By Dr. Anju Sodhi (Bams, ND) Spring is a time of renewal, rebirth, and the shedding of the cold and heavy winter. During this time, many participate in spring cleaning to clear out the old and unnecessary, creating space. Space, or ether, is an element of the vata dosha. This dosha dominates spring and should be allowed to roam, but we must be careful to not allow undesirable amounts of vata qualities to increase. Negative aspects of Vata can trouble digestion and may create bloating, excess gas, or changed stool patterns. It is important to eat for the season, reducing...

As spring starts to shine down on us, we must be aware that Vata and Pitta are on the rise. This can mean our Agni, the digestive fire will struggle to digest and provide the nutrients we need. Here are some spring friendly recipes to bolster our digestive power and get us ready for beautiful summer. They are easy to digest, warm, and delicious! This recipe can be modified to allow you to add your favorite spring veggies. Enjoy! Makes 4 servings as a side dish or 2 servings as a meal. Ingredients: 1 cup quinoa ½ cup split mung...

With every changing season, there is alteration to the skin: our first line of immune protection. As fall turns into winter, the air gets drier, the environment colder, and the body feels heavier. There is an increase in Vata in the environment, in our daily activities, and in our bodies. Vata introduces the quality of dryness to our bodies. Dry skin is a major issue during these months, especially with certain existing skin conditions. Discussed are different ways to beat the cold weather skin blues. DRY SKIN Though it may rain or snow, the air outside is generally dry. This...

Picture of an 8-year-old boy’s handprint pressed on a Petri dish. Courtesy Tasha Sturm/Cabrillo College/asm.org According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running water. The CDC recommends cleaning hands in a specific way to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others: Use warm running water to wet your hands while rubbing them with soap. Rub your hands together being sure...

Ashwagandha, an adaptogen from the Ayurvedic tradition is becoming increasingly popular with doctors and their patients. It has been used for thousands of years in India to support health and cultivate the mind. Current research is shedding light on the many ways Ashwagandha promotes mental health. A new study of OCD patients without adequate control on SSRIs alone showed that ashwagandha extract was able to greatly increase the control of symptoms with no adverse effects.[i] A look at overweight adults under chronic stress found that ashwagandha extract was able to significantly improve the group’s weight management outcomes. In addition, they...

You probably know that being overweight and obese can elevate the risk for type 2 diabetes. The types of specific foods you eat also affect your health. Did you know that eating meat increases your risk of becoming a type 2 diabetic? If you are a meat-lover, you need to see the latest research. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body’s ability to control blood glucose through insulin secretion weakens. This can be due to insulin resistance, which happens when insulin is unable to trigger glucose uptake by cells in the body. Sometimes in type 2 diabetes, the production of...

Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, family, friends, memories, and traditions. However, it is also a time where many people overindulge in the delicious, and often carbohydrate-heavy, foods. This not only leaves us feeling slow and sluggish but has the potential to completely throw our usual healthy diets out the window. Thankfully, there are few ways to support the body and avoid the pitfalls of over-consumption. In Ayurveda, the digestive process is considered central to the development of good quality of Tejas (intelligence), Ojas (vitality) and Prana (life-force). The digestive process is a broad term that includes our gross digestion...

As the harvest moon approaches, the season of fall is in full swing. The air is brisk, and the hours of daylight are noticeably diminishing. Often, we begin spending more time indoors, enjoying the warmth and comforts of home. We tend to exercise less and eat a bit more, usually, craving foods that make us feel good, temporarily; foods that contain increased amounts of sugar and fat. With Halloween right around the corner, it is important to avoid overindulging in sugary treats in order to maintain balance in mind and body. Similar to the autumn air, the qualities of vata...

By Dr. Anju Sodhi (Bams, ND) For many of us, fall is a time of transition. The leaves begin to change colors. Children head back to school. And as the weather changes, so do our daily rhythms and routines. In the Northern hemisphere, as we transition from the summer season into autumn, we enter into the season of Vata. Vata is represented by the elements of air and ether (space). Much like the autumn air, the qualities of Vata are cold, light, dry, subtle, windy, mobile, sharp, flowing, hard, rough, and clear. A balanced Vata constitution feels happy, enthusiastic, joyful,...

Today, more than 30 million Americans have type two diabetes1 and blood sugar dysregulation is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States2. As a result, much research has gone into any and all ways to mitigate the severity and progression caused by unhealthy sugar metabolism. Dietary approaches, herbal and nutritional supplements such as Gymnema, and a host of pharmaceutical drugs all play their role in helping manage blood sugar and stem the growing epidemic of diseases caused by sugar dysregulation. Ultimately, the results of sugar dysregulation impact all aspects of health, in particular, our cardiovascular, nervous, and...

Perhaps one of the more sidestepped topics when it comes to doctor’s visits is a discussion of sexual health. Beyond STI risk assessment, it is not a topic that is broached, even if a doctor reports feeling comfortable asking about it. For instance, in a study of 416 physicians across 4 specialties respondents reported they were comfortable with talking about sexual history, but 76% of physicians reported only asking if they felt it was relevant to a chief complaint.1 Meanwhile, patients report wishing their doctor would inquire more deeply or seriously about their sexual history as part of routine care.2...

Amla fruit, also known as Indian Gooseberry and scientifically named Phyllanthus emblica (formerly Emblica officinalis) is a plant of extraordinary importance in the Indian culture and plays a pivotal role in health and longevity. The reverence this tree commands is indicated both by the mythology surrounding the tree, as well as the multitude of scientific inquiries that have been launched into this super food. In mythology it is said that during a quarrel amongst the Gods, a fluid called Amrita, which has been translated as both “heavenly nectar” and “the elixir of life”, spilled upon the earth, whereupon the Amla...

by Dr. Brian Keenan In Ayurvedic medicine, there are 5 elements: Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Ether (or the space between things) that interact and combine to form the 3 dosha: vata, pitta, and kapha. These dosha go on to be the functional and corporeal interactions of life, nature, and by extension, human health. Moreover, beyond governing all aspects of life, the dosha are also responsible for the variety and uniqueness of life. This is said to be because these three dosha combine and interact in various ratios and at various levels in each living being. Simply put, this explains...

Whether for business or for pleasure, traveling has become a ubiquitous experience for the vast majority of individuals. However, when we travel, not everyone may be keenly aware that along with things like their luggage and travel documents, each individual carries their delicate microbiome with them into new environments. It should go without saying that traveling constitutes several challenges to both the microbiome and its associated host. Exposure to pathogens through respiratory droplets, water, and food is commonplace. Moreover, as is often the case, stress, dehydration, sleeplessness, and physical strain can all be common features of the travel experience. This...

As the conversation around men's health becomes more prevalent in the mainstream, so has the tidal wave of advertisements for supplemental testosterone. While some men may have a clinical need for supplemental testosterone, many men have been overprescribed the hormone, which can have negative impacts on their cardiovascular health. Fortunately, there are a plethora of things that can be done naturally to optimize testosterone and improve your overall wellness. ​ QUICK TIPS FOR TESTOSTERONE SUPPORT AUDIT YOUR LIFESTYLE Exercise and strength-train frequently, eat a whole foods diet rich in fiber, avoid processed and fried foods as much as possible, minimize...

Heavy metals are a loosely defined group of elements that are naturally occurring in the Earth’s crust that have a density of greater than or equal to 5 grams per cubic centimeter. They bioaccumulate in vegetable sources, as well as in air and water, and can have deleterious effects on human health when consumed in large quantities, or through consistent prolonged exposure. However, it should be noted that minimal, daily exposure is inevitable due to the fact that these heavy metals naturally occur in water, fruits, and vegetables. Even though the body is equipped to deal with certain amounts of...