Rammohan Rao, Author at LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health

Good Living Practices for Everyday Health

Rammohan Rao — Mon, 18 May 2020 18:54:51 +0000

Why Good Living Practices are Important

Notice that everyone wants to be healthy, and there are hundreds of books out there on diet and exercise. Hundreds of books on cultivating positive emotions and several books and programs on overcoming negative emotions. And yet as a society why are we not healthy? Why are we experiencing so many health issues?

Disease, poor health, and suffering primarily arise when the emotions, mind, and body are out of alignment and function independently of one other. In other words, if you only focus on your body—and pay little attention to your mind or emotions, or doing everything correct for the body and mind but emotions are out of control, this is leading a fractionated life. A fractionated life makes you susceptible to ill health and suffering.

Instead of leading a fractionated life, you need to keep the body, mind, and emotions in sync, functioning as one unit. With the right set of tools, including good living practices, you can engage your emotions, mind, and physical body simultaneously to achieve optimal health and wellness throughout your lifetime.

Good Living Practices

Good Living Practices (GLP) are tools that keep these three entities (body, mind, and emotions) in sync. For optimal health and living, GLP should be practiced daily, 24/7.

According to Ayurveda (and Yoga too), we are a combination of (1) a physical body, (2) a mental body, and (3) an emotional body. If we believe this to be true and act accordingly, we have a greater immunity and significantly increased protection from illness and disease.

Here I list out one short prcatice that address all three facets of individuality (body, mind and emotions). This together with social distancing and hand washing will boost and sustain immunity and help ward off any infection.

BODY (Diet & Other activities)

1. Choose a spot to eat your meal where you will be totally undisturbed.

2. If you feel stressed out physically, mentally, or emotionally, let go of your emotions, calm your mind and body to prepare for a stress-free dining experience.

3. After you calm down at all three levels, silently express gratitude for your meal by thanking nature (sun, moon, water, soil), farmers, other food workers (responsible for bringing the food from farm to store) and the person who prepared the food.

4. Bring your attention to the food, notice the colors of the food and pay attention to the aroma.

5. Ensure that you are eating organic, freshly cooked food that has lot of vegetables, spices and whole grains.

6. Chew each bite 25-30 times before swallowing; this count requires you to pay undivided attention to your eating, allowing you to eat mindfully, with a focus.

7. Do not indulge in any other activity while eating your food. Your attention, focus and awareness are on the food alone.

8. After completing your meal provide your thanks again and sit quietly for five additional minutes before you start your daily activity.

Gurmar: The Sugar Buster

Rammohan Rao — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:33:01 +0000

The Sugar Buster Herb

The Ayurvedic herb gurmar is popular known as the sugar buster. Gurmar (Gymnema sylvestre) is a member of the milkweed family of herbs and is native to the tropical forests of India. The plant also goes by other names such as: gurmari, gurmarbooti and mesbasringi. The Hindi word gur-mar literally means sugar destroyer and the Sanskrit word mesbasringi means ram’s horn because of the shape of its fruits. Leaves of this long, slender plant have been used for more than 2,000 years in India to treat diabetes, a condition also described as “sweet urine.

More Information about Diabetes

Diabetes is a consequence of abnormalities in the blood levels of insulin, the hormone that converts blood sugar into energy. It is a condition where the body cells do not use glucose properly and the blood sugar level rises beyond a normal tolerance. In an extreme situation, it can even lead to a coma from the high sugar levels. But on an ongoing chronic basis, the high sugar levels can lead to overall physical deterioration. Classic symptoms of diabetes include excessive thirst and urination, weakness, excessive hunger but weight loss despite increased food consumption, blurred vision, tingling, leg cramps and dryness. Long standing complications include coronary heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness and ketoacidosis.

Science now has a new classification for diabetes. Type I [insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile diabetes] results from an insulin shortage. Without insulin, the cell cannot use or burn the blood sugar as energy. Type II diabetes [Adult-onset diabetes or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)] is caused by the body’s inability to adequately process insulin resulting in lack of energy.

It is now a well-accepted fact that fast foods, deep-fried or heavily sugar-coated foods that are all high in saturated fat put people at greater risk of obesity. This contributes to increasing the risk of triggering the onset of diabetes. When too much fat accumulates in a cell, the effectiveness of the chemical receptors on the surface of the cell are decreased. This can then result in poor release of insulin or responsiveness to insulin and therefore decreased absorption of glucose.

Ironically, diabetes is considered to be a “prosperity disease” since four of five people with Type II diabetes are also overweight. According to the American Diabetes Association, there are presently six million Americans who have been diagnosed as with diabetes. One million of these are thought to be lacking insulin (Type I) and the other five million suffer from Type II diabetes.

Ayurveda, Diabetes and the Sugar Buster

Thousands of years ago, in Ayurveda, diabetes was treated using leaves of the gurmar plant. The plant’s sugar-destroying property was released when a person chewed on one or two leaves.

Gurmar was said to paralyze a person’s tongue to the taste of sweet taste. That taste-blocking reaction lasted for several hours. People will not want to eat as much sugar if they can’t taste it. By blocking the taste buds from perceiving sugar, gurmar blocks sugar in the digestive system, resulting in a decrease in blood sugar, also known as a hypoglycemic effect.

Gurmar also stimulates insulin secretion and helps the pancreas to produce more insulin in type II diabetics. Studies show powdered gurmar leaf is effective in dosages ranging from 400 mg per day to twelve grams per day.

Research Studies with Gurmar

Several small, placebo-controlled trials indicate that the leaf extracts may indeed lower blood sugar levels. In those with type I diabetes, the extract seems to enhance the action of insulin. One study followed twenty-seven people with type I diabetes who took gurmar leaf extracts for several months. The study showed that they required less insulin to control their blood sugar levels.

In the case of type II diabetes, research findings indicate that the use of gurmar leaf extracts regulate the blood sugar level thus resulting in the need for smaller doses of oral diabetes drugs to control the disease.

Research studies include publication in Diabetes Research in Clinical Practice and Israel Journal of Medical Science.

Besides having these properties, gurmar is also a cardiac stimulant and diuretic. It can correct metabolic activities of the liver, kidneys and the muscles.

The Healing Power of Nature

Gurmarin and gymnemic acid are believed to be the active ingredients in the leaf extract responsible for these numerous effects. Thus gurmar fits well into a weight management program. It complements exercise and dietary changes by curbing sugar cravings. Here is another indication that one needs to look at nature that is at its best in our backyard and not necessarily at the drug store with an expensive label.

Rammohan Rao

Ram is also a board certified Ayurveda practitioner and a registered yoga teacher. He teaches Ayurveda and Yoga at the California college of Ayurveda.

He is also the author of a recently published book-“Good Living Practices”-The best from Ayurveda, Yoga and Modern Science For Achieving Optimal Health, Happiness and Longevity.

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087TKZ1FF?ref=dbs_p2d_P_R_kindle_available_T2

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Mung: The Royal Bean

Rammohan Rao — Fri, 01 May 2009 02:27:41 +0000

Mung Beans are Beloved in Ayurveda

Mung beans are one of the most cherished foods in Ayurveda. They are tridoshic, which means they can be eaten to balance all three doshas (energetic forces) especially when they are cooked with appropriate spices. They are very nourishing, while being relatively easy to digest. Unlike many other larger beans, they do not generally create abdominal gas or bloating. In Ayurvedic cooking, they are used whole or, more commonly, split and hulled.

Mung Beans are a type of Legume

What are mung beans? They’re a type of legume. My colleagues often ask me the difference between legumes, pulses, gram, dhal and beans. Before we dwell further on this topic, let me first clarify these terms. The term legume generally refers to members of the family of plants called Fabaceae (or Leguminosae). Well-known legumes include alfalfa, clover, peas, beans, lentils and peanuts.

Pulses are a subset of leguminous crops that yield one to twelve grains or seeds of variable size, shape and color within a pod. Bean or gram mean the same thing and are also synonymous with pulses and edible legumes. At the same time (this can be the confusing part) the word bean can also refer to seeds of non-leguminosae family plants such as coffee and cocoa beans. When considering the highly regarded mung (also written as moong and known as green gram), we may wonder if it is a legume, pulse, gram or bean? The answer is all of the above.

Whole mung are beans covered by a green skin. Split and hulled mung beans are small and yellow and often referred to as mung dhal.

mung-bean-sprouts

Properties of Mung Beans

Mung beans are a good source of dietary fiber. They contain very few oligosaccharides, which are the long chain sugars which can be the cause of flatulence. Therefore mung is highly suitable for children or those with delicate digestive systems. Mung is astringent and its essential nature is alkaline. This makes it a cooling food, one that is perfect during the summer.

Mung bean sprouts are frequently eaten as a vegetable. In Chinese medicine, bean sprouts are considered to be a yin or cooling food. They are often recommended by Oriental herbalists for all hot, inflammatory conditions, ranging from systematic infections to heat stroke to hypertension.

Mung Bean Nutritional Information

According to the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) nutritional facts and analysis records, mung beans contain between nineteen to twenty-five percent protein, sixty percent carbohydrate and four percent fiber and are an excellent source of B vitamins.

B Vitamins in Mung Bean

Vitamin B1, present in mung bean, is required for critical neuronal functions. Riboflavin, or Vitamin B2 is vital for healthy eyes and skin. Niacin, Vitamin B3, regulates cholesterol and blood sugar levels in the body. Vitamin B6 is necessary for the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is active in mood regulation. Folate or folic acid, also known as Vitamin B9, is required for production of red blood cells and is thus important for regulating the oxygen carrying-capacity of the blood and also reduces the risk of heart disease. When sprouted, mung beans develop good amounts of Vitamin C which needed by the immune system for healing and fending off infections.

Minerals in Mung Bean

Mung beans are also a treasure house of minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and copper. These minerals are vital for everyday functions of the body. Minerals help maintain homeostasis or equilibrium.

The minerals in mung bean also help prevent heart disease, anemia, diabetes and renal (kidney) problems. Iron and copper are required for production of hemoglobin. Zinc is required for regulating insulin production. Calcium is needed to strengthen the bones, magnesium for nerve and muscle function and potassium is necessary for normal heart function. The concentration of potassium, copper, zinc and magnesium are higher in mung as compared to the levels in other known vegetables and fruits. It’s no wonder that mung bean is considered the royal bean or queen of beans.

Ayurvedic Benefits of Mung Beans

Many people benefit from eating mung beans. These include the following.

People with high blood pressure, high cholesterol or people at risk of coronary artery disease benefit from mung. Consumption of mung beans has been strongly associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and healthy cholesterol levels.
Anyone recuperating from acute or chronic illnesses is often given kitchari. Kitchari is a combination of rice and mung beans used for its ability to provide a good level of nourishment without overtaxing the digestion.
People undergoing detoxification processes including panchakarma, the Ayurvedic detoxification program.
Anyone who needs to relieve sluggish bowel movements. The fiber in mung beans is great for improving bowel function and cleansing the intestines.
People suffering from low energy or struggling with blood sugar imbalances. Mung beans provide slow releasing carbohydrates that give sustained energy.
Anyone looking for healthy vegetarian proteins. Those who wish to reduce their animal protein consumption.

Enjoying Mung Beans

Mung beans can be consumed in several of the following ways.

Soaking them until they are well swollen and cooking them with mild spices such as ginger, cumin, coriander, and turmeric renders them even more digestible.

Cooked mung can be added to soups, stews, and salads to provide a hearty dish.

Soaking mung beans overnight and then letting them sprout for a few days is also a good way to improve digestibility and nutrient content.

Mung beans combine well with a host of grains and flours, vegetables, and greens, as well as other bean sprouts, spices and herbs, and even rice, soy or nut milks.

Powdered mung flour can be used in combination with wheat or rice flour. Mung can be used for preparing breads (chapattis) or halwa (sweet confection, sweetened with sugar or honey).

Mung for a Healthy Life

Ayurvedic food preparation is an art and a joy. Proper diet with mung in any form is a royal medicine and one of the keys to a long, vibrant and healthy life.