Eat Pray Love, Elizabeth Gilbert’s top-selling novel about a woman’s quest for healing in Italy, India and Indonesia, swept even more people off of their feet when the film adaptation starring Julia Roberts hit the silver screen. But Westerners need not globe-trot to find Gilbert’s version of health; the eastern and ancient philosophies and medicines presented in the story are available through USA-based, India-grown Ayurvedic medicine company R-U-VED Herbs Inc.
R-U-VED is the locally-accessible and real-life embodiment of the ideas represented in Eat Pray Love. Both address the profound craving so many westerners today acknowledge: the need for holistic remedies to heal their bodies and improve their lives. Rather than just prescriptions, modern self-aware consumers want to eat, pray and love their way to wellness.
As Gilbert (Julia Roberts) looks to food, yoga, meditation, and a love that suits her true self for the balance and nourishment of her physical and spiritual life—she opens the door for millions of viewers to the very founding notions of Ayurveda, the guiding tradition behind R-U-VED Herbs. This 5,000-year-old medical philosophy (the roots of which lie in one of Gilbert’s three destinations, India) is one of the earliest forms of medicine and offers a personalized approach to health care. Ayurveda’s individual, or “dosha,”-specific treatments (see “Know Your Dosha: Vata, Pitta, or Kapha” at bottom) comprise eating and diet regiments, meditation suggestions, yoga postures, and other personal lifestyle recommendations for a balanced, healthy and happy life.
In accordance with Ayurvedic practice, R-U-VED’s line of traditional Indian support cardiovascular, digestive, immune, and women’s health as well as common modern mental and emotional strains like stress or depression. The line also includes dosha-balancing teas, spices and oils.
Eat, Pray and Love Your Way To Wellness
EAT: Dr. Virender Sodhi, an Ayurvedic MD, Naturopath, and founder of R-U-VED, recommends diet adjustments based on an individual’s dosha. For instance, for Vata personalities, he advises a diet of cooked vegetables, while for Pitta personalities, he might suggest lots of cool leafy greens. In addition, he also suggests the natural herb Triphala for overall digestive health.
PRAY: Meditation, combined with breathing and yoga practices, is a founding principle of Ayurveda. To balance all doshas, Dr. Sodhi suggests this simple breathing exercise: 1. Turn head to the left and inhale through nose until reaching lung capacity; 2. Turn head to right and exhale through mouth; 3. Repeat 16 times, twice a day; 4. Repeat process, beginning on the right side.
LOVE: In Eat Pray Love the protagonist finds lasting love only after finding inner peace and balance. Ayurvedic treatments assist individuals in finding a healthy balance within, thus affecting their interpersonal relationships. Recommendations cover types of exercise, massage, herbs, foods, and more to deal with symptoms like irritability, depression, or anxiety. Dr. Sodhi would also recommend the herb Ashwaganda, or “Indian ginseng” for stress and cognitive support for all doshas.
Know Your Dosha: Vata, Pitta or Kapha
Vata – (Composed of the elements ether and air) Characterized by an enthusiastic and creative nature, quick movements and thoughts, and a light, thin build. Subject to anxiety, fear, constipation, gas, dryness and a tendency to coldness. Vata types benefit from simple, nourishing food and a regular routine.
Pitta – (Composed of the elements fire and water) Characterized by a passionate, determined nature, intensity, intelligence, and a go-getter attitude, and a medium build. Subject to anger, irritation, inflammation, heartburn, and skin irritations. Pitta types need to balance their intense schedules with more leisure time.
Kapha – (Composed of the elements earth and water) Characterized by an easy-going, loving, nurturing, stable, methodical and trustworthy nature, physically strong and larger build. Subject to sleepiness, depression, a tendency toward obesity, and congestion. Kapha types need a spicier diet and stimulating activities.
ABOUT R-U-VED, INC.
The only Ayurvedic herb company in the U.S. owned and operated by practicing Ayurvedic physicians, who actually grow their own medicinal herbs, R-U-VED also offers formulations for cardiovascular, digestive, elimination, liver, metabolic, muscle and joint, stress and cognitive support, women’s health and more. R-U-VED is a division of Ayush Herbs, blending ancient principles of Ayurvedic medicine with the latest scientific technology. The company is located at 2239 152nd Avenue NE; Redmond, WA 98052. Contact the company at (800) 925-1371 or visit www.ruved.net.