Ayurveda is considered by many scholars to be
the oldest healing science. Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word which means
"The Science of Life." Ayurvedic knowledge originated in India
more than 5,000 years ago and is often called the "Mother of All
Healing". It stems from the ancient Vedic culture and was taught
for many thousands of years in an oral tradition from accomplished
masters to their disciples. Some of this knowledge was set to print a
few thousand years ago, but much of it is inaccessible. The principles
of many, if not all, natural healing systems now familiar in the West,
such as Homeopathy and Polarity Therapy, have their roots in Ayurveda.
Ayurveda places great emphasis on prevention
and encourages maintaining health by paying close attention to balance
in one's life through right thinking, diet, lifestyle and herbs.
Knowledge of Ayurveda enables one to understand how to create balance of
body, mind and consciousness according to one's own individual
constitution and how to make lifestyle changes to bring about and
maintain this balance.
Just as everyone has an individual face or
thumb print, according to Ayurveda, each person has a particular pattern
of energy--an individual combination of physical, mental and emotional
characteristics--which is his or her constitution. This constitution is
determined at conception by a number of factors and is the same
throughout one's life. Many factors, both internal and external, act
upon us to disturb this balance and are reflected as a change in one's
constitution from the balanced state. Examples of some of these
emotional and physical stresses are: one's emotional state, diet and
food choices, seasons and weather, physical trauma, work and family
relationships. Once these factors that can cause imbalance are
understood, one can take appropriate actions to nullify or minimize
their effects or eliminate the causes, and re-establish one's original
constitution. Balance is the natural order; imbalance is disorder.
Health is order; disease is disorder. Within the body there is a
constant interaction between order and disorder. Once one understands
the nature and structure of disorder, one can re-establish order.
Ayurveda identifies three basic types of energy
or functional principles that are present in everybody and everything.
There are no single words in English to describe these principles, so we
use the original Sanskrit words vata, pitta and kapha.
Energy is required to create movement so that fluids and nutrients get
to the cells, enabling the body to function. Energy is also required to
metabolize the nutrients in the cells, and is called for to lubricate
and maintain cellular structure. Vata is the energy of movement, pitta
the energy of digestion or metabolism and kapha the energy of
lubrication and structure. All people have vata, pitta and kapha, but
one is usually primary, one secondary and the third least prominent. The
cause of disease in Ayurveda is viewed as the lack of proper cellular
function because of an excess or deficiency of vata, pitta or kapha
and/or the presence of toxins. In Ayurveda, body, mind and consciousness
work together in maintaining balance. They are simply viewed as
different facets of one's being.
To learn how to balance the body, mind and
consciousness then requires an understanding how vata, pitta and kapha
work together. According to Ayurvedic philosophy the entire cosmos is an
interplay of the energies of the five great elements--Space, Air, Fire,
Water and Earth. Vata, pitta and kapha are combinations and permutations
of these five elements that manifest as patterns present in all
creation.
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In the physical body, vata--composed of Space and Air--is the subtle
energy associated with movement. It governs breathing, blinking, muscle
and tissue movement, pulsation of the heart, and all movements in the
cytoplasm and cell membranes. In balance, vata promotes creativity and
flexibility. Out of balance, vata produces fear and anxiety.
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Pitta, made up of Fire and Water, expresses as the body's metabolic
system. It governs digestion, absorption, assimilation, nutrition,
metabolism and body temperature. In balance, pitta promotes
understanding and intelligence. Out of balance, pitta arouses anger,
hatred and jealousy.
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Kapha is formed from Earth and Water and is the
energy that forms the body's structure--bones, muscles, tendons--and
provides the "glue" that holds the cells together. Kapha
supplies the water for all bodily parts and systems. It lubricates
joints, moisturizes the skin, and maintains immunity. In balance, kapha
is expressed as love, calmness and forgiveness. Out of balance, it leads
to attachment, greed and envy.
Life presents us with many challenges and opportunities. Although there
is much over which we have little control, we do have the power to
decide about some things, like our diet and lifestyle. To maintain
balance and health, it is important to pay attention to these decisions.
Diet and lifestyle appropriate to one's individual constitution
strengthen the body, mind and consciousness.
The basic difference between Ayurveda and
Western allopathic medicine is important to understand. Western
allopathic medicine currently tends to focus on symptomatology and
disease, and primarily uses drugs and surgery to rid the body of
pathogens or diseased tissue. Many lives have been saved by this
approach. In fact, surgery is encompassed by Ayurveda. However, drugs,
because of their toxicity, often weaken the body. Ayurveda does not
focus on disease. Rather, Ayurveda maintains that all life must be
supported by energy in balance. When there is minimal stress and the
flow of energy within a person is balanced, the body's natural defense
systems will be strong and can more easily defend against disease.
It must be emphasized that Ayurveda is not a
substitute for Western allopathic medicine. There are many instances
when the disease process and acute conditions can best be treated with
drugs or surgery. Ayurveda can be used in conjunction with Western
medicine to make a person stronger and less likely to be afflicted with
disease and/or to rebuild the body after being treated with drugs or
surgery.
We all have times when we don't feel well and
recognize that we're out of balance. Sometimes we go to the doctor only
to be told there is nothing wrong. What is actually occurring is that
this imbalance has not yet become recognizable as a disease. Yet it is
serious enough to make us notice our discomfort. We may start to wonder
if it is just our imagination. We may also begin to consider alternative
measures and actively seek to create balance in our body, mind and
consciousness.
Ayurveda encompasses various techniques for
assessing health. It assesses prodromal symptoms, cardinal signs and
symptoms, and one's suitability for treatment to help determine the
etiology and pathogenesis of an imbalance. Various methods are utilized
to help acquire information during an assessment with a client. These
methods include: questioning, observation, palpation, direct perception
and inference. Techniques such as taking the pulse; observing the
tongue, eyes and physical form; and listening to the tone of the voice
are employed during an assessment. Palliative and cleansing measures, if
appropriate, can be used to help eliminate an imbalance along with
suggestions for eliminating or managing the causes of the imbalance.
Recommendations may include: implementation of lifestyle changes;
starting and maintaining a suggested diet; and the use of herbs. In some
cases, participating in a cleansing program, called panchakarma, is
suggested to help the body rid itself of accumulated toxins so it can
gain more benefit from various suggested measures of treatment.
In summary, Ayurveda addresses all aspects of
life--the body, mind and spirit. It recognizes that each of us is
unique, each responds differently to the many aspects of life, each
possesses different strengths and weaknesses. Through insight,
understanding and experience Ayurveda presents a vast
"database" of the relationships between causes and their
affects, both immediate and subtle, for each unique individual
Vata: The Energy of Movement
A person with vata predominant is blessed with a quick mind, flexibility
and creativity. Vata provides the essential motion for all bodily
processes and is extremely vital for health. One purpose of lifestyle
considerations is to "ground" or stabilize this motion. On an
annual basis, vata is most prominent in the fall and at the change of
seasons, and these are the most important times to be careful of diet
and lifestyle. Routine is very useful in assisting the vata individual
to effectively ground all this moving energy.
Vata types have variable appetite and
digestion. They are often attracted to astringent foods like salad and
vegetables, but their constitution is balanced by sweet, sour and salty
tastes. Vata people tend to produce little urine and their feces are
hard, dry and small in size and quantity. Mentally, vata people usually
grasp things quickly but then forget them quickly. They are alert,
restless and very active. They walk, talk and think fast, but are easily
fatigued. They have less willpower and often feel unstable and
ungrounded. They have less tolerance, confidence and boldness. When
unbalanced, vata types have a tendency to become fearful and nervous,
and may experience high anxiety. In the external world, vata types tend
to earn money quickly and spend it quickly. They are not good planners
and as a consequence may suffer economic hardship. Vata resides in the
colon, as well as the brain, ears, bones, joints, skin and thighs. Vata
people are more susceptible to diseases involving the air principle,
such as emphysema, pneumonia and arthritis. Other common vata disorders
include flatulence, tics, twitches, aching joints, dry skin and hair,
nerve disorders, constipation, and mental confusion. Vata tends to
increase with age as is indicated by drying and wrinkling of the skin.
Since the attributes of vata are dry, light,
cold, rough, subtle, mobile, clear and dispersing, any of these
qualities in excess can cause imbalance. Frantic travel, especially by
plane, loud noises, continual stimulation, drugs, sugar, and alcohol all
derange vata, as does exposure to cold and cold foods. Like the wind,
vata types have a hard time becoming and staying grounded. Routine is
difficult but essential if vata is to be lowered and controlled. In
general, people with excessive vata respond most rapidly to warm, moist,
slightly oily, heavy foods. Steam baths, humidifiers, and moisture in
general are helpful.
General food guidelines for decreasing vata
are:
50% whole grains: whole grain cooked cereals,
some breads and crackers 20% protein: eggs, high quality dairy products,
poultry, fish, seafood, beef, tofu, black and red lentils 20-30% fresh
vegetables with an optional 10% for fresh fruits
General guidelines for balancing vata:
Keep warm Keep calm Avoid raw foods Avoid
extreme cold Avoid cold foods Eat warm foods and spices Keep a regular
routine
Pitta: The Energy of
Digestion and Metabolism
Pitta people have many of the qualities of fire. Fire is hot,
penetrating, sharp, and agitating. Similarly, pitta people have warm
bodies, penetrating ideas, and sharp intelligence. But they can also
become very agitated and short tempered. The pitta body type is one of
medium height and build, with ruddy or coppery skin. They may have many
moles and freckles. Their skin is warm and less wrinkled than vata skin.
Their hair tends to be silky and they often experience premature graying
or hair loss. Their eyes are of medium size and conjunctiva is moist.
The nose is sharp and the tip tends to be reddish.
Pitta people have a strong metabolism, good
digestion, and strong appetites. They like plenty of food and liquids.
They tend to love hot spices and cold drinks. However, their
constitution is balanced by sweet, bitter and astringent tastes. Pitta
people sleep well and of medium duration. They produce large quantities
of urine and feces, which tend to be yellowish, soft and plentiful. They
easily perspire. Hands and feet stay warm. Pitta people have a lower
tolerance for sunlight, heat or hard physical work. Mentally, pitta
types are alert and intelligent and have good powers of comprehension.
However, they are easily agitated and aggressive and tend toward hate,
anger and jealousy when imbalanced. In the external world, pitta people
like to be leaders and planners and seek material prosperity. They like
to exhibit their wealth and possessions. Pitta people tend to have
diseases involving the fire principle such as fevers, inflammatory
diseases and jaundice. Common symptoms include skin rashes, burning
sensation, ulceration, fever, inflammations or irritations such as
conjunctivitis, colitis, or sore throats.
Since the attributes of pitta are oily, hot,
light, mobile, and liquid, an excess of any of these qualities
aggravates pitta. Summer is a time of heat, the pitta season. Sunburn,
poison ivy, prickly heat, and short tempers are common. These kinds of
pitta disorders tend to calm down as the weather gets cooler. The diet
and lifestyle changes emphasize coolness-cool foods, avoidance of
chilies and spices (especially difficult for New Mexicans), and cool
climates. People with excessive pitta need to exercise at the coolest
part of the day.
Dietary guidelines for pitta are: 50%
whole grains--whole grain breads, cereals, cooked grains 20%
protein--beans (except lentils), tofu, tempeh, cottage cheese, ricotta
cheese, raw milk, egg white, chicken and turkey (white meat), shrimp,
rabbit, venison 20-30% vegetables with an optional 10% for fresh fruits
Other guidelines: Avoid excessive heat
Avoid excessive oil Avoid excessive steam Limit salt intake Eat cooling,
non-spicy foods Exercise during the cooler part of the day
Kapha: The Energy of
Lubrication
Kapha people are blessed with strength, endurance and stamina. They have
sweet, loving dispositions and are stable and grounded. Their skin is
oily and smooth. Physically, kapha people tend to gain weight and have a
slow metabolism. They shun exercise. They have thick skin and their
bodies and muscles are well developed. Their eyes are large, dark, and
attractive with thick, long lashes and brows. Kapha people evacuate
slowly and feces tend to be soft, pale and oily. Perspiration is
moderate. Sleep is deep and prolonged. Kapha types are attracted to
sweet, salty and oily foods, but their constitutions are most balanced
by bitter, astringent and pungent tastes.
Psychologically, kapha people tend to be calm,
tolerant and forgiving. However, they may become lethargic. While they
may be slow to comprehend, their long term memory is excellent. When out
of balance, kaphas tend to experience greed, envy, attachment and
possessiveness. In the external world, kapha tendencies toward
groundedness, stability, and attachment help them to earn and hold onto
money. They tend to have diseases connected to the water principle such
as flu, sinus congestion, and other diseases involving mucous.
Sluggishness, excess weight, diabetes, water retention, and headaches
are also common. Kapha can become more aggravated as the moon gets full
because, as biologists have discovered, there is a tendency for water
retention at that time. Winter is the time of greatest kapha
accumulation and following the dietary and lifestyle changes are most
important during that season.
Dietary guidelines for kapha are:
30-40% whole grains: rye crackers, dry cereals,
and cooked grains 20% protein: chicken, turkey, boiled and poached eggs,
rabbit, small amount of goats milk, and most beans (including garbanzos,
adukis, pintos, black beans, red lentils, navy and white beans, split
peas, and black eye peas) 40-50% fresh vegetables with an optional 10%
for fresh or dried fruits. A daily salad is good.
Copyright 1996, Dr. Vasant Lad, The
Ayurvedic Institute
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