A healthy gut is crucial for well-being and performance. The intestine is home to the "intestinal microbiome" - the collection of billions of intestinal bacteria that are in constant exchange with our body.

According to Ayurveda, the large intestine is the seat of Vata. Vata is not only responsible for elimination, but also regulates the mind, intellect, creativity and the body's flexibility. Thousands of years ago, the large intestine was seen as the "seat of the mind", so to speak. Today it is scientifically proven that longevity, moods and memory are strongly linked to the health of the large intestine.

Microorganisms from the perspective of Ayurveda

Thousands of years ago, microorganisms could not be visualised. Due to the transmission of diseases, the sages of that time concluded that there must be small, invisible creatures, which they called "Krimi". They were identified in food, on tools, in water and soil. These "Krimis" could be pathogenic or beneficial to health. One reason for the Ayurvedic recommendation to eat only fresh and predominantly cooked food is the knowledge that stale food and uncooked food are very likely to contain pathogenic "krimis".

Ayurvedic therapy of pathogenic germs

Every living being needs food. So do the "germs". However, pathogenic germs need a different environment than health-promoting bacteria. In ancient times, bitter herbs and "herbal antibiotics" such as neem were important agents against pathogenic germs. Even more important, however, were applications that changed the breeding ground, the environment of the germs. These are the highly effective elimination therapies from Pancha Karma that are still used today.

Intestinal flora as a natural "pharmacy"

With the discovery of bacteria in the 18th and 19th centuries, research into the intestinal flora also began. In the 19th century, the German paediatrician Dr Escherich discovered the first intestinal bacteria, which were also named after him. Thousands of different species are now known.

In 1999, scientists discovered the connection between the gut and the brain, which had been known in Ayurveda for thousands of years. The American researcher Dr Michael Gerson spoke of the "second brain" or "gut brain" after discovering that 95% of the neurotransmitter serotonin is produced in the gut. Serotonin is the most important neurotransmitter for a good mood. If it is lacking, depression develops.

It is now known that not only the gut but also the skin, the respiratory tract, the vagina and the mouth have their own microbiome, which is of great importance for the health of the respective organs and the entire body.

Stress and the microbiome

According to Ayurveda, the large intestine is responsible for mental stability. Disturbances in intestinal health lead to "vata disturbances" with restlessness, anxiety, pain and disturbances in biorhythms.

Modern science has recognised that there is a "gut-brain axis" in which 90% of information goes from the gut to the brain and only 10% from the brain to the gut. Stress is the main disruptive factor for the gut-brain axis.

The classical Ayurvedic therapies to restore the balance of Vata are mainly focussed on rebalancing the intestinal environment (Pancha Karma, diet and medicinal herbs). Yoghurt, lassi and some fermented drinks, which were used after intestinal cleansing, were the first "probiotic" therapies. They contain lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. We now know from modern studies that supplementation with these natural gut bacteria significantly improves stress resistance. One study also showed that patients treated with probiotics experienced less sadness, negative thoughts, brooding and anger.

Microbiome and longevity

New research shows that over-colonisation of the large intestine with certain bacteria (Akkermansia) promotes cognitive decline and premature ageing. Further studies show that colonisation of the intestine with a balanced intestinal flora has the effect of slowing down the ageing of the entire body. A healthy gut leads to the intestinal mucosa producing an enzyme called "telomerase", which slows down the ageing process of the chromosomes of all body cells (Nobel Prize Prof. Dr Elisabeth Blackburn).

Pro- and prebiotics for intestinal health

Intestinal cleansing, prebiotics (nutrients for the intestinal flora) and probiotics (intestinal bacteria supplied through the diet) are a trio that naturally promotes health and longevity.

Pancha Karma in soma and our webinars are modern methods based strictly on classical formulas. According to Charaka Samhita, everyone should perform a bowel cleansing with Pancha Karma or a herbal detox cure at least twice a year in order to change the intestinal environment so that pathogenic intestinal germs no longer find food.

Our newly developed product Triphala pro is predestined for post-treatment after an intestinal cleansing as well as for a probiotic treatment "in between". The combination of Triphala's prebiotically effective medicinal plants, the vital substance biotin (vitamin B7) to nourish the intestinal mucosa and 10 natural and reproducible intestinal bacteria (lactobacilli and bifidobacteria) guarantees optimum regeneration of the intestinal flora.