This white paper explores some of the different Ayurvedic products that are currently available.
Ayurvedic Medicine Overview
Ayurvedic medicine is a verified alternative to conventional medical interventions. According to this practice, your health is tied to three energies or Doshas. As such, you will enjoy good health and productive living when these elements are perfectly balanced. Ayurvedic practitioners usually prescribe interventions that target the doshas to help you regain your health. Additionally, Ayurvedic treatments exploit naturally available herbs and physiotherapies that have been used for millennia. In fact, you may already consume some of these popular products, such as turmeric or cumin for example. This white paper will target four of the popular, but well less known ayurvedic products, including Boswellia, Triphala, Ashwagandha, and Brahmi.
People consume Ayurvedic health products because it helps to restore the balance between the mind, body, and spirit.
Normally, your body must remain in a state of balance with various elements found in the universe to maintain optimal health. However, once this equilibrium is lost, your immunity weakens, and you quickly get sick. Therefore, Ayurvedic practitioners will attempt to restore the balance between your mind, body, and spirit.
Components of Ayurvedic Medicine
Human beings are made from five critical elements that are similar to those that make up the universe.
The building blocks are:
- Space
- Air
- Fire
- Water
- Earth
The essential elements further combine into the three doshas or life forces that control various functions of your body. Naturally, these doshas are in a constant state of balance to guarantee your health and vitality. However, doshas are never equal; every individual is born with varying levels of energy.
In the past, sages often composed narratives that spoke of the healing properties of different herbs and plants. Today, Ayurvedic experts will employ these herbs, plant extracts, or a combination of the same in different healing therapies. For instance, Pancha karma is done to cleanse and rejuvenate your body using various herbs, laxatives, massages, medical oils, and blood purification.
Health Benefits of Ayurvedic Products
For thousands of years, the principle of Ayurveda has been used in Indo-Asia to treat an array of physical complications. Today, the practice has spread to the USA and Europe as an alternative to conventional medical care.
Unlike conventional medicines, Ayurvedic therapies don’t necessarily cure diseases but rather support good health. Nevertheless, different scientific studies indicate a positive influence of Ayurveda on human health. The treatment system has the potential to alleviate a handful of gut-related illnesses, metabolic conditions like diabetes, as well as arthritic complications.
The generally held belief in Ayurveda is that we are all connected to the universe via the doshas. Therefore, practitioners assist us in exploiting our energies to develop and maintain a healthy being.
Once you discover your predominant dosha and attain a balanced state:
- You readily become in sync with your inner nature
- You’ll easily develop your inherent strengths and talents
- You’ll quickly overcome your challenges
- Redirect your energies from negative traits and habits
- Effortlessly overcome difficult situations while remaining balanced
Ayurveda is a promising alternative to modern medicine, especially since the therapies employed are holistic and natural. Moreover, the available clinical trials show positive results on multiple conditions that often require lifelong medication. Nevertheless, you shouldn’t drop your doctor’s prescriptions, as some herbal combinations could harm pregnant women, nursing others, and senior citizens.
Different Products
We will cover five different types of Ayurvedic Products.
Brahmi Health Benefits
Brahmi, or water hyssop, is a small plant commonly found in damp habitats. Despite its modest appearance, this herb has multiple phytochemicals that deliver substantial health benefits to the human body. Furthermore, Brahmi has been used in traditional medicines for centuries, with modern research indicating its potential as a neuroprotective agent. One study showed that Brahmi contained a host of bioactive compounds like saponins, flavonoids, glycosides, and multiple phytochemicals. These components hugely benefit your health as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, and even brain boosters.
Brahmi is often associated with Brahma, the Hindu God of creativity and intellect. As such, it has been used to improve the nervous system and boost cognitive abilities for centuries. Today, you can opt for a holistic approach to improving your health and vitality with this herb through the alternative system of Ayurveda.
Nervous System
One of the main benefits of Brahmi is its ability to protect your nervous system from oxidative stress. As a result, the herb is proving key in treating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Several risk factors are associated with neural problems; these range from gene mutations, toxins, protein aggregates, and oxidative stress.
Brahmi contains a host of compounds that combat inflammation in the nervous system. The primary cause of Alzheimer’s disease is currently unknown. Nevertheless, tau and amyloid beta protein aggregates confirm its progression. Fortunately, recent studies have shown the herb’s ability to restrict the formation of protein aggregates and maintain neural stability.
Cognitive Function
Brahmi can also improve your cognitive performance by protecting your nervous system. One study on senior citizens over 60 showed that Brahmi could reverse the degeneration of nerve cells. Eventually, the herb not only improved memory and learning ability but also eased anxiety in the participants. Brahmi is a potential remedy for children’s attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Extracts from the herb helped improve attention span and impulse control while reducing ADHD symptoms like restlessness in pre-teen children.
Inflammation
Inflammation will occur when your body is exposed to toxic substances. Usually, this response is part of your body’s immune response system. However, this strategy is often problematic since it can lead to several chronic conditions like cancer. Moreover, neural inflammation negatively impacts the central nervous system and can cause dementia and other behavioral issues. On the flip side, Brahmi contains cytokines that help tone down the body’s inflammatory response. In one study, Brahmi negatively impacted the release of inflammatory enzymes. Additional tests also indicated the herb’s anti-inflammatory effect, similar to conventional drugs.
Antioxidants
Some of the components in Brahmi, like bacosides, have a robust antioxidant effect. Moreover, the herb increases the body’s response to free radicals by stimulating the release of crucial enzymes which act as scavenging agents. Free radicals and toxins cause cellular damage, often leading to chronic conditions like heart disease and certain cancers. Also, the damage caused by free radicals is closely tied to a decline in cognitive abilities in Alzheimer’s disease. Nevertheless, antioxidants help to counter free radicals to maintain the integrity of your body cells and cardiovascular system.
Cardiovascular
Brahmi can help you maintain optimal blood pressure levels and boost cardiovascular health. One study on rats showed that Brahmi could reduce elevated blood pressure levels. This is achieved through the release of nitric oxide, which opens up blood vessels for smoother blood flow.
Side Effects
You can find Brahmi in either capsule or powder form in online stores and physical health stores across the country. Additionally, you can pound the leaves into a paste before further processing. The simplest way to make Brahmi is by brewing an herbal tea using warm water. Also, you can include ghee in the drink for a nutrient-packed herbal mix. For topical application, combine the herbal paste with rose water before use.
Currently, no significant side effects are associated with the use of Brahmi. Nevertheless, the amount of research on this herb on humans is still inadequate. For example, Brahmi doesn’t significantly affect people with regular blood pressure readings, even if it can lower high blood pressure in rats. Therefore, you should always consult your doctor before incorporating Brahmi into your diet.
Boswellia
Boswellia comes from Boswellia serrata, a fairly sized branching tree native to Africa and Asia. For centuries, the resin from this tree bark was used to treat multiple ailments. Furthermore, the substance was a common feature during various ceremonies as incense. As modern medicine continues to overtake old-style therapies, Ayurvedic therapies are slowly gaining popularity because of their holistic approach to healthcare. For instance, Boswellia extracts are touted as a potent anti-inflammatory agent that can potentially treat multiple diseases like asthma and inflammatory bowel disease.
The extract from the Boswellia tree contains essential oils, resin, and water-soluble polysaccharides. Boswellic acid is the active ingredient in the resin and is responsible for the herb’s healing properties.
Boswellia is a powerful anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, analgesic, and antimicrobial substance. The herb contains Boswellic acids that have been shown to inhibit enzymes that promote inflammation. Critically, these acids prevent the formation of inflammatory molecules like leukotrienes that are associated with free radical damage.
Furthermore, the constituents of Boswellia inhibit human leukocyte elastase (HLE). HLE triggers inflammation and is associated with chronic bronchitis and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
In a nutshell, Boswellia prevents the production of inflammation triggers in your body. Extracts from the herb are effective against inflammation of the musculoskeletal structure, cardiovascular system, GI tract, respiratory system, and skin.
Osteoarthritis
Trials on Boswellia extract have shown that it can positively affect symptoms associated with osteoarthritis. Its anti-inflammatory properties improved knee flexion while reducing pain in patients. Additionally, the individuals could walk further and perform multiple physical activities.
Asthma
Asthma often causes trouble with normal breathing and is mainly triggered by environmental factors such as dust. The external actors normally exacerbate inflammation along your airways and narrow them altogether. This interferes with air delivery to your lungs and leads to strained breathing, shortness of breath, and coughing. Leukotrienes are pro-inflammatory molecules that cause the contraction of bronchial muscles. Generally, Boswellic acids reduce leukotrienes by diminishing the enzymes that produce inflammation agents.
Inflammatory Bowel
Since Boswellia is a standout anti-inflammatory substance, it can treat various conditions caused by inflammation along the digestive tract. One study showed Boswellia was just as effective against IBDs as conventional medications.
Many Forms
Boswellia is frequently available as a pill, cream, or in extract form. The extract is fat-soluble and should be accompanied by fatty foods for optimal absorption. You can therefore consider adding avocados, eggs, nuts, and other fatty fish to your meals whenever you take Boswellia.
While Boswellia can take up to 30 hours to absorb into the bloodstream, it has a pretty short 6-hour half-life. Therefore, you’ll need multiple doses to experience the full benefit of the herb.
Adults can take between 200-400 milligrams three times daily for optimal results. Patients suffering from IBDs might need a slightly higher dosage which a licensed practitioner should prescribe. Additionally, you can use Boswellia alongside other herbs to deliver a synergistic effect.
Side Effects
While Boswellia is a seemingly harmless herb, the extract has some side effects, especially if it is misused. For instance, the extract should not be used alongside other anti-inflammatory medicines since it tends to reduce the effectiveness of the latter. Furthermore, Boswellia tends to stimulate blood flow to the pelvis and uterus in women. This effect can induce heavy menstruation and miscarriages in pregnant women.
Other adverse effects of Boswellia include nausea, acid reflux, skin rashes, and diarrhea. Conventional medicines have been a mainstay in western healthcare practices. However, the therapies involved have drawbacks that Ayurvedic options have shown to eliminate. A major side-effect of conventional medicines is that your body can build up resistance to certain drugs. This means that you’ll need to seek stronger medications constantly. On the flip side, Ayurvedic treatment options like Boswellia are all-natural, affordable, and sustainable alternatives.
Ashwagandha
Many people in western countries have been increasingly turning to Ashwagandha for its stress-relieving properties and its other favorable health benefits. Research is beginning to increasingly focus on the health benefits of Ashwagandha, which has been shown to have a wide range of beneficial effects on the human body. When taken in tea, powder, tinctures, or as a supplement, Ashwagandha has been shown to provide health advantages when consumed in any of these ways.
Indian ginseng and winter cherry are other names for Ashwagandha, and it is also known by its scientific name Withania somnifera. Ashwagandha is an intriguing type of natural medicine, which may gain additional traction this decade. The World Health Organization recently noted that 180 member countries use traditional and complementary medicine. Data Bridge Market Research Projects that the Ashwagandha market will grow by 11.4% per annum through 2028.
Ashwagandha has a wide variety of health benefits, and this article will mainly focus on how it can help improve heart health and cognitive function. Some of the other health benefits of Ashwagandha include reduced sugar and fat levels, increased sexual function, and increased muscle mass. Ashwagandha may also be able to help with diabetes and lower your blood pressure.
Ashwagandha has a diverse set of health benefits and can help to improve your mental health and physical health. Below are some of the main health benefits of Ashwagandha, with a list of supporting studies that focus on specific health issues.
Stress Relief
One of the most commonly known benefits of Ashwagandha is its ability to help people relax and feel less stressed after consuming it. Ashwagandha has been shown in several trials to significantly reduce stress and anxiety in participants. According to one study, Ashwagandha may help with sleep quality as well participants reported sleeping better with ashwagandha dosages than with placebos. During one study, 46 adults were either given Ashwagandha or a placebo daily for 60 days to see how this would alter their stress and anxiety levels. It was noted that cortisol levels dropped for the group that received ashwagandha, and more people reported a reduction in stress levels after 60 days. The
reduction in cortisol is very significant, given that high cortisol levels can cause issues with heart health, stroke, diabetes, or other serious health conditions.
Memory and Concentration
There is evidence that suggests that Ashwagandha can improve cognition, memory, and motor skills. Participants’ reaction times during cognitive and psychomotor tests (which evaluate the ability to respond to instructions and carry out a suggested activity) were considerably enhanced by Ashwagandha compared to a placebo in small studies. According to one study, the participants’ attention spans and short- and long-term memory increased dramatically after taking Ashwagandha. Other nutraceutical products that have been shown to potentially have similar effects include magnesium, iron supplements, and quercetin to name a few. Ashwagandha may also potentially be useful for elderly individuals, who may be struggling with cognitive issues and looking for natural remedies. Withanamides, one of Ashwagandha’s active constituents, have been proven to protect against Alzheimer’s disease plaques caused by B-amyloid. As a natural antioxidant, Ashwagandha is supposed to protect cells from free radical damage. According to the results of research, Ashwagandha may also potentially help prevent Parkinson’s disease.
Heart Health
Ashwagandha has been shown to help reduce cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, which can have a significant impact on many areas of one’s health, including heart health. Furthermore, Ashwagandha has also been shown to help lower blood pressure and potentially help offset some of the symptoms of diabetes. All of these factors bode well for heart health. Ashwagandha has been demonstrated in at least two trials to enhance VO2 max, the maximum quantity of oxygen you can take in when exercising. Cardiorespiratory endurance is measured by these values, which show how well the heart and lungs can supply oxygen to the muscles when you’re out. To put it another way, greater VO2 max values can indicate a strong, healthy heart. While this study was done with healthy, athletic individuals alone, the results may not be generalizable because it was not undertaken with a more varied set of participants.
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