An Introduction to Ayurveda

--- Pukka Herbs

Ayurveda is the ancient Indian philosophy of health and wellbeing. It means the ‘art of living wisely.’ In simple terms, Ayurveda is a holistic system which guides us so that we can live a healthier and more balanced lifestyle. It recognises that we are all unique and focuses on food, lifestyle, massage, yoga and herbal remedies to suit our individual make-up.

Ayurveda is timeless - it has existed for over 4000 years but yet it still applies to modern day life. The key to its longevity is because Ayurveda is logical. An early description given in the Charaka Samhita (the earliest Ayurvedic literature) written circa 150BCE-100CE says:

“It is called ayurveda because it tells us which substances, qualities and actions are life enhancing, and which are not.”

The wisdom of Ayurveda encourages us to take responsibility for our own health according to the different stages of our lives, the seasons, and the environment we live, work and play in. These factors all have a big impact on our health and it makes sense to adapt our lifestyle accordingly so we can continue to live in harmony with our body and stay at optimum health.

Ayurveda is all about living life to the full and keeping yourself on top form - whatever life throws at you!

The doshas:

In Ayurveda we are said to have body-mind types, these are known as dosha and consist of vata, pitta and kapha. Each dosha has certain attributes and describes our individual characteristics, inherited traits, our likes and dislikes and our tendencies.

Generally we are a combination of dosha but one will usually dominate. If a dosha becomes out of balance, which can happen for a number of reasons, it can effect how we behave and even our health.

Typcial characteristics of each dosha type:

Vata types tend to be visionary, imaginative and full of creative energy but when they are out of balance they can be forgetful, spaced out, anxious and uptight. Typical vata problems are erractic digestion, bloating, anxiety or joint disorders.

Pitta types are confident, passionate leaders, organised and perfectionists but excess pitta can make them fiery, snappy and irritable. Pitta people have a tendency to suffer from skin irritations, overheating, heartburn and ulcers.

Kapha types tend to be loyal, kind-hearted, calm and full of love, but a kapha overload can make them lethargic, lacking in energy and a little overindulgent. Kapha types are prone to congestion, excess weight and sluggish digestion.

It's important to try and keep our doshas in balance in order to stay on top form. It's not always easy with the hectic lives we lead, but if we can learn what our body needs and adjust our lifestyle accordingly, it's a big step closer to staying healthy and happy!

To give you further insight in to Ayurveda, here is a list of its salient wonders.

It is a qualitative system based on the inherent and perceivable qualities in nature. It observes the temperature, fluidity, density, mobility of all the foods, herbs and environments we live in to understand their inherent nature. Rather than just measure ‘how much’ of ‘x’ nutrient is in a food it looks at the quality of the food; cheese is damp, heavy and cold, whereas dry Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is warm, dry, light and penetrating.

It is a sense based system that uses the experiences of sound, touch, sight, taste and aroma to diagnose the state of health. The study and observation of nature is at the heart of Ayurveda so that the sounds, sensations, colours, shapes, contours, tastes and smells of our bodies, herbs, foods and climates are the patterns by which we can understand how to be in a permanent state of moving towards balance; i.e. if you often feel cold, live in a cold country don’t eat lots of cold raw food.

It uses a metaphorical language to explain the interrelationship between nature and our inner nature. For example, the qualities of the water element which help to give form to the natural world are heavy, wet and cold and can be experienced in the cohesive form that water gives our own bodies with its high moisture content. Water is the ‘glue’ that holds nature together. Ayurveda uses the language of nature to describe different health problems. A cough is often an example of too much water and dampness in the body.

It is constitutionally based so that we each have a unique mind and body type, known as a dosha; vata, pitta, kapha (see below for more details)

The health and strength of the digestive system is the seat of health and disease. Its everyday treatment is Ayurveda. If your digestion is not working at its best then it is much easier to become ill.

Diseases are differentiated into patterns ensuring that treatment is patient specific. So, arthritis (amavata) is said to have five types; vata (dry), pitta (hot), kapha (wet), all three doshas mixed together (dry, hot and wet) and a type caused by pathogenic parasites (krimi) which can be likened to rheumatic fever. Each patient receives different treatment based on the signs and symptoms that they present according to the ‘qualities’ that can be perceived.

Treatment involves correcting the digestive system, clearing any toxins and prescribing herbs that are opposite to any excessive symptoms and similar to any deficiencies. This means that ‘cooling’ herbs are used for removing the ‘excessive’ signs of ‘heat’ and ‘inflammation’, whilst nourishing tonics are used for removing any ‘deficiencies’ such as weakness or anaemia. A wonderful anti-inflammatory used for arthritis is Boswellia (Boswellia serata) as it is bitter and cooling, whilst a great tonic herb for any weakness in the joints is Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera).

The three constitutions: dosha
There are three constitutions in Ayurveda. They are combinations of the essential elements of nature; Space, Air, Fire, Water, Earth.

Vata - The Air Constitution
Vata is the energy responsible for movement, circulation, the transport of nervous impulses and prana, which is the life force. People who are born with high amounts of vata tend to feel spacey, anxiety-ridden and isolated when they are out of balance. They are not good at managing their energy levels. They are prone to dry skin, constipation, pain, panic attacks, anorexia, addictions, and sciatica among other things. When they are in balance, they are creative, clear, spontaneous, funny and always planning a trip somewhere new.

Pitta - The Fire Constitution
Pitta is the energy responsible for metabolism, the digestive fire, metabolic processes, enzyme production and heat. People who are born with high amounts of pitta tend to feel irritated, jealous, critical, self-critical, competitive, impatient and bitter when they are out of balance. They are prone to inflammations, skin, liver and eye disorders, heartburn, and sensitive teeth among other things. They manage their energy well. When they are in balance they are highly intellectual, leaders, brave, teachers and love to be the centre of attention.

Kapha - The Water Constitution
Kapha is the energy responsible for storage, protection, lubrication, mucus and the production of fats and oils. People who are born with high amounts of kapha tend to be greedy, apathetic, slow, heavy, and cloudy-headed when they are out of balance. They are prone to hypothyroidism, obesity, clogged arteries, oily skin, and diabetes among other things. They tend to hoard and store their energy. When they are in balance they are compassionate, steady, articulate, healthy, sweet, and reliable, love food, sleep and laughter.

These constitutions are both friend and foe. They can "support" us in times of balance or "aggravate" us when we are out of balance. They are both invisible and visible depending on your health. The invisible relates to the "hidden" processes of our body and mind, our physiology and inner processes. The visible relates to the secretions and excretions that are a by product of these processes; for example, wastes, gas, nervous impulses, acid, inflammations and mucus.

We can be any combination of constitution; individually (V, P, K), in combination (VP, VK, KP) or balanced (VPK). Every combination is unique AND has dominant characteristics (see the detailed Ayurvedic questionnaire).

Ayurveda is about wise living. It is about balancing your personal nature with the world around you; your environment with the larger environment. If it is a boiling hot day, you are pitta by nature and you have been living off hot curries its time to seek the opposite; cooling refreshing, soothing activities such as drinking cool water, aloe vera juice or rose water and generally chilling out.

What is so empowering about Ayurveda is that we can adjust our habits and behaviour to be suitable for the time of day, the season and the stage of our life. This can lead us to perfect health.

Example:

1. I may be a Vata-Pitta individual who is living in a cold damp valley, it has been raining for days, I ate a bowl of yoghurt (wet and cold) yesterday and can feel catarrh building up; Kapha is increasing. Although it is against my constitution (Vata-Pittas are dry and hot), in order to deal with the immediate environment I must oppose the increase of Kapha. This means it is time for some hot, energising spicy drinks and foods.

2. I may be a pure Kapha type who usually feels very calm and grounded. Unfortunately I have had four meetings today, I was late for the first (and then the rest), I have been talking on my mobile telephone a lot, I have been rushing all day- Vata is aggravated. It is time for a mellow massage and some grounded "Kapha" like activity.

When these superficial symptoms subside then you can follow the appropriate lifestyle for your constitution.

PLACES
An open dry plateau or mountain top are places where Vata predominates.

A hot and humid tropical rain forest is very Pitta aggravating.

A wet and cold marsh land has predominantly Kapha like qualities.

TIMES
Morning is very Kapha; we are sleepy and can feel sluggish, it is a damp or dewy time.

Midday is very Pitta; its all go, the sun is at its zenith, it’s the warmest time of day.

Afternoon is very Vata; things are calming down but we can feel a bit burnt out, we can be tired, it is often windy.

AGE
Childhood is Kapha; children are soft, loving and cuddly. During this time of growth, Kapha problems such as coughs or glue-ear may develop.

Mid-life is dominated by Pitta; it is the time of life to organise, manage, work hard, build a career, have a family. Pitta imbalances such as acne, hyperacidity, heart problems or inflammations can develop during this stage of life.

Later life is a Vata stage of life; elder people are full of the wisdom of life’s experiences. Like Vata they are thinner, drier and lighter. Vata diseases such as osteoporosis, arthritis or alzheimers can develop during this time.

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