Ok, so amongst the many hard truths of life, there is one fundamental truth that never fails to take everyone by surprise – aging. You always knew you are going to get older with time, and still somehow, when it happens, you start wondering how it came so unannounced, and way too early! If you are are like me, you think to yourself, “well damn, wasn’t I just thirty?” Sure feels like it.
Many of us start getting anxious about this “getting old” thing and probably from the time we entered into our 30s! While getting old is natural and indeed inevitable, there are many ways to enjoy the journey with grace and style. I’m trying ya’ll! Please join me on this journey, or hell, let me join you if you’re doing better than my ass is! Not my literal ass, but you get what I’m saying!
Let’s talk about one such holistic living practice that not only promises longevity, but goes a step further to enhance almost every aspect of wellbeing throughout the course of life. We studied Ayurveda back in culinary school, but it was also something I had read about long before I enrolled. I know, those unfamiliar are like “Ayu-who?” My oldest sister had introduced me to Deepak Chopra years prior. It was through Deepak that my interest in Ayurveda developed. You may now know him from his partnership with Oprah Winfrey but my sister introduced me to Deepak years ago. See she gets credit for something positive. I dug deep for that one.
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda, literally translating from Sanskrit as “the knowledge of life,” is one of the oldest healing systems of the world, dating back to about more than 5,000 years ago. Originating in India, Ayurveda is enjoying huge popularity in the western world owing to its timeless principles that emphasize prevention and health promotion, rather than curative action.
In its entirety, Ayurveda can be understood as a philosophy, a way of life that seeks to promote health through strengthened immunity, stress management, right diet, yoga, use of herbs, and various other lifestyle practices.
Though it is a medicine system, its main goal is not to cure a disease, but PREVENT disease from happening in the first place. You know, the way it should work. We get it backwards in the west! Furthermore, it aims to achieve a state of optimal health where an individual can function with vitality. Health in itself is a broad term in Ayurveda. Health is not just disease-free; it refers to a state of physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual wellbeing that enables an individual to feel her best.
Longevity in Ayurveda refers more to the QUALITY OF LIFE, and not necessarily the quantity of life. Life extension is considered merely a side benefit of the journey that aims to enhance the quality of life.
How does Ayurveda help with aging?
Age is just a number, right? Yes, but biological aging also comes with some changes in the body and mind, and sometimes, with health issues. First, your skin starts losing its elasticity. Then, other signs start appearing. A weakened immunity, greying of hair, chronic inflammatory conditions, gradual cognitive decline are some of the common annoyances that accompany aging.
There are two main factors that contribute most to the process of biological aging – oxidative stress and inflammation. Ayurveda aims to target both and as a result, can slow down the process, reducing the effects on both body and mind.
1. Stress management with ayurvedic adaptogens
Chronic stress is a breeding ground for many serious health problems. Cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, anxiety, depression, memory loss, and weight gain are only some of the long-term effects of stress. Adaptogens are a special class of herbs in Ayurveda that help reset the brain’s stress response system and boost the overall resilience of the body and mind. They are called adaptogens because they help us adapt to physical, psychological, and environmental stressors. These herbs have many other benefits as well. These herbs can reduce inflammation, improve sleep, enhance immunity, and support strong mental stamina. Ashwagandha, Holy basil, Moringa, Amla, Shatavari, and Guduchi are some of the widely recognized adaptogenic herbs. I personally take a daily dose of ginseng with royal jelly.
2. Herbs for longevity
Ashwagandha is a highly prized herb in Ayurveda for its well-known anti-aging abilities. It is being used for centuries as a premium herb for longevity, endurance, stress management, and cognitive enhancement. Ashwagandha is taken both as a health tonic and herbal medicine for preventing various chronic lifestyle diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, and loss of libido. Its powerful immune-boosting abilities have made it a highly sought-after supplement in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. It is very common for Indians to add Ashwagandha root powder in their morning tea, especially during winters for enhancing immunity against cold and flu. You can also find these teas in most health food stores, online as well as Whole Foods. I have had some bad experiences with purchasing supplements from Amazon. I have received out-of-date or expired supplements more than a few times!
Brahmi is another such herb that is considered a nervine tonic for its wondrous benefits for the brain. As an esteemed nootropic herb, Brahmi is widely used for improving memory and cognition by individuals of all age groups. Its potent neuroprotective ability reduces oxidative stress and inflammation of brain cells, thus protecting the brain against age-related cognitive decline. A 2019 study suggested the use of Brahmi supplements for checking the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and other age-induced neurological diseases.
3. Abhyanga – ayurvedic self-massage
Ayurveda is all about self-reliance and self-empowerment, which is why most therapies do not need any external help! Abhyanga is one such therapy that detoxifies and rejuvenates the body inside-out, hence improving longevity and enhancing overall physical and mental wellness. However, unlike other periodic therapies, Abhyanga is meant to be practiced daily. Ayurveda recommends daily full-body massage for everyone. Abhyanga oil massage follows specific techniques for massaging all over the body with special attention to certain areas, which encourages the removal of toxins that are accumulated in the neuro-muscular junctions, thus restoring tissues to their original state of functioning. Daily treatment maintains the excellence of tissues, strengthens the joints, tones muscles, improves digestion, and calms the mind. In a 2011 study, Abhyanga was shown to reduce subjective stress and lower blood pressure levels in healthy men and women. Moreover, oil massage is also a great way to nourish your skin and hair – another aspect of graceful aging.
4. Shatavari – a herb for boosting sexual health
Shatavari is a premium herb for female vitality in Ayurveda. In fact, its very name signifies that! Shatavari literally means “the one with a thousand husbands” or “the one (she) desired by many.” It is a versatile rejuvenating tonic for women that helps at all stages of life, from fertility and pregnancy to menstruation and menopause. Its estrogen-regulating, hormone-balancing, and immune-boosting properties make this herb very useful for treating many menopausal symptoms like hair fall, loss of libido, mood changes, hot flashes, night sweating, brain fog, or irritability. Shatavari is also a powerful internal moisturizer that moistens vaginal tissues and maintains desirable PH levels to avoid infections.
5. Rasayanas – therapies for rejuvenation
Rasayanas are special anti-aging therapies in Ayurveda that promote longevity, nourish all bodily tissues, and strengthen the body’s natural defense mechanism. The therapy involves massage, yoga, behavioral changes (like sleep, cleanliness, wholesome eating), and medicines that include herbal formulation as well as single herbs. Mainly taken as health supplements, these herbs deeply repair tissues and slowly rejuvenate all vital organs. Rasayana therapy is considered best-suited for people of the middle age group as this is considered the best time for restoration. Rasayanas can be taken as a standalone therapy; however, it is considered highly effective after a detoxification process known as Panchakarma therapy.
Ayurvedic principles are basically about the preservation of health, maintaining wellness and avoiding illness. This also includes the air we breath, the environment in which we live, the food we eat as well as the thoughts we think! That’s the work I know I need to do!
“The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes,” once said by Frank Lloyd Wright. And with a healthy and holistic way of living, one can achieve this beauty in their life. What is important is to look at the world with positivity and energy, no matter what your age is. We must remind ourselves, it’s just a number!
Check out these links for more info!
https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/ayurvedic-medicine-in-depth
https://chopra.com/articles/what-is-ayurveda