Western Herbal Medicine- Module 1
Contents
History of Ayurvedic Medicine ............................................................................................................ 2
Eight Branches ................................................................................................................................. 2
Dinacarya-daily routine .................................................................................................................... 2
Prakriti – The Three Doshas........................................................................................................... 3
Qualities of the Three Doshas .................................................................................................... 4
Signs of Imbalance of the Doshas – Vikriti ............................................................................... 7
Ayurveda Five Pillars of health....................................................................................................... 7
Rest ................................................................................................................................................ 8
Relationships................................................................................................................................. 8
Exercise ......................................................................................................................................... 8
Nutrition.......................................................................................................................................... 9
Work ............................................................................................................................................. 10
Five Elements ................................................................................................................................. 10
Three Gunas ................................................................................................................................... 11
Three Gunas and Food ............................................................................................................. 12
Ayurvedic diet principles ............................................................................................................... 13
Poor Food Combining ................................................................................................................ 15
Agni: digestive fire-the key to health ....................................................................................... 15
Food for the Doshas .................................................................................................................. 16
The Six Tastes ............................................................................................................................ 17
The Six Main Food Qualities .................................................................................................... 18
AMA .................................................................................................................................................. 18
Ojas .................................................................................................................................................. 19
Western Herbal Medicine- Module 1
History of Ayurvedic Medicine
The true history of Ayurveda
starts from the time of the Holy
books, the Vedas, which date
back to about five thousand
years. Ancient mythology
contends that the concept and
essence of Ayurveda was
revealed by the creator of the
world himself-Lord Brahma.
There are four Vedas - Rigveda,
Yajurveda, Samaveda and
Atharvaveda. The Vedas preach
the philosophy of life. The
Atharvaveda contains the
principles of healing on which
Ayurveda is based. 'Ayur' means
'life' and ‘Veda’k means science
or knowledge in Sanskrit. Ayurveda is the most ancient science of healing which
enhances longevity. It has influenced many of the older traditional methods of
healing including Tibetan, Chinese and Greek medicine.
Hence, Ayurveda is considered by many as the 'mother of healing.'
Eight Branches
The practical tenets of Ayurveda are divided into eight sections or branches called
"Astanga Ayurveda". These sections include:
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Internal medicine
Surgery
Organic medicine
Paediatrics
Toxicology
Rejuvenating remedy
Aphrodisiac remedies
Spiritual healing
Dinacarya-daily routine
One of the foundations of health in Ayurveda is the daily routine.
‘A daily routine is absolutely necessary to bring radical change in body, mind, and
consciousness. Routine helps to establish balance in one's constitution’. Vasant Lad.
Western Herbal Medicine- Module 1
(Note that routine is especially for the Vata type in Ayurveda-which is discussed
later.)
The small habits we perform consistently on a daily basis have immense
accumulative benefit in our life. Ayurvedic daily routines teach us to ride nature’s
waves so we can effortlessly float through each day. Dina-carya is the foundation of
health, happiness and spiritual advancement. Ayurvedic daily routine is just to
optimise human physiology and psychology.
Body Type
Every one is created with a unique proportion of universal energies such as Earth
gravitational energy), Water (electro-magnetic energy), Fire (thermo-dynamic
energy,), Air (kinetic energy) and Ether (Wisdom).
Based on the predominance of elements we get a unique body shape. Body type is
always analysed based on the body shape when we are healthy or normal.
Imbalance has nothing to do with our constitution at all. If our constitution is a gem,
imbalance is the dirt (not in a negative sense, though. every disease bring some
pain, hence the word dirt) on it. Usually what we experience (eg: pain, stress etc) are
due to some form of 'imbalance'. When we are healthy we feel light, right, 'everything
is OK' etc. For example:
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A tall-solid person is Ether-Earth. They are practical philosophers, hands on
thinkers, thinking managers or calm doers.
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A muscular person with large eyes and soft cheeks with some curvaceous
features is Fire-Water type. They are caring warriors, intense in emotions, fast
yet gentle. So on so forth.
Prakriti – The Three Doshas
The principles of Ayurveda are based
on the concept of tri-dosha, or the
system of 3 doshas. The 3 doshas,
known as Vata, Pitta and Kapha, are
dynamic forces with distinct
characteristics that shape all things in
the universe. Each person is born with
a unique constitution, called prakriti,
(Sanskrit for essential nature), a
personal blueprint composed of varying
amounts of influence from each of the 3
doshas. Each person’s prakriti describes the unique harmony or balance between
the doshas that is necessary for that person to experience perfect health.
Western Herbal Medicine- Module 1
Only a small percentage of people are purely Vata, Pitta, or Kapha. Each of us
possesses a proportion of all 3 doshas. In many cases, 2 doshas combine to
determine our dominant physiological and personality traits.
Qualities of the Three Doshas
To easily understand the Doshas, think of a car: it wheels which give the car its
mobility; this is “Vata”. It has an internal combustion engine which creates the energy
to move the car; this is “Pitta”. And it has a chassis that provides the overall structure
of the car; this is “Kapha”.
Vata, translated as wind, has the elements of ether and air, and controls all
movement in the body, including the flow of blood to and from the heart, the
expansion and contraction of lungs that makes breathing possible, and the
contractions that push food through the digestive tract.
The person with a Vata prikiti is typically of slight, thin build, and demonstrates great
enthusiasm, imagination, and vivaciousness. Vata types grasp new concepts quickly,
but forget things easily. They have bursts of mental and physical energy, love
excitement and constant change, and display dramatic mood swings. Vatas tend to
have irregular eating and sleeping patterns.
When out of balance, Vata types experience dry or rough skin, constipation, tension
headaches, cold hands and feet, anxiety and worry, fatigue, poor and irregular
appetite, insomnia, arthritis, and difficulty maintaining their ideal body weight. The
Vata constitution is characterized by swift change, and, as a result, it goes out of
balance more easily than the other doshas.
Vata
Vata: light, dry, cold, rough, subtle,
gaseous. Responsible for controlling
destruction by means of elimination of
the movement of waste products from
the body. It is also the nerve force of the
body responsible for all neurological,
physical and emotional movement.
Vata, translated as wind, has the
elements of ether and air, and controls
all movement in the body, including the
flow of blood to and from the heart, the
expansion and contraction of lungs that makes breathing possible, and the
contractions that push food through the digestive tract.
Western Herbal Medicine- Module 1
The person with a Vata prikiti is typically of slight, thin build, and demonstrates great
enthusiasm, imagination, and vivaciousness. Vata types grasp new concepts quickly,
but forget things easily. They have bursts of mental and physical energy, love
excitement and constant change, and display dramatic mood swings. Vatas tend to
have irregular eating and sleeping patterns.
When out of balance, Vata types experience dry or rough skin, constipation, tension
headaches, cold hands and feet, anxiety and worry, fatigue, poor and irregular
appetite, insomnia, arthritis, and difficulty maintaining their ideal body weight. The
Vata constitution is characterized by swift change, and, as a result, it goes out of
balance more easily than the other doshas.
Vata Body Type
Vata type A:
• Shape: Small, thin, light (light weight, short, thin bones)
• Designed to: communicate, network, teach, sing, talk.
• Small body compared to your family members, e.g shorter than your mum (if
you are female) or dad (if you are male). Small bones, short fingers and toes.
Petite body.
Vata type B:
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Shape: Tall, slender (tall among their siblings or long bones in relation to size)
Designed to: guide, learn, share wisdom/philosophy, contemplate, go deep in
science, be esoteric.
Tall body compared to your mum (if you are female) or dad (if you are male).
Long fingers, long limbs. Light-weight body.
Pitta
Pitta: hot, sharp, oily, dry, penetrating, light. Responsible for controlling
maintenance and organisation by means
of digestion and metabolism. Pitta can be
related to our internal fire or digestive
system, body heat, digestive enzymes,
biological metabolic and endocrine
systems of the body.
Pitta, related to fire, controls metabolism
and digestion and regulates appetite. Pitta
types are often of medium build and
medium strength and typically have blond, red, or light brown hair with freckled or
ruddy skin. The basic theme of the pitta constitution is intensity.
Western Herbal Medicine- Module 1
Pitta types are ambitious, self-disciplined, enterprising, articulate, intelligent, and
outspoken. When in balance, they are warm and loving; out of balance, they can be
demanding, sarcastic, critical, argumentative, or jealous. Unlike Vata types, Pittas
experience intense hunger and cannot skip meals.
When out of balance, Pitta types experience rashes, inflammatory skin diseases,
heartburn, peptic ulcers, visual problems, irritability, premature graying or baldness,
and tend towards compulsive behavior (e.g. alcoholism, eating disorders, etc.).
Pitta Body Type
Shape: Angular, pointy (muscular, penetrating eyes, pointy nose/chin, triangular
trunk)
Designed for: To Analyse, be precise, fast, competitive, transform.
Angular features, penetrating eyes, red head. Triangular trunk, triangular face, strong
muscular body.
Kapha
Kapha: Damp, oily, heavy, smooth, slow, cold.
Responsible for controlling creation by means
of new growth, immunity, strength and
protection of our human system. Kapha forms
the building blocks or gross mass of the
physical body. It is the connective tissue,
plasma, blood, lymph etc.
Kapha, derives from water and earth, and
controls the structures of the body, giving
strength and physical form to cells and tissues.
Kapha types are of solid, powerful build and display great physical strength and
endurance. A primary characteristic of the kapha prikiti is contentment.
Kaphas are relaxed, affectionate, serene, slow to anger, forgiving, happy with the
status quo, and respectful of the feelings of others. They tend to require lots of sleep,
have slow digestion, and moderate hunger, though they find comfort in eating.
Kaphas typically enjoy good health, but tend to become obese more often than Vata
or Pitta types. When out of balance, Kapha types may may experience colds and flu,
allergies, sinus congestion, depression, lethargy, asthma, and joint problems.
Kapha Body Type
Kapha type A:
• Shape: Solid build, rectangular type (wide hips, broad shoulders, large
fingers/toes/bones). Look rectangular.
Western Herbal Medicine- Module 1
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Designed for: Managerial, administrative, over-seeing, hands-on, building, to
move heavy things.
• Wide hips, broad shoulders. look solid, heavy bones.
Kapha type B:
• Shape: Soft, rounded, curvaceous (rounded eyes, fleshy nose and cheeks)
• Designed for: To care, nurse, mother, listen, cook, nurture.
• Soft, curvaceous body, rounded nose & features, soft fingers.
Signs of Imbalance of the Doshas – Vikriti
It is important to note that anyone can suffer from an imbalance in any of the Doshas
regardless of what your body type is predominant in.
In the Ayurvedic view, an imbalance between the doshas produces a condition called
vikriti, a Sanskrit word that means "deviated from nature".
Vata: brownish coating on the tongue towards the back part of the tongue. Other
symptoms include irregular appetite and digestion; variable hunger; bloating,
indigestion, intestinal cramps; constipation; dry stools; gas.
Pitta: reddish colouration of tongue (normal tongue should be pinkish); yellow
coating on tongue particularly around the middle of the tongue. Other symptoms
include intense hunger but poor digestion; thirst; parched mouth; dry throat; loose
burning stool; diahorrea; burning sensation in intestines; acid reflux; skin problems.
Kaphas: pale tongue with white coating towards the tip of the tongue. Other
symptoms include not feeling hungry but comfort eating; heaviness and sluggishness
after eating; sluggish bowels; bulky stool; feeling cold; sweet cravings, and craving
stimulants such as coffee and sweets.
In Ayurveda, diet is one of the key ways to maintain and restore dosha balance.
Each individual's diet should be suited to his or her prakriti. During times of vikriti, or
imbalance, the diet can be used to either decrease or increase the three doshas until
balance is restored. The dosha balancing effect of a food is determined by its taste,
either salty, sour, sweet, bitter, astringent, or pungent and its other qualities, either
heavy, oily, cold, hot, light, or dry.
All vegetarian diets are not Ayurvedic and all Ayurvedic diets are not vegetarian
Ayurveda Five Pillars of health
In addition to the daily routine Ayurveda emphasises proper:
1. Rest - Nidra
2. Relationship - Maithunam
3. Exercise - Vyaayaama
4. Nutrition - Aaharam
5. Work - Nitya karma
Western Herbal Medicine- Module 1
Rest
Sleep is the process through which we rejuvenate, repair and revive our system.
This is the time our body and mind goes through repair and rebuilding.
Best time: Sleep between 9 and 10 pm gives maximum quality. To improve sleep a
gentle exercise is good before an early dinner. Foot massage in the evening also
aids deep sleep.
Direction of the head: Head should be directed to east or south to optimise sleep.
This is to do with the magnetic fields of our body and that of the earth.
Position of the bedroom: This should be decided based on Vastu Shaastra
principles. Feng Shui is the Chinese version of Indian Vastu Shaastra.
Signs of good sleep: One feels refreshed and energised after a good sleep. Sleep is
peaceful, and is mostly unaware of dreams. One feels positive and happy after a
good sleep. There won’t be puffy eyes, headaches, sinus congestion, heaviness of
the body, tiredness, aches and pain etc in the morning.
Relationships
Our relationship with the nature, society, family, colleagues and ourselves is
important in building a healthy life. The first two limbs of yoga discuss this. Sexual
relationship is also given importance in Ayurveda treatises as it is the most physical
and intimate act of a relationship. General rules include the use of aphrodisiacs,
reduce the frequency in summer, sickness, low energy conditions and focus more on
quality rather than quantity.
The most important of all is how you relate yourself. This includes how much you
value, respect and love yourself, how you talk to yourself etc.
Exercise
Exercise is best performed before eating. This prevents the formation of toxins in the
system. It is never done soon after eating and just before eating or sleeping. It
should be 2-3 hours after eating a normal meal.
Exercise is done until half one’s strength is used. Over exercise results in depletion
and permanent damage of the body. Reduce the intensity and duration during
summer, but you may perform it to your maximum capacity during cold seasons.
Strengthening and stretching in symmetry in the right combination for your bodily
requirements.
Western Herbal Medicine- Module 1
Nutrition
Ayurveda believes you are what you assimilate, not just what you eat. In Ayurveda,
the proper transformation of food into healthy tissue is based on the strength of the
digestive fire (agni). The assimilation of nutrients and elimination of wastes is largely
dependent on the efficiency of the digestive fire. So, perfect digestion creates radiant
health and strong immunity. Whereas uUnbalanced digestive fire leads to the
improper transformation of food into toxins, the basis of all disease.
Signs of perfect digestion:
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Clear, smooth skin; bright, clear eyes; balanced moods; regular and healthy
appetite; absence of gastric disturbances and other diseases; glossy hair;
light, flexible body; deep, refreshing sleep; abundant energy and vitality;
positive attitude and lifestyle habits.
Signs of poor digestion Irregular appetite:
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Frequent indigestion; weight loss / gain; coating of tongue; blotchy, dry or oily
skin; lifeless hair; dull eyes; bloated abdomen with cramps / gas; undigested
food in stool, dark or cloudy urine; disturbed sleep that isn’t refreshing; excess
mucous; body pains; gastrointestinal disorders and general fatigue.
A poor digestion results from:
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Taking the wrong foods at the wrong time, in the wrong amount, in the wrong
way or in a negative mental or physical environment. The most common
dietary indiscretion in developed countries is over eating causing a
phenomenon known as “the under-nutrition of over consumption”
Premature stimulation, suppression or failure to attend to the body’s natural
urges such as thirst, hunger, urination, defecation, sleep, passing wind &
sneezing.
Taking cold drinks or foods such as ice cream.
Taking synthetic prescription / recreational drugs.
Exposure to external toxins such as air pollutants, chemical beauty products
and perfumes.
Prolonged emotional strain such as stress, grief, anger and denial.
The ideal diet includes:
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Fresh, locally grown, seasonal and organic ingredients.
Consists of dishes with all the six flavours with four or more textures.
Has a good balance between heavy and light, moist and dry, cooked and raw,
cooling and heating foods.
Suitable to the climate, the constitution of the eater, lifestyle and the condition
of the body.
Appears, tastes and smells delicious.
Prepared lovingly in hygienic conditions.
There are complementary proteins such as rice & dhal.
Western Herbal Medicine- Module 1
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Heavier foods should be eaten earlier in the meal and lighter foods towards
the end.
Cooking in healthy earthen, ceramic, bronze, copper or stainless steel
vessels.
In general avoid excess alcohol, meat, yeast, carbonated drinks, caffeinated
drinks, tobacco, refined sugar, white flour, additives, preservatives and
canned food.
Eaten with full awareness.
Big meals only eaten during daylight hours e.g before 6 pm.
Work
Work is based on your constitution.
Earth (rectangular, heavy-boned, solid looking) people are natural hands on,
managerial, admin people who are designed to do repetitive style of work.
Water types (soft, rounded, curvaceous, large eyed) ones are HR managers,
listeners, carers, nurses, hospitable people.
Fire types (angular, triangular, muscular) people are designed to challenging,
radically transformative, fast, precise, competitive jobs.
Air types (small, light, thin, small in shape) are performers, teachers, pop musicians,
multi-taskers, quick-learners and communicators.
Ether types (tall, slender, thin, long limbs and fingers/toes) are thinkers,
philosophers, scientists, guides and meditators.
Five Elements
Ether: also referred to as space. The
qualities of ether are like that of space expansive, light, gaseous, of no
substance, clear, infinite. Ether relates to
the sense of sound and the ears. Ether
influences and is apparent in everything
in life.
Air: this can be likened to the wind.
Again there is no substance to air. The
qualities of air are cold, gaseous, dry,
changing, fluctuating, moving, rough and
erratic. Air relates to the sense of touch,
the nerves and the skin. An example
would be feeling the wind brush against
your skin.
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Fire: we are all more aware of what fire is and its qualities. Interestingly this is
because it is less subtle and more tangible the the above 2 elements. The qualities
of fire are hot, gaseous, light, penetrating, sharp, and dry. Fire relates to the sense of
sight and the eyes. We take in light through our eyes and focus this to perceive life.
Water: without water we cannot exist for very long. The qualities of water are damp,
lquid, cohesive, lubricating and soft. Water relates to the sense of taste and the
tongue. We taste flavours when the tongue is wet.
Earth: this is the most gross form of the elements. It is represented by our planet in
the most obvious way. The qualities of earth are heavy, slow, dense, solid, warm,
moist and stable. Earth relates to the sense of smell and the nose.
According to the ancient Vedic scriptures, there is an inextricable link between all
species, the planet we live on and even beyond to the entire universe. This link is
the 5 elements.
We are all comprised of varying combinations of the 5 Elements that make up our
entire universe. Indeed, we are merely an extension of the universe in its elemental
form. They are literally the building blocks of all life, all creation. They are in effect
gaseous, liquids and solids.
To understand this principle is the cornerstone to understanding human nature, and
human health and wellbeing.
When the 5 elements are balanced, the body is supported and healthy. When any
one or more of these elements become out of balance, this can be either too much
or too little, then this causes a build up of toxins in the affected areas of the body and
ultimately disease. This applies equally to mother nature, our environment, our
planet, the universe and so on,
By focussing on strengthening and balancing the most subtle levels of the human
system, the 5 elements - the body automatically balances the more material levels of
the system, being the physical body, skin, organs, mind etc.
Three Gunas
In addition to the three doshas that form the
physiological constitution, Ayurveda
recognizes three psychic energies, or gunas,
that comprise the mind and determine your
psychological character. When the three gunas
are balanced, they keep the mind and body
healthy. An imbalance, however, can produce
mental and physical disorders.
Tamas inertia, motionless - this is the source of
resistance, obstructions and obstacles which are equally as important as Rajas.
Western Herbal Medicine- Module 1
Rajasis the state of mind dominated by density and inertia. An imbalance of Tamas
causes apathy, lethargy, delusion, and drowsiness. In severe instances, these can
turn to hate, vindictiveness, addiction, perversion, and other forms of selfdestruction.
A person who sits at home all day every day watching TV, eating microwaved food,
never exercising could be described as Tamasic
Rajas activity, motion - this has the power to activate, motivate and inspire us to eat,
work and play
Rajas represents the world of action, movement from the darkness of Tamas into the
light. But the mind in Rajas is easily fooled by illusion, and those suffering from an
imbalance of Rajas often succumb to ambition, greed, lust, materialism, and a desire
to control and dominate. Our society is overwhelmed by the Rajas mindset.
A person working in the corporate field who is highly committed and driven, spends
most of their waking hours at work, works hard and plays hard, is a competitive
sportsperson, eats meat every day and often twice or more a day could be described
as Rajasic.
Sattva purity, essence, space - this is the source of illumination, Divine intelligence,
creativity and compassion
Sattva manifests itself as lightness of being, clarity of mind and purpose, perception
of wisdom, and acquisition of knowledge. Sattvika individuals are spiritual leaders,
teachers, and healers. Noble, spiritual, and wise, the Sattva mind represents the
culmination of human evolution. It is the mind illumined by the spirit.
A person who is a vegetarian, practices yoga daily, meditates daily, is emotionally
stable and has a good work life balance could be described as Sattvic
Each of these qualities are important in the grand scheme of things. We need Sattva
to be in stillness and connected to ourselves in a way that doing and non doing will
simply not get us there. Rajas is important to enable us to get things done. Tamas is
a quality needed for us to stop and take that much needed time out, to reflect,
consolidate and re-focus. Problems arise when we get locked into one mode of
being.
Three Gunas and Food
Sattva is the neutral force (0), it means balance and is the calm anchor to the energy
currents. Sattvic food promotes a clear mind and is mainly fresh, juicy and nourishing
vegetarian fare, either cooked or raw but always easy to digest and made with love.
It is also free of additives and preservatives. This can include legumes, vegetables,
fruit, ghee and fresh milk.
Western Herbal Medicine- Module 1
Rajas means motion and is seen as the positive (+), fiery, outgoing principle. Rajas
can be compared to the masculine Yang energy in the Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Rajasic foods usually come to play with hard labour as they support physical
endurance and a resolute state of mind. They contain garlic, chilli, caffeine (from
coffee, black tea and chocolate), eggs, high quality meat, alcohol and fermented or
freshly canned foods. Foods made in anger, fried foods or over-cooked Sattvic foods
also get Rajastic qualities.
Tamas means resistance and describes the idea of negative (-), cool watery and
inward principle. Tamas is similar to the feminine Yin energy in Chinese Medicine.
Tamasic foods require a lot of energy to digest and have a grounding effect but
usually raise inertia and can dull the mind. To these belong onions, mushrooms and
meats as well as leftovers, microwaved and frozen foods. The long term effects of
alcohol and food made with indifference also have tamasic qualities.
Ayurvedic diet principles
Food Preparation is
important. Ayurvedic
principles favour
warm freshly cooked
or steamed foods
(with the exception of
fruits which are best
eaten fresh and raw).
Food should be left
quite natural without
additives,
preservatives or
artificial colors. Be
aware of possible
steroids, chemicals and preservatives in animal products and try avoiding them
Avoid:
• overcooking as well as under- or overspicing
• avoid microwaved and frozen food; its life force is damaged.
Quality
• look for sattvic foods: fresh and organic ingredients (maybe even homegrown)
and neither un- nor over ripe
As a rule of thumb: the food you eat and liquids you drink for a meal should take up
one-third of your stomach each and leave the last third for digestive processes; you
should never feel bloated after eating. Eat only after your previous meal has been
digested to avoid unwanted combinations (your getting hungry is a good indicator).
Take your main meal during daylight hours where possible. Do some light activity
like taking a walk after your meals.
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Eat according to the season, e.g. in general avoid cold, dry foods in winter and hot,
pungent ones in summer; instead favourite the opposite for better balance but keep
in mind your Dosha and go with intermediate choices if in doubt.
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Vata: take smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day
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Pitta: try to stick to 3 meals daily, make lunch the largest
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Kapha: be carefull not to overeat but don’t skip meals
Antidotes to Certain Foods
Food
Antidotes
Cheese
Black pepper, allspice, ginger
Sour cream
Coriander, cardamom
Yoghurt
Cumin, ginger, dilute with water
Rice
Clove, peppercorn
Wheat
ginger
Legumes
Turmeric, asfoetida, cloves, rock salt
Ice cream
Clove, cardamom
Cabbage
Mustard seeds
Garlic
Grated coconut and lemon
Green salad
Olive oil, lemon juice
Potatoes
Ghee, peppercorn
Avocado
Turmeric, lemon, garlic
Banana
cardamom
Popcorn
ghee
Sweets
Dry ginger powder
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Poor Food Combining
Equal quantities of
Honey with ghee
More sweet with
Salt taste
Milk with
Salt/seafood/meat/yeast
Milk with
Sour fruit/pickles/vegetables
Fresh food with
Leftovers
Alcohol with
Hot food/drinks
Yoghurt with
Hot food/drinks
Honey with
Hot food/drinks, don’t cook or boil honey
Nuts with
Starch vegetables
Melons with
Other fruits . Best eaten alone.
Carbohydrates
With Protein
Agni: digestive fire-the key to health
Agni is the body’s digestive or metabolic fire responsible for all transformative
processes. It is based on the stomach fire. Agni is similar to digestive enzymes and
hormones and all the chemicals involved in transformational changes in our body.
If your digestive fire is sluggish boost it by the following.
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Before eating (15 mins) mix half a tsp. grated ginger with half a teaspoon
lemon juice and a pinch of rock salt.
After eating chew one teaspoon of equal parts of fennel seeds, cumin seeds,
cardamom seeds, black pepper and rock sugar.
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Fasting is often the most effective way to purify your body of toxins. In Ayurveda,
fasts are tailored according to the individuals degree of toxic accumulation, their
strength and specific imbalance. To maintain health one is advised to have a
cleansing tea fast or a warm water fast one day a fortnight in order to rest the
digestive system, to re-establish proper eating habits and to expel toxins. A complete
fasting is successfully done only in a stress-free environment.
Food for the Doshas
Vata predominants should emphasize the consumption of foods with a salty, sour or
sweet taste. Vatas should also eat plenty of foods that are heavy, oily, and hot in
quality. More specifically, Vatas do well on a meat-based diet, and can handle lots of
dairy products in the diet. In addition, Vatas should eat only well-cooked foods and
consume warm beverages instead of cold beverages. Vatas should avoid foods with
bitter, pungent or astringent tastes. Vatas should also avoid foods that are light, dry,
or cold in quality
Pittas should emphasize the consumption of foods with a bitter, sweet, or astringent
taste. Pittas are also encouraged to consume foods that are heavy, oily and cold in
quality. Pittas are well-suited to a vegetarian diet. Pittas should avoid foods with
pungent, salty, or sour tastes. Pittas should also avoid foods that are light, dry, or hot
in quality.
Kaphas should emphasize the consumption of foods with a bitter, pungent, or
astringent taste. Kaphas need lots of foods that are light, dry, and warm in quality.
More specifically, all vegetables are suitable for Kaphas, and because Kaphas tend
to have slow digestion, ginger should be eaten every day for its ability to stimulate
digestion. Although Kaphas can handle some meat in the diet, it should be eaten on
an occassional basis only. Kaphas should avoid foods with salty, sour, or sweet
tastes. Kaphas should also avoid foods that are heavy, oily, or cold in quality.
Western Herbal Medicine- Module 1
The Six Tastes
Bitter:
• The bitter taste is found in spinach, romaine lettuce, endive, chicory, chard,
kale, and tonic water. The bitter taste decreases both kapha and pitta, but
increases vata.
Pungent:
• The pungent taste is found in chili peppers, cayenne, ginger, and other hottasting spices. The pungent taste decreases kapha, but increases pitta and
vata.
Astringent:
• The astringent taste is found in beans, lentils, cabbage, apples and pears.
The astringent taste decreases kapha and pitta, but increases vata.
Salty:
• The salty taste is found in any food to which salt has been added. The salty
taste increases kapha and pitta, but decreases vata.
Sour:
• The sour taste is found in lemons, limes, vinegar, yogurt, cheese, and plums.
The sour taste increases kapha and pitta, but decreases vata.
Sweet:
• The sweet taste is found in table sugar, honey, rice, pasta, milk, cream,
butter, wheat and bread. The sweet taste increases kapha, but decreases
pitta and vata.
Western Herbal Medicine- Module 1
The Six Main Food Qualities
Heavy:
•
Heavy foods include bread, pasta, cheese, and yogurt. The heavy quality
decreases vata and pitta, but increases kapha.
Light:
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Light foods include millet, buckwheat, rye, barley, corn, spinach, lettuce, pears
and apples. The light quality decreases kapha, but increases vata and pitta.
Oily:
•
Oily foods include dairy products, meat, fatty foods, and cooking oils. The oily
quality decreases vata and pitta, but increases kapha.
Dry:
•
Dry foods include beans, potatoes, barley, and corn. The dry quality
decreases kapha, but increases vata and pitta.
Hot:
•
The hot quality describes hot beverages and warm, cooked foods. The hot
quality decreases vata and kapha, but increases pitta.
Cold:

The cold quality describes cold beverages and raw foods. The cold quality
decreases pitta, but increases kapha and vata.
AMA
‘Ama is the seed that creates the tree of disease’.
Thought
Inaccurate beliefs; Irrational concerns; Not dealing with emotions;
Worrying and not resolving them.
Breath
Shallow breathing; Improper breathing.
Food
Inappropriate farming, storing, preserving, combining, cooking, quantity,
timing (e.g. out of season).
Unhealthy additives; Reheated several times; Expired; Over cooked.
Eating
Inappropriate time, duration, combination.
Insufficient saliva
Distracted/Mindless; too fast/slow.
Western Herbal Medicine- Module 1
Lifestyle
Rushing; Restless; Disorganized; Reacting; Not proactive.
Agni
Causes for weak, irregular, overactive or sluggish digestion and resulting
accumulation of Ama.
AMA Accumulation
Impairment of the body humors Vata, Pitta,Kapha creates toxins (ama) that are
circulated in the body. Toxic ama accumulates in the weak areas of the body.
•
Vata disease has the origin in the large intestine.
•
Pitta disease has the origin in the small intestine.
•
Kapha disease has the origin in the stomach.
Ojas
Ojas is the essence of the 7 body tissue (dhatus) and it governs the hormonal
balance. It is the vital energy that controls all the life functions with the help of prana.
Prana is the life energy related to respiration. It is responsible for the auto-immune
system and for intelligence.
Ghee and Almond drink enhances Ojas. Soak 10 almonds overnight and blend with
warm milk. Add pinch of cardamom, fresh black pepper and 1 teaspoon of honey.
Ojas can be depleted by:
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•
•
•
•
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Over exertion
Over indulgence in any activity
Lack of sleep
Emotional disturbances-anger, worry,grief, fear.
Poor diet and digestion
Lack of exercise
Signs of Ojas Depletion
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•
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Luck of lustre in the complexion, hair and eyes.
Loss of strength
Mostly moody
Loss of faith
Chronic immune deficiency
Premature ageing.