Biologically the mindbody simultaneously coexists as both an energy field or a matter(molecular) field If I put on my energy field glasses I see the mindbody as an energy field and I speak about it in terms of Vata, Pitta, or Kapha In so thinking about the mindbody as both energy and matter there obviously should be a transparency about what we are discussing If I speak about the molecular aspects of the mindbody I should be able to find its equivalency in the energy field model This is true for the GAG(GlycosoAminoGlycan) layer molecular concept and the Kapha energy pattern In IC research it’s thought that the GAG layer is in some way altered in this dis-ease and therefore maybe the underlying molecular reason why IC occurs in the first place
Kapha is energy of stability in the physiology It keeps our mindbodies strong and well put together physically It’s psychologically grounding for us and is also responsible for our immune system working properly since it is the immune system You can think of Kapha as a protective energy that keeps the mindbody strong Any large structural molecule such as chondroitin(joints), cholesterol, or immunoglobulins are molecular expressions of the Kapha energy pattern
In the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) one of the hypotheses in its molecular cause is that the protective GAG layer in some way becomes damaged and loses its integrity This layer which is produced by the underlying epithelial cells is thought to be a protective mucous layer and so by what we have just said this would be a Kapha like protection from invasive bacteria but also from the acidic characteristics of the urine itself
Every tubular lining(aka mucosa) that has a connection to the outside world has a GAG layer For example the lining of the respiratory system has its associated protective GAG layer which traps foreign materials so they don’t interfere with respiratory function The GI tract and reproductive tracts has GAG layers as well So GAG layers are not unique to the urinary tract but are part of the universal system of protection that is the Kapha energy pattern
RepairThere are many reasons why GAG layers get damaged but one of them is inflammation In energy science terminology that means that Pitta is being increased due to blocking by Kapha and in the matter science it means that acidity breaks down tissue Knowing this there are energy science ways to help prevent the GAG layer from being broken down or getting repaired if broken down
Aloe vera There’s a reason why aloe as a herb works wonders in the IC bladder pain syndrome It molecularly provides mannose which is an often biologically unavailable essential glucosaccharide This provides the building blocks for the mindbody to rebuild the protective Kapha GAG layer Energetically aloe reduces Pitta heat and pacifies overactive mobile quality of Vata
Reducing Vata and Pitta in nutritional formats It follows from our conversation that if having increased inflammatory Pitta molecules around then preventing them from entry into the mindbody would be good therapy The same holds true for Vata molecules that produce movement in the physiology
Reducing Vata and Pitta in incompatible food combinations(IFC) In general IFC’s are inflammatory and increase Pitta so avoiding these is Pitta pacifying
Herbs that reduce Pitta Both acacia and psyllium absorb Pitta from the small intestine so in small volumes these herbs are valuable in the management of the IC bladder pain syndrome
Herbs that reduce Vata Vata is composed of space and air as an energy pattern which are both composed of qualities When you pass gas from the rectum you’re passing Vata energy Since Vata is air if it’s increased in the mindbody physiology it can increase Pitta Think about fanning a fire with pushing air across the fire that you’re trying to get going Vata herbs like ashwagandha, bala, and vidari are good at reducing Vata
The use of spices is the same as the use of herbs in the energy science model of nutrition and health The use of spices is the same as the use of herbs A spice is considered a herb but not all herbs are spices The spice cabinet in your kitchen if viewed energetically can become a medicine cabinet full of energetic remedies But just as medicines can help us, some can cause us dis-ease so we need to learn how to use spices properly for our benefit This is particularly true in the case of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial...
read moreNo one with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) would argue that having this chronic problem is not stressful As a matter of fact chronic disease of any form is stressful and wears on the physiology This is because living with energetic imbalances that don’t allow for the free flow of physiologic energy produces dis-ease When one is in a state of ease everything including bodily functions becomes easy and unconscious Urinary and rectal elimination is...
read moreLast week I discussed why pranayama or breathing exercises can be helpful as part of the energy science solution in helping with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) As I have explained in the past, in contrast to the matter science approach to disease, the energy science approach uses a multimodality approach in treating the qualitative imbalances of mobile, dull, rough, hot, and often times heavy Pranayama as I explained last week burns ama which is a result of...
read moreThe energy science of Ayurveda views disease as imbalance of qualities or vibrational frequencies that produce symptoms in specific tissues As in the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia)the qualities from the gut lodge into the pelvic nerves These then begin producing the symptoms of burning(hot quality) in the urethra and vagina, urinary frequency(mobile quality) and urgency, and aching(dull and rough qualities) suprapubic pain This often occurs in an episodic way,...
read moreAs part of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, and GERD) fibromyalgia seems to be the most unrelated of all the diseases listed in the syndrome That is, if you understand that from an energy science point of view all disease begins in the GI tract and so IBS and GERD make a whole lot of sense But fibromyalgia(FM) which at one time was labeled as muscular arthritis seems remotely associated with the pelvic diseases that make up the syndrome However as I have written about in the past the...
read moreAs most people with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) inflammation is the triggering issue around the syndrome And a number of foods energetically will cause inflammation such as tomatoes, hot chiles, salsa, carbonated drinks, and coffee But what about animal foods? Where do they fall in the mix and why? Animal Foods To Avoid With IC and Why In the energy science world of nutrition a fatty acid is inflammatory End of story So any fatty meat such as...
read moreAs you know the nutrition is foundational in the management of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, chronic prostatitis, vulvodynia, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) In the energy science tradition of Ayurveda nutrition is specific to one’s energy constitutional makeup(PV, PK, and VK) This is because certain foods produce energetic imbalances which over time will affect the symptoms of the IC bladder pain syndrome So a person with the syndrome who is PK would not choose foods that a PV would choose 9 Veggies That Can Be...
read moreOur local Yoga news is doing an Ayurvedic series and this is an introduction to the discipline that I did for the News Lifestyle behaviors can produce genetic harmony in our lives or interfere with that harmony and the Ayurvedic discipline outlines for us guidelines that can produce genetic harmony Another word for genetic harmony is balance but one of the keys to helping shapeshift our DNA is through healthy lifestyle patterns of behavior These kinds of behavior patterns are foundational to the management of any disease including the IC...
read moreIn essence if we want to direct our lives, we should take control of our consistent actions. It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives but what we do consistently. Anonymous author As I have written in a past blog the origin of IC from an energy science point of view is the pelvic quality expression of hot, sharp, mobile, light, dry, rough, spreading, soft, cloudy, and sticky In the past I have simplified these qualities to hot and mobile because they are so dominantly expressed but you...
read moreChronic prostatitis is a nonbacterial inflammatory condition of the male pelvis and can be considered male intersitial cystitis It is a member of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, irritable bowel syndrome, GERD, and fibromyalgia) because the cause is the same as its other members Imbalances of qualities in the bowel caused by primarily the foods consumed and lifestyle choices that provoke the energy physiology lead to dissemination to the peripheral tissues Like IC itself invariably the pelvic nerves become...
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The energy science categorizes food according to taste(rasa which has an effect on the energy patterns of VPK), virya(effect that food has on our small intestine and tissues), vipak(effect that food has on our colon and cells), and prabhav(effect that it has on the DNA of our cells) This makes the interpretation of how foods affect us quite complex and explains why the nutritional formats at icdiet.com and foodsheal.com are useful because they simplify our understanding of foods and allow us to make healthy balancing food choices that help treat the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia)
The syndrome is most commonly produced by the qualities of Vata(cold, light, mobile, dry, rough, subtle, clear) and Pitta(hot, light, spreading, sharp/penetrating, liquid, oily) These qualities combine in various combinations to produce the diseases of the syndrome But the primary qualities that play the role are hot and mobile
The key to understanding the energy science disease model is to begin to appreciate the imbalance in qualities that occur in the mindbody physiology and how you bring about the imbalance As we have discussed in the past the primary way we go out of balance is through foods that in the IC syndrome bring too much of the hot and mobile qualities among others
The energy science of Ayurveda recognizes that there are 6 tastes called rasas(sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent) that allow us to scientifically study foods and their intimate impact on the mindbody energy field These tastes are typically in combination with one another in foods For example, seafood(meat that has lived its life in saltwater) has a salty rasa or taste energtically even though it doesn’t taste salty Due to protein of the meat it has a heating vipak, and the dense and heavy qualities of seafood produce the sweet taste as the vipak energetic influence
Aside from seafood, mineral salts such as sea salt or table salt and surprisingly cottage cheese are the only ways we encounter the salty taste in foods so the salty taste becomes our first encounter with the concept of a “culinary spice”
The qualities of the salty taste are hot, light, liquid, soft, smooth/slimy, and subtle From the above qualities of Vata we can appreciate that the mobile quality will be reduced by the slimy/smooth quality of salt but Pitta will be increased due to the hot quality Because the salty taste carries the hot quality it will be aggravating to people with the IC bladder pain syndrome
Due to the hot quality salt produces inflammation and due to the liquid quality it produces its well known congestive effect with fluid retention
Since rasa(taste) has an influence on our mindbody through the qualities of the foods that we take in, if we get an excess of the salty taste it can produce with the hot and liquid qualities, impatience, irritability, and easy frustration
As advertised in potato chip commercials, “Bet you can’t each just one”, implies that the salty taste can be addictive This addictive like characteristic of salt is why ALL fast food chains use a lot of the salty taste in their food preparation
Due to salt’s penetrating and hot qualities it can be very effective in massaging and warming muscles and so soaking in epsom salt baths becomes valuable Another use of salt is with neti sinus wash that reduces Kapha mucous in the sinuses where it accumulates This is the experience everyone has with the common cold Neti uses a salt solution since tap water will burn the delicate mucous membranes But salt also is important in mobilizing with its hot quality the cool, slimy/smooth, liquid, heavy, dense, slow/dull, and static qualities of Kapha which are those of mucous
When it comes to the IC bladder pain syndrome there are some basic things to remember when it comes to the salty taste
Avoid salt at the dinner table
Avoid all seafood Eat fresh water fish
Avoid all fast food
Avoid salt in food preparation at home
Avoid cottage cheese
The use of spices is the same as the use of herbs in the energy science model of nutrition and health The use of spices is the same as the use of herbs A spice is considered a herb but not all herbs are spices The spice cabinet in your kitchen if viewed energetically can become a medicine cabinet full of energetic remedies But just as medicines can help us, some can cause us dis-ease so we need to learn how to use spices properly for our benefit This is particularly true in the case of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial...
read moreNo one with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) would argue that having this chronic problem is not stressful As a matter of fact chronic disease of any form is stressful and wears on the physiology This is because living with energetic imbalances that don’t allow for the free flow of physiologic energy produces dis-ease When one is in a state of ease everything including bodily functions becomes easy and unconscious Urinary and rectal elimination is...
read moreLast week I discussed why pranayama or breathing exercises can be helpful as part of the energy science solution in helping with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) As I have explained in the past, in contrast to the matter science approach to disease, the energy science approach uses a multimodality approach in treating the qualitative imbalances of mobile, dull, rough, hot, and often times heavy Pranayama as I explained last week burns ama which is a result of...
read moreThe energy science of Ayurveda views disease as imbalance of qualities or vibrational frequencies that produce symptoms in specific tissues As in the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia)the qualities from the gut lodge into the pelvic nerves These then begin producing the symptoms of burning(hot quality) in the urethra and vagina, urinary frequency(mobile quality) and urgency, and aching(dull and rough qualities) suprapubic pain This often occurs in an episodic way,...
read moreAs part of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, and GERD) fibromyalgia seems to be the most unrelated of all the diseases listed in the syndrome That is, if you understand that from an energy science point of view all disease begins in the GI tract and so IBS and GERD make a whole lot of sense But fibromyalgia(FM) which at one time was labeled as muscular arthritis seems remotely associated with the pelvic diseases that make up the syndrome However as I have written about in the past the...
read moreAs most people with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) inflammation is the triggering issue around the syndrome And a number of foods energetically will cause inflammation such as tomatoes, hot chiles, salsa, carbonated drinks, and coffee But what about animal foods? Where do they fall in the mix and why? Animal Foods To Avoid With IC and Why In the energy science world of nutrition a fatty acid is inflammatory End of story So any fatty meat such as...
read moreAs you know the nutrition is foundational in the management of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, chronic prostatitis, vulvodynia, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) In the energy science tradition of Ayurveda nutrition is specific to one’s energy constitutional makeup(PV, PK, and VK) This is because certain foods produce energetic imbalances which over time will affect the symptoms of the IC bladder pain syndrome So a person with the syndrome who is PK would not choose foods that a PV would choose 9 Veggies That Can Be...
read moreOur local Yoga news is doing an Ayurvedic series and this is an introduction to the discipline that I did for the News Lifestyle behaviors can produce genetic harmony in our lives or interfere with that harmony and the Ayurvedic discipline outlines for us guidelines that can produce genetic harmony Another word for genetic harmony is balance but one of the keys to helping shapeshift our DNA is through healthy lifestyle patterns of behavior These kinds of behavior patterns are foundational to the management of any disease including the IC...
read moreIn essence if we want to direct our lives, we should take control of our consistent actions. It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives but what we do consistently. Anonymous author As I have written in a past blog the origin of IC from an energy science point of view is the pelvic quality expression of hot, sharp, mobile, light, dry, rough, spreading, soft, cloudy, and sticky In the past I have simplified these qualities to hot and mobile because they are so dominantly expressed but you...
read moreChronic prostatitis is a nonbacterial inflammatory condition of the male pelvis and can be considered male intersitial cystitis It is a member of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, irritable bowel syndrome, GERD, and fibromyalgia) because the cause is the same as its other members Imbalances of qualities in the bowel caused by primarily the foods consumed and lifestyle choices that provoke the energy physiology lead to dissemination to the peripheral tissues Like IC itself invariably the pelvic nerves become...
read more
From an energy science perspective nutrition, rest, and exercise are the foundational pillars to a healthy life In chronic disease like the IC bladder pain syndrome (interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) all pilllars get typically involved to produce disease progression But rest can be an energy drain to the mindbody and since healing is already an energy drain there is a significant stress on the physiology that requires remedy
The pineal gland located in the third ventricle is a significant endocrine gland involved in the daily rest cycle and secretes two important neurotransmitters, serotonin and melatonin The former is the energetic equivalent of groundedness and the latter is intimately involved in the diurnal variations of daylight and nighttime, signaling our mindbody when it is ready for rest
As usual in the energy science the amount of rest varies according to the constitutional energy makeup Vata due to its delicacy requires the most rest, typically 7-8h per night and Kapha requires the least, 5-6h and Pitta somewhere in between Most of us have 2 dominant patterns so PV would be around 6-7h and PK 6h But commonly Kapha loves to sleep in and so even though Kapha “desires” more rest, in fact Kapha needs to “move it” and take advantage of its good stamina and endurance
When there are health challenges we can see that there are more energetic demands on the mindbody so that naps are naturally an acceptable way to “catch up” So keeping the same rest schedule at night with PV in bed by no later than 103o and PK 1130 are reasonable guidelines Appropriate rising times no later than 7 for PV and 6 for PK are reasonable But if fatigue sets in during the afternoon a nap could be valuable
We are a culture guided by the alarm clock but the energy science of Ayurveda would suggest that such a tool is Vata provoking and physiologically disruptive So if we set a good sleeping schedule there becomes less of a need to use an alarm because the mindbody gets set into a rhythm of rest, allowing the mindbody to go “au naturale”
Sleep disruption comes in all forms of shapes and sizes Some have trouble getting to sleep, other wake up during Vata time(2-6a) and can’t get back to sleep, and others wake up to urinate several times a night due to interstitial cystitis
There are tools that can help with setting the tone for getting into a “normal rest cycle Of course this is not an all inclusive list but some of these have stood the test of time Using one or a combination of these solutions may be helpful
Having a set time for bed every night is a good lifestyle habit to cultivate The mindbody is subject to habit which sets the tone for rest
The bedroom should be just that….a place for the bed and for rest Some turn their bedroom into a media suite or library and this creates confusion
Cherry juice is a source of melatonin and seratonin as mentioned above are important in rest Amazingly cherry juice is a rich natural source of both and using glass of warm cherry juice with perhaps cinnamon before 30min before bed would be helpful for rest
Warm milk with ground almonds(without skins) and pinch of cardamom and pinch of nutmeg Nutmeg is a culinary sleep aid and can be quite effective
Chamomile tea has been a longstanding herbal remedy for inducing rest, relaxation, and sleep
Cup tomato juice with 2t sugar and 2 pinches nutmeg
Herbal therapies such as tagar can be helpful in inducing sleep
Bhringaraj oil to feet and head after a warm tub bath for relaxation can also help for sleep inducement
Practicing So Hum mantra meditation can be a way to soothe the Vata aggravated mindbody and put it in relaxation mode It’s a way of counting sheep but much more peaceful
The addition of a pharmacological such as Ambien or other sleep aids can be used as prescription and supported by the above
The use of spices is the same as the use of herbs in the energy science model of nutrition and health The use of spices is the same as the use of herbs A spice is considered a herb but not all herbs are spices The spice cabinet in your kitchen if viewed energetically can become a medicine cabinet full of energetic remedies But just as medicines can help us, some can cause us dis-ease so we need to learn how to use spices properly for our benefit This is particularly true in the case of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial...
read moreNo one with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) would argue that having this chronic problem is not stressful As a matter of fact chronic disease of any form is stressful and wears on the physiology This is because living with energetic imbalances that don’t allow for the free flow of physiologic energy produces dis-ease When one is in a state of ease everything including bodily functions becomes easy and unconscious Urinary and rectal elimination is...
read moreLast week I discussed why pranayama or breathing exercises can be helpful as part of the energy science solution in helping with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) As I have explained in the past, in contrast to the matter science approach to disease, the energy science approach uses a multimodality approach in treating the qualitative imbalances of mobile, dull, rough, hot, and often times heavy Pranayama as I explained last week burns ama which is a result of...
read moreThe energy science of Ayurveda views disease as imbalance of qualities or vibrational frequencies that produce symptoms in specific tissues As in the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia)the qualities from the gut lodge into the pelvic nerves These then begin producing the symptoms of burning(hot quality) in the urethra and vagina, urinary frequency(mobile quality) and urgency, and aching(dull and rough qualities) suprapubic pain This often occurs in an episodic way,...
read moreAs part of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, and GERD) fibromyalgia seems to be the most unrelated of all the diseases listed in the syndrome That is, if you understand that from an energy science point of view all disease begins in the GI tract and so IBS and GERD make a whole lot of sense But fibromyalgia(FM) which at one time was labeled as muscular arthritis seems remotely associated with the pelvic diseases that make up the syndrome However as I have written about in the past the...
read moreAs most people with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) inflammation is the triggering issue around the syndrome And a number of foods energetically will cause inflammation such as tomatoes, hot chiles, salsa, carbonated drinks, and coffee But what about animal foods? Where do they fall in the mix and why? Animal Foods To Avoid With IC and Why In the energy science world of nutrition a fatty acid is inflammatory End of story So any fatty meat such as...
read moreAs you know the nutrition is foundational in the management of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, chronic prostatitis, vulvodynia, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) In the energy science tradition of Ayurveda nutrition is specific to one’s energy constitutional makeup(PV, PK, and VK) This is because certain foods produce energetic imbalances which over time will affect the symptoms of the IC bladder pain syndrome So a person with the syndrome who is PK would not choose foods that a PV would choose 9 Veggies That Can Be...
read moreOur local Yoga news is doing an Ayurvedic series and this is an introduction to the discipline that I did for the News Lifestyle behaviors can produce genetic harmony in our lives or interfere with that harmony and the Ayurvedic discipline outlines for us guidelines that can produce genetic harmony Another word for genetic harmony is balance but one of the keys to helping shapeshift our DNA is through healthy lifestyle patterns of behavior These kinds of behavior patterns are foundational to the management of any disease including the IC...
read moreIn essence if we want to direct our lives, we should take control of our consistent actions. It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives but what we do consistently. Anonymous author As I have written in a past blog the origin of IC from an energy science point of view is the pelvic quality expression of hot, sharp, mobile, light, dry, rough, spreading, soft, cloudy, and sticky In the past I have simplified these qualities to hot and mobile because they are so dominantly expressed but you...
read moreChronic prostatitis is a nonbacterial inflammatory condition of the male pelvis and can be considered male intersitial cystitis It is a member of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, irritable bowel syndrome, GERD, and fibromyalgia) because the cause is the same as its other members Imbalances of qualities in the bowel caused by primarily the foods consumed and lifestyle choices that provoke the energy physiology lead to dissemination to the peripheral tissues Like IC itself invariably the pelvic nerves become...
read moreVarious tools and techniques to help deal with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) can be very helpful especially when they come from readers such as yourself As a community we’re all in this together and so suggestions to implement the energy science principles can be helpful for all of us working toward eliminating IC from our lives Here are some suggestions about tools, herbs, and practical dietary solutions that can be helpful
The Contigo travel mug with tea infuser makes it easier to carry CCF(cumin coriander fennel) tea on the road CCF tea is important in the IC bladder pain syndrome because the primary energy patterns involved are Pitta(hot) and Vata(mobile) Both imbalances are helped by CCF which has the qualities of cold and stable It also builds agni which is always abnormally low in the syndrome So sipping on CCF tea on a regular basis can be like the proverbial “drip on the forehead” Using the travel mug is a nice way to keep the seeds in the hot water and let them steep into the tea as you travel
Adding a spearmint or basil(cold) leaf to your CCF tea basket can additionally augment the cooling effect of the tea
The acacia herb comes from the resin of the acacia tree of which there are many varieties growing in many hot parts of the world Typically when herbs come from hot climates they carry the cold quality because Nature provides those living in those climates foods that help them maintain their health in such climates Aloe is another example of such a plant
Acacia powder acts like psyllium husk in that it can help with diarrhea and constipation In small dosing it can absorb the hot Pitta quality and stop diarrhea that occurs in IBS and inflammatory bowel disease In larger doses both can help with constipation
Some of our readers have asked about diet assistance in order to implement the suggestions that I make on the blog I’m a proponent of making the nutritional changes within your existing diet rather than creating new recipes This can take some time but it’s worth it in the end I’ll be putting together an energy science nutritional class in the near future Let me know if you want to sign up at drbilldean@gmail.com
The use of spices is the same as the use of herbs in the energy science model of nutrition and health The use of spices is the same as the use of herbs A spice is considered a herb but not all herbs are spices The spice cabinet in your kitchen if viewed energetically can become a medicine cabinet full of energetic remedies But just as medicines can help us, some can cause us dis-ease so we need to learn how to use spices properly for our benefit This is particularly true in the case of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial...
read moreNo one with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) would argue that having this chronic problem is not stressful As a matter of fact chronic disease of any form is stressful and wears on the physiology This is because living with energetic imbalances that don’t allow for the free flow of physiologic energy produces dis-ease When one is in a state of ease everything including bodily functions becomes easy and unconscious Urinary and rectal elimination is...
read moreLast week I discussed why pranayama or breathing exercises can be helpful as part of the energy science solution in helping with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) As I have explained in the past, in contrast to the matter science approach to disease, the energy science approach uses a multimodality approach in treating the qualitative imbalances of mobile, dull, rough, hot, and often times heavy Pranayama as I explained last week burns ama which is a result of...
read moreThe energy science of Ayurveda views disease as imbalance of qualities or vibrational frequencies that produce symptoms in specific tissues As in the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia)the qualities from the gut lodge into the pelvic nerves These then begin producing the symptoms of burning(hot quality) in the urethra and vagina, urinary frequency(mobile quality) and urgency, and aching(dull and rough qualities) suprapubic pain This often occurs in an episodic way,...
read moreAs part of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, and GERD) fibromyalgia seems to be the most unrelated of all the diseases listed in the syndrome That is, if you understand that from an energy science point of view all disease begins in the GI tract and so IBS and GERD make a whole lot of sense But fibromyalgia(FM) which at one time was labeled as muscular arthritis seems remotely associated with the pelvic diseases that make up the syndrome However as I have written about in the past the...
read moreAs most people with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) inflammation is the triggering issue around the syndrome And a number of foods energetically will cause inflammation such as tomatoes, hot chiles, salsa, carbonated drinks, and coffee But what about animal foods? Where do they fall in the mix and why? Animal Foods To Avoid With IC and Why In the energy science world of nutrition a fatty acid is inflammatory End of story So any fatty meat such as...
read moreAs you know the nutrition is foundational in the management of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, chronic prostatitis, vulvodynia, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) In the energy science tradition of Ayurveda nutrition is specific to one’s energy constitutional makeup(PV, PK, and VK) This is because certain foods produce energetic imbalances which over time will affect the symptoms of the IC bladder pain syndrome So a person with the syndrome who is PK would not choose foods that a PV would choose 9 Veggies That Can Be...
read moreOur local Yoga news is doing an Ayurvedic series and this is an introduction to the discipline that I did for the News Lifestyle behaviors can produce genetic harmony in our lives or interfere with that harmony and the Ayurvedic discipline outlines for us guidelines that can produce genetic harmony Another word for genetic harmony is balance but one of the keys to helping shapeshift our DNA is through healthy lifestyle patterns of behavior These kinds of behavior patterns are foundational to the management of any disease including the IC...
read moreIn essence if we want to direct our lives, we should take control of our consistent actions. It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives but what we do consistently. Anonymous author As I have written in a past blog the origin of IC from an energy science point of view is the pelvic quality expression of hot, sharp, mobile, light, dry, rough, spreading, soft, cloudy, and sticky In the past I have simplified these qualities to hot and mobile because they are so dominantly expressed but you...
read moreChronic prostatitis is a nonbacterial inflammatory condition of the male pelvis and can be considered male intersitial cystitis It is a member of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, irritable bowel syndrome, GERD, and fibromyalgia) because the cause is the same as its other members Imbalances of qualities in the bowel caused by primarily the foods consumed and lifestyle choices that provoke the energy physiology lead to dissemination to the peripheral tissues Like IC itself invariably the pelvic nerves become...
read moreCastor oil is cooling when applied externally on the skin and we have talked about this in previous posts as a means of helping deal with the hot quality in the pelvis causing the symptoms of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromylagia) When using castor with lower abdominal marmas over time this can prove effective in dealing with pelvic pain
Of course in energy science work it’s not just one thing that you do that helps with this chronic pain complex but a multiplicity of therapies(nutrition, day in balance, herbs etc) and the use of marma along with medicinal oils can be very helpful Castor oil packs have been used for a long time in the symptomatic relief of the lower abdominal pain of IC It makes sense that castor’s effect would be through the route of marma since the lower abdominal application of the castor would have little to do with its apparent internal effects of pain relief
Therapeutic Application of Tea Tree and CastorThe energy science often uses an essential oil along with an oil like castor which can deliver positive effects to the involved tissues through the influence of marma points Adding 12 drops of pure tea tree oil to 30cc(1 oz) of castor oil(use a 1 oz dropper bottle)makes a 2% solution that can have therapeutic effects when delivered through marma point of the lower abdomen
The arrows in the accompanying diagram point to specific marmas in the infraumbilical(below the belly button) area A point midway between the belly button and pubic bone is not as well as a point just above the pubic bone There are also paired points, two midway on a line between the belly button and the pelvic bone lateral to the pubic bone, and two lateral to the midline pubic bone point
The application of the above oil is done to these specific points, massaging two points at a time in any combination The points can be massaged for 3minutes and then move onto another pair of points All totaled should take about 9 minutes You can also use castor on the rest of the abdomen Many find application of heat helpful after the castor application
As has been discussed the medicinal effects of castor are well known in the energy science It’s unique in that it has a physiologic cooling effect when applied externally but when taken internally it has the opposite heating effect producing increased gut motility Of course this cooling effect can be beneficial for those who have IC which is caused by the hot and mobile qualities
The tea tree is indiginous to Australia and the leaves are rich in melaleuca oil which is composed of several different aromatic terpenes that cause a very penetrating effect of the oil into deep tissues This then makes it an excellent choice for marma therapy where the penetrating effect of the oil can bring about therapeutic effects to the the organs that are represented on the skin Tea tree oil is balancing to all 3 energy patterns and therefore can be very helpful in IC particularly the hot quality of Pitta
The use of spices is the same as the use of herbs in the energy science model of nutrition and health The use of spices is the same as the use of herbs A spice is considered a herb but not all herbs are spices The spice cabinet in your kitchen if viewed energetically can become a medicine cabinet full of energetic remedies But just as medicines can help us, some can cause us dis-ease so we need to learn how to use spices properly for our benefit This is particularly true in the case of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial...
read moreNo one with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) would argue that having this chronic problem is not stressful As a matter of fact chronic disease of any form is stressful and wears on the physiology This is because living with energetic imbalances that don’t allow for the free flow of physiologic energy produces dis-ease When one is in a state of ease everything including bodily functions becomes easy and unconscious Urinary and rectal elimination is...
read moreLast week I discussed why pranayama or breathing exercises can be helpful as part of the energy science solution in helping with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) As I have explained in the past, in contrast to the matter science approach to disease, the energy science approach uses a multimodality approach in treating the qualitative imbalances of mobile, dull, rough, hot, and often times heavy Pranayama as I explained last week burns ama which is a result of...
read moreThe energy science of Ayurveda views disease as imbalance of qualities or vibrational frequencies that produce symptoms in specific tissues As in the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia)the qualities from the gut lodge into the pelvic nerves These then begin producing the symptoms of burning(hot quality) in the urethra and vagina, urinary frequency(mobile quality) and urgency, and aching(dull and rough qualities) suprapubic pain This often occurs in an episodic way,...
read moreAs part of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, and GERD) fibromyalgia seems to be the most unrelated of all the diseases listed in the syndrome That is, if you understand that from an energy science point of view all disease begins in the GI tract and so IBS and GERD make a whole lot of sense But fibromyalgia(FM) which at one time was labeled as muscular arthritis seems remotely associated with the pelvic diseases that make up the syndrome However as I have written about in the past the...
read moreAs most people with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) inflammation is the triggering issue around the syndrome And a number of foods energetically will cause inflammation such as tomatoes, hot chiles, salsa, carbonated drinks, and coffee But what about animal foods? Where do they fall in the mix and why? Animal Foods To Avoid With IC and Why In the energy science world of nutrition a fatty acid is inflammatory End of story So any fatty meat such as...
read moreAs you know the nutrition is foundational in the management of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, chronic prostatitis, vulvodynia, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) In the energy science tradition of Ayurveda nutrition is specific to one’s energy constitutional makeup(PV, PK, and VK) This is because certain foods produce energetic imbalances which over time will affect the symptoms of the IC bladder pain syndrome So a person with the syndrome who is PK would not choose foods that a PV would choose 9 Veggies That Can Be...
read moreOur local Yoga news is doing an Ayurvedic series and this is an introduction to the discipline that I did for the News Lifestyle behaviors can produce genetic harmony in our lives or interfere with that harmony and the Ayurvedic discipline outlines for us guidelines that can produce genetic harmony Another word for genetic harmony is balance but one of the keys to helping shapeshift our DNA is through healthy lifestyle patterns of behavior These kinds of behavior patterns are foundational to the management of any disease including the IC...
read moreIn essence if we want to direct our lives, we should take control of our consistent actions. It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives but what we do consistently. Anonymous author As I have written in a past blog the origin of IC from an energy science point of view is the pelvic quality expression of hot, sharp, mobile, light, dry, rough, spreading, soft, cloudy, and sticky In the past I have simplified these qualities to hot and mobile because they are so dominantly expressed but you...
read moreChronic prostatitis is a nonbacterial inflammatory condition of the male pelvis and can be considered male intersitial cystitis It is a member of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, irritable bowel syndrome, GERD, and fibromyalgia) because the cause is the same as its other members Imbalances of qualities in the bowel caused by primarily the foods consumed and lifestyle choices that provoke the energy physiology lead to dissemination to the peripheral tissues Like IC itself invariably the pelvic nerves become...
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Biorhythms of sleep have become well recognized patterns and research has shown that they are intimately associated with health and the prevention of disease For example, people who work night shifts are more prone to health problems But the energy science of Ayurveda also gives us a biorhythm of eating which if adhered to improves the entire digestive process and supports this important concept of agni that I’ve talked about in the past
The biorhythm research has continually confirmed what the energy science gives us as guidance about eating and rest As a matter of fact most contemporary research continues to support what the energy science talks about regarding prevention of progressive disease If we are plagued with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) then we certainly don’t want to get worse
Since we are part of Nature(if you don’t agree then show me how you remove yourself from Her) we will naturally flow with Her rhythms I just alluded to the health problems that occur when we don’t go to bed with Nature and wake up with Her So it is with our eating biorhythm cycle
If we don’t take our biggest meal when Nature is doing so then our digestion suffers Our agni or digestive power is maximal at between 11a and 2p Even if our agni is suboptimal the point is that it will be as good as it can be around the noon hour This is completely compatible with what our ancestors knew before we became accustomed to “city life” where schedules for a healthy lifestyle are abandoned
The energy science says that eating our biggest meal of the day at noon time is optimal for health and encourages the best chance for us to digest well What does “biggest” mean? What you can comfortably hold in your 2 hands represents two-thirds of your stomach capacity and Ayurveda’s guideline is that more than 2 handfuls overdistends the stomach capacity and risks the chance to form ama or undigested unprocessed food If ama is formed due to poor agni it can escape from the GIT(gastrointestinal tract) and will spread to peripheral tissues where it can interfere with function
Eating out can be a major problem There are several reasons for this Things are done by restaurants that aren’t conducive for good digestion The most common infraction is ice water Many of the entrees served in public eateries are popular but are not necessarily good for us(chocolate coffee ice cream) Many restaurants nowadays are serving incompatible food combinations The most common one is fruit with other foods
But probably the most damaging of all with our “restaurant fetish” is that it typically interferes with healthy biorhythms of eating Typically eating our biggest meal of the day turns out to be done at 7p or beyond which in the end is ama promoting Not only is it our biggest meal of the day but it’s associated with all of the other ama promoting eating habits foisted on us because we’re at the restaurant
So what can we d0?
1 Make a pact with yourself to eat your biggest meal at noon
2 Minimize eating out…will be healthier and enhance the pocketbook If you have to eat out try to stay away from night time meals, avoid ice, eat according to your energy constitutional makeup(see foodsheal.com), and avoid incompatible food combinations
3 Breakfast is optional If hungry try fruit It should NOT be the biggest meal of the day
The use of spices is the same as the use of herbs in the energy science model of nutrition and health The use of spices is the same as the use of herbs A spice is considered a herb but not all herbs are spices The spice cabinet in your kitchen if viewed energetically can become a medicine cabinet full of energetic remedies But just as medicines can help us, some can cause us dis-ease so we need to learn how to use spices properly for our benefit This is particularly true in the case of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial...
read moreNo one with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) would argue that having this chronic problem is not stressful As a matter of fact chronic disease of any form is stressful and wears on the physiology This is because living with energetic imbalances that don’t allow for the free flow of physiologic energy produces dis-ease When one is in a state of ease everything including bodily functions becomes easy and unconscious Urinary and rectal elimination is...
read moreLast week I discussed why pranayama or breathing exercises can be helpful as part of the energy science solution in helping with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) As I have explained in the past, in contrast to the matter science approach to disease, the energy science approach uses a multimodality approach in treating the qualitative imbalances of mobile, dull, rough, hot, and often times heavy Pranayama as I explained last week burns ama which is a result of...
read moreThe energy science of Ayurveda views disease as imbalance of qualities or vibrational frequencies that produce symptoms in specific tissues As in the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia)the qualities from the gut lodge into the pelvic nerves These then begin producing the symptoms of burning(hot quality) in the urethra and vagina, urinary frequency(mobile quality) and urgency, and aching(dull and rough qualities) suprapubic pain This often occurs in an episodic way,...
read moreAs part of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, and GERD) fibromyalgia seems to be the most unrelated of all the diseases listed in the syndrome That is, if you understand that from an energy science point of view all disease begins in the GI tract and so IBS and GERD make a whole lot of sense But fibromyalgia(FM) which at one time was labeled as muscular arthritis seems remotely associated with the pelvic diseases that make up the syndrome However as I have written about in the past the...
read moreAs most people with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) inflammation is the triggering issue around the syndrome And a number of foods energetically will cause inflammation such as tomatoes, hot chiles, salsa, carbonated drinks, and coffee But what about animal foods? Where do they fall in the mix and why? Animal Foods To Avoid With IC and Why In the energy science world of nutrition a fatty acid is inflammatory End of story So any fatty meat such as...
read moreAs you know the nutrition is foundational in the management of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, chronic prostatitis, vulvodynia, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) In the energy science tradition of Ayurveda nutrition is specific to one’s energy constitutional makeup(PV, PK, and VK) This is because certain foods produce energetic imbalances which over time will affect the symptoms of the IC bladder pain syndrome So a person with the syndrome who is PK would not choose foods that a PV would choose 9 Veggies That Can Be...
read moreOur local Yoga news is doing an Ayurvedic series and this is an introduction to the discipline that I did for the News Lifestyle behaviors can produce genetic harmony in our lives or interfere with that harmony and the Ayurvedic discipline outlines for us guidelines that can produce genetic harmony Another word for genetic harmony is balance but one of the keys to helping shapeshift our DNA is through healthy lifestyle patterns of behavior These kinds of behavior patterns are foundational to the management of any disease including the IC...
read moreIn essence if we want to direct our lives, we should take control of our consistent actions. It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives but what we do consistently. Anonymous author As I have written in a past blog the origin of IC from an energy science point of view is the pelvic quality expression of hot, sharp, mobile, light, dry, rough, spreading, soft, cloudy, and sticky In the past I have simplified these qualities to hot and mobile because they are so dominantly expressed but you...
read moreChronic prostatitis is a nonbacterial inflammatory condition of the male pelvis and can be considered male intersitial cystitis It is a member of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, irritable bowel syndrome, GERD, and fibromyalgia) because the cause is the same as its other members Imbalances of qualities in the bowel caused by primarily the foods consumed and lifestyle choices that provoke the energy physiology lead to dissemination to the peripheral tissues Like IC itself invariably the pelvic nerves become...
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