Most of us want to optimize our health and well-being so we feel and look fantastic, have unstoppable energy and increased longevity. Achieving this high level of wellness entails more than just avoiding or treating disease. The key is balance. Ayurveda can help you find that balance and better understand your body so you live a long, healthy and happy life.
What Is Ayurvedic Medicine?
Ayurvedic medicine(also known as Ayurveda) is a natural, holistic healing system developed thousands of years ago in India. The word Ayurveda comes from two Sanskrit words: ayur meaning life and veda meaning knowledge or science and is usually translated as “the science of life and longevity.”
A type of complementary and alternative medicine, Ayurveda focuses on fostering and living with vibrant health rather than fighting disease. The system has numerous health benefits from improving digestion, metabolism and immune function to reducing anxiety, depression and stress.
How Ayurveda Differs from Conventional Medicine
Ayurveda is a wonderful complement to conventional medicine, yet differs from it in numerous ways. Conventional medicine tends to focus on the differences between diseases. In contrast, Ayurveda emphasis the differences between people. Specifically, it considers the bio-individuality of the patient—who they are, not what’s wrong with them.
While conventional medicine emphasizes the physical, Ayurveda looks at the connection between body, mind and spirit; the underlying causes of a disease and how an illness is influenced by a patient’s thoughts, beliefs and lifestyle. Finally, rather than prescribing drugs or surgeries, an Ayurveda Rx might include dietary changes, yoga practice, meditation,essential oils, healingherbs,supplementsand/or stress management.
The Three Doshas
According to Ayurveda, everyone is made of five universal elements: air, fire, water, earth and space. Each of these elements is found in combinations that define physical or energy types called doshas.
There are three doshas: Vata (air and space), Pitta (fire and water) and Kapha (earth and water). Everyone has a unique blend of doshas with one typically more dominant.
You can determine your dosha by taking a short test online or visiting an Ayurveda practitioner. Knowing your dosha will help you to understand your body and yourself and discover how to stay in balance with diet, herbs and lifestyle change.
How to Keep Vata in Balance
Vatas are creative, energetic and slim. When balanced they feel light, content and energetic and have good digestion and sleep. Out of balance, Vatas are tired, unfocused and susceptible to arthritis, anxiety, asthma and heart disease.
Lifestyle: Slowing down, staying warm, following a regular routine and getting adequate rest are very important for Vatas. Yoga, pranayama (breathing exercises), sesame oil massage, stress reduction and avoiding stimulants and alcohol are recommended.Diet: Vatas should eat regular meals and snacks and soothing, warm, moist foods likesoupsand stews. Warming spices such asginger,cinnamon,fennelandcardamomare also good for Vatas. To feel grounded and relaxed, Vatas benefit from herbal teas containing chicory root,lemongrass, orange peel andlicorice.Best Essential Oils: Warm, sweet oils such assweet orange,fennel,holy basil,marjoram,rose,ylang-ylang,frankincenseandorangeare best.
Lifestyle: Slowing down, staying warm, following a regular routine and getting adequate rest are very important for Vatas. Yoga, pranayama (breathing exercises), sesame oil massage, stress reduction and avoiding stimulants and alcohol are recommended.
Diet: Vatas should eat regular meals and snacks and soothing, warm, moist foods likesoupsand stews. Warming spices such asginger,cinnamon,fennelandcardamomare also good for Vatas. To feel grounded and relaxed, Vatas benefit from herbal teas containing chicory root,lemongrass, orange peel andlicorice.
Best Essential Oils: Warm, sweet oils such assweet orange,fennel,holy basil,marjoram,rose,ylang-ylang,frankincenseandorangeare best.
How to Keep Pitta in Balance
Pitta types have an athletic build, sharp intellect and can be perfectionists and workaholics. Balanced Pittas feel peaceful and happy and have strong digestion, glowing skin and sound sleep. When unbalanced they are susceptible to inflammation, acne, heartburn, self-criticism and heart disease due to stress.
Lifestyle: Since they have an innate drive, Pittas benefit from lightening up and being more playful. Meditation, especially at the end of the day to wind down, spending time with friends and family, walking in nature and swimming can help them thrive.Diet: The best diet for Pittas consists of foods that are cool (especially during summer) and sweet rather than spicy, sour or salty. They should eat moderate-sized meals three times a day and avoid alcohol and overeating. Spicy foods should be avoided, but small amounts of sweet, bitter spices likecardamom, mint andsaffronare okay. Pittas benefit from teas made of cabbagerose, cardamom,licoriceandginger.Best Essential Oils: Look for blends that foster calm and focus. Good choices include fennel, sandalwood androse. Small amounts ofylang-ylangandfrankincensewith a littlelemonorpeppermintto feel uplifted can help balance Pittas.
Lifestyle: Since they have an innate drive, Pittas benefit from lightening up and being more playful. Meditation, especially at the end of the day to wind down, spending time with friends and family, walking in nature and swimming can help them thrive.
Diet: The best diet for Pittas consists of foods that are cool (especially during summer) and sweet rather than spicy, sour or salty. They should eat moderate-sized meals three times a day and avoid alcohol and overeating. Spicy foods should be avoided, but small amounts of sweet, bitter spices likecardamom, mint andsaffronare okay. Pittas benefit from teas made of cabbagerose, cardamom,licoriceandginger.
Best Essential Oils: Look for blends that foster calm and focus. Good choices include fennel, sandalwood androse. Small amounts ofylang-ylangandfrankincensewith a littlelemonorpeppermintto feel uplifted can help balance Pittas.
How to Keep Kapha in Balance
Kaphas have a heavier build and are slow, steady and easy-going. When balanced they have a healthy immune system, lots of stamina and sleep well. Out of balance Kaphas gain weight easily, feel sluggish and are prone to obesity, chest colds, depression, diabetes, high cholesterol, asthma and allergies
Lifestyle: Kaphas benefit from stimulating activities, learning something new, fresh air and daily, vigorous exercise. Spending time with positive friends and listening to buoyant music can also help them stay in balance.Diet: Since they have a tendency to gain weight easily, Kaphas should eat a lighter diet and avoid sweets, salt and overeating—especially at night. They benefit from warm, light foods and teas that containginger, cloves, cardamom,turmericandsaffron. To improve digestion, Kaphas should drink hotginger teawith meals and chewfennel seedsafter meals.Best Essential Oils: Since Kaphas can feel heavy and sluggish, they benefit from warm, spicy, energizing oils such aseucalyptus,peppermint,basilandrosemary.
Lifestyle: Kaphas benefit from stimulating activities, learning something new, fresh air and daily, vigorous exercise. Spending time with positive friends and listening to buoyant music can also help them stay in balance.
Diet: Since they have a tendency to gain weight easily, Kaphas should eat a lighter diet and avoid sweets, salt and overeating—especially at night. They benefit from warm, light foods and teas that containginger, cloves, cardamom,turmericandsaffron. To improve digestion, Kaphas should drink hotginger teawith meals and chewfennel seedsafter meals.
Best Essential Oils: Since Kaphas can feel heavy and sluggish, they benefit from warm, spicy, energizing oils such aseucalyptus,peppermint,basilandrosemary.
Whatever your type,Ayurvedacan empower you to maintain a balance between your body, mind, spirit and environment so that you can feel your best and boost your ability to fight disease.