Sandi Saksena
IN this day and age, most of us are ‘victims’ of Lifestyle diseases! Medical professionals based on clinical test results and, of course, on one’s age, routinely prescribe medication which then becomes part of our everyday routine and many of us faithfully pop pills and continue to ‘abuse’ our mind and body.
‘Dis-ease’ is generally used by people in healing communities, who are aligned with wellness; the intention being the emphasis on the natural state of ‘ease’ being imbalanced or disrupted.
Examples of these generally ‘selfimposed’ emotional and physical stresses include work and family relationships, physical trauma, diet, seasons and weather. Once these factors are understood, we can take appropriate actions to nullify or minimise their effects or eliminate the causes of imbalance and re-establish our original constitution.
Lifestyle ‘dis-eases’
I’m 72 years’ old and do not have any of the widely-accepted lifestyle ‘diseases’ that are supposed to come with age, diet etc. No hypertension, cholesterol, diabetes, joint stiffness or any debilitating conditions. I’m a believer in natural and herbal therapies that promote blood flow that release blockages and reduce stress.
There is a high prevalence of herbal products/medicines used by mainly females among the UAE population as well as among the expatriates. Besides pharmacies, most supermarkets, specialty food stores and herbal/organic food stores carry a range of herbal powders and teas.
Not to be left behind, cafes have included herbal teas on their menus. Now it has become a style statement to have herbal concoctions to relieve stress, induce sleep, aid digestion.
Licensed practices
I am pleased the UAE Ministry of Health has now licensed a variety of practices based on skills, knowledge certifications referred to as traditional medicines established on cultures and different indigenous experiences and beliefs. This has led to the opening of many Ayurvedic centres and Chinese traditional medicine centers/clinics.
Ayurveda, referred to as a complementary system of healing, places emphasis on prevention and encourages maintenance of health through close attention to balance in one’s life as a system. They combine to form three doshas or energies: Vata (space and air), Pitta (fire and water) and Kapha (water and earth). According to the history and principles of Ayurveda, each dosha has its own characteristics, functions and qualities that affect our physical, mental and emotional health.
Knowledge of Ayurveda enables one to understand how to create this balance of body, mind and consciousness according to one’s own individual constitution and make lifestyle changes to bring about and maintain this balance.
There are several licensed Ayurveda clinics with qualified staff in the UAE. High-quality Ayurvedic products are available. Consulting and following the advice of qualified personnel is advisable and beneficial as the efficacy increases.
Chinese system
Another traditional system gaining popularity in the UAE is traditional Chinese medicine, a system of healthcare that has evolved over centuries to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. It stems from the belief that the body’s vital energy, called qi (pronounced chi), flows along specific channels or meridians. If the qi is balanced then the person has spiritual, emotional, and physical health. But when the qi isn’t in balance, disease may occur.
Acupuncture is one that I have been through several times. It’s safe, drug-free and effective natural therapy. Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin needles (no pain) through one’ skin at strategic points on the body. By inserting needles into specific points along these meridians, acupuncture practitioners believe that the energy flow will rebalance…..and it works!!
