Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of medicine practised by experts for thousands of years. It is based on the belief system that the mind, body and spirit are interconnected and that a healthy body balances all these elements.
South Indian Ayurveda is a unique branch of Ayurveda which emphasises the use of herbs, spices, roots and other natural remedies to promote health and well-being. Ayurveda focuses a lot on digestion and begins most treatments through a detox.
South Indian ayurvedic benefits are very many and include :
- Better digestion
- Reduce inflammation in the body
- Stronger immunity
- Better skin
- Reduce stress levels
- Lesser energy dips
- Better quality of sleep
How does South Indian Ayurveda work?
South Indian Ayurveda benefits come from the very workings of it. It works by balancing the three doshas (energy types) present in the body, namely Vata, pitta and kapha. Each dosha is associated with an element and different physical and emotional characteristics. When in balance, the body is said to be healthy. The imbalance in these is what leads to diseases.
South Indian Ayurveda balances doshas by
Diet – diet is the primary process by which one creates long-term changes to one’s body. Eating what’s appropriate for your dosha type is crucial for maintaining balance and promoting health. South Indian Ayurveda encourages a vegetarian diet – the plant-based diet helps keep the body balanced. Spices and herbs also help balance the body.
Massage: Ayurvedic massage is a vastly different form of massage. The use of herbal oils and the specific technique to stimulate the body’s energy centres. It promotes healing by bringing out the cause of pain, learning it, and fixing it so it doesn’t come back again. Ayurveda is also famously a slow process. It doesn’t believe in a quick fix.
Yoga: Ayurveda believes in the mind and body balance. Yoga helps achieve a restful mind. It combines mind and body practices like breathing exercises, meditation and physical postures.
Spices and herbs to reap south Indian ayurvedic benefits
South Indian Ayurveda uses a lot of herbs and spices to promote well-being. Including these in your diet helps keep the body healthy.
- Turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent. It helps ease many conditions like arthritis, digestive issues and skin conditions.
- Ginger is a great anti-inflammatory and antioxidant for treating nausea, vomiting and indigestion.
- Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that helps cope with stress in the body. It helps treat anxiety, insomnia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Indian gooseberries are rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants. It helps with immunity and improves skin health and overall well-being.
- Triphala is a combination of amla, bibhitaki and haritaki. It helps detoxify the body and improve digestion and immunity.
Targeted South Indian Ayurvedic benefits
- Digestion is essential to maintain the balance in the body. South Indian Ayurveda is especially effective in treating digestive issues like constipation, diarrhoea and acidity.
- Inflammation is to be reduced under all conditions. Ayurveda helps regulate inflammation. For people suffering from arthritis, asthma and inflammatory bowel disease.
- It helps boost immunity, making your body better prepared to deal with infections while reducing the chances of infections.
- It can help manage stress and anxiety. This is beneficial for people dealing with insomnia, chronic fatigue and depression.
Lifestyle recommended by South Indian Ayurveda
Eating a South Indian diet is the easiest and best way to reap the benefits of South Indian Ayurveda. This is a cuisine that includes a variety of herbs and spices which have specific dosha-balancing properties. The diet helps have low cortisol, high fibre and dependable energy sources.
Ayurvedic massages use herbal oils and specific techniques to stimulate the body’s energy centres and maintain an overall calm. It promotes healing. It’s a great way to relax, de-stress, and improve your overall health.
Doing yoga regularly can have a significant effect on your overall well-being. This helps both physical and mental health. Maintaining postures, focusing on breathing and checking in your body helps create a flexible body and mind.
Include the use of South Indian ayurvedic spices and herbs. These can be taken as supplements or just included in meals. As mentioned above, you can use these spices to target specific issues or use them in regulation to sustain your health.
Also read – 7 Ayurvedic Ingredients: Indian Superfoods for Holistic Health
A food enthusiast and a blogger – someone who likes to eat and write about it. I’m passionate about exploring different cuisines and challenging my palette. I give into my food craving regularly and am often on the hunt to find my new favorite food place in town.