The Benefits of Iron for Health through SV Ayurveda Iron is an important necessary ingredient in our blood. But do you specifically know how many ailments and imbalances it can address? Long before we could scientifically study the importance of iron for our body s overall health, its health benefits were already well known by the ancient sages. One 16th century text called Rasa Tarangini covers the topic of mineralogy in Ayurveda exhaustively. I will be using it to describe the health benefits of iron for day to day modern life. Here is one verse: Properties and health benefits of Iron As the verse above explains, iron in sanskrit is called loha. In terms of quality, it is rough and dry. Its taste is sweet, but it carries a post-digestive bitter taste. Its vidhya, or potency, is cooling and heavy. It is also astringent, stimulating and supports weight-reduction.
In addition, the verse explains that iron is very good for the eyes. It is invigorating, and supports sexual stamina. It corrects imbalances of the stomach and helps eliminate pitta and kapha related imbalances. Furthermore: it enhances the skin s complexion, supports the mind s functioning: dhi - power of learning, dritti - power of retaining, and smritti - power of recall. Iron supports virility in men, and the overall body. When used properly, it can address many imbalances and diseases.
In another verse of the Rasa Tarangini (Chapter 20 Verse 84), we read: This verse explains that loha, or iron, enhances the digestive power, supports the body and rejuvenates it. It helps correct chronic skin problems. Nourishes and thus supports the body in its fight against tumors, bacteria. Iron maintains optimal hemoglobin levels, even as it enhances fat metabolism. Iron is great for sugar metabolism; helps one get rid of nausea; supports the lungs. It also helps optimize the properties of different herbs, thus acting like a yogavahi - it helps carry and deliver herbs to their destination faster and more efficiently in the cellular system. Yet another verse explains:
This verse says that iron can be as fierce as a lion when ridding the body of herpes. Iron can help with chronic pain conditions, supports the body s inner vitality, and addresses chronic inflammatory conditions. It can help with several liver disease conditions. It also helps with hemorrhoids. Another verse says:
This verse explains that iron helps with chronic problems of absorption, chronic inflammation of the glands in the neck. In addition, it supports the menstrual flow, and pacifies inflammation in the kidneys. Iron supports the heart, and helps the body fight combat chronic fever. In verse number 89, we read that: This verse explains that iron is good for diabetic conditions, that it supports and nourishes the muscle tissue, and nurtures the female body against overall decay after childbirth.
Verse 90 says that: This sutra explains that iron helps heal the throat, helps with rheumatoid arthritis. It can also have a healing effect on liver related fistulas, when used in combination with different proper herbs. Iron can help heal sinusitis, and hyperacidity.
In verse 92, we read that: During puberty, iron can help go with hormonal balance, allowing for a smoother puberty, in terms of the menstrual cycle. It can also be used to help support and heal the duodenum, and balance the flow of blood.
Verse 93 says that: iron helps blood supply to the nerves, it helps give better deeper sleep for anemics, it supports the bone tissue in rheumatoid arthritis individuals, and helps maintain the bone tissue by supporting the detox of amavisha, or virulent toxins from it.
Even more, in verse 94, we read that it helps relieve fatigue from the body, enhances overall mental strength, supports hemoglobin levels for women in menopause, specially if there is significant blood loss during menopause. In verse 95, we read that iron helps with imbalances created by the weakness of the nervous system.
And there are still many more verses covering the benefits of iron for the human physiology, when it is used properly, and with the synergistic combination of other ayurvedic herbs. You will also have noticed that these ancient verses list all the possible benefits of iron, specially all the ones modern medicine has also delineated for us. In my SVA lineage, we use iron in combination with distinct additional ayurvedic herbs, for added benefit as well as for targeting distinct conditions and situations. Currently, I have made available a total of 4 kinds of iron Herbal Memory Nectar drops, to address the general deficiency of iron, as well as for advanced specific needs. SVA Loha and Maha Loha Herbal Memory Nectar Drops The first two are SVA Loha and Maha Loha, These are identical formulas, except that Maha Loha carries a four times higher quantity or concentration of iron molecules than the regular version, made specifically for those who need the higher concentration. The following herbs are also added to enhance the absorption and delivery of the iron molecules. In addition to loha, these formulas contain the following ingredient-wise properties: Bhring raj (Eclipta alba) is a famous ayurvedic herb that helps enhance the intelligence of the liver and thus supports the physiology so it can properly metabolize and use iron. Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) I add so as to enhance the intelligence of the iron molecules to be delivered to the bone marrow. Bhumi amla (Phyllantus niruri) to nourish and enhance the intelligence of liver. Mahasudarshan churn is a classical formula that contains a great number of different ingredients. It supports the intelligence of the liver as well as the detox of the liver. Green cardamom pods (Cardamomum) to enhance the efficacy of iron
Wild amla (Phyllantus emblica) enhances to absorption of the iron molecules, and secures their delivery into the muscle tissue Triphala is made up of Amla (Phyllantus emblica), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) and Bhibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica). I add this to prevent from the common possible side effect of iron: constipation. SVA Amla Loha This specific formula is called Dhatri Loha in classical Ayurveda. The word dhatri is almost identified with the name amla, because of the healthbestowing properties of the fruit. The literal meaning of dhatri is: that which gives, that which takes care of, that which is - in its giving nature - like a nurturing, sustenance-giving, woman In this formula the amla is added in very high potency to enhance the absorption and use of iron, and give it the potency of heme iron. Scientific studies have confirmed the ancient ayurvedic knowledge which states that in the presence of ascorbic acid, the potency and delivery of iron becomes as powerful as heme iron. However, the embellic acid contained in the amla plant is even more potent than ascorbic acid, and it empowers the iron even further. In addition, amla enhances protein synthesis, so this protein synthesis property of amla, synergistically combined with iron, acts as a highly nurturing formulation for the muscle tissue. I have also added DGL in good quantity in the formula to help pacify and keep overall pitta of the liver and stomach in check. SVA Guduchi Loha Guduchi is a very famous herb used to enhance and support the intelligence of all seven physical bodily tissues. It is ideal when used for targeted delivery to the bone marrow. Countless scientific studies have also found that Guduchi can boost the immune system. Guduchi is a very balanced herb for nurturing and detoxifying, so in this formula along with iron, I ve synergistically added enough quantities of guduchi, so that the micromolecules of iron can reach the bone marrow. In addition, ginger, pippali, and black pepper together make up a very ancient formula called trikatu. Trikatu is the best yogavahi, a product or herb that facilitates targeted delivery for greater faster effectiveness. I have also added a SVA formulation called Soma Shakti to these drops. This is a classical formula whose main ingredient is shilajeet. The ayurvedic shastras say that adding shilajeet to the iron bhasma makes the iron more potent and useful for the body. These two formulas contain nano-particles of iron, infused in the intelligence of the herbs, spices and essential oils found in the formula. These two formulas are very potent; however, for best results, use under the guidance of a SVA expert.
Disclaimer: the description of herbs, plants, ingredients, and combinations offered in the above articles and verses are meant for educational purposes only. If you have, or suspect you have, any medical condition, check with your medical doctor or physician before using any of the herbs or products mentioned above to your daily protocol.