Ayurveda Consultations

11/24/2025

My November Dosha Seasons newsletter is now available

Because Vata represents movement and is inherently unstable, it's the Dosha that's most likely to go out of balance. It is involved in around 60% of diseases including most of those afflicting the elderly. Vata is cold, dry, rough, brittle and light. It is balanced by things that are stabilizing in...

10/22/2025

Ahimsa Re-visited

If my post last week got your attention, this is worth seeing: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/no-kings-protesters-reject-political-violence-survey-shows/

If the opposition to a violent, out-of-control, ego-centric leader remains strong but keeps its cool, the future of democracy remains bright. So far, it seems to be moving firmly in that direction.

Can you even imagine the outcome of an escalation of domestic violence? It wasn't pretty with the technology available 150 years ago. Today, it would be catastrophic.

Massive marches nationwide in the U.S. marked a turn against an increasing acceptance of political violence among protesters, report sociologists

10/21/2025

Read my latest newsletter focused on Vata-balance and instructions for Abhyanga:

Because Vata represents movement and is inherently unstable, it's the Dosha that's most likely to go out of balance. It is involved in around 60% of diseases including most of those afflicting the elderly. Vata is cold, dry, rough, brittle and light. It is balanced by things that are stabilizing in...

10/08/2025

Ahimsa

Non-violence is the heart of the first of the eight limbs of yoga and an essential aspect of Sattva, the evolutionary force that moves life towards perfection in enlightenment. This beautiful essay captures the essence of Mahatma Ghandi’s legacy of Ahimsa and applies it to the leadership requirements of the current world: https://saathee.com/gandhis-enduring-legacy-truth-leadership-and-nonviolence/ . Non-violence is a weapon of the strong leader who builds unity by putting ego aside and working one-pointedly for the collective good.

Amazingly, the author is Raajeev Aggerwhil a stand-up comedian from Los Angeles whose typical schtick involves self-reflective humor about the foibles of South Asians typified by his alter ego: Mr. Cheap Gupta. There is nothing funny about his article. It’s serious business that warrants our attention.

10/08/2025

Drawing Respectful Boundaries

This insightful piece of advice applies to personal life as well as work. https://cruciallearning.com/blog/how-to-respectfully-draw-boundaries-at-work/

My biggest challenge was mastering my own emotions about the situation. It’s all too easy for them to poison the relationship and short-change potential solutions to the problem.

The reason you’re hesitating to set a boundary with your coworker is you know it has potential to hurt her feelings.

09/24/2025

The Real Causes of Autism

When elected officials make a habit of disseminating misinformation for personal gain, a responsible public needs to take notice and act to protect themselves from future harm. Here’s a good summary about what is known about autism from reliable sources:

President Trump and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., have tied Tylenol use during pregnancy and folate deficiencies to rising autism rates—but the evidence is thin

09/16/2025

Conscientiousness Trumps Self-Control

Here’s a clear article that explains why conscientiousness is turning out to be a more important trait to cultivate in children than self-control:

Being conscientious will serve kids in the long run. Here are some tips to help them learn that trait

09/16/2025

All of Nature Has a Purpose

This fascinating summary of research into the social behavior of NYC rats is well worth reading: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/scientists-map-nightlife-and-communication-of-nyc-rats-to-help-urban/

I've been reading Darwin's Origin of Species and can't help admiring these adaptable survivors even though I'd rather not party with them.

A new preprint field study reveals that New York City’s rats aren’t just survivors—they’re talkative city dwellers with their own hidden nightlife. Mapping their movements and conversations could offer insights to transform urban planning and pest control

08/28/2025

Amazing Deep-Sea Life Discovered

There's always more to learn and value about our natural world:

Researchers spied a wild array of life, including dozens of suspected new species, in an underwater gorge

07/09/2025

You Can’t Cheat on Sleep

Most of us appreciate the importance of a good night’s rest. There is plenty of data associating disturbed sleep with chronic diseases. This brief article explains why there is no short cut to getting adequate sleep if you want to function at your best.

People on TikTok and other social media say they feel more alert when they have had fewer hours of sleep—but sleep scientists warn this is a false sense of energy

07/06/2025

Want to beat the heat? Check out my latest newsletter:

Banyan Botanicals is celebrating its 29th year with a site-wide sale from July 7 to 14. Get 20% off on $75+ or 29% off on $150+. No code is needed. If you use my links, I get a 15% commission that does not affect the price you pay. I've been trying some of Banyan Botanicals products and have a few...

04/14/2025

Another Time Limited Banyan Botanicals Discount

From today through Sunday April 27, you can get 20% off site-wide with the discount code CLEANSE20. Please use my affiliate link to get there: https://glnk.io/kovw3/marc

I've been trying some of Banyan Botanicals products and have a few suggestions based on that experience.

Super Nasya Oil ( https://glnk.io/3v3yq/marc15035 )
developed by Vasant Lad is an excellent alternative to Clear & Soothe, which has been out-of-stock for a long time. Super Nasya Oil has a little camphor, which enlivens the mind in addition to opening the nasal passages. Use it morning and afternoon. I would not use it in the evening.

Shakti Prana ( https://glnk.io/3v3yq/marc150z0 ) is a Rasayana in classic "lickable" (aveleha) form. It contains date sugar, ghee and honey as the vehicle for promoting absorption of the herbs. It has a peppery note and is stimulating. Take a teaspoon in the morning on an empty stomach, after meditation.

Meanwhile, MAPI has reverted to parent company ownership. You cannot make purchases on their website at this time and it's not clear when that will be resolved. The future of their affiliate discount program is uncertain. If you don't have a supply of Maharishi Amrit Kalash, you could temporize with Shakti Prana once a day or Organic Chyawanprash ( https://glnk.io/3v3yq/marc150yc ) twice a day.

See my website for more details on these Rasayanas ( https://qatoqi.com/ayurveda/rasayana.htm ).

Information about Ayurvedic rasayanas - elixirs for health improvement and disease resistance.