According to Ayurveda, one of the most important ways to increase longevity, maintain a youthful appearance and enhance vigor, vitality and health is to establish a daily wellness routine consisting of different holistic practices.

In Ayurveda, there are many holistic and wellness practices, some which have been kept secret or unavailable to the mass public, until recently.

As the demand for ayurveda continues to grow, these ancient practices are becoming more known and to our advantage can significantly enhance our health.

For years, I have personally suffered from allergies, chronic colds, headaches, digestive problems and skin conditions such as hives, eczema and rashes.

With the practice of ayurveda and certain ancient ayurvedic practices, I have learned how to eliminate these conditions. 

In this article I will give three invaluable ancient ayurvedic practices which I have done regularly over the last few years to assist me on my journey towards optimum health, thus changing my life forever.

As an ayurvedic practitioner, I have also prescribed these practices to many of my clients as well as family and friends, who have significantly improved their health and well-being. 

Oil Pulling. Oil pulling, called Gandusha in ayurveda, is extremely effective for drawing out toxins from the mouth and organs. It is said by many ayurvedic experts and ayurvedic practitioners that it can help boost the immune system, prevents bad breath, increases energy levels, alleviate allergies, improve skin conditions, decrease inflammation and improve the lymphatic system. Personally I have used it to get rid of sinus infections, colds and skin conditions.

Oil pulling is a fairly simple process. Start by placing one tablespoon of unrefined cold pressed oil, such as, sesame seed oil or coconut oil into your mouth. Then swish the oil for 10 to 20 minutes and spit it out. It is then important to rinse your mouth out well with water and make sure not to swallow the oil as it may contain parasites, bacteria and other toxins. Oil pulling should be done first thing in the morning, before brushing your teeth, eating or drinking.

Mouth & Tongue Cleansing. This includes brushing the teeth but also, and more importantly, scraping the tongue. This is an extremely important practice because we store a lot of toxins in the mouth, especially the tongue.

After oil pulling, I like to brush my teeth, gums and tongue with a soft tooth brush and a natural ayurvedic formulated toothpaste. If possible, use a toothpaste with neem in it because neem is anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-bacterial.

Then, with a tongue scraper, scrape your tongue from the back to the front eight to 10 times. Notice the thick and colored coating that comes off of the tongue which is full of toxins and, if left there, can cause unhealthy conditions. I like to use a metal tongue scraper as it seems to work the best.

Nasal Wash & Oil Sniffing. These are actually two separate practices but I include them as one because they really complement each other. Nasal washing using a neti pot, water and a little salt is becoming more popular as a wellness practice. It is one of the best ways to cleanse the nasal passage way and help clear out bacteria and viruses.

It has helped me over the years with many conditions such as nose bleeds, allergies, headaches and colds. If you are new to nasal washing, it is important to learn from a qualified expert for preparation and technique. It is fairly easy to do once you have learned to do it properly.

Oil sniffing, which is called Nasya in ayurveda, involves applying specially prepared oils to the inside of your nose. It helps to lubricate your nasal passage and has many of the same benefits, if not more, than nasal washing. There are several techniques and ways to do oil sniffing and similarly it should be taught by an expert. Sniffing the oils can also have positive effects on the brain and enhance things like memory, focus and cognitive function. I like to do nasal wash and oil sniffing in the morning after oil pulling and cleansing the mouth & tongue.

I practice these and other ancient ayurvedic wellness practices first thing in the morning upon awakening, as it helps me to feel rejuvenated and cleansed. Sometimes I will practice them in the evening after showering but really it’s up to you to fit it in your daily routine.

Namaste.

 

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Relephant:

5 Life-Changing Lessons From Ayurveda.

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Author: Jai Kai

Editor: Travis May

Photo: Pixabay