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Daily Health in the Indian Ayurvedic System Dr. Aja Thomas Attributes of the three doshas VataPitta Kapha

dryoily oily li htli ht heavy cold hot cold rou hpenetratin slo! subtleli"uid dense mobilemobile static clearsour smellslimy dispersin soft Vata #. Principle of movement li$e the !ind %. &ovement in the body. '. (atabolic ). *overns breathin + movements in the muscles+ tissue+ cell plasma and membranes+ nerve cells+ blin$in + heart contractions+ all e,pansions and contractions. -. *overns the emotional reactions of fear+ nervousness+ an,iety+ pain+ tremors+ etc. .. /ound primarily in the lar e intestine Pitta #. Principle of fire or heat. %. &etabolic in nature '. 0ules over all forms of di estion+ metabolism+ absorption+ assimilation+ nutrition+ the body temperature+ s$in color and bodily luster+ and luster of the eyes+ as !ell as intelli ence+ understandin + and comprehension. ). *overns the emotions of an er+ hate+ and jealousy. -. /ound primarily in the small intestine. Kapha #. Principle of !ater. %. Anabolic '. (ements the elements. ). 1ubricatin . -. *ives resilience and stren th. .. *ives moisture to the body. 2. 1ubricates joints. 3. Heals !ounds. 4. 0esponsible for memory retention. #5 &aintains immunity+ vi or and stability. ## 0esponsible for reed+ attachment+ and envy+ as !ell as for understandin + love+ compassion+ and calmness. #%. /ound primarily in the chest 6lun s and stomach7.

Disease is caused by imbalance

#. Imbalance of the doshas. %. Imbalance of the di estion. '. Imbalance of the ' !aste products 6feces+ urine+ s!eat7 ). Imbalance of the senses. -. Imbalance of the body+ mind and spirit. 8ecause all systems of the mind and body are inter9related+ !hat effects one effects another. :ltimately+ the di estion !ill be effected. In Ayurveda+ the astrointestinal tract is considered the ori in of health and disease. ;hen di estion is affected the result is undi ested food+ ama+ <aturopathy= to,ins. Ama is a thic$ dar$ matter !hich accumulates in the intestines. >ventually this ama enters the circulatory system+ settlin into !ea$ened areas of the body and manifestin as various symptoms. Thus is caused to,emia and disease. Ayurveda considers the mind and body closely connected. Since each dosha overns both bodily functions as !ell as mental functions+ an imbalance in one !ill directly affect the other. /or e,ample+ by repressin stress+ !orry+ and an,iety+ !hich are vata emotions+ vata disease such as constipation can occur. ?r the reverse@ !here there is vata physical disorder+ such as constipation+ there may also be caused vata emotions of an,iety+ nervousness+ etc. Therefore+ daily routine is tied into physical+ mental and spiritual e"uilibrium. Sir ;illiam ?sler+ AIt is much more important to $no! !hat sort of patient has a disease than !hat sort of disease a patient has.A H>A1TH &AI<T><A<(> TH0?:*H DAI1B 0?:TI<> .@55 am to #5@55 am #5@55 am to %@55 pm %@55 pm to .@55 pm .@55 pm to #5@55 pm #5@55 pm to %@55 am %@55 am to .@55 am $apha pitta vata $apha pitta vata

These fluctuate some!hat accordin to season. The first item of the daily routine+ risin + should be done shortly before sunrise in the vata period. Vata !ill be functionin to help in the elimination of urine and feces. Cuietest time of the day $no!n as 8rahma &uhurta 6time of spiritual a!a$enin 7. It is the best period for prayer and mediation. Aspect of the doshas on the seasons@ #. /all99vata period of !ind+ dryin + crac$in . %. ;inter99$apha !ith cold and heaviness. '. Sprin is $apha and pitta of !armin . Dust li$e !hen the sun melts the sno!s in sprin + the comin !armth of sprin and summer melt the built up $apha+ often ivin rise to sprin colds. ). Summer99pitta !ith e,treme heat. &etabolism ;inter and sprin @ anabolism99buildin up Summer@ metabolism99maintenance

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/all@

catabolism99d!indlin

Periods of life (hildhood@ $apha+ anabolism99mucus diseases Pitta@ pitta+ metabolism+ !or$+ maintain+ and the passions brin pro eny99typical e,ample of a pitta disorder is the ulcer ?ld a e@ vata+ catabolism+ d!indlin 99dryin up+ shrin$in and coolness are prevalent in this sta e. Such vata diseases !hich manifest durin this time are arthritis+ constipation+ sciatica+ rheumatism. #. 0ise early %. ?ffer prayers '. Drin$ lass of !ater ). >vacuate -. (lean the mouth and teeth .. >,amine the face and the ton ue #. vertical lines on the forehead bet!een the eyebro!s@ line on the ri ht99repressed emotions or to,ins in the liver+ line on the left99indicates the same for the spleen. %. puffiness of the lo!er eyelids@ problems in the $idneys '. butterfly li$e discoloration on the chee$s@ problems belo! the $idneys re ion ). butterfly li$e discoloration on the nose@ malabsorption of iron or folic acid. -. lips@ dry+ rou h and crac$ed@ vata deran ement and dehydration+ and a need for more li"uids+ especially !ater. Pale lips@ si n of anemia Bello! lips@ jaundice 8lue lips@ heart disorders .. (olors of the ton ue@ Pale9anemia Bello!9e,cessive bile or liver disorder 8lue9heart disorder Heavy+ !hitish coatin 9undi ested to,ins middle9to,ins are present in the stomach and small intestines to!ards the bac$9in the colon Vertical line do!n the center of the ton ue9emotions are bein held in the spine (urve in the line9may indicate curvature in the spine curve at the tip9cervical vertebrae curve to!ards the middle9thoracic curve to!ards the bac$9lumbar Impressions of the teeth alon the front and for!ard sides of the ton ue indicate unabsorbed nutrients Impressions of the teeth alon the side of the ton ue su est delicate lun s. Dry crac$ed ton ue9chronic vata deran ement in the colon Small !hite patches on either side of the rear of the ton ue9$idney disorder. 2. &assa e the body !ith oil9daily or at least t!o or three times !ee$ly. &assa e helps to balance the doshas and enhances the movement of ener y !ithin the body. It also acts to stimulate the lymphatic circulation+ !hich is essential to the defense system of the body.

?ils &ustard9all around best type Vata9sesame oil+ !ith stro$es oin a ainst the direction of body hair ro!th. Helps the oil to penetrate into the s$in9vata enerally dry s$in Stro$e should be very li ht Pitta9coolin oil+ sunflo!er or sandal!ood. &assa e stro$es should be li ht. Kapha9corn oil+ calamus root oil+ or no oil. &ustard oil especially ood+ because of its heat. &assa e should be deeper. 3. 8ath or sho!er Seven types@ bath of the mind+ bath by mantra+ rainEsun (ommon !ater bath@ Pond is ood+ a la$e is better+ and a river is best=sho!er is better for eneral cleansin than tub bath

8ath temperature should be cool or sli htly !arm endin !ith cool+ unless the bather is old+ infirm+ or diseased in !hich case !arm !ater may be used. In no case should e,cessively hot !ater be used for the head. eneral bathin and especially never on

4. >,erciseE&editationEPranayama Bo a@ 1osin !ei ht9SH?:1D>0 STA<D9brin s blood and stimulation to the thyroid land in the nec$+ one of the primary or ans responsible for !ei ht balance and metabolism+ especially in !omen.Also beneficial for hyperthyroidism+ constipation+ hemorrhoids+ varicose veins+ liver disorders+ e,cessive an er+ se,ual debility+ sore throat+ asthma+ emphysema. Pranayama@ Sheetali9coolin breath+ performed by inspirin air throu h the curled ton ue. Its coolin results help to alleviate pitta or heat disorders. 8reath of fire9!armin to the body and is recommended for those $apha disorders or over!ei ht individuals. Also used in preparation for meditation9has the effect of "uietin and clearin the mind+ and a!a$enin the subtle and spiritual ener ies. Alternatin breath9before meditation to calm the mind+ or !hen havin trouble fallin asleep at ni ht. 0atio of #@)@% inhale@hold@e,hale #5. /ood Kapha disorders@ no fresh s!eet fruits Vata disorders@ no ra! ve etables but rather coo$ed ve etables only+ as vata is cool by nature and often vata disorders are accompanied by an inability to di est ra! foods.