AYURVEDA PERSPECTIVE ON UNEASY WHEN FOOD UNAVAILABLE

You might feel uneasy when food is unavailable if food is your primary means of emotional comfort and stability. Turning to food each time you feel upset or lonely may create feelings of panic when your means of emotional support is missing. One of my clients described her anger to me after taking a special herb called gymnema sylvestre. In India gymnema is called `Gurmar' which means sugar destroyer. It numbs your ability to taste sugar. My client describes the panic she felt when, after a long, stressful day at work, she took her herbs and then sat down to eat a brownie. The brownie was supposed to bring relief from her difficult day. It represented a little treat to herself and reward. But instead of the pleasurable and affectionate sweetness that was supposed to wash away her care and concerns of the day, the brownie tasted like sandpaper.

At first, she became angry. Several days later, she realized that the sugar destroying effects of gymnema forced her to actually confront the emotions she was feeling for the first time. She became fully conscious of her habit of using using sugar to cover up her feelings. In the end, gymnema strengthened her resolve to find more supportive solutions to her emotional struggles.

When food becomes your go-to way of calming uncertainty or pain, you might feel uneasy when it's out of reach. You might feel upset when you can't get the relief you once felt from eating compulsively or indulging in a sugary treat. As with my client, it could also be a good thing and strengthens your ability to confront and resolve some of your emotional struggles as well.

On a physical level, heart congestion can also lead to a kind of underlying panic and uneasiness when separated from food or other means of security. Heart congestion happens when the blood is too thick and rich from eating a diet high in rich, sweet foods. The thick blood is hard to circulate and you feel as if a heavy object is squeezing your chest. Heart congestion feels a bit alarming. Everyday activity feels overwhelming and may even trigger panic attacks. Heart congestion is considered a kapha condition.

Warming spices and bitter herbs can lighten a heavy heart and may relieve uneasiness and panic. Fasting from sugar and empty carbs, cleansing your lymphatic system, and taking blood thinning herbs like turmeric can help restore a feeling of lightness in the chest as circulation returns to normal.