Tag: dravyaguna

Hemp (Bhañga) in Ayurveda

Dylan Smith surrounded by Cannabis Plants

Cannabis sativa or hemp is commonly referred to Bhañga भङ्ग in Ayurveda, but is also known as Vijaya विजय which means “victorious”, as it is victorious over so many diseases.

It’s bitter taste and heating potency (uṢna virya) mitigates kapha (heaviness, sluggishness) and penetrates sharply to stimulate the digestion. It may be more suitable for those who are more grounded.
On the contrary, what mitigates kapha (earth element, grounded, heavy, oily), aggravates vata (air & space element, ungrounded, light, dry). Vata and Kapha are opposites.
Hence, bhañga can produce constipation, confusion/delusion, intoxication, low libido, insomnia and make one talk in excess if it’s used in excess or in inappropriate formulas or with lack of wise herbal combinations.
Pitta   types also have to be aware because it is sharp and very heating, especially for those with an inflamed gut (IBS, IBD, Crohn’s etc.).
Bhañga is helpful for varieties of inflammation, anti-spasmodic, pain, epilepsy and the results on drop (atonic) seizures that I have seen in my patients are astonishing.
I am increasingly seeing oils being self-prescribed and used inappropriately to treat stress and nervous system disorders, which may weaken the nervous system in the long run.
Related reading - "CBD Oll: Is it really worth the highpe?" click HERE.

Each part of the plant produces various effects

The hemps seeds, more of a food than medicine, are more cooling, have a sweetness to them, and a pretty perfect balance of omega-3, -6 and -9 essential fatty acids. They can help in constipation (vāta anulomana), nutrient deficiency and rejuvenation (rasāyana).
Ayurveda mainly uses the flowering heads (Gañjā गञ्जा) and leaves.
I have been using organic flowers grown rather local to me, cooked into native organic macadamia oil on patients with joint and muscle pains with impressive effects. If you would like a bottle of oil to massage onto your load stricken body, click here.
One last thing to note about cannabis, which my guru commonly says to people who choose to consume it, is only consume it when you are in a happy/positive state of mind, and avoid it when you are depressed, anxious or ungrounded.

Get to know your herbs

I will be teaching about how to come across any plant, food, herb or substance, and be able to determine what it’s properties and qualities are; then be able to utilise that in a therapeutic or nourishing manner to any person or situation in your life.
Acting in the moment with what is available to YOU.
Learning principles for experiential knowledge.
Not needing to memorise theory, but owning the knowledge.
This will be taught in my upcoming online course: “The Essence of Ayurvedic Nutrition”.
Do you take hemp in any form? How is it for you? Comment below 👇

Tonic Herbalism: Potent, Pure & Sustainable Herbs for Daily Invigoration | Mason Taylor #054

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Just as we need our daily bread, we need our daily herbs.

Herbs provide a subtle nutrition to the brain and the subtle tissues of our body. They invigorate us with prana (life-force) and create a state in our physiology that attracts the healing powers and support from nature.

Take advantage of the herbs around you and what is available to you with honour, reverence and gratitude.

When you deservingly nourish yourself with these precious medicinal materials, your life will flourish on all levels.

About Our Guest: Mason Taylor

Mason’s energy and intent for a long and happy life is infectious. A health educator at heart, he continues to pioneer the way for potent health and a robust personal practice. An avid sharer, connector, inspirer and philosophiser, Mason wakes up with a smile on his face, knowing that tonic herbs are changing lives. Mason is also the SuperFeast founder, daddy to Aiya and partner to Tahnee (General Manager at SuperFeast).

Mason Taylor holding a Reishi mushroom

In this Episode we Discuss:

Mason's morning routine (dinacharya).

Seasonal Routine (RtuCarya) to promote health

Summer energy: achievement and goal oriented vs. the reality of what your body wants to do (rest, serenity and leisure).

New Years resolution energy may not coincide with southern hemisphere summer time.

How to deal with end-of-year festivities according to Daoism.

Flowing effortlessly between seasons and utilising the available energies to our benefit.

Mason Taylor harvesting Schisandra Berries

Chinese Medicine, Taoism and Ayurveda

Similarities, differences and integrating various modalities of traditional medicine.

The three dantians - inner body awareness and optimal decision making.

The preservation and cultivation of the three treasures (Jing, Qi, Shen) and getting the Yin Yang flowing and transforming.

Kidneys: energy, liquid essence and ojas.

Diagram showing the location and functionalities of the three danteans

Tonic Herbs and Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine vs. Classical Chinese Medicine.  

The difference between toxic elemental heavy metals and medicinal heavy metals (bhasmas). 

Three levels of herbs: High, medium and inferior.

Pearl powder: properties and healing powers. Click HERE for more information on medicinal Pearls.

Cordyceps fungus: properties and health benefits.

SuperFeast Mushroom Products

Farming, natural sourcing & preservation of herbs

Sustainable farming/sourcing, scarcity and adulteration of herbs (Di Dao herbs vs. big-scale industry herb products).

The purification and extraction of herbs that brings about their most powerful and sacred healing properties.

Mushroom farming: the ideal medium and context to grow them.

Preservation and ‘shelf-life’ of herbs.

Mason Taylor harvesting Chaga Mushrooms in a forrest
Mason Taylor Holding a mushroom in the middle of the forrest
Selfie of Mason Taylor and Dylan Smith

Resources

Shop Vitalveda products HERE

SuperFeast web site: HERE

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Please seek advice from a qualified practitioner before starting any new health practice.

The Health Benefits of Copper & Ayurvedic Uses

Copper, known as Tamra in Ayurveda, has a multitude of medicinal benefits and is utilised in a diverse range of ways.

Benefits of Copper

Anti-septic, Anti-microbial, Anti-fungal and Anti-viral.

In 2008, copper was recognised by the United States Environment Protection Agency (EPA) as the first metallic antimicrobial agent.

A 2013 study published in the Journal of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology looked at 650 UCU patients and the hospital rooms they were staying in.

Half the rooms has copper-surface objects and the other half did not. 

The research found that the rooms with copper-surfaced objects had half the incidences of infection compared to the rooms without copper. Especially MRSA (methicillin-resistant staph infections). 

Another study published in 2012 in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology found that copper alloy surfaces reduced the “microbial burden” - the bacteria counts (colony forming units) found of surfaces by 83%.

Copper not only is toxic to bad bacteria, it also provides important enzymes that are needed for the healthy microbes in though to survive.

Controls Dehydration

So you do not loose essential elements. Copper has a protective quality protects. It helps prevent wrinkles and support supple skin.

Drinking water from a copper bottle or cup is the best way to get copper this way.

Unblocks Blockages

Copper has a quality of unblocking vitiated channels in the body. It particular is useful in diseases of the ears, dizziness, and ENT disorders.

In these cases, copper bhasama (see below) in combination with other herbs taken internally is the way to use copper.

Anti-Poison

In Ayurveda, copper in combination with other herbs for internal helps deal with poisoning.

In the same way copper also strengthens the heart. 

Tamra Bhasma (Copper Calcified Ash)

As with all bhasmas (minerals that are purified and calcified in a very specific process into ash), the therapeutic use of copper bhasma radically changes depending on what other herbs it is mixed with.

Uses of Tamra Bhasma

Laxative, heals ulcers, easy for digestion, scarificant, effective in anaemia, enlargement of the abdomen, piles, fever, leprosy, cough, dyspnoea, consumption, hyperacidity, dropsy, parasites and colic.

Ayurvedic Properties of Tamra Bhasma

(When properly prepared)

Rasa: Kashaya (astringent), madhura (sweet), slightly tikta (bitter) (vaghbata) and amla (sour) (bhavaprakash)
Virya: sheeta (cooling)
Vipaka: Katu (pungent)
Doshas: PK-

Qualities of Good Copper

  • Unctuous
  • Soft
  • Withstands hard beating
  • Free from iron and lead
  • Ideal for converting into bhasma.

Qualities of Bad Copper

That which is black, dry, rough, very hard, white, not withstanding hard beating, mixed with iron and lead (impurities) is considered bad.

Ways to Utilise Copper

Store Water in Copper

Leave water in a copper cup overnight and drink it the next morning.

Keep water in a copper water bottle and drink it throughout the day.

We recommend Valka Yoga for pure and quality copper.
Discount code: VITAL VEDA for a discount + free shipping + a free coper tongue scraper.

Scrape Your Tongue with a Copper Tongue Scraper

Invigorate your mouth with essential minerals while removing bad bacteria with one of the most anti-bacterial metals during Tongue Scraping.

Make to sure to use a Pure Copper Tongue Scraper.

Copper Furnishing

Implement copper furnishings around your house, especially in bacteria rich environments like bathrooms.

Copper In Ayurvedic Herbal Formulas

This is where copper truely shines. A complex procedure of purification and calcification to make copper ash (bhasma) is then added into various formulas of herbs. Only seek a quality Ayurvedic practitioner who has experience with Bhasmas.

Overhead shot of herbs in bowls

Synonyms of Tamra

Audumbara, sully, udumbara, rauipriya, mlecchamukha and surya paraya namaka - all synonyms of Surya.

Copper Origin According to the Veda

The semen of Kartikeya which fell on the ground became converted to Tamra.

References:

Bhavaprakash and Sarngadhara Samhita for action of copper.

Pearl (Mukta): Uses & Benefits

Pearls, known as Mukta, can be used medicinally, for healing and to promote spiritual growth on many levels.

Pearls Relationship with the Moon

The elemental and mineral composition of pearls correlate and resonate with the elemental and mineral composition of our moon (Chandra). Both pearls and the moon have an affinity for the water element and they reciprocate energy to each other via their unique vibratory astral plane.

Thus, wearing pearl malas (necklaces), a pearl ring on the ring finger (the hypothenar region of the hand, below the ring finger, corresponds with moon) and left hand ring finger, and ingesting quality pearl herbal preparations strengthens the moons power and flow of consciousness (soma) it provides to you.

Precious gemstones, with their specific colour frequencies, resonate on the same wavelengths as the celestial bodies in our solar system.

Synonyms

Mauktika, sautika, muktaphala

Indications

Cooling

Like the moon, pearls are cooling (sheeta virya). They can cool down an erratic and fiery mind, reduce inflammation in the body and are good for the eyes and vision (eyes are a seat of pitta fire).

Strength and Nourishment

Pearl is aphrodisiac, bestows strength and nourishment and is good for the bones (asthi dhatu).

Preparing Pearl Properly

Pearls can be prepared in various ways for internal ingestion. As with other bhasmas (minerals that are purified and calcified in a very specific process into ash), the therapeutic use of pearl bhasma radically changes depending on what other herbs it’s mixed with.

Cerebral Tonic and Nervous System Support

Pearl powder (mukta pisti) and bhasma alone are a very strong stimulants thus helpful as a cerebral tonic in nervous diseases like chronic headache, epilepsy, other convulsive attacks, panic attacks, anxiety attacks and heart attacks. 

In case of emergency in the above conditions, put one pinch of Mukta pisti under the tongue, and it can immediately help activate and balance the nervous system. Clinically, I have seen good results with this when patients apply this during panic/anxiety attacks, intense heart palpitates and even to wake someone up from an unconscious state.

Water Purifier

Pearls purify water.

Ways to Absorb Pearl

Dhatu (Herbal Formula)

Restores and regenerates nerves, bones and tissues, because it nourishes and strengthens all seven layers of the dhatus (tissues) in the body. It is also good for improving calcium absorption. A Raju family formula.

Special Mukta Pisti (Pearl Powder)

Pearl powder processed with rose water in a mortar and pestle with specific mukta mantras and special bhavana.

This is a different processing method to regular mukta pisti, it uses a special bhavana (processing agent). It is more strong.

  • Fires up neurons immediately.
  • Balances heart palpitations as it immediately calms down and balances pitta by adapting to what is needed.
  • When pitta is depleted, fear and emotions sensitivity is higher as pitta is weak.
  • Helps to bring someone back from unconscious state, panic attack, high anxiety, blood pressure issues.
  • Stabilises an over active digestive system.

Wear Pearl Malas

This is a necklace. Ideally, the pearls are infused with mantras (primordial sounds) and holy substances during a ceremony like Abhishekam (see feature photo).
Please buy quality pearls from a reputable source like Astrological Gem and do not get ripped off.

Caution: Low Quality "Pearl"

Note that “pearl powder” is becoming popular on the natural health market. Pearl powder from me costs $25 for 3 grams. Keep that price in mind when seeing people market their pearl powder, it is probably cheap crap from China. Not only is the raw material who-knows-what, but once again, as with a lot of herbal preparations - the purification process is not applied due to lack of knowledge in this area.

A Note on Genuine Natural Pearl by Jay Boyle

"True, genuine Natural Pearls are nearly impossible to find today.  They were available up until the early 20th century, but through over-fishing and pollution, they have become extinct. Generally, the only supply of natural pearls is the estate market for natural pearl strands.  Unfortunately, these are previously worn and are drilled so they are not suitable for Jyotish purposes.

Very, very rarely I come upon a Certified Natural freshwater pearl.  Usually, the size range is from 1-2 carats and occasionally up to around 4 carats.  Because of their rarity, these natural pearls are quite expensive.

Natural Pearls are virtually extinct, however, we are very pleased to be able to offer some rare, exceptional, smaller sized Natural Pearls.

If you are looking for an affordable alternative to Certified Natural Pearls, we offer Chinese Tissue-Nucleated Pearls (a form of cultured pearl that is natural material and of top quality)."

~ Jay Boyle, gemstone expert and founder of Astrological Gem

References:

Bhavaprakash and Sarngadhara Samhita for action of pearls.
Image: AstrologicalGem, USA.