As much as people might recognize that Ayurveda is an ancient medicine from India and that it enhances positive health, most do not realize how intricately it is connected to sustainability.
Translated from Sanskrit as The Science of Life, Ayurveda is probably one of the oldest known systems of sustainable living. Given that it enhances longevity goes to show how important sustainability is…not just as a marketing or lifestyle trend but as a method of achieving long term health.
Ayurveda is the natural medicine of India, about 5,000 years old. It provides a system for maintaining the health of the mind-body via daily and seasonal self-care practices. Since disease begins with improper digestion, digestive health and healing lies at the core of Ayurvedic self care. Food preparation techniques, appropriate food selection and combination, proper eating habits all contribute to preventing ill health.
Living In Harmony With Your Environment
Because Ayurveda is the Science of Life, it provides a set of tools that help you live in harmony with your natural environment. When this happens you can truly maintain a state of balance. This means eating local foods and preparing your meals to balance the effects of seasonal elements on your mind-body. Choosing not to harmonize your living patterns with seasons and geography can throw your health off course ultimately leading to poor health and disease.
You do not have to completely re-invent your life every few months but you should plan to make small changes over the course of the year, to live in harmony with the seasons. While the supermarket can provide all foods all year round, there is a wisdom in eating warming foods in winter or cooling fruits in the summertime. Try eating fresh and organically grown produce, fruits, and vegetables that are available through farms and suppliers close to where you live to be sure that you are in tune with the season and surrounding geography. A perfect reason to sign up for community supported agriculture (CSA) or start regularly visiting your local farmer’s market!
You might also enjoy reading
Ayurveda: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Living : Feelgood Style
Honey – The Cure For Just About Anything : Eat. Drink. Better
Nine Rejuvenating Herbs and Fruits That Will Get You to the Top of Your Game in 2009
Image Credit: WordRidden @ Creative Commons,
Living in a sustainable fashion has been practiced for thousands of years, most notably by both Native Americans who were here first and by those in India, for whom the Indians were incorrectly named.
Eating locally, organically and in season are key factors in sustainability and good health. As Reenita so aptly explains above, the essence of Ayurveda is in its harmony with nature, and that practice is sadly missing from the way in which most Westerners live today.