According to Ayurveda, the heart is the storehouse of energy. It is the heart that keeps life going from the start till the last breath. Undue stress to the mind and body, emotional stress, poor dietary choices and a bad lifestyle can be detrimental for the heath of your heart. Dr. Shyam VL gives us Ayurvedic tips for a healthy heart.
The term โ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ฌ๐โ was first seen in Atharva Veda and was considered as an organ system comprising sirastha hridaya (brain) and urustha hridaya(heart), showing us that the heart and brain interact in a dynamic relationship, regulating many aspects of cognition and emotional experience.
โ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ฌ๐โ is derived from:
๐๐ฅ๐จ – means Harati (to receive)
๐๐ – means Dadati (to give)
๐ฌ๐ – means Yagati (to control)
According to Ayurveda Hridaya is most important marma (Vital point), Pranayatana (Seat of Life) and Ojas (essence of the dhatus (bodily tissues) ) Ojas is responsible for the bodyโs immunity, strength and supports vitality & longevity.
Acharya Sushruta described the shape of Hridaya like a reverse lotus. The functioning of the heart has been described as a lotus which opens at day time and closes in the night. Hridaya contracts during sleep and dilates when awake.
The Ayurvedic philosophy of body, mind, spirit, is critical to every organ more than the heart, as it influences the whole body. A healthy mind, body and spirit translates into a healthy heart.
An unhealthy heart creates many physical & emotional imbalances. Taking good care of your heart is essential to enjoy optimum health & well-being.
Though the cardiovascular system was not envisaged by Ayurveda in the way in which it is being described presently in modern medicine, it appears that the various references pertaining to cardiovascular activities indicate that ancient acharyas had a similar concept. The Samhitas state about fluids that circulate in the body, RASA that is forever circulating. The Rasa circulates round the body, like a rotating wheel. Sushruta states that the nutrient fluid circulates throughout the body with variable velocity, like the speed of light, sound and water.
The Heart involves the 3 doshas in Ayurveda: Vata, Pitta, Kapha:
- Vataย governs the beating of the heart, initiates the electric impulse to contract the heart via the sinoatrial node, and the circulation of blood.
- Pittaย is responsible for the purification of the blood, and is responsible for the digestion of emotions in the heart
- Kaphaย is responsible for the structure of the heart and blood, and the strength of the heart.
Heart health is also governed by 3 subdoshas: Sadhaka Pitta (emotional balance), Avalambaka Kapha (stability & strength), Vayana Vata (blood flow & heart beat), which is present throughout the body, has its seat in the heart. It is vital to bring an optimum balance of these biological energies.
ย Performing ย Suryanamaskaraย (Sun salutation) may help ย in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.ย
Dr. Shyam V L is the first Ayurveda doctor licensed by the Ministry of Health, UAE and the winner of Distinguished Physician award by the Dubai Health Authority and Health Magazine.