Good mental health refers to the perfect balance between emotional, psychological and social aspects in one’s life. Ayurveda, with its nature-based approach, helps regulate emotional behavior through herbal medications, detox therapies and modifications in one’s lifestyle.
Concept of Mind in Ayurveda
Manas/Physical mind is directly connected to Dhi (intellect), Dhruti (processing information) and Smruti (memory). Dhi is the intelligence which helps to learn, focus and understand. Vata Dosha should be balanced for the optimal functioning of Dhi. Dhruti involves the chemical and electrical processing of information and is therefore related to Pitta Dosha. Smruti is the ability to remember. Kapha Dosha should be balanced for proper functioning of Smruti. When there is proper coordination between these 3 factors, one’s mental health is at its best.
What are Trigunas?
Satva, Rajas and Tamas are the 3 Guna (qualities) of mind. Satva is the quality of intelligence, virtue, goodness and creates harmony, balance and stability. Rajas is the quality of change, activity, turbulence and stimulation in nature. Tamas Guna is responsible for dullness, darkness, inertia and heavy or obstructing in its action.
What causes mental illness?
Several causes are responsible for mental illness. Some of these are social circumstances, heredity, traumatic incidents, personality traits, improper diet, physical illness and overindulgence. According to Ayurveda, imbalance in Tridoshas and Trigunas causes mental disturbances. Others include excess of Shoka (sorrow), Krodha (anger), Chinta (overthinking), Kama (lust), Lobha (greed), Moha (delusion), Irshya (jealousy), Abhimana (pride), Bhaya (fear) etc.
Best Ayurvedic practices for mental wellness:
Dinacharya (daily regimen): Begin your day with awareness and gratitude, following Circadian rhythms, and choosing the right food for your appetite and metabolic needs.
Spiritual healing: Include mantras, sacred herbs, auspicious offerings, homa, upavasa etc into your everyday regime.
Yoga and Pranayama: Yoga and pranayama increase Satva, while reducing Rajas and Tamas Guna of mind.
Drug-less treatments: Opt for drug-less (or medicine-less) treatments and practice things like speaking the truth, being free from anger, abstaining from alcohol and overindulgence, maintaining good hygiene, following a Sattvic diet and getting regular sleep, controlling your sensory organs, etc for better mental wellness.
Ayurvedic medications: Opt for Ayurvedic medicine such as Medhya drugs like Brahmi, Mandukaparni, Ashwagandha, Shankapushpi etc. Medicated ghee like Panchagavya gritha, Brahmi Gritha, Kalyanaka Gritha etc are also good for health. Herbomineral preparations such as Smriti Sagara Rasa, Manasamitra Vatakam, Yogendra Rasa etc are also beneficial.
Ayurvedic detox therapies: To cleanse channels of body and mind and to detox the toxin build up, choose Ayurvedic detox therapies prescribed by a professional. If the illness is chronic, one can go with Panchakarma therapies. If the illness is acute, you can also choose Langana therapies which include fasting, sun bathing, exposure to wind, digestive tonics etc.
(Author: Dr Varsha Venkatesh, MD, Ayurveda and Ayurveda Expert on coto, a women-only social community platform)
