Category: Ayurveda

What is Ghee?

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Let’s start with the source. If you want to make ghee you want to source organic butter from cows raised on “natural pasturage” preferable from Jersey or Guernsey cows, is a stable fat made from cream with a wide range of short, medium, and odd chain fatty acids that have anti-tumor effects as well as typical saturated (40-60%), monounsaturated and some polyunsaturated fatty acids. It is solid at room temperature butter contains fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D and E. Vitamin A and E have strong antioxidant properties that protect the health of the thyroid and adrenals glands that maintain the proper function of the heart and cardiovascular system.  Butter has short and medium-chain fatty acids (15%) and conjugated linoleic Acid (CLA) which has strong anti-cancer properties. It is rich in selenium, a vital antioxidant. Butterfat contains glycosphingolipids, which is the fatty acid that protects against gastro-intestinal infection, especially in the young and the elderly. This makes butter an excellent source for treating candida overgrowth. Another important natural component in butter is Lecithin, which helps assimilate and metabolize cholesterol and other fat constituents.  All these properties are only in the fat part of the milk. Butter and cream contain little lactose or casein and are usually well-tolerated even by those who are sensitive to dairy. 

Ghee is especially well-tolerated by most because the milk solids are removed. In traditional Indian medicine, ghee is considered the most satvic, or health-promoting fat available. Although you can purchase organic or hormone-free ghee, making it yourself is fun and easy. It takes only about 15 minutes from start to finish making it. As the ghee forms, the milk solids stick to the bottom of the pot, leaving only the pure stable fat, suitable for high heat sautéing. Check frequently after the gurgling stops. It’s a sign that the water has evaporated out and that the milk solids are beginning to brown. Because it is so rich in antioxidants and lacking in milk solids, ghee does not have to be refrigerated, which makes it great for travel and for use in herbal medicines. 

A few spices sautéed in ghee and added right before your dish is finished lends the most delicious flavoring. 

Butter is 80% fat and 20% water and milk solids; ghee is 99.9% fat.  

Making Ghee 

Makes 1 1/2 cups 

1pound unsalted butter, preferably organic grass-fed pastured cows 

In a small saucepan, gradually melt the butter over medium low heat until it is melted completely, about 5 minutes. The butter will start to gurgle as the water evaporates. The top will cover with foam. Simmer uncovered on low heat for about 10 to 15 minutes, until the milk solids start to brown on the bottom of the pot. Check after 10 minutes and frequently after that by pushing aside the foam and tilting the pan to see if the solids have browned. As soon as the solids turn brown turn off the heat and let the residue settle to the bottom. Pour the liquid through a double layer of cheesecloth into a heat-resistant container to catch any residue; discard the solids. 

Steps to Getting Your Ayurveda Certification Online

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Developed over 3,000 years ago in India, Ayurveda is among the world’s oldest forms of healing. The belief system behind Ayurveda is holistic and straightforward: To achieve and maintain wellness, one must first balance the mind, body, and spirit. An Ayurvedic wellness practitioner does not seek to treat any condition, but rather to support overall health through a combination of mental health, herbal medicine, yoga, nutrition, and personal transformation. Interesting in getting your ayurveda certification online?

In the United States and other western countries, Ayurveda is classified as a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Like acupuncture and massage therapy, Ayurveda is gaining acceptance as healthcare institutions continue researching its efficacy as a form of preventative medicine. If you’re passionate about Ayurveda and interested in practicing it, you should consider ayurveda certification online and follow these steps. 

#1 Learn About Ayurveda Certification Online

Although there is a National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA), there are no licensing requirements in the United States in order to practice Ayurvedic medicine. However, you may need a business license if you plan to start your own practice. If you wish to work under another practice, like an integrative healthcare clinic, you may need to gain some experience as an apprentice before you can start seeing patients of your own. 

#2 Choose Your Degree Program

You can choose to earn a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Ayurvedic Wellness Practices to learn a solid foundation in modern Ayurvedic practices. You can also choose to start your learning in a short-term training program through our Professional and Continuing Education courses, or you can pursue your Bachelor of Science in Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery from one of the specialty Ayurveda schools in India. Most western students choose one of the former options and, upon successful completion, you’ll earn a certificate and have a solid foundation for becoming an Ayurvedic wellness practitioner.

The MUIH Ayurvedic Wellness Practices program is rooted in the traditional system, but incorporates a progressive scientific perspective and clinical study to explain how Ayurveda can improve a patient’s lifestyle and wellness through nutrition, yoga, the mind-body system, and other techniques. By the end of the program, you will be prepared to help patients achieve and maintain functional health and apply Ayurvedic principles to enhance their wellbeing.  

At MUIH, you can obtain your post-baccalaureate certificate through a completely online degree program, which offers convenience no matter where you are in the world. The program starts in the fall and lasts two trimesters.

#3 Plan Your Career Path in Ayurveda

As you begin on the path to earning your certificate as an Ayurvedic professional, you need to spend time planning your career path. With a certificate, you can choose to start your own practice, join an existing practice, work in the context of modern medicine at a hospital, become part of an integrative healthcare clinic or use the knowledge in conjunction with your other healthcare services.

At a clinic, you’ll work alongside other CAM practitioners (like massage therapists and acupuncturists) to offer complementary services to patients. The great thing about an integrative healthcare clinic is that it allows you to share expenses and patients with other practitioners, which creates a collaborative, supportive work environment. 

If you plan to open your own practice, you’ll want to look into local licensing requirements for owning a business and study up on business law and tax reporting requirements. Most Ayurvedic practitioners who plan to run their own clinic will pursue some form of business course or education to help prepare them for the administrative side of healthcare. 

Ready to Get Started? 

Aside from a clinical setting, you can pursue a career as an ayurvedic wellness counselor, instructor, or researcher once you obtain your Ayurveda certification online. In truth, the possibilities are endless. Some students even pursue other certificates or degrees in tandem, allowing them to offer multiple holistic services to patients.

If you’re interested, the Maryland University of Integrated Health has multiple programs to choose from. So, if you want to take the next step and earn your online ayurveda degree, consider the MUIH Ayurveda Certificate. In just six months, you can get on the path to a life-changing career. 

FAQs

Is learning ayurveda online effective?

Ayurveda takes a holistic approach to healing by focusing on the mind, body, and spirit. Because of this unique approach, Ayurvedic practices can be easily taught via online instruction. A combination of textbook learning, videos, live seminars, and illustrations allows students to effectively learn the principles of traditional Ayurveda from the convenience of their home. 

How to study ayurvedic medicine

Ayurvedic medicine is best studied through a structured training program, like the MUIH post-baccalaureate certificate program. With an experienced instructor and robust lesson plan, students will learn integral details from traditional Ayurvedic medicine alongside the progressive scientific understanding of key principles and techniques. 

How to become a certified ayurvedic practitioner

While there is no certification or licensing requirements to become an ayurvedic practitioner, graduates of the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Ayurvedic Wellness Practices program are eligible for certification as an Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultant with the Association of Ayurvedic Professionals of North America (AAPNA). 

How Do I Get into a Career in Ayurveda?

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Holistic medicine is increasing in popularity, making it ideal for venturing into a new career opportunity. Some therapies like Ayurveda are among the most ancient of treatments and help people with a range of problems across the globe. But where do you start, and how do you study for a career in Ayurveda? Here’s how to begin the journey.

Research the Subject

If you thought Ayurveda was a treatment in a beauty salon, you couldn’t be further from the truth. Ayurvedic medicine is thousands of years old and entrenched in history and culture. It’s essentially a science of its own. If you aspire to work in Ayurveda careers, start researching the subject to know what is involved. In particular, start looking into the training required and how you can get qualified.

Become a Qualified Practitioner

If you want to get into the field of Ayurveda, it is important to train as a practitioner and get a recognized qualification. Furthermore, it is essential to make sure your training and qualification are recognized professionally, especially if you want to develop your career in Ayurveda. Investing time in an education program for a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate will not only give you the qualifications you need but will help you network with others connected to the specialty. Researching courses and degrees is vital if you are looking at becoming an ayurvedic practitioner. Graduates of the program are eligible for certification as an Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultant with the Association of Ayurvedic Professionals of North America (AAPNA).

Use Ayurveda in Your Life

If you want to get into the field of Ayurveda, one of the best ways to learn and develop is to embed the Ayurvedic lifestyle into your everyday life. There are nutritional guidelines, for example, so practicing the dietary traditions will help you develop and reflect on supporting clients in your career. Your health will also get the benefit of using Ayurvedic medicine nutritionally. Do also look for education programs that include modules in nutrition so you can grow your portfolio as you develop your career in Ayurveda.

Don’t Forget Your Existing Experience.

Some people bring experience from an existing career pathway to Ayurveda. All this life experience helps build holistic careers and businesses in the ayurvedic industry. For example, if you have worked in conventional healthcare, you’ll understand illnesses and have good communication skills. You can work in integrated health with holistic physicians and combine specialties too. Working in administration will have equipped you to write business plans and keep records in good shape. Wherever you have worked before, there will be elements of the work that are transferable to the field of Ayurveda.

Write a Business Plan for a Career in Ayurveda

If you plan to develop a career in Ayurvedic principles, write a plan so you can see the steps you need to take to get there. You need to include financial details to work out course fees, how much you need to save, where your clients will come from, advertising plans, and where to practice. Once you have a plan, you can map your progress, and it will focus your attention on building your career as an Ayurveda practitioner and business success.

Network with Others

Networking is vital when starting a new career, especially with a specialty like Ayurveda. When you start meeting others, you can learn from their experiences and share skills. For example, by reaching out to existing practitioners, you could find someone willing to allow you to get some practical experience. As you develop your career, there are opportunities for business partnerships, diversifying, and working in niche areas. Professional online forums with ayurvedic practitioners are another example of networking and learning. Networking with others helps you progress in your chosen field and enables you to ask yourself is Ayurveda a promising career.

Remember to Learn Continually

With Ayurvedic education, your learning opportunities don’t stop once you have finished studying for your qualifications. There is always something new to learn, such as expanding your specialty to integrate ayurvedic nutrition into everyday lifestyle habits or teaching. Working with massage therapists is another opportunity. Look for conferences and seminars to learn new ways of working and update your skills. Again, there is always something new to learn as you progress with Ayurvedic health. MUIH has a fantastic resource for Professional and Continuing Education. 

Stepping into the world of Ayurveda is an exciting journey and one that will help many other people in addition to your career development. Getting a credible qualification is vital to work professionally and grow your career creatively. Take that first step by reaching out to us today to discuss complementary and alternative medicine and our Ayurveda program.