If you are looking to adopt an Ayurvedic lifestyle, it can seem overwhelming in the beginning. Changing your eating habits, daily routines, and then adding in herbs and special foods can seem like a lot! However, moving into Ayurvedic living does not have to be complicated or expensive. Ayurveda is about tuning in—to ourselves and the rhythms of nature. And yes, there are a few Ayurvedic medicine products that can be of support.
Top 3 Ayurvedic Medicine Products
Let’s take a look at a few of the essentials to keep on hand.
Ghruta
Ayurveda has a love affair with oils, especially ghruta. Ghee is becoming more popular in cooking and in health food circles—you can find ghee in many major grocery stores. Ghruta is the Sanskrit word for ghee. You may also see it spelled ghrta or ghrita.
There are many key differences between Ayurvedic ghee or ghruta and most commercially available ghee. One key difference is that ghruta is made using the milk of A2 cow breeds, such as Gir or Desi cows. A2 milk is more readily digested and metabolized by humans because it doesn’t contain certain beta-casein proteins which can lead to impaired digestion and inflammation. On the other hand, most ghee available in the United States comes from A1 cow varieties such as Jersey, Holstein, Friesian, Ayrshire, and British Short horn. The milk and other products that comes from these cows can be much more difficult to digest.
You can read more about how we make our ghruta, but the thing to know is that ghruta is a highly beneficial Ayurvedic medicine product—and it has many usages both internally and topically! You can cook with ghruta, add it to tea, spread it on toast, infuse herbs in it for medicinal needs, and even use it externally for your skin.
Chyawanprash
What is this curious herbal jam you may ask? Chyawanprash is a special Ayurvedic medicine product that is made from a number of deeply rejuvenating herbs. The base is amla berry, which is rich in vitamin C and an incredible rasayana. Chyawanprash also contains other nourishing herbs such as ashwagandha, tulsi, brahmi, and shatavari. You can stir Chyawanprash into hot water to make a special vitality tea. Or, try spreading a spoonful on a date for a special ojas tonic. Along with ghruta, Chyawanprash is a wonderful item to add to your Ayurvedic toolkit.
Self-Care Products
In looking for Ayurvedic Medicine products, there are many wonderful herbs, supplements, and body care products to choose from. However, daily self care, known as dinacharya, is key to Ayurveda. Here are a few ideas for products to support your daily self-care.
- A tongue scraper
- Neti pot
- Sesame oil
- Dry brush or special garshana gloves
- Rosewater
Ayurveda Tailored To You!
Ayurveda is not one-size-fits-all. It is highly individualized. So, the products you will require really depend on you and your needs. However, these are a few ideas from some essentials to get you started.
Greta Kent-Stoll is a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner (NAMA), as well as a writer, editor, and Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher. Her Ayurveda practice is based in Asheville, North Carolina and she is the co-owner of Iyengar Yoga Asheville.
