tringent are beneficial for the

Pitta constitution.

Kaphas need stimulation and

movement. They are like the

Turtle People, you can not hur-

ry a Kapha. The tend to be oily

and moist, so they benefit the

most from bitter and astringent

or drying herbs. Stimulating

herbs such as cayenne, ginger,

clove and cinnamon help move

the blood and promote sweating

are great for the Kapha constitu-

tion. Warm, stimulating oils

such as mustard oil makes a

great massage oil for the Kapha

person. They also benefit from

a strong, vigorous workout and

breathwork such as the breath

of fire.

In the Ayurvedic system of

medicine, we can learn from

our doshas what it is we need to

keep us in balance. Food, exer-

cise, breathwork, massage oils

and herbs can help to keep and

maintain a healthy, happy mind,

body and spirit.

In Ayurvedic medicine we

are born with a basic con-

stitution, a dosha, which is

genetically determined. It is

the energy that defines us

and governs all functions of

the body. The three doshas

are vata, pitta, and kapha. If

you would like to know

what your dosha is, turn to

page 3 and take the quiz, be

aware that you could be a

combo of two or even a

tridosha, a combo of all

three.

When our doshas become

unbalanced, we become

vulnerable to dis-ease in

the body, mind and spirit.

For example, a vata’s nerv-

ous system can be thrown

out of balance by too much

caffeine and/or movement

such as being in a car and

driving all day. We have all

seen an out of balance

Vata, they are like a nerv-

ous cat, twitching, anxious,

nervous and ready to jump

out of their skin. Calming

herbs, slow deep breathing,

meditation and a warm sesa-

me oil massage benefit Vata

energy. Foods that balance a

Vata are sweet, sour and

salty.

Pittas may become imbal-

anced and heat up. Pittas can

be control freaks when they

become imbalanced, so their

imbalance ends up in their

stomachs. They get red in the

face, sweat, get acid reflux

because their tendency is too

much fire. Therefore, raw

foods and juicing can cool a

Pitta off. Stay away from

spicy and hot foods, cool

down your digestive fire with

aloe vera drinks, cucumbers,

and watermelon. Cooling oils

such as coconut oil with

sweet fragrances of sandal-

wood, lavender and gardenia

are great massage oils for

balancing the Pitta. Foods

that are sweet, bitter and as-

Ayurveda: Balancing the Doshas

AYURVEDA: BALANCING THE DOSHAS 1

SUPERB HERB ~ TULSI 2

FOOD AS MEDICINE ~ CHERRIES 2

DOSHA CHART 3

MUSCLE OF THE MONTH ~ SARTORIUS 4

AURORA THEATER ~ FOOTLOOSE JULY 13—AUGUST 25 LET GO, LET GOD KUNDALINI YOGA & MEDITATION ~ AUGUST 4 3 PM INTRO TO SUP YOGA ~ AUG 4 9-10:30 AM L HEAD SLIP T5 REIKI I CLASS ~ AUGUST 4 9:30 AM—5:30 PM HIDDEN SUN DARK MOON MEDITATION AUG 11 AT 6:30 PM CACAO & CHAKRA CLASS AUGUST 11 AT 9 AM AT THE SHACK FARMER’S MARKET ~ EVERY WEDNESDAY AT THE CENTER FOR THE ARTS DOWNTOWN CORPUS CHRISTI 5-8 PM EVERY SATURDAY AT EVERHART & HOLLY CORPUS CHRISTI 9-12

August 2018

~ T H E R A P E U T I C M A S S A G E & H E R B A L H E A L T H ~

Superb Herb ~ Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)

Inside This Issue:

Upcoming Events:

This newsletter is pub-

lished by Chiron Holistic,

LLC. The information in

this newsletter is meant

for educational purposes.

Our passion is bringing

therapeutic massage, herb-

al health and well being to

you. Call or text (361) 877

-6900 for an appointment

today!

Chiron Holistic Closed For September

Chiron will be closed for the month of September as Sparky will be traveling

throughout the west and northwest collecting plants, hugging trees, staring at

the stars from her hammock and contemplating life. If you need any supplies

and/or massage please call this month for an appointment. Thank you!

Page 2

Superb Herb ~ Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)

In Ayurvedic medicine, Tulsi

or holy basil is a highly

revered herb, also known as

“Queen of Herbs” or “The

Incomparable One”. It has

been used for

some 3,000

years as medi-

cine, food, sa-

cred ceremo-

nies, and natural

insect repellant.

It is valued for

its benefits on

the spirit, mind

and body.

Tulsi is a mem-

ber of the Labi-

atae Family or

the mint family. It is native to

Asia, but can be found in

most tropical parts of the

world. It has a warming ener-

gy and is pungent and bitter.

It brings about spiritual clari-

ty. It strengthens the Qi and

Shen (mind). It fights condi-

tions associated with cold

and dampness.

as E. coli, listeria, salmonella, and

candida. It also slows the inflam-

matory process due to its flavo-

noid and eugenol properties. It is

great for circulation, digestion,

respiratory, nervous,

energetic, immune and

muscular issues. Prelimi-

nary studies have shown

it to help fight cancer and

its proliferation.

Tulsi is easy to grow

here in South Texas, just

throw out a few seeds in

the soil or a pot, water

and watch it grow. Make

sure you get the right

species as the sweet basil

(Ocimum basilicum)

does not contain all the medicinal

properties as Tulsi (Ocimum

sanctum). You can make a tea,

tincture, capsule, fresh or pesto.

Start making your pesto with

fresh basil, olive oil, garlic and

nuts (i.e. pecan, pine, walnut,

etc.). Pesto also freezes well, so

freeze some for the winter

months . Enjoy!

Holy basil is a powerful anti-

oxidant, antibacterial, antifun-

gal, and anti-inflammatory. Its

active ingredients include fla-

vonoids, triterpenes, tannins,

phenols (mainly eugenol),

minerals and vitamins. The

herb is great for digestive,

respiratory, reproductive, skin,

muscular and joint pains. The

essential oil is high in eugenol

which acts as a powerful anti-

bacterial and antiviral agent.

Research shows that it has

great efficiency against antibi-

otic resistant pathogens such

Food as Medicine ~ Cherries Who does not love this

fleshy, red drupe? I can eat

pounds of them, like popcorn,

one after another. My daugh-

ter and I would stop by the

side of the road, and get sever-

al pounds of them from the

roadside vender in Montrose,

Colorado, freshly picked that

morning, and eat them all the

way home, spreading seeds

down the highway as we trav-

eled home.

Cherries are full of antho-

cyanins, antioxidants and

melatonin. Anthocyanins

are beneficial in reducing

the risk of high cholester-

ol, high blood pressure and

diabetes. Cherries are great

for gout, the buildup of

uric acid usually in the big

toe and osteoarthritis pain.

It is the tart ones that help

with muscle pain and

swollen joints. Also the

tart cherries are a good

source of melatonin, thus

helping with insomnia and

promoting a good night’s

sleep. It is a great snack

for diabetics because of

its low glycemic index.

They are also chock full

of antioxidants thus slow-

ing down the aging pro-

cess.

One cup of cherries

equals 77 calories, 268

mg potassium, 13 grams

of sugar, vitamin A and

C, calcium, iron, B6 and

magnesium. A great and

healthy snack!

“COMFORT

IS POPULAR,

BUT COURAGE

CHANGES

LIVES.”

- JOHN O’LEARY

Page 3

Find out your dosha by circling the line that best pertains to your constitution. This means how you were born and your body type/

shape before mid-life. Add them up at the end. The one with the most is your predominant dosha. You may be a combo of two or

three.

Vata Pitta Kapha

Frame Thin, Poorly developed Moderately Developed Large, Stout, Thick

Tall, short Muscles visible Muscles not Visible

Body Weight Low Moderate Heavy

Disease Tendency Pain, Nerves Inflammation, Infection Mucus, Congestion

Heat, Fever Water

Skin Dry, Rough, Cool, Moist, Pink, Moles, Thick, Oily, Cool

Cracked, Veins Freckles, Acne, Soft

Oily, Warm

Complexion Brown, Black Fair, Red, Yellow, Pale, White

Dull Ruddy, Flushed

Hair Brown, Black, Dry Soft, Oily, Fine, Yellow Thick, Oily, Wavy

Wavy, Scanty, Coarse Red, Early Gray, Bald Dark or Light

Joints Thin, Dry, Cracking Medium, Soft, Loose Thick, Move smoothly

Unstable

Teeth Protruded, Cracked, Spaces Size Moderate, Soft, Pink Large, White, Full

Thin and Receding Gums Bleeding Gums

Eyes Active, Dry, Brown, Black Medium, Penetrating, Piercing Big, Wide, Prominent

Small, Thin, Unsteady Green, Gray, Yellow, Red Blue, Thick, Oily, White

Scerla

Elimination Constipation, Hard, Dry Loose, Soft, Oily Oily, Thick, Slow, Heavy

Activity Active, Talkative, Nervous Moderate, Mid-Length Lethargic, Stately

Short Bursts Purposeful, Goal Setting

Appetite Variable, Erratic, Low Excessive, Strong Slow, Steady

Thirst Variable Excessive Slight

Sleep Insomnia, Light Short and Sound Heavy, Deep, Long,

Excessive, Difficulty Waking

Mind Restless, Curious Aggressive, Perceptive Calm, Slow, Steady

Short Attention

Personality Strength Creativity Leadership Loyalty, Calm, Content

Personality Weakness Anxiety, Fear Jealously, Aggression Greed, Attachment

Insecurity Irritability Self-Centered

Memory Short-term Good, Sharp, Clear Slow, Good Retention

Long-Term Poor

Dreams Active, Flying, Fear, Angry, Passion, Color Water, Romance

Involved, Nightmares Fire, Conflict Few Dreams

Speech Chaotic, Continuous Cutting, Incisive Slow, Melodious,

Quick, Talkative Argumentative, Convincing Definite Reticent

TOTALS ________________ _________________ _________________

Sartorius, is the longest

muscle in the body, extend-

ing from the lateral side the

hip, crossing over the thigh

and inserting on the medial

side of the tibia. Sartorius is

the Latin word for “tailor”

because it is the muscle

used for crossing the legs. It

is also called the

“honeymoon muscle” be-

cause it causes abduction

and lateral rotation of the

hip joint, an action fre-

quently used during the

‘honeymoon’.

Sartorius is a long, thin, flat

band of a muscle. It origi-

nates at the anterior iliac

spine on the side of the hip,

descends across the hip

joint and thigh, runs across

Muscle of the Month ~ Sartorius

505 South Water Street

Suite 501 B

Corpus Christi, TX 78401

Phone: 361-877-6900

E-mail:

chironholistic@yahoo.com

Website:

www.chironholistic.com

Check us out on Facebook Sparky’s Spa

Chiron Holistic, LLC is an herbal apothecary and therapeutic massage studio. Susan ‘Sparky’

Sparks began studying medicinal plants some 30+ years ago. She incorporated massage into

her practice in 2001 after studying with Dr. Rosita Arvigo, who developed special massage

techniques from Don Elijio Panti, a famous shaman from Belize. She makes herbal products

with certified organic herbs or they are ethically wildcrafted with love and prayers. Sparky

combines 17 years of massage experience in Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports, Shiatsu, Jin Shin

Do, Tsubo, Foot Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Myofascial Release, Myoskeletal, Maya Ab-

dominal, Maternity, Burn/Scar, Onocology and Medical Massage. She is a member American

Bodywork & Massage Professionals, American Botanical Council, American Herbalist Guild,

South Texas Botanical Gardens and serves on the Advisory Board for the Texas Department

of Licensing and Regulation for Massage Therapists. She is a Qi Gong Level I Instructor and

Master Gardener. Chiron Holistic is dedicated to providing a pathway towards holistic

health. We are here to assist you on your journey towards wellness.

C H I R O N H O L I S T I C ~ S P A R K Y ’ S S P A

and down toward the medi-

al edge of the knee, yet at

the knee turns and descends

to insert on the medial side

of the tibia in the lower leg.

It is invigorated by the fem-

oral artery and the femoral

nerve.

Sartorius flexes the thigh

and rotates the hip. It is

used in flexion, abduction

and lateral rotation of the

hip. It is also used in flex-

ing the knee. We use it

while crossing the legs, sit-

ting cross legged or looking

at the bottoms of one’s feet.

As you can see, an im-

portant muscle when ad-

dressing the hip flexors or

any knee problems.