According to
Ayurveda, there are three primary
energies, or Doshas. The Doshas are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These Doshas
regulate all physical and psychological behaviors, from basic cell
structure to the most complex mental functions. The Doshas are found in
unique proportions in every individual. This singular combination of the
Doshas is called our constitution or Prakriti, and it will determine our
basic physical appearance, preferences, behaviors, and emotional
tendencies. When the Doshas are in their natural balance with one another,
our physical and mental states are at optimum health. When the Doshas fall
out of balance, disease may manifest. Ayurveda seeks to return the Doshas
to and maintain them at their natural balance in our individual
constitution.
Physically such people are either very tall or very short, non-
muscular, with thin and bony limbs and have a quick gait with short fast
steps. Skin is generally thin, darkish and cool. The hair is thin, dark,
coarse and either kinky or curly. The face is usually long and angular,
often with an underdeveloped chin. The neck is thin and scrawny. Nose is
small and narrow. May be long, crooked or asymmetrical also. Eyes tend
to be small, narrow or sunken, dark brown or gray in color, with dull
luster. The mouth being small, with thin, narrow or tight lips. Teeth
are irregular, protruding, or broken, set in receding gums. And while
the voice is weak, low or cracked, speech is fast with interruptions.
Vata people have restless minds and weak memories. They avoid
confrontation. Have active and sensitive natures and express themselves
through sport and creative pursuits. Likely to be artistic and creative
with a good imagination, they will sometimes overindulge in pleasures.
And are sexually the most active. Fearful, worrisome and anxious they
are into questioning, theorizing and over-analysis. Often dissatisfied
with and unable to sustain friendships, they spend money quickly, often
on trifles. With light, interrupted sleep of 5-7 hours a day.
Vata is known as the moving force. Vata is mainly concerned with the nervous system and all bodily movement. It
chews and swallows food, moves nutrients into and wastes out of cells,
circulates blood and air, and retrieves and stores
memories.
Physical Appearance of
Vata physique:thin, very tall or very short, little muscular
development skin: cool, dry,
rough hair: dark,
curly, dry eyes: small; brown, grey, or slate blue
Temperament of
Vata mental: nervous, fluctuating moods, quick but short memory,
creative physical: irregular appetite, irregular elimination, prone to constipation, light
sleeper energy:comes
in bursts, active, poor stamina
Pitta governs biological fire. Pitta is mainly concerned with the body's balance of kinetic and potential
energies. Pitta's processes involve digestion, whether it be digestion of
food and nutrients or digestion of thoughts and theories in the
mind.
A moderately well developed physique with muscular limbs and a
purposeful, stable gait of medium speed. With a loud, strong voice and
precise, convincing speech. The skin is fair, soft, lustrous, warm, and
tends to burn easily in the sun – has freckles, many
moles, and a
tendency to rashes. And the bodies are hot and sweaty. Characterized by
fine and soft, either fair or reddish hair that tends to gray soon. Face
is heart-shaped, often with a pointed chin. While the neck is
proportionate and of average size. A neat, pointed, and average sized
nose matches the average sized eyes that are either light blue, light
gray or hazel in color, with an intense luster which get red in summer
or after bathing. The mouth being medium, with average lips and
medium-sized, yellowish teeth.
Pitta's have an intellectual and precise disposition due to a very alert,
focused mind. Sharp and knife-like in anger, they are irritable,
jealous and aggressive by nature. Discriminating and judgmental, they
are articulate, learned and proud. With a developed sense of
responsibility, they can take decisions and organize affairs well.
Argumentative, but with a sense of humour, their selectively excellent
memory makes them fast learners. Moderately passionate in their sexual
pursuits, they spend moderately, usually on luxuries.
Physical Appearance of
Pitta physique:medium, good muscular
development skin:warm, oily, prone to reddening or
blemishes hair: light
colored, straight,
fine eyes:sharp,
lustrous, bright blue or light brown
Temperament of
Pitta mental:easily irritated, goal oriented, organized, good
memory physical:must
eat regularly, quick digestion, regular elimination, sound
sleeper energy: moderate, average stamina, enjoys physical activity
Remedies for
Pitta Foods:cool to warm, mildly
spiced Tastes: sweet,
bitter,
astringent Exercise: moderate, non-competitive, involving water and
winter Single Herbs: Haritaki, Brahmi, Neem, Shatavari,
Bhringaraj Herbal Supplements: Samsamani, Triphala, Punarnavadi, Kaishore Guggulu,
Vasavaleha Rasayanas:Nimba, Ashoka, Pitta Chyavana Prasha, Haridra, Brahmi, Gokshura,
Shatavari Skin Care:Tridosha Cleanser,
Tridosha After Shave Gel, Pitta Soothing Tonic
Lotion, Pitta Soothing Cream, Pitta Purifying
cream, Pitta Body
Oil
Kapha:
Kapha gives us substance and support. Kapha is mainly concerned with providing the physical field for the Vata and Pitta energies. It governs cell structure, bodily secretions, and
gives the mind stability.
A thick, broad, well-developed frame and large, long limbs go well with
a pleasant, deep and resonant voice with low, slow, rhythmic speech. The
skin is usually thick, oily, pale or white and cold. Plentiful, thick,
wavy, lustrous and generally brown hair is set on a large, rounded and
full face. The neck is solid, with a near tree-trunk quality. A large,
rounded nose and large, attractive, blue or light brown in color eyes
are found in a mouth that is large with big, full lips. Teeth too are
big and white and set in strong gums.
Kapha predominated people are calm, steady, considerate - stable,
patient personalities they are slow to anger. Not easily provoked, once
angry they do not calm down easily. They are honorable, true to their
word and avoid lies. Loyal, forgiving and understanding, they can be
lethargic, even lazy, if not driven by others. Learning may be slow but
memory will be strong. Excellent in logical analysis, they take time
before reaching conclusions. Long hours of deep sleep and a strong,
enduring sex drive come naturally. While they do save money, it does get
spent on food. And there can at times be an element of dullness, given
that a kapha mind is usually too content to seek fresh mental
stimulation.
Physical Appearance of
Kapha physique:large, rounded build, good muscular
development skin: cool, smooth, moist hair:thick, wavy eyes: large, attractive, brown
Temperament of
Kapha mental: calm, tranquil, compassionate, thorough, rarely
forgets physical:steady appetite, slow digestion, regular elimination, deep
sleeper energy: steady, lethargic, good endurance
Just as the doshas are the essential components of the body, the three gunas - Satva, Rajas and Tamas - are the
three essential components or energies of the mind. Ayurveda provides a distinct description of people on the basis of their Manasa (psychological) Prakriti (constitution).
Genetically determined, these psychological characteristics are
dependent on the relative dominance of the three gunas.
While all
individuals have mixed amounts of the three, the predominant guna determines an individual's mansa prakriti. In equilibrium, the
three gunas preserve the mind (and indirectly the body),
maintaining it in a healthy state. Any disturbance in this equilibrium
results in various types of mental disorders.
Satva, characterized bylightness, consciousness, pleasure and clarity,
is pure, free from disease and cannot be disturbed in any way. It
activates the senses and is responsible for the perception of knowledge. Rajas, the most active of the gunas,
has motion and stimulation as its characteristics. All desires, wishes,
ambitions and fickle-mindedness are a result of the same. While Tamas is characterized by heaviness and resistance. It produces
disturbances in the process of perception and activities of the mind.
Delusion, false knowledge, laziness, apathy, sleep and drowsiness are
due to it.
Rajas and Tamas, as with the doshas, can be
unbalanced by stress and negative desires as kama (lust), irshya (malice), moha (delusion and
halucination), lobha (greed), chinta (anxiety), bhaya (fear) and krodha (anger).
Each of these three properties is also comprised of sub-types and the
particular sub-type to which one belongs to determine the qualities of
that individual.
Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine by Douglas Dupler
sbchopra.sgm
Definition
Ayurvedic medicine is a system of healing that originated in ancient
India. In Sanskrit, ayur means life or living, and veda means knowledge,
so Ayurveda has been defined as the “knowledge of living” or the
“science of longevity.” Ayurvedic medicine utilizes diet, detoxification
and purification techniques, herbal and mineral remedies, yoga,
breathing exercises, meditation, and massage therapy as holistic healing
methods. Ayurvedic medicine is widely practiced in modern India and has
been steadily gaining followers in the West.
Origins
Ayurvedic medicine originated in the early civilizations of India some
3,000-5,000 years ago. It is mentioned in the Vedas, the ancient
religious and philosophical texts that are the oldest surviving
literature in the world, which makes Ayurvedic medicine the oldest
surviving healing system. According to the texts, Ayurveda was conceived
by enlightened wise men as a system of living harmoniously and
maintaining the body so that mental and spiritual awareness could be
possible. Medical historians believe that Ayurvedic ideas were
transported from ancient India to China and were instrumental in the
development of Chinese medicine.
Today, Ayurvedic medicine is used by 80% of the population in India.
Aided by the efforts of Deepak Chopra and the Maharishi, it has become
an increasingly accepted alternative medical treatment in America during
the last two decades. Chopra is an M.D. who has written several
bestsellers based on Ayurvedic ideas. He also helped develop the Center
for Mind/Body Medicine in La Jolla, California, a major Ayurvedic center
that trains physicians in Ayurvedic principles, produces herbal
remedies, and conducts research and documentation of its healing
techniques.
Benefits
According to the original texts, the goal of Ayurveda is prevention as
well as promotion of the body’s own capacity for maintenance and
balance. Ayurvedic treatment is non-invasive and non-toxic, so it can be
used safely as an alternative therapy or alongside conventional
therapies. Ayurvedic physicians claim that their methods can also help
stress-related, metabolic, and chronic conditions. Ayurveda has been
used to treat acne, allergies, asthma, anxiety, arthritis, chronic
fatigue syndrome , colds, colitis, constipation,depression, diabetes,
flu, heart disease , hypertension, immune problems, inflammation,
insomnia, nervous disorders, obesity, skin problems, and ulcers.
Ayurvedic physicians seek to discover the roots of a disease before it
gets so advanced that more radical treatments are necessary. Thus,
Ayurveda seems to be limited in treating severely advanced conditions,
traumatic injuries, acute pain, and conditions and injuries requiring
invasive surgery. Ayurvedic techniques have also been used alongside
chemotherapy and surgery to assist patients in recovery and healing.
Description
Key ideas
To understand Ayurvedic treatment, it is necessary to have an idea how
the Ayurvedic system views the body. The basic life force in the body is
prana, which is also found in the elements and is similar to the Chinese
notion of chi. As Swami Vishnudevananda, a yogi and expert, put it,
“Prana is in the air, but is not the oxygen, nor any of its chemical
constituents. It is in food, water, and in the sunlight, yet it is not
vitamin, heat, or light-rays. Food, water, air, etc., are only the media
through which the prana is carried.”
In Ayurveda, there are five basic elements that contain prana: earth,
water, fire, air, and ether. These elements interact and are further
organized in the human body as three main categories or basic
physiological principles in the body that govern all bodily functions
known as the doshas. The three doshas are vata, pitta, and kapha. Each
person has a unique blend of the three doshas, known as the person’s
prakriti, which is why Ayurvedic treatment is always individualized. In
Ayurveda, disease is viewed as a state of imbalance in one or more of a
person’s doshas, and an Ayurvedic physician strives to adjust and
balance them, using a variety of techniques.
The vata dosha is associated with air and ether, and in the body
promotes movement and lightness. Vata people are generally thin and
light physically, dry-skinned, and very energetic and mentally restless.
When vata is out of balance, there are often nervous problems,
hyperactivity, sleeplessness, lower back pains, and headaches.
Pitta is associated with fire and water. In the body, it is responsible
for metabolism and digestion. Pitta characteristics are medium-built
bodies, fair skin, strong digestion, and good mental concentration. Pitta imbalances show up as anger and aggression and stress-related
conditions like gastritis, ulcers, liver problems, and hypertension.
The kapha dosha is associated with water and earth. People characterized
as kapha are generally large or heavy with more oily complexions. They
tend to be slow, calm, and peaceful. Kapha disorders manifest
emotionally as greed and possessiveness, and physically as obesity, fatigue, bronchitis, and sinus problems.
In Ayurvedic medicine, disease is always seen as an imbalance in the
dosha system, so the diagnostic process strives to determine which
doshas are underactive or overactive in a body. Diagnosis is often taken
over a course of days in order for the Ayurvedic physician to most
accurately determine what parts of the body are being affected. To
diagnose problems, Ayurvedic physicians often use long questionnaires
and interviews to determine a person’s dosha patterns and physical and
psychological histories. Ayurvedic physicians also intricately observe
the pulse, tongue, face, lips, eyes, and fingernails for abnormalities
or patterns that they believe can indicate deeper problems in the
internal systems. Some Ayurvedic physicians also use laboratory tests to
assist in diagnosis.
Treatment
Ayurvedic treatment seeks to re-establish balance and harmony in the
body’s systems. Usually the first method of treatment involves some sort
of detoxification and cleansing of the body, in the belief that
accumulated toxins must be removed before any other methods of treatment
will be effective. Methods of detoxification include therapeutic vomiting, laxatives, medicated enemas, fasting, and cleansing of the
sinuses. Many Ayurvedic clinics combine all of these cleansing methods
into intensive sessions known as panchakarma.
Panchakarma can take
several days or even weeks and they are more than elimination therapies.
They also include herbalized oil massage and herbalized heat treatments.
After purification, Ayurvedic physicians use herbal and mineral remedies
to balance the body as well. Ayurvedic medicine contains a vast
knowledge of the use of herbs for specific health problems.
Ayurvedic medicine also emphasizes how people live their lives from day
to day, believing that proper lifestyles and routines accentuate
balance, rest, diet, and prevention. Ayurveda recommends yoga as a form
of exercise to build strength and health, and also advises massage
therapy and self-massage as ways of increasing circulation and reducing
stress. Yogic breathing techniques and meditation are also part of a
healthy Ayurvedic regimen, to reduce stress and improve mental energy.
Of all treatments, though, diet is one of the most basic and widely used
therapy in the Ayurvedic system. An Ayurvedic diet can be a very well
planned and individualized regimen. According to Ayurveda, there are six
basic tastes: sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent.
Certain tastes and foods can either calm or aggravate a particular dosha.
For instance, sweet, sour, and salty decrease vata problems and increase kapha. Sour, salty, and pungent can increase pitta. After an Ayurvedic
physician determines a person’s dosha profile, they will recommend a
specific diet to correct imbalances and increase health. The Ayurvedic
diet emphasizes primarily vegetarian foods of high quality and
freshness, tailored to the season and time of day. Cooling foods are
eaten in the summer and heating ones in the winter, always within a
person’s dosha requirements. In daily routine, the heaviest meal of the
day should be lunch, and dinner should eaten well before bedtime, to
allow for complete digestion. Also, eating meals in a calm manner with
proper chewing and state of mind is important, as is combining foods
properly and avoiding overeating.
Costs of Ayurvedic treatments can vary, with initial consultations
running anywhere from $40 to over $100, with follow-up visits costing
less. Herbal treatments may cost from $10 to $50 per month, and are
often available from health food or bulk herb stores. Some clinics offer panchakarma, the intensive Ayurvedic detoxification treatment, which can
include overnight stays for up to several weeks. The prices for these
programs can vary significantly, depending on the services and length of
stay. Insurance reimbursement may depend on whether the primary
physician is a licensed M.D.
Ayurveda is a mind/body system of health that contains some ideas
foreign to the Western scientific model. Those people considering
Ayurveda should approach it with an open mind and willingness to
experiment. Also, because Ayurveda is a whole-body system of healing and
health, patience and discipline are helpful, as some conditions and
diseases are believed to be brought on by years of bad health habits and
require time and effort to correct. Finally, the Ayurvedic philosophy
believes that each person has the ability to heal themselves, so those
considering Ayurveda should be prepared to bring responsibility and
participation into the treatment.
Precautions
An Ayurvedic practitioner should always be consulted.
Side effects
During Ayurvedic detoxification programs, some people report fatigue,
muscle soreness, and general sickness. Also, as Ayurveda seeks to
release mental stresses and psychological problems from the patient,
some people can experience mental disturbances and depression during
treatment, and psychological counseling may be part of a sound program.
Because Ayurveda had been outside the Western scientific system for
years, research in the United States is new. Another difficulty in
documentation arises because Ayurvedic treatment is very individualized;
two people with the same disease but different dosha patterns might be
treated differently. Much more scientific research has been conducted
over the past several decades in India. Much research in the United
States is being supported by the Maharishi Ayur-Ved organization, which
studies the Ayurvedic products it sells and its clinical practices.
Some Ayurvedic herbal mixtures have been proven to have high antioxidant
properties, much stronger than vitamins A, C, and E, and some have also
been shown in laboratory tests to reduce or eliminate tumors in mice and
to inhibit cancer growth in human lung tumor cells. In a 1987 study at
MIT, an Ayurvedic herbal remedy was shown to significantly reduce colon
cancer in rats. Another study was performed in the Netherlands with
Maharishi Ayur-Ved products. A group of patients with chronic illnesses,
including asthma, chronic bronchitis, hypertension, eczema, psoriasis, constipation, rheumatoid arthritis, headaches, and non-insulin
dependent diabetes mellitus , were given Ayurvedic treatment. Strong
results were observed, with nearly 80% of the patients improving and
some chronic conditions being completely cured.
Other studies have shown that Ayurvedic therapies can significantly
lower cholesterol and blood pressure in stress-related problems.
Diabetes, acne, and allergies have also been successfully treated with
Ayurvedic remedies. Ayurvedic products have been shown to increase
short-term memory and reduce headaches. Also, Ayurvedic remedies have
been used successfully to support the healing process of patients
undergoing chemotherapy, as these remedies have been demonstrated to
increase immune system activity.
Training & certification
In the United States, there is no standardized program for the
certification of Ayurvedic practitioners. Many practitioners have
primary degrees, either as M.D.s, homeopaths, or naturopathic
physicians, with additional training in Ayurveda.
Key Terms
Dosha
One of three
constitutional types, either vata, pitta, or kapha, found in
Ayurvedic medicine.
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