History of Ayurveda

History of Ayurveda
a heritage of healing
The Origins
The word veda means knowledge.The evolution of the Indian art of healing and living a
healthy life comes from the four Vedas namely : Rig veda !ama veda "a#ur veda and
$tharva veda .$yurveda attained a state of reverence and is classified as one of the %&a'
Vedas ' a su(section ' attached to the $tharva Veda. The $tharva Veda contains not only the
magic s&ells and the occult sciences (ut also the $yurveda that deals with the diseases
in#uries fertility sanity and health.
$yurveda incor&orates all forms of lifestyle in thera&y. Thus yoga aroma meditation gems
amulets her(s diet astrology color and surgery etc. are used in a com&rehensive manner in
treating &atients. Treating im&ortant and sensitive s&ots on the (ody called )armas is
descri(ed in $yurveda . )assages e*ercises and yoga are recommended.
History
The knowledge we have now is (y three surviving te*ts of Charaka, Sushruta and Vaghbata.
+haraka ,-st century $.../ wrote Charaka Samhita ,samhita' meaning collection of verses
written in !anskrit/. !ushruta ,0th century $.../ wrote his !amhita i.e Sushruta Samhita.
Vagh(ata ,1th century $.../ com&iled the third set of ma#or te*ts called Ashtanga Hridaya and
Ashtanga Sangraha. +harakas !chool of 2hysicians and !ushrutas !chool of !urgeons
(ecame the (asis of $yurveda and hel&ed organi3e and systematically classify into (ranches
of medicine and surgery.
!i*teen ma#or su&&lements ,4ighantus/ were written in the ensuing years .hanvantari
5ahava&rakasha Ra#a and !haligrama to name a few that hel&ed refine the &ractice of
$yurveda. 4ew drugs were added and ineffective ones were discarded. 6*&ansion of
a&&lication identification of new illnesses and finding su(stitute treatments seemed to have
(een an evolving &rocess. +lose to 7888 &lants that were used in healing diseases and
a(ating sym&toms were identified in these su&&lements.
.ridha(ala in the 0th century revised the +haraka !amhita. The te*ts of !ushruta !amhita
were revised and su&&lemented (y 4agar#una in the 9th century.
There develo&ed eight (ranches:divisions of $yurveda:
-. ;aya'chikitsa ,Internal )edicine/
RangaRakes tamilnavarasam.com
7. !halakya Tantra ,surgery and treatment of head and neck O&hthalmology and ear
nose throat/
<. !halya Tantra ,!urgery/
0. $gada Tantra ,To*icology/
1. 5huta Vidya ,2sychiatry/
9. ;aumara (hritya ,2ediatrics/
=. Rasayana ,science of re#uvenation or anti'ageing/
>. Va#ikarana ,the science of fertility and a&hrodisiac/
)any modern medications were derived from &lants alluded to in $yurveda te*ts. The oft'cited
e*am&le is that of Rauwolfia ser&entina that was used to treat headache an*iety and
snake(ite. Its derivative is used in treating (lood &ressure today.
Two areas of contri(ution of Indian &hysicians were in treating snake(ite and &revention of
small &o*. .etailed account of ste&s to (e followed after a &oisonous snake (ite including
a&&lication of tourni?uet and lancing the site (y connecting the two fang marks and sucking
the &oison out is descri(ed. $ decoction of the medicinal &lant Rauwolfia ser&entina is ne*t
a&&lied to the wound.
$ form of vaccination for small &o* was commonly &racticed in India long (efore the @est
discovered the method. $ small dose of &us from the &ustule of small &o* lesion was
inoculated to develo& resistance.
Charaka Samhita
+haraka was said to have (een in the court of the ;ushana king ;anishka during the -st
century $. .. !ome authors date him as far (ack as the 9th century 5.+. during 5uddha
&eriod. The sacred trust (etween &hysician and &atient was held in high esteem (y +haraka
and &atient confidentiality similar to the Ai&&ocratic Oath was deemed the &ro&er conduct for
a &racticing &hysician. +haraka also told us that the word $yurveda was derived from $yus
meaning life and Veda meaning knowledge. 4evertheless according to +haraka the word
$yus denotes more than #ust life. $yus denotes a com(ination of the (ody sense organs
mind and soul. The &rinci&les of treatment in +harakas teachings took a holistic a&&roach
that treated not #ust the sym&toms of the disease (ut the (ody mind and soul as single entity.
+om&iled (y +haraka in the form of discussions and sym&osiums held (y many scholars
+haraka !amhita is the most ancient and authoritative te*t that has survived. @ritten in
!anskrit in verse form it has >088 metrical verses. The !amhita deals mainly with the
diagnosis and treatment of disease &rocess through internal and e*ternal a&&lication of
medicine. +alled ;aya'chikitsa ,internal medicine/ it aims at treating (oth the (ody and the
s&irit and to strike a (alance (etween the two. Bollowing diagnosis a series of methods to
&urify (oth the (ody and s&irit with &urgation and deto*ification (loodletting and emesis as
well as enema ,known as 2ancha'karma/ are utili3ed. The em&hasis seems to (e to tackle
diseases in the early &hase or in a &reventative manner (efore the first sym&toms a&&ear.
$yurvedic diagnosis and treatment is traditionally divided into eight (ranches ,sthanas/ (ased
on the a&&roach of a &hysician towards a disease &rocess. +haraka descri(ed them thus:
-. !utra'sthana ' general&rinci&les
7. 4idana'sthana ' &athology
<. Vimana'sthan' diagnostics
0. !harira'sthana ' &hysiology and anatomy
1. Indriya'sthana ' &rognosis
9. +hikitsa'sthana ' thera&eutics
=. ;al&a'sthana ' &harmaceutics
>. !iddhi'sthana ' successful treatment.
.etailed accounts of various methods of diagnosis study of various stages of sym&toms and
the com&rehensive management and treatment of de(ilitating diseases like dia(etes mellitus
tu(erculosis asthma and arthritic conditions are to (e found in the +haraka !amhita. There is
even a detailed account of fetal develo&ment in the mothers wom( which can rival
descri&tions of modern medical te*t(ooks.
+haraka also wrote details a(out (uilding a hos&ital. $ good hos&ital should (e located in a
(ree3y s&ot free of smoke and o(#ectiona(le smells and noises. 6ven the e?ui&ment needed
including the (rooms and (rushes are detailed. The &ersonnel should (e clean and well
(ehaved. .etails a(out the rooms cooking area and the &rivies are given. +onversation
recitations and entertainment of the &atient were encouraged and said to aid in healing the
ailing &atient.
SushrutaSamhita
!ushruta was a surgeon in the Cu&ta courts in the 0th century $... Though Indian classics is
full of accounts of healing through trans&lantation of head and lim(s as well as eye (alls
!ushruta !amhita is the first authentic te*t to descri(e methodology of &lastic surgery
cosmetic and &rosthetic surgery +esarean section and setting of com&ound fractures.
!ushruta had in his &ossession an armamentarium of -71 surgical instruments made of
stone metal and wood. Borce&s scal&els trocars catheters syringes saws needles and
scissors were all availa(le to the surgeon. Rhino&lasty ,&lastic surgery of the nose/ was first
&resented to the world medical community (y !ushruta in his !amhita where a detailed
method of trans&osition of a forehead fla& to reconstruct a severed nose is given. !evered
noses were common form of &unishment. Torn ear lo(es also were common due to heavy
#ewelry worn on ear lo(es. !ushruta descri(ed a method of re&air of the torn ear lo(es. Bitting
of &rosthetics for severed lim(s were also commonly &erformed feats.
!ushruta wrote DOnly the union of medicine and surgery constitutes the com&lete doctor. The
doctor who lacks knowledge of one of these (ranches is like a (ird with only one wing.E @hile
+haraka concentrated on the kaya'chikitsa ,internal medicine/. !ushrutas work mainly
e*&ounded on the !halya Tantra ,surgery/.
The !amhita contains mostly &oetry verses (ut also has some details in &rose. =7 different
o&hthalmic diseases and their treatment are mentioned in great detail. 2terygium glaucoma
and treatment of con#unctivitis were well known to !ushruta. Removal of cataract (y a method
called couching wherein the o&a?ue lens is &ushed to a side to im&rove vision was &racticed
routinely. Techni?ues of suturing and many varieties of (andaging &uncturing and &ro(ing
drainage and e*traction are detailed in the manuscri&t.
Ashtanga Hridaya
Vagh(ata in the 1th century com&iled two sets of te*ts called $shtanga !angraha and
$shtanga Aridaya. It details the ;aya'chikitsa of +haraka !amhita and the various surgical
&rocedures of !ushruta !amhita. The em&hasis seems to (e more on the &hysiological rather
than the s&iritual as&ects of the disease &rocesses. $shtanga !angraha is written in &rose
whereas the $shtanga Aridaya is in &oetry for recitation of the Verses.
The Ancient ayurvedic Physician
Originally only 5rahmins , a certain caste / were &racticing &hysicians. Fater &eo&le from
other castes (ecame well versed in the art of healing and a term Vaidya came to (e a&&lied to
the &ractitioners. )erely (y their art and knowledge the &hysicians gained high social status
regardless of their caste of (irth. The court &hysician was of &olitical im&ortance and sat on
the right side of the throne an im&ortant sym(olic &lace. Though the &hysician &atient the
nurse and the medicine were all im&ortant in curing a disease the &hysician was thought to
(e the most im&ortant.
The codes of conduct for &hysicians and medical students were laid down (y the te*ts. The
&oor and downtrodden were to (e treated free of charge. Others were charged according to
their a(ility to &ay.
The &hysician was e*&ected to (ehave in an e*em&lary manner conforming to the highest
ideals of &rofessional and &ersonal life. Ais dress manner and s&eech were e*&ected to (e
(eyond re&roach. )edical education was arduous consisting of many years of sacrifice
learning the art of healing. Visiting the sick collecting her(s and &re&aration of drugs
memori3ing the Vedic te*ts of $yurveda &erforming &rocedures on dead animals melons
and leather (ottles and (ladders were &art of the training. These e*ercises hel&ed refine (oth
theoretical and &ractical training of the student. @hen finally the student is deemed ready to
&ractice on his own he was certified (y the ruler.

Recent History
5efore $yurveda (egan its recent renewal in the @est it went through a &eriod of decline in
India when @estern medical education (ecame dominant during the era of 5ritish rule.
$yurveda (ecame a second'class o&tion used &rimarily (y traditional s&iritual &ractitioners
and the &oor. $fter India gained its inde&endence in -G0= $yurveda gained ground and new
schools (egan to (e esta(lished. Today more than five hundred $yurvedic com&anies and
hos&itals have o&ened in the last ten years and several hundred schools have (een
esta(lished. $lthough $yurveda remains a secondary system of health care in India the trend
toward com&lementary care is emerging and @estern and $yurvedic &hysicians often work
side (y side.
Interest in $yurveda in the @est (egan in the mid -G=8Hs as $yurvedic teachers from India
(egan visiting the %nited !tates and 6uro&e. 5y sharing their knowledge they have ins&ired a
vast movement toward (ody'mind's&irit medicine. Today $yurvedic colleges are o&ening
throughout 6uro&e $ustralia and the %nited !tates.
OUR COSMC !"#$$$#
TR#U$A
Three &rimordial forces or &rinci&les ,C%4$!/ namely !attva Ra#as I Tamas interweaving
to create the five elements ' s&ace air fire water and earth (irth the entire creation.
The &rinci&le of stillness tamas, re&lenishes the universe and its (eings and is the main
&rinci&le of su&&ort within the &hysical universe. The &rinci&le of self'organi3ing activity rajas,
gives motility and co'ordination to the universe and human life. The 2rinci&al of harmonic and
cosmic intelligence sattva, maintains universal and individual stasis and awareness. These
three cosmic &rinci&les called gunas, o&erating through the five elements they have created
directly interface with human e*istence.
On the &hysical &lane tamas works closely with the &hysical functions of the (ody
summari3ed as (odily humors called doshas tissues and wastes. Tamas is said to e*ercise
the greatest influence on the (odys water as&ect or Kapha dosha(humour)* human and
gives the (ody its a(ility to cogitate and to endure long &eriods of gestation.
Ra#as influences the &sychic &lane of e*istence and works closely with the &sychological
functions of the (ody. On the &hysical level ra#as is said to e*ercise the most influence on the
(odys air as&ect Vata Dosha (humour)*. It gives us our &ower to transform what is (eing
&erceived e*ternally into thoughts conce&ts visions and dreams.
Referred to as the universes cosmic intelligence the third &rinci&le sattva &ermeates each
and every minute cell of our (eing. It functions through our e*istential states of awareness
although it also influences the &hysical organism to some e*tent. @ithin the &hysical (ody
sattva is said to e*ercise the most influence on its fire as&ect itta dosha (humour)*. +losely
linked to the universal su(tle fire te#as the sattva &rinci&le maintains the cosmic memory of
the entire creation' the collective memory of every human' each individuals memory
accumulated from the (eginning of time through each re(irth until the &resent time i.e our
&ersonal wisdom.
Jall the a(ove mentioned doshas will (e e*&lained in detail in the coming cha&ter, tridosh/The
Panchamaha%hutas
$s mentioned earlier the three &rimordial forces , sattva ra#as I tamas / interweave to create
the five elements, &anchmaha(hutas/ which (irth the entire creation.
$ccording to $yurveda everything in life is com&osed of the Panchamahabhutas Akash
,!&ace/ Vayu ,$ir/ Jal ,@ater/ Agni ,Bire/ and Prithvi ,6arth/. Omni&resent they are
mi*ed in an infinite variety of relative &ro&ortions such that each form of matter is distinctly
uni?ue. +onstantly changing and interacting with each other they create a situation of
dynamic flu* that kee&s the world going.
This is a small e*am&le: @ithin a sim&le single living cell for e*am&le the earth element
&redominates (y giving structure to the cell. The water element is &resent in the cyto&lasm or
the li?uid within the cell mem(rane. The fire element regulates the meta(olic &rocesses
regulating the cell. @hile the air element &redominates the gases therein. The s&ace
occu&ied (y the cell denoting the last of the elements.
In the case of a com&le* multi'cellular organism as a human (eing for instance akash
,s&ace/ corres&onds to s&aces within the (ody ,mouth nostrils a(domen etc./K vayu ,air/
denotes the movement ,essentially muscular/K agni (fire) controls the functioning of en3ymes
,intelligence digestive system meta(olism/K jal ,water/ is in all (ody fluids ,as &lasma saliva
digestive #uices/K and prithvi ,earth/ manifests itself in the solid structure of the (ody ,(ones
teeth flesh hair et al/.
The Panchmahabhutas therefore serve as the foundation of all diagnosis treatment
modalities in Ayurv!da and has served as a most valua(le theory for &hysicians to detect and
treat illness of the (ody and mind successfully. Bor e*am&le if a &erson has more of the fire
element in the (ody he may suffer from more acid secretion ,gastric: digestive/ which if
causing harm in the form of hy&eracidity etc. can (e controlled (y giving him food which
contains more of #ala ,water/ maha(huta in it like sugarcane #uice etc.
Ta(le -
Panch
Maha%hutas
Sense
Organs
Sensory
&aculty Pro'erties Actions
!&ace 6ars Aearing
J+reates natural s&ace
in the (ody
2roduces softness lightness
and &orosity
J 4o distinct taste
$ir !kin Touch JFight clear and dry.
+reates dryness lightness and
wasting

JCoverns (reathing
movement of eyelids
#oints and other motor
functions.
Jslightly (itter taste
Bire 6yes !ight JRough I (right
Ael&s in digestion im&roves
eye sight

J+ontrols tem&erature
and luster of (ody
colour.
J2ungent taste
6arth 4ose !mell
JAeavy immo(ile
com&act I rough.
JIncreases firmness I strength
of the (ody

J+ontrols organs as
teeth nails flesh skin
tendons I muscles.
J$cts as a nutrient and
&urgative
J!weet taste.
@ater Tongue Taste J+old heavy fluid JIm&arts glossiness.

J!limy fat and sweat
(y nature
J6nhances fluid content I
&urgative

J!weet I astringent
sour I saline taste. J$cts as nutrient &urgative.
(anguage of the )oshas*
The 2hysical &sychic and cosmic language of the (ody is created from the circadian rhythm
of the universe set in motion some (illions of years ago when the five great elements were
(orn. !&ace air fire water and earth the first material for life are the (asis of the Vedic
sciences. In $yurveda human &hysiology and anatomy is rooted in (odily humors ,doshas)
tissues ,dhatus) and wastes ,ma"as). These three &rinci&les su&&ort all of life and are more
than the &hysical su(stance of our anatomy.
.oshas are three in num(er called Tridoshas ,tri meaning three and doshas (eing the (asic
&hysical energies:humors/ . They are the &rimary and essential factors of the human (ody
that govern our entire &hysical structure and function. .erived from the Panchmahabhutas
(five elements) each dosha which like the elements cannot (e detected with our senses
(ut their ?ualities can (e. They are the com(ination of any two of the five bhutas ,five
elements) with the &redominance of one. +alled Vata, Pitta and apha in !anskrit these
three are res&onsi(le for all the &hysiological and &sychological &rocesses within the (ody
and mind dynamic forces that determine growth and decay. 6very &hysical characteristic
mental ca&acity and the emotional tendency of a human (eing can therefore (e e*&lained in
terms of the tridoshas.
@hen e*isting in the (ody of all living organisms the five elements congregate in a certain
&attern and are known in !anskrit as doshas the literal meaning of which is !that "hich is
#uick to go out of balance$% .oshas im&ly that the human system maintains a delicate
(alance its dynamic elemental com&osition always (eing on the verge of disorder.
The doshas are a classic e*am&le of energy and matter in dynamic accord. $ll matter (orn
from energy remains intricately woven within its core nature of energy. In a state of (alance or
e?uili(rium doshas are considered an energy force in that we cannot visi(ly detect them as
they move through and su&&ort (odily function.
Bor e*am&le most of the &hysical &henomena ascri(ed to the nervous system (y modern
&hysiology for e*am&le can (e identified with Vata. Lust as the entire chemical &rocess
o&erating in the human (ody can (e attri(uted to Pitta, including en3ymes hormones and the
com&lete nutritional system. $nd the activities of the skeletal and the ana(olic system
actually the entire &hysical volume of an organism can (e considered as apha.
In a state of im(alance or dise?uili(rium the doshas (ecome visi(le as e*cessive mucus (ile
flatus and &hysical matter. @hen these early signs of disorder are ignored im(alances can
?uickly (ecome full'(lown diseases.
In this uni?ue system of e*&laining health air and s&aceM(oth ethereal elements form one
of the three doshas called Vata. Aere air e*ercises its &ower of mo(ility only when s&ace is
availa(le.
The elements fire and water form a second dosha called Pitta. Aere the (odily water &rotects
the heat of the (ody from (urning through. $n e*am&le of (odily fire is the acid in our
stomachs which if leaked from the stomach is ca&a(le of (urning the organism with the
force of a raging fire. @ater is the (uffering force that contains the (odys fires.
The elements water and earth com(ine to form the third dosha called apha. 5ecause of
their mutual density water gives earth its fluidity. @ithout water earth would (ecome
stagnated and inert. Thus the ;a&ha dosha ena(les a certain fluidity in the (ody without
de&riving it of its solid su&&ort. Thus the three doshas co'e*ist in all living organisms.
It is im&ortant to reali3e that these three are forces and not su(stances. apha is not mucusK
it is the force that causes mucus to arise. !imilarly pitta is not (ileK (ut that which causes (ile
to (e &roduced. $nd they are called doshas literally meaning Nfaults or Nout of whack' as
they indicate the fault lines along which the system can (ecome im(alanced.
It is e?ually im&ortant to understand that the three doshas within any &erson kee& changing
constantly due to their doshic ?ualities ,e*&lained in the ne*t cha&ter/ the s&ecific lifestyle
and environment of the &erson time and the season. Remem(er that these three are not
se&arate energies (ut different as&ects of the same energy &resent together in an infinite
variety of com(ination .The degree to which each dosha e*ists within a &erson determines the
individuals constitution commonly referred to as (ody ty&e ,&rakriti which will (e mentioned
in the forthcoming &ages/.
6ach dosha thus shares a ?uality with another ,although there remain slight differences in the
nature of shared ?uality/. $lso each has an inherent a(ility to regulate and (alance itself
which comes from the o&&osite ?ualities that arise from the doshas constituent ,(asic/
elements.
@hen the doshas are in (alance i.e. in a state of e?uili(rium we remain healthy. $s
&haraka the great ayurvedic sage e*&lained: OVata, pitta and kapha maintain the integrity
of the living human organism in their normal state and com(ine so as to make the man a
com&lete (eing with his indriyas ,sense organs/ &ossessed of strength good com&le*ion
and assured of longevity.O
It is only when that there is im(alance within these three doshas that disease is caused. $nd
since it is the strongest dosha in the constitution that usually has the greatest tendency to
increase one is most susce&ti(le to illnesses associated with an increase of the same.
TH" THR"" )OSHAS + TH"R !ASC ,UA(T"S
Ta(le'7
Vata Pitta apha
-Air and S'ace* -&ire and .ater* -.ater and "arth*
Fight Fight Aeavy
+old Aot +old
.ry Oily Oily
Rough !har& !low
!u(tle Fi?uid !limy
)o(ile !our .ense
+lear 2ungent !oft
.is&ersing
6rratic
$stringent
6ash dosha also has a &rimary function in the (ody. Vata is the moving force 2itta is the force
of assimilation and ;a&ha is the force of sta(ility.
Vata the most dominant of the doshas governs (odily movement the nervous system and
the life force. @ithout Vatas mo(ility in the (ody 2itta and ;a&ha would (e rendered lame.
2itta governs en3ymatic and hormonal activities and is res&onsi(le for digestion
&igmentation (ody tem&erature hunger thirst and sight. Burther 2itta acts as a (alancing
force for Vata and ;a&ha.
;a&ha governs the (odys structure and sta(ility. It Im(ricates #oints &rovides moisture to the
skin heals wounds and regulates Vata and 2itta. Vata 2itta and ;a&ha &ervade the entire
(ody (ut their &rimary domains are in the lower middle and u&&er (ody res&ectively. ;a&ha
rules the ,%226R/ head neck thora* chest and u&&er &ortion of the stomach fat tissues
and the #oints. 2itta &ervades the ,)I..F6/ chest um(ilical area stomach small intestines
sweat and lym&h glands and the (lood. Vata dominates the ,FO@6R/ (ody &elvic region
colon (ladder urinary tract thighs legs arms (ones and nervous system.
$&art form its main siteK each dosha has four secondary sites located in different areas of the
(ody. Thus each dosha then has five sites considered to (e its centres of o&eration which
include the various outreach systems (ecause of which the entire (ody functions. The doshas
interact continuously with the e*ternal elements to re&lenish their energy within the (ody.
6ach of the three doshas five sites has a s&ecific res&onsi(ility towards the maintenance of
the organism.
PH/SO0 PS/CHO(O#CA( A$) PATHO(O#CA( $ATUR" O& TH" )OSHAS
&ive Airs of 1ata
The five sites or centres of o&eration and systemic outreach through which Vata casts its
influence on the entire organism are called the five airs of Vata namely: &rana udana
samana a&ana and vyana
Air of Res'iration2 Prana
2rana means life is the first air of the universe and of the (ody. $lthough located in the (ody
(etween the dia&hragm and throat it not only &ervades the region of the heart and chest (ut
also u& into the face and (rain. 2rana aids in the chewing and swallowing of food and
&rovides immediate nourishment to all vital tissues of the (ody. The system is constantly
(eing re#uvenated through the natural rhythm of the (reaths inhalation e*halation and timely
retention. The activity of the colon is attuned to the res&irations rhythmK the main function of
&rana is e*tracting &rana i.e life from the digested food and diffusing it into all of the tissues
in the (ody. @hen the colon is distur(ed and una(le to fulfil its natural a(ility to e*tract and
diffuse &rana this unused &rana (ecomes waste.
2rana facilitates all movement in and out of the (ody. It moves in the region of the heart
causing it to (eat. It carries food through the oeso&hagus into the stomach. 2rana sustains
the heart arteries veins senses and our wisdom faculty ,buddhi). @hen &rana cannot
function &ro&erly our very life force is threatened. Res&iratory ailments such as (ronchitis and
asthma result. Aeart ailments and the im&ulse to vomit are also related to &ranas im(alance.
Air of the Throat2 Udana
%dana the second air of Vata which means Drising airE flows u&ward from the um(ilicus
through the lung and into the throat and nose. ;nown as the air of e#ection it &rovides us with
our vocal &owers and clarity of sense &erce&tions. It also &reserves our (odys natural forces
such as its strength of will and ca&acity for effort.
%dana has the su&reme task of kee&ing track of the num(er of (reaths we e*&end.
$n e?ually su&reme task is udanas ca&acity to &reserve memory (oth e*&eriential
,memories gathered within a &resent lifetime/ and cognitive ,cumulative memories carried into
all lives from the (eginning of creation through all time/. Im&airment of udana can result in
loss of memory im&aired s&eech giddiness or heaviness in the head dee&'seated fears and
a shortened life s&an/.
Air of the Stomach2 Samana
!amana the third air of Vata is located (etween the dia&hragm and navel. It aids the
movement of food through the stomach and small intestines fans the fires of digestion (y
stimulating the &roduction of gastric #uices and digestive en3ymes and hel&s in the
assimilation of nutrients e*tracted from our food. !amana is the moving force that trans&orts
these nutrients to the various tissue elements and discharges wastes into the colon. @hen
the samana air is distur(ed it can cause mucus accumulation in the stomach called ama
indigestion &oor assimilation and diarrhoea.
Air of the Colon2 A'ana
The fourth air of Vata a&ana is located in the colon and the organs of the &elvic region. $lso
known as the air of elimination a&anas &rimary function is to relieve the (ody of feces urine
flatus semen and menstrual waste. Its down ward &ressure maintains &osition of the foetus
and the flow of its eventual (irth. $&ana is the most dominant of the five airs situated as it is
in Vatas &rimary location. $&ana maintains the delayed nutrition of &rana in the organism.
@hen a&ana is im&aired diseases of the (ladder anus testicles uterus menstrual &ro(lems
and o(stinate urinary diseases including dia(etes &revail.
Air of Circulation2 1yana
Vyana is the fifth and final air of the Vata and is located in the heart. It diffuses the energy
derived from food and (reath throughout the entire organism including the skin. +irculatory in
nature Vyana functions in the (odys circulation channels such as the (lood vessels to
trans&ort nutritive #uices and (lood throughout the (ody. Vyana also carries sweat from the
glands to the skin and is the force (ehind (odily e*&ressions such as yawning and (linking.
@hen vyana malfunctions there is dryness of the skin and other (ody e*tremities &oor
circulation and diseases such as fever.
Ta(le '<
)oshas Site $ormal function
2rana Aeart I Aead (etween
dia&hragm and throat
5reathing and swallowing of food life I
thinking heart rhythm
%dana Brom um(ilicus to lung throat
and nose
!&eech voice colour strength
immunityenergy memoryca&acity for effort
!amana 5etween dia&hragm and navel
,stomach and intestines/
Ael&s action of digestive en3ymes
assimilation of end &roducts of food and
se&aration into their various tissue elements I
waste &roducts.
$&ana +olon I organs of &elvis 6limination of stool urine flatus semen
fetus and menstrual (lood.
Vyana Aeart .iffusion of energy from food and (reath in
the whole (ody hel&s in the functioning of
circulating channels as (lood vessels.
&ive &ires of Pitta
2itta formed from the elements of fire and water also is said to reside in five sites. These
sites are the centers of o&eration and systemic outreach through which the 2itta dosha
influences the entire organismK they are: pa#haka, ranjaka, sadhaka a"o#haka and bhrajaka.
&ire of the Stomach2 Pachaka
2achaka is referred to in $yurveda as the first fire of the (ody. It e*ists in the small intestine
duodenum gall (ladder liver and &ancreas and su&&orts the remaining four fires to (e
discussed (elow. 2achakas main action is to dissolve and digest the food we eat. It also
regulates (ody tem&erature. Once digestion has taken &lace &achaka se&arates the foods
nutritive elements from its waste elements. $n im(alance in this first fire &achaka causes
indigestion as well as a revulsion for food.
&ire of the !lood 2 Ran3aka
True to its name ran#aka the second fire of 2itta controls the formation and &reservation of
(lood. Focated in the liver s&leen and stomach ran#aka &rovides the (lood with its colour
and o*ygen. @hen ran#aka is im&aired (ile com&ounds may a&&ear in the (lood and
diseases such as anaemia and #aundice may follow.
&ire of the Heart2 Sadhaka
The finest of the fires sadhaka the third fire is central to the activity of 2itta. It reigns along
with &rana in the heart. @ith udana it governs memory and the retention and wellness of all
mental functioning. @hen sadhaka is im&aired there may (e &sychic distur(ances mental
disorientation e*treme emotional states and craving for e*treme foods drugs and so on.
&ire of the "yes2 Alochaka
$lochaka the fourth fire of 2itta e*ists in the &u&ils of the eyes. It gives the eyes their lustre
and diffuses light and its s&ectrum of colours throughout the (ody @hen the fourth fire is
vitiated there is im&airment of vision and yellowness may a&&ear in the eyes.
&ire of the Skin 2 !hra3aka
The fifth fire (hra#aka is located in the skin given the skin its lustre and gleam. 5hra#aka
&rotects the (ody from e*treme atmos&heric conditions and facilitates the assimilation of light
wind water and oil through the skin. @hen this fire is distur(ed skin diseases such as
&soriasis ec3ema and leukoderma may result.
Ta(le '1
)oshas Site $ormal function Ailments caused %y its
vitiation
2achaka !tomach I small
intestinesgall
(ladderliver&ancreas
.igesting and dissolving of
foodregulating (ody
tem&eraturese&aration of
nutritive elements from
wastes
Indigestion $nore*ia
Ran#aka Fiver s&leen and stomach 5lood formation and
&reservation
$nemia Laundice
Ae&atitis
!adhaka Aeart )emory and other mental
functions.
2sychic distur(ances
+ardiac diseases
mental disorientation
and e*treme emotional
states
$lochaka 6yes Vision lusture of eyes Im&airment of vision
yellowness of eyes
5hra#aka !kin +olour and gla3e of the skin Feucoderma Other skin
diseases eg &soriasis
ec3ema
Pitta )osha m%alance
$ll the a(ove mentioned functions of &itta and its various su(ty&es are e*ecuted when they
are in their (alanced state. .ue to various reasons J&itta gets im(alanced and causes the
following results. If &itta dosha is in e*cess it results in:
Ta(le '9
$m(ition Aate
$nger Lealously
6nvy Ludgemental or critical tendencies
Bear of Bailure Fack of discernment
!arcastic s&eech and actions 2ride
!ke&ticism 5urning sensations
6*cessive thirst +raving for cold
Foss of slee& Bever
Brustration
.ecreased 2itta results in:
Indigestion Foss of luster in the skin
$(normal loss of (ody heat Irregular (owel movements.
&ive .aters of 4a'ha
;a&ha formed from the elements water and earth also manifests in five doshic sites through
these centres of o&eration and systemic outreach it influences the entire organism. The five
waters of ;a&ha are: k"!daka, ava"ambaka, bodhaka, tarpaka and s"!saka.

.ater of the Stomach2 4ledaka
The first water of ;a&ha kledaka originates in the stomach. It is the cause of mucus
formation in the (ody. )ost im&ortant of the waters kledakas moist foamy li?uid aids
digestion li?uefies foods and nourishes the remaining waters of ;a&ha. @hen the first water
is aggravated the digestion &rocess (ecomes im&aired heaviness of the a(domen &revails
and nausea may also occur.
.ater of the Heart 2 Avalam%aka
The second water of ;a&ha avalam(aka resides in the chest and heart. It &rovides a &lasmic
, fluid / tissue covering to the heart thus insulating it from heart I acting as a shocka(sor(er.
$valam(aka also &rovides the lim(s with their energy. @hen this water is distur(ed la3iness
and lethargy ensure. Aeart originating diseases such as rheumatic fever and &ains in the
&ericardium,tissue around the heart/ may also occur.
.ater of the Tongue2 !odhaka
5hodhaka the third water of ;a&ha is the one which #oins the five waters of (odys river. It
sends water to the tongue and &alate and gives the &erce&tion of taste. It registers each of
the si* tastes in nature and sends the a&&ro&riate im&ulses to the receiving tissue long (efore
the food is ingested. 5odhaka water also li?uefies the food.
@hen this water is distur(ed crimes against the (odys natural instincts are committed due
to the im&airment of taste. This creates Ama the foul undigested remnants of food which
stick in the tissues and &romote diseases such as o(esity (ulimia and anore*ia. Cenerally a
thick white coating on the tongue indicates the &resence of ama in the (ody.
.ater of Head2 Tar'aka
Tar&aka ;a&has fourth water flows in the (rain and s&inal cord. It soothes the sense organs
and as a result lu(ricates and &rotects the nervous system. @hen this water is out of
(alance the sense organs (ecome im&aired. Foss of memory and dullness of sensory
&erce&tions are the natural result.
.ater of the 5oints2 Shlessaka
The fifth water of ;a&ha slesaka is located in the #oints. It lu(ricates the #oints and gives
them their solidity. !lesakas unctuous gel &rotects the #oints from heat and gives ease and
fle*i(ility of movement. @hen this water is im&aired the #oints may (ecome swollen &ainful
and dysfunctional.
Ta(le =
.oshas !ite 4ormal function $ilments caused (y its
vitiation
;ledaka !tomach )oistens food which hel&s
in digestion formation of
mucus in (ody.
Im&airment of digestion
heaviness in a(domen
nausea
$valam(aka +hest I Aeart 6nergy in lim(s controls
tem&erature of the heart
Fa3iness Rheumatic heart
disease
5odhaka Tongue
&alate
2erce&tion of taste. Im&airment of
digestion(ulimiaanore*ia
o(esity
Tar&aka 5rains&inal
cord
4ourishment of the sense
organs lu(rication and
&rotection of nervous
system.
Foss of memory
Im&airment of function of
sense organs
!hlesshaka Loints Fu(rication of
#oints&rotection of #oints
from heat
2ain in #oints Im&airment
of function of #oints.

4a'ha )osha m%alance
$ll the a(ove mentioned functions of ka&ha and its various su(ty&es are e*ecuted
when they are in their (alanced state. .ue to various reasons Jka&ha gets im(alanced and
causes the following results. If ka&ha dosha is in e*cess it results in:
Ta(le >
5oredom Fack of interest
+arelessness !ecretions from the mouth
Fack of com&assion Fethargy
Creed 6*cessive slee&
Beeling lack of su&&ort or love Im&ro&er digestive function
O(sessive (ehavior O(esity
%nkindness 4ausea
And decrease apha gives 6ay to2
Thirst +ram&s
Ciddiness
5ody aches
.ryness of mouth
J The various reasons for the aggravation of vata &itta I ka&ha are mentioned (elow in the
,dos I donts chart / factors increasing vata &itta I ka&ha I food charts.
Agni
5eing the (iological fire that governs meta(olism agni encom&asses all the
changes in the (ody and mind from the dense to the more su(tle. !uch changes
include the digestion and a(sor&tion of food cellular transformations
assimilation of sensory &erce&tions and mental and emotional e*&eriences. Agni
therefore covers all the se?uences of chemical interactions and changes in the (ody and
mind. .igestive a(ilities are directly &ro&ortional to the strength of agni.
Agni and pitta are closely connected. @hile (oth are hot and light agni is su(tle and dry
while &itta is gross I li?uid .The heat energy to hel& digestion contained (y pitta is agni.
Pitta is therefore the container and agni the content. Agni is acidic in nature and stimulates
digestion. It is su(tly related to the movement of vata. In every tissue and cell agni is &resent
and is necessary for maintaining the nutrition and auto'immune mechanism which is
&erformed (y destroying micro'organisms foreign (acteria and to*ins in the stomach and the
intestines.
$ (alanced agni therefore is vital for health. The strength of the (ody to resist disease and
also its &hysical strength are directly related to its heat energy determining the meta(olic
&rocesses of the (ody. .istur(ances to Agni are usually the chief causes of disease leading
to ama in the (ody.
$s &er Ayurveda there are thirteen ty&es of $gni, -7 dhatwaPtissueQagnis given (elow I -
#atharagni/ in the (ody and mind according to the conversion and the transformation made.
The most im&ortant of them is the Jatharagni the gastric fire res&onsi(le for digesting the
food eaten ,can (e correlated to hydrochloric acid in the stomach and the digestive en3ymes
and #uices secreted into the stomach duodenum and the small intestines/. If digestive agni is
low and the its ca&acity is im&aired one may e*&erience &ain discomfort7 feeling of
heaviness or gases gurgling7 consti'ation or loose stools8
JIn such conditions one should &ractice the sansar3ana kram given in the diet &art of the
course (elow &reventing the accumulation I &roduction of ama, !$p"ain!d in th! s!!d o%
dis!as!, b!"o&/ I thus diseases.
)hatus2 !odily Tissues
PH/SO(O#CA( A$ATOM/
$yurveda has identified seven constituent tissues where(y the (ody (oth lives and dies.
These tissues are called dhatus. Fike doshas dhatus are formed from the five elements
s&ace air fire water and earth. The 'apta ,seven/ (hatu ,tissues/ elements form the &illars
of the (ody that form the means of nourishment and growth while &roviding su&&ort to the
(ody as well as the mind.
@ith the hel& of the digestive fire the dhatus form the (odys &rotective (iological system. In
other words they nourish and defend the internal immune system. If one dhatu is defective
each successive dhatu is affected there(y triggering a chain reaction of im&airment
throughout the entire tissue system.
The concentric formation of dhatus occurs through the ingestion of food su(stances. Infinitely
well e*&ressed (y +haraka the use of naturally healthy foods is essential to the ?uality of
nutrients res&onsi(le for sustaining the dhatus: DThe availa(ility and consum&tion of a
wholesome diet are essential to &romote the healthy growth of a &ersonK likewise indulgence
in unwholesome foods &romotes diseases.E 6?ually relevant is the recognition that mental
unrest or a negative outlook contaminates even the most wholesome foods once these have
(een ingested.
Through an enormously so&histicated &rocess of chemical reactions ,main digestive fire
called 3atharagni/J s&urred (y (oth the energy in the food and the energy vi(rations of (odily
tissues and mental thoughts the nutrient called ahara rasa is &roduced.
The main digestive fire lies in the um(ilicus region called #atharagni,macrosco&ic' can (e
seen as hydrochloric acid&ancreatic #uice etc /. 6very dhatu has its own digestive fire called
dhat&a'agni ,microsc&ic'on the tissue and cellular level cannot (e seen/ which is a su(tle
&art of the #atharagni and is totally de&endent on the #atharagni. !o if the #atharagni of a
&erson is strong and well working all the dhatwagnis will (e working &ro&erly and the all the
tissue formation ,each cell/ will (e of su&erior ?uality and vice the versa.
The nutrient once a(sor(ed into the digestive tract is synthesi3ed (y the rasa' dhatu
digestive fire i.e rasadhat&a'agni to form the first of seven tissues rasa dhatu. This tissue a
milky sticky cold chyle resem(ling the ?uanlities of ;a&ha is the (odys &lasma tissue and
derives its e*istence from the water element. The &ro&er conversion of the &rimary nutrient
ahara rasa into &lasma is de&endent u&on the ?uality of the foods the state of mind health
of (odily &rana ,&rana vayu/ the main digestive fire i.e L$TA$R$C4I and the tissues
digestive fire ,rasadhatwa'agni/. In wholesome conditions these factors contri(ute to the
&roduction of &lentiful rasa. In unhealthy conditions they contri(ute more to the &roduction of
wastes in the form of mucus i.e ama rather than to the &roduction of healthy &lasma.
6ach of the si* su(se?uent dhatus is fed (y the &revious dhatu. Once rasa tissue is formed
The nutrients are refined through a &rocess (y raktadhat&a'agni and trans&orted to form
(lood tissue rakta dhatu. $gain if the nutrients ?uality is defective the &roduction of (odily
waste in form of (ile is &roduced at e*&ense of healthy (lood tissue. The main universal
element com&rising (lood is fire. Rakta ,(lood/ (hatu Regarded as the (asic of life it not
only nourishes the (ody tissues (ut &rovides &hysical strength and colour to the (ody.
4ot sur&risingly then once the hemoglo(in of the (lood is nourished the nutrients are further
refined (y mamsadhat&a'agni , to &rovide the fuel necessary to &roduce muscle tissue
mamsa dhatu. )asma (hatu The muscle tissues main function is to &rovide &hysical
strength and su&&ort for the meda dhatu. )uscle tissues dominant element is earth the
most matter'like element of the five elements from which the dhatus derive their form. The
(odys muscle tissue shares earths nature of matter. 4e*t in the dhatu nourishment is the fat
tissue from medadhatwa'agni called m!das dhatu which is &ervaded (y water element. Its
main function is lu(ricating the entire (ody system.
The (one and cartilage tissue ,asthi dhatu) from the asthidhatwa'agni which is &ervaded (y
the elements air and s&ace is ne*t in the dhatu nourishment lineage. Ashti (hatu
+om&rising of (one tissues including cartilages its main function is to give su&&ort to the
majja dhatu and &rovide su&&ort to the masma dhatu.
The continuously refined nutrients are then trans&orted and converted (y majjadhat&a'agni
to the tissue com&rising the (odys red and white (one marrow majja dhatu. )ajja (hatu
.enoting the yellow and red (one marrow tissue its main function is to fill u& the ashti and
give fullness to the (ody.
Binally the refined nutrient remaining after all these dhatus have (een fed re&lenishes the
s&erm and ovum tissues shukra and artava res&ectively (y their shukradhat&a'agni. This last
dhatu once formed is fed (y the su(tle essences of the nutrients refined through the
synthesis of all the &revious dhatus. It is the su(tle &ervasive essence remaining in the (ody
(efore it (ecomes the material for &rocreation. If this dhatu is contaminated or not &ro&erly
formed due to &ollution of the nutrients the new life formed from the union of s&erm and
ovum is usually adversely affected in some way or other.
!ince the dhatus su&&ort and derive energy from each other affecting one can influence
others. Bor instance interference in the manufacture of the &lasma affects the ?uality of the
(lood which in turn affects the muscle. $s mentioned earlier each tissue ty&e has its own
agni ,digestive fire' dhatwa'agni/ which determines meta(olic changes in the tissues and
forms (y'&roductsJ which are either used in the (ody or e*creted. )enstural &eriods for
e*am&le are a (y'&roduct of rasa. The tissues are also governed (y the three doshas, and
any im(alance in them also causes im(alances in dhatus.

J see the chart (elow ,ta(le no G/
O3a2 The #lo6 of Health
O#a is the cumulative essence remaining after the cycle of dhatu nutrition is com&lete. Our
&hysical mental and s&iritual strength is totally de&endent on o#a. Our &ersonal aura the
strength and glow we are meant to e*ude is &roduced from an a(undance of o#a. This is our
(est safeguard against mental and &hysical disease. $s o#a thrives so does the (odys
natural immunity. )ental clarity and cognitive memories flourish. If on the other hand the
(ody has insufficient rasa the tissues (ecome dry and contaminated resulting in the
de&letion of o#a. .ecreased o#a also fosters an increase in the ama or wastes &roduced (y
the (ody thus ham&ering the &hysical and mental ca&acity of an individual.
)hatus2 !odily Tissues
PH/SO(O#CA( A$ATOM/
$yurveda has identified seven constituent tissues where(y the (ody (oth lives and dies.
These tissues are called dhatus. Fike doshas dhatus are formed from the five elements
s&ace air fire water and earth. The 'apta ,seven/ (hatu ,tissues/ elements form the &illars
of the (ody that form the means of nourishment and growth while &roviding su&&ort to the
(ody as well as the mind.
@ith the hel& of the digestive fire the dhatus form the (odys &rotective (iological system. In
other words they nourish and defend the internal immune system. If one dhatu is defective
each successive dhatu is affected there(y triggering a chain reaction of im&airment
throughout the entire tissue system.
The concentric formation of dhatus occurs through the ingestion of food su(stances. Infinitely
well e*&ressed (y +haraka the use of naturally healthy foods is essential to the ?uality of
nutrients res&onsi(le for sustaining the dhatus: DThe availa(ility and consum&tion of a
wholesome diet are essential to &romote the healthy growth of a &ersonK likewise indulgence
in unwholesome foods &romotes diseases.E 6?ually relevant is the recognition that mental
unrest or a negative outlook contaminates even the most wholesome foods once these have
(een ingested.
Through an enormously so&histicated &rocess of chemical reactions ,main digestive fire
called 3atharagni/J s&urred (y (oth the energy in the food and the energy vi(rations of (odily
tissues and mental thoughts the nutrient called ahara rasa is &roduced.
The main digestive fire lies in the um(ilicus region called #atharagni,macrosco&ic' can (e
seen as hydrochloric acid&ancreatic #uice etc /. 6very dhatu has its own digestive fire called
dhat&a'agni ,microsc&ic'on the tissue and cellular level cannot (e seen/ which is a su(tle
&art of the #atharagni and is totally de&endent on the #atharagni. !o if the #atharagni of a
&erson is strong and well working all the dhatwagnis will (e working &ro&erly and the all the
tissue formation ,each cell/ will (e of su&erior ?uality and vice the versa.
The nutrient once a(sor(ed into the digestive tract is synthesi3ed (y the rasa' dhatu
digestive fire i.e rasadhat&a'agni to form the first of seven tissues rasa dhatu. This tissue a
milky sticky cold chyle resem(ling the ?uanlities of ;a&ha is the (odys &lasma tissue and
derives its e*istence from the water element. The &ro&er conversion of the &rimary nutrient
ahara rasa into &lasma is de&endent u&on the ?uality of the foods the state of mind health
of (odily &rana ,&rana vayu/ the main digestive fire i.e L$TA$R$C4I and the tissues
digestive fire ,rasadhatwa'agni/. In wholesome conditions these factors contri(ute to the
&roduction of &lentiful rasa. In unhealthy conditions they contri(ute more to the &roduction of
wastes in the form of mucus i.e ama rather than to the &roduction of healthy &lasma.
6ach of the si* su(se?uent dhatus is fed (y the &revious dhatu. Once rasa tissue is formed
The nutrients are refined through a &rocess (y raktadhat&a'agni and trans&orted to form
(lood tissue rakta dhatu. $gain if the nutrients ?uality is defective the &roduction of (odily
waste in form of (ile is &roduced at e*&ense of healthy (lood tissue. The main universal
element com&rising (lood is fire. Rakta ,(lood/ (hatu Regarded as the (asic of life it not
only nourishes the (ody tissues (ut &rovides &hysical strength and colour to the (ody.
4ot sur&risingly then once the hemoglo(in of the (lood is nourished the nutrients are further
refined (y mamsadhat&a'agni , to &rovide the fuel necessary to &roduce muscle tissue
mamsa dhatu. )asma (hatu The muscle tissues main function is to &rovide &hysical
strength and su&&ort for the meda dhatu. )uscle tissues dominant element is earth the
most matter'like element of the five elements from which the dhatus derive their form. The
(odys muscle tissue shares earths nature of matter. 4e*t in the dhatu nourishment is the fat
tissue from medadhatwa'agni called m!das dhatu which is &ervaded (y water element. Its
main function is lu(ricating the entire (ody system.
The (one and cartilage tissue ,asthi dhatu) from the asthidhatwa'agni which is &ervaded (y
the elements air and s&ace is ne*t in the dhatu nourishment lineage. Ashti (hatu
+om&rising of (one tissues including cartilages its main function is to give su&&ort to the
majja dhatu and &rovide su&&ort to the masma dhatu.
The continuously refined nutrients are then trans&orted and converted (y majjadhat&a'agni
to the tissue com&rising the (odys red and white (one marrow majja dhatu. )ajja (hatu
.enoting the yellow and red (one marrow tissue its main function is to fill u& the ashti and
give fullness to the (ody.
Binally the refined nutrient remaining after all these dhatus have (een fed re&lenishes the
s&erm and ovum tissues shukra and artava res&ectively (y their shukradhat&a'agni. This last
dhatu once formed is fed (y the su(tle essences of the nutrients refined through the
synthesis of all the &revious dhatus. It is the su(tle &ervasive essence remaining in the (ody
(efore it (ecomes the material for &rocreation. If this dhatu is contaminated or not &ro&erly
formed due to &ollution of the nutrients the new life formed from the union of s&erm and
ovum is usually adversely affected in some way or other.
!ince the dhatus su&&ort and derive energy from each other affecting one can influence
others. Bor instance interference in the manufacture of the &lasma affects the ?uality of the
(lood which in turn affects the muscle. $s mentioned earlier each tissue ty&e has its own
agni ,digestive fire' dhatwa'agni/ which determines meta(olic changes in the tissues and
forms (y'&roductsJ which are either used in the (ody or e*creted. )enstural &eriods for
e*am&le are a (y'&roduct of rasa. The tissues are also governed (y the three doshas, and
any im(alance in them also causes im(alances in dhatus.

J see the chart (elow ,ta(le no G/
O3a2 The #lo6 of Health
O#a is the cumulative essence remaining after the cycle of dhatu nutrition is com&lete. Our
&hysical mental and s&iritual strength is totally de&endent on o#a. Our &ersonal aura the
strength and glow we are meant to e*ude is &roduced from an a(undance of o#a. This is our
(est safeguard against mental and &hysical disease. $s o#a thrives so does the (odys
natural immunity. )ental clarity and cognitive memories flourish. If on the other hand the
(ody has insufficient rasa the tissues (ecome dry and contaminated resulting in the
de&letion of o#a. .ecreased o#a also fosters an increase in the ama or wastes &roduced (y
the (ody thus ham&ering the &hysical and mental ca&acity of an individual.
The )hatus7 U'adhatus7 and Malas
$t the end of the dhatu feeding chain a secondary grou& of tissues is created called the upadhatu. These
tissues do not &rovoke a chain reaction with su(se?uent u&adhatus as is seen in the dhatus. $lso each
&rimary dhatu after having (een fed &roduces its own (odily waste called malas. The &rimary dhatus along
with their u&adhatus malas and &hysical and emotional functions are &resented in the following chart.
Ta(le G
TA6 2RI)$R" .A$T%! TA6IR %2$.A$T%! )$F$!.
2A"!I+$F $4. 6)OTIO4$F B%4+TIO4!
)HATU UPA)HATU MA(A PH/SCA( "MOTO$A(
&U$CTO$ &U$CTO$

Ingested Beces 2roduction of Loy
Boods urine 4utrient
!u(stance
Rasa ,&lasma
tissue/
5reast milk )ucus 4ourishment 6*hilaration
menstrual
secretion

Rasa ,(lood tissue/ 5lood vessels
tendons
5ile !timulation Invigoration
)amsa ,muscle
tissue/
)uscles skin 6ar wa* naval
lint
5uffering the 4urturing
(ody
)edas ,fat tissue/ OmentumJ !weat Fu(rication Fove
$sthi ,(one and
cartilage tissue/
Teeth 5ody hair
(eard nails
!u&&orting the
(ody
+ourage
)a##a ,(one marrow
tissue/
Aead hair Tears filling of the Bullness
(ones
!hukra I $rtava
,re&roductive
tissue/
'''' '''' 2rocreation Fife
J $ fold of &eritoneum from another organ that su&&orts an organ8
MA(AS2 !O)(/ .AST"
)alas are the various waste &roducts of the dhatus &roduced during the normal meta(olic
&rocess. The three &rimary malas (eing Purisa ,faeces/ )utra ,urine/ and '"eda ,sweat/.
Ayurveda clearly states that only a (alanced condition of doshas, dhatus and malas is
arogya ,good health or disease free condition/ and their im(alance is the cause of ill health or
disease.
Purisa is the waste left (ack after nutrients of digested food have (een a(sor(ed in the small
intestine. The consistency of the faeces de&ending on the main digestive fire i.e #atharagni
and a&ana vayu, refer to the 1
th
ty&e of vata/.This system is known as Purishvahastrotas.
The tridoshas must (e in (alance to ensure normal evacuation. Pitta and kapha hel&
digestion and vata governs the mo(ility throughout the &rocess. $ny im(alance (etween
these can lead to various sym&toms of a(dominal heaviness or &ain flatulence consti&ation
or diarrhea. It may also give rise to diseases as rheumatoid arthritis osteoarthritis low'(ack
&ain asthma (ronchitis as well as stomach ulcers and irrita(le (owels.
)utra is derived during the course of digestion within the human (ody. The first stage of urine
formation (egins in the large intestine where fluids are a(sor(ed into the system. The entire
urinary system i.e )ootravaha strotas'kidneys uterus (ladder and urethra take &art in the
formation and elimination of urine regulating the fluid (alance in our (ody and also
maintaining (lood &ressure. $ny im(alance of increased or decreased urine may result in
disorders as kidney stones urinary infections cystitis a(dominal &ain and (ladder disorders.
'"eda ,sweat/ is the third &rimary mala and it occurs as a waste &roduct during the
synthesis of meda dhatu ,fatty tissue/. 6liminated through skin &ores it controls (ody
tem&erature. The channels res&onsi(le for (ringing the sweat to skin surface are known as
s"eda vaha srotas. It is essential that normal formation and flow of sweat takes &lace as
otherwise it may lead to skin infections itching:(urning sensation over the (ody loss of fluid
(alance and reduced (ody tem&erature.
The three &rinci&al malas are urine feaces and sweat. These waste &roducts like the
doshas and dhatus are com&osed of the five elements. !econdary malas include the
intestines fatty e*cretions earwa* hair ,(ody head and (eard/ nails tears and menstrual
discharge.
The normal flow of the malas is o(structed whenever the .oshas are increased or decreased
(eyond their natural state. 2ancha karma the five'fold $yurvedic cleansing thera&y is
designed to assist the (ody in the elimination of The Malas8
(a"an#!d (oshas (humors), h!a"thy Agni (digestive fire), a good stat! o% tissu!s(dhatus)
and th!ir prop!r m!tabo"i# !nd' produ#ts(mala) "!ad to a ba"an#!d stat! o% th! s!ns!s, mind
and spirit, a"" o% &hi#h "!ad to sound h!a"th.
AMA2 TH" S"") O& )S"AS"
@hen the (odys digestive fire is not ade?uate foods remain undigested and una(sor(ed in
the intestinal tract and ama is the result. Boul'odour and sticky ama clogs the intestines and
other channels of the (ody including its (lood vessels. $ma &revents the colon in its attem&t
to carry out its &rimary functions like e*tracting the vital force or &rana from the digested
foods. $ma undergoes a multitude of chemical changes gradually creating to*ins which are
released into the (loodstream. $s mentioned earlier if the main digestive fire vitiates so do
the seven other fires ,dhatwagni/ on the cellular ,tissue/ level thus creating ama in the
tissues. 6*cess dosha and to*ins ,from ama/ form a sinister team as they travel through
different channels ,as mentioned in the ne*t to&ic/ with great ra&idity to a weakened ,disease
&rone:vulnera(le/ &art of the (ody. Through its to*icity ama elicits a negative immune
reaction in the (odys tissues until finally disease manifests in these organs.
$ll internal diseases (egin with amas &resence in the (ody and all e*ternally created
diseases eventually &roduce ama. In addition to o(structing the (odys channels ama causes
a deterioration in our strength and energy levels. It reduces rasa inducing lethargy and
fatigue. 6?ually cri&&ling to the system is mental ama gathered through mis&erce&tion and
distur(ed emotions. Creed selfishness &ossessiveness stu((ornness anger and e*cessive
desires (ecome mental &ollutants are also ama.
$n early sign of ama in the (ody is a sticky coating on the tongue. In ;a&ha ty&esJ the
coating is usually thick sweetish and whitish in colour. 2itta ty&esJ tend to have a slimy
sourish yellowish coating and Vata ty&esJ have a dryish (itter grayish coating. @hen these
early sym&toms occur fasting may readily alleviate ama and:or the &ancha karma thera&ies
administered according to the (ody ty&e and in the a&&ro&riate season.
J .escri(ed in the cha&ter on (ody ty&es ,&rakruti/
Role of Taste
It is as im&ortant to reali3e that every foodHs uni?ue com(ination of attri(utes will influence its
taste and the action it causes in the (ody. @ith every taste having a different action as
detailed (elow. Astanga Hrdayam clearly descri(es the characteristics of each of the si*
tastes and &ro(lems that might (e e*&erienced from its ha(itual over'consum&tion. )ost
foods (eing a com(ination of two or more of these tastes e.g. coffee is (itter and &ungent.
Sour
+om&rised of the elements earth I fire it increases pitta and kapha and is good for heart
and digestion. !timulates agni, moves inactive Vata energy down the &elvic cavity sets the
teeth on edge and increases salivation. 6*cess use may cause looseness and fla((iness
loss of strength giddiness itching irritation a whitish yellow &allor swelling thirsts and fever
and diseases arising from e*cess pitta and kapha.
S6eet
Related to earth I water it increases pitta and vata &roducing greater strength in the tissues
and value to the aged wounded emaciated and children. %niversally liked it often adheres to
the inside of the mouth giving a feeling of &leasure contentment and comfort. Cood for the
com&le*ion hair senses and o#a it also increases (reast milk and hel&s unite (roke &arts like
(ones. 5y its virtue it &rolongs life and hel&s life activities. In e*cess however it may cause
diseases arising from fat and e*cess kapha e.g. o(esity skin infections unconsciousness
dia(etes enlargement of neck glands or malignant tumors etc.
Salt
The water I fire in salty taste increases pitta and kapha. It clears o(struction of channels and
&ores and increases the digestive activity and salivation. $lso res&onsi(le for lu(rication and
sweating it &enetrates the tissues. $n e*cess of it may cause (aldness and graying of the
hair wrinkles thirst skin diseases (lood disorders and loss of (ody strength.
Pungent
Bire I air in &ungent increases vata and pitta and mitigates kapha. Increases hunger is
digestive causes irritation (rings secretion from the eyes nose I mouth and gives a (urning
sensation to the mouth. It dilates the channels and (reaks u& the hard masses. 5ut an e*cess
use of it may cause thirst de&letion of re&roductive tissue and strength fainting contracture
tremors &ain in the waist and (ack and other disorders related to e*cess of pitta and kapha.
!itter
$ir I s&ace (eing its elements it increases pitta and kapha. .rying u& moisture from fat
muscles faces and urine. It cleans the mouth and destroys the &erce&tion of taste. It is said
to cure anore*ia worms (acteria &arasites thirst skin diseases loss of consciousness
fever nausea (urning sensation. 5ut in e*cess it increases vata causing diseases of vata
origin and de&letion of tissues.
Astringent
$ir I earth increases vata and controls increased pitta and kapha. It cleans the (lood and
causes healing of ulcers. Fike (itter it too dries u& moisture from fat. It a(sor(s water causing
consti&ation and hindering digestion of undigested food. Its e*cess use causes stasis of food
without digestion flatulence &ain in the cardiac region emaciation loss of virility o(struction
of channels and consti&ation.
!A(A$C$# S"ASO$A( TAST"S A$) !O)/ T/P" TAST"S
The a&&arent contradictions (etween the tastes and ?ualities (eneficial to each (ody ty&e
and the tastes and ?ualities suggested (y the cyclical nature of the seasons are to (e
understood in the following way: The tastes which are generally good for each (ody ty&e may
(ecome heightened or &revalent in the (ody and e*ternal environment due to seasonal
influences. Bor e*am&le of the si* tastes the &ungent flavour naturally &redominates during
the summerK although considered a generally good all'year taste for ;a&ha ty&es it needs to
(e used in the summer season with discretion. This is (ecause in summer the &ungent taste
&revails out of the si* tastes.,$ccording to the seasonal accumulation of the doshas in
summers there is decrease of ka&ha and the &ungent taste also causes decrease in ka&ha
and increase of vata which may lead to vata:ka&ha disorders/
!imilarly the salty taste which &redominates during autumn although considered a generally
e*cellent all'year taste for Vata ty&es needs to (e reduced during the autumn season even
(y Vata ty&es,$ccording to the seasonal accumulation of the doshas in autumn there is
alleviation of &itta the salty taste also causes alleviation of &itta which may lead to &itta
disorders/.
In the early winter the sweet taste &redominates and although generally an e*cellent all'year
taste for 2itta ty&es needs to (e reduced during the early winter even (y 2itta ty&es.
,$ccording to the seasonal accumulation of the doshas in winter there is increase in ka&ha
and sweet taste also causes increase of ka&ha which may lead to ka&ha disorders/
Ta(le -9
TAST"S O& TH" S"ASO$S
$ortherly Phase -.inter Solstice to Summer Solstice*
Season )ry Tastes "lement Com'osition )osha
Fate @inter 5itter $ir and s&ace Vata
!&ring $stringent $ir and earth Vata I ;a&ha
!ummer 2ungent $ir and fire Vata I 2itta
4ote: the dry tastes are created (y the &rogressive northward movement of the sun
Southerly Phase -Summer Solstice to .inter Solstice*
Rainy !eason ,early fall/ !our 6arth and fire 2itta and ;a&ha
$utumn !alty @ater and fire 2itta
6arly @inter !weet @ater and earth ;a&ha
4ote: the moist tastes are created (y the &rogressive southward movement of the sun

!eneficial Tastes According to )oshas
Vata : sweet sour salty
2itta : !weet (itter astringent
;a&ha: &ungent (itter astringent
Ta(le -=
S"ASO$A( TAST" A)5USTM"$TS
V$T$ 2ITT$ ;$2A$
F$T6 @I4T6R )a#or: sour salty
unctuous
)a#or: sweet
sourJ saltyJ warm
unctuous
)a#or: sourJ
astringent &ungent
warm moderate
unctuous
)inor: sweet )inor: (itter
astringent cool
light
)inor: (itter salty
dry
!2RI4C )a#or: sweet salty
warm moderate
unctuous alkaline
)a#or: sweet (itter
&ungentJ warm
)a#or: &ungent
moderate astringent
alkaline ward dry
)inor: sour &ungent )inor: astringent
cool alkaline
)inor: (itter salty
!%))6R )a#or: sweet sour
warm moderate
unctuous
)a#or: sweet (itter
cool moderate
unctuous
)a#or: (itter
astringent moderate
sweet warm dry
)inor: (itter salty
cool light
)inor: astringent
light
)inor: &ungent cool
R$I4" !6$!O4
,early fall/
)a#or: sweet
moderate (itterJ salty
moderate unctuous
warm
)a#or: (itter
astringent
moderate salty
moderate sweet
warm moderate
unctuous
)a#or: (itter
astringent &ungent
warm light
Tem&erate +limates )inor: sour )inor: &ungent
cool
)inor: salty sour dry
)a#or: sweet (itter
saltyJ warm
moderate unctuous

Tro&ical and
!emitro&ical
)a#or: sweet salty
moderate unctuous
warm
)inor: astringent
&ungent
)a#or: moderate
saltyJ &ungent (itter
warm moderate
unctuous.
+limates )inor: (itter &ungent )inor: astringent dry
$%T%)4 )a#or: sweet sour
warm light
)a#or: sweet (itter
astringent cool
light
)inor: salty
astringent
)inor: &ungent
)a#or: (itter
astringent moderate
sweet warm light
6$RF" @I4T6R )a#or: salty (itterJ
moderate sour warm
unctuous
)a#or: (itter
astringent
moderate &ungentJ
warm moderate
unctuous
)a#or: &ungent
astringent (itter
warm moderate
unctuous
)inor: &ungent sweet )inor: sweet )inor : salty
91ata ty'es: If strong tendency to Vata disorders use (itter as minor tastes and increase
the use of sweet and salty tastes during the seasons indicated.
9Pitta ty'es: If strong tendency to 2itta disorders use sour &ungent and salty as minor
tastes and increase the use of (itter astringent and sweet tastes during the seasons
indicated.
94a'ha ty'es : If strong tendency to ;a&ha disorders use sweetsour and salty as minor
tastes and increase the use of &ungent (itter and astringent tastes during the seasons
indicated.
R vata &itta I ka&ha disorders can (e seen in the charts mentioning increase in the
respective doshas in )OSHC M!A(A$C"S S
Ta(le ->
S"ASO$A( )O:S A$) )O$:TS
+limates .O .O4T
Fate @inter !our salty moderate sweet
unctuous su(stantial ?uantity of
food
6*cess sweet &ungent (itter dry
cold raw foods
!2RI4C 2ungent astringent moderate
sweet moderate salty warm
moderate ?uantity of food
!our e*cess sweet (itter too
many fluids cold
!ummer !weet (itter astringent cool
moderate unctuous
sufficient fluid
!alty sour &ungent hot
insufficiency of fluids
Rainy !eason ,early
fall/ Tem&erate
!weet moderate sour moderate
salty warmfood
2ungent (itter astringent light
cold food. e*cess unctuous
Tro&lcal and
!emitro&ical +limates
!our salty unctuous moderate
sweet moderate unctuous warm
2ungent (itter astringent e*cess
sweet cold dry
$utumn !weet (itter astringent cool light
non'oily
!our salty &ungent hot oily
e*cess food heavy foods
6arly @inter !alty (itter astringent moderate
sour warm moderate unctuous
)oderate ?uantity
!weet e*cess sour e*cess cold
dry e*cess food raw foods
The D!easonal .ontsE may (e used occasionally as a minor taste. !ee &revious chart.
m'ortant Rules And Regulations Related to )"T 2
CO$C"PT O& )"T $ A/UR1")A 2
;* )efination 2
.iet is that what we eat.
It includes everything we eat or drink.
.iet is the cause of the very e*istence 6nergy +olour I O#a ,immunity:%ltimate &urified
form of all the !harir .hatus i.e 5ody tissues/ of every living (eing on this earth.
<* =)iet: is the cause of the (irth maintenance I destruction of all forms of life on this
earth.
Brom .iet only we ac?uire following things constant growth unham&ered growth 6nergy
@ell(eing Aealth +olour 2ro&er functioning of the Indriyas ,!ense Organs/.
Im&ro&er dietis the ma#or cause of all illness according to $yurveda.
Brom all a(ove statements one can say that In short everything de&ends
on diet.

A/UR1")C CO$C"PT O& &ORM O& )"T
$ccording to $yurveda 5ody is said to (e made u& of 2anch )aha(hutas ,2entads/ I hence
the food also needs to (e 2anch(hautic ,)ade u& of 2anch ,five/ )aha(hutas/ then only food
can get digested I (e utili3ed for the growth of 2anchamaha(hutas ,the (asic constituents of
(ody/ which in turn results in growth of (ody.
The diet should (e made u& of all the si* tastes i.e. !weet !our !alty Aot 5itter $stringent.
It has also (een stated that according to the &ro&erties diet again can (e of 7 ty&es i.e.
Aeavy to digest I 6asy or light to digest .
deal )iet
The ideal diet should have following &ro&erties:'
-/ It should increase the strength of (ody.
7/ It should (e tasty:it should (e such that it should (e liked (y the one who is
taking it.
</ It should give energy instantaneously : immediately after taking it.
0/ It should have the ca&acity to withhold the (ody I give its strength I
energy to carry on its regular functions.
1/ It should satisfy the one taking it .
9/ It should (e hot unctuous not dry when taken.
=/ !hould (e taken in &ro&er ?uantity.
>/ It should not (e incom&ati(le .,mentioned in uneasy com(inations (elow/
The food ,.iet/ with all a(ove &ro&erties is said to (e ldeal diet.
The .iet which is of all the &ro&erties e*&lained a(ove can only do the functions &rescri(ed to
it.
>* &U$CTO$S O& )"T -food*
-/ Instantly satisfying.
7/ Cives strength:energy.
</ )aintains the (ody I maintains the functions of the (ody .
0/ Increases longevity.
1/ Increases the .igestive fire Vitality Recollecting 2ower I O#a .
?* T"26! OB .I6T
There are four ty&es of diet
i/ That which can (e drunk
ii/ That which can (e licked
iii/ 6asily chewa(le e.g. Rice etc.
iv/ Aard food su(stances which need to (e chewed e.g. !ugarcane meat.
!ome have given 9 ty&es in addition to the four stated a(ove :
v/ which should (e sucked e.g. )ango.
vi/ @hich needs mastication (y teeth these include very hard food materials e.g.
various nuts.
!ome have stated > ty&es : forms of food : .iet. In addition to the a(ove 9.
vii/ Those which can only (e eaten after (eing grinded into &owder various &astes etc.
viii/ Bood su(stances like !uger candy etc.

@* $ccording to 4ature .iet has (een classified into 7 ty&es Aeavy .iet I Fight diet.
Rain water Raktashali ,Red rice/ !athe !ali ,Old rice/ )udga 6ina ,(lack deer/ I lava
,kind of (ird und in airid regions/ are light : laghu.
)ilk sugarcane fresh Rice %dad, (lack gram/ I meat of the animals from $noo& .esh
land with a(undant water I &lantation ,)arshy lands e?uatorial Rain forests/ are considered
to (e Curu ,Aeavy/

A* Seven Conce't of )iet
The following &oints are im&ortant in the making the .iet com&lete ,&romoting health/ or
im&ro&er' ,giving Rise to various diseases/.
-/ 5asic nature : &ro&erties of the food
7/ +om(ination of 7 or more food material changes the ?ualities : &ro&erties of
food material.
</ .ue to (oiling roasting etc. there is change in the &ro&erties of the food.
0/ Tuantity of food we take.
1/ Region has 7 meanings the region where the food is (eing taken I
!econdly region means the area the food is (een &roduced affects the
&ro&erties of food material.
9/ The time when one takes the food.
=/ The order in which one takes the food.

B* TM" O& TA4$# )"T
2ro&er e*cretion of urine I !tools .oshas go to the there res&ective sthanas i.e sites
strotasas are clean and free from (lockage I indriyas i.e. sense organs are shar& and
attentive one feels lightness of (ody 5elching with &ro&er smell to it. @ith &ro&er e*cretion
of $&aan vayu Aeart (ecomes 4irdosha i.e. we feel like eating I drinking.
@hen all the a(ove signs are &resent then only one should eatK as this is the &ro&er time for
taking the diet.
It is said that when the .oshas go to their own res&ective &laces I the !trotaras ,channels/
(ecome clean then only one should take Bood.
,UA$TT/ O& &OO) TO !" TA4"$
It is decided according to digestive ca&acity of $gni. If $gni is weak then one should take food
only once or should take food in less ?uantity.
Bood taken once i.e. at one time which gets digested com&letely I &ro&erly is said to (e
)atra:Tuantity of food to (e taken.
+onsidering four &arts of the !tomach one should take food such that 7 &arts of the !tomach
get filled (y the food taken one &art to (e filled (y water or other li?uid matter I one &art
should (e ke&t free for the Vayu : Cas to move .
One should take diet in &ro&er ?uantity. The ?uantity of diet to (e taken de&ends on the
digestion ca&acity of the &erson which varies from &erson to &erson I so does the )atra.
<C* The amount of food which without distur(ing the e?uili(rium of dhatus I doshas of the
(ody gets digested as well as meta(oli3ed in &ro&er time is to (e regarded as the &ro&er
?uantity.
The &ro&er ?uantity of food does de&end u&on the nature of food articles. If the food article is
heavy only three fourth or half of the stomach ca&acity is to (e filled u&. 6ven in the case of
light food articles e*cessive intake is not conducive to the maintenance of the &ower of
digestion I meta(olism.
MPORTA$C" O& &OO) TA4"$ $ PROP"R ,UA$TT/
Taken in $&&ro&riate ?uantity food certainly hel&s the individual in (ringing a(out strength
com&le*ion ha&&iness I longevity without distur(ing the e?uili(rium of dhatus I doshas of the
(ody.
ndicated &ood 20
One should regularly , can take everyday/ take !hastika ,a kind of rice harvested in si*ty
days/ !ali ,ory3a sativum/ yellow gram food cooked in Rock !alt $malaka ,em(lica
officinalis/ Rain @ater Chee )eat of animals dwelling in arid climate I Aoney.
Contradicted &ood 2
One should not regularly take heavy articles such as dried meat dry vegeta(les lotus
rhi3omes I lotus stalk. One should never take meat of a diseased animal. )oreover one
should not regularly take (oiled (uttermilk ins&issiated milk with &ork (eef meat of (uffalo
with fish curd I (arley.
OR)"R $ .HCH O$" SHOU() TA4" TH" )"T
Birst one should eat food of sweet taste for the &ur&ose of Vata 2itta &acification. !weet taste
is hel&ful for &acification of vata dosha &resent in the digestive tract or intestines.
Then one should take sour I salty su(stances for they do the function of increasing the
digestive #uices. Fastly one should take food of (itter and &ungent taste for the &ur&ose of
&acification of ;a&ha .
One should take fruits like &omegranate first in the diet. Then one should take li?uid material
I then lastly semisolid I solid food.
"#HT &ACTORS )"T"RM$$# TH" UT(T/ &OO)8
The 6ight factors which determine the utility or otherwise of various ty&es of food are.
-/ nature of food articles
7/ method of their &rocessing
</ com(ination
0/ Tuantity
1/ Aa(itat
9/ Time
=/ Rules governing intake of food.
>/ @holesomeness to individual who takes it.
<;* RU("S &OR TA4$# &OO)
Aealthy individuals as well as &atients should o(serve the following:
@hile having food articles which are most wholesome (y natureK one should eat only that
food in &ro&er ?uantity which is hot unctuous I not contradictory in &otency I that too after
the digestion of the &revious meal food should (e taken in &ro&er &lace with all the
accessories without talking I laughing with concentration of mind I &aying due regard to
oneself not too fast or too slowly.
m'ortant Rules And Regulations Related to )iet
-/ 6at to live (ut dont live to eat.
7/ 6at food which is (eneficial.
</ 6at food in a moderate ?uantity.
0/ .ont eat food &ro&erties of which are not known to you.
1/ .ont eat food in a hurry or when you are in a distur(ed state of mind full of tensions
strains and emotional out(reaks. Regain &eace of mind and then en#oy food with ha&&y and
hearty mood.
9/ @ash your hands feet and mouth using clean utensils in a clean &lace which is well
lighted and well'ventilated.
=/ Bill half ?uantity of stomach with food one fourth ?uantity with water and li?uid
su(stances and kee& the remaining one fourth for air.
>/ $ &erson who takes only one full meal a day is called "ogee ,or "oga &ractitioner/. Ae
takes light (reakfast in the morning and the healthy and ha&&y life.
G/ $ &erson who takes two full meals in a day is called 5hogiE i.e. a lusty and greedy
&erson who lives mostly to eat and suffers from illness and or ill health from time to time.
-8/ $ &erson who takes full meals more than two times is called Rogee or a sick &erson. Ae
a gluttonous &erson and lives only to eat. Ae is always sick and away from health.
--/ .ont do yogic e*ercises immediately after taking food. It is safe to do them three hours
after taking food. It is (etter therefore to do "ogic e*ercise early morning or in the evening
when the stomach is em&ty.
-7/ .ont take food immediately after doing yogic e*ercises (ut one hour after doing them.
-</ .ont go to (ed immediately after taking su&&er wait for a minimum of one hour after it.
-0/ $ccording to $yurveda well (alanced diet consists of food stuffs having si* tastes namely
!weet !our !alty 2ungent 5itter and $stringent.
)iet and Mind 2
"ogic and $yurvedic as&ects. )odern .ietetic consideration is only related to (ody. 5ut it is a
uni?ueness of "ogashastra and $yurveda which shows intimate relationshi& (etween diet and
mind. 5oth the sciences assert with &roofs that diet affects mentality of a human (eing. !atva
,virtue/ Ra#a ,$ggressive desire/ and Tama ,Ignorant sloth/ are the (asic ?ualities of mind.
!atvaguna is always strengthening invigorating and vitalising. !atvaguna e*&resses
essence understanding &urity clarity com&assion and love. Ra#oguna im&lies movement
aggressiveness and e*troversion and it o&erates on a sensual level. Tamoguna manifests
ignorance inertia heaviness and dullness.
!atvaguna is a &ositive virtue and it strengthens and sta(ili3es mind. Ra#oguna and
Tamoguna are negative attri(utes which desta(ilise and weaken the mind. "et all the three
attri(utes are re?uired of course in a (alanced state and having a strong control of satvaguna
are necessary for normal functioning of the mind.
$s the final goal of yoga &ractitioner is elevation and u&lifting of mental faculties to attain
eternal (liss or moksha he:she should do everything to go on increasing his satvaguna
through &ro&er diet and good (ehaviour. "oga (ecomes the destroyer of all woes and sorrows
and can (e accom&lished only (y him who is regulated and moderate in diet and recreation
regulated in s&eech and actions and regulated in thinking and slee&ing too.
The Taste Process
The first su(#ective e*&erience of a su(stance on the tongue is taste ,rasa/. $ short time later
one feels heating or cooling energy ,virya/. Binally the su(stances have an action on urine
fasces and sweat ,vi'ak/. Bor instance for hot chilli &e&&ers one immediately e*&eriences
its &ungent taste ,rasa/ and heating energy ,virya/ o(serving a (urning sensation in the
faces and urine ,vi&aka/ .
Virya D Aeating or +ooling 6nergy
@hen any medicinal her( or food su(stance is &ut in the mouth the first e*&erience is its
taste. Fater and in some cases immediately you feel its heating or cooling energy either in
the mouth or stomach. This change is all due to its action or &otent energy called Virya.
5y e*&erience one can form general rules a(out what a taste Ofeels likeO in the (ody. Bor
e*am&le the sweet taste has a cooling energy due to its heaviness. This action &rovokes
kapha and is &leasing to pitta and vata. 5ut there are occasional e*ce&tions to this rule.
Aoney is sweet (ut have heating energy. This une*&ected effect is termed Prabhav. In this
same way sour taste is usually heating e*&ect in the instance of lime which is cooling.
Vipak D 2ost'.igestive 6ffect
The final &ost'digestive effect of the taste on the (ody mind and consciousness is called
Vipak. @hile sweet and salty taste have a sweet vipak sour taste has a sour vipak (ut that
of &ungent (itter and astringent tastes are all &ungent. ;nowledge of the energy and &ost'
digestive effect of food or medicinal her(s makes understanding of its action on (odily system
easy. This knowledge (eing essential for (oth healing and cooking.
Prabhav D !&ecific %ne*&lained $ction
@hen two su(stances of similar taste energy and &ost'digestive effect show entirely different
action it is called &ra(hav. There is no logical e*&lanation for this. $ll gem stones crystals
and mantras aid healing due to their prabhav.
rabhav is therefore the s&ecific dynamic hidden action of the awareness &resent in the
su(stance.
)iet Planning
Choice of &ood
In &lanning the diet it is necessary to know which food to have or avoid (ased on ones
&ersonal doshic constitution or im(alance. Bor easy reference therefore some of the
acce&ta(le and avoida(le items for each doshic ty&e has (een listed (elow:
Ta(le -G
&ruits
1ata Pitta 4a'ha
$o /es $o /es $o /es
a&&les $vocades a&&les,sour/ a&&les,sweet/ (ananas a&&les
dates gra&es (erries,sour/ (erries,sweet/ dates (erries
figs ,dry/ lemons cran(erries coconuts gra&es cran(er
ries
&omegranate (ananas straw(erries dates water melons &omegr
anates
raisin sweet oranges (anana figs sweetners dried
fruits
&ears 2lum lemon avocados melons straw(e
rries in
small
amount
s
figs ,fresh/ &eaches sweet melons mango
mango &lums coconut
&omegranates
)airy
1ata Pitta 4a'ha
cheese dairy yogurt fresh ghee milk #ust a
little
dairy
cows milk Bresh whole sour cream fresh whole un'
homogeni3ed
milk
clarified (utter
cheese
goat
milk
and
ghee in
modera
tion
&owdered un'homogeni3ed
milk

yogurt Chee
little (utter
white meat
,chicken fish or
turkey (aked or
(roiled/

chicken (roth
#rains

1ata Pitta 4a'ha


5arley white or (rown
(asmati rice
+orn white or (rown
(asmati rice
wheat
5read,with
yeast/
(arley
(uckwh
eat
cousou
s millet

corn wheat millet (arley oat,cooked/ muesli

cereals Oats oat,dry/ oat (ran wheat oats

granola ?uinoa ?uinoa oats white rice oat
(ran

millet &olenta wheat or wheat
(ran
cane small
amount
of
wheat

ta&ioca

Meat

1ata Pitta 4a'ha


turkey white meat
,chicken fish and
turkey ' (aked or
(roiled/
meat
ra((it chicken (roth chicken
&ork ducks
lam( eggs
&ork
salmon
sardines
(aked or (roiled
chicken turkey or
white fish in
moderate
amounts
(eef fresh
water
fish

(uffalo shrim&

chicken ra((it

duck venison

small
amount
of white
meat

1egeta%les

1ata Pitta 4a'ha


+a((age,
raw/
(eets 5eet as&aragus +ucum(er as&arag
us

+auliflow
er,raw/
cauliflower,cooke
d/
greens (roccoli Olives (eets

2eas Feeks +arrots ca((age 2otato (itter

2otatoes carrots Carlic cucum(er 2um&kin melons

!&inach as&aragus Creen +hillies cooked onions !&aghetti (roccoli

6gg&lant cilantro Onion sweet !?uash (eet
greens

)ushroo
m
fennel and a little
(it of garlic
2e&&ers &otatoes Tomato,raw/ ca((ag
e

Raddish,r
aw/
green (eans 2rickly &ear s&routs garlic

!&inach greens chillies Radishes s?uash and a
small amount of
okra and
cauliflower
fennel

Tomatoes
,raw/
Okra !&inach carrot

&arsni&s Turni&s horsera
dish

&um&kins leafy
greens

radishes,
&refera(ly
cooked/
leeks

lettuce

okra

cooked
onions

s&inach

s&routs

s?uash

turni&
and a
small
amount
of
artichok
e
(urdock
root
and
(russel
s
s&routs

S'ices

1ata Pitta 4a'ha


+arawas

$#wan $#wan 5lack &e&&er
$lmond e*tract $nise cardamom
$ruise $safoctida coriander
5asil 5asil seeds
5ay leaf 5ay leaf cinnamon
5lack &e&&er Carlic cilantro
$ll s&ices are
good.
Cinger fennel seeds
cilantro cummin
corriander and
fennel seeds
turmeric and
asafoetida,hing/
)ace fresh (asil
2i&&ai dill
)ustard turmeric and a
small amount of
cumin and fresh
ginger
!eeds

!alt chillies

ginger
cinnam
on
clove
fenugre
ek and
(ay
leaves

$#awan

$rvise

$safoeti
da

5ay leaf

+arawa
y

+innam
on

.ill

)ace

4utmeg

!affron

$uts

1ata Pitta 4a'ha


4one small amount of
almonds
$lmonds
&ecans and
sesame seeds
+ashew
2eanuts
2inenuts

sunflower seeds
and almonds in
moderate amount
$lmonds small
amount
of
almond
s

5lack @alnuts charole

5ra3il nuts

Bil(erts

Aa3elnuts

2eanuts

2ine nuts

@alnuts

Uneasy Com%inations for all %ody ty'es
The ne*t im&ortant factor re?uiring attention in the &lanning of diet is the incom&ati(ility of certain
com(inations of food that distur( the normal functioning of gastric fire and interfere with the e?uili(rium of
the three doshas there(y creating to*ins ,ama/ the root cause of all ailments. $ list of the same is
indicated (elow :
Ta(le 78
Milk 6ith fish meat curd sour fruits (read containing yeast cherries yogurt
Melons 6ith grains starch fried foods dairy &roducts
Starches 6ith eggs tea dairy (ananas dates most fruits
Honey 6ith when mi*ed with an e?ual amount of clarified (utter (oiled or cooked
honey
Radishes 6ith milk (ananas raisins
$ightshades 6ith &otato yogurt milk melon cucum(er tomato egg&lant
/ogurt 6ith milk sour fruits melons hot drinks meat fish mangos starch cheese
"ggs 6ith milk meat yogurt melons cheese fish (ananas
&ruit 6ith with any other food
Corn 6ith dates raisins (ananas
(emon 6ith yogurt milk cucum(ers tomatoes
TH" THRT""$ CHA$$"(S O& CRCU(ATO$
The (ody contains numerous channels through which the dhatus doshas and malas
circulate known as strotas in $yurveda these consist of (oth gross channels such as the
intestinal tract lym&hatic system arteries veins and the genitor'urinary tracts as well as the
more su(tle channels such as the ca&illaries., mentioned earlier in malas as
mootravahastrotas etc/
In $yurveda a com&le* system of diagnosis is em&loyed to trace the root cause of disease.
The diagnosis of all diseases is (ased on which of the individual doshas are com&romised
and which channels are o(structed. $n e*cess of any one dosha can create a s&ill'over effect
in the (ody. Thus a disease originating from one vitiated dosha is a(le to travel through the
channels to the site of another dosha. .osha e*cesses can also create (lockages in the
channels there(y o(structing their normal flow.
)en have thirteen grou&s of channels and women have fifteen. Of the thirteen common
grou&s of (odily channels the first three are the channels through which the air ,or (reath/
food and water travelK these are governed (y Vata 2itta ;a&ha res&ectively.
Air Channels0 'ranavahastrotas
The (odys air channels originate in the heart and the alimentary tract and conduct &ranic
force and vitality through the res&iration and circulation systems. These channels (ecome
im&aired (y the su&&ression of natural (odily urges (y ingesting dry or stale food and (y
e*cessive &hysical e*ertion. !ym&toms e*&ressed (y vitiated air channels are shallow and
restricted (reathing fear an*iety and nervous tension.
&ood Channels0 annavahastrotas
Bood channels originate in the stomach and carry food through the digestive system.
%ntimely or indiscriminate eating unhealthy foods and low digestive fire cause vitiation of
these channels. The sym&toms of afflicted food channels are loss of a&&etite indigestion
vomiting anore*ia greed and &ossessiveness.
.ater Channels0 udakavahastrotas
@ater channels originate in the &alate and &ancreas and regulate the (odys fluid.
O(struction of these &assages is caused (y e*cessive e*&osure to heat e*cessive use of
alcohol or other addictive su(stances and ingesting very dry foods. The sym&toms of vitiation
are e*cessive thirst dryness of li&s throat tongue and &alate as well as selfishness and
dullness.
The following seven grou&s of channels service each of the (odys seven dhatus. Fike the
dhatus the nature of these channels range from the most gross ,megasco&ic/ to the most
su(tle ,)icrosco&ic cellular level/
Rasa -Plasma* Channels0 rasavahastrotas
2lasma channels (egin in the heart and its several (lood vessels and trans&ort chyle and
&lasma to the rasa ,&lasma/ dhatu ,all over the (ody/. O(struction of these &assages is
caused (y stress grief and e*cessively cold and heavy foods. The sym&toms of vitiations are
anore*ia drowsiness nausea fainting and anaemia im&otency stress and grief.
Rakta -!lood* Channels0 raktavahastrotas
5lood channels originate in the liver and s&leen and trans&ort (lood to the rakta dhatu ,all
over the (ody/. This grou& of channels is often referred to as the circulatory system. Vitiation
of this system is caused (y hot and oily foods e*cessive e*&osure to the sun or fire and
e*&osure to radioactivity. The sym&toms of vitiation are skin diseases and rashes a(scesses
e*cessive (leeding and inflammation of the genital organs and anus. The emotional
sym&toms are anger dullness and aggressiveness.
Mamsa -Muscular* Channels 0 mamsavahastrotas
)uscular channels which originate in the ligaments tendons and skin su&&ly nutrients to
the muscle dhatu ,all over the (ody/. Im&airment of these channels is due to regular intake of
heavy greasy foods e*cessive slee& slee&ing after meals and sedentary lifestyle. The
sym&toms of vitiation are usually (enign tumors &roduced (y the muscular system tonsillitis
a swollen uvula hemorrhoids and swelling of the thyroid glands and adenoids. The emotional
sym&toms are lack of mental clarity and nervous tension.
Meda -&at* Channels 0 medavahastrotas
Bat channels commonly known as the adi&ose system originate in the kidneys and the
omentum. They su&&ly fat tissue ingredients to the )eda dhatus ,all over the (ody/. Vitiation
of this system is due to su&&ression of digestive activities and e*cess of fatty foods alcohol
and other addictive su(stances. The sym&toms of affliction are generally dia(etes urinary
disorders and &ossessiveness.
Asthi -!one and Cartilage* Channels 0 asthivahastrotas
5one and cartilage channels commonly known as the skeletal system (egin in the hi&(one
and su&&ly nutritive ingredients to the asthi ,(one and cartilage/ dhatus ,all over the (ody/.
$ffliction of these channels is generally caused (y e*cessive activity friction of the (ones and
e*cessive intake of food which is e dry cold or stale. !ome sym&toms of vitiation are dry
flaky nails and decaying teeth &ainful #oints dry and thinning hair and feelings of de&rivation
and fear.
Ma33a -!one Marro6* Channels 0 ma33avahastrotas
The (one marrow channels commonly referred to as the central nervous system su&&ly the
marrow and nerve tissue nutrients to the )a##a ,(one marrow/ dhatus ,all over the (ody/. In
$yurveda the marrow is not only the matter found in the (one encasement ,called white and
red marrow/ (ut is also found in the (rain and s&inal cord. Im&airment of the (ones and #oints
is generally caused (y consum&tion of uneasy com(ination foods such as the use of animal
foods with milk or hot and cold su(stances taken together trauma and in#ury which in turn
affect the (one marrow. The sym&toms of vitiation are fainting di33iness loss of memory
(lackouts and com&ound a(scesses.
Shukra -Ovum and S'erm* Channels 0 shukravahastrotas
The ovum and s&erm channels are su(tler than the nine &receding channel grou&s.
Originating in the testes and ovaries these channels are ordinarily referred to as the
re&roductive system. They trans&ort the semen ovum and o#as essence to the male and
female tissues. $ffliction of these &assages is normally the result of unwholesome activities
such as e*cessive or su&&ressed se* unnatural se* se* at im&ro&er times like during
menstruation and &regnancy drug addictions and a(ortions. The sym&toms of vitiation are
im&otency infertility and defective &regnancy. The emotional sym&toms are se*ual &erverted
indulgences selfishness and aggression.
The remaining grou&s of channels common to (oth the male and female are the (odys three
elimination systems.
Urinary Channels 0 mootravahastrotas
The urinary channels (eing in the kidneys and (ladder e#ect urine from the (ody. Im&airment
of these &assages is caused (y the su&&ression of urination. The sym&toms of vitiation are
generally e*cessive scanty or fre?uent urination as well as fears an*ieties and
nervousness.
"Ecretory Channels 0 'urishvahastrotas
The e*cretory channels ordinarily referred to as the e*cretory system originate in the colon
and rectum. They evacuate feces from the (ody. Vitiation of these channels is caused (y
weak digestive fire eating (efore the &revious meal is digested su&&ression of defecation
and ingesting food of o&&osite ?uality. The sym&toms of affliction are usually diarrhea
consti&ation or e*cessively hard stools. The emotional sym&toms are e*ecessive attachment
dullness and fear.
S6eat Channels 0 s6edavahastrotas
The last of the e*cretory channels commonly known as the se(aceous system originate in
the fat tissue and hair follicles and e*&el sweat from the (ody. $ffliction of these channels is
caused (y e*cessive activity heat s&icy foods acidic foods e*cessive alcohol other
addictive su(stances grief fear and anger. The sym&toms of vitiation are e*cess &ers&iration
or no &ers&iration rough and dry skin (urning sensation of the skin aggressiveness or
dullness.
&emale Channels
Two additional channels e*ist within the female (ody: the menstrual channel which e*&els
(lood secretions and tissue de(ris from the uterus and the (reast milk channel which
carries milk to the nourishing mothers (reast. These two channels are (oth &art of the
&lasma channel which su&&ly the &lasma dhatus ,rasa dhatu/.
@hen the channels are (locked their corres&onding doshas:dhatus:mala and u&dhatus
(ecome vitiated. (as m!ntion!d b!%or! air, %ood and &at!r #hann!"s ar! gov!rn!d by vata,
pitta and kapha r!sp!#tiv!"y, a"so r!%!r to th! #hart o% primary dhatu, updhatu and ma"a) The
cleansing thera&ies of &ancha karma restore order to the system (y clearing away to
o(stacles so that the doshas can flow as they should.
Ayurvedic !ody Ty'es
PRA4RT
The $yurvedic te*ts &rovided s&ecific guidelines to hel& us identify our constitutional nature.
These guidelines ena(le us to live wisely on the earth while safeguarding our health. Brom
the three doshas Vata 2itta and ;a&ha seven (ody ty&es were originally identified. Our
(ody ty&e which is determined at (irth is our constitutional nature our prakriti. This &rakriti is
derived from the &articular com(inations and &ermutations of the five elements in the s&erm
and ovum that e*ist during conce&tion ,ref to the chart (elow/. Once (irth has made its
elemental im&rint we cannot alter it without adversely affecting our (alance of well'(eing.
The human constitution or &rakriti is com&rised of all three doshas. This means that every
individual has within himself the dynamic forces of Vata 2itta and ;a&ha. The difference
(etween individuals is the degree to which the three doshas interact with one another within
each (ody ty&e. Only our &hysio'&sychological as&ects change influenced as they are (y
social environmental and cultural factors o&erating in our lives and as well as (y our
&ersonal choices.
The Seven Original !ody Ty'es
Originally $yurveda defined seven (ody ty&es. These were Vata 2itta ;a&ha !ama Vata'
;a&ha Vata'2itta and 2itta';a&ha. The first three ty&es occur in their &ure from very rarely
so seldom is it that anyone is &rimarily influenced (y one dosha alone. 6ven more infre?uent
is the !ama dosha ,all three doshas in (alance/. )ore common are the com(ination (ody
ty&es referred to as dual &rakriti i.e. Vata';a&ha Vata'2itta and 2itta';a&ha. In more recent
times these three dual ty&es have (een e*&anded to include si* dual ty&es. 5y reversing the
two doshas within each dual ty&e and considering it a se&arate ty&e i.e. ;a&ha'Vata 2itta'
Vata ;a&ha'2itta. $ &erson who has (oth Vata and 2itta dominant may therefore (e either a
Vata'2itta or 2itta'Vata ty&e de&ending on which of the two doshas is more dominant.
5ecause the (ody ty&es are the (asis from which all $yurvedic diagnosis (egins they are
e*&lained here in some detail. This e*&lanation is also intended to hel& you (etter understand
your own &ersonal constitution.
"lemental Source of !ody Ty'es
Rare 5ody Ty&es
-/ Vata air:s&ace
7/ 2itta fire:water
</ ;a&ha water:earth
0/ !ama (alance of all three doshas
J$OT"' The relation (etween dosha I their elements refer to the cha&ter on TRIC%4$ ta(le
no.- I ta(le no.7
.ual 5ody Ty&es ,original classification/
-/ Vata:2itta air:s&ace mainK fire:water su(ordinate
7/ Vata:;a&ha air:s&ace mainK water:earth su(ordinate
</ 2itta:;a&ha fire:water mainK water:earth su(ordinate
$dditional .ual 5ody Ty&es ,recogni3ed (y contem&orary &ractitioners/
-/ 2itta:Vata fire:water mainK air:s&ace su(ordinate
7/ ;a&ha:Vata water:earth mainK air:s&ace su(ordinate
</ ;a&ha:2itta water:earth mainK fire:water su(ordinate
!ody Ty'e ,ualities
1ATA -like 6ind* 4a'ha -like 6ater* Pitta -like fire*
dry oily hot
cold cool oily
light heavy light
mo(ile sta(le intense
erratic dense fluid
rough smooth smelly
(itter sweet sour
astringent sour &ungent
&ungent salty salty
Ta(le -8
Characteristics of %ody ty'es
Bor a (etter understanding of your $yurvedic constitution and to cross'check the results of the
test listed (elow are the &rinci&al &hysical and &sychological characteristics of &ersons with
the &redominant single dosha constitution.

V$T$ ' 2hysically such &eo&le are very tall or very short non' muscular with thin and (ony
lim(s and have a ?uick gait with short fast ste&s. !kin is generally thin darkish and cool. The
hair is thin dark coarse and either kinky or curly. The face is usually long and angular often
with an underdevelo&ed chin. The neck is thin and scrawny. 4ose is small and narrow. )ay
(e long crooked or asymmetrical also. 6yes tend to (e small narrow or sunken dark (rown
or grey in colour with dull lustre. The mouth (eing small with thin narrow or tight li&s. Teeth
are irregular &rotruding or (roken set in receding gums. $nd while the voice is weak low or
cracked s&eech is fast with interru&tions.
Creativity F "nthusiasm F &reedom F #enerosity F 5oy F 1itality
Vata &eo&le have restless minds and weak memories. They avoid confrontation. Aave active
and sensitive natures and e*&ress themselves through s&ort and creative &ursuits. Fikely to
(e artistic and creative with a good imagination they will sometimes overindulge in &leasures.
$nd are se*ually the very active. Bearful worrisome and an*ious they are into ?uestioning
theorising and over'analysis. Often dissatisfied with and una(le to sustain friendshi&s they
s&end money ?uickly often on trifles. @ith light interru&ted slee& of 1'= hours a day.

2ITT$ ' $ moderately well develo&ed &hysi?ue with muscular lim(s and a &ur&oseful sta(le
gait of medium s&eed. @ith a loud strong voice and &recise convincing s&eech. The skin is
fair soft lustrous warm and tends to (urn easily in the sun has freckles many moles and
a tendency to rashes. $nd the (odies are hot and sweaty. +haracterised (y fine and soft
either fair or reddish: light (rown hair that tends to grey soon. Bace is heart'sha&ed often with
a &ointed chin. @hile the neck is &ro&ortionate and of average si3e. $ neat &ointed and
average si3ed nose matches the average si3ed eyes that are either light (lue light grey or
ha3el in colour with an intense lustre which gets red in summer or after (athing. The mouth
(eing medium with average li&s and medium'si3ed yellowish teeth.
Am%ition F Concentration F Confidence F Courage F "nthusiasm for kno6ledge F
Ha''iness F ntelligence
Pittas have an intellectual and &recise dis&osition due to a very alert focussed mind. !har&
and knife'like in anger they are irrita(le #ealous and aggressive (y nature. .iscriminating and
#udgemental they are articulate learned and &roud. @ith a develo&ed sense of res&onsi(ility
they can take decisions and organise affairs well. $rgumentative (ut with a sense of humour
their selectively e*cellent memory makes them fast learners. )oderately &assionate in their
se*ual &ursuits they s&end moderately usually on lu*uries.

;$2A$ ' $ thick (road well'develo&ed frame and large long lim(s go well with a &leasant
dee& and resonant voice with low slow rhythmic s&eech. The skin is usually thick oily &ale
or white and cold. 2lentiful thick wavy lustrous and generally (rown:(lack hair is set on a
large rounded and full face. The neck is solid with a near tree'trunk ?uality. $ large rounded
nose and large attractive (lue or light (rown : (lack color of eyes are found in a mouth that
is large with (ig full li&s. Teeth too are (ig and white and set in strong gums.
Caring F Centeredness F Com'assion F Contentment F &aith F &ulfillment F
#roundedness F Patience F Sense of %eing nourished F Sta%ility F Su''ort F
Tenderness
apha &redominated &eo&le are calm steady considerate ' sta(le &atient &ersonalities they
are slow to anger. 4ot easily &rovoked once angry they do not calm down easily. They are
honoura(le true to their word and avoid lies. Foyal forgiving and understanding they can (e
lethargic even la3y if not driven (y others. Fearning may (e slow (ut memory will (e strong.
6*cellent in logical analysis they take time (efore reaching conclusions. Fong hours of dee&
slee& and a strong enduring se* drive come naturally. @hile they do save money it does get
s&ent on food. $nd there can at times (e an element of dullness given that a kapha mind is
usually too content to seek fresh mental stimulation
$urturing ReGuirements
1ATA2 4urtured (y the elements fire water and earth
moist sweet
heavy salty
smooth sour
hot
PTTA2 4urtured (y the elements water air s&ace and earth
cool sweet
(itter
aromatic astringent
calming
4APHA2 4urtured (y the elements fire air and s&ace
dry &ungent
warm (itter
light astringent
Ta(le --
)oHs and )onHts
R"M")"S 1ATA PTTA 4APHA
Bood
@arm well cooked
food. !weet sour
and salty tastes
@arm to cool rather
than steaming hot.
!weet (itter and
astringent tastes.
.ecreased ?uantities of warm
food.2ungent (itter and
astringent taste. Aealthy ;a&ha
ty&es should o(serve fast one
day &er week.
Oil )assage
@ith calming and
warming oils such as
)ahanarayan Oil etc.
@ith cooling oils such
as chandan(ala
Fa*adi oil etc.
@ith stimulating oils such as
sahacharadi oil etc.
6*ercise
)oderate e*ercise
such as yoga
walking and light
weights
)oderate e*ercise
which may include
#ogging swimming
"oga cycling and
weight lifting Regular and vigorous.
Aer(al .ietary
su&&lements
$shwagandha
shatavari haritaki
Cuggul Trikatu Vata
tea +alming Tea.
Aaritaki 5humiamla
+hyavan&rash
surakta sito&ladi
churan&itta Tea.
Cuggul sito&ladi churan trikatu
chyavan&rash ;a&ha Tea.
&actors that increase vata
6*&osure to cold lack of routine in your life eating too much dry fro3en or leftover food or
food with (itter &ungent or astringents taste.
Basting too much traveling too much or ina&&ro&riate e*ercise su&&ressing natural urges
a(dominal surgery.
4ot oiling the skin.
&actors that increase 'itta
6*&osure to heat eating too much red meat salt s&icy or sour foods. Indigestion and
irregularity of meals. 6*ercising at midday .rugs es&ecially anti(iotics.
Too much intellectual work:thinking. $lcohol Batigue. $nger Aate fear.
&actors that increase ka'ha
6*&osure to cold eating too much sweet meat fats cheese milk ice cream yogurt fried
food e*cessive use of salt. 6*cessive intake of water taking na&s after meals. .oing nothing
.!edative and tran?uili3ers. .ou(ts greed and &ossessiveness.
)etermining /our Ayurvedic !ody Ty'e
Cenerally everyone &ossesses characteristics from all three categories of (ody ty&e
although one or two will usually &redominate. $&&roach the chart (elow honestly. Remem(er
that your evaluation will (e coloured (y the ?ualities of your &resent lifestyle. !i* week after
making the necessary changes in your diet and daily activities and doing the cleansing as
given in the forthcoming &ages re'do the 5ody Ty&e chart. The latter res&onse will (e more
in kee&ing with your true constitutional nature.
.irections : )ove hori3ontally across each of the sections set out in the chart (elow and circle
the attri(utes that you feel most accurately reflect you. +hoose at least one from each
section. $sk a s&ouse &arent or friend to assist you with the 6motional +haracteristics
&ortion of the assessment so that your choices will (e as o(#ective as &ossi(le. )en are
advised to seek the assistance of a women a s&ouse a friend or mother for (oth the
2hysical +haracteristics and 6motional +haracteristics section of the chart. Then moving
down each of the three columns count how many characteristics you circled for each (ody
ty&e. @hich ever column yields the highest score indicated your $yurvedic (ody ty&e. Bor
e*am&le if your scores are -1 for Vata -7 for 2itta and 1 for ;a&ha then your $yurvedic
(ody ty&e is Vata:2itta.
Ta(le -7
!O)/ T/P" CHART2 PH/SCA( CHARACT"RSTCS
)osha 1ATA PTTA 4APHA
5ody Brame Thin irregular very
short or very tall
)edium &ro&ortionate
toned
Aeavy (oard evenly
&ro&ortioned
@eight Aard to gain easy to
lose
6asy to gain 6asy to lose 6asy to gain Aard to
loose
!kin +old dark or dusky @arm and reddish
sun(urns easily
+ool fair or oily tans
easily
Aair .ry fri33y thin dark thin fine reddish
&remature (alding or
graying
Oily wavy thick
lusturous.
6yes 5rown gray or
unusual color
smallnervous eyes
Creen ha3el light (rown
&eircing eyes
5lack (lue dark
(rown (ig sensual
eyes
4ails .ry grayish
rough(rittle
+lear well formedsoft
&ink
!?uare white even
$&&etite Irregular Intense +onsistent
6vacuation +onsti&ated irregular
small ?uantity
Foose regular large
?uantitysoft
regular moderate
?uantity
!weat !canty 2rofuse )oderate
!tamina 2oor e*ertive )oderate driven 6*cellent
!lee& 2oor varia(le )oderate light Fong dee&
$ctivity Aighrestless moderate Fow moves slow
!ensitivities +old dryness wind Aeat sunlight fire +old dam&
Immune
function
Fow varia(le )oderate sensitive to
heat
Aigh
.isease
tendancy
2ain Bever inflammation +ongestion oedema
Ta(le -<
!O)/ T/P" CHART2 "MOTO$A( CHARACT"RSTCS
Mental
characters 1ata Pitta 4a'ha
Tem&erament Bearful indecisive
nervous &erce&tive
$ngry intelligent
arrogant successful
calm sta(le
stu((orn
)emory Fearns ?uickly Fearns ?uickly Fearns slowly
Borgets ?uickly?uick (ut
a(sentminded
Borgets slowly shar& I
clear
Borgets slowly
slow (ut study
!&eech 6rratic talkativefast .ecisive
articulateshar&
!low cautious
melodious
Baith Varia(le erratic !trong determined !teady slow to
change
.reams Blying fearful erratic
fre?uent
Biery violent
intensemoderate
@atery sensual
infre?uent long
se?uences
!e*uality +old varia(le Aot intense @arm enduring
2ositive emotions ada&ta(ility courage Fove
4egative
emotions
Bear anger $ttachment
!u&erior ?ualities are allotted to the ;a&ha (ody ty&e as far as &hysical and emotional
characteristics are concerned. 5ut when (ody ty&es concerned with more than one dosha is
concerned the sama ty&e where all the doshas are in e?ual ?uantity is the (est of all (ody
ty&es which is very rare to find.
)inacharya
In order to kee& the tridoshas in a state of healthy e?uili(rium digestion I meta(olism ,agni/
in &ro&er order Ayurveda &rescri(es for each individual a s&ecific daily routine , dina day I
acharya (ehavior/. The various stages to this daily routine as &er prakriti,constitution/ that
will ena(le you to make the most out of your life are :
Arising
!ince our (iological clocks are attuned to the rising and setting of the sun it is o(viously
(etter to awake an hour (efore sunrise in &erfect synchroni3ation to the natural clock i.e
(etween five I si* in the morning. $n ideal time to let the (ody cells soak in the strength of a
tem&ered sun to (e charged for the day. It increases the life s&an of an individual and hel&s
maintain the e?uili(rium of doshas in once (ody. .rinking a glass of Fuke'warm water hel&s
flush out all to*ins accumulated overnight in the (ody.
$atural Urges
The last &ortion of the night (eing ruled (y vata involved in the &rocess of elimination the
time (efore dawn is (est to eliminate the (odyHs &hysical waste . 2ro&er elimination also
hel&s remove the kapha that naturally accumulates overnight. .efecation once or twice daily
is the (est. 6*amine your eliminations each morning and if you notice any distur(ance
indicating &oor digestion go on a fast. It will allow the (ody rest to correct the system (efore
disease sets in.
4ever su&&ress the natural &hysical urges as elimination hunger thirst slee& snee3ing
yawning (ur&ing crying vomiting flatus and e#aculation for it will lead to discomfort and
even disease.
ORA( H/#"$"
Oral gargles
!&ecific oil gargling according to ones constitution is (eneficial for the strength of #aws de&th
of voice glow on the face and &erfect taste sensation. One who does these gargles never
gets dryness of throat cracking of li&s his teeth will (e free from cavities and (e dee&'rooted
he wont suffer from toothache and can chew the hardest of things.
H"A) O(
One who a&&lies ayurvedic her(al head oil ,according to ones (ody constitution/ on his head
does not suffer from headache (aldness hair graying. !trength of his head and forehead is
s&ecially enhanced his hair (ecomes (lack long and dee&'rooted his sense organs work
&ro&erly the skin of his face (rightens a&&lying this head oil &roduces sound slee& and
ha&&iness. This oil should (e a&&lied lukewarm at night (efore going to (ed. The (est results
for lustrous I thick hair is when the oil is washed with an ayurvedic her(al sham&oo.
O($# O& "ARS
6ar diseases due to vitiated vata like lock #aw difficulty in hearing tinnitus,whistling sound in
the ears/accumulation of wa* and deafness, also a&&ear during old age/ are &revented if
ear oil called %il6atailam is used regularly ,twice in a month /i.e dro&&ed into the ear. It also
hel&s kee& the ears clean of wa* and other e*ternal im&urities.
Massage
4ecessary for every &erson a regular self'massage ,(efore a (ath/ with her(al oils is
necessary at least twice a week (ut needs to (e su&&lemented with &rofessional attention
,ayurvedic oil massage/ occasionally. It makes the skin su&&leK controls vata (y reducing its
cold dry light rough I erratic ?ualities enhances (lood circulation encourages ?uicker
removal of meta(olic wastes and rela*es the (ody. The one who &ractices oil massage
regularly his (ody even if su(#ected to in#uries or strenuous work is not much in#ured. Ae
remains strong and charming. The ayurvedic oil massage done with &ro&er oil according to
ones constitution regularly is highly re#uvenating. Bollow the normal direction of hair growth
massage the scal& and head at least twice weekly and #ust the soles of your feet if short of
time
"Eercise
6ither &assive like massage or active like aero(ics or (oth as in yoga &osturesK regular
e*ercise increases the (odyHs stamina and resistance to disease (y facilitating the immune
system clearing all channels &romoting circulation I waste dis&osal and destroying fat.
.one regularly it can reduce an*iety . .e&ending on age I (ody ty&e kaphas can go for
heavy e*ercises pittas should do it in moderation ,aero(ics/ and vatas should &erform yoga
and not aero(ics. 4ever e*ert more than half your ca&acity. $void any kind of e*ercise during
illness #ust after a meal and without rhythmic (reathing. !wimming (risk walking and #ogging
are e*cellent o&tions.
Cleanliness 0
"&&"CTS O& HA1$# A !ATH
5athing is &urifying increases li(ido and is life'giving. In todays fast life we use soa&s which
are made of chemicals these make our skin dry and are harmful in the long run es&ecially to
children. .one after the her(al oil massage with a &ro&er her(al (ody scru( it removes
fatigue sweating and dirt. It (rings a(out strength in the (ody and is an aid &ar e*cellence for
the enhancement of o#a.
Thorough washing of the lim(s face mouth eyes I nose &urifies the (odies sense organs.
5est done with a (ath in clean water it should accom&any (rushing of the teeth ,should (e
re&eated after every meal/ scra&ing off a to*icated coating of ama from the tongue
occasional gargling of salt water with a &inch of turmeric to kee& gums mouth I throat
healthy. 2ro&er cleaning of the nose and the ears and washing the eyes should (e done.
;ee& your hair trimmed nails filed and wear clean clothes. $yurveda encourages to use
&erfumes in moderation and feel good.
TM" &OR US" O& CO((/RUM0 rasan3ana
One should regularly a&&ly the collyrium made of antimony called =rasan3ana: once in every
five or eight nights as it causes lacrymation of the eyes. 8f all the maha(hutas fire ,te#as/
dominates the eyes so they are es&ecially susce&ti(le to ka&ha ,which leads to cataract
(lurring of vision/. Therefore collyrium which alleviates ka&ha is good for kee&ing clearity of
vision.
The rasan#ana must not (e a&&lied to the eyes during the day time as the eyes weakened (y
the drainage will (e adversely affected in sunlight . Thus collyrium should (e a&&lied at night.
+haraka says $s different ty&es of tarnished gold are s&otlessly cleaned (y means of oil
cloth I (rush so also with the use of rasan#ana the eyes of human (eing (ecome s&otlessly
(right like the moon in the clear sky.
US" O& $ASA( )ROPS
One should inhale s&ecially &re&ared oil for nasal dro&s during all seasons called anu taila*.
Two dro&s of this oil should (e a&&lied in (oth the nostrils after hot water (ath or (efore going
to (ed with a cotton swa( or ear (ud.
One who &ractices this nasal dro& thera&y called nasyam in &ro&er given time and according
to the &rescri(ed method his eyes nose and ears are not effected easily (y any disease or (y
any e*ternal infection. It &revents hair graying ,hair on the head (eard eye(rows and
eyelashes/ and hair fall rather they grow lu*uriously. .iseases such as headache facial
&aralysis lock #aw rhinitis etc are treated. 5eing nourished (y inhalation of anu taila his veins
#oints ligaments and tendons of the head and neck gain greater strength. Their is glow on his
face voice (ecomes sweet esta(lished I stertorous. $ll his sense organs (ecome clear I
there is considera(le strength in them. 6ven though a &erson might (e growing older (ut the
age is not reflected on his face.
5y massaging oil on the feet roughness lethargy dryness fatigue and num(ness are
instantaneously cured. Tenderness strength and steadiness of feet are effected eye sight
(ecomes clear and vitiated vata is relieved . &revention from sciatica cracking of feet
constriction of vessels and ligaments of feet is ensured if oil massage is done on the feet.
Meditation
Ideal for disci&lining the mind and removing stress I strain it is (est done after a ?uick (ath
to cleanse yourself. +ritical in satisfying the mindHs hunger when done well it is so nourishing
that even the (ody can survive on less. +ontrol of desire or mental hunger is the key to
longevity. $nything can (e meditation so long it is sincere and heartfelt.
Clothing
In shielding from e*treme tem&eratures it tends to reflect the tem&erament of the wearer in a
society showing growing &re&onderance of the same. !hould always (e light I airy, unless it
is very cold/ and made of natural fi(ers as cotton wool linen or silk. !ince energy is (rought
into the (ody through the crown of the head and e*its from the soles of the feet e*tracting
a(normal heat from the system the &olluted energy usually collects in the footwear. !o
avoid wearing otherHs footwear try not to take shoes into the house and walk (arefoot
whenever &ossi(le. $nd wooden sandals are healthier than animal skin or ru((er shoes.
Jall the a(ove mentioned &roducts i.e oils: sham&oo etc , according to ones constitution/ can
(e ordered on our we(site .
'ound sleep is the key to good health
$4+I64T ayurvedic te*ts while dealing with right and ideal lifestyle have discussed three
&illars of life. They are ahara ,diet/ nidra ,slee&/ and (rahmacharya ,o(servance of se*ual
disci&line/. Out of these three the conce&t of &ro&er slee& finds mention in the work of every
author.
The time s&ent on slee& is likely to vary according to the age and other situations. On an
average it is (elieved that a man &asses one'third of his life aslee&. $n infant slee&s 78
hours daily whereas on an average adults re?uire seven or nine hours and an old &erson
five or seven hours of slee& in 70 hours. The re?uirement for slee& also varies individually.
There are &ersons who are Dshort'slee&ersE (ut do not show any sign of illness attri(uted to
less slee& .
Physiology of Slee'2
@hen the mind including sensory and motor organs is e*hausted and they dissociate
themselves from their o(#ects then the individual slee&s.
"ffect of Slee'2
Aa&&iness misery nourishment emaciation strength weakness virility sterility knowledge
ignorance life and death all these occur de&ending on &ro&er or im&ro&er slee&.
$ccording to !ushruta a good slee& en#oyed at &ro&er time and for &ro&er &eriod tends to
im&rove the growth strength vigor and com&le*ion of the (ody. It increases the sense of
well'(eing (y freshening the (ody and mind and also restores the natural e?uili(rium among
different (ody tissues. !o much so that the sco&e and im&ortance of good slee& has (een
e?uated with the soundness of health en#oyed (y a &erson. There is no &hysiological system
in the (ody which doesnt get the salutary effect of sound and soothing slee&.
%ntimely and e*cessive slee& takes away (oth ha&&iness and longevity. The same slee& if
&ro&erly en#oyed (rings ha&&iness and longevity in human (eings as real knowledge (rings
a(out s&iritual &ower in a yogi.
ndication of day slee'2
!lee&ing during the day time in all season is &rescri(ed for those who are e*hausted (y
singing study alcoholic drinks se*ual acts elimination thera&y carrying heavy weight
walking long distanceK those suffering from &hthisis wasting diseases like tu(erculosis thirst
diarrhoea colic &ain dys&noea hiccu& insanity those who are too old too young weak and
emaciateK those in#ured (y fall and assault those e*hausted (y #ourney (y a vehicle anger
grief and fear and those who are accustomed to day slee& i.e they are working in night. 5y
this the e?uili(rium of dhatus and strength are maintained and ka&ha nourishes the organs
and ensures longevity.
In summer season nights (ecome shorter and vata gets aggravated in the (ody due to the
a(sor&tion of fluid ,adana kala/. Therefore during this season slee& during the daytime is
&rescri(ed for all.
Contra0indications of day slee'2
!lee&ing during the daytime in the seasons other than summer is not advisi(le as it causes
vitiation of ka&ha and &itta. 2ersons with e*cessive fat those who are addicted to taking
unctuous su(stances those with ka&ha constitution those suffering from diseases due to the
vitiation of ka&ha and those suffering from artificial &oisoning should never slee& during day
time. If one violates the &rescri&tion regarding slee& during the day time he would su(#ect
himself to halimaka ,ty&e of #aundice/ headache timidness heaviness of the (ody malaise
loss of digestive &ower hridaya'ale&a , a feeling as if &hlegm adhered to the heart/ oedema
anore*ia nausea sinusistis rhinitis hemicrania urticaria eru&tion a(scess &rutitus
drowsiness coughing diseases of the throat im&airment of the memory and intelligence
o(struction of the circulating channels of the (ody fever weakness of sensory and motor
organs and enhancement of the to*ic effects of artificial &oisons. !o one should kee& in view
the merits and demerits of slee& in various seasons and situations so that it may (ring
ha&&iness to him.
)reams2
$fter hours of working, &hysical or mental/ our mind I (ody need rest so that they are once
again charged. 5ut when we are dreaming during slee& our mind is still working it isnt
taking rest. That is why &eo&le who dream often are not feeling fresh, mind is not recharged/
even after long hours of slee& or they want to slee& more in the daytime. The ?uality of slee&
is ham&ered due to dreams which in turn ham&ers our thinking:working &rocess I thus ?uality
of life in the long run.
"ffect of night a6akening2
$wakening during night causes roughness in the (odyK slee& during daytime causes
unctuousness and dosing in sitting &osture does neither cause roughness nor unctuousness.
Methods and measures to induce a good slee' 2
If for some reason or other one is su(#ected to slee&lessness he can instantaneously (e
cured (y ayurvedic her(al massage unction hot her(al (ath intake of sou& of domestic
marshy and a?uatic animals !ali rice with curd milk her(al unctuous su(stance and her(al
alcohol &sychic &leasure smell of scents and hearing sounds of ones own $yurveda
(elieves that usually it is the vitiated DvataE which distur(s the natural (ody &hysiology and
results in various ty&es of slee& distur(ances. $dverse &hysical situations such as like &ainful
conditions cram&s an urge to urinate fre?uently etc can interfere with sound slee&. !ocial
situations like an irregular routine noise e*cessive use of caffeine and alcohol and eating a
very heavy meal close to (edtime may also ruffle the slee& &attern. In most cases however
the core &ro(lem is emotional which includes an*iety stress and de&ression.
There are a num(er of ways which can hel& a &erson to fall aslee& more easily. The most
im&ortant of these is to esta(lish a (ed time DritualE com&osed of a daily timeta(le and &ro&er
slee&ing environment. !hort'term slee& distur(ances can (e overcome (y ado&ting taste
samvahana ,ru((ing the (ody (y hand/ a&&lication of smoothening ointment to the eyes
head massage comforta(le (ed home and &ro&er time.
sim&le measures like cutting (ack on coffee and tea es&ecially in the late evening hours and
avoiding alcohol which may hel& slee& onset (ut causes early morning wakefulness.
Taking a light and timely dinner avoiding late night TV &rogrammes and following an e*ercise
schedule reduce stress and hel& (ring sound slee&.
$yurveda offers many her(s and other classic medicines and her(al thera&ies,
!AIRO.A$R$ / for good slee& and most of these are safe and devoid of any hangover or
addiction. Bor mild'to'moderate cases of insomnia taking twice a day two gm &owder of
ash&agandha, am"a, brahmi and shankhpushpi (a"" #rush!d in !)ua" parts) is )uit! h!"p%u".
As&agandharishta, Sarsvatarishta, and (rahmi Vati ar! good #"assi# m!di#in!s. Anoth!r h!rb
#a""!d sarpgandha is %amous %or its somno"!nt !%%!#t, but a"" o% th! abov! m!ntion!d h!rbs
shou"d b! us!d on"y und!r !$p!rt sup!rvision.
6*ce&t for the cases of senile insomnia and slee&lessness associated with other chronic
ailments long'term use of slee&'inducing medicines should always (e avoided.
Causes of nsomnia2
6limination of dosas in e*cess from the (ody through &urgation and emesis fear an*iety
anger smoking e*cessive &hysical e*ercise e*cess (lood letting : loss fasting and
uncomforta(le (ed are causes for insomnia.
The a(ove mentioned factors along with overwork stress old age diseases s&ecially these
due to the vitiation of vatta like colic &ain etc. are known to cause slee&lessness even in
normal individuals. !ome are insomniac even (y nature.
!ramhacharya2
It refers to the state of life when any living (eing refrains from e*cessive sensuality. This state
does not mean a com&lete se*ual a(stinence (ut to indulge in se* in such a way so as not to
have any adverse effect on health.
$yurveda insists on refraining oneself form se*ual activities during academic years
,masturbation/ and is defined as (ramha#harya ashram. $yurveda advocates se*ual
intercourse after marriage in the form of gruhastha ashram (ut here also e*cessive
indulgence is &rohi(ited as it leads to loss of &hysical strength memory lack of vitality
increases irrita(ility ,(ecause of loss of oja which is &roduced after considera(le amount of
s&erm is stored in the (ody/ and distur(s the normal &hysiological functions of the (ody (y
causing a dis'e?uili(rium of the three doshas. $yurveda looks u&on se* not merely as fun (ut
as the means of &rocreation.
$yurveda (elieves in the &rinci&le where e*cess in any walk of life (e it food slee& or se*
causes harm to the (ody. $ll of this em&hasi3e on the regulated functioning of the three triads
i.e food slee& I se*
TH" SI S"ASO$S
2$RT O46
4orthern and !outhern )ovements of the !un
The seasons are defined according to the two directions in which the sun a&&ears to (e
moving. $s the earth makes its annual voyage around the sun we also e*&erience si* distinct
&hases called the seasons. The northern and southern movements of the sun are created
mainly (y the earths relationshi& to the sun and the moon. The northward movement of the
sun known as adanakala in !anskrit (egins with the winter and ends (efore the (eginning of
summer. The southern movements start at the summer solstice and ends at the winter
solstice and is known as visargakala.
.uring the northerly &hase i.e adana kala the suns energy is at its strongest and sucks
moisture from the earth leaving it dry. $lso the wind con#ugates with the sun adding to the
harsh nature &ervading the three seasons in this &hase. .uring this half of the year the (ody
tends to (e weakened (y the sun a(sor(ing its moisture and humidity.
TH" THR"" S"ASO$S $ TH" $ORTH"R(/ PHAS" O& TH" SU$
The three seasons in the northerly &hase of the sun are late winter s&ring and summer.
Brom late winter in mid'Lanuary the a(sor(ing effects of the sun and wind increase
&rogressively until their culmination in mid'Lune when the suns southward movement across
the earth commences.
.ue to the suns harshness during the northernly &hase three of the si* tastes %itter7
astringent and 'ungent'are dramatically enhanced. These three tastes share a constricting
and a(sor(ent nature which when used in the form of food further weaken the &hysical
organism.
TH" THR"" S"ASO$S $ TH" SOUTH"R(/ PHAS" O& TH" SU$
The southerly &hase i.e visagra in !anskrit influenced more (y the moon &rovides a &eriod
of cooling relief to the earth. The suns energy (egins to wane and more moisture is released
into the atmos&here. .uring these remaining three seasons of the year the (ody tends to
gain strength and vitality.
+ontrary to the northerly &hase the suns southward movement (egins a &eriod that gives
strength for earths inha(itants and vegetation. .uring this &eriod the sun and wind are also
restrained (y the clouds and rains triggering a &eriod of cooling release which (egins
towards the end of summer. The stu&endous &owers of the sun (egin to slacken as a result of
the course of the earths movement cloud formation and the &resence of wind and rain.
.uring the southerly &hase the natures of the three remaining tastes sweet sour and salty
are greatly enhanced. $s a result they contri(ute to (ulk and vigour when used in the (ody.
The three seasons created (y the southward movement of the sun are the rainy season or
early fall autumn and early winters from mid Lune until towards the (eginning of summer the
heat of the sun slackens &rogressively until its weakest culmination in mid 4ovem(er. The
end of the southerly &hase and the (eginning of the northerly &hase marks the im&ortant
#unction of the changing seasons.
)aily and Seasonal Cycles
TH" S"1"$ )A(/ C/C("S
The earth is a mo(ile force which circles the sun #ust as the moon circles the earth. The daily
and seasonal cycles are created (y the earths dynamic relationshi& to (oth the sun and
moon.
Ta(le -0
= .$IF" +"+F6! OB TA6 .O!A$!
1ATA PTTA 4APHA
.$@4 .ominant 4eutral $ccumulating
)OR4I4C Fessening $ccumulating .ominant
)I.'.$" 4eutral .ominant Fessening
$BT6R4OO4 $ccumulating Fessening 4eutral
.%!; .ominant 4eutral $ccumulating
6$RF" )OR4I4C Fessening $ccumulating .ominant
)I.4ICAT 4eutral .ominant Fessening
V$T$: .ominant 7:88am'9:88 am I 7:88&m'9.88 &m
2ITT$: .ominant -8:88am 7:88 &m I -8.88&m'7.88 am
;$2A$: .ominant 9:88 am -8:88 am I 9.88&m'-8.88 &m
6ach day we e*&erience si* &hases of e*&ansion and contraction all of which are controlled
(y the sun. $t dawn when the sun is a(out to rise the dry cold mo(ile as&ects of Vata
gathered through the night are &revalent. $t day(reak the cool and heavy energy of ;a&ha
(egins to flow out of the (ody as we rise from rest. $t midday when the sun is at its &eak and
sa&s the (ody with its heat 2itta &revails. In the early afternoon as the suns energy (egins
to wane the dry cold energy of Vata once more dominates. $t sunset when the sun has
descended on the hori3on ;a&ha (egins to &our (ack into the (ody to induce the (ody to
rest. Binally at midnight when the sun is farthest away from the earth 2itta once more
&revails
TH" S"ASO$S O& $ATURA( ACCUMU(ATO$7 A##RA1ATO$ A$) A(("1ATO$
Civen that the term prakriti denotes (oth (ody constitution and nature it is only e*&ected that
with the changing seasons of nature there will (e corres&onding effects on the
panchmahabhutas and there(y the doshas of the constitution, of the human (ody /. +old
dry weather for instance enhances vata hot humid climate increases pitta while cold wet
weather aggravates kapha.
To avoid such continued aggravation leading to im(alance of the doshas $yurveda
&rescri(es a seasonal routine to &reserve the doshic (alance as the seasons change. Bor
each season therefore there is a uni?ue diet -ahar* a distinct mode of living -vihara* and
routine living -karya*. These kee& your doshas in a state of e?uili(rium and hel& you co&e
with the stresses and strains of changing seasons.
Ta(le -1
Accumulation Aggravation Alleviation
1ATA !ummer Rainy season early fall
Fate winter
$utumn
PTTA Rainy season $utumn 6arly winter
4APHA 6arly winter !&ring !ummer

RTUCHAR/A
)ietetics and Regimen for 6inter2
.uring winter the digestive &ower of human (eings &ossessing good health ,strength/ is
enhanced due to the restraint caused u&on it (y the cold wind so much so that it is ca&a(le of
digesting any foodstuff irres&ective of its heaviness and ?uantity. @hen it does not get &ro&er
fuel the digestive fire affects the nutritive fluids resulting in the vitiation of vatta having cold
?uality. Therefore during the winter one should take unctuous sour salty and sweet #uices of
the meat of the a?uatic and marshy animals which are fatty. One should also eat the meat of
(urrow'dwelling animals that eat (y snatching. Thereafter one should drink her(al wine and
have honey.
If a &erson ha(itually takes &re&aration of cows milk cane #uice fat oil new rice and hot
water during the winter his s&an of life is never decreased.
In winter one should resort to ayurvedic her(al massages unction a&&lication of oil on the
head fomentation and one should reside in an underground residence or an inner heated
a&artment.
In the winter one should see that the conveyance (edding and seat are well covered
s&ecially (y heavy wra&&ers silken cloth ro&es and (lankets. One should wear heavy and
warm clothes and should (esmear his (ody with heavy aguru ,$?uilaria agallocha Ro*( kind
of her(/. One should em(race a healthy women with her well develo&ed &lum&y (reasts and
with her (ody (esmeared with aguru ,$?uilaria agallocha Finn/ lie down on the (ed
into*icated with strong &assion and may indulge in e*cessive se*ual intercourse during the
winter. One should avoid food and drinks which are lia(le to vitiate vataK one should not
e*&ose him to cold wave. %nder feeding should (e avoided.
)ietetics and Regimen for s'ring2
.uring the s&ring the accumulated ka&ha is li?uefied (y the heat of the sun and as such
distur(s the &ower of digestion and causes many diseases. !o one should administer
thera&ies like emesis etc. and should avoid heavy unctuous sour and sweet diets. One
should not slee& during day time. $t the advent of s&ring one should ha(itually resort to
e*ercise unction oral gargles and collyrium. The e*cretory orifices should (e regularly
washed with lukewarm water. One should (esmear his (ody with chandana ,!antalum al(um
Finn./ and aguru ,$?uilaria agalocha Ro*(./ and take food consisting of (arley and wheat
meat of sara(ha ra((it antelo&e common ?uail and grey &artridge. One should drink her(al
wines made of (arley. One should also en#oy the com&any of women and (lossoms of the
garden.
)ietetics and Regimen for summer 2
.uring the summer the sun eva&orates the moisture of the earth (y its rays. In that season
the intake of sweet cold li?uid and unctuous diets and drinks is &rescri(ed. One who takes
cold mantha ,a ty&e of her(al drink/ along with sugar as well as the meat of the animals or
(irds of aired climate ghee and milk along with !ali rice ,Ory3a satiunm Finn/ during this
season does not suffer from any diseases. One should either drink alcohol in little ?uantity or
should avoid it and even if one drinks he should drink it along with &lenty of water. One
should further avoid taking diets which are salty sour &ungent or hot. 2hysical e*ercise is
also to (e given u& during this season. .uring the day time one should slee& in an air cooled
a&artment. .uring the night after having (esmeared the (ody with sandal wood &aste one
should slee& on the o&en airy roof ,under the cooler or air'conditioning/ of the house which is
cooled (y the rays of the moon. One should kee& him aloof of se*ual intercourse ,restrict as
much as &ossi(le/ and should en#oy gardens cold water and flowers during this season.
)ietetics Regimen for rainy season 2
The (ody which is weakened during the &eriod of dehydration with its digestive system is
also weakened. It is further weakened due to the vitiation of vata and other dosas during the
rains. The &ower to digestion in the &eriod is also affected due to the gas coming out of the
earth rainfall increase of acidity in water. !o it is advisa(le to (e moderate as regard to diet
and regimen during the rainy season.
One should a(stain from taking diluted drinks in e*cess day slee& frost water ,e*cessive/
e*ercise moving in sun and too much indulgence in se*ual intercourse. One should
generally use honey in their diet and drinks.
If these days are cooler due to heavy rains accom&anied (y the storms one should take food
that is a littlle sour salty and unctuousK this serves as an effective antidote to the vitiation of
vata during the rainy season.
In order to maintain normal &ower of digestion one should take old (arley wheat and !ali rice
,Ory3a sativum Finn./ along with the meat of arid animals and vegeta(le sou&. )ore over one
should drink the madhvika or arista ,her(al ty&e of li?uor/ &ure rainwater or water (oiled
and cooled mi*ed with little honey. It is advisa(le to a&&ly her(al (ody scru(s ayurvedic
massages take (ath and wear fragrant garlands during the season. One should wear light
and clean a&&arel and should reside in a house devoid of humidity.
)ietetics and Regimen for autumn2
The (ody &arts ado&ted for rains and cold is suddenly e*&osed to the heat of the sun with the
(eginning of autumn so the &itta accumulated during the rains gets generally vitiated. In this
season sweet light cold and (itter foods and drinks which have &otentialities to alleviate
&itta are to (e taken in &ro&er ?uantity when there is good a&&etite. Burthermore the meat
common ?uail Crey 2artridge antelo&e shee& wa&iti ra((it rice (arley and wheat are
&rescri(ed during this season. Intake of ghee &re&ared with (itter medicines &urgation and
(loodletting are also &rescri(ed for this season. One should avoid taking sun(ath fat oil and
meat of a?uatic and marshy animals alkaline salt &re&arations and curd in food. One should
not slee& during day time and should not e*&ose himself to frost and wind. The water which is
e*&osed to the heat of the sun during the day time and to the cooling rays of the moon during
is also &urified (y time and is deto*icated (y star cano&us ,agagastya/ is known as
DhamsodakaE which is s&otlessly clear and is as (eneficial as nectar for the &ur&ose of
(athing drinking and swimming. %se of garlands made of autumnal flowers and clean a&&arel
and also the rays of moon in the evening are e*ceedingly (eneficial in this season.
Seasons and Strength
4ote: ! U !outhern &haseK 4 U 4ortherly &hase
! 6arly winter h!manta
4ovem(er to LanuaryK ma*imum strength ,&eak &eriod/
4 Fate winter sisira
Lanuary to )archK ma*imum strength ,wane &eriod/
4 !&ring vasanta
)arch to )ay K moderate strength ,wane &eriod/
4 !ummer grisma
)ay to Luly K minimum strength ,wane &eriod/
! Rainy season ,early fall/ varsa
Luly to !e&tem(er minimum strength ,&eak &eriod/
! $utumn sarada
!e&tem(er to 4ovem(er K moderate strength ,&eak &eriod/
A .oman:s Season
There is an additional season for women which ha&&ens once every month during
menstruation. The (eginning &eriod of the full moon is the natural cycle for ovulation.
Receiving the essence of the moon at this time a womans se*ual im&ulses heighten and her
vitality is once more re&lenished. Then during the time of the new moon she e*&eriences the
natural cycle of menstruation. )enstruation is caused (y the sun a(sor(ing energies from the
earth which in turn draws the menstrual waste from the (ody. @hen the cycle has not (een
tam&ered with (y use of contrace&tive &ills and other (irth control devices harmful foods and
activities and disru&tive se*ual activities the natural e(( and flow of a womans monthly
cycle remains in harmony .
Regimen to be observed by women in their Menses:
.uring the &eriod of menstruation activities need to (e reduced to the essential so that the
(ody e*&eriences the least degree of interference. Tuick warm showers or s&onging,wi&ing
down the (ody/ is the a&&ro&riate means of (odily cleaning during menstruation. !he should
avoid crying nor take a head (ath. $ woman should refrain from all se*ual fore&lay I
intercourse. .ay slee& and collyrium during the first four days of her &eriods should (e
avoided. +onsidered a very fragile &eriod for a woman this time is to (e used to rest and to
allow the (ody to em&ty it self (efore it is renewed. !he should also not indulge in loud and
e*cessive laughter and talk nor should she hear loud noises. Bood should (e easy to digest
not too heavy not too unctuous nor too dry or cold. !he should avoid fatiguing work. $ll the
a(ove things during menses may lead to the vitiation of doshas which may es&ecially lead to
gynaecological &ro(lems. One may o(serve these rules in order to eventually restore your
natural cycle.
.uring ovulation 2itta is most dominant while Vata dominates the &eriod of menstruation and
;a&ha the &eriod following menstruation.
Seasonal Cleansing Therapies for Each Dosha
1ATA2 S"ASO$S O& A##RA1ATO$
Rainy2 Season -"arly &ail*
.uring the rainy season the earth releases more gases into the atmos&here which tends to
aggravate Vata. Burther aggravation is created (y the dam&ness of the rainy season and the
higher acidity in the water at that time. The rainy &eriod comes at a time when the (ody
having endured the long and harsh time of the northerly &hase. 6ven through the rainy
season marks the (eginning of the southerly &hase a &eriod of strengthening the (ody is still
to vulnera(le to resist the onslaught of the rains.
Vata is the dosha that lea&s out of (ounds very ?uickly and is thus afflicted somewhat
consistently throughout the year. Aowever it re?uires s&ecial hel& at the end of the &eriod of
ma#or aggravation which (egins in the summer and runs into and throughout the rainy
season. Thus Vatas first annual cleansing &eriod comes (etween the early and late &hases of
the rainy season.
$lthough Vatas main season of alleviation is the rainy season ,early fall/ the ne*t
a&&ro&riate cleansing &eriod occurs at the end of autumn.
NOTE: In temperate climates, where there is no definitive rainy season, the vitiation
of Vata still occurs at this time due to the northerly movement of the sun; therefore,
the same seasonal recommendations apply.
(ate 6inter
Fate winter is the ne*t season in which Vata is generally alleviated. The e*treme coldness of
winter increases the already cold nature of Vata and the (ody re?uires the greatest amounts
of &hysical warmth and nourishing foods. @hen not am&ly &rotected or fed the (ody (egins
to eat its own tissues and Vata (ecomes aggravated as a result. 4ourishing warm foods with
sour sweet and salty tastes are recommended to (alance Vata during this time of year.
$yurvedic massages warm atmos&here and clothing are all deemed vital so that Vata may
remain (alanced throughout this season.
4OT6: $lthough there are some cooling influences in tro&ical and semi'tro&ical climates at
this time of year the late winter cleansing &rograms recommended do not a&&ly.
Summer
Vata may (ecome mildly distur(ed during the summer due to the reduction of ;a&ha in the
(ody caused (y the heat of the sun.
Vata may (e nurtured at this time (y sweet and nourishing food decreased se*ual activity.
Autumn
The end of autumn is generally considered to (e the time when all three doshas can (e
relieved of their e*cesses. Therefore if Vatas condition was not alleviated during the rainy
season it may (e removed through the elimination thera&ies at the end of the autumn
season.
$yurveda &resents a vast and illuminating grou& of healing thera&ies. $lthough many of its
&ractices have (ecome virtually e*tinct we are fortunate to have a &racticing knowledge of
the 2anchakarma and its su&&orting thera&ies. 2ancha karma thera&ies include those
treatments that cleanse and eliminate the aggravated doshas and re#uvenate the (ody. This
hel&s the tissues and doshas to regain their e?uanimity which leads to sound health.
The thera&ies and the &ro&er time to a&&ly them are descri(ed (elow. These thera&ies may
(e used (y all (ody ty&es according to how the doshas are (ehaving.
1ata Seasonal Cleansing Thera'ies
Vasti +herapy: The $yurvedic use of her(al decoction enemas as well as medicated her(al
oil enemas to clear the e*cess dosha from the large intestines.
6nema decoction are derived from her(s ,&ermutation and com(ination of more than -88
her( / such as castor dashamu"a, gotu ko"a and li?uorice etc. The medicated her(al oil
enema is usually administered as a se&arate &rocedure. These enemas re'direct the a&ana
vata to its normal downward flow and soothe Vata distur(ances in the (ody.
Pinda '"eda* The $yurvedic use of fomentation thera&y to thoroughly invigorate the (ody.
This thera&y stimulates the vital tissues and organs while alleviating (ody &ain. !wedan
,fomentation/ thera&y also removes fear from the mind.
Abhyanga* The a&&lication of the $yurveda system of massage using her(al medicated oils
sesame oil sandalwood oil and so on.
$(hyanga is a vital $yurvedic &ractice used to restore e?uanimity to the (odys muscular
system. This massage also &romotes (oth &eace of mind and strength of lim(s and is highly
re#uvenating.
'hirovasti : The $yurvedic &ractice of &ouring medicated oil on the head and allowing it to
remain for a &eriod of time.
This thera&y &romotes mental clarity stimulates memory &ower removes stress arrests
hairfall and hairgreying and com&letely revitali3es the (ody.
'hirobhayanga* The $yurvedic a&&lication of medicated oils to the head. Various $yurvedic
her(s ,&ermitaion and com(ination of more than 718 her( / such as
br!mhi,ava"a,shankpushpi !t# are (oiled in sesame oil in &re&aration for shiro(hyanga. The
head is then am&ly massaged with the oil giving life and (alance to the sense organs and
re#uvenating the entire (ody.
PTTA 2 S"ASO$S O& A##RA1ATO$
Autumn
$ccumulated 2itta from the rainy season (ecomes aggravated during the autumn season a
time when the digestive fire is already tremendously affected (y the long and dry &eriod of the
&revious northerly &hase. 2itta is further afflicted (y the e*treme conditions of the rainy
season that &recedes autumn. $s the sun (egins to (righten the sky &roviding the heat
necessary to eva&orate the moisture of the rainy season #ust &asssed it affects the
vulnera(le 2itta causing vitiation of (oth the digestion and (lood systems . $t this time the
li?uid that 2itta has accumulated during the rainy season dam&ens the digestive fire resulting
in a loss of a&&etite.
In order for 2itta to retrieve its normal and e*cellent digestion the $yurvedic &urgative thera&y
of vir!#hana is recommended ,!ee (elow/. The (est time of the autumn season for any form
of cleansing thera&y is at its tail end i.e. the latter &art of the season when the dosha is in
its most fluent form.
Note - In tropical and semi-tropical climates, the best time is at the end of autumn.
Rainy Season
There are many $yurvedic healing thera&ies that may (e o(served during (oth the rainy
season and throughout the autumn &eriod. These include massages using aromatic and
cooling oils such as coconut oil com(ined with sandalwood essential oilK daily (ody (rushing
with her(al (ody scru(s K altering ones activities to those that are milder and more
harmonious es&ecially during the initial stages of doshic vulnera(ilityK aroma thera&y using
her(al oils ,&ermutation and com(ination of more than -88 her(s / like mint li?uorice
,yashtimadhu/ sandalwood #asmine or vetiver ,usheer/ to calm the mind and stomach.

Pitta Seasonal Cleansing Thera'ies
Virechana +herapy* The use of $yurvedic &urgatives ,&ermutation and com(ination of more
than 188 her(s/ to clear the lower &athways of the (ody.
This thera&y hel&s to &urify the (lood and to cleanse the stomach sweat glands small
intestines colon kidneys liver and s&leen. !u(stances such as &syllium husk,isa(gol/
castor oil cows milk with ghee trivrrita and tripha"a are used to induce &urgation.
Rakta )okshana, Although this form of therapy, commonly referred to as
bloodletting, is seldom used in India today and is illegal in the %nited !tates and 6uro&e
when &erformed correctly it is an effective form of thera&y to e*tract to*ins from the (lood.
Cenerally to*ins that accumulated under the skin and around the marma &oints ,the energy
#unctions of the (odys meridians/ are eliminated through the &rocess of (lood'letting.
5ecause 2itta manifests in the waste &roducts of (lood many skin ailments such as rash
ec3ema and acne are caused (y to*ins circulating in the (lood system. The drawing of a
small amount of (lood from the vein relieves the (lood tension created (y these to*ins.
Internal use of certain (itter her(s ,&ermutation and com(ination of more than -88 her(s /
such as n!!m man#ishta sariva guduchi and turmeric etc may also (e used to &urify the
(lood.
'hirodhara, The use of a decoction such as medicated ghee and (uttermilk sugarcane
#uice and her(al oils on the forehead to relieve (urning sensations or &ain in the head and
(ody.
In the traditional $yurvedic a&&lication the &erson lies down on a wide seasoned wooden
log. $ vessel called dhara #hatti which resem(les a wide to& funnel or a dhara patra a &ot
with a hole in (ottom is used through which the medicated her(al oil is dri&&ed rhythmically
onto the centre of the forehead where the third eye is located. !hirodhara is a (eautiful
thera&y which stimulate our su(conscious mind and lulls the entire (odily organism into a
state of calmness. This thera&y is used to (alance all three doshas em&loying medicated oils
and su(stances (est suited to the different doshas and various ailments.
4a'ha 2 seasons of aggravation
Spring
$lthough ;a&ha en#oys the strongest stamina of the three doshas it e*&eriences its fragility in
the s&ringtime. $fter the long cold and inert &eriods of early and late winter ;a&ha (egins to
soften so that most of the semi'fro3en wastes accumulated during the &revious seasons
li?uify.
;a&has im(alances are e*&ressed through the feeling of lethargy cold sore throat lung
congestion cold (ody e*tremities and so on. @inter changes to s&ring almost at the very
height of the northernly &hase of the sun when strength and vigor tend to (ecome de&leted
(y the suns harshness. The softening out of li?uid waste in the (ody retards (oth the
digestive fire and the (odys meta(olism which is why ;a&has &otential listlessness and
lethargy increase. The ga& (efore the full (loom of the s&ring season is the (est time of the
year for the ka&ha dosha to (e thoroughly cleansed (y means of (oth the elimination
thera&ies and re#uvenative thera&ies. These &rocesses relieve the e*cess dosha when it is in
its most fluid form and not yet rooted in the (ody in the form of disease. ;a&ha then has
&lenty of time to mo(ili3e during the remaining season and does not cause o(struction in the
channels.
Rainy Season
;a&ha e*&erience similar difficulties during the rainy season ,early fall/ a time when the
s&ring seasonal &rocess is reversed. The end of the summer heat and the ensuing decline in
strength is (raced u& (y the dam& and humid cold of the rainy season. .uring this &eriod
re&lenishing thera&ies used to maintain ;a&has (alance include: seasonally a&&ro&riate
foodsK $yurvedic massage with medicated oilK inhalation thera&ies using aromas such as
eucaly&tus and aromatic smoke
4a'ha Seasonal Cleansing Thera'ies
Vamana +herapy* Vamana also known as emesis thera&y is an ancient thera&eutic method
for eliminating ;a&has accumulation through the oral &athway.
Vamana releases congestion from the lungs and &rovides immediate relief for asthmatic and
(ronchial attacks. Vamana is used for serious ;a&ha disorders and in skin diseases
dia(etes chronic disorders of the lungs and stomach sinusitis and tonsillitis.
Oil massage and fomentation a&&lied to the chest on the evening (efore the emesis thera&y
is the &reliminary ste&s taken to induce the state most conducive to this thera&y.
-asya*+t is the nasal a&&lication of medication in (oth &owder and li?uid form. The &owdered
medication is inserted into the nose through a tu(e and the li?uid medication is a&&lied with a
dro&&er. The nose is the gateway to the cere(ral sensory and motor functions of the (ody.
.isorders associated with the movement of &rana are usually corrected (y nasya thera&y.
6*cess ka&ha stored in the throat nose sinus and head are also removed from the (ody as
a result of nasya. Aer(al &owders such as brahmi, shatavari etc as well as su(stances such
as milk ghee medicated oils ginger and garlic etc are used de&ending on the dosha and the
nature of the disorder.
Relationshi' !et6een the )oshas and the seasons
The doshas are to the (ody what the seasons are to the earth. 5oth the doshas and the
seasons are created from the five elements. The elemental as&ects of the seasons are in the
form of s&ace wind sun moon rain and the earth. Aere we must understand the inter&lay
(etween the doshas and the seasonal influences within the &rimacy of the five elements. The
doshas are not sim&ly the dynamic energy within the (odyK rather they are influenced
&rimarily (y seasonal variations. ;nowledge of the seasons is related to the (alancing of the
doshas. Therefore a thorough understanding of the function of the doshas within the (ody
necessitates an understanding of the variations within each season the #unction (etween
seasons and the annual rotation of the si* seasons.
In many cases the designated seasonal tastes and ?ualities a&&ear to (e contradictory. Bor
this reason charts are &rovided to assist you in coordinating your (ody ty&e with its seasonal
tastes and ?ualities. ,!ee (elow/
Role of Taste
It is as im&ortant to reali3e that every foodHs uni?ue com(ination of attri(utes will influence its
taste and the action it causes in the (ody. @ith every taste having a different action as
detailed (elow. Astanga Hrdayam clearly descri(es the characteristics of each of the si*
tastes and &ro(lems that might (e e*&erienced from its ha(itual over'consum&tion. )ost
foods (eing a com(ination of two or more of these tastes e.g. coffee is (itter and &ungent.
Sour
+om&rised of the elements earth I fire it increases pitta and kapha and is good for heart
and digestion. !timulates agni, moves inactive Vata energy down the &elvic cavity sets the
teeth on edge and increases salivation. 6*cess use may cause looseness and fla((iness
loss of strength giddiness itching irritation a whitish yellow &allor swelling thirsts and fever
and diseases arising from e*cess pitta and kapha.
S6eet
Related to earth I water it increases pitta and vata &roducing greater strength in the tissues
and value to the aged wounded emaciated and children. %niversally liked it often adheres to
the inside of the mouth giving a feeling of &leasure contentment and comfort. Cood for the
com&le*ion hair senses and o#a it also increases (reast milk and hel&s unite (roke &arts like
(ones. 5y its virtue it &rolongs life and hel&s life activities. In e*cess however it may cause
diseases arising from fat and e*cess kapha e.g. o(esity skin infections unconsciousness
dia(etes enlargement of neck glands or malignant tumors etc.
Salt
The water I fire in salty taste increases pitta and kapha. It clears o(struction of channels and
&ores and increases the digestive activity and salivation. $lso res&onsi(le for lu(rication and
sweating it &enetrates the tissues. $n e*cess of it may cause (aldness and graying of the
hair wrinkles thirst skin diseases (lood disorders and loss of (ody strength.
Pungent
Bire I air in &ungent increases vata and pitta and mitigates kapha. Increases hunger is
digestive causes irritation (rings secretion from the eyes nose I mouth and gives a (urning
sensation to the mouth. It dilates the channels and (reaks u& the hard masses. 5ut an e*cess
use of it may cause thirst de&letion of re&roductive tissue and strength fainting contracture
tremors &ain in the waist and (ack and other disorders related to e*cess of pitta and kapha.
!itter
$ir I s&ace (eing its elements it increases pitta and kapha. .rying u& moisture from fat
muscles faces and urine. It cleans the mouth and destroys the &erce&tion of taste. It is said
to cure anore*ia worms (acteria &arasites thirst skin diseases loss of consciousness
fever nausea (urning sensation. 5ut in e*cess it increases vata causing diseases of vata
origin and de&letion of tissues.
Astringent
$ir I earth increases vata and controls increased pitta and kapha. It cleans the (lood and
causes healing of ulcers. Fike (itter it too dries u& moisture from fat. It a(sor(s water causing
consti&ation and hindering digestion of undigested food. Its e*cess use causes stasis of food
without digestion flatulence &ain in the cardiac region emaciation loss of virility o(struction
of channels and consti&ation.
!A(A$C$# S"ASO$A( TAST"S A$) !O)/ T/P" TAST"S
The a&&arent contradictions (etween the tastes and ?ualities (eneficial to each (ody ty&e
and the tastes and ?ualities suggested (y the cyclical nature of the seasons are to (e
understood in the following way: The tastes which are generally good for each (ody ty&e may
(ecome heightened or &revalent in the (ody and e*ternal environment due to seasonal
influences. Bor e*am&le of the si* tastes the &ungent flavour naturally &redominates during
the summerK although considered a generally good all'year taste for ;a&ha ty&es it needs to
(e used in the summer season with discretion. This is (ecause in summer the &ungent taste
&revails out of the si* tastes.,$ccording to the seasonal accumulation of the doshas in
summers there is decrease of ka&ha and the &ungent taste also causes decrease in ka&ha
and increase of vata which may lead to vata:ka&ha disorders/
!imilarly the salty taste which &redominates during autumn although considered a generally
e*cellent all'year taste for Vata ty&es needs to (e reduced during the autumn season even
(y Vata ty&es,$ccording to the seasonal accumulation of the doshas in autumn there is
alleviation of &itta the salty taste also causes alleviation of &itta which may lead to &itta
disorders/.
In the early winter the sweet taste &redominates and although generally an e*cellent all'year
taste for 2itta ty&es needs to (e reduced during the early winter even (y 2itta ty&es.
,$ccording to the seasonal accumulation of the doshas in winter there is increase in ka&ha
and sweet taste also causes increase of ka&ha which may lead to ka&ha disorders/
Ta(le -9
TAST"S O& TH" S"ASO$S
$ortherly Phase -.inter Solstice to Summer Solstice*
Fate @inter 5itter $ir and s&ace Vata
!&ring $stringent $ir and earth Vata I ;a&ha
!ummer 2ungent $ir and fire Vata I 2itta
4ote: the dry tastes are created (y the &rogressive northward movement of the sun
Southerly Phase -Summer Solstice to .inter Solstice*
Rainy !eason ,early fall/ !our 6arth and fire 2itta and ;a&ha
$utumn !alty @ater and fire 2itta
6arly @inter !weet @ater and earth ;a&ha
4ote: the moist tastes are created (y the &rogressive southward movement of the sun

!eneficial Tastes According to )oshas
Vata : sweet sour salty
2itta : !weet (itter astringent
;a&ha: &ungent (itter astringent
Ta(le -=
S"ASO$A( TAST" A)5USTM"$TS
V$T$ 2ITT$ ;$2A$
F$T6 @I4T6R )a#or: sour salty
unctuous
)a#or: sweet
sourJ saltyJ warm
unctuous
)a#or: sourJ
astringent &ungent
warm moderate
unctuous
)inor: sweet )inor: (itter
astringent cool
light
)inor: (itter salty
dry
!2RI4C )a#or: sweet salty
warm moderate
unctuous alkaline
)a#or: sweet (itter
&ungentJ warm
)a#or: &ungent
moderate astringent
alkaline ward dry
)inor: sour &ungent )inor: astringent
cool alkaline
)inor: (itter salty
!%))6R )a#or: sweet sour
warm moderate
unctuous
)a#or: sweet (itter
cool moderate
unctuous
)a#or: (itter
astringent moderate
sweet warm dry
)inor: (itter salty
cool light
)inor: astringent
light
)inor: &ungent cool
R$I4" !6$!O4
,early fall/
)a#or: sweet
moderate (itterJ salty
moderate unctuous
warm
)a#or: (itter
astringent
moderate salty
moderate sweet
warm moderate
unctuous
)a#or: (itter
astringent &ungent
warm light
Tem&erate +limates )inor: sour )inor: &ungent
cool
)inor: salty sour dry
)a#or: sweet (itter
saltyJ warm
moderate unctuous

Tro&ical and
!emitro&ical
)a#or: sweet salty
moderate unctuous
warm
)inor: astringent
&ungent
)a#or: moderate
saltyJ &ungent (itter
warm moderate
unctuous.
+limates )inor: (itter &ungent )inor: astringent dry
$%T%)4 )a#or: sweet sour
warm light
)a#or: sweet (itter
astringent cool
light
)inor: salty
astringent
)inor: &ungent
)a#or: (itter
astringent moderate
sweet warm light
6$RF" @I4T6R )a#or: salty (itterJ
moderate sour warm
unctuous
)a#or: (itter
astringent
moderate &ungentJ
warm moderate
unctuous
)a#or: &ungent
astringent (itter
warm moderate
unctuous
)inor: &ungent sweet )inor: sweet )inor : salty
91ata ty'es: If strong tendency to Vata disorders use (itter as minor tastes and increase
the use of sweet and salty tastes during the seasons indicated.
9Pitta ty'es: If strong tendency to 2itta disorders use sour &ungent and salty as minor
tastes and increase the use of (itter astringent and sweet tastes during the seasons
indicated.
94a'ha ty'es : If strong tendency to ;a&ha disorders use sweetsour and salty as minor
tastes and increase the use of &ungent (itter and astringent tastes during the seasons
indicated.
R vata &itta I ka&ha disorders can (e seen in the charts mentioning increase in the
respective doshas in )OSHC M!A(A$C"S S
Ta(le ->
S"ASO$A( )O:S A$) )O$:TS
+limates .O .O4T
Fate @inter !our salty moderate sweet
unctuous su(stantial ?uantity of
food
6*cess sweet &ungent (itter dry
cold raw foods
!2RI4C 2ungent astringent moderate
sweet moderate salty warm
moderate ?uantity of food
!our e*cess sweet (itter too
many fluids cold
!ummer !weet (itter astringent cool
moderate unctuous
sufficient fluid
!alty sour &ungent hot
insufficiency of fluids
Rainy !eason ,early
fall/ Tem&erate
!weet moderate sour moderate
salty warmfood
2ungent (itter astringent light
cold food. e*cess unctuous
Tro&lcal and
!emitro&ical +limates
!our salty unctuous moderate
sweet moderate unctuous warm
2ungent (itter astringent e*cess
sweet cold dry
$utumn !weet (itter astringent cool light
non'oily
!our salty &ungent hot oily
e*cess food heavy foods
6arly @inter !alty (itter astringent moderate
sour warm moderate unctuous
)oderate ?uantity
!weet e*cess sour e*cess cold
dry e*cess food raw foods
The D!easonal .ontsE may (e used occasionally as a minor taste. !ee &revious chart.
m'ortant Rules And Regulations Related to )"T 2
CO$C"PT O& )"T $ A/UR1")A 2
;* )efination 2
.iet is that what we eat.
It includes everything we eat or drink.
.iet is the cause of the very e*istence 6nergy +olour I O#a ,immunity:%ltimate &urified
form of all the !harir .hatus i.e 5ody tissues/ of every living (eing on this earth.
<* =)iet: is the cause of the (irth maintenance I destruction of all forms of life on this
earth.
Brom .iet only we ac?uire following things constant growth unham&ered growth 6nergy
@ell(eing Aealth +olour 2ro&er functioning of the Indriyas ,!ense Organs/.
Im&ro&er dietis the ma#or cause of all illness according to $yurveda.
Brom all a(ove statements one can say that In short everything de&ends
on diet.

A/UR1")C CO$C"PT O& &ORM O& )"T
$ccording to $yurveda 5ody is said to (e made u& of 2anch )aha(hutas ,2entads/ I hence
the food also needs to (e 2anch(hautic ,)ade u& of 2anch ,five/ )aha(hutas/ then only food
can get digested I (e utili3ed for the growth of 2anchamaha(hutas ,the (asic constituents of
(ody/ which in turn results in growth of (ody.
The diet should (e made u& of all the si* tastes i.e. !weet !our !alty Aot 5itter $stringent.
It has also (een stated that according to the &ro&erties diet again can (e of 7 ty&es i.e.
Aeavy to digest I 6asy or light to digest .
deal )iet
The ideal diet should have following &ro&erties:'
-/ It should increase the strength of (ody.
7/ It should (e tasty:it should (e such that it should (e liked (y the one who is
taking it.
</ It should give energy instantaneously : immediately after taking it.
0/ It should have the ca&acity to withhold the (ody I give its strength I
energy to carry on its regular functions.
1/ It should satisfy the one taking it .
9/ It should (e hot unctuous not dry when taken.
=/ !hould (e taken in &ro&er ?uantity.
>/ It should not (e incom&ati(le .,mentioned in uneasy com(inations (elow/
The food ,.iet/ with all a(ove &ro&erties is said to (e ldeal diet.
The .iet which is of all the &ro&erties e*&lained a(ove can only do the functions &rescri(ed to
it.
>* &U$CTO$S O& )"T -food*
-/ Instantly satisfying.
7/ Cives strength:energy.
</ )aintains the (ody I maintains the functions of the (ody .
0/ Increases longevity.
1/ Increases the .igestive fire Vitality Recollecting 2ower I O#a .
?* T"26! OB .I6T
There are four ty&es of diet
i/ That which can (e drunk
ii/ That which can (e licked
iii/ 6asily chewa(le e.g. Rice etc.
iv/ Aard food su(stances which need to (e chewed e.g. !ugarcane meat.
!ome have given 9 ty&es in addition to the four stated a(ove :
v/ which should (e sucked e.g. )ango.
vi/ @hich needs mastication (y teeth these include very hard food materials e.g.
various nuts.
!ome have stated > ty&es : forms of food : .iet. In addition to the a(ove 9.
vii/ Those which can only (e eaten after (eing grinded into &owder various &astes etc.
viii/ Bood su(stances like !uger candy etc.

@* $ccording to 4ature .iet has (een classified into 7 ty&es Aeavy .iet I Fight diet.
Rain water Raktashali ,Red rice/ !athe !ali ,Old rice/ )udga 6ina ,(lack deer/ I lava
,kind of (ird und in airid regions/ are light : laghu.
)ilk sugarcane fresh Rice %dad, (lack gram/ I meat of the animals from $noo& .esh
land with a(undant water I &lantation ,)arshy lands e?uatorial Rain forests/ are considered
to (e Curu ,Aeavy/

A* Seven Conce't of )iet
The following &oints are im&ortant in the making the .iet com&lete ,&romoting health/ or
im&ro&er' ,giving Rise to various diseases/.
-/ 5asic nature : &ro&erties of the food
7/ +om(ination of 7 or more food material changes the ?ualities : &ro&erties of
food material.
</ .ue to (oiling roasting etc. there is change in the &ro&erties of the food.
0/ Tuantity of food we take.
1/ Region has 7 meanings the region where the food is (eing taken I
!econdly region means the area the food is (een &roduced affects the
&ro&erties of food material.
9/ The time when one takes the food.
=/ The order in which one takes the food.

B* TM" O& TA4$# )"T
2ro&er e*cretion of urine I !tools .oshas go to the there res&ective sthanas i.e sites
strotasas are clean and free from (lockage I indriyas i.e. sense organs are shar& and
attentive one feels lightness of (ody 5elching with &ro&er smell to it. @ith &ro&er e*cretion
of $&aan vayu Aeart (ecomes 4irdosha i.e. we feel like eating I drinking.
@hen all the a(ove signs are &resent then only one should eatK as this is the &ro&er time for
taking the diet.
It is said that when the .oshas go to their own res&ective &laces I the !trotaras ,channels/
(ecome clean then only one should take Bood.
,UA$TT/ O& &OO) TO !" TA4"$
It is decided according to digestive ca&acity of $gni. If $gni is weak then one should take food
only once or should take food in less ?uantity.
Bood taken once i.e. at one time which gets digested com&letely I &ro&erly is said to (e
)atra:Tuantity of food to (e taken.
+onsidering four &arts of the !tomach one should take food such that 7 &arts of the !tomach
get filled (y the food taken one &art to (e filled (y water or other li?uid matter I one &art
should (e ke&t free for the Vayu : Cas to move .
One should take diet in &ro&er ?uantity. The ?uantity of diet to (e taken de&ends on the
digestion ca&acity of the &erson which varies from &erson to &erson I so does the )atra.
<C* The amount of food which without distur(ing the e?uili(rium of dhatus I doshas of the
(ody gets digested as well as meta(oli3ed in &ro&er time is to (e regarded as the &ro&er
?uantity.
The &ro&er ?uantity of food does de&end u&on the nature of food articles. If the food article is
heavy only three fourth or half of the stomach ca&acity is to (e filled u&. 6ven in the case of
light food articles e*cessive intake is not conducive to the maintenance of the &ower of
digestion I meta(olism.
MPORTA$C" O& &OO) TA4"$ $ PROP"R ,UA$TT/
Taken in $&&ro&riate ?uantity food certainly hel&s the individual in (ringing a(out strength
com&le*ion ha&&iness I longevity without distur(ing the e?uili(rium of dhatus I doshas of the
(ody.
ndicated &ood 20
One should regularly , can take everyday/ take !hastika ,a kind of rice harvested in si*ty
days/ !ali ,ory3a sativum/ yellow gram food cooked in Rock !alt $malaka ,em(lica
officinalis/ Rain @ater Chee )eat of animals dwelling in arid climate I Aoney.
Contradicted &ood 2
One should not regularly take heavy articles such as dried meat dry vegeta(les lotus
rhi3omes I lotus stalk. One should never take meat of a diseased animal. )oreover one
should not regularly take (oiled (uttermilk ins&issiated milk with &ork (eef meat of (uffalo
with fish curd I (arley.
OR)"R $ .HCH O$" SHOU() TA4" TH" )"T
Birst one should eat food of sweet taste for the &ur&ose of Vata 2itta &acification. !weet taste
is hel&ful for &acification of vata dosha &resent in the digestive tract or intestines.
Then one should take sour I salty su(stances for they do the function of increasing the
digestive #uices. Fastly one should take food of (itter and &ungent taste for the &ur&ose of
&acification of ;a&ha .
One should take fruits like &omegranate first in the diet. Then one should take li?uid material
I then lastly semisolid I solid food.
"#HT &ACTORS )"T"RM$$# TH" UT(T/ &OO)8
The 6ight factors which determine the utility or otherwise of various ty&es of food are.
-/ nature of food articles
7/ method of their &rocessing
</ com(ination
0/ Tuantity
1/ Aa(itat
9/ Time
=/ Rules governing intake of food.
>/ @holesomeness to individual who takes it.
<;* RU("S &OR TA4$# &OO)
Aealthy individuals as well as &atients should o(serve the following:
@hile having food articles which are most wholesome (y natureK one should eat only that
food in &ro&er ?uantity which is hot unctuous I not contradictory in &otency I that too after
the digestion of the &revious meal food should (e taken in &ro&er &lace with all the
accessories without talking I laughing with concentration of mind I &aying due regard to
oneself not too fast or too slowly.
m'ortant Rules And Regulations Related to )iet
-/ 6at to live (ut dont live to eat.
7/ 6at food which is (eneficial.
</ 6at food in a moderate ?uantity.
0/ .ont eat food &ro&erties of which are not known to you.
1/ .ont eat food in a hurry or when you are in a distur(ed state of mind full of tensions
strains and emotional out(reaks. Regain &eace of mind and then en#oy food with ha&&y and
hearty mood.
9/ @ash your hands feet and mouth using clean utensils in a clean &lace which is well
lighted and well'ventilated.
=/ Bill half ?uantity of stomach with food one fourth ?uantity with water and li?uid
su(stances and kee& the remaining one fourth for air.
>/ $ &erson who takes only one full meal a day is called "ogee ,or "oga &ractitioner/. Ae
takes light (reakfast in the morning and the healthy and ha&&y life.
G/ $ &erson who takes two full meals in a day is called 5hogiE i.e. a lusty and greedy
&erson who lives mostly to eat and suffers from illness and or ill health from time to time.
-8/ $ &erson who takes full meals more than two times is called Rogee or a sick &erson. Ae
a gluttonous &erson and lives only to eat. Ae is always sick and away from health.
--/ .ont do yogic e*ercises immediately after taking food. It is safe to do them three hours
after taking food. It is (etter therefore to do "ogic e*ercise early morning or in the evening
when the stomach is em&ty.
-7/ .ont take food immediately after doing yogic e*ercises (ut one hour after doing them.
-</ .ont go to (ed immediately after taking su&&er wait for a minimum of one hour after it.
-0/ $ccording to $yurveda well (alanced diet consists of food stuffs having si* tastes namely
!weet !our !alty 2ungent 5itter and $stringent.
)iet and Mind 2
"ogic and $yurvedic as&ects. )odern .ietetic consideration is only related to (ody. 5ut it is a
uni?ueness of "ogashastra and $yurveda which shows intimate relationshi& (etween diet and
mind. 5oth the sciences assert with &roofs that diet affects mentality of a human (eing. !atva
,virtue/ Ra#a ,$ggressive desire/ and Tama ,Ignorant sloth/ are the (asic ?ualities of mind.
!atvaguna is always strengthening invigorating and vitalising. !atvaguna e*&resses
essence understanding &urity clarity com&assion and love. Ra#oguna im&lies movement
aggressiveness and e*troversion and it o&erates on a sensual level. Tamoguna manifests
ignorance inertia heaviness and dullness.
!atvaguna is a &ositive virtue and it strengthens and sta(ili3es mind. Ra#oguna and
Tamoguna are negative attri(utes which desta(ilise and weaken the mind. "et all the three
attri(utes are re?uired of course in a (alanced state and having a strong control of satvaguna
are necessary for normal functioning of the mind.
$s the final goal of yoga &ractitioner is elevation and u&lifting of mental faculties to attain
eternal (liss or moksha he:she should do everything to go on increasing his satvaguna
through &ro&er diet and good (ehaviour. "oga (ecomes the destroyer of all woes and sorrows
and can (e accom&lished only (y him who is regulated and moderate in diet and recreation
regulated in s&eech and actions and regulated in thinking and slee&ing too.
The Taste Process
The first su(#ective e*&erience of a su(stance on the tongue is taste ,rasa/. $ short time later
one feels heating or cooling energy ,virya/. Binally the su(stances have an action on urine
fasces and sweat ,vi'ak/. Bor instance for hot chilli &e&&ers one immediately e*&eriences
its &ungent taste ,rasa/ and heating energy ,virya/ o(serving a (urning sensation in the
faces and urine ,vi&aka/ .
Virya D Aeating or +ooling 6nergy
@hen any medicinal her( or food su(stance is &ut in the mouth the first e*&erience is its
taste. Fater and in some cases immediately you feel its heating or cooling energy either in
the mouth or stomach. This change is all due to its action or &otent energy called Virya.
5y e*&erience one can form general rules a(out what a taste Ofeels likeO in the (ody. Bor
e*am&le the sweet taste has a cooling energy due to its heaviness. This action &rovokes
kapha and is &leasing to pitta and vata. 5ut there are occasional e*ce&tions to this rule.
Aoney is sweet (ut have heating energy. This une*&ected effect is termed Prabhav. In this
same way sour taste is usually heating e*&ect in the instance of lime which is cooling.
Vipak D 2ost'.igestive 6ffect
The final &ost'digestive effect of the taste on the (ody mind and consciousness is called
Vipak. @hile sweet and salty taste have a sweet vipak sour taste has a sour vipak (ut that
of &ungent (itter and astringent tastes are all &ungent. ;nowledge of the energy and &ost'
digestive effect of food or medicinal her(s makes understanding of its action on (odily system
easy. This knowledge (eing essential for (oth healing and cooking.
Prabhav D !&ecific %ne*&lained $ction
@hen two su(stances of similar taste energy and &ost'digestive effect show entirely different
action it is called &ra(hav. There is no logical e*&lanation for this. $ll gem stones crystals
and mantras aid healing due to their prabhav.
rabhav is therefore the s&ecific dynamic hidden action of the awareness &resent in the
su(stance.
)iet Planning
Choice of &ood
In &lanning the diet it is necessary to know which food to have or avoid (ased on ones
&ersonal doshic constitution or im(alance. Bor easy reference therefore some of the
acce&ta(le and avoida(le items for each doshic ty&e has (een listed (elow:
Ta(le -G
&ruits
1ata Pitta 4a'ha
a&&les $vocades a&&les,sour/ a&&les,sweet/ (ananas a&&les
dates gra&es (erries,sour/ (erries,sweet/ dates (erries
figs ,dry/ lemons cran(erries coconuts gra&es cran(er
ries
&omegranate (ananas straw(erries dates water melons &omegr
anates
raisin sweet oranges (anana figs sweetners dried
fruits
&ears 2lum lemon avocados melons straw(e
rries in
small
amount
s
figs ,fresh/ &eaches sweet melons mango
mango &lums coconut
&omegranates
)airy
1ata Pitta 4a'ha
cheese dairy yogurt fresh ghee milk #ust a
little
dairy
cows milk Bresh whole sour cream fresh whole un'
homogeni3ed
milk
clarified (utter
cheese
goat
milk
and
ghee in
modera
tion
&owdered un'homogeni3ed
milk

yogurt Chee
little (utter
white meat
,chicken fish or
turkey (aked or
(roiled/

chicken (roth
#rains

1ata Pitta 4a'ha


5arley white or (rown
(asmati rice
+orn white or (rown
(asmati rice
wheat
5read,with
yeast/
(arley
(uckwh
eat
cousou
s millet

corn wheat millet (arley oat,cooked/ muesli

cereals Oats oat,dry/ oat (ran wheat oats

granola ?uinoa ?uinoa oats white rice oat
(ran

millet &olenta wheat or wheat
(ran
cane small
amount
of
wheat

ta&ioca

Meat

1ata Pitta 4a'ha


turkey white meat
,chicken fish and
turkey ' (aked or
(roiled/
meat
ra((it chicken (roth chicken
&ork ducks
lam( eggs
&ork
salmon
sardines
(aked or (roiled
chicken turkey or
white fish in
moderate
amounts
(eef fresh
water
fish

(uffalo shrim&

chicken ra((it

duck venison

small
amount
of white
meat

1egeta%les

1ata Pitta 4a'ha


+a((age,
raw/
(eets 5eet as&aragus +ucum(er as&arag
us

+auliflow
er,raw/
cauliflower,cooke
d/
greens (roccoli Olives (eets

2eas Feeks +arrots ca((age 2otato (itter

2otatoes carrots Carlic cucum(er 2um&kin melons

!&inach as&aragus Creen +hillies cooked onions !&aghetti (roccoli

6gg&lant cilantro Onion sweet !?uash (eet
greens

)ushroo
m
fennel and a little
(it of garlic
2e&&ers &otatoes Tomato,raw/ ca((ag
e

Raddish,r
aw/
green (eans 2rickly &ear s&routs garlic

!&inach greens chillies Radishes s?uash and a
small amount of
okra and
cauliflower
fennel

Tomatoes
,raw/
Okra !&inach carrot

&arsni&s Turni&s horsera
dish

&um&kins leafy
greens

radishes,
&refera(ly
cooked/
leeks

lettuce

okra

cooked
onions

s&inach

s&routs

s?uash

turni&
and a
small
amount
of
artichok
e
(urdock
root
and
(russel
s
s&routs

S'ices

1ata Pitta 4a'ha


+arawas

$#wan $#wan 5lack &e&&er
$lmond e*tract $nise cardamom
$ruise $safoctida coriander
5asil 5asil seeds
5ay leaf 5ay leaf cinnamon
5lack &e&&er Carlic cilantro
$ll s&ices are
good.
Cinger fennel seeds
cilantro cummin
corriander and
fennel seeds
turmeric and
asafoetida,hing/
)ace fresh (asil
2i&&ai dill
)ustard turmeric and a
small amount of
cumin and fresh
ginger
!eeds

!alt chillies

ginger
cinnam
on
clove
fenugre
ek and
(ay
leaves

$#awan

$rvise

$safoeti
da

5ay leaf

+arawa
y

+innam
on

.ill

)ace

4utmeg

!affron

$uts

1ata Pitta 4a'ha


4one small amount of
almonds
$lmonds
&ecans and
sesame seeds
+ashew
2eanuts
2inenuts

sunflower seeds
and almonds in
moderate amount
$lmonds small
amount
of
almond
s

5lack @alnuts charole

5ra3il nuts

Bil(erts

Aa3elnuts

2eanuts

2ine nuts

@alnuts

Uneasy Com%inations for all %ody ty'es
The ne*t im&ortant factor re?uiring attention in the &lanning of diet is the incom&ati(ility of
certain com(inations of food that distur( the normal functioning of gastric fire and interfere
with the e?uili(rium of the three doshas there(y creating to*ins ,ama/ the root cause of all
ailments. $ list of the same is indicated (elow :
Ta(le 78
Milk 6ith fish meat curd sour fruits (read containing yeast cherries yogurt
Melons 6ith grains starch fried foods dairy &roducts
Starches 6ith eggs tea dairy (ananas dates most fruits
Honey 6ith when mi*ed with an e?ual amount of clarified (utter (oiled or cooked
honey
Radishes 6ith milk (ananas raisins
$ightshades 6ith &otato yogurt milk melon cucum(er tomato egg&lant
/ogurt 6ith milk sour fruits melons hot drinks meat fish mangos starch cheese
"ggs 6ith milk meat yogurt melons cheese fish (ananas
&ruit 6ith with any other food
Corn 6ith dates raisins (ananas
(emon 6ith yogurt milk cucum(ers tomatoes
.ater in Ayurveda 2
.ifferent synonyms for water are used (y the (rilliant scholars of $yurveda re&resenting either
the &ro&erties of the water or im&ortance of the water in human life. Leevanam is a synonym
for water which means life. Fife could not e*ist on this &lanet without water. Bor an $yurveda
&hysician water is not only an essential nutrient (ut is one among the five (asic elements
essential for the creation of this universe. It is Lalamaha(hoot i.e water element.
$ccording to charaka li?uid unctuous cold soft sticky I sweet taste are the attri(utes of the
su(stances &redominanted (y water. )oistening unctuous (inding oo3ing softening and
e*hilarating are the effects of watery edi(le su(stances on the human (ody.
Taste is also an attri(ute of #alamha(hoot. $ccording to caraka water is the (asis of taste.
@ater is (asically tasteless (ut as soon as it falls from the sky gets endowed with the
&ro&erties of the five elements or comes in contact with other su(stances I taste a&&ears in
water.
Classification of .ater2
+haraka while descri(ing the various ty&es of water mentioned that entire water is only one
which falls down as rain from the sky that while falling or having fallen down de&end on &lace
and time. Ae further says that water while falling down from sky I coming in contact with the
moon the air I the sun which follows time gets im&regnated with the &ro&erties of cold hot
unctuous non unctuous etc. I so on as it rests on the ground.
Soil + The .ater 2
$ccording to +haraka the &ure rain water has (y nature si* ?ualities namely cold &ure
wholesome &alata(le clean I light. 5ut when water falls on earth its &ro&erties change
according to the soil on which it has fallen. In white soil it (ecomes astringent in &ale it
(ecomes (itter in (rown alkaline in usara i.e red saline in hilly area &ungent I in (lack soil it
(ecomes sweet. The water from rain hailstone and snow is tasteless.
The Season + The .ater 2
$ccording to charaka'
,-/ The fresh rain water of the rainy season is heavy cases (lockage to the channels I
sweet. That of autumn is thin light and which does not (lock the channels in the (ody.
,7/ In early winter water is unctuous a&hrodisiac strength &romoting I heavy.
,</ In later winter it is light and alleviates ka&ha I vata.
,0/ The water of s&ring season is astringent sweet I rough.
,1/ In summer it is non (locking for channels.
The River + The .ater 2
+harakacharya has descri(ed the &ro&erties of water from different rivers. Its a a huge
ecological o(servation. It shows the wisdom I the e*tent of eco'friendly nature of oriental
thinking.
The river originating from Aimalayas constantly used (y the sages having water that is
o(structed agitated I (eaten is wholesome I virtuous says +haraka. ,$ccording to modern
science the water agitated I (eaten (y the (ig stones in the (ed of the river contains more
o*ygen/. Those originating from Aimalaya carrying stones I sand have clean water which is
like nectar. This rivers flowing towards west have clean water I are wholesome while those
#oining the eastern sea are mostly mild flowing I do not have clean water.
#ood .ater
The water which falls from the sky is called as $indrya Lala. It is the &rinci&al drinking water.
5est water is slightly astringent sweet thin non slimy light non rough I does not (lock the
channels of the (ody says +haraka.
5ala Maha%oot + Human !ody 2
@hile descri(ing the &redominance of )aha(hootaas in human (ody in +harak samhita
+harakacharya cleared stated that D the li?uid mo(ile dull unctuous soft I slimy &lasma
(lood fat ka&ha &itta urine sweat etc. along with the taste I gustatory sense are
&redominantly made u& to Lala )aha(hoot. These are the watery ingredients of the (ody.
Udakavaha Srotas 2
!trotas are defined as trans&orting &assages of dhatus undergoing transformation.
Bor udakavaha srotas the orign is &alate I &ancreas. The sym&toms of their affliction are
dryness of tongue &alate li&s throat &ancreas I e*cessive thirst. The signs mentioned
a(ove are the early signs of dehydration irres&ective of the cause. It is clear from the
descri&tion mentioned a(ove that the udakavaha strotas is ment for maintaining the water
(alance of the (ody.

JRules for 6ater intake2
@ater should not (e taken (efore food as it diminishes the digestive fire in the stomach I
ham&ers digestion.
@ater with food, advis!d in #as!s o% r!gu"ar ston!s in th! !$#r!tory syst!m/ causes weight
gain I &ost&ones digestion.
@ater after food ham&ers digestion I aggravates ka&ha (ecause of which one feels drowsy.
+old water taken in normal I cold climates causes consti&ation irrita(le (owel syndromeI
weight gain. It should always (e taken in hot tem&eratures.
Aot : lukewarm water is good for digestion alleviates vata I ka&ha I is fat cutting. Thus
should (e used in o(esity. This should (e avoided in hot tem&eratures &itta diseases I
&ersons of &itta constitution.
$n ideal time for drinking water after meals is at least half an hour after you have had food .
.rinking a glass of luke'warm water hel&s flush out all to*ins accumulated overnight in the
(ody is hel&ful in consti&ation I relieves one of gases.
Jlukewarm water should (e avoided (y &itta (ody ty&es in summers or if a &erson is suffering
from gastric a#idity.
)ehydration 2
Thirst is an urge to drink water. @ater is so vital for all our (ody &rocesses that thirst com&els
us to drink long (efore we get dehydrated i.e. dangerously low level of water in the (ody.
+harakacharya in his to&ic dealing with urge s&ecifically mentioned that the urge of thirst
should not (e held. !u&&ression of thirst gives rise to dryness of throat I mouth deafness
fatigue de&ression I cardiac &ain. Bor which cold I gratifying drinks are recommended. It
(ecomes easy to control the com&lications when thirst itself is alleviated. Aence one should
overcome thirst (efore it leads to other disorders.
6*cessive thirst due to loss of fluid dries u& the &atient I kills him instantly. Aence one should
take rain water mi*ed with honey. The ground water which is astringent in &ost digestive fate
thin light cold fragrant of good taste I non (locking of channels should (e considered as
rain water.
.ater n )isease 2
+haraka recommends naturally cold water in different conditions of thirst (urning sensation
fainting giddiness e*haustion &oisoning I (leeding disorders naturally . In hiccu&s
difficulty in (reathing acute fever cory3a after intake of ghee disease of chest I throat
ka&ha I vata disorders unctuosness in the (ody I #ust after evacuation hot water is
wholesome.
Intake of too much water is not wholesome in case of aneamia $scitis cory3a .ia(etes
Tumor &oor digestion diarrhea I s&leen enlargement. Aowever if the desire is intolara(le
one should drink water added with sugar I honey or some other suita(le I favourite
&re&aration.
.ater n &ever 2
In condition of thirst hot water should (e given in fever. Thirst caused (y wine I &itta,
e*cessive heat / cold water (oiled in small ?uantity is advisa(le. 5oth the a(ove ty&es of
water are a&&etisers digestive anti&yretic channel cleansing strength &romoting &roducing
relish I are wholesome.
@ater (oiled with musta, parapatak, usira, #handana, udi#hya , Sunthi, names of her(s/ self
cooled should (e administered to alleviate thirst I fever.
.ater n !enign Tumor
The &atients of (ening tumor should use water (oiled with "aghu pan#hamoo", grou& of her(s/
.
.ater in )ia%etes
$ &erson suffering from .ia(etes should drink water &rocessed with the drug of salasardai
grou& ,grou& of her(s/ or kusa or honey water : tri&hala water : #uice of tri&hala which hel&s
in controlling the sugar I kee&ing the (ody free from &ost' dia(etic com&lications.
.ater n Anaemia + 5aundice
Bor those suffering from $naemia water (oiled with her(s of "aghupan#hamu"a I for those
suffering from Laundice the gra&e #uice I the #uice of ama"aki is recommended.
.ater in Panchakarma 2
In virechana karma ,2urgation/ after taking &urgative drugs if there is consti&ation I the
im&urities are discharged in little ?uantity I with delay the &atient should drink hot water. 5y
this tym&anitis thirst vomiting I consti&ation are &acified.
In charaka it is stated that Dhot water digests the undigested unctuos su(stances (reaks
ka&ha I carminates mind. Aence hot water should (e given in emesis &urgation in her(al
water I oil enema for &acification of vata I ka&ha.
.ater Pre'aration 2
@ater &re&ared with different su(stances are mentioned in +harak samhita. To avoid the
re&etition these water &re&arations are discussed here in short.
;* Shadanga'aneeya - 6ater 6ith siE her%s * in o%esity
@ater (oiled with musta, parapatak, ushir, #handan, udi#hya , sunti is called as
!hadanga&aneeya. !hadanga&aneeya is indicated in all ty&es of fever I (ening tumour.It is
fat cutting I very useful in o(esity.
<* Trina'anchamool 6ater8
This is indicated in e*cessive thirst. The water (oiled with -rinapan#hamoo" I mi*ed with
sugar candy is called as Truna&anchamool Lala.
>* .ater in eEcessive thirst
In e*cessive thirst the water (oiled with tender leaves of matrulunga, v!tas, roots o% kush,
kasha , madhuyashti is advised. This water is then filtered I allowed to cool for the use.
@ater &re&ared with .aghu pan#hamoo", (ruhat an#hamoo", Dashamoo" are also some
other e*am&les of the water &re&ared useful in different disease conditions.
Co6 Milk + !uffalo Milk D An Ayurvedic 1ie6 Point 2
+harak samhita is the oldest one in all $yurvedic tests. In the +harak !amhita the &ro&erties
I the usage of cow I (uffalo milk are descri(ed . The descri&tion is (ased on the
&anchamaha(hautic theory.
Co6 Milk !uffalo Milk
2ro&erties 5est among the 2ro&erties 6nhances
Re#uvenator tonics . !lee& I decreases e*cessive
a&&etite.
In the descri&tion from +harak !amhita the &ro&erties of cows milk I (uffalos milk are
com&ared. !o the (uffalos milk is colder more unctuous heavier than the cow milk.
It means though the Cunas ,&ro&erties/ are same in (oth the milk (ut their &ercentage I
&ro&ortion with each other varies in the two ty&es. This difference in the &ro&ortion of
)aha(huta influences the &ro&erties of the milk. )ore of 2ruthvi I Lala )aha(huta are the
causative factors of ;a&ha dosha and hence (uffalos milk increase the ka&ha dosha in the
(ody. 5ecause of this increase in ka&ha dosha it enhances the slee& I controls e*cessive
a&&etite. On the other hand (ecause of the &ro&ortionate com&osition of gunas I the (alance
of 2anchamahadhutas the cow milk is descri(ed as the (est re#uvenator I also it delights the
mind.
+harakacharya stated that (ecause the &ro&erties of cows milk I O#a are the same the
cows milk is the (est among the re#uvinater tonics.
#"$"RA( RU("S TO !" PR"SCR!") &OR "1"R/ $)1)UA(2
@hen a &erson comes for ayurvedic counselling you may directly &rescri(e him the general
rules which are to (e followed (y every &erson.
These constitute of the following:
- )incharya i.e regime to (e followed everyday
7 Rutucharya i.e regime to (e followed in that &articular season
< Uneasy com%inations which are to (e avoided (y all.
0 )ake the individual aware of the conce't of an ideal diet + functions of food8 Ae should
(e informed a(out the time 7 Guantity + order in 6hich the food should %e taken.,all this
information is given a(ove in importan#! o% di!t/
1 Rules of 6ater intake as given a(ove, in water according to ayurveda/should (e &rescri(ed
to all individuals.
0 The food articles -diet* to (e taken I avoided on daily %asis should (e &rescri(ed from
ta(le no8 ;J i8e choice of food according to vata: &itta : ka&ha which will (e most (eneficial
for the individual.
1 &ood articles &rescri(ed out of the ta(le no.-G should (e taken from ta%le no8<; kee&ing
in mind that they dont aggravate the individuals .oshas with res&ect to his (ody constitution
I season in which he is dwelling., refer $OT" <; at the end of food charts/
9 The regime for 6oman:s cycle ,&eriods/ is also common and hence should (e &rescri(ed
to all woman.
= In the regime of Rutucharya and .inacharya the &rescri(ed hair oil massage oil etc should
(e different according to the (ody constitution.
$&art from common &rescri&tions here are some &rinci&al guidelines with e*am&les a(out
how to &rescri(e seasonal routines I diet to all healthy individuals according to their
&ersonal (ody constitution I the season they are dwelling in.
)"T"RM$$# TH" !O)/ T/P" O& A$ $)1)UA(2
Ta(le -7 I -< which give information a(out &hysical characters and emotional characters
a(out each (ody ty&e. One should tick the &articular characters he has for each of the .osha
and count them. The ma*imum num(er of characters in a &articular dosha gives his ma#or
(ody ty&e and the second is his minor (ody ty&e i.e if one finds ma*imum characters of Vata
.osha and lesser of 2itta .osha and the least of ;a&ha .osha his (ody ty&e is &redominant
in Vata and less dominant in 2itta. Ae has a dual (ody ty&e i.e. Vata 2itta., you can match it
with ta(le no.-8 and see which of the &hotogra&h ty&e does the individual resem(le/.
$fter diagnosing the constitution of the individual if he is &redominant in ka&ha dosha ta(le
-- will give him the .os and donts of each dosha. In ;a&ha .osha and even in diseases
related to ;a&ha dosha,increase in ka&ha dosha' ta(le no > ta(le no.=' ailments caused (y
the im&airment of five ty&es of ka&has/ one must (e &rescri(ed to take less ?uantity of food
which is warm and take food having &ungent (itter and astringent taste. Ae should (e
advised to o(serve fast once a week. Ae should do oil massage with stimulating oils like
saha#haradi oil etc. Ae should do regular and vigorous e*ercise I have ka&ha tea. Her%al
dietary su''lements as mentioned earlier like .uggul/ 'itopaladi &hurna/ +rikatu/
&havanprash should %e 'rescri%ed strictly under medical guidance8 Fikewise for &itta I
vata (ody ty&es.
If a &erson is dwelling in the rainy season ,early fall/ it is (ut natural that even the seasonal
aggravations of Vata .osha will (e there. This is given in ta(le -1. The tastes of seasons and
seasonal taste ad#ustment are given in ta(le no -9 I -=. $ &erson having Vata dosha
&redominant should (e &rescri(ed I strictly told to follow the regime of early rainy season
,given in, r!gim! in rainy s!ason/. The tastes given for this season are )a#or' !weet
moderate salty moderate unctuous warm. )inor 2ungent astringent etc given in the same
ta(le. Ae should (e &rescri(ed with the season dos I donts given for rainy season in ta(le
->.The food articles ,diet/ to (e taken on daily (asis should (e &rescri(ed from ta(le no. -G
i.e choice of food according to vata which will (e most (eneficial for the individual. , on the
same guidelines &rescri(e routines for &itta (ody ty&es dwelling in autumn I ka&ha (ody
ty&es dwelling in s&ring/V..a"&ays r!m!mb!r that b!%or! aggravation th!r! is a##umu"ation
o% th! sp!#i%i# Dosha &ith r!sp!#t to th! s!ason, refer ta(le no.-1/.So i% th! -9 I -= no
#harts ar! %o""o&!d in th! a##umu"ation p!riod i.! /0 days prior to th! aggravating s!ason ,
th!r! &ou"d b! minimum aggravation o% th! Doshas , thus th! ai"m!nts, refer ta(le no <0
19= I >/ r!"at!d to it V n this 6ay Ayurveda can %e the %est 'reventive natural
medication8
If an individuals (ody ty&e is 2itta';a&ha and he his dwelling in the early rainy season where
there is aggravation of Vata .osha. Ae should (e &rescri(ed with the general rules given in
regime for rainy season as (oth the .oshas forming his (ody ty&e are not dominant in this
season, ta(le no.-1/.The &rescri&tion should include seasonal taste ad#ustments I seasonal
dos I donts for &itta, ta(le -= I ->/. The food articles ,diet/ to (e taken on daily (asis should
(e &rescri(ed from ta(le no. -G i.e choice of food according to &itta which will (e most
(eneficial for the individual. Bood articles &rescri(ed out of the ta(le no.-G should (e taken
from ta(le no.7- kee&ing in mind that they dont aggravate &itta I ka&ha,refer note <; at the
end of food charts/. Ae should follow the .incharya and avoid the uneasy com(inations given
for all (ody ty&es in ta(le 78. These com(inations should (e avoided (y every individual as
mentioned earlier.

History of Ayurveda

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