A perfect snack should be nutritious and digest easily even in those with poor digestive strength(agni) This can be really important for those with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) because poor agni is always the case
Fresh fruit fits this category and is the primo snack food, hands down It beats anything in the middle of the grocery store
Energetically we are not created equally Some are PV others PK while others VK(unusual) so we don’t resonate the same to foods and fruits are no exception Perhaps some of you already know that a granny Smith apple due to its sourness can provoke your IC
But there are some fruits that can be used all the time….the universal fruits Notice that they are all sweet because the sour taste will provoke Pitta
Fruit that can be used all the time: Sweet apples(apple a day keeps…), applesauce, sweet berries, sweet apricots, sweet cherries, soaked prunes, soaked raisins
Particularly during the summer when central agni is low, fruits make an excellent way to protect an already compromised agni Try to use locally grown fruits when you can and support the organic growers
Remember the general rule to not mix other foods with fruit If you eat fruit before or after a meal allow 30minutes as a separating time interval Fruits and yogurt is a particularly nauseating combination
Consider using fresh fruit for the below to charge up your agni 
Fruit fast (PittaVata every 2w…PittaKapha every week)
Fruit juice fast…using juices as a way to fast and improve agni is a great way to improve your chances of recovering from IC
Fruit as meal subsititutes…especially during the summer months when appetite is always low, fruit becomes a great meal substitute
Fruit as snacks…possibly 20% of the supermarket is snack foods, typically salty and fat(sour taste)laden….fruits are wholesome, fresh, and simple to digest
In the IC bladder pain syndrome as in many chronic diseases such as fibromyalgia, vulvodynia, IBS, GERD, or chronic prostatitis, there is often times the occurrence of cravings particularly around food Sometimes these cravings are normal and should be satisfied But if we understand the energy model we will understand when some cravings should not be satisfied I’m using the word “craving” here in a very specific way and different than addiction In addiction I’m speaking about a continual need for something you...
read moreAny chronic disease produces stress The stress can be good or it can be bad When stress is managed well there are adaptive behavioral patterns that are adopted that lead to changes that help heal or place the person in situations that help them have unique insights about their disease Whether the disease is IC or its sister related labels of IBS, GERD, vulvodynia, fibromyalgia, or chronic prostatitis matters little What’s important is how the individual deals with the stress But as we know stress can be damaging and affect our...
read moreAs part of the IC bladder pain syndrome fibromyalgia(FM) is a common(along with vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD) It’s estimated that 25% of people with IC have complicating FM but that percentage is probably much higher than the estimate because many with IC have some symptoms of FM but don’t meet the strict criteria for diagnosis Nonetheless the associated symptoms of FM make the IC syndrome difficult to manage Fibromyalgia as a Disease Label More women than men are affected and the symptoms may be unilateral(on just...
read moreIn the past I’ve talked about various options open to an IC population interested in pursuing healing rather than palliative matter science methods The energy science also has palliative methods as well but the topic of this blog is not to palliate the IC bladder pain syndrome but to eliminate it The energy science model’s understanding of the origin of disease makes this possible and allows you to understand why the below therapies work in eliminating IC as well as its sister diseases of IBS, GERD, fibromyalgia, vulvodynia,...
read moreBy definition IC is diagnosable by having symptoms of a UTI but a negative culture, best done on a well done cath specimen If the culture is negative with lower tract irritative symptoms(LTIS of frequency, urgency, burning on urination) and no gross hematuria(blood seen in the urine), one is fairly safe in assuming IC, especially if this happens over and over again Other urological workup can be done but this definition essentially seals the deal #1 Way to Figure It Out If there are associated symptoms of IBS, GERD, fibromyalgia,...
read moreEverything that we observe whether it’s our body or the world around us can be viewed as either a wave or a particle When it’s a particle we see the world as reassuringly solid and palpable From this world view we see things around as molecules; but when the world is seen as a wave our view changes The world is seen as vibrating pulsating energy These vibrational frequencies are identified as money, struggles, obstructions to what we want, the passion of life itself Biologically vibrational frequencies are what make us up...
read moreLast week I wrote about various cooking oils that when used according to your energy constitutional makeup will bring you closer to balance and harmony But there is one cooking oil that can be used by everyone anytime (except in moderation for PK people) This cooking oil comes from unsalted butter, has a very high burning point(technically it’s called smoke point), and best of all is highly medicinal As a matter of fact it is a cornerstone in energy science therapies to heal IC bladder pain syndrome, chronic prostatitis,...
read moreOils may be overlooked when looking for the “apparent trigger foods” in the IC diet In the energy science approach there are specific oils that carry the hot quality and these in the end will aggravate the small bowel, the seat of Pitta energy which is as you recall the energy of transformation in the body These oils if used improperly can produce the bladder pain of the IC bladder pain syndrome Why would the small bowel be the focal point of transformative energy? It’s in the small bowel that foods are literally...
read moreYou would do anything to deal with the pain of IC especially when flares occur so it would stand to reason that using an antacid of some form would be appropriate since for some it gives them relief of their heartburn but has also been anecdotally reported by some to help with their IC symptoms But interestingly disease labels such as IBS, fibromyalgia, and even vulvodynia share the problems of too much heat in the physiology Interestingly acid indigestion(heartburn) and GERD are strongly associated with IC In an online survey done by the...
read moreThe energy body is composed of three types of energy using the energy science model of Ayurveda As I have talked about in the past how it is articulated in other models such as the Traditional Oriental Medicine discipline is different but in essence it’s the same, the mindbody is being seen as an energy field, not a matter field The three energy patterns in the Ayurvedic model are Vata(energy of movement), Pitta(energy of transformation or metabolism), and Kapha(energy of stability) You need all three to function but they are...
read more
In the past we have likened the mindbody to an energy battery that can become drained in many different ways One of the more common ways is chronic disease such as the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, fibromyalgia) When there is constant daily discomfort for long periods of time there will be a high chance that an energy drain can occur
In the world of psychology this can lead to more often than not decision fatigue This is a situation where after several decisions “pile up”, say while grocery shopping, that by the time we’re done we are mentally fatigued That’s why the candy bars are at the checkout stand because with decision fatigue impulse buying happens to increase(unless a high will power quotient is present)
But add on the energy depletion from chronic disease and you’re more likely to start in the hole even before you get started with the shopping in the first place
So protecting your energy when you have the IC bladder pain syndrome is an important thing to look at
Establish a daily routine In the energy science a daily ritual in which foundational “to do’s” are always done such as brushing your teeth These foundational activities require no decision making and allow you to put yourself on “auto pilot” but at the same time they provide a structure that you can always rely on
So going to bed by 10 to 11p each night is a great start to be able to get up preferably at sunrise or by 6-7a each day This early morning rising then establishes a time when the bathroom ritual done and do some form of centering work(contemplation, meditation) Then you can get in a hour of exercise of your choosing…pranayama, asana practice, walking etc Typically the choices are based on your energy constitutional makeup
Having regular mealtimes with the biggest meal at noon is essential to maintaining good health rinking room temperature fluids(ice is not nice!), using spice mixtures(churans at foodsheal.com), simply paying attention to what you’re doing when eating(few meals a week in silence), or not eating when busy helps replenish your body’s energy
Reduce mental turbulence Perhaps a surprise to some is that the mind is the biggest drain of them all! Often the mind is running in the background even though you think it’s quiet This incessant turbulence shows up as fear, anxiety, depression, worry, and of course fatigue because the body gets beat up with this kind of mental activity Solution? Spend 5-10 minutes twice a day(morning and evening) closing your eyes and watching the breath
Remove nutritional stressors There are foods that drain the body’s energy such as refined sugar, coffee, chocolate(what the heck?) carbonated drinks
Improve food choices Foods that bring about balance for you according to the nutritional formats at foodsheal.com after you take the mindbody questionnaire will help you sort this out
Using proper food combining stops the depletion of energy expended due to difficult to digest food combinations
Avoid snacking Eating before you have digested the last food that you’ve ingested requires the mindbody to use more energy so this habit is depleting At least 4 to 6 hours between meals or better yet wait until your hungry since appetite is the best gauge of the body’s readiness for food
Toxicity If you have poor digestion, chances toxic formation will occur leading to the qualities in the bladder being held there and unable to be released But this toxicity is everywhere and it reduces the mindbody’s efficiency in functioning The mindbody can no longer function with “ease” but now functions with “dis-ease”
By implementing these suggestions you can begin to reduce decision fatigue and free up energy that gets wasted Good luck!! DB
In the IC bladder pain syndrome as in many chronic diseases such as fibromyalgia, vulvodynia, IBS, GERD, or chronic prostatitis, there is often times the occurrence of cravings particularly around food Sometimes these cravings are normal and should be satisfied But if we understand the energy model we will understand when some cravings should not be satisfied I’m using the word “craving” here in a very specific way and different than addiction In addiction I’m speaking about a continual need for something you...
read moreAny chronic disease produces stress The stress can be good or it can be bad When stress is managed well there are adaptive behavioral patterns that are adopted that lead to changes that help heal or place the person in situations that help them have unique insights about their disease Whether the disease is IC or its sister related labels of IBS, GERD, vulvodynia, fibromyalgia, or chronic prostatitis matters little What’s important is how the individual deals with the stress But as we know stress can be damaging and affect our...
read moreAs part of the IC bladder pain syndrome fibromyalgia(FM) is a common(along with vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD) It’s estimated that 25% of people with IC have complicating FM but that percentage is probably much higher than the estimate because many with IC have some symptoms of FM but don’t meet the strict criteria for diagnosis Nonetheless the associated symptoms of FM make the IC syndrome difficult to manage Fibromyalgia as a Disease Label More women than men are affected and the symptoms may be unilateral(on just...
read moreIn the past I’ve talked about various options open to an IC population interested in pursuing healing rather than palliative matter science methods The energy science also has palliative methods as well but the topic of this blog is not to palliate the IC bladder pain syndrome but to eliminate it The energy science model’s understanding of the origin of disease makes this possible and allows you to understand why the below therapies work in eliminating IC as well as its sister diseases of IBS, GERD, fibromyalgia, vulvodynia,...
read moreBy definition IC is diagnosable by having symptoms of a UTI but a negative culture, best done on a well done cath specimen If the culture is negative with lower tract irritative symptoms(LTIS of frequency, urgency, burning on urination) and no gross hematuria(blood seen in the urine), one is fairly safe in assuming IC, especially if this happens over and over again Other urological workup can be done but this definition essentially seals the deal #1 Way to Figure It Out If there are associated symptoms of IBS, GERD, fibromyalgia,...
read moreEverything that we observe whether it’s our body or the world around us can be viewed as either a wave or a particle When it’s a particle we see the world as reassuringly solid and palpable From this world view we see things around as molecules; but when the world is seen as a wave our view changes The world is seen as vibrating pulsating energy These vibrational frequencies are identified as money, struggles, obstructions to what we want, the passion of life itself Biologically vibrational frequencies are what make us up...
read moreLast week I wrote about various cooking oils that when used according to your energy constitutional makeup will bring you closer to balance and harmony But there is one cooking oil that can be used by everyone anytime (except in moderation for PK people) This cooking oil comes from unsalted butter, has a very high burning point(technically it’s called smoke point), and best of all is highly medicinal As a matter of fact it is a cornerstone in energy science therapies to heal IC bladder pain syndrome, chronic prostatitis,...
read moreOils may be overlooked when looking for the “apparent trigger foods” in the IC diet In the energy science approach there are specific oils that carry the hot quality and these in the end will aggravate the small bowel, the seat of Pitta energy which is as you recall the energy of transformation in the body These oils if used improperly can produce the bladder pain of the IC bladder pain syndrome Why would the small bowel be the focal point of transformative energy? It’s in the small bowel that foods are literally...
read moreYou would do anything to deal with the pain of IC especially when flares occur so it would stand to reason that using an antacid of some form would be appropriate since for some it gives them relief of their heartburn but has also been anecdotally reported by some to help with their IC symptoms But interestingly disease labels such as IBS, fibromyalgia, and even vulvodynia share the problems of too much heat in the physiology Interestingly acid indigestion(heartburn) and GERD are strongly associated with IC In an online survey done by the...
read moreThe energy body is composed of three types of energy using the energy science model of Ayurveda As I have talked about in the past how it is articulated in other models such as the Traditional Oriental Medicine discipline is different but in essence it’s the same, the mindbody is being seen as an energy field, not a matter field The three energy patterns in the Ayurvedic model are Vata(energy of movement), Pitta(energy of transformation or metabolism), and Kapha(energy of stability) You need all three to function but they are...
read more
Grains are an interesting food group energetically but the one use of grains that is universally safe for all energy constitutional makeups is sprouted grains In the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) grains vary in terms of the types that can be used
For example, Pitta Vata can use cooked oats, rice, and pancakes all the time whereas PK would use these in moderation Typically it’s recommended to avoid yeasted bread products so flatbreads become the best way to use grains as a form of “bread”
In general the husk of the grain is difficult to digest and requires strong agni Since most people’s agni is not up to par it makes the digestion of husked grains difficult to digest For example, brown rice is not balancing for any of the energy patterns due to the husk
White basmati rice is a classic grain without the husk Other grains are usually husked Here’s a video demo demonstrating the dehusking process
Another way to deal with the tough husk of a grain is to soak the grain and that stimulates the grain to begin to sprout Sprouting grains is a time honored way of releasing nourishing aspects of any grain The benefits of sprouting are three fundamental aspects: 1) sprouting activates food enzymes; 2) sprouting increases vitamin content, and 3) sprouting neutralizes antinutrients like phytic acid which bind up minerals preventing your ability to fully absorb them
It is the last aspect that is of most interest for those with IC since phytic acid would be irritating and provoking energetically But all three of these benefits are important in terms of improving the nutrition of the foods we eat
So another way to take advantage of sprouted grains is to access available products commercially The best is a nonyeasted sprouted grain product, tortillas Nonyeasted products are superior to yeasted grain products because yeast produces gas and heat in the small intestine
The most affordable and commonly commercially available bread source of sprouted grains is sprouted wheat bread
In the IC bladder pain syndrome as in many chronic diseases such as fibromyalgia, vulvodynia, IBS, GERD, or chronic prostatitis, there is often times the occurrence of cravings particularly around food Sometimes these cravings are normal and should be satisfied But if we understand the energy model we will understand when some cravings should not be satisfied I’m using the word “craving” here in a very specific way and different than addiction In addiction I’m speaking about a continual need for something you...
read moreAny chronic disease produces stress The stress can be good or it can be bad When stress is managed well there are adaptive behavioral patterns that are adopted that lead to changes that help heal or place the person in situations that help them have unique insights about their disease Whether the disease is IC or its sister related labels of IBS, GERD, vulvodynia, fibromyalgia, or chronic prostatitis matters little What’s important is how the individual deals with the stress But as we know stress can be damaging and affect our...
read moreAs part of the IC bladder pain syndrome fibromyalgia(FM) is a common(along with vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD) It’s estimated that 25% of people with IC have complicating FM but that percentage is probably much higher than the estimate because many with IC have some symptoms of FM but don’t meet the strict criteria for diagnosis Nonetheless the associated symptoms of FM make the IC syndrome difficult to manage Fibromyalgia as a Disease Label More women than men are affected and the symptoms may be unilateral(on just...
read moreIn the past I’ve talked about various options open to an IC population interested in pursuing healing rather than palliative matter science methods The energy science also has palliative methods as well but the topic of this blog is not to palliate the IC bladder pain syndrome but to eliminate it The energy science model’s understanding of the origin of disease makes this possible and allows you to understand why the below therapies work in eliminating IC as well as its sister diseases of IBS, GERD, fibromyalgia, vulvodynia,...
read moreBy definition IC is diagnosable by having symptoms of a UTI but a negative culture, best done on a well done cath specimen If the culture is negative with lower tract irritative symptoms(LTIS of frequency, urgency, burning on urination) and no gross hematuria(blood seen in the urine), one is fairly safe in assuming IC, especially if this happens over and over again Other urological workup can be done but this definition essentially seals the deal #1 Way to Figure It Out If there are associated symptoms of IBS, GERD, fibromyalgia,...
read moreEverything that we observe whether it’s our body or the world around us can be viewed as either a wave or a particle When it’s a particle we see the world as reassuringly solid and palpable From this world view we see things around as molecules; but when the world is seen as a wave our view changes The world is seen as vibrating pulsating energy These vibrational frequencies are identified as money, struggles, obstructions to what we want, the passion of life itself Biologically vibrational frequencies are what make us up...
read moreLast week I wrote about various cooking oils that when used according to your energy constitutional makeup will bring you closer to balance and harmony But there is one cooking oil that can be used by everyone anytime (except in moderation for PK people) This cooking oil comes from unsalted butter, has a very high burning point(technically it’s called smoke point), and best of all is highly medicinal As a matter of fact it is a cornerstone in energy science therapies to heal IC bladder pain syndrome, chronic prostatitis,...
read moreOils may be overlooked when looking for the “apparent trigger foods” in the IC diet In the energy science approach there are specific oils that carry the hot quality and these in the end will aggravate the small bowel, the seat of Pitta energy which is as you recall the energy of transformation in the body These oils if used improperly can produce the bladder pain of the IC bladder pain syndrome Why would the small bowel be the focal point of transformative energy? It’s in the small bowel that foods are literally...
read moreYou would do anything to deal with the pain of IC especially when flares occur so it would stand to reason that using an antacid of some form would be appropriate since for some it gives them relief of their heartburn but has also been anecdotally reported by some to help with their IC symptoms But interestingly disease labels such as IBS, fibromyalgia, and even vulvodynia share the problems of too much heat in the physiology Interestingly acid indigestion(heartburn) and GERD are strongly associated with IC In an online survey done by the...
read moreThe energy body is composed of three types of energy using the energy science model of Ayurveda As I have talked about in the past how it is articulated in other models such as the Traditional Oriental Medicine discipline is different but in essence it’s the same, the mindbody is being seen as an energy field, not a matter field The three energy patterns in the Ayurvedic model are Vata(energy of movement), Pitta(energy of transformation or metabolism), and Kapha(energy of stability) You need all three to function but they are...
read more
It’s one thing to watch what you eat when you have the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, fibromyalgia) but what you use as foods and how to buy them economically is another aspect of food preparation
With our busy lives, these temptations seem so much easier and affordable than cooking. Between our never-ending to-do lists, demanding jobs, children’s busy schedules, and perhaps less-than-stellar skills in the kitchen, cooking seems to slide down to the bottom of our list of priorities Unfortunately, we’ve now raised several generations of Americans who don’t know how to cook. And it’s killing us.
The food industry wants us to believe that cooking is difficult, time-consuming, inconvenient, and expensive. They’ve brainwashed us to believe that we “deserve a break today.”
Even if time and money aren’t on your side, you can still eat healthy This is one of the most common misconceptions I hear I understand the challenges of trying to eat well with limited financial resources, limited time, or both But you don’t have to be rich or retired to eat well and take care of yourself
These days, I’m even busier, but I haven’t forgotten how to incorporate simple but effective strategies for eating good-quality, healthy food that’s prepared with little money and time
Likewise, I’ve met numerous folks with limited finances and time who nonetheless have access to good quality food Trust me, they don’t search out arcane ingredients or shop at trendy food boutiques Instead, they realize the immediate and long-term value of eating healthy and employ some savvy strategies to make their food budget work harder
I mentioned earlier that the food industry spends billions of dollars each year and has become incredibly crafty at convincing us that sugary, processed foods are a real value Let’s look at three of their myths and consider the truth about eating healthy
n so, there are ways of making choices that work within our resources. Here are 10 ideas based on how I save time and money AND create better health for myself.
In part courtesy of Mark Hyman MD blog
In the IC bladder pain syndrome as in many chronic diseases such as fibromyalgia, vulvodynia, IBS, GERD, or chronic prostatitis, there is often times the occurrence of cravings particularly around food Sometimes these cravings are normal and should be satisfied But if we understand the energy model we will understand when some cravings should not be satisfied I’m using the word “craving” here in a very specific way and different than addiction In addiction I’m speaking about a continual need for something you...
read moreAny chronic disease produces stress The stress can be good or it can be bad When stress is managed well there are adaptive behavioral patterns that are adopted that lead to changes that help heal or place the person in situations that help them have unique insights about their disease Whether the disease is IC or its sister related labels of IBS, GERD, vulvodynia, fibromyalgia, or chronic prostatitis matters little What’s important is how the individual deals with the stress But as we know stress can be damaging and affect our...
read moreAs part of the IC bladder pain syndrome fibromyalgia(FM) is a common(along with vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD) It’s estimated that 25% of people with IC have complicating FM but that percentage is probably much higher than the estimate because many with IC have some symptoms of FM but don’t meet the strict criteria for diagnosis Nonetheless the associated symptoms of FM make the IC syndrome difficult to manage Fibromyalgia as a Disease Label More women than men are affected and the symptoms may be unilateral(on just...
read moreIn the past I’ve talked about various options open to an IC population interested in pursuing healing rather than palliative matter science methods The energy science also has palliative methods as well but the topic of this blog is not to palliate the IC bladder pain syndrome but to eliminate it The energy science model’s understanding of the origin of disease makes this possible and allows you to understand why the below therapies work in eliminating IC as well as its sister diseases of IBS, GERD, fibromyalgia, vulvodynia,...
read moreBy definition IC is diagnosable by having symptoms of a UTI but a negative culture, best done on a well done cath specimen If the culture is negative with lower tract irritative symptoms(LTIS of frequency, urgency, burning on urination) and no gross hematuria(blood seen in the urine), one is fairly safe in assuming IC, especially if this happens over and over again Other urological workup can be done but this definition essentially seals the deal #1 Way to Figure It Out If there are associated symptoms of IBS, GERD, fibromyalgia,...
read moreEverything that we observe whether it’s our body or the world around us can be viewed as either a wave or a particle When it’s a particle we see the world as reassuringly solid and palpable From this world view we see things around as molecules; but when the world is seen as a wave our view changes The world is seen as vibrating pulsating energy These vibrational frequencies are identified as money, struggles, obstructions to what we want, the passion of life itself Biologically vibrational frequencies are what make us up...
read moreLast week I wrote about various cooking oils that when used according to your energy constitutional makeup will bring you closer to balance and harmony But there is one cooking oil that can be used by everyone anytime (except in moderation for PK people) This cooking oil comes from unsalted butter, has a very high burning point(technically it’s called smoke point), and best of all is highly medicinal As a matter of fact it is a cornerstone in energy science therapies to heal IC bladder pain syndrome, chronic prostatitis,...
read moreOils may be overlooked when looking for the “apparent trigger foods” in the IC diet In the energy science approach there are specific oils that carry the hot quality and these in the end will aggravate the small bowel, the seat of Pitta energy which is as you recall the energy of transformation in the body These oils if used improperly can produce the bladder pain of the IC bladder pain syndrome Why would the small bowel be the focal point of transformative energy? It’s in the small bowel that foods are literally...
read moreYou would do anything to deal with the pain of IC especially when flares occur so it would stand to reason that using an antacid of some form would be appropriate since for some it gives them relief of their heartburn but has also been anecdotally reported by some to help with their IC symptoms But interestingly disease labels such as IBS, fibromyalgia, and even vulvodynia share the problems of too much heat in the physiology Interestingly acid indigestion(heartburn) and GERD are strongly associated with IC In an online survey done by the...
read moreThe energy body is composed of three types of energy using the energy science model of Ayurveda As I have talked about in the past how it is articulated in other models such as the Traditional Oriental Medicine discipline is different but in essence it’s the same, the mindbody is being seen as an energy field, not a matter field The three energy patterns in the Ayurvedic model are Vata(energy of movement), Pitta(energy of transformation or metabolism), and Kapha(energy of stability) You need all three to function but they are...
read more
Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS) is a common condition in those with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, GERD, fibromyalgia) and falls into 3 categories: symptoms with constipation, diarrhea, and those with both This is not surprising since all disease except trauma begins in the GIT according to the energy science model of Ayurveda So how does constipation occur from the view of the energy science?
In general Vata due to the elements of Space and Air presents when imbalanced as gas Gas or air when present has the capability of drying This dry quality tends to be most prominent in the colon and so colonic contents and the lubricating element of the colon get dried out The contents don’t slide along leading to further drying The result is a slow down of the normal transit time through the colon leading to constipation
The energy science of Ayurveda states that a healthy functioning state of the colon is a bowel movement first thing in the morning and then a stool 2h after eating From this definition most of us are constipated to some degree or another
The nutritional format(nf) at foodsheal.com is never ever the problem….it’s the shifts, releases, and the imbalances that lead to changes in bowel patterns Following are some suggestions if you have constipation
1 Begin using soaked overnight prunes or raisins(can use them as snacks not with meals) or apples bananas peaches pineapple juice based on the nf
2 Eat more fiber….oatmeal wheat bran oat bran
3 Use triphala(T3) on a every night basis…you can make a decoction(5min boil of the herb in cup of water) at night or straight up powder(churna) and wash it down with warm water….link http://goo.gl/RMD8ny….I think the churna is superior to tablets(vati)
4 If you get loose with the T3 switch to bhumyamalaki at the same link 3 There is a T3 tincture if your agni is poor at the same link
5 2t of ghee with warm milk at bedtime is a gentle way to help with constipation
6 Castor oil can be used if the constipation is obstinate but not for long period of time as it can cause dependency One way to prevent this dependency is using castor with warm milk at night
7 Boil 1T of flaxseed in 1c of water for 3minutes then drink including the seeds
8 If there is absolute constipation for 3 days, don’t use purgatives The better approach is to use basti(medicated herbal enema) to initiate steps of regulating the system You can use T3 tea as described above just more volume with more T3
In the IC bladder pain syndrome as in many chronic diseases such as fibromyalgia, vulvodynia, IBS, GERD, or chronic prostatitis, there is often times the occurrence of cravings particularly around food Sometimes these cravings are normal and should be satisfied But if we understand the energy model we will understand when some cravings should not be satisfied I’m using the word “craving” here in a very specific way and different than addiction In addiction I’m speaking about a continual need for something you...
read moreAny chronic disease produces stress The stress can be good or it can be bad When stress is managed well there are adaptive behavioral patterns that are adopted that lead to changes that help heal or place the person in situations that help them have unique insights about their disease Whether the disease is IC or its sister related labels of IBS, GERD, vulvodynia, fibromyalgia, or chronic prostatitis matters little What’s important is how the individual deals with the stress But as we know stress can be damaging and affect our...
read moreAs part of the IC bladder pain syndrome fibromyalgia(FM) is a common(along with vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD) It’s estimated that 25% of people with IC have complicating FM but that percentage is probably much higher than the estimate because many with IC have some symptoms of FM but don’t meet the strict criteria for diagnosis Nonetheless the associated symptoms of FM make the IC syndrome difficult to manage Fibromyalgia as a Disease Label More women than men are affected and the symptoms may be unilateral(on just...
read moreIn the past I’ve talked about various options open to an IC population interested in pursuing healing rather than palliative matter science methods The energy science also has palliative methods as well but the topic of this blog is not to palliate the IC bladder pain syndrome but to eliminate it The energy science model’s understanding of the origin of disease makes this possible and allows you to understand why the below therapies work in eliminating IC as well as its sister diseases of IBS, GERD, fibromyalgia, vulvodynia,...
read moreBy definition IC is diagnosable by having symptoms of a UTI but a negative culture, best done on a well done cath specimen If the culture is negative with lower tract irritative symptoms(LTIS of frequency, urgency, burning on urination) and no gross hematuria(blood seen in the urine), one is fairly safe in assuming IC, especially if this happens over and over again Other urological workup can be done but this definition essentially seals the deal #1 Way to Figure It Out If there are associated symptoms of IBS, GERD, fibromyalgia,...
read moreEverything that we observe whether it’s our body or the world around us can be viewed as either a wave or a particle When it’s a particle we see the world as reassuringly solid and palpable From this world view we see things around as molecules; but when the world is seen as a wave our view changes The world is seen as vibrating pulsating energy These vibrational frequencies are identified as money, struggles, obstructions to what we want, the passion of life itself Biologically vibrational frequencies are what make us up...
read moreLast week I wrote about various cooking oils that when used according to your energy constitutional makeup will bring you closer to balance and harmony But there is one cooking oil that can be used by everyone anytime (except in moderation for PK people) This cooking oil comes from unsalted butter, has a very high burning point(technically it’s called smoke point), and best of all is highly medicinal As a matter of fact it is a cornerstone in energy science therapies to heal IC bladder pain syndrome, chronic prostatitis,...
read moreOils may be overlooked when looking for the “apparent trigger foods” in the IC diet In the energy science approach there are specific oils that carry the hot quality and these in the end will aggravate the small bowel, the seat of Pitta energy which is as you recall the energy of transformation in the body These oils if used improperly can produce the bladder pain of the IC bladder pain syndrome Why would the small bowel be the focal point of transformative energy? It’s in the small bowel that foods are literally...
read moreYou would do anything to deal with the pain of IC especially when flares occur so it would stand to reason that using an antacid of some form would be appropriate since for some it gives them relief of their heartburn but has also been anecdotally reported by some to help with their IC symptoms But interestingly disease labels such as IBS, fibromyalgia, and even vulvodynia share the problems of too much heat in the physiology Interestingly acid indigestion(heartburn) and GERD are strongly associated with IC In an online survey done by the...
read moreThe energy body is composed of three types of energy using the energy science model of Ayurveda As I have talked about in the past how it is articulated in other models such as the Traditional Oriental Medicine discipline is different but in essence it’s the same, the mindbody is being seen as an energy field, not a matter field The three energy patterns in the Ayurvedic model are Vata(energy of movement), Pitta(energy of transformation or metabolism), and Kapha(energy of stability) You need all three to function but they are...
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The energy science of Ayurveda uses the VPK(Vata Pitta Kapha) paradigm as a way of talking about the mindbody as a biologic energy field In the energy field model of the energy science health is enjoyed when there is free flow of this biologic energy throughout the physiology and dis-ease is recognized when there is abnormal flow of this biologic energy In this model energy is called prana Prana is a general term for the biologic energy but VPK are types of biologic energy In other energy models prana is called chi, qi, ru, or ruha Regardless we notice things are not right when this energy flow is in some way compromised or obstructed
In the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, fibromyalgia) prana gets stuck in the pelvic plexus of nerves This pranic blockage of Vata is due to the buildup of the Vata qualities of cold, light, mobile, dry, rough, subtle, clear; pranic blockage can occur with the buildup of Pitta qualities of hot, light, spreading, sharp, liquid, oily; and prana is significantly blocked with the Kapha qualities of heavy, slow/dull, cool, slimy/smooth, liquid, dense, hard, soft, static, cloudy/sticky
When these above qualities accumulate they slow down the flow of prana through the GIT(GI tract) and affect agni When agni becomes disturbed food is no longer digested well and the result is undigested unprocessed food called ama When these qualities of VPK leave the GIT and go into the pelvic nerves(IC bladder pain syndrome) they carry this ama with them You can see this ama on your tongue when you scrape it in the morning during your morning ritual This is a great way as to check your progress when you are regaining your health
This ama blocks the energy channels as well as the qualities of VPK mentioned above So as you can see one of the major ways to clear the channels and hence improve the flow of prana is to augment or improve your own digestive fire or agni
The beauty of the energy model is that it not only helps us understand how disease originates but it gives us multiple ways to fix it One of the major problems in the matter science medical model is that it does not have any understanding of this concept of agni Even though it speaks about metabolism in a molecular way due to the model it has no way of treating the metabolism about which it speaks
The energy science offers several ways to clear obstructed channels in the mindbody some of which you are familiar with
1 Teas CCF tea….cumin, coriander, and fennel
Fresh ginger, cardamom, cinnamon tea
Agni tea….fresh ginger, pinch of cayenne pepper, and sucanat
2 Use of ginger pickle will stoke agni
3 Following a nutritional format for your mindbody energy constitutional makeup…seems strange that a nutrition not appropriate for your energy makeup would obstruct prana but think about it….if the qualities that you bring into your body are already in excess that will disturb digestive fire which will build ama which further obstructs the channels of flow
4 Pranayama This is a powerful way to augment agni if done on a regular basis and get prana moving
5 Asana.…certain yoga postures can enhance agni…for example naukasana(boat pose) and flow sequence such as sun salutation
6 Herbs...specific herbs used in the kitchen can improve agni such as CCF, fresh ginger, turmeric, black pepper, garlic The last 2 can be too heating especially if Pitta is provoked or during the hot summer season
7 Herbal forumla.…all formulae should be written to address agni with common herbs such as chitrak, haridra, pippali, aloe, manjistha, neem, bhumy amalaki, and kutki
In the IC bladder pain syndrome as in many chronic diseases such as fibromyalgia, vulvodynia, IBS, GERD, or chronic prostatitis, there is often times the occurrence of cravings particularly around food Sometimes these cravings are normal and should be satisfied But if we understand the energy model we will understand when some cravings should not be satisfied I’m using the word “craving” here in a very specific way and different than addiction In addiction I’m speaking about a continual need for something you...
read moreAny chronic disease produces stress The stress can be good or it can be bad When stress is managed well there are adaptive behavioral patterns that are adopted that lead to changes that help heal or place the person in situations that help them have unique insights about their disease Whether the disease is IC or its sister related labels of IBS, GERD, vulvodynia, fibromyalgia, or chronic prostatitis matters little What’s important is how the individual deals with the stress But as we know stress can be damaging and affect our...
read moreAs part of the IC bladder pain syndrome fibromyalgia(FM) is a common(along with vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD) It’s estimated that 25% of people with IC have complicating FM but that percentage is probably much higher than the estimate because many with IC have some symptoms of FM but don’t meet the strict criteria for diagnosis Nonetheless the associated symptoms of FM make the IC syndrome difficult to manage Fibromyalgia as a Disease Label More women than men are affected and the symptoms may be unilateral(on just...
read moreIn the past I’ve talked about various options open to an IC population interested in pursuing healing rather than palliative matter science methods The energy science also has palliative methods as well but the topic of this blog is not to palliate the IC bladder pain syndrome but to eliminate it The energy science model’s understanding of the origin of disease makes this possible and allows you to understand why the below therapies work in eliminating IC as well as its sister diseases of IBS, GERD, fibromyalgia, vulvodynia,...
read moreBy definition IC is diagnosable by having symptoms of a UTI but a negative culture, best done on a well done cath specimen If the culture is negative with lower tract irritative symptoms(LTIS of frequency, urgency, burning on urination) and no gross hematuria(blood seen in the urine), one is fairly safe in assuming IC, especially if this happens over and over again Other urological workup can be done but this definition essentially seals the deal #1 Way to Figure It Out If there are associated symptoms of IBS, GERD, fibromyalgia,...
read moreEverything that we observe whether it’s our body or the world around us can be viewed as either a wave or a particle When it’s a particle we see the world as reassuringly solid and palpable From this world view we see things around as molecules; but when the world is seen as a wave our view changes The world is seen as vibrating pulsating energy These vibrational frequencies are identified as money, struggles, obstructions to what we want, the passion of life itself Biologically vibrational frequencies are what make us up...
read moreLast week I wrote about various cooking oils that when used according to your energy constitutional makeup will bring you closer to balance and harmony But there is one cooking oil that can be used by everyone anytime (except in moderation for PK people) This cooking oil comes from unsalted butter, has a very high burning point(technically it’s called smoke point), and best of all is highly medicinal As a matter of fact it is a cornerstone in energy science therapies to heal IC bladder pain syndrome, chronic prostatitis,...
read moreOils may be overlooked when looking for the “apparent trigger foods” in the IC diet In the energy science approach there are specific oils that carry the hot quality and these in the end will aggravate the small bowel, the seat of Pitta energy which is as you recall the energy of transformation in the body These oils if used improperly can produce the bladder pain of the IC bladder pain syndrome Why would the small bowel be the focal point of transformative energy? It’s in the small bowel that foods are literally...
read moreYou would do anything to deal with the pain of IC especially when flares occur so it would stand to reason that using an antacid of some form would be appropriate since for some it gives them relief of their heartburn but has also been anecdotally reported by some to help with their IC symptoms But interestingly disease labels such as IBS, fibromyalgia, and even vulvodynia share the problems of too much heat in the physiology Interestingly acid indigestion(heartburn) and GERD are strongly associated with IC In an online survey done by the...
read moreThe energy body is composed of three types of energy using the energy science model of Ayurveda As I have talked about in the past how it is articulated in other models such as the Traditional Oriental Medicine discipline is different but in essence it’s the same, the mindbody is being seen as an energy field, not a matter field The three energy patterns in the Ayurvedic model are Vata(energy of movement), Pitta(energy of transformation or metabolism), and Kapha(energy of stability) You need all three to function but they are...
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