Globally, Ayurveda-based products saw surges in demand in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic even as scientists’ world over are sprinting against time to bring out the standard treatment modality. In terms of time almost a year has passed to find the vaccine to curb the increase curve of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. The situation has been acclaimed globally that strengthening the immune system will work wonders in combating the pandemic. Allopathic companies are trying to find out an all-time well tested mantra to stay safe and healthy. Having recognised the significance of the holistic approach of Ayurveda, the Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has supported the role of Ayurvedic remedies and Ayurvedic poin the prevention and treatment of the coronavirus disease especially for its immunity-boosting properties.

Ayurveda is one of the ancient traditions to heal different health problems in our country India. Indian Ayurveda industry has become one of the fastest-growing industries with numerous ranges of products. Despite being the modern medical system, Allopathy has been incapable to find an enduring solution for few of the diseases like Jaundice, Piles, and Biliousness etc. These ailments can be effectively managed by Ayurveda. Though Ayurveda acts slowly but works effectively and cures the disease from its root.

Ashwagandha, Brahmi, Cumin, Turmeric, Licorice root, Gotu kola, Bitter melon, Pepper, Giloy etc are making entry into households like never before. Indians are continuing to put a united front against the battle with the novel coronavirus; people are going back the herbal way to boost their immune systems. Giloy is winning hearts of millions in the struggle against the Virus. Giloy has been hailed for its medicinal properties and a host of health benefits. The scientific name of this age-old miraculous herb is Tinospora Cordifolia and it is also known as ‘Amrita’ in Sanskrit, which literally translates to ‘the root of immortality’.

Charak Samhita is Ayurvedic’s conclusive treatise and the most referred text by students, scholars, teachers, physicians and researchers. It has the unique distinction of being the only text available worldwide on the most restorative science. It emphasizes on the promotion of health and prevention of disease as the actual solution for controlling diseases, which is especially relevant in modern times. Further, it also seriously dwells upon the concept of healthy aging and longevity, as described in Swastha Chatushka and Rasayana chapters.

Ayurveda and natural segment products are increasingly being preferred by consumers across the globe and especially in India. One of the prime reasons for this is that Ayurveda and any other medicine which is not allopath are considered ‘safe’ by a large number of people.

A survey by market research firm Nielsen found that the natural segment accounts for 41 per cent of the total of ₹ 44,790 crore personal care market share. Many MNCs, which were the leaders in the toothpaste category, lost their shine when home-grown Ayurveda companies found flavour with consumers forcing some companies to come out with herbal variants. Herbal brands and variants from Dabur, Colgate and Patanjali gained nearly 350 basis points in market share in a year in the ₹7,000 crore Indian oral care segments according to Economic Times. Among the natural segment category, toothpaste is growing at 20.1 per cent, followed by hand and body at 17.5 per cent and shampoo with 13.2 per cent and the sanitizer sale has shot up beyond our imagination.

Is Ayurveda safe? To cite an instance, Advertising Council of India (ASCI) pulled up a number of brands for making misleading or false claims in their ads or not adequately substantiating these claims which were found to be in violation of its code. Among these were new age alternative medicine companies which made false claims. The US$53 billion fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector in India is moving towards the wider adopting Ayurvedic products. HUL’s Ayush is the only brand which is spread across categories from toothpaste, soaps, face wash, and face cream, shampoo and hand wash.  Dabur is the world’s largest Ayurvedic and Natural Health Care Company with a portfolio of over 250 Herbal and Ayurvedic products. Dabur also recommends various Ayurvedic Home Remedies, Besides Vicco Vajrdanti toothpaste, Colgate has entered with their Ayurvedic toothpaste, and it is piggybacking on Ayurveda in other segment of products too.

Over the years the climate is changing, quality of soil is changing due to over use of fertilizers, due to altered method of collection, commercial growing, residue of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in soil and water the standard of Ayrvedic products too are deteriorating in terms of purity. Ayurvedic drugs falls under two types: classical and proprietary formulations. Those ayurvedic formulations manufactured as described in the classical texts Ayurvedic Samhita, are classical drugs, and while proprietary are those made using plant extracts. The Ministry of AYUSH has amended Rule 170 regarding issuance of guidelines for evaluation of Ayurvedic, Siddha & Unani Drugs (ASU) and other traditional medicines of India. The Ministry website asserts that various kinds of ASU products licensed in the country are being sold claiming to be safe. These ASU plants based medicines/product are also marketed in different doses from like extracts etc.

The top FMCG Emami acquired Kesh King, a top selling brand of ayurvedic hair oil in North India. On the other HUL acquired Kerala based Indulekha hair oil for 330 crores.  Marico acquired Nihar Shanti Amla hair oil. It had acquired private equity-controlled Paras Pharmaceuticals for ₹ 3,260 crore in 2016.

The global Ayurveda market is predicted to grow at a healthy CAGR over the forecast period (2018-2023), states the new Market Research Future (MRFR) report. Ayurveda or Ayurvedic medicine is amid the oldest holistic healing systems. The goal of Ayurveda is in promoting good health and not fighting diseases.

Ayurveda is here to stay and has golden days ahead.

The 5 elements (Mahabhutas) have certain qualities, attributes and impacts on the body and mind. All objects and substances are a mixture of the five elements, but they have one dominant element that allows them to be identified and classified. Examples of food and herbs are used to illustrate the elemental groups; eg. Pepper, chilies, spices are related to fire element. Likewise cucumber, melon and curds is related to water element.

In every individual’s horoscope (kundali) the Panchmabhuta placement is represented by each element’s association with a planet. The placement of those planets in the horoscope suggests the health condition, temperament, ethical frame, intelligence, life span etc of an individual.

The Prithvi (earth) element represents the solid state of matter in the body. It symbolizes stability, durability and firmness. The bones, teeth, cells and tissues in human body are stable in nature thus they mark the earth element. Earth is regarded as a stable substance. It denotes hard formation that shapes body. The earth element is responsible for giving shape and strength to the body.

The sensory organ associated with earth element is smell (gandha). The nose in human body is hard compared to the other sensory organs. Characteristics of earth element are heavy, dull and solid in nature. In astrology the planet associated with the Earth element is Mercury.

The Akash (ether) element represents the space, everything happens here. All matter exists in space. Ether is the distance that separates matter. Space is everywhere and touches everything. It is the receptivity and non-resistance to what is true. Talking about the human body, space is the considered as the vessel that receives all impressions. In the heart, it is believed that space accepts love and in our brain space accepts knowledge.

Space denotes vastness and openness. It therefore refers to the mind. The mind can conceive ideas, imagination and thoughts. The ideas can be as big as sky or as small as an ant. The mind needs to be open to originality and newness. The job of Ether is hearing sound. Therefore, ear is connected with this element. Our ear is hollow and transmits the sound waves. In compacted molecules we get dull sound and in more spacious room we get a booming sound. The qualities of ether element are clear, light, subtle and infinite. In astrology the planet connected with space (ether) is Jupiter.

The Vayu (air) element is associated with movement. Air is movable, mobile and lively. Within the human body air is present in the form of oxygen, which is the basis for all energy transferred reactions. Air exists without any form and is the essential for fire to burn. It is also the basic element of Ayurveda.

The sensory organ related to Vayu is the skin. It is the most sensitive organ of body. Skin is related with touch. It detects any movement easily. The air element in body is mobile, dry, light, cold and subtle in nature. This element in body is connected with any kind of movement. In human body air is required to produce energy. It keeps the body in constant motion. In astrology the plant connected with air element is Saturn.

The Agni (fire) element converts solids into liquids and liquid to gas and back again to the original state. The body requires a certain amount of power to transform energy from solid and liquid intake. Fire provides that energy to the body. Fire has the power to change the state of any substance. In human body, fire is present in the form of energy that binds atoms together, converts food to fat and strengthening muscle. In addition, fire creates impulses and tense reactions in our mind and disturbs even our thought process.

The fire element in body is responsible for the digestion of food. The sensory organ eyes (vision) are connected with the fire. Fire element is hot, sharp, light, dry and delicate. Penetration, digestion of food, renovation, thought process, intelligence and most importantly perception of human mind are connected with the fire element.  The body temperature is also connected with the fire element.  In astrology Mars is connected with the fire element of body.

The Jal (water) element in Ayurveda is connected with lubrication in body. The liquid component in body is represented by water. Water is the prerequisite for the survival of living creatures, including humankind. About 70% of human body is made up of water and it is very important for body’s smooth functioning. In addition to water other fluids and blood are in liquid form. Blood which carries on function of supplying oxygen and nutrients to tissues, removes waste, transports hormones and other signals inside body to different organs. Blood also regulates body temperature. Water is a not stable it keeps moving from part to part. It binds different structures i.e the cells in our body.

Taste (rasa) is associated with water element. The qualities of water are cool, liquid, and dull, soft and thin. Its main jobs are cohesiveness and stickiness.  This element has no odor (smell) but can be heard, felt, seen and tasted. In astrology Venus is connected with water element.

A year is divided into four seasons; namely winter when it is cold and rainy (water drains into earth), spring when new growth occurs and it becomes warmer in summer. The air is as hot as fire in the summer. This is how the Panchmahabhutas dominate the nature.

In Ayurveda Vayu (Air) and Akash (Ether) form vata. And, vata governs body movement. The elements Agni (fire) and Jal (water) are reflected in pitta and pitta governs transformation. Kapha is combination of Ether and Water; it manifests itself as a matter. These three bio-energies regulate all physical, spiritual and mental doshas (malfunctions). Their proportions in an individual’s body form his/her personality which does not change throughout the life. According to the dominance of the Dosha, a person is considered Vata, Pitta or Kapha type. Each of these types has its own strengths and weaknesses.

The renowned Panchkarma treatment is considered to be the supreme discipline of deep cleansing. The literal translation of the word in Sanskrit is “five actions”. Through different treatments the body is cleansed by removing toxins and other byproducts such as undigested foods. The fundamental of Panchkarma is realignment of the metabolism so that body can regain its original balance. By doing so, body’s own self-healing power is reactivated. The cleansing process happens both in mind and body. It is a process of “letting go.” Therefore, Panchkarma presents itself as a unique concept of rejuvenation, prevention and healing.  Because of the intensity of such cure, the duration of the treatment is minimum two weeks. The longer duration would show better results.

Each individual’s taste of food differs; some like pungent food some have a sweet tooth, and some like bland food. I suppose it has a lot to do with our taste buds’ ability to detect different flavors. Although our brains can recognize the six tastes—bitter, sweet, salty, sour, astringent and pungent. The fact is that we do not like all of those tastes. We have special liking for one or two of it.

Role of each taste in our life: Scientists have described different tastes, their primary actions and their common sources. For example, sweet food builds tissues and calms nerves which come from sources such as fruits, grains, natural sugars and milk. Sour food cleanses tissues and increases absorption of minerals. The sources of sour food are sour fruits, yogurt and fermented food. Salty food   improves taste of food; it lubricates tissues and stimulates digestion. The sources of salty food are natural salts and sea vegetables. Bitter food detoxifies and lightens tissues and its sources are dark leafy greens, herbs and spices. Pungent food stimulates digestion and metabolism and its sources are pepper, chili, garlic, herbs and spices. Food with astringent taste absorbs water, tightens tissues and helps in melting the fats in body. The best sources of astringent are legumes, raw fruits and vegetables, herbs.

We must try our best to include all six tastes in each meal. Rather than looking at nutritional labels for X amount of protein or Y amount of carbohydrates, the six tastes naturally guide us towards our body’s nutritional needs. Each taste feeds our mind, body, senses, and spirit in its own unique way. They provide our body with nourishing fats and help with blood flow. The brain is made up of 60% fat, so it’s important to consume healthy amounts of good fats each day to keep our brain functioning at its best.

From a modern perspective on nutrition, all six tastes satisfy each of the major dietary building blocks. Sweet foods, for example, are rich in fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and water, whereas Bitter and Astringent foods are high in vitamins and minerals. Our sense of taste also helps us maintain a consistent chemical balance in our body. Liking sugar and salt for example, satisfies our body’s need for carbohydrates and minerals. Similarly, eating sour foods such as oranges and lemons supplies your body with essential vitamins.

Taste buds: our mouth contains around 10,000 taste buds, most of which are located on and around the tiny bumps on our tongue. Every taste bud detects five primary tastes i.e sour, sweet, bitter, salty and pungent. Japanese have invented Umami salts of certain acids such as monosodium glutamate or MSG. According to the official Umami Information Center, “umami is a pleasant savory taste imparted by glutamate, a type of amino acid, which occur naturally in many foods including meat, fish, vegetables and dairy products.

Each of your taste buds contains 50-100 specialized receptor cells. Sticking out of every single one of these receptor cells is a tiny taste hair that checks out the food chemicals in your saliva. When these taste hairs are stimulated, they send nerve impulses to your brain. Each taste hair responds best to one of the five basic tastes.

Tastes and flavors:  If you have a cold, the lining of your nose swells and you temporarily lose your sense of smell. Even though your tongue is still able to identify the basic tastes, the food you eat will taste bland. Additionally, temperature and texture influence how much you appreciate foods. When you eat ‘hot’ foods like chilli peppers, you actually excite the pain receptors in your mouth. The brain sends the body signals when it requires energy in the form of food. By incorporating all six tastes into each meal, we ensure that these signals are adequately met, thus avoiding food cravings or the over-consumption of certain foods.

Including the six tastes in each meal does not need to be a frightening task. Adding a squeeze of lemon to cooked dishes, for example, can quickly satisfy the sour taste, while adding a side salad will fulfill the bitter and astringent tastes.

Each person’s body constitution is unique: which is why, it determines the proportion of tastes you eat. The body naturally desires tastes that balance its doshic makeup as per the Ayurveda. It automatically shuns tastes of an aggravating nature. In this sense, the body works naturally for us; if we simply follow our natural inclinations, we are led to the proper foods. Vata individuals, for example, are naturally drawn to moist, grounding foods, while Kapha individuals favor light, drying foods. Ayurvedic nutrition recommends including all six tastes in each meal. While favoring those tastes that bring greater balance to your particular constitution. A Pitta individual, for example, will favor cooling foods and spices such as dark leafy greens and fennel,which are high in Bitter and Astringent tastes, while requiring a smaller quantity of the Pungent taste.

The average person needs to eat about 2,000 calories every day to maintain their weight. However, a person’s specific daily calorie intake can vary depending on their age, health condition, gender, and physical activity level. Men generally need more calories than women, and people who exercise need more calories than people who don’t. Different flavors balance and counter balance each other, therefore, try and include all tastes in your daily food.

Awareness is the ability to directly know and perceive, to feel, or to be alert of events. More largely, awareness is the state or quality of being conscious of something. We are given one lifetime in which we can feel good, we enjoy, laugh or keep brooding about things. Love, hatred, jealousy, happiness are so elusive because our emotions are always in the loop of reason. Emotion is an adaptive response, it is part of the vital process of normal reasoning and decision-making.  The majority of us are so scared to accept our flaws and the package we are made of, that we spend almost a lifetime battling with them. Do you know, when we underestimate our strengths, we often get into relationships for the wrong reasons? We imagine that those relations will help us in reducing or overshadow our flaws. All those feeble relationships are painful.

One of the inspirational life coach whom I met recently is Dr. Pradeep Ullal. I felt wonderful and elevated mentally after talking to him for few minutes. This energetic and inspiring young man has excellent listening and communication skills and is compassionate too. Pradeep Ullal is the spiritual head of Kevala Foundation. He is one of the rare Himalayan yogis serving in urban world, and truly empowered to awaken the kundalini shakti through the transmition of shaktipat. Dr. Ullala is respected as a Super Gamma Master with ability to raise his brain frequency to 100 Hz and transmit bio-photonic energy transmissions of compassion. He also combines his rich experiences, gifts and techniques in path of Kundalini, Samaya Tantra, Nada, Laya, Kriya, Surya, Jnana and Raja Yoga to inspire, empower and awaken aspirants

The famous Kevala Foundation is situated in in the Chikmangaluru District in the state of Karnataka, located in the foothills of the Mullayangiri range. Chikmangaluru is famous for its serene climate and coffee estates. It’s a famous for its scenic beauty. At Kevala Celebration Centre one experiences celebrating life by discovering and experiencing the practice of yoga, veda, ayurveda, tantra, art, music, dance, meditation, healing and serving. Dr. Pradeep Ullal inspires audiences across the world through his high vibrancy workshops, shaktipat transmissions, discourses, satsangs and seminars.

The charismatic Guru, Dr Pradeep has initiated over 5000 aspirants from over 120 countries through his gamma waves transmissions. He is respected as a healer who effectively channelizes energy through intent, touch, sound, breath, light to sustain higher vibrancy and natural healing. His research on body work includes traditional yogic massages. At 48, his athletic abilities, childlike charm, enthusiasm, joyful and balanced living inspires people the moment they meet him. He is an expert at several disciplines like martial arts and passionate about art, culture, people, and research, he was awarded PhD from Washington International University for his thesis on ill-effects of sedentary lifestyle and ways to overcome it. He has coached thousands of people across the world on the path of self-realization. Dr. Pradeep Ullal conducts free workshops for rural poor and aims to reach out to many more through his charity trust.

In today’s complex, busy life we all struggle to understand our existence and its purpose.  We want to know who we are, what our life purpose is, we struggle to interpret behaviors of people around us. Self-awareness helps strengthening Emotional Intelligence; it is the most important factor in achieving success. Visit Kevala Foundation to explore who you are, elevate your self-awareness. Unblock yourself in the serene, calm greenery and relax. Guru Pradeep Ullal says that life has an eternal relationship with vibrations. We are all vibrations. Our life on earth is meant to be a celebration of coming together of many vibrations. Get guided by Guru Pradeep in your life’s progressive journey. Because, awareness is the pathway to true bliss. Celebration is our true nature. When the breath, body, mind, and soul are in immense harmony and connectedness, celebration happens automatically!