Ayurveda is a holistic system of medicine, traditionally practiced in India for more than 5,000 years. The word Ayurveda is a Sanskrit term meaning "science of life." By using Ayurveda, practitioners may relieve minor to serious ailments, including lack of energy or fatigue. Consult your health care provider before trying alternative medicine.
Balance
Ayurveda focuses on three life energies within all individuals: air, or vata; water, or kapha; and fire, or pitta. When one of these life energies becomes imbalanced, disease, illness and other ailments may occur. Lack of energy is usually a sign of water, or kapha, imbalance in Ayurveda. Ayurvedic practitioners prescribe specific lifestyle changes and daily rituals such as herbal remedies, dietary changes, yoga, cleansing practices, breathing exercises, eye exercises and meditation to combat imbalance.
Herbal Remedies
To treat low energy levels with Ayurvedic medicine, herbal remedies are often prescribed. Ashwagandha, an Ayurvedic herb known as "Indian ginseng," is usually prescribed to treat low energy levels. Taken in capsule, liquid or tea form, ashwagandha is usually prescribed for maximum intake of 6 g a day for up to six months. Ashwagandha has heating properties, so it is advised to take it with cooling foods such as ghee, raw sugar or milk. Individuals should speak to a physician before trying ashwagandha.
Diet
According to Ayurvedic physician and president of the Ayurvedic Institute in New Mexico Dr. Vasant Lad, fatigue is usually the result of a poor and imbalanced diet. To combat fatigue, avoid eating certain types of food and incorporate more of others. For instance, avoid eating too much rice and instead eat more barley. Eat more pungent and bitter vegetables like asparagus or broccoli instead of sweet and juicy vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers. Also avoid sweet and sour fruits like pineapple, melons or plums and eat berries, peaches or raisins.
Cleansing Practices
When a severe imbalance occurs and an individual has been experiencing fatigue for several months or years, Ayurvedic medicine sometimes recommends a cleanse to increase energy levels. These cleanses usually involve drinking mostly warm water for a week without any food and other beverages. Individuals may also drink room-temperature apple juice. The Ayurvedic cleanse typically recommends slowly and carefully incorporating food back into the diet after the week is up.
References
- "Ayurveda, The Science of Self Healing"; Dr. Vasant Lad; 1984
- "Yoga Journal"; Ashwagandha Power; Miriam Hospodar
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