Jenna Crowley, at Devi Ayurveda, integrates science and spirituality in her unique product line focused on women’s health. Through traditional Ayurvedic techniques and Vedic Astrology, she crafts a range of medicated oils, ghee, and honey, specifically tailored to support various gynecological concerns. Her approach blends ancient wisdom with scientific precision, offering a touch of magic in each product. MysticMag has the pleasure.
Jenna, what can you tell us about your personal journey which led you to where you are today?
I have been deeply immersed in the healing world for quite some time, surrounded by remarkable healers and teachers. My journey began studying with Paul Bergner at the North American School of Medical Herbalism, where the focus on vitalism captivated me. Vitalism, emphasizing the body’s inherent ability to heal, aligns with various Eastern concepts like Kundalini, Shakti, and Chi. The core belief is that the body can heal itself given proper rest and nourishment, often prescribing sleep before herbs. At the College of Ayurveda, I crafted herbal oils and delved into the art of making medicated oils over an open fire, an experience I cherished.
Moving on, I joined an integrative psychedelic healing clinic, where we administered ketamine for mental health challenges such as (anxiety, depression, major depressive disorder etc.) as a yoga therapist for two enlightening years. Here, I realized the necessity of integrating multiple healing modalities – herbs, yoga, psychedelics, yoga therapy, jyotish, Vedic astrology, Hakomi Therapy, and more – to achieve comprehensive healing. This integration of Eastern and Western medicine, vitalism, and clinical practices became a pivotal lesson. I began to explore Jyotish, Vedic astrology, inspired by my Lineage Achyutananda Param para and teacher Freeom Tobias Cole, whose psychological approach to Vedic astrology fascinated me. Experimenting with patient charts alongside medical professionals revealed remarkable correlations between astrological readings and root causes of ailments, often bypassing the extensive diagnostic process. This integration, though met with initial skepticism from Western medicine, showed promise in revolutionizing healthcare.
Your approach integrates Vedic Astrology with Ayurvedic Medicine to create Ayurjyotish. How does the alignment of astrological transits during the crafting of your oils impact their potency and effectiveness, and how do these practice differentiate your products from conventional wellness solutions?
As I embark on studying Ayurveda, I am continually humbled by the profound depth of these ancient practices. Ayurveda, the science of life, and Jyotish, the science of light, converge in a fascinating way within medical astrology. One method, ‘Goccharra’ leverages celestial bodies and their transits, tracking planetary movements in real-time.
For instance,when Saturn returns to its position during your birth, it affects your health. In my case, Saturn’s transit over my first house correlates with bodily dryness and Vata disturbances due to its inherent qualities of dryness and cold. Additionally, utilizing these transits, we create medicines aligning with planetary positions to infuse their celestial energies into herbs. This process harnesses the potent energy of celestial bodies, acknowledging their impact on our lives.We live by the sun and the moon, and their influence is undeniable, affecting everything from our sleep patterns to menstrual cycles. This same influence extends to other celestial bodies, albeit less visibly. Ayurvedic oils, crafted through this understanding, capture and utilize this potent celestial energy, a practice rooted in ancient wisdom that is often overlooked today. This process, tracing back to the dawn of human consciousness, holds immense power and potential in healing practices.
Could you elaborate on the concept of Yoni Basti and Yoni Prakshalana and how these Ayurvedic therapies influence the development of your Yoni Ovules (suppositories) and Oils? What specific benefits do these ovules offer to women in terms of reproductive health and sexual wellness, and how do they relate to ancient Ayurvedic practices?
The term Yoni directly translates to “abode,” “source,” “womb,” or “vagina”representing the channel of Shakti and creative energy. Yoni Basti, an ancient Vedic therapy, involves creating a reservoir of oil inside the yoni or vaginal canal. Traditionally, this therapy utilized herb-infused oils extracted using fats or oils like lard, effectively capturing the plant’s constituents and volatile oils. This method, often accompanied by lying down during the therapy, remains more prevalent in Indian culture than in the US.
Devi Ayurveda’s adaptations have transformed this practice into a DIY approach, creating herbal oil blends tailored to gynecological needs, encapsulating them for use as suppositories. Yoni Basti serves both specific gynecological issues, chronic or acute, and general well-being, including sexual stimulation. Applying plant constituents locally onto the
vaginal tissues proves powerful, as the porous nature of these tissues facilitates direct absorption and circulation within the pelvic region. This practice finds roots in various cultural traditions, notably within Ayurveda, harnessing the potent healing potential of plants for intimate health and wellness.
Your formulations emphasize nourishment, dosha balancing, anti-inflammatory properties, and enhanced absorption. Could you describe how these principles are applied in the creation of your oils and Yoni Ovules, and how they contribute to addressing specific gynecological concerns and promoting overall vaginal health?
Ayurveda deeply integrates the elements – fire, wind, water, air, and ether – both in
understanding a patient’s constitution and in formulating medicinal oils and ovules. Assessing an individual’s elemental makeup, considering if they tend toward heat, dryness, moisture, or coldness, aids in creating holistic remedies. Similarly, evaluating the elemental nature of the disease and the plants used guides the formulation process. For instance, in treating conditions like bacterial vaginosis (BV), if it’s a heat-related condition causing itchiness and inflammation in the yoni, applying intensely heating oils like tea tree exacerbates symptoms, especially for individuals already inclined towards heat and dryness in their constitution.
Similarly, prescribing lavender, a drying herb, to aid sleep for those predominantly of air (Vata) constitution can worsen their dryness and sleep disturbances. These examples illustrate the significance of doshas in tailoring treatments, aligning them with an individual’s constitution and the nature of the ailment.
Additionally, doshas can also be observed within an astrology chart, complementing the holistic approach to medicine. The formulation process aims to balance doshas, nourish and lubricate the yoni, reduce inflammation, and enhance oil absorption within the vaginal tissues and pelvic regions. These physiological mechanisms form the cornerstone of this medicinal practice.
Your clinical and Ayurvedic references underline the historical use and efficacy of herbal oils. How do these references influence your product development and the confidence you have in these formulations, especially considering their cultural and historical significance in addressing women’s sexual and reproductive wellness?
The blend of science and spirituality forms the essence of effective healing practices. In Western medical herbalism, a deep understanding of herbs comes from materia medica, which outlines their various ‘herbal-actions’ like: anti-inflammatory, antiviral, or hormone-regulating. As well as physiological actions, dosha, humor, clinical applications, indications and contraindications. These actions translate clinically, where specific herbs are applied for conditions like vaginalprolapse, post-menopausal, secondary dysmenorhhea etc. issues after rigorous clinical and peer-reviewed studies.
Take, for instance, berberine found in herbs like goldenseal—it tonifies vaginal membranes despite its drying nature. Clinical trials verify safety, efficacy, and proper usage-crucial as herbs, and herbal oils wield gentle yet potent effects. These clinical trials complement Ayurveda and Vedic astrology, forming a holistic approach. My website details formulations catering to diverse gynecological concerns, employing not just science but also rituals, magic, astrology, and elemental influences, enriching the healing process. This fusion brings depth and richness to the medicine, promoting profound healing.
If you would like to find out more about Jenna Breeanna Crowley, please visit
https://www.divyadrishti.net/
