Tridoshas

Ayurvedic description of health and disease revolves around the concept of tridoshas – Vata, Pitta and Kapha

They are three biological humors or energetic principles of the human body.

Functions of Tridoshas

• assist the creation of various tissues of the body and to remove the waste from our body
• governs the entire physical system and unique constituent of each person.
• influence all the transformations, sensory functions, psycho-biological and physio-pathological changes.
• determines fundamental qualities of a person.

These energies are combination of five elements of nature.

Vata – Air & Space

Pitta – Fire & Water

Kapha – Earth & Water

Each person has unique combination of these energies. Some would have one predominant energy or a combination of two or more.

Vata – The Catabolic Dosha

The most powerful humor of the three since it is the driving force of the body. Since it is the combination of air and space, the qualities are similar to air.

Qualities :

Light, dry, subtle, moving, cold, dispersing, astringent, active, clear and rough. The person with Vata predominance are talkative, enthusiastic, creative, flexible, move & speak quickly

Season : Autumn

Time of the day : Early morning and afternoon.

Functions :

All eliminations – urine, feces, fetus, sweat, semen and others.

All movements – physical and mental -including respiration, heartbeat, motivation, muscular movements etc.

The sensory inputs are passed to brain

Metabolism – digestion

Types :

Prana Vata – Head – governs creativity, thinking, reasoning etc.

Udana Vata – Chest – governs voice, memory and thought process

Vyana Vata – Heart – governs the blood flow, heart rhythm, perspiration and sense of touch.

Samana Vata – Stomach – governs the movement of food through digestive track etc

Apana vata – Anal region – governs the elimination of urine, waste, menstrual cycle and sexual functions

Pitta – The Metabolic Dosha

Whenever a transformation takes place there is Pitta. It is the heat energy that transforms food into energy, absorption of nutrients and the body temperature.

Qualities : The qualities like hot, oily, sharp, liquid, sour and spreading nature belong to Pitta energy. The person with predominant Pitta energy are likely to be assertive with sharp tongue, competitive, sarcastic and self-confident.

Season : Summer

Time of the day: 10am to 2 pm and 10pm to 2am

Functions:

Metabolism at various levels

Feeling of hunger and thirst

Thermogenesis – maintaining body temperature.

Comprehension, reasoning, judgment

Courage to face the situation

Helps vision in transforming the external images to optic nerve impulses

Types

Sadhaka Pitta – governs the desires, spirituality, decision-making

Alochaka Pita – takes care of functioning of eyes.

Ranjaka Pitta – responsible for pure, toxin free, healthy blood.

Bhrajaka Pitta – controls skin pigmentation

Pachaka Pitta – From the small intestine controls digestion and absorption of nutrients.

Kapha – The Anabolic Dosha

Kapha is heaviest dosha that is responsible for lubrication – everything that helps to hold things together. This is the watery element that fills the empty spaces in body.

Qualities

Heavy, oily, dense, thick, static, moist, slow and soft are the characteristics that can be attributed to Kapha dosha. This gives heavy features, heavy bones and large physique to persons with predominant kapha.

Time of the day : 6am to 10 am and 6pm to 10pm.

Functions:

Physical strength

A stable grounding aspect to both mind and body

Provides fertility and virility

Provides ample lubrication to all joints and other places to prevent damage due to friction.

Gives fullness to structure of the body

Types :

Tarpaka kapha – Moisture in parts like nose, mouth, eyes and brain

Bhodaka kapha – governs the sensory organs of taste.

Kledaka kapha – found in stomach providing moisture to intestine to guide digestion

Sleshaka kapha – lubricates all joints of the body and makes the skin soft

Avalambaka kapha – found in chest lubricates the heart and throat.

The doshas share some qualities with other and may contradict with the third. thy have an innate quality to regulate and balance within themselves. When there is perfect balance in doshas we remain healthy in body, mind and spirit. These doshas basically are not substances, they are forces. They are susceptible to change in the human body with the influence of certain qualities and environmental changes. However Ayurveda classifies human body to be three types –

Mono types – One dosha predominates

Duo types – Two similar qualities of dosha present

Third type – Very rare one with all three doshas in equilibrium.

According to Ayurveda, keeping the doshas in equilibrium accounts for good health.

 

Nature and qualities of Vata body type :

Ayurvedic ideology is based on the balance of tridoshas. Each one us have a unique constitution of body or pakriti.

The three doshas- Vata, Pitta and Kapha govern all the physical and mental processes of the body. Vata is the most crucial of all three doshas, since it is responsible for all movements in the body.

Individuals with predominant vata dosha contain the following characteristics. Check if you are a vata dominant person with following hints.

Physical Characteristics :

• Thin and active
• Skin is dry and rough
• Easily fatigued
• Tendency of cold hands and feet
• discomfort in cold season
• Dry hair
• less perspiration
• Digestion and appetite variable
• Either too tall or too short

Emotional qualities:

• Creative and excited.
• Love new experiences.
• Quick to learn, quick to forget
• Talk and walk hastily
• Enthusiastic but has changeable moods
• Acts on impulse
• Disjointed/racing thoughts and disturbed sleep

In a balanced state, Vata creates a great mental energy, imagination and highly creative mind. When out of balance, Vata makes a person fearful, completely worried which results in irregular digestion, unintended weight loss and insomnia.

Some tips to maintain proper balance for vata body types.

• Prefer warm temperatures.
• Follow the daily schedule
• Get minimum 8 hours of sleep
• Prepare warm meals and sit for meals at regular time
• Add more sweet,sour and salty foods in your diet
• moderate, consistent exercise would help in retaining the mobile nature of vata.
• Ensure proper elimination daily.
• Add generous amount of quality oil or ghee in your foods.
• Always prefer cooked vegetables instead of raw ones.

Pitta Body Type

Pitta exhibits the quality of fire and water. It translates as ‘that which cooks’ – the energy for transformation – it aids the processes like digestion and metabolism. If you are of Pitta constitution, you will exhibit the following qualities.

Physical `Characteristics:

• Medium, strong and well-built body
• Strong appetite, strong digestion,
• Moderate muscle development
• Thin, silky and reddish brown hair- tendency towards premature greyness
• Natural craving for sweet, astringent and bitter tastes
• Uninterrupted medium sleep
• Excessive perspiration
• Intolerance to the sun or hard work.
• Warm body temperature

Emotional Characteristics:

• Orderly, competitive, focused.
• Good decision makers, speakers, and teachers
• Sharp and has good concentration
• Has leadership qualities, like to be in command
• Precise and outspoken, sometimes sarcastic
• Abundant vitality and stamina
• Vigorous, passionate and entrepreneurial
• Become argumentative, short-tempered and irritated when out of balance

Often Pitta gets aggravated under the hot sun or high temperature when there is a delay in meal time, hard work etc. Eating pitta aggravating foods, drinking coffee, black tea, smoking can also aggravate pitta.

Some general hints to balance excess pitta

• Add cool foods like cucumber, melons, grapes, coconuts, etc. in your diet
• Don’t skip meals
• Engage in calming activities like meditation, spending time with nature, etc.
• Don’t create unnecessary time pressure to yourself
• Prefer sweet, astringent and bitter taste
• Avoid artificial stimulants like Caffeine,
• Avoid deep fried food and alcohol.
• Follow a regular daily routine of eating, waking and sleeping
• Reduce overwork and have a balanced work and leisure routine.

Keeping cool physically and mentally would help pitta in balance.

 

Benefits Of Warm Water

Water is elixir of life and it is one of the indispensable necessity for human survival. especially it is the warm water that gives you a dozen of health benefits. Drink warm water regularly and you would be surprised to enjoy the following benefits

Shed your extra pounds :

You can increase your metabolism with hot water and shed some extra kilos on the go.It increases your body temperature. Adipose tissues lying under the skin are broken down with hot water. For more effective results combine warm water with lemon and honey.

Clears sore throat:

Hot water clears sore throat, cures cold and it slowly dilutes the thick phlegm and clears it from the respiratory track.

Eases cramps:

Sipping hot water eases the menstrual cramps in women. Also those who have a sore stomach, hot water gives a relaxation to the abdomen muscles giving you relief.

Solves constipation issues:

A well known foremost remedy for constipation is drinking warm water. Drink hot water regularly and forget about constipation.

Skin health:

Hot water flushes out the toxins from the body and gives you a clearer skin. It repairs the affected skin cells and gives you a wrinkle free skin. Staying hydrated is a key to stay young forever. It also prevents getting acne and pimples.

Blood flow:

As said early, warm water breaks down all the fat deposits in the nervous system and eases the muscle cramps. This increases the blood circulation and enhances a free flow of nutrients and oxygen to all parts of body.

Goodbye Dandruff:

Regular consumption of hot water makes your scalp hydrated and says goodbye to your dandruff problems. It promotes the root activity of hair and gives you a healthy, soft hair.

Aids Digestion:

Drinking a hot water after your meal prevents the solidifying of the oil present in the food thereby decreasing process of accumulation of fat. Stimulate the digestion process with a glass of warm water.

Staying hydrated is an important factor that keeps you healthy and active. Warm water flushes all the toxins from body and keeps you energetic through out the day. It keeps you away from occasional cold and allergies and helps to build your immune system naturally.

Treat Sciatica With Ayurveda

By Dr. Sajimon George BAMS. AAA. ATMS

Sciatica is not a disease but a group of symptoms including pain, numbness, tingling and weakness along the path of Sciatic nerve. It starts from low back, buttocks and radiating to foot through posterior part of thigh. It is actually a symptom of back problems and this affects only one side. Sciatic nerve is the largest and longest nerve of the body. It originates from fourth lumbar spine to third sacral spine. Irritation or compression of the nerve by different causes results in this condition. These causes are intervertebral disc prolapse, lumbar spondylosis, lumbar stenosis, spondylo listhesis, spasm of lumbar muscle and tumor. Pain in Sciatica is shooting, sharp and severe. Prevalence of Sciatica is around 5%. It is more common in youth and middle aged. Ayurvedic literature explains a condition called Gridhrasi which is similar in presentation to Sciatica.

Causes

• Pyriformis syndrome
• Spinal stenosis
• Degenerative disc disease
• Sacro iliac joint dysfunction
• Osteo porosis
• Cauda equina syndrome
• Osteo arthritis of Lumbosacral spine
• Pregnancy

Signs and symptoms

• Stabbing or pulling pain on lower back radiating to posterior thigh, calf and to the foot.
• Numbness or tingling along this area.
• Burning sensation
• Aggravation of pain on walking
• Muscular weakness.

Ayurvedic approach

Sciatica is described in Ayurveda as Gridhrasi. Gridhra means vulture and pain felt by the patient is similar to picking the flesh by a vulture. This nature of pain gives the name Gridhrasi. Ayurvedic concept considers three humors which control all physiological activities in the body and its equilibrium, sustain life. They are Vatha, Pitha and Kapha. Body parts where Vatha humor is prominent are Pakwashaya (lower intestine), Kati (Lumbosacral region), sakthi (legs), srothra (Ears), Asthi (Bones) , and Sparshanendriya (Skin). It is obvious that apart from ears, all other sites are related to Sciatica (Gridhrasi) disease one way or the other.

Pathogenesis of Gridhrasi or Sciatica

Ayurvedic classic, Yogaratnakara give details of its pathogenesis in detail. Vatha is vitiated by its own causes such as Kriyathiyoga (over use) of lumbo-sacral joint and food which is bitter, astringent and pungent. Vitiated Vatha affects buttock, pelvis, hip, thigh, knee, lower leg and foot leading to symptoms such as stiffness, pricking pain, numbness, catching pain and muscle twitches.

Gridhrasi: Two types

1. Vatha predominant:

Throbbing pain, pain in the knee, hip, thigh region, muscle twitches, numbness, lack of sensation and gait changes are the main symptoms.

2. Vatha Kapha predominant:

Rigidity, less appetite, lethargy and excessive salivation.

Treatment principle

• Sodhana: Vamana and Virechana
• Vasthi: Medicated enema
• Dahakarma: Cauterization
• Samanoushadhas: Alleviating drugs

Vamana

Vamana or medicated vomiting is especially useful in Vatha Kapha predominant Gridhrasi. In this procedure, during morning, patient with empty stomach is given steaming. After drinking specific quantity of herbal decoction or milk, herbal powder which induces vomiting is given. Now vomiting starts and when medicine is gone out vomiting stop itself. If it doesn’t, and physician feels that purification is achieved, then supporting measures will be taken to stop vomiting.

Virechana

Virechana or medicated purgation with purgative oils or powders may be given .But since Sciatica is a Vatha predominant condition; virechana with medicated oil is generally advised.

Vasthi

After doing above mentioned procedures for purification, food which is easy to digest is given for two or three days or till appetite is strong. Then Vasthi or medicated enema is done. In this procedure, herbal decoction, herbal powders, honey, rock salt, medicated oil etc are mixed in a unique way and administered through anus. Vasthi procedure is the most important and useful treatment for Vatha aggravated conditions.

Abhyanga and Udvarthana

Massaging body with herbal powders (Udvarthana) or medicated oils relieves pain and stiffness of sciatica.

Lepa

During the initial stage of the disease, to get rid of edema and pain in the low back lepa is useful. In this procedure, a paste is made from herbs and after making it warm it is applied over the painful part. When it is dried, it will be removed after spraying some luke warm water to soften the dried paste. Process is repeated many times.

Dahakarma

Cauterization or dahakarma is done with hot salaka (special equipment) when other procedures fail to give results. Daha is done over the painful part.

Kativasthi

Keeping warm medicated oil inside space provided by dough made with black gram flour kept over lumbosacral part.

Food and Lifestyle modification

• Easy to digest food
• Avoid activities requiring strain to low back
• Do yoga postures strengthening back muscles and increase flexibility.

Samanoushadhis

Useful preparations

Herbal decoctions such as Sukumaram Ks, Dhanwantharam Ks, Rasnasaptaka Ks are useful .Pills like Yogarajaguggulu, Tryaodasanga guggulu are indicated. For internal and external administration Sahacharadi thail, Dhanwantharam thaila etc are generally used.

Useful Herbs:

Nirgundi (Vitex nigundo) , Gandharva hastha (Ricinus communis ), Sahachara ( Barleria prionitis ) , Rasna (Alpinia calcurata ) , Guggul( Comiphora mukul) are some of the useful herbs for sciatica .

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The Wonder Spice

Turmeric is a versatile spice that has many medical values in it. “If I had only a single herb to depend upon for all possible health and dietary needs, I would without much hesitation choose the Indian spice turmeric” says David Frawley (founder and director of the American Institute of Vedic Studies) “There is little that it cannot do in the realm of healing and much that no other herb is able to accomplish”.

Turmeric is composed of hundreds of molecules with varied biological properties. One particular database can trace 326 biological activities of turmeric. There are at least 20 molecules that are anti-biotic, anti-oxidants – 10, anti-tumor – 12, cancer preventives – 14 molecules, anti-inflammatory – 12 and the list goes on. It has a name “kanchani” which means “the golden goddess”. It is also considered an outstanding herb in Ayurvedic texts.

The properties of turmeric would be startling to list out-

alternative – tends to cure or restore good health

digestive – promoting proper digestion

stimulant – quickening healing process

appetizer – stimulating appetite

antispasmodic- relieve muscular contractions

antibacterial – inhibits bacterial growth

analgesic- relieves pain

anti-inflammatory- reduces inflammation

carminative – relieves gas in alimentary tract

diuretic – helps to increased urine output promoting body get rid of excess water

antitumor – treats cancer

antioxidant – stops reactions of oxidation

anti-allergic – prevents the allergic reactions

antiseptic – makes body free of disease-causing organisms

astringent – constricts organic tissues

cardiovascular – helps in healthy blood vessels

vulnerary – heals wounds

cholagogue – stimulates gallbladder contraction to promote bile flow

hemostatic – stops bleeding

Turmeric also has an effect on healing fevers, poison, cough, insanity, diarrhea, urinary tract infections, cough and external wounds. This single herb balances all three doshas – Kapha, Vata and Pitta.

It is used in first aid due to its antiseptic, vulnerary and antibiotic properties. It helps to stop bleeding and heals the wounds quickly. Current cancer research suggests that including turmeric in diet regularly can suppress the “initiation or post-initiation stages” of cancer cells. Ayurveda uses the alternative property of turmeric in purifying and moving blood. It protects the liver and heart from invading pathogens and help to rebuild new cells.

Turmeric has a regulative effect on menstrual cycles in women and aids in childbirth too. The antioxidant effect of turmeric helps in protecting the lungs from pollution. It increases your metabolic health, brain health, boosts immunity, protects the cardiovascular system. It is used for skin health and its property of neutralizing the free radicals helps in relieving the joint pain and decreases joint damage. In India turmeric is a part of the routine diet and takes a special place in the tradition too.

It is indeed a wonder herb to be taken for a promising good health and glowing skin.

 

Ulcerative Colitis and Ayurveda

By Dr. Sajimon George BAMS. AAA. ATMS

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the inner lining of large intestine (colon) and rectum. It can affect any age group but usually it affects young and middle aged. It is a disease of modern developed world. In this disease, mucosal lining is eroded and lining of the large intestine becomes inflamed, and ulcers develop. During passage of stool, ulcerations bleed and urge to defecate also increase in frequency. This disease affects the entire colon and rectum. In rare cases lower part of ileum may also be affected. Actual cause is unknown but many factors contribute to the disease. This disease is also an autoimmune disorder i.e., our own body immune system attack colon lining and later arthritis may develop. Family history of ulcerative colitis increases chance. Stress also is a main causative factor. Absorption of water and minerals from digested food is done by large intestine. When structural integrity of intestine is lost it impairs absorption. Mechanism of electrolyte balance, erythropoesis etc will be affected leading to anemia, weight loss and severe tiredness. Chronic ulcerative colitis increases chance of colonic cancer. In Ayurvedic literature Vathika grahani, Raktha and Pithathisara are related to this condition.

General symptoms

• Frequent defecation
• Mucous and blood with stool.
• Diarrhea or Constipation.
• Tenesmus
• Weight loss
• Anemia
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain in the left side
• Joint pain

Causes according to ayurveda

• Excess water intake
• Meat which can’t be properly digested
• Alcoholism
• Dry food
• Incompatible food combinations.
• Suppression of natural urges

Ayurvedic approach

Pakwashaya or lower gastro intestinal tract is the normal site of Vatha humor.

Apana Vatha and Samana Vatha, two subdivisions of Vatha are important in this part of the body.

Functions of Apana Vatha and Samana Vatha:

1. Holding food for digestion
2. Help digestive fire in the process of digestion
3. Separation of digested food in to functional units
4. Assimilation of digested food and transportation of nutrients to other parts of body
5. Excretion of wastes of digestive process

Pachakagni and Ranjaka subdivisions of Pitha humor are also important here.

Functions of Pachakagni and Ranjaka :

1. Digestion with the support of Samana Vatha and Kledaka Kapha.
2. Conversion of ahara rasa or assimilated nutrients from gastro intestinal tract in to blood.

Kledaka Kapha, the subdivision of Kapha humor also has a role in the disease.

Functions of Kledaka Kapha

1. Convert food in to a digestible form
2. Protect gastro intestinal tract from destruction of digestive fire.

Concerted effort of Samana and Apana Vatha, Pachakagni and Ranjaka pitha and Kledaka kapha (subdivision of Kapha humor) are necessary for the digestion, assimilation, conversion of assimilated nutrients and protection of gastro intestinal tract. Prana vatha (the leader of Vatha subdivisions) control higher mental functions .It is capable of influencing other subdivisions of Vatha. During life with stress, prana vatha get provoked and affect functioning of Apana vatha and Samana vatha initiating pathogenesis of Ulcerative colitis.

Etiological factors and unhealthy food habits cause vitiation of Kapha , resulting in the loss of snigdhatha (Oiliness and mucous secretion) of intestines. Mucous thus eliminated will be present in the stool. Gradually loss of properties of Kapha leads to aggravation of Pitha humor .This initiate inflammatory changes and ulcerations. These changes result in bloody diarrhea. Long term advancement of the situation cause structural changes of intestinal walls leading to failure of absorption mechanism. Failure of absorption and impaired intestinal movement cause weakness, tiredness, weight loss, anemia etc.

Treatment protocol

• Preservation of health (Bala) – In chronic ulcerative colitis structural changes of intestinal lining cause the patient very weak. In such a situation primary importance should be for gaining normal health. Goat milk medicated with mustha (Cyperus rotundus) is a good option for this.
• Stimulation of appetite (Deepana) – When patient has less appetite, formulations with digestive fire stimulating property are used.
• Digestive or Pachana oushadha – Formulations that can directly digest ama are used when digestion is totally impaired.
• Vrana ropana(Healing of ulcers) – Drugs and formulations with wound healing properties. By administering such medicines, healing of ulcerations can be accelerated.
• Vathanulomana – Medicines like sesame oil or medicated oil helps Vatha to move in normal route. This relieves pain and tenesmus.
• Grahi – Medicines that are digestive and retain food are used. These formulations are useful where diarrhea and lack of appetite is present.
• Stambhana – Formulations that stop movement or elimination. When there is bloody diarrhea with normal appetite.
• Vasthi – Since lower gastro intestinal tract is the affected part .Vasthi is the most useful procedure.

Anuvasana Vasthi

Vasthi with medicated oil and sesame oil are very effective in relieving tenesmus and abdominal pain.

Picha Vasthi

Vasthis containing mocha rasa (gum of Bombax malabaricum ) as kalka is called piccha vasthi. This type of vasthi is especially useful in relieving bloody diarrhoea and tenesmus. It also helps in healing of ulcerations.

Lifestyle modification

Dos

• Good sleep
• Physical activities
• Yoga and meditation to maintain healthy peaceful mind.
• Healthy food habits such as wholesome food at right time, in right quantity, in right place when feeling hunger.

Don’ts

• Avoid spicy ,sweet and high fatty food
• Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption