It is said that it takes feeling 50,000 pulses to get really good at Ayurvedic pulse diagnosis. After almost 20 years of practicing Ayurveda, I'm probably closing in on that huge number, but sometimes I still find myself doubting whether I'm really feeling what I think I'm feeling. Driving back to Santa Fe from my recent weekend Ayurvedic pulse seminar with Dr. Vasant Lad at the Ayurvedic Institute, I remembered the profound truth that when we trust ourselves to listen to our intuition, we access a level of knowing that is usually hidden from our over-thinking, analytical mind.
Summer is upon us, and thanks to climate change it feels hotter than ever in Santa Fe. I wish I could tell you that the ancient medical science of Ayurveda holds the key to controlling the weather. But the truth is that it does contain the secrets to staying cool when the temperature is reaching record highs. Summer is fire season, and when you learn what to eat and how to act to balance this element, you will feel cooler and more comfortable all season long.
Cooling Foods
Ayurveda describes summer as Pitta season. Pitta is made of fire and water, and its qualities are hot, sharp, oily, and light. During summer season you can reduce Pitta heat within your own body by eating a diet of cooling foods.
Do you, or someone you love, suffer because of a past trauma or a current addiction? The two often go hand in hand with depression. The healing involved in such profound life situtations is very difficult and, unfortunately, often temporary. The powerful healing sciences of Ayurveda, yoga and meditation can actually change the mental, physical, and energetic patterns that keep a person in a state of post-traumatic stress, or depression, or addiction. Here's some insight into how a holistic recovery program in Santa Fe that incorporates these mindfulness practices can bring about genuine growth and healing.
What if I told you that there was a way to satisfy your sweet tooth without actually eating anything sweet? By changing what you think of as sweet, you can really accomplish this. Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese medicine both emphasize the need to include all six tastes in your daily diet, so we still want to acknowledge the importance of the sweet flavor, just not sugar itself. Here's a revolutionary way for you honor your sweet cravings without feeding the desire for sugar.
Empty Sweets vs. Full Sweets
Traditional Chinese Medicine makes a beautiful and radical distinction between empty sweets and full sweets. Empty sweets are treats containing any sweetener. I'm talking raw sugar, honey, maply syrup, agave, brown rice syrup, barley malt syrup. You get the picture. While some sweeteners are certainly healthier than others, the point is that they are still empty sweets. They are called "empty" because while they momentarily satisfy a sweet craving, they do nothing to nourish our digestion, so we are left wanting it more and more.
Do you believe that everything happens for a reason? If we choose to have this faith, then even an accident is no longer just an accident. It can be seen as a warning sign that we're not paying attention to something important. I never thought I'd be thankful for an injury. But surprisingly, having a sprained ankle the size of a grapefruit has helped me to appreciate the power of slowing down.
Running on Adrenaline
According to Ayurveda, my own genetic constitution is predominantly Vata, otherwise known as Wind. By nature I tend to be active, verging on hyper if I don't take care to stay grounded. As I discussed in "The Yoga of (Un) Multi-Tasking", I usually operate by doing several things at once, especially with my kids. Like many people in our fast-paced society, I can thrive on an energy level that is akin to an adrenaline rush. There's an illusion in this way of life that we need to be super busy and fast in order to be productive. This can be described in Ayurvedic terms as a systemic Vata imbalance in Western society. Everyone is rushing around like the wind, doing too many things at the same time and often missing the joyful subtleties that only stillness can reveal. Especially in the dry, high-altitude climate here in Santa Fe, it's easy for the wind element to become aggravated.
Are you attracted to people who are exactly like you or exactly the opposite? Do you and your partner's different ways complement one another or are you like two peas in a pod? My husband and I have totally opposite Ayurvedic constitutions and astrological signs. But we also balance each other in a way that makes us glad we're not too much alike. Exploring your relationship dynamic through the lens of Ayurveda can help you appreciate your partner's similarities and differences in the context of the five natural elements. With a little honest introspection, you might just find that the biggest difference between you and your special someone is actually a healing force for both of you.
Have you ever had a stubborn cough after a cold that just won't go away? You've probably tried every herbal cough remedy, and maybe even resorted to Robitussin, in an attempt to get some relief. I feel like I have A LOT of natural tricks up my sleeve that should treat a cough, but sometimes the darn thing won't go away. I hear this story a lot, and my own children experience this from time to time. Thank goodness there are onions, because they are the magical natural cough remedy you've been looking for. Both Ayurveda and herbal folk wisdom have suggested this onion solution for centuries. Here's a video of how to prepare the onion poultice for deep-seated coughs.
This is a super easy remedy to put together. And I'm not kidding when I say I've had 100% success with this for stubborn coughs!
Simply chop an onion (or 2 or 3, depending on your size). For increased antibiotic effect, you can throw in a few chopped garlic cloves.
Steam the onion (and garlic) for about 5 minutes.
Mix hot onions (and garlic) in a bowl with a few tablespoons of corn starch and one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Let cool for just a minute.
Place whole mixture in a natural fiber cloth and fold several times to form the poultice.
Place cloth on your chest with a heating pad or hot water bottle on top of the poultice. Keep it on for 30 minutes.
If desired, you may then repeat with the poultice on your mid to upper back for another 30 minutes.
Effective and Safe
This natural remedy is safe for everyone, including little kids and even babies. Just be careful that the onions are not so hot that they might burn the skin! Sometimes if the cough is just a dry one, the onion poultice is not the best choice. It is better for the phlegmy, wet cough that doesn't respond to any other treatment. You can repeat the treatment several days in a row, if necessary, but I've never needed to do it more than twice!
Leave a comment below to share your story with the onion poultice for deep-seated coughs!
It is said that it takes feeling 50,000 pulses to get really good at Ayurvedic pulse diagnosis. After almost 20 years of practicing Ayurveda, I'm probably closing in on that huge number, but sometimes I still find myself doubting whether I'm really feeling what I think I'm feeling. Driving back to Santa Fe from my recent weekend Ayurvedic pulse seminar with Dr. Vasant Lad at the Ayurvedic Institute, I remembered the profound truth that when we trust ourselves to listen to our intuition, we access a level of knowing that is usually hidden from our over-thinking, analytical mind.
Summer is upon us, and thanks to climate change it feels hotter than ever in Santa Fe. I wish I could tell you that the ancient medical science of 
Do you, or someone you love, suffer because of a past trauma or a current addiction? The two often go hand in hand with depression. The healing involved in such profound life situtations is very difficult and, unfortunately, often temporary. The powerful healing sciences of Ayurveda, yoga and meditation can actually change the mental, physical, and energetic patterns that keep a person in a state of post-traumatic stress, or depression, or addiction. Here's some insight into how a holistic recovery program in Santa Fe that incorporates these mindfulness practices can bring about genuine growth and healing.
What if I told you that there was a way to satisfy your sweet tooth without actually eating anything sweet? By changing what you think of as sweet, you can really accomplish this. 
Do you believe that everything happens for a reason? If we choose to have this faith, then even an accident is no longer just an accident. It can be seen as a warning sign that we're not paying attention to something important. I never thought I'd be thankful for an injury. But surprisingly, having a sprained ankle the size of a grapefruit has helped me to appreciate the power of slowing down. 
Are you attracted to people who are exactly like you or exactly the opposite? Do you and your partner's different ways complement one another or are you like two peas in a pod? My husband and I have totally opposite 
Have you ever had a stubborn cough after a cold that just won't go away? You've probably tried every herbal cough remedy, and maybe even resorted to Robitussin, in an attempt to get some relief. I feel like I have A LOT of natural tricks up my sleeve that should treat a cough, but sometimes the darn thing won't go away. I hear this story a lot, and my own children experience this from time to time. Thank goodness there are onions, because they are the magical natural cough remedy you've been looking for. Both 
