Ayurveda, a Sanskrit term meaning "the science of life" or "the knowledge of life," aims to achieve balance and optimal health by following the laws of nature. By aligning our daily routines and behaviors with nature, we can improve our physical health, and ultimately, achieve spiritual enlightenment. Ayurveda is over 5000 years old, predating many other medical systems in the world. Practices such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), modern naturopathy, and aromatherapy all have their roots in Ayurveda.

Principles of Ayurveda

According to Ayurvedic philosophy, the environment we live in is composed of five elements: earth, air, fire, ether, and water. When the five elements in our bodies are in harmony with our environment, we experience perfect health. Conversely, when we are not in balance with our environment, our health deteriorates, and disease can occur.

The five elements are present in our bodies as three bodily intelligences, or doshas: vata, pitta, and kapha.

Mind-Body Constitutions (Doshas)

Each dosha is responsible for different functions in the body, and every human body has each dosha represented in their body to some degree, even though most people show the characteristics of only one or two doshas. The balance of the three doshas is constantly in flux depending upon the season and even the time of day! These doshas, when stable and in balance, will generate a healthy constitution. When they are out of balance, toxins accumulate, and disease can manifest.

• Vata is composed of air and ether. It is light, dry, cold, rough, subtle, clear and mobile. It is responsible for action, transportation and movement, therefore It is responsible for movement including circulation, elimination, nerve impulses, and breathing. Mentally, it can be seen in the flow of thoughts.
• Pitta is composed of fire and water, although fire is dominant. It is light, hot, sharp, oily, spreading and liquid. It is responsible for transformation, conversion and metabolism, therefore Pitta is responsible for transforming food into nutrients and waste, and for the metabolic functions in all our organs and tissues. Mentally, pitta represents fire in temperament, commonly seen as passion and drive.
• Kapha is composed of water and earth. It is heavy, slow, cool, oily, smooth, dense, soft, stable, gross and sticky (cloudy). It is responsible for construction, lubrication and nourishment. It gives stability, structure, growth, protection, endurance, calmness, and cohesion. Examples of kapha dosha in our body include the cerebral-spinal fluid, the structure of our cell walls, and the mucosal lining of the gastrointestinal tract. Mentally, kapha governs memory, learning capacity, and promotes the qualities of love and calm.

Prakruti is the combination of doshas that a person is born with, which remains constant for life, and is influenced by the doshas of their parents. The mental and physical states of the parents at the time of conception and the mother's diet and lifestyle throughout the pregnancy also play a role. The doshas that are dominant at birth determine physical characteristics, personality, and any tendencies that may result in specific types of illnesses. The aim of Ayurveda is to keep the prakruti in balance with the original "set point" at birth.

Vikruti is the result of prakruti falling out of balance. Improper diet, lifestyle, stress levels, the seasons, and other environmental factors can cause imbalance. The imbalance may present with the characteristics of a dosha that is different from the original prakruti. By knowing our prakruti and our vikruti, we can treat the cause of the illness or condition and maintain balance with our original mind-body constitution. This knowledge enables us to design a diet and lifestyle in harmony with our environment to better understand our personality traits, emotional tendencies, likes and dislikes, and our susceptibility to certain illnesses.

Common symptoms of imbalanced doshas

Vata imbalance

• Dry skin, hair, ears, lips and joints
• Gas, bloating, constipation, dehydration, weight loss
• Restlessness, dizziness, feeling ungrounded
• Anxiety, fidgeting, muscle twitching, agitation, palpitations
• Light interrupted sleep
• Excessive thinking or worrying
• Dislike cold and wind
• Spacey, scattered thoughts
• Difficulty tolerating loud noises

Pitta imbalance

• Anger, irritability, frustration
• Judgment, impatience, criticism, intolerance
• Skin irritation and rash
• Stomach heat causing acid reflux, heartburn and ulcers
• High blood pressure and other circulatory problems
• Increased heat in the body like hot flushes, sweating
• Nausea or discomfort when missing meals
• Excessive perfectionist tendencies
• Red, dry or light sensitive eyes
• Diarrhoea, constipation or impaired digestion
• Inflammation in the body

Kapha imbalance

• Excessive bodily fluids
• A thick, white coating on the tongue
• Slow, sticky, sluggish bowel movements
• Feeling dull, lethargic, heavy, foggy
• Tendency for "emotional overeating"
• Feeling stubborn, complacent, sentimental
• Extra body weight
• Getting easily attached or possessive
• Difficulty getting up in the morning

Integrating Ayurveda into your life can be immensely beneficial to your overall sense of wellness. If you are interested in an Ayurveda Consultation please visit my offerings to book an appointment.

Disclaimer
The content of these articles is intended for informational purposes only, offering insights into the traditions of Ayurveda, herbal remedies, and wellness practices. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. For serious or chronic health concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare professional for a comprehensive assessment and appropriate care. Pregnant or nursing individuals, as well as those currently taking medications, should consult their healthcare provider before using herbs, essential oils, or making changes to their lifestyle regimen.