Here's the problem with modern brain health: most of us don't treat our brains and minds very well. Instead, we run on constant stimulation and don't give our brains the nourishment they need to function properly. However, there is some good news: We can use Ayurvedic wisdom to improve our brain health. Here's how.
Ayurveda and the Brain
In Ayurveda, when we talk about "brain health," we're referring to the physical health of the brain, but it's equally important to be concerned with the health of the mind, which plays a major role in your overall well-being. In fact, you can't reach complete health until your mind is in a good place.
To keep your brain healthy and maintain mental well-being, try incorporating these practices into your Ayurvedic daily routine.
1. Reduce Stimulation
Excess sensory stimuli, loud noises, bright colors, screens, social media, and lack of rest make it really hard for the brain to rejuvenate properly.
2. Prioritize Quality Information
The brain is also affected by the quality of the information it receives. Are the movies, books, podcasts, and social media groups you dive into every day bringing your positivity higher? Are they helping you achieve a higher level of consciousness that invites healing and harmony? OR are they depressing your energy, "vibe," and self? If so, your bodily systems, mental health, and emotional well-being could suffer.
3. Limit Stressors
Coffee, alcohol, and drugs are other stressors that can deplete the brain. Worry, analysis, and too much thinking can also exhaust you.
4. Balance Vata and Nourish Kapha for Brain Health
It's important to remember that the brain is mainly a Vata organ, and is the place where nerve impulses originate. Therefore, when we keep our brains healthy and balanced, we should notice that they take on common Vata qualities, including sharpness, light, clearness, mobility, and subtlety.
However, certain parts of the brain (including the cerebrospinal fluid) are of Kapha nature. This means that there needs to be enough Kapha in the brain for Vata to work correctly – and nourishing the Kapha in your brain helps it become more efficient.
So, how do you balance Vata and nourish Kapha in the mind? For one, you can adopt nurturing habits, such as meditating, spending time in nature, and investing in personal relationships. Participating in physical activity also helps bring oxygen to the brain.
5. Consume Healthy Fats
We can also increase Kapha in the brain by consuming plenty of good fats, which create moisture and lubrication. Ghruta ghee is the highest-quality source of healthy fat and has been used as an Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. Other beneficial brain foods include fatty fish rich in Omega-3, organic pasture-raised eggs, avocados, nuts, and seeds for their high oleic acid content, as well as green tea, berries, and dark chocolate for their antioxidant properties.
6. Incorporate Rasayanas and Rejuvenative Plants
In Ayurveda, Rasayana, the science of rejuvenation, was originally aimed at promoting longevity. Its goal was to provide a strong physical container to promote vitality. Rasayana uses meditation, mantra, and brain health supplements to help. Chyawanprash is the foremost of all rasayanas and is the most widely used ayurvedic rasayana.
You may also want to consider taking a formula specifically designed for nourishing the brain and mind. PIOR Living Mind uses four different classes of organic and wild-harvested herbs to enhance memory, concentration, and mental acuity, including:
- Nervines like brahmi and frankincense help clear, nourish, and calm the nervous system while supporting the growth of healthy neurons, brain, and central nervous system matter
- Nootropics, including moringa and gotu kola, boost brain and cognitive function
- Adaptogens like tulsi and maritime pine bark help relieve stress and promote a sense of supported calm
- Circulatory system supporting herbs, such as amla and pippali, bring proper flow, nourishment, and healthy cellular repair to the brain
Ayurveda and Treatments for the Mind
If there are specific aspects of your mind health that you're looking to improve, please read our articles about:
If you're ready to improve your cognitive health, you now have the tools to do that! Unplug from technology and nourish your brain with positivity, healthy food, meditation, time outdoors, physical activity, personal relationships, and rasayanas.
Cecile Antoine Alfonzo, Certified Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultant & Coach, @cecileantoine_