The interest in Longevity is another fast growing interest, and holistic health is inextricably linked with longevity. As the quality of our lives improve, people are living longer and healthier. People in their 50's, 60's and 70's are not `old' by the standards of the 1960's. With the realization that growing old can mean maintaining health and dignity, comes the increased focus on ways to develop longevity.

The latest trend in the holistic field is Ayurveda, whose definition is, literally, `the science of life or longevity'. It is the oldest holistic healing tradition, originating in India, over 5,000 years ago. So it seems the first science developed is the last to be re-discovered. Yet even with its relatively new reemergence, its popularity is snowballing; interest in Ayurveda is growing exponentially.

Although it has become a new trend, it has achieved its recognition by proving its simple, gentle and effective methods; rather than as a superficial fad. There is a real quality to longevity. It is not merely a point of vanity because it involves health and balance. Ayurveda has a vision of health that involves healing and balancing the person at the root cause of an illness, not treating a symptom.

One can put on makeup to look younger; wear youthful clothes to appear younger; but if health is not there, there is no lasting longevity below the surface. In being truly holistic, Ayurveda promotes longevity in four ways; through physical, mental and spiritual and lifestyle changes.

~ Right foods and herbs return the body to balance, detoxifying and then rejuvenating or rebuilding the cells and tissues.

~ Brain herbs, calming aromas and colors help bring peace or longevity to the mind and the brain's cells and tissues.

~ A quality lifestyle, including adequate rest, massage, meditation and ethical living, create a structure for longevity to develop in. Let us discuss each area in detail.

Since the early '60's those of us following holistic, vegetarian diets heard of the virtues of fresh, organic, detoxifying diets. People with severe diseases, like cancer, found relief from detoxifying programs such as Macrobiotics and raw foods. At that time, it seemed to be what was needed, and many people benefited greatly from these holistic food plans.

However, over the years, once the toxins were expelled, a continuous detoxification diet began to eat away at the healthy cells and tissues, since there were no toxins for it to destroy. The result was many people becoming too weak and emaciated, while following a seemingly holistically healthy diet. There was no knowledge of rejuvenation or longevity methods.

Ayurveda has provided the missing link to the holistic health field. It not only offers detoxifying measures, but toning or rebuilding therapies as well. The idea is to first detoxify, to cleanse the body and mind, and then to nurture the healthy cells and tissues into a state of strength and resiliency. The secrets of Ayurvedic longevity differ according to the three different constitutions or doshas of people. The basic understanding of the three doshas is that people have a predominance of air, fire, water or some combination thereof.

To determine one's dosha, a simple guide is as follows;

Vayu (air) doshas tend towards an excess of air. Symptoms include anxiety, worry fear (mentally); and thin frame, arthritis, dry skin, gas or constipation (physically).

Fire doshas (Pitta) may have a hot temper or impatience; and physically skin rashes (e.g.,. acne), infections, heart or blood problems; liver, spleen or gall bladder disorders; and ulcers.

Water (Kapha) doshas tend towards lethargy, congestion, bronchitis, overweight and edema.

Many people have dual doshas, or some combination of Air/Fire, Fire Water or Air/Water, or all three doshas (Tridosha).

Further, some people have a mental constitution and a different physical dosha (e.g.,. Pitta mind and Kapha body).

People who have a predominantly air dosha (called Vayu) need to reduce the intake of airy foods, while increasing fiery and watery nourishment. This achieves a balance between the three elements (in the 5 element system- ether is related to air, and earth is related to water).

Fire doshas (Pitta), having a predominance of fire, need to take more airy and watery foods and less fiery items. People of water dosha (Kapha) achieve balance by increasing airy and fiery foods and decreasing the use of watery substances.

The way balance is attained through this elemental approach is;
~ Air cools fire and dries water
~ Fire warms air and burns up water
~ Water moistens dry air and cools fire

Foods and herbs that increase air include cabbage, broccoli, raw vegetables, and golden seal. Fire increasing foods and herbs include chili peppers and ginger. Water expanding foods and herbs include oats and ginseng (i.e., increase congestion).

So when we speak of longevity, the methods of achieving it are different depending upon one's dosha.

Since Ayurveda is a spiritual science, it also takes into account the development of spiritual energy (called Kundalini Shakti), which is the cause of longevity. This energy is built from the body's life sap (or ojas). Certain foods have ojas sap contained within them, such as sesame seeds and almonds (soaked overnight and the skin peeled before eating). Yet the real secret to Ayurveda is the use of herbs.

Certain herbs contain this ojas - life sap in them.

They include, Ashwagandha (Indian ginseng), Shatavari, Bala, Brahmi (Gotu Kola), Gokshura, Guducchi. All these herbs are good for Vayu doshas, and all but Ashwagandha are good for Pitta doshas (because it contains heating properties). The latter three herbs are good for Kapha doshas as they do not increase water energies. Generally Vayu doshas need more ojas building herbs and foods.

Increasing ojas or boosting the life sap, means building the immune system.

We see just how effective these longevity measures are by looking at the results of extreme cases of weak immune systems. AIDS and Epstein Barr are two examples of diseases involving weak immune systems. It has been found that people with theses diseases have begun to feel better almost immediately from using these ojas-building herbs.

So ojas building helps develop the longevity of the very ill and those not so ill.

Ayurveda achieves balance and longevity through developing each of the five senses.

If everything one hears, sees, tastes, touches and smells brings balance to their constitution, one creates a sort of `nirvanic' lifestyle for themselves. Aromas, (as incense, oils, soaps, sachets, etc.) like herbs and foods, have energies of air, fire and water. Frankincense is warming and is good for Vayu and Kapha doshas;

Flowers like rose and lilac are cooling and moistening, thereby balancing Pitta doshas; Sandalwood calms the mind and aids in meditation for all three doshas. Certain aromas, like sandalwood, also increase ojas.

This is the Ayurvedic method of achieving longevity through the sense of smell.

Color therapy (sense of sight) brings harmony to the mind, and colors like gold increase the sense of ojas. Ayurvedic massages, like the oil dripping on the head boost the immune system and bring about a healthy complexion (sense of touch).

Mantras, spiritual chants, bring harmony through the sense of hearing. Longevity for its own sake has no meaning. One must have a purpose in life to enjoy a healthier and longer life.

In one of the three main ancient Ayurvedic texts, the Charak Samhita, it is stated that for one desiring longevity, ethical and virtuous living is a necessity. Most importantly, the Ayurvedic manuals all emphasize that Ayurveda's longevity measures are meant to remove the obstacles in a person's spiritual life, so they can better focus on developing Self-Realization (the goal of life).

Various herbs and foods offer sattwic or spiritual energy (like basil and moong beans), helping the person's mind and body become more spiritual.

Beyond this, they need to live ethically and practice some form of prayer or meditation closest to their heart. They also need to work in a job that utilizes their innate or God-given talents; in other words, `do what you love to do'. Ayurveda calls this type of career, following one's dharma (life path).

It is said that each of us, being individuals, were born with a unique mission and with unique talents to achieve our respective missions. By understanding and following one's dharma, one feels they have found their niche.

Life has meaning and purpose.

A person is then able to help themselves and others grow in their spiritual life. Spiritual life has a holistic definition which includes developing one's, health, career, relationships and Self-realization path. Thus we have discussed the physical, mental, spiritual and lifestyle realms of longevity that Ayurveda advances. It not only offers methods to detoxify, but reminds us to rebuild afterwards.

It further cautions us to think not only of the body's health; the health of the spirit is even more important to consider. (This is very significant these days, when spiritual yearning is increasing.)

Ayurveda also instills the idea that there is no `magic pill' to take that allows us to heal but continue to follow our bad or unhealthy habits. Lastly, there are no differences between health, longevity, beauty and spirituality. Love of God (or Mystical presence) is equal to health, beauty and longevity. The Charak Samhita reminds us that the first cause of all illness is the loss of faith in the Divine.

This article is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, prescribe or heal any health condition. It is not intended to substitute for care from healthcare professionals.