throws out excreta, makes the gross and subtle channels, shapes the foetus and maintains life span.

The normal vayu, moving about in the nature performs these functions--holding up the earth, kindling of fire, disposing continuous movement of the sun, the moon and groups of stars and planets, making of clouds, raining waters, initiation of streams, producing flowers and fruits, sprouting of plants, demarcation of seasons, division of dhatus, manifesting the measure and shape of dhatus, strengthening of seeds, growth of plants, removing excessive moisture, absorbing and normal transformation.” Charak, sutrasthan ch 12

So as you can see, vata is tremendously important, in fact, there is no life without vata. And it is also important to understand the subdivisions of vata, in order to practice Ayurvedic self-care, yoga asanas and pranayama in a correct and beneficial way. Working properly with kundalini energy requires an understanding of the five vayus as well. And we also need to understand the five vayus in order to work with our sexual energy in a conscious way. We’ll be unfolding this topic in the next few weeks, so stay tuned!

December 19, 2022

Avoid the addictive foods trap

December 19, 2022/ Alandi Ashram

Just in time for the holidays, there are two papers out showing that highly processed foods are as addictive as tobacco. Allow a wee, “I told you so,” from us in the Ayurvedic community.

But, the holidays are here, and, let’s be honest, most of us aren’t going to celebrate with kichari and bitter gourds. So here are a few hacks to enjoy the holidays without having to spend the whole time from January to March getting over them.

Chocolate: From chocolate Hanukkah gelt to chocolate Santa, this treat has always been synonymous with the holidays. But chocolate can be a superfood or an addictive killer, depending on your buying choices. Low cacao, high sugar white chocolate ranks as most addictive, followed by commercial brands of chocolate. Choose 70% or above and stick to high quality brands like Theo and Endangered Species. I promise you, they are yummy!

Cookies and cake: In our household, sweet baked goods are ruled out, the only exception being vegan chocolate cake on my birthday. But if your family traditions require stollen, rugelach, fruitcake or Christmas cookies, the really important part is to make it yourself. That way, you know exactly what’s in it. Use the most wholesome ingredients possible and the lowest amount of sugar—and don’t make it white sugar. Make enough for your celebrations and some to give away to neighbours, but not enough to have it lying around the house tempting you.

Ice cream: I mean, you really want to eat ice cream in winter??? If it’s de rigeur in your family, ideally, make your own, using top quality ingredients. Second best, choose a healthy brand like Enlightened, which features lower sugar and no artificial ingredients. And because dairy ice cream is one of the top addictive foods, you might prefer a non-dairy brand like So Delicious. Of course, ice cream can be a food addiction hazard year round, not just in the holidays. Limit your consumption by not keeping it in the freezer, so you’ll have to make a more conscious effort to get some.

Chips: Commercial chips (UK friends, chips= crisps) and other bagged snacks like pretzels are highly addictive high carb foods. In fact many brands of pretzel contain added sugar. Instead of tortilla chips and pretzels for your holiday appetizers, put out roasted salted nuts for a touch of luxury, They offer the same salty, crunchy, oily experience, but are not an addictive food, believe it or not. They may be more-ish, but they aren’t addictive, and help lower cholesterol and blood sugar.

Bread: Yes, bread is an addictive food, both because many have an addictive allergy to gluten, and because white bread is so high in carbs. “The whiter your bread, the sooner you’re dead.” So, eat whole grain breads, make your own or seek out a high-quality local bakery and avoid additive-laden commercial brands.

Wishing you happy, delicious and healthy holidays!

October 14, 2022

Keys to Better Health: Ojas, Tejas and Prana

October 14, 2022/ Alandi Ashram

In recent weeks we’ve been talking about our subtle essences, ojas, tejas and prana and how to support them. We’ve given simple lifestyle tips and remedies for each of these subtle essences. But there are more complex problems that can occur in terms of these essences. Any one of our subtle essences can be in excess, depleted or invaded by one of the three doshas, vata, pitta and kapha.

To give a few examples, we might have excess prana, causing us to be anxious, nervous or hyper. We might have excess tejas, causing symptoms such as judgment, criticism, anger, rashes, acne, hot flashes, and even serious conditions like lupus, neuropathy and multiple sclerosis. And if you’ve been diagnosed with a blood lipid problem like high cholesterol, chances are that you have excess raw ojas, or that kapha has invaded ojas.

Many people we see after they have had COVID are complaining of breathing problems or low energy. And they usually have low prana with vata invading prana. With kapha in tejas, we might see sleepiness, heaviness and dullness. Worst of all, when pitta is in ojas, we know we are looking at a deep-seated inflammatory condition like an autoimmune disorder or ME/CFIDS.

An Ayurvedic doctor who does pulse reading is equipped to give an in-depth assessment of your ojas, tejas and prana. They might recommend titka ghee for pitta in ojas or pippali ghee for vata in prana. While it’s always crucial to treat vata, pitta and kapha doshas, a more in-depth look, examining the subtle essences, will provide better results for chronic illnesses and other complex health problems. I’m grateful every day for the rich array of treatments available for managing all the subtleties and optimizing health.

October 09, 2022

Ojas: Enhancing immunity

October 09, 2022/ Alandi Ashram

Today I’d like to introduce the topic of ojas. We’ve spoken before about the three doshas. There’s also a subtle essence related to each dosha. Ojas is the subtle form of kapha dosha in general, and of the water element in particular.

Ojas is the essence related to vitality and immunity. It’s like honey. As bees collect the minute molecules of the essence of hundreds of flowers and accumulate them in the honeycomb, in the same way, ojas, the pure essence of all bodily tissues, circulates via the heart and through the body to maintain the natural resistance of the bodily tissues. Ojas fights against aging, decay and disease. A person who has good ojas rarely becomes sick.

It’s always important to protect ojas, since low ojas can lead to fatigue and low libido, as well as to frequent illnesses like recurrent colds and ‘flu. But if course, in the face of the Pandemic, maintaining healthy ojas is even more crucial.

Here are a few tips for maintaining healthy ojas:

Rest and relax. Do shivasana daily.
Cultivate cheerfulness and enjoy the company of positive people.
Make sure you are keeping a pace that is appropriate for you. If you overdo it, overwork, over-endeavour, you will burn out ojas.
An appropriate pace changes as you age. I have found a good rule to be—don’t work after your workday. Keep that time for exercise, meditation, supper and family time.
Follow a vāta pacifying diet and lifestyle.
Eat ojas promoting foods such as almonds, cashews, pistachios, ghee, and chicken broth.
Take yummy building recipes like almond and rice dessert.
Kindle your agni and support digestion with spices like ginger, cinnamon, black pepper, cumin, coriander and fennel.
Eat ten soaked and peeled almonds with a teaspoon of ghee, a teaspoon of date sugar, and a pinch of cardamom.
Eat one ghee-soaked date each morning. To make ghee dates, take fifteen dates, cut in half and remove the seeds, Now melt a cup of ghee and pour over the dates. Let it sit at room temperature for fifteen days.
One teaspoon each of ghee and honey will increase ojas when taken daily
Do gentle yoga and prānāyāma or gentle chi gong.
If you tolerate dairy, cow’s milk has a special property of enhancing ojas.
Enjoy an ojas drink prepared from warm milk and soaked peeled almonds seasoned with ghee, saffron, cardamon and black pepper.
If you don’t take dairy, make an ojas drink using soaked almonds, soaked raisins, saffron, cardamon and black pepper.

For a full assessment of your ojas and to receive guidance tailored specifically for your needs, see an Ayurvedic Doctor.

October 03, 2022

Tejas: Your Inner Radiance

October 03, 2022/ Alandi Ashram

Tejas is the subtle form of pitta dosha. It is the flame of cellular intelligence and creates our inner radiance.

September 26, 2022

Prana: Supporting Vitality

September 26, 2022/ Alandi Ashram

Today I’d like to introduce the topic of prana.

We’ve spoken before about the three doshas. There’s also a subtle essence related to each dosha.

The subtle essence of vata is prana, our vital force. Prana is the breath of life, the primary mover of cosmic energy, the subtle form of vata. The characteristics of healthy prana are:

Good lung capacity
Active
Alert
Attentive
Responsive
Cheerful

When prana is depleted, we feel listless, tired, fatigued, exhausted or depleted. This can happen due to overwork, overexertion, stress or illness. Lately, I’ve been seeing many people who’ve had COVID, often more than once. And I’ve been seeing that, whether or not they are complaining of Long COVID, they do have low prana.

So, what are some of the ways we can support prana?

Here are a few suggestions.

Take ten full, conscious breaths in the morning, breathing into your belly, your chest and your upper chest.

Spend time outside. Eat your meals outside as often as you can.

Spend time near trees and plants, in the park, your garden or in nature.

Hug a tree.

Walk by flowing water, breathing in the good prana from the water.

Keep plants in your home and workspace. Plants purify the atmosphere and increase prana.

While exercise is always good, strolling is particularly good for prana. Stroll mindfully and look at the beauty of the neighbourhood gardens.

Take the air, as we say, by sitting outside—not scrolling your phone—just sitting and enjoying the fresh air.

Eat fresh foods, especially fruits.

Avoid frozen and packaged foods.

Put your phone away and be present with the birds and insects.

Take some time in silence. Much talking expends prana.

And reach out to your Ayurvedic Doctor for some herbs and teas to increase prana.

Next week, we’ll talk about tejas, the subtle essence of pitta.

August 22, 2022

Protect Yourself from Monkeypox

August 22, 2022/ Alandi Ashram

With Monkeypox having been declared an emergency federally and in New York, California, and Illinois, I’d like to give a few simple suggestions on how to protect yourselves and your loved ones.

First of all, please keep masking. Wear an N95 or equivalent indoors and also outdoors in crowded venues. This will protect you from both COVID and Monkeypox.

Next, let’s talk about some things that are specially challenging about Monkeypox. Although it’s a virus with an envelope, it isn’t killed by soap and hot water the way SARSCoVi2 is. Washing your hands is always good, but it’s not enough for Monkeypox. Second, as we mentioned last week, fomites—surfaces—are an important mode of transmission, and the virus can persist on surfaces for at least 15 days.

Also, people are sick and infectious for about a month—and with the sick leave issues in this country, people are definitely going to be at work while sick. That could be your meat packers, your produce pickers, etc.

But on the positive side, it seems as if you need a pretty big viral load to get infected, unlike Omicron, which you can catch in seconds, even with a small viral load. I know that stress is bad for your immune system, so for now, let’s not make things too complicated and difficult. Here are some simple ways to lower the viral load entering your home and give you some sense of security that you are making best efforts to protect yourself.

Luckily for us, the EPA website provides great information on products that do kill the Monkeypox virus. And some of them, the ones I’m going to mention, are safe and non-toxic.

Arm and Hammer Essentials Disinfecting Wipes are great for cleaning surfaces. We’re using them to disinfect the bolsters we use in clinic for pulse reading, for example. And for the toilet seat as well.

Next, hypochlorous acid. I have a little machine to make it myself at home; it was inexpensive, and the process is quick and easy. You run an electrical current though water that contains measured proportions of salt and vinegar. I’m personally using Force of Nature equipment and they send capsules that contain the exactly right amount of those ingredients. Their equipment is EPA approved. Hypochlorous acid is gentle and harmless; we’re using it to sanitize hands for pulse reading etc. We’re also washing our fruits and vegetables with it. It’s better to make than purchase it, because it only lasts 2 weeks.

Regarding meat, please cook it very thoroughly and make sure it’s cooked through.

Regarding laundry, the hot water from your washing machine isn’t hot enough. In the old days, we did boil our sheets in a wash copper. But not now. The best we can do is to wash in hot water and add two scoops of Oxyclean, which is EPA approved for Monkeypox.

When shopping, it’s ideal to wear gloves and sanitize them frequently. You could use bleach wipes or peroxide, both of which work against monkeypox.

Again, this is an evolving situation, so watch this space for updated guidance.

Stay safe!

August 15, 2022

Some Key Monkeypox Facts

August 15, 2022/ Alandi Ashram

Today, I’d like to share a few key facts about monkeypox.

First of all, the disease is badly named. Although it can affect primates such as humans and monkeys, it’s not a disease of monkeys, it’s a disease of rodents. It was first discovered in monkeys, hence the name. But rodents are the reservoir.

This is not the first time we’ve had a monkeypox outbreak in America. The previous, and much smaller, outbreak, was in 2003. At that time, a pet importer housed exotic animals from Ghana near pet prairie dogs. Some of the animals from Ghana passed monkeypox on to the prairie dogs, whose owners then became infected. Vigorous contact tracing and isolation nipped the outbreak in the bud, before it spread into our wild rodent population.

This time, we have a much larger outbreak, and it is worldwide, although by far the largest number of reported cases is in the US.

Monkey pox is not specifically a disease of men who have sex with men. Somehow, the virus found its way into the MSM population via some large events that took place over the summer. Highly connected sexual networks have provided the monkeypox virus with an opportunity to spread. However, as far as we know, it is not an STI, although it’s possible that sexual transmission could be one method by which it is passed on. But skin to skin contact with an infected person is more important. This could include anyone who has sex, or who has prolonged skin to skin contact for any other reason.

Monkeypox is also spread by droplets or aerosols. In lab conditions, it can remain viable in the air for as long as nine days. And people are infectious during the asymptomatic incubation period, which can be from 2-17 days, according to the CDC.

Remember when we were rubbing and scrubbing door handles and not touching anything someone else had touched, because we thought COVID could spread via infected surfaces? It turned out that fomites—surfaces like clothes, utensils and furniture, were not important in the spread of SARS-CoV-2, and we all relaxed a bit.

Alas, fomites are important where monkeypox is concerned. The monkeypox virus can remain viable on surfaces for 15 days or more, depending on the surface. If you’re not taking care of a patient with monkeypox, it’s unlikely, but not impossible, for you to get a high enough viral load to get sick. Monkeypox isn’t as infectious as COVID--although that’s not saying much, seeing as how the current variants of SARS-CoV-2 are the most infectious disease in human history. In our next talk, we’ll suggest some simple and non-toxic ways for you to reduce the viral load potentially entering your home.

What about pets? A case report just came out in The Lancet regarding a greyhound who contracted the disease from his owners. So, pets should be kept isolated from monkeypox patients.

For those of us who are older, we’ve been vaccinated against smallpox. However, immunity has probably waned, so we still need to be cautious.

The monkeypox virus has never had an opportunity like this before. Inevitably, as it infects tens of thousands, then hundreds of thousands, then millions, it will improve its fitness as it adapts to humans. So the information we’re sharing today is likely to change. Stay tuned!

June 21, 2022

Working with Smokers

June 21, 2022/ Alandi Ashram

Social acceptance has for long dogged efforts to reduce the incidence of smoking. Today, with an appreciation of the harmful effects of second hand smoke, social acceptance of smoking is finally giving way to widespread efforts to limit smoking, with even such unlikely venues as restaurants in Italy and pubs in Ireland banning smoking.

Cigarette smoke leaves tarry deposits on the lungs. The pink, elastic lung tissue becomes stiff and blackened, losing its elasticity and oxygen exchange potential, eventually leading to obstructive airway disease. Vata individuals are particularly prone to dry cough, raspy throat, poor circulation and peripheral vascular disease as a result of smoking. Smoking also reduces their appetite leading to visham agni and underweight. In the worst case, smoking can lead to gastric ulcers. Pitta individuals are the most likely to suffer from smoking-induced heart disease and hypertension, while sinus problems, post-nasal drip, chronic bronchitis and emphysema will affect kapha smokers. Lung cancer or increased incidence of bladder cancer may affect all doshas.

In working with a smoker, it is essential to address the underlying cause of the addiction. Vata smokes out of nervousness and pitta out of self-hate and self-destruction, but it is kapha who is the most vulnerable to the emotionally suppressive effect of smoking. Kapha uses smoking as a strategy to suppress deep-seated grief, which is held in the lungs. Other doshas may also adopt this strategy if they have been subjected to great grief, such as bereavement. Hence in seeing a smoker it is important to take a full emotional history including all childhood traumas as well as more recent events.

Because of the enabling issue, it is often best to offer minimal herbal support to the smoker initially. The best tactic is to explain to the smoker all the ways in which their habit is causing their current health concerns. As well as direct effects of smoking listed above, this also includes the indirect effects that result from provocation of the doshas as a result of the smoking habit, which falls into the category of prajnaparadh or crimes against innate wisdom. The smoker should then be offered herbs such as Brahmi to help address the underlying grief, depression or anxiety. In addition, appropriate counseling should be recommended to deal with childhood or recent traumas.

Vata must be spoken to very gently, as if one were trying to coax a child. Discourage vata from quitting smoking suddenly, as this will lead to immense vata provocation. Also, smoking is a habit that is all too easy to quit—again and again. Slow steady, sustainable changes are best. It is wise to follow the Ayurvedic tobacco withdrawal protocol outlined below. Pitta should be reasoned with. It can be helpful to have materials in your office showing the difference between a smoker’s lungs and a non-smoker’s lungs. Encourage pitta to get online, do the research and appreciate the immense risk they are running. Appeal to their pride, encouraging them to access their will power and help them to see how quitting smoking will help them succeed in their goals in life. As for kapha, threaten them with the dire consequences of continuing to smoke. Point out how their lung pulse looked. If there are two doshas present in the lungs it is imperative to tell them that they are already developing obstructive airway disease. All too often, kapha will quit smoking only after a life-threatening bout of pneumonia.

Awareness is the greatest tool in dealing with smoking. Conscious smoking is the first step in quitting. In conscious smoking, the patient agrees to smoke only when they are not doing anything else at the same time. Instruct them to smoke as a meditation, bringing awareness to their thoughts, feelings and body sensations before, during and after smoking. This can result in some amazing discoveries. One patient reported that she realized she was trying to kill herself by smoking, another said that he became aware of the grief over his mother’s death that he was suppressing by smoking.

As soon as the individual is ready to begin the process of releasing their habit, they can begin the tobacco withdrawal protocol. A typical Ayurvedic smoking mix and client handout is shown below.

Smoking Mixture

30% red clover
30% calamus root—ground, not powdered
10-15% marshmallow root
5-10% osha root—broken up well
5% mullein

“If you are trying to cut out tobacco, start out with 60% herbal mixture, 40% tobacco, then gradually cut down the amount of tobacco weekly. You need to buy rolling paper and roll your own cigarettes. This mixture is rejuvenating for the lungs and clears the mind and sharpens concentration.”

It is important to explain to the client from the outset that herbs can be given to rejuvenate the lungs, balance the doshas and address their current health concerns, but that these herbs will not be effective as long as the smoking habit is continued. In particular, lung rejuvenatives should not be given until tobacco smoking has stopped. Healthy lung tissue cannot be built until smoking is discontinued. Once the client has stopped smoking, lung rejuvenatives are essential. Liquorice is a good choice to help with lung rejuvenation as well as raspy throat and pre-ulcerative conditions of the stomach or duodenum. Punarnava helps strengthen the lungs and is also anti-cancer in traditional usage. Ideally, first carry out the tobacco withdrawal, then give some shamanam herbs to begin to balance the doshas. Next give cleansing herbs in preparation for panchakarma and carry out a thorough cleanse. Although vaman, therapeutic emesis, is a far from popular process, it will be invaluable for kapha in the process of recovering from smoking. Once panchakarma has been done, there is the optimum situation to rejuvenate the lungs using Chyavanprash as well as the herbs discussed above. It takes as year or so of not smoking to return the lungs to the pink, clean condition of a non-smoker. Hopefully, panchakarma and rasayana could greatly accelerate this process.

Pranayama is another beneficial process that should be commenced only after quitting smoking. Especially when someone is healing from pneumonia, asthma or obstructive airway disease, it is imperative for them to learn to breathe properly, filling the lung bases and bringing air all the way into the upper lungs. In addition, surya namaskar and chest-opening asanas such as cobra and camel pose will be of great benefit in healing the lungs and restoring a normal breathing pattern.

Finally, the root cause of the smoking habit can be best addressed by a meditation practice, with a focus on basic mindfulness and breath awareness. A practice such as the Empty Bowl Mediation taught by Dr Vasant Lad is ideal in bringing in a more refined awareness of the breath and That which lies beyond breath.

All products mentioned in this article are available from www.banyanbotanicals.com.

June 06, 2022

Ayurveda and Dreams

June 06, 2022/ Alandi Ashram

In the last few weeks, we’ve been talking about sleep. Let’s wrap up that topic with some brief considerations about dreams in Ayurveda.

In the Vedic world view, there are three states of consciousness, jagrat, the waking state, svapna, the dream state and sushupti, the deep sleep state. The waking state corresponds with our gross body, the dream state with the subtle body and the deep sleep state with the causal body. In our waking state we manipulate things in the physical world, using our five senses and five organs of action. And in the dream state we use our subtle senses to experience a different kind of life, that of the subtle world. Yet the two feed into each other. Our dreams may foretell events to occur in the physical world and the physical world provides the cast of characters for our dream experiences. When we awaken from a scary or embarrassing dream, it’s a relief to realize that it’s just a dream and I didn’t really just go to violin lesson without my violin. Yet is physical world any more real than the dream world?

As Puck says at the conclusion of A Midsummer Night’s Dream:

If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumbered here
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream.

Indeed, the so-called real world is in fact no more real than a dream. Beyond the three states we have mentioned is turiya, the transcendent fourth state in which we abide in the Real. The other three states are just superimpositions, all equally impermanent and devoid of real essence.

Meanwhile, as we live our relative life in the three states of waking, dreaming and deep sleep, dreams provide important information about our prakriti or constitution and our vikriti or current imbalance.

The nature of vata, composed of air and space, gives us dreams of flying and scaling the heavens. We might think of the story of Hanuman, the son of the wind god. When he is a little baby monkey, he sees the sun and thinks it’s a big mango fruit. So, he jumps up to catch it. Luckily Dad’s on childcare duty at the time and gently brings him back to earth. Later, as a grownup devotee of Ram, Hanuman leaps from India to Lanka, again revealing his airy, vata nature.

The fiery nature of pitta brings dreams of meteors, lightning-flashes, fire, the red desert rose, the brilliant red flame-of-the forest plant or and other flame-coloured flowers. This evokes the sparkling brilliance of pitta, which at times can touch on genius.

The watery kapha dreams of large lakes or pools decked with myriads of of blooming lotus flowers, swans and ruby sheldrakes. These dreams capture the calm and serene nature of kapha.

When vata is provoked, we may have scary dreams of running or being chased. Monsters are pursuing us. When pitta is provoked, we may see a forest fire in our dream. Also, because pitta is so hot, we often experience dreams where we are unclothed, usually in the most embarrassing of circumstances, such as at a professional conference. When kapha is provoked, the waters we see may become cloudy and muddy. The elephant is very much a kapha being. And there is a story about the elephant king, Gajendra, getting stuck in the mud. While he is bathing, a crocodile catches hold of his hoof and pulls him down into the mud. He cries out to Lord Vishnu, who uses his sudarshan chakra, the weapon of light, to destroy the crocodile and free Gajendra. To this day, when kapha is provoked and pulling us down into slime, it’s helpful to take the bitter herbal formulation Mahasudarshan, named for Vishnu’s weapon.

Of course, sometimes we may have nightmares or terrifying dreams. In Jewish tradition, if we have a nightmare, we consult a rabbi or spiritual guide to transform the dream into its highest potential. We acknowledge that every dream is fundamentally a good dream. Much the same is done in Sufi circles too. If we are having recurrent nightmares, this might be a product of trauma, and it may be beneficial to speak to a therapist.

To help have good dreams, eat a light evening meal, avoid late night snacks, do some spiritual reading before bed and say a prayer as you lie down to sleep.

Good night, dear friends, and sweet dreams!

April 24, 2022

Ayurveda and Long COVID

April 24, 2022/ Alandi Ashram

We’ve been discussing how to avoid getting COVID, or getting it again, what the long-term effects might be, and what Long COVID is. Today, let’s look at how Ayurveda can help people with Long COVID.

Ayurveda has a vast wealth of knowledge on infectious diseases, including long-term illnesses such as TB and malaria. So how can we make use of this knowledge in terms of a new disease? To be clear from the outset, we’re not going to point to ‘this one magic cure.’ In India, much has been made of kalmegh or andrographis paniculata as a treatment for COVID. However, let’s be thoughtful and careful here. We’re talking about a Pandemic that has killed at least 15 million worldwide. There isn’t enough of any one plant to go around. Driving a major herbal ally to extinction would be an appalling outcome. So, what we’re going to think about here are treatment principles that practitioners can apply, using what they have available. And if you have Long COVID, you’re going to need an Ayurvedic Doctor. This isn’t something you can take care of without skilled support.

If you have Long COVID, you may have seen an MD, only to be told that all your tests are normal. Friends, family and even medical practitioners may have told you to pull yourself together. Let me tell you right now; I believe you. I believe you are just as sick as you think you are. Indeed, if you are a resilient person, you may be much sicker than you are allowing yourself to recognize. It’s incredibly tough to try and keep going with your responsibilities when you can barely drag yourself out of bed. So, how can Ayurveda help?

First of all, we need to treat the primary infection, SARSCoV-2. That means that your practitioner will offer you antiviral herbs. In Ayurveda we work with ‘yogas’ or herbal combinations, to create a synergistic effect that minimizes side effects and maximizes efficacy. And we’ll also be considering agni, your digestive fire, as well as making sure you are having normal bowel movements. While the infection is being treated, you’ll be asked to take a light and easily digestible diet, with simple and nourishing foods such as kichari. We’ll encourage fresh air and gentle exercise at a level you can tolerate. We’ll try to help you sleep if insomnia is an issue. If you’re feeling down and depressed with the stress of your illness, we’ll most likely give brahmi tea to support your mental and emotional state and help with cognitive issues.

We’ll also consider secondary infections that may have arisen due to the T-cell exhaustion created by COVID. This might be reactivated EBV, as we discussed last week, but it also might be any one of a variety of fungal infections, because COVID exhausts our body’s mechanism for fighting fungal infections. Since many herbs have a large portfolio of actions, including both antiviral and antifungal, we’ll be designing your initial formula to cover both primary and secondary infections.

Another thing to be considered is pranavaha srotas, the channels that carry oxygen to every cell of your body. Many people with Long COVID have problems with breathing, irregular heartbeat, or both. The Ayurvedic texts advise a tea made from Dashamoola, a combination of ten vata-soothing roots. Special herbs are added into this tea to help you take a full breath or to support a regular heartbeat. Breathing exercises may also be recommended, depending upon your situation.

Once we’ve taken care of viruses and fungi, and got the basic physiological functions in order, we’ll move on to rebuilding your strength and immunity. Here we consider a mysterious subtle essence known as ojas. Ojas provides strength, immunity, ability to resist disease, and a cheerful and contented state of body and mind. If you are fatigued, anxious, sad and have low immunity, chances are that your ojas has been attacked by the virus and is low. At this point in your healing journey, we’ll be suggesting Ojas Drink, a special nourishing recipe, as well as building foods to restore your energy. Medicated ghees and special herbal formulas will help rebuild ojas. And some of the famous Ayurvedic herbs like ashwagandha may come into play. Again, make sure you work with an Ayurvedic Doctor rather than trying to self-treat, because each phase of the treatment plan has to be done at the right moment. If you try to build before eliminating the infectious agents, toxins will accumulate and cause more fatigue.

While an Ayurvedic Doctor should be in charge of your treatment plan, there are simple things you can do to help yourself. Try to get enough rest. This means, not just getting to bed on time, but also scheduling short naps or periods of shivasana (deep relaxation) once or twice in the day. Try to get some time out in nature, near flowing water, plants and trees. Chant the Healing Mantra: oṃ tryámbakaṃ yajāmahe sugandhíṃ puṣṭi-vardhánam
urvārukam íva bandhánān mṛtyor mukṣīya mā 'mṛtā́t. Chant the mantra aloud or listen to a recording of it. Keep it playing in the background as you go through your day. And remember, you are not alone. Many others are going through the same thing. It might be helpful to join a support group such as Long COVID Support or Survivor Corps. Don’t give up on yourself. Even if your life has changed dramatically, it still has meaning.

As Max Ehrmann wrote in Desiderata:

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.

https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.04.21.22274082v1

April 18, 2022

Understanding Long COVID

April 18, 2022/ Alandi Ashram

Photo illustration by Rayne Zaayman-Gallant of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

In the last couple of weeks, we’ve been talking about how to avoid getting COVID—or getting reinfected—and about the long-term hazards for people who appear to be ‘over’ a mild case of COVID. But a substantial number of people who get even a mild case of COVID will end up with Long COVID—long term symptoms lasting six months or more. Estimates of how many people are getting Long COVID vary from ‘at least 10%’ at the low end to over 50% according to a recent study. The numbers vary so wildly because this is an emergent situation and because there is not yet a precise definition of Long COVID. And many are suffering at home, their illness going unreported. About 20-30% of children who get COVID are developing Long COVID, whereas older adults are the most likely to get persistent illness. And the fact that omicron has been billed as ‘mild’ does not in any way diminish the likelihood of developing Long COVID after initial recovery.

Data is emerging that points to Long COVID being a multi-organ condition that impairs the heart, pancreas, kidneys, liver, spleen and lungs. A study published in the BMJ concludes that, “In individuals at low risk of COVID-19 mortality with ongoing symptoms, 70% have impairment in one or more organs 4 months after initial COVID-19 symptoms.” In other words, you may be young and healthy, you might feel fed up and ‘done’ with the Pandemic, you might have decided that it’s an elderly person’s problem and you can get a light case and ‘get it over with,’ but this might soon turn out to be the worst mistake you’ve ever made.

So, what’s going on? Why would you feel fatigued and breathless, plagued by aches and pains, palpitations and brain fog months after getting COVID? The little power houses of every cell of your body, your mitochondria, might hold the answer. A groundbreaking study from Mexico suggests that, similarly to people who have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, in Long COVID there is damage to the membranes of your all-important mitochondria.

In addition, some of you may be familiar with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), the virus that causes mononucleosis and is implicated in CFS—and more recently has been found to be the cause of Multiple Sclerosis. This virus lingers in your body and can be reactivated by stressors. A number of studies, including one published in the journal Pathogens, indicate that COVID can reactivate EBV. “It is worth considering that a portion of long COVID symptoms may be the result of COVID-19 inflammation-induced EBV reactivation.”

As for the so-called ‘brain fog” experienced by so many Long COVID sufferers—this is better referred to as brain inflammation and is very physical. It’s not laziness or a psychological problem. Studies suggest that Long COVID cognitive issues are caused by disruption of small blood vessels in the brain. The damaged vessels leak protein into the brain, setting up inflammation. And the end result is executive function disorder, with slow processing speed and difficulty holding onto or manipulating information.

When the first patients were lying in ICU in Wuhan with double pneumonia, it seemed as if we might be dealing with something like the 1957 or 1918 Pandemic influenzas. But while we have seen a tremendous amount of severe illness, hospitalization and death, it’s slowly becoming clear that the initial COVID acute infection is only part of the problem. Unlike influenza, SARS-CoV-2 is capable of causing long term morbidity and disability. From a societal standpoint, this means that we are going to be dealing with a huge amount of impaired people who will need support. From an individual standpoint, you face a much greater long-term risk than we initially knew. So, mask up, even if mandates are not in place, and take care. Take care, my friends, even if you are vaccinated. While vaccination has halved your risk of getting Long COVID, it has not removed it.

Next week, we’ll talk about how Ayurveda can help people with Long COVID.

https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/3/e048391

https://jlb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/JLB.3MA0322-279RRR

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8233978/

https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/aan/98034