How Ayurveda Works
Ayurveda has two features that make it a unique science and separate it from other health modalities.
Body Type
Firstly, it is based on the principle that each individual has their own unique body make up known as Constitution or Prakruti, which is determined by the makeup of their parents and becomes apparent at birth.
Once you know your body’s constitution it becomes much easier to for an individual to live a healthy life by following a compatible lifestyle and diet that keeps the body’s constitution in balance. If at any stage an in-balance occurs, it is much easier to structure a specific program to redress the imbalance rather than just treating the symptoms of the illness as they occur.
Body Intelligence
The second feature of this science is that each individual has a unique bodily intelligence. When this intelligence is kept in a balanced state the body has the ability to flush out waste products from cellular metabolism more easily. When the body is unable to regularly flush out these toxins they will start to collect in the tissues leading to more wear and tear on the body, both physically and mentally.
Therefore a balanced body intelligence is necessary for flushing out toxins, keeping the body healthy by maintaining this equilibrium and preventing problems from manifesting. When these imbalances occur, it is important to be able to identify what has influenced this change and to redress these factors through diet, lifestyle and environmental changes. This is the role of the Ayurvedic practitioner
An Ayurvedic practitioner will carry out a through body assessment & case history to determine which of the three bodily intelligences are affected, whether Vata, Pitta or Kapha. The practitioner will then assess how deep this imbalance has gone and which tissues have been affected.
The practitioner will then assess whether the imbalance is in its preliminary stages or has gone deeper into the body to manifest as a particular ailment and will then structure a specific program for the client to bring the body intelligence back into balance.
Ayurveda believes that illness begins from disharmony between mind, body and soul. Most of the time the problems & symptoms that manifest at a physical level begin from imbalances at a mental level, so it’s very important to identify a patient’s mental state.
Many illnesses arise from poor metabolism. According to Ayurveda, there is no nutritional benefit from eating only organic foods if we are unable to metabolise these foods properly.
Ayurveda has a systematic approach to healing by detoxifying the body and rejuvenating body, mind & spirit.
The healing principles of Ayurveda have remained unchanged for centuries. Its philosophy does not change in response to the latest fashions in the health industry but are based on centuries of scientific observation of the natural world.
• Ayurveda is based on the subjective understanding of the body.
• Ayurveda aims to improve the wellbeing of everybody and does not belong to a particular country or religion.
• Treatment is based on the individual as a whole.
• It is a much more systematic & holistic approach to achieve perfect balance between mind, body & soul.
• Whatever is present in the universe, Ayurveda recognises as also being present in the human body.
• The Universe according to Ayurveda is composed of the five great elements - Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth (Known as Panchmahabhuta).
• These elements are responsible for all the living and nonliving substances in this universe.
• The human body is also composed of the five great elements
• Man is said to be the microcosm of this macrocosm
• These elements are recognised in the form of three Doshas or biological humours - Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
• The three Doshas are the intelligences behind each and every function that occurs in the body:
Air & Ether = Vata
Fire & Water = Pitta
Earth & Water = Kapha
• The Doshas govern the psycho-biological and physio-pathological changes in the body.
• Vata, Pitta and Kapha can be found in every body cell, tissue and organ.
• The level of each Dosha varies from person to person which ultimately determines an individual’s body type (Prakriti).
• It is the most eco-friendly system of medicine as it only uses materials that are natural and compatible to the body.
• Each individual has a unique bodily intelligence that has the power to keep the body in perfect health as long as this intelligence stays in balance.
• Ayurveda gives us a detailed & logical explanation of way the body, mind & soul interact.
Ayurveda recognises three primary energies or Doshas in the body, Vata, Pitta & Kapha. Together they regulate every physiological and psychological characteristic from basic cellular processes to the most complex biological functions.
When these forces are in a state of natural balance the defence mechanism of the body works at peak efficiency. But when this balance is disturbed due to an incompatible diet, lifestyle, lack or excess of exercise or mental stress, then the body's immunity can be affected. This encourages the growth of bacteria and viruses which will cause sickness and disease.
VATA
Vata – represents momentum. It is responsible for all the bodily activities and sensations. It controls the movement of blood through the circulatory system, breathing, the delivery of nutrients to the cells and the removal & excretion of waste products.
Location – Colon, bladder, thighs, hips, legs & kidneys.
Qualities – Rough, dry, cold, mobile, light, quick, clear, astringent and expansive
PITTA
Pitta – represents metabolism. It governs digestion and metabolic transformation of nutrients into biologically usable forms. It also imparts the capacity to absorb ideas and impressions and bestows intelligence and an enthusiasm for life.
Location - Small intestines, liver, gallbladder lower part of the stomach, spleen and pancreas
Qualities - Hot, Sharp, Penetrating, Light, Liquid, Sour, Oily and Fleshy
KAPHA
Kapha – provides substance and support. It gives strength and stability, both physically and psychologically. It enhances resistance to disease and promotes the healing process.
Location - Lungs, upper part of the stomach, heart, tongue and oesophagus
Qualities - Cold, Damp, Dense, Heavy, Oily, Slow, Sweet, Stable and Moist
Sub-Doshas are the intelligences of Vata, Pitta and Kapha that functions within our body.
VATA Sub-Doshas
Prana Vata - Governs inhalation, perception through the senses and governs the mind. Located in the brain, head, throat, heart and respiratory organs.
Udana Vata - Governs speech, self expression, effort, enthusiasm, strength and vitality. Located in the naval, lungs and throat.
Samana Vata - Governs peristaltic movement of the digestive system. Located in the stomach and small intestines.
Vyana Vata - Governs circulation, heart rhythm, locomotion. Centred in the heart and permeates through the whole body.
Apana Vata - Governs all downward impulses (urination, elimination, menstruation, sexual discharges etc.) Located between the naval and the anus.
PITTA Sub-Doshas
Pachaka Pitta - Governs digestion of food which is broken down into nutrients and waste. Located in the lower stomach and small intestine.
Ranjaka Pitta - Governs formation of red blood cells. Gives colour to blood and stools. Located in the liver, gallbladder and spleen.
Sadhaka Pitta - Governs emotions such as contentment, memory, intelligence and digestion of thoughts. Located in the heart.
Alochaka Pitta - Governs visual perception. Located in the eyes.
Bharajaka Pitta - Governs lustre and complexion, temperature and pigmentation of the skin. Located in the skin.
KAPHA Sub-Doshas
Kledaka Kapha - Governs moistening and liquefying of the food in the initial stages of digestion. Located in the upper part of the stomach.
Avalambhaka Kapha - Governs lubrication of the heart and lungs. Provides strength to the back, chest and heart. Located in the chest, heart and lungs.
Bodhaka Kapha - Governs perception of taste, lubricating and moistening of food. Located in the tongue, mouth and throat
Tarpaka Kapha - Governs calmness, happiness and stability. Nourishment of sense and motor organs. Located in the head, sinuses and cerebrospinal fluid.
Shleshaka Kapha - Governs lubrication of all joints. Located in the joints.
The body is composed of Tissues or Dhatus that are responsible for stabilizing & maintaining metabolism & the immune system. These tissues are directly related to the 3 bodily intelligences and their nourishment & elimination of wastes as well as their normal metabolic function.
Disease only arises in the body when one of these intelligences gets aggravated and hampers the normal function of individual tissues, preventing their proper nutrition.
According to Ayurveda, the food we consume is “cooked” in the stomach to become Rasa. All the other tissues in the body derive their nourishment from Rasa.
The 7 body tissues are:
Plasma (Rasa) - Nourishes all the other tissues & organs in the body
Blood (Rakta) - Carries oxygen to all tissues, strengthening muscle tissue & maintaining the optimum function of the skin and other sense organs.
• Muscle Tissue (Mamsa) - Gives strength & stability to the body & covers and protects all internal organs.
• Adipose Tissue (Meda) - Lubricates all parts of the body. Provides nutrition to tendons, ligaments & bones.
• Bone Tissue (Asthi) - Supports the body and protects delicate nerve tissue.
• Nerve Tissue (Majja) – It stabilise the nervous system and also cerebrospinal fluid in our brain
• Reproductive Tissue - Sperm (Shukra) & Ovum (Artava) are responsible for the generation of new life
The body is composed of Channels or Srotas that provide pathways for the nourishment of tissues and the removal of waste products associated with metabolism. For the body to function properly it is necessary that these channels remain open so the process of metabolism can continue without interruption.
Disease can arise when these channels become obstructed, not only affecting the delivery of nutrition to the tissues and the removal of waste products but preventing effective communication between different tissues and organs.
There are 15 channels - 7 relate with the body tissues, 3 provide nourishment to the body through air, water & food, 3 remove waste products through urine, faeces and sweat, 1 channel for the mental processes & 1 channel for lactation in women:
• Digestive System (Annavaha) - Responsible for ingestion & digestion of food, separation & absorption of nutrients and separation of waste products
• Water (Ambuvaha) - Carries water & regulates water metabolism
• Respiratory System (Pranavaha) - Responsible for respiration
• Lymphatic System (Rasavaha) - Carries nourishment to all remaining tissues.
• Hemopoietic System (Raktavaha) - Production & maintenance of red blood cells
• Muscular System (Mamsavaha) - Supplies nutrients to muscle tissue & removes waste products
• Adipose System (Medovaha) - Supplies nutrients to fat tissue & removes waste products
• Skeletal System (Asthivaha) - Supplies nutrients to bone tissue & removes waste products
• Nervous System (Majjavaha) - Supplies nutrients to nerve tissue & removes waste products
• Reproductive System (Sukravaha/Artavaha) - Supplies nutrients to reproductive tissue & removes waste
• Excretory System (Purishavaha) – Remove solid waste products from the body
• Urinary System (Mutravaha) – Removes waste products from the body
• Sweat System (Svedavaha) – Regulates body temperature & remove waste products
• Mind (Manovaha) – It controls the functioning of all the channels.
• Lactation System (Stanyavaha) – Regulates production of breast milk in women
Agni in Sanskrit means fire and is used to describe all metabolic functions in our body. All metabolic activity, including digestion, is ruled by Agni.
The digestive power and immune system depends on the proper functioning of Agni.
Agni takes the essence of nourishment from food, helps to carry out the metabolic reactions of the body and helps the immune system by destroying harmful organisms and toxins (Ama).
The state of the digestive fire is one of the most important concepts of Ayurvedic approach to health & wellbeing. It doesn’t matter how organic is the food you consume, if the body cannot metabolize it properly, then it is unable to access the nutrients that the food contains.
When Agni is well balanced, there will be proper digestion, excellent circulation of nutrients & proper elimination of waste products, maintaining a state of good mental and physical health!
To maintain balance of our Agni we have to develop a healthy life style including:
• Proper eating habits
• Proper sleep
• Proper fitness routine
• Control over emotions
The ancient Ayurvedic sages described a checklist that every individual can perform daily to ascertain the state of their health & wellbeing.
You are healthy if you:
• Have a daily bowel motion that is easy to pass & is without much odour
• Feel hungry at regular times during the day, without feeling the need to eat to satisfy emotional cravings
• Sleep well
• Feel light & fresh on waking
• Have good energy during the day, without feeling fatigued & tired in the late afternoon
• Have skin that is not dry, hands & feet are not pale or blue
• Have good control of senses
• Have urine that is clear & without much odour
• Have good control of mind
• Fulfill your daily responsibilities with focus
• Have a positive attitude to Life
• Don’t loose your temper quickly