Ayurveda
Ayurveda is a traditional healing system based on ancient Indian scriptures, possibly 10,000 years old, passed down orally by Rishis, or seers, and later though ancient texts. The oldest Ayurvedic text is 400CE. Ayurvedic healing includes herbs, nutrition, acupressure massage and Yoga.
The Rishis explained that all matter, including the human body, is composed of five elements (panca bhuta) - Eerth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether.
Earth is represented by the solid structures of the body. Water in the body is the digestive juices and blood. Agni is the fire element - intelligence, vision, body temperature and digestion. Air represents movement within the body, for example, the beating of the heart and movement of the lungs in breathing. Ether, or spaces within the body, are the mouth, nose and lungs.
The Rishis explained that all matter, including the human body, is composed of five elements (panca bhuta) - Eerth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether.
Earth is represented by the solid structures of the body. Water in the body is the digestive juices and blood. Agni is the fire element - intelligence, vision, body temperature and digestion. Air represents movement within the body, for example, the beating of the heart and movement of the lungs in breathing. Ether, or spaces within the body, are the mouth, nose and lungs.
Tridosa
The Rishis described the panca bhuta as three vital energies, or Dosa. The tridosa (3 types) are vata, pitta and kapha. Everything, including the body, falls into one of these groups. Although each dosa consists of all five elements, two elements are dominant in each. Each dosa has recognisable key qualities:
Vata - air and water. Vata is light, cold, dry, rough, subtle, mobile, clear, dispersing, erratic and astringent.
Pitta - fire and water. Pitta is light, hot, oily, sharp, liquid, sour and pungent.
Kapha - water and earth. Kapha is heavy, cold, oily, show, slimy, dense, soft, static and sweet.
Discover your dosa here Self Evaluation Chart
Vata - air and water. Vata is light, cold, dry, rough, subtle, mobile, clear, dispersing, erratic and astringent.
Pitta - fire and water. Pitta is light, hot, oily, sharp, liquid, sour and pungent.
Kapha - water and earth. Kapha is heavy, cold, oily, show, slimy, dense, soft, static and sweet.
Discover your dosa here Self Evaluation Chart
Prakrti and Vikrti
Everyone is an unique combination of genetics, diet, lifestyle and other factors that determines their constitution. This combination and the proportions of vata, pitta and kapha is set at conception and is called Prakrti. There are seven possible combinations or ratios of vata, pitta and kapha.
Whereas prakrti describes the constitution at conception, Vikrti is the present state of the tridosa. If vikrti is the same as prakrti, the person will be healthy and balanced. However, it is more likely that there will be a difference between the two due to current diet, lifestyle, emotions, environment, etc, which may well not be in balance with prakrti.
Whereas prakrti describes the constitution at conception, Vikrti is the present state of the tridosa. If vikrti is the same as prakrti, the person will be healthy and balanced. However, it is more likely that there will be a difference between the two due to current diet, lifestyle, emotions, environment, etc, which may well not be in balance with prakrti.
Effects of Food on the Body
Rasa is the first experience of food on the tongue, but it also has many other meanings including comprehension, experience, interest and enthusiasm.
Six tastes are formed from combinations of the elements:
Sweet - Earth and water
Sour - Fire and earth
Salty - Water and fire
Pungent - Air and fire
Bitter - Air and ether
Astringent - Air and earth
Virya - Potent energy
Vipaka - Post digestive effect
Prabhava - Unique action
Six tastes are formed from combinations of the elements:
Sweet - Earth and water
Sour - Fire and earth
Salty - Water and fire
Pungent - Air and fire
Bitter - Air and ether
Astringent - Air and earth
Virya - Potent energy
Vipaka - Post digestive effect
Prabhava - Unique action
Ojas, Tejas and Prana
Ojas is vitality or strength. Ojas is the vital protective energy that supports the immune system and fights aging and disease. Low production or depletion of ojas leads to illness, weight loss as well as mental problems.
Tejas is the energy or intelligence within the body’s cells that enables digestion and absorption of everything taken into the body, including, not only food, but also thoughts, emotions and experiences.
Prana is the life force, responsible for respiration of the cells and the flow of intelligence.
Tejas creates ojas and ojas protects prana. Together, they support the immune system, metabolism and gaseous exchange.
Tejas is the energy or intelligence within the body’s cells that enables digestion and absorption of everything taken into the body, including, not only food, but also thoughts, emotions and experiences.
Prana is the life force, responsible for respiration of the cells and the flow of intelligence.
Tejas creates ojas and ojas protects prana. Together, they support the immune system, metabolism and gaseous exchange.
Recommended Reading
The Textbook of Ayurveda, Fundamental Principles, Dr Vasant Lad, MA Sc
The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies, Dr Vasant Lad, MA Sc
The Book of Ayurveda, A Holistic Approach to Health and Longevity, Judith H Morrison
The Yoga of Herbs, An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine, Dr David Frawley and Dr Vasant Lad
The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies, Dr Vasant Lad, MA Sc
The Book of Ayurveda, A Holistic Approach to Health and Longevity, Judith H Morrison
The Yoga of Herbs, An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine, Dr David Frawley and Dr Vasant Lad
