How to Balance your Doshas

According to Ayurveda (Science of Life), which is the oldest medicine dating 5,000 years ago, we are comprised by three fundamental and vital energies called Doshas. The three groups are called Kapha, Pitta, and Vata and are a combination of five elements; earth, water, fire, air, and ether. When we are born one of the Doshas is more predominant giving us certain characteristics. As we grow up and age our energies is influenced by what we eat, our environment, and our thoughts.

Earth is stable and represents our bones, cells, and tissues. Water is fluid and represents our blood and lymph, delivering nutrients and carrying away waste. Fire is energy and represents our digestion and building muscles. Air is movement and represents mobility of our bodies. Ether is the space in-between everything.

Kapha is a combination of water and earth and its characteristics are cold, oily, heavy and stable. Individuals with a Kapha predominant are loyal, compassionate and peaceful. Pitta is a combination of fire and water and its characteristics are light, heat, and oily. Individuals with a Pitta predominant are passionate, confident, and possess great leadership skills. Vata is a combination of air and ether and its characteristics are quick, cold, and dry. Individuals with a Vata predominant are active, imaginative, and positive.

According to Ayurveda that the absence of balance in our body and mind is related to disturbances of the energies in our bodies. For example, an excess of Vata will manifest as anxiety, insomnia, and gastrointestinal issues. An excess of Pitta will manifest as heartburn, acne, and anger. An excess of Kapha will manifest as weight gain, depression, and respiratory issues.

Ayurveda is a holistic approach to health and addresses the body, mind, and spirit as a whole in order return to balance and maintain health. Diet and other practices are considered essential to achieve this. Some recommendations are:

Pacifying Vata: Keep warm and taking warm baths, getting plenty of rest and massages, eating warm food and drinks, soups, good fats, hot cereal, and healthy comfort food. Avoid cold and windy places, watching too much TV and irregular sleep patterns, stimulants like caffeine, raw foods and iced drinks, dry salty snacks and unripen fruits. Some warming spices are cinnamon, black pepper, and ginger.

Pacifying Pitta: Keep cool, raw and vegetarian foods, sweet juicy fruits, and moderate oils. Avoid spicy foods, processed and fast foods, sour foods and vinegar. Also, avoid coffee and tomatoes because they are too acidic. Aloe vera, cucumbers, limes, and coconut oil are cooling. Some herbs and spices that are cooling are peppermint, fennel, and coriander.

Pacifying Kapha: getting plenty of exercise, eating warm and light foods, some spicy foods, fruits and vegetables. Avoid fried foods and fats, iced drinks and sugars, sleeping too much and taking naps. Some spices that are beneficial are fenugreek, cumin, and turmeric. Also, ginger tea is beneficial for stimulating the appetite.

The suggestions and information provided are not meant to substitute the advice of a physician or nutritionist. Ayurveda is a lifestyle and any changes should be approached slow and steady. For more information contact HealingInMaui.com or a Holistic Health Practitioner.

References:

Assessment Test provided by BanyanBotanicals.com

doctorOz.com

The Book of Ayurveda by Judith H. Morrison

Ayurveda: The Science of Self-Healing by Vasant Lad