March 2007

In this issue :
•Note from the Founder
•Monthly Special
•Upcoming Events
•Ayurvedic Approach to wellness:
Tip Of The Month

Dear Readers

The month of February was indeed a month of love and abundance. The kindness of nature provides us with beauty and grace. The wildflowers have begun springing in almost every corner we turn to and the warm sunshine has left many a hearts dancing.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of our guests who attended our Valentine's special event on Love and Sacred Art. The evening was filled with a showing of some truly remarkable paintings that told stories of love as seen from Hindu, Tibetan as well as Newar paintings. Our presenter Siddhartha Shah, brought many paintings to life with emotions and compelling story telling.

Along with the theme of art as a vehicle for healing, I want to share my incredible and humbling experience of attending an art showing recently. " Art 4 healing" is a program held by the Foundation of Integrative Oncology with a local office in Marin County, a non-profit foundation that provides its patients with additional complimentary therapies on top of the standard cancer treatments like chemotherapy or radiation. The showing was a very emotional one with patients sharing their hopes, fear, anger and emotions through art. This is not art that you interpret. It's real stories told by real people who experience a reality that many of us are fortunate enough not to experience. I walked home that night thinking of how fragile we really are and that the most precious asset we all can have is good health and well being.

I hope that every step and breath you take is filled with an awe for life- healthy, abundant and precious life that makes your steps lighter, your breath deeper and your spirit richer. We look forward to providing you a healing and nurturing environment here to heal, renew and reflect.

Namaste
Vijaya Jhothi

For the 35 million Americans who have seasonal allergies, rising pollen counts in the spring bring symptoms that can ruin a time of year the rest of us enjoy immensely. Here are some tips to keep you allergen free and enjoying the bountiful beauty all around us this spring.

What are Allergies?

Allergies are an overreaction of the body's immune system to specific substances that it misidentifies as harmful. Potential allergens can be anything from dust mites and pollen to insect stings, fragrances, animal dander, and foods such as shellfish or peanuts.

If an allergen is airborne, you will probably get an allergic reaction in your eyes, nose or lungs, causing watery eyes, a runny nose, itchy soft palate, and breathing problems. If the allergen comes into contact with your skin, you may get a rash or itchy patches. If you ingest the allergen by eating a food or taking a drug by mouth, reactions can occur inside your mouth, your stomach, or your intestines.

This article will primarily focus on respiratory-related allergies.

Ayurvedic View of Allergies

The qualities that predominate and the season or conditions that bring on or worsen the allergy reveal the doshas that are involved. Determining the dominant aggravated dosha helps in the creation of an individual-specific treatment plan.

Vata type allergies may present with symptoms of dry cough with dry phlegm, headaches, anxiety, insomnia, and irregular digestion and elimination, and will likely worsen in dry or windy environments and in the fall season.

Pitta type allergies will show up as heated symptoms such as burning eyes, rashes, loose stool, and irritation and may get worse in hot environments and the summer time. The mucous is likely to be yellow, green, or blood streaked and progress towards a sinus infection. Whenever pitta and heat become involved, it is also necessary to address the health of the liver and blood.

Kapha, being moist, dull, and heavy, will have the most abundant clear or cloudy mucous production and sluggish digestion, and will worsen in moist or moldy environments as well as in the spring time as the weather warms up and the accumulated kapha from the winter begins to "melt."

The health of the immune system relates to the concept of ojas in Ayurveda. High quality ojas is primarily built from the proper digestion of wholesome foods, and is depleted through stress, lack of rest, excessive sexual activity, unwholesome or toxic foods, irregular eating habits and routines, turbulent emotions, and negativity. As ojas is depleted the immune system can become more sensitive and an individual can develop allergies.

Vata is balanced by a warm, nourishing diet, regular routines, and rest. Tonifying herbal oil therapies and massage are very useful, as is the use of tonic herbs such as are found in the Ayurvedic formula Chywanprash.

For pitta, an emphasis is put on cooling therapies and diet, and reducing intensity. Supportive herbs include bitters and blood cleansing herbs, such as those found in Liver Tonic and Mahasudarshan.

Kapha benefits from the activity and stimulation of regular hard exercise, sweating, and a spicy reducing diet, as well as stimulating herbs like the Ayurvedic formula Trikatu. The practice of a cleanse or fast at the very beginning of spring is immensely helpful.

Dietary Recommendations

• For quick relief at the onset of allergic symptoms or the allergy season, follow a 3-day fast on vegetable juices such as celery, ginger, parsley, carrots, beets, and cucumbers (for kapha and pitta) or khichari.
• Then continue to avoid bread, pasta, sugar, and other sweet foods (maple syrup, fruit juice, etc.) until the symptoms are entirely gone. After that, sprouted whole grain or sourdough breads, maple syrup, and some fruit juice are all right, but leave out the refined carbs and sugar.
• Eat according to the Ayurvedic Eating Habits as much as possible, specifically around avoiding snacks.
• Eat balanced meals (1/3 animal, 1/3 properly prepared/soaked whole grains, 1/3 vegetables, with plenty of butter and/or coconut oil.)
• Avoid trans fats found in most processed foods, shortening, and margarine. It promotes the formation of prostaglandin E2 which promotes inflammation and causes the immune system to release a protein that triggers allergic reactions.

Product Offer

Order any of our recommended products and receive 15% off - valid through March 2007