Ayurvedic Products

There are a wide variety of Ayurvedic products available through local health food stores and many online retailers. This article will explore some of the common herbal formulas offered, as well as an overview of the neti pot (used in nasal irrigation), and the tongue cleaner.

The Neti Pot

One common Ayurvedic product is the now well-known neti pot. Each day our nasal passages are bombarded with pollutants and toxins that are floating around in the air. The tiny hairs and mucus in our nasal passages and sinuses trap this particulate matter in order to prevent it from entering the lungs. It makes sense to help our bodies with this process by regularly cleaning the sinuses using a neti pot. The neti pot is a small ceramic or plastic device that delivers a saline solution to the sinuses. Gravity does most of the work (a neti pot does not use a spray, like nasal saline solutions in the drug store do). You simply fill the neti pot with purified water that is close to your own body temperature, add a little medical grade salt, and pour the water into one nostril while tilting your head. The water then falls out of the other nostril, leaving your breathing passages clean and refreshed.

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The Tongue Cleaner

Each day bacteria and other microbes collect on your tongue. Regular teeth brushing and flossing only does half the job—in order to truly clean your mouth, the tongue must be scraped daily. The Ayurvedic tongue cleaner accomplishes this work for you. It is a U-shaped piece of metal that you simply place on your tongue and drag forward. The scraper then removes any white or yellow film that has built up on your tongue overnight. This practice significantly reduces tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath (halitosis). The tongue cleaner should then be disinfected using warm water and baking soda, which will eliminate any tarnish that may have built up on the metal.

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Ayurvedic Herbal Products

Ayurveda utilizes specific blends of Indian herbs, plants, and spices to help maintain health and prevent disease. One popular blend is called Shatavari, which is used to support feminine reproductive health. It is said to balance the Vata and Pitta doshas. Its indications are:

Balances lactation for nursing mothers
Balances libido and leads to increased fertility
Balances feminine hormones
Helps in menopause transition

Another popular and common Ayurvedic product is Neem oil, which is made into soaps, shampoos, and toothpaste. The oil comes from the Neem tree, which is native to India. It is good for repelling mosquitoes, conditioning the hair, skin, and teeth, and fighting gum disease. Look for Ayurvedic products that contain a blend of Neem with other ingredients—it is potent and should not be used in full strength.

Ashwagandha is a third Ayurvedic herb that is used frequently for a variety of purposes. It is sometimes referred to as Indian Ginseng. Ashwagandha is considered an adatogen, helping the mind, body, and spirit to resist the effects of mental and physical stress. Its benefits are:

Enhances energy
Increases vitality
Calms the body and mind
Supports the joints and muscles

Ayurvedic products come in a variety of forms, including the neti pot, the tongue cleaner, herbal supplements, massage oils, tinctures, teas, soaps, shampoos, and toothpastes. As with all alternative medicine, please make sure to tell your doctor about all the Ayurvedic products that you are using; some herbal supplements can interact with your prescribed medications. Other supplements may be contraindicated for any health issues you may have. To find Ayurvedic products, visit these websites: