ELEMENTOR STRUCTURE

Nature has always been a part and origin of all our life stories. But do we give it the importance it deserves?

In today’s day and age, we are opposing the principles of the natural way of living by consuming junk, promoting laziness and sitting more than we walk. A person who is born healthy is conjected to be healthy all his life, which may be true, but our lifestyle choices have impact on our future.

Lower vitality
Accumulation of waste in the body
Entry of toxins
Irregularities in blood flow
Disturbed metabolism
Unhealthy sleeping pattern and schedule
Poor Quality of water
Inhaling polluted air
Lack of sunlight absorption by the skin.

Naturopathy is a system of health care which is rooted in the belief that our body has innate power to heal itself. It uses the five elements prominent in all living beings that drive the vital force of life.

These are a few things that affect our efficiency and are reasons for the same.
the three root principles that shape the practice of naturopathy are:

Toxins and accumulation of waste in the body are the main causes of all diseases.
The body shows if it is facing issues.
We have the power within us to heal ourselves.

These are the panchtatvas or panchmahabhootas namely:

ETHER (Space/ Aakash) is related to sound or hearing.
AIR (Vayu) is related to sound and touch.
FIRE (Agni) is related to sound, touch and color.
WATER (Jal)is related to sound, touch, color and taste.
EARTH (Prithvi) is related to sound, touch, color, taste and smell. The more subtle the element is the more influence it has.

In naturopathy, the entire body is treated. The different mudras suggested through this practice help balance all the elements in the body. Ether is the least dense and Earth is the most dense element. When we include these elements in our daily life, as per the requirement of the body, it can help reverse a bad condition and improve our health.

ETHER (Space/ Aakash):

Imbalance in the space element is visible as thyroid disorders, throat problems, speech disorders, epilepsy, madness, ear diseases, etc. Digestion process takes up a lot of energy through its process. The excessive energy produced also gets stored up as fat in different parts of the body.

Fasting is the best method to improve this element’s state in our body. It uses stored-up fats (energy) to carry on various operations in the body.

Going without food for a certain period of time gives the digestive system the time to relax. The energy that’s saved up through fasting is then utilized to heal other parts of the body. Detoxification is a byproduct of fasting.

One can follow the methods of intermittent fasting, half day fasting or weekly once fasting. You can fast on Fruits, juices, water or dry fasting wherein you don’t have to consume anything for a while. Old cells are eliminated when this excess flow of energy is cut.

2. AIR (Vayu):

Imbalance of the air element can be seen through skin diseases, blood pressure problems, lung disorders, dry cough, bloating, constipation, lethargy, insomnia, muscular spasms, depression, etc. A fun fact about air is that we consume it 7 times more than the quantity of food and water consumed.

Oxygen is required in abundance in the body. It is obtained through breathing air. To destress and calm yourself down, it is essential to continuously practice deep breathing as much as you can. When inhaling, the stomach should inflate and while exhaling the stomach should deflate.

Breathing consciously and the breathing method is equally important to the purity of the air being inhaled. Improved respiratory activity thereby improves the quality and functioning of our cells.

Doing the following exercises can help drastically:

Pranayama
Air bath
Mindful breathing (conscious breathing)
Spending time outdoors (walks, jogging, playing outdoor games)
Wearing cotton clothes helps more than you think!

3. FIRE (Agni):

Fire element or sunlight is essential for all life forms in the world.

Imbalance and fluctuations in this element are seen through problems of fever, skin diseases like inflammation, increased coldness or heat in the body, excessive sweating, hyperacidity, slow digestion and absorption of nutrients, toxins in the body, diabetes, etc.

Vitamin D is obtained only through sunlight, and it possesses multiple benefits:

It is responsible for the effective combination of calcium and phosphorus.
It also promotes Apoptosis Ie. It helps in getting rid of abnormal cells.
Exposure to the sun opens pores and helps in detoxification in the form of sweat.
Assists in improving blood health and elimination of toxins.

This element can be included in our daily life in the forms of sungazing, sunbathing, Surya Upaasana and Tra taka.

4. WATER (Jal):

Water takes up most of the space in our body. Sensible use of hot and cold water can relieve pain and help the body in its efforts to heal itself. Usually, restriction of blood flow causes extreme pain and senselessness in the body.

The imbalance in this element can be seen as excess mucus, cold, sinusitis, swelling of glands, edema of tissues, blood thinning or blood clotting. Any type of inflammation can be cured through hydrotherapy.

There are various ways you can inculcate hydrotherapy in your day today life:

Cooling wet pack for your abdomen.
Enema / TONA 200ml (about 6.76 oz) is injected from anal part.
Utilization of Herbal packs
Spinal, hip and steam baths
Structured water (charged water)
Alkaline water (infusing vegetables and fruits in the water)
Consumption of hydrating foods and detox juices (veggies and fruits)

Water is an essential tool you can use to cure numerous diseases.

5. EARTH (Prithvi):

Earth element has the highest density amongst all the five elements. It is available in all body mass. Our muscles, bones, skin, teeth, etc. Represent the Earth element. Excess of Earth in the body causes obesity and its deficiency causes emaciation. It is associated with the sense of smell. Earth element works in providing solidity (skeletal) to the body without which it will collapse as a mass.

The earth element is a huge factor affecting pregnancy. Few women consume mud (pica) during the same to ensure healthy growth and development of the fetus in the mother’s womb. Pica indicates nutrition deficiency especially minerals or anemia (iron deficiency). Imbalance in the Earth element is visible as general weakness in the body, loss of calcium from bones, obesity, cholesterol, weight loss and weight gain, muscular diseases, etc.

The ground has immense healing powers and is actively charged with energy. Diet and fasting are different. In a diet we try to include nutritious elements. In fasting, we omit eating for a while.

There are multiple ways you can inculcate this element in your life:

Walking on grass early in the morning or sleeping on the ground or floor overnight (Earthing).
Try to spend time outside.
Visit gardens, villages, farms whenever you can.
Plant trees and grow them.
In your diet, you can use detox juices, fruit meals, cooked meals and uncooked meals.
Mud therapy is another alternative that works like magic! (can apply on affected are or entire body)

The 29th of June marks International Mud Day was first celebrated in Australia to signify the importance of mud.

There are benefits of dirt and mud play like:

It encourages creativity (supports emotional development)
Mud increases brain activity.
It helps to build a strong immune system.
It builds an adventurous spirit.
Mud play builds a connection with the natural environment.
It is fun and we feel carefree.

How grounding affects a person’s health:

Grounding or earthing refers to the direct skin contact with the surface of the earth, such as with bare feet or hands, or with various grounding systems.

Subjective reports that walking barefoot on the Earth enhances health and provides a feeling of well-being can be found in the literature and practices of diverse cultures from around the world.

DIET THROUGH BHAGAVATGITA:

According to the Bhagavad-Gita, our food should have four qualities, which can be represented with the abbreviation of LWPW:

LIVING (right from the farms)
WHOLESOME (unprocessed)
PLANT-BASED (obtained from plants)
WATER-RICH (contains good amount of juice/water)

The three types of food are:

1. SATVIK FOOD:

Foods that follow the phrase “plant to plate”. Foods made in goodness increase the duration of life. They are juicy, full of energy, rich in life or life force, straight from the farm and have a short shelf life.

2. RAJASIK FOOD:

Foods that are too bitter, sour, pungent, dry, heavy and hot.

They are usually liked by people but cause pain, distress and diseases, hyperactivity, anger, irritability and sleeplessness.

3. TAMASIK FOOD:

Food that has been cooked more than 3 hours before eating, which is tasteless, stale, reheated food, decomposed and unclean, the food likely made by people in a state of ignorance. They bring ill health, lethargy and depression.

MUD THERAPY:

Earth has been used extensively since ages both ancient, medieval and modern due to its value. A mud pack can be a powerful alternative therapy that targets trauma and its associated sites.

It possesses the quality of absorbing toxins from the body which are the root cause of all diseases. It is rich in minerals and nutrients that help in healing the body and boosts immunity levels.

Mud packs are highly effective in the treatment of chronic inflammation caused by internal diseases, bruises, sprains, boils and wounds.

TYPES OF MUD USED IN MUD THERAPY:

The composition of mud varies as per its origin.

1. Black Mud

It is rich in minerals; it has a thick texture that helps in retaining water. Generally, black soil from around the water bodies is regarded as suitable for mud therapy.

2. Deep Sea Mud

It is primarily used as a beauty enhancing mud with many therapeutic properties. It has more than 20 kinds of salts and minerals that consist of calcium, magnesium, potassium, silicates, bromide, natural tar and organic elements.

3. Moor Mud

It is an organically produced mud that is formed with floral residue and has traces of herbs in it. It is easily absorbed in the body and has essential vitamins, amino acids and plant hormones that help in detoxification and healing.

Other Mud Types

Fullers Earth (has magnesium chloride that heals acne and blemishes)

Fangs (Thermal mud found in hot spring)

Brine Mud (costal mud with high salinity)

Healing clay (mineral clays)

Sand and Volcanic Mud or Ash.

HOW TO PREP MUD FOR MUD THERAPY:

Black soil is the most ideal for mud therapy due to its medicinal and therapeutic properties. Due to this it has the power to cure many diseases, it is rich in minerals, has a cooling effect and is easily available. The quality of the mud used is of great significance.

Mud packs are made with clay obtained from dried up lake or by digging 4-5 feet under the earth, preferably near the water body. It is made sure that the mud should be taken from a neat and clean place that is exposed to sunlight. The mud should not contain pebbles, compost or any impurities. The energy of the mud should be high and positive, so it is essential to collect it from a place that doesn’t have a bad history ex. Burial ground.

The mud should be dried in sunlight and sieved properly before use. It is not advised to reuse the mud but if you must then you should recharge it in sun rays for at least 21 days (about 3 weeks).

Usage: Mix dry mud with water and then the left mixture is left for some time depending on the type of mud. If using black soil, then the mud should be set for about 5-7 hours overnight in a clay or glass bowl. Once applied allow it to dry for about half an hour to an hour.

TYPES OF MUD THERAPY:

1. Mud Pack

Spread the mud on a cloth that varies according to the length of bandage that you require. Then place it on the affected area of the body such as the stomach, forehead, certain joints, etc. For an eye pack you can smear half inch of mud pack on a piece of cotton or muslin cloth and place it on the eyes for 15-20 mins.

2. Mud Bath

In this method, mud is applied on the entire body in a sitting or lying position and then preferably standing under the sun till it dries completely. This involves the application of minerals rich mud and natural salts which is then washed off with cold water. If the patient is feeling cold, they can use warm water instead.

For an alternative method, one can sit in a semi-liquid/ solid mud filled (it will be warm due to the temperature of water being high) bathtub for about 30-60 mins, wash with warm water afterwards.

THE PROPERTIES AND SCIENCE BEHIND MUD THERAPY:

You should use clay pots, sit on the ground while eating or meditating and sleep on the floor to increase your connection to this element.

The Earth’s surface is electrically affected by countless lightning strikes, solar radiation and other atmospheric dynamics. Mud has various properties:

It has cooling powers that reduce and regulate body heat, soothes inflammation, etc.
It contains moisturizing properties which heal skin conditions.
Its alkaline and nourishing properties help in retaining heat, relaxing muscles, stimulating blood flow and improving lymphatic system cleansing.
It absorbs toxins from the body and enhances immunity, improves blood circulation, strengthens the nervous system and provides glowing skin.
It refreshes, revitalizes and rejuvenates skin.
Helps in building balanced metabolism
Improves digestion, relieves pain and relaxes stiff joints.

THE BENEFITS OF MUD THERAPY INCLUDE:

It can dilute and absorb harmful toxins from the body.
It helps get rid of any stomach and indigestion related diseases and subsides inflammation.
It aids the inactivity of labor pains.
Mud therapy boosts metabolism by absorbing intestinal heat and promoting weight loss.
It strengthens the abdominal muscles and regulates muscular movement. It is therefore effective in stimulating peristalsis.
It helps in flushing out waste from colon.
It detoxifies the body and cleanses the gut.

FOR HEALING HEAD AND SYSTEM RELATED PROBLEMS:

A thick application of mud pack on the head proves to be effective in congested headaches, migraine and giddiness, etc.
It heals pain quickly.
It is known to ease the symptoms of brain tumor and it reduces the tumor size.
It provides relief from heat strokes and can bring down fever and is beneficial in treatment of scarlet fever, Measels and influenza.
It deals with nervous problems like stress, sleep disorders, anxiety as well as sciatica and post traumatic disorders.
It absorbs toxins
It clears away blocked or tensed pathways around the brain.

FOR THE EYES:

It helps improve eyesight and relieves eye strain.

It can get rid of eye infections, bleeding, glaucoma, allergic responses and other such eye diseases.
Walking barefoot on mud or simply applying a cooling layer around the eyes rejuvenates it and promotes good eye health.
Regular mud therapy shows excellent eye health results. Especially for the younger generation as most of their time is spent in front of screens.
It reduces eye puffiness caused by high blood pressure or kidney problems, reduces dark circles and wrinkles, etc.

HAIR AND SKIN AILMENTS:

External application of mud packs can help in problems like hair fall, dandruff, split ends, dry hair, oily scalp and other issues.
You can leave it for 20 mins before washing. Results can be seen in a week or two.
Mud clears away toxins and controls the bad effects of pita on the body.
It detoxifies the skin of any impurities.
You get an even skin tone, refreshed complexion, nourished skin.
It helps with acne, pimples, black and white heads, pigmentation, rejuvenating skin by exfoliating and promoting the regeneration of skin cells.
It has anti-aging properties.
It increases blood circulation and energizes skin tissues leading to toning up of skin tones. It is beneficial in the treatment of skin diseases like fungal infections, psoriasis, eczema, etc.

ITS OTHER BENEFITS ARE:

It eases the symptoms of inflammation and pain to a great extent.
It can effectively alleviate acute pain and swelling surrounding the affected area in disorders.
It is valuable in getting relief from rheumatic pain or pain in the joints caused by injuries.
In it beneficial in relieving joint stiffness, limited mobility, all kinds of inflammation, etc.
Its application helps in the exchange of minerals in the body.
It helps in healing reproductive organs and issues related to them such as irregular periods, PMS, menstrual cramps, fertility, menopause issues, etc.
Its therapy can help in balancing the hormone system as well.
It can help get rid of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Promotes easier breathing, can be used to heal conditions like asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory problems.
It is beneficial in the cosmetic area and helps maintain a healthy skin condition.
Its medicinal properties have a positive effect on one’s health.

As Hippocrates said, everyone has a doctor in himself or her. We just must help our body in its work. The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well. Our medicine should be our food.