In some schools such as Kundalini Yoga and Tantric practices one deliberately uses specific techniques and sometimes herbs such as black pepper to stimulate“Kundalini” energy and the 1st and 2nd chakras. Conversely, in many monastic traditions, including Yogic and most Buddhist, hot spices such as garlic, cayenne, pepper and ginger are often avoided as over-stimulating – instead one is intent upon cooling or calming these energies. This is reminiscent of Gerard accusing Rosemary of stimulating the baser passions in his treatise on herbal medicine, as well as the history of hops and the creation of the Germany Purity Laws prohibiting the use of more stimulating herbs in beer in favor of the very sedative hops.

Herbs such as Bacopa, Gotu Kola and Gingko, as well as nutrients and supplements such as fish oil which may enhance mental function with regular usage. Bacopa and Gotu Kola have been traditional used to support meditation Such herbs may also assist in development of your cognitive line by enhancing your ability to study and learn (see Herbs and Scaffolding).

often our physical health, behavioral emotional, mental and spiritual patterns will fit into a constitutional profile. Imbalance in our lifestyle and diet can result in symptoms of varying subtlety from an overt pathology to a maladaptive behavioral or emotional pattern. Herbal and nutritional recommendations, as well as lifestyle practices (exercise, mindfulness, pranyama, etc), can return the individual to a healthy balance thereby creating an optimal state for meditation and spiritual practice.