Efforts to become a better version of oneself is increasingly gaining active attention. If the Tik-Tokkers are doing it, it must be a thing right.

Diets, exercises, and supplements still play a fundamental role in how we perceive transformation into so-called better people. Why are so many people unhappy with what they chose to become?

Unlike the current wellness business, reflection and growth do not necessarily mean making drastic changes that are too strenuous to follow. Every Fall and Spring brings an all-khichari diet cleanse for Ayurvedics, but 21 days of a mono-diet is a nonstarter for a lot of people. Also, taking up to 30 or more supplements a day is also challenging and commonly inaccessible.

Who calls that wellness, anyway? That is not even living.

Neither is getting the latest food propaganda like cookie croissants. Eat your feelings, much?

There are several methods to address health concerns for the mind and body. WE call them refinements. Here are the simplest way to give a little attention to 4 main areas that are keen on regeneration: liver, gut, brain and skin.

The Science

The main difference in how well a particular wellness method will work is on intrinsic qualities. The effect on different doshic constitutions determines which supplements, lifestyle and activities should be incorporated.

Liver

Toxins beware of the liver. This organ works overtime to get out every nonsensical piece of matter that drag down vitality. That includes supplement overload or oversight. In both Ayurveda and TCM, the liver is a starting point for overall health because of its action on blood, bile, proteins, fats and carbohydrates. This is where Pitta resides and has effects at two extremes: too much heat inflames Pitta, too sluggish slows down Kapha.

Hepatocytes are quite resilient. There is much to be grateful for after a weekend of St. Paddy’s festivities or a week on Spring Break. The best activity to support the regeneration process is to abstain from alcohol and incorporate tridoshic aloe vera juice. If a supplement is needed, tridoshic amla and turmeric benefit the liver in cases of alcohol indulgency because they cut down high cholesterol, remove toxin buildup and provide antioxidant activity. For Pitta, eating bitter greens like bitter melon and kale works to remove toxins, but might be a disservice for Vata.

The benefit of starting with caring for the liver, is that the liver takes care of everything else from balanced gastrointestinal functions to serious skin radiance.

Gut

It does not matter how natural the food, the GI tract will be impacted negatively when eating on bad energy. (Image of Paul Cézanne work taken by AKJAM Publishing at MoMA NYC)

Digest, digest, digest. Everything from emotions to food needs to be adequately digested in order to even consider developing and maintaining a healthy gut. Most wellness enthusiasts have heard of the gut reset by now. Simply, the gut needs and wants to remember its job and do it effectively without constantly being thrown more work to do.How do you like being piled on with work before the previous pile has been eaten through? Exactly the point.

According to research by AKScientist, 3 freebies optimize digestive health: 1) do not eat when emotionally upset, 2) eat until no longer hungry and 3) do not eat when not hungry. Vata needs to make an adjustment to this precept. Because Vata qualities and reduced enzymatic functions suppress the appetite, they need to schedule meals. Otherwise, they do not eat resulting in undernutrition.

The digestive system really resets itself, or transforms, though the composition of microbiota. Triphala is a comprehensive winner with 3 potent herbs that influence the microbiome into tridoshic harmony. Amla, bibhitaki and haritaki support all three doshas because of their taste profile allow the conversion and growth of bifidobacterial and lactobacillus.

Research by AKScientist found that while triphala is beneficial during healthy states, it can be too potent when conditions like inflammatory bowel disorders are active. Furthermore, findings noted that split mung bean soup with a little cumin powder, mustard seeds and cilantro soothes the gut-brain axis when supplements are not an option. Though one day of eating pro-(good)-microbiome meals improves gut and mental health, researchers have shown that it may take up to six months for those positive changes to not falter after 24 hours.

Bringing the gut into harmony improves brain health.

Brain

Take daily walks through nature like Cindy to diminish then negative effects stress anxiety have on neuroplasticity. (Image of Cindy Sherman work taken by AKJAM Publishing at Christie’s NYC)

From emotions to learning, the central nervous system puts up with a lot. Though quite different, stress and anxiety are the most common factors that prevent neuroplasticity from optimizing. Pranayama, asanas and daily walks reduce harmful endocrine pathways from prolonging stress and anxiety states. Some people still desire an extra kick.

An herbal regimen for stress and anxiety is sensitive to doshic type. Ashwagandha has become so much of a marketing star for coffees to gummies because of its ability to lower cortisol and inflammation through GABAergic actions. However, a study by AKScientist found that the higher the Pitta, the more aggravating ashwagandha. This may be because the action during digestion, or virya, is heating. Though it needs further investigation due to widely accepted contradictory information, Pitta’s tendency for high oil production suggests a link for hair loss via congested scalp with dose-dependent ashwagandha usage.

Learning new and challenging material like new languages or solving puzzles helps the brain make new connections and improve those connections. This increases and maintains cognitive performance so that decision making and emotional stability do not decline with age. No time for French lessons? The nootropics brahmi (Centella asiatica) and bhringraj (Elipta prostrata) are not only tridoshic, but also better choices for Pitta.

Calming and revitalizing the nervous system clears the pathway for clearer skin.

Skin

The largest organ is the one that reflects transformation the most. From drinking, eating and thinking, skin reveals what is lies beneath. The nearly $200 billion-dollar skincare market aims to sell magic potions for everyone. The magic fades once it is tired and fails.

Though still a controversial suggestion, like the liver, toxins are removed though the skin*. There are two simple ways to do this: 1) massage and 2) exercise. Dermal pores open up during both activities, allowing for ideal exclusion of congestive materials. Though the liver removes toxins that build up in the blood to cause discoloration, the skin removes toxins that clog pores.

A massage is a massage. Even better with gold and saffron. (Image: AKJAM Publishing)

Abhyanga massage is a must either at home or through a professional therapist. Herbal and essential oil infusions act on the circulatory, collagenase and nervous systems to generate glowing and firmer skin. Abhyanga for the face is also included to release toxins and enhance firmness. Here is a bath ritual that will clear skin.

Regular exercise that produces a decent amount of perspiration removes environmental pollutants and some harmful chemicals like BPA (bisphenol A). Kapha should have the most rigorous session, Vata should avoid jumping and Pitta should race somebody.

Even climbing the stairs at Hermes Uptown counts as exercise activity. (Image: AKJAM Publishing)

For the supplement route, the root of Indian sarsaparilla (Hemidesmus indicus) and manjistha (Rubia cordifolia) powders work to remove skin dulling factors from the blood. Reports from 2018 and 2023 show that H. indicus inhibits the destruction of collagen through enzymatic activity while R. cordifolia reduces chronic inflammation through a high level of quinones. The latter may be disruptive to high Vata individuals.

Bottom Line

No matter how eastern medicine and science is rebranded, wellness, functional medicine, longevity and whatever terminology of the future, will always simply be Ayurveda and TCM.

Approach it not as a trend, but with real intention of bringing the positive doshic aspects into daily living. That is when the good life starts.

*This really comes down to two factors: what we consider a toxin, and detection methods and limits.