"Ayurveda" - food by the rules. Recipes and rules for healthy eating

In the translation from Sanskrit "Ayurveda" is the science of a long life. This ancient Indian medical system was included as a separate Veda in "Atharvavuda" - the first treatise on medicine in human history. In ancient manuscripts already at that time were described helminths, microbes, natural antibiotics, surgeries, surgical instruments. Information is also available on the methods of treating various diseases - from childhood diseases to those that arise in old age, including mental disorders and sexual impotence.

A Brief Historical Reference

According to Indian legends, Ayurvedic art is bestowed on people from Brahma itself. The flowering of the teaching is at the time of the emergence of Buddhism. The main difference between science and classical medicine is recognition as the basis for life activity in the human body of water, air and fire, which are concentrated in prana, mucus and bile. A harmonious combination of all these substances is considered health. Pathologies also provoke violations in the balance and the destructive effect of the elements on the human condition. Teaching spread far beyond India. Its development continued until the XVII century, when the greatest popularity began to acquire European medicine.

"Second Life" of Science

By the middle of the twentieth century, the study was interested again: the centers began to be organized, and Ayurvedic stores around the world opened. According to the teaching, the body combines the main "gross" components - ether, air, water, fire and earth. From them, the body tissues are formed - "dhatu". All components, in turn, are combined into three "doshas" - the main forces. They provide the life of a person. Thus, all people are divided into three categories: "watta" (air and ether), "kapha" (earth and water), "pitta" (water and fire). For a normal existence, the dosha and dhatu need food and water. From the correct balance of the main forces of the body depends on the original human nature - "prakriti." In this case, a person is able to manage it, adjust the balance, preventing illness. As the "Ayurveda" doctrine says, the regime of the day and nutrition are important components of preventive and curative measures aimed at maintaining and restoring the necessary balance in the body. The state of dhatu at a particular moment is called vikriti.

Teaching "Ayurveda". Nutrition by body type: "watta"

As it was said above, people, according to this science, are divided into three categories: "Pitta", "Kapha" and "Watta". Representatives of the latter type are not inclined to completeness; Their skin, including on the head, is dry, which often leads to brittle hair. A distinctive feature of these people is their vigor: they are always passionate and busy with something. However interest to a subject at them disappears quickly enough. What does the teaching of "Ayurveda" recommend to people of the "watt" type? Food for this category should be: milk, buckwheat, brown rice. In the diet must be present sweet fruit, bananas, avocados, grapes, oranges, cherries. Not recommended are raw vegetables, soy products, peas, apples, melons.

"Pitta"

People of "pitta" tend to have an elegant physique, they are not inclined to fullness. As a rule, their skin is thin and white, and the hair is light. They, like the people of the "watta", are energetic, actively participate in public life. However, they are characterized by some incontinence, and sometimes even aggression. In the diet, people of this type are recommended to include more dairy products, Brussels and cauliflower, beans, peas, asparagus, celery. Necessarily in the dishes must be present vegetable greens (dill, parsley and other kinds), seasonings (coriander, cinnamon). It is recommended the use of plums, oranges, mangoes. Exclude from the diet should be garlic, tomatoes, red meat, bananas. It is not advisable to use saffron and ginger, sour fruits, nuts.

Kapha

People like "kapha" have a good physique, but they tend to be full. Especially quickly, their weight increases with an improperly composed diet. People of this category are distinguished by clean, fresh skin, calm character. Such individuals are independent and non-conflicting. Together with this, they are characterized by low mobility, lethargy and passivity. According to the teachings of Ayurveda, Kapha food should include more brown rice, soy cheese, Brussels sprouts. It is recommended to drink coffee, ginger, various spices, dried fruits. In the diet should include grenades and cranberries. Not recommended to people "kapha" melons, chicken and beef meat, pineapples, dates, coconuts. To exclude also follows white rice, milk, sweets (a little honey is allowed).

Teaching "Ayurveda". Food. Recipes of some dishes

According to the teaching, all food is divided into three types: tamas, rajas and sattva. The principles of nutrition in "Ayurveda" are the balance of the diet, the right combination of tastes. Sattvic food is easily assimilated, it is pure and rich in prana. What products are related to sattva? First of all, it's fresh fruit, greens, steamed vegetables. It should be said that the sattwic dishes are recommended, mainly, for those who have weight problems. In the diet include fresh cottage cheese, milk. Necessarily presence of spices: fennel, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger. Nuts and seeds are recommended (lightly toasted). Too sweet foods are excluded. It is allowed to use honey, palm sugar (in small amounts). You can quickly bring the state of the body back to normal and maintain it at the required level, if you do what the "Ayurveda" teaching recommends. "Nutrition for weight loss" - as many people call sattvic food.

Tamas and Rajas

The stimulating effect on the body is rajasic food. With frequent use of it, there is nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, excessive activity. In addition, the level of toxins in the blood increases. Rajasic foods are fried, salted, spicy foods, vinegar, marinades, mushrooms. Irritantly affect the body onions and garlic, coffee. Food tamas causes a person to be lethargic, confused, disoriented, in some cases, aggression. To products provoking such conditions, include canned food, refined sugar, fish, meat. In the diet, there is an abundance of flour products, fats, oils. According to the teachings of Ayurveda, 75% of food should be vegetarian. The main dish is "kichari". When it is used, no toxins are formed, but on the contrary, toxins are eliminated from the body. For preparation, take a cup of yellow lentils, 3 cm of ginger root (fresh), two cups of basmati rice (white), ghee (2 tsp), half a spoonful of turmeric, coriander seeds (ground), cumin seeds (whole) And mustard (black is desirable), by 1/4 tsp. Fennel, salt and dill. Add a pinch of asafoetida and eight cups of water. Rice and lentils thoroughly rinse, pour water and cook until softened, covering with a lid. In a separate frying pan, oil is heated, spices added, lightly browned. The mixture obtained in the frying pan must be added to the almost welded rice. Then, putting the cilantro and salt, bring to the readiness.

Stewed zucchini

For their preparation it is necessary to take butter baked (2 tbsp.), 0.5 tsp. Seeds of mustard and cumin, 1/4 tsp. Turmeric and salt, a handful of cilantro leaves (fresh), a pinch of asafoetida, a pod of hot green pepper, dry or fresh curry leaves (4 pcs.), Four cups of zucchini (cut into strips or cubes), a cup of water. In a heated frying pan pour oil, add mustard, asafoetida, cumin. When they start to click the seeds, you should put turmeric, coriander, chili, curry, zucchini. The dish should be salted, pour a cup of hot water, partially covered with a lid. Stew on a slow fire.

Key recommendations

As the teaching of Ayurveda says, nutrition has a significant effect on the state of human health. There are several rules, observing which you can maintain the optimal balance of "doshas".

1. There should be sitting, without being distracted while doing foreign objects (reading or TV). The situation should be calm.
2. The main meal is best done at noon.
3. You should not eat in a state of sadness, anxiety.
4. Breaks between meals should be no less than three hours.
5. The best food is freshly prepared meals.
6. Too hot or very cold foods should not be consumed.
7. Milk is drunk separately from other dishes.
8. Food should correspond to the weather, season, physiological characteristics of the body.