RUDRA AYURVEDA | NEW YORK Ayurvedic Medicine, Services and Therapies by Vaidhya(Dr.) Reetu Rudra | 358 Fifth Ave. Suite 704 New York, NY 10001 | (646) 331-0398 PRAKRITI | Page 5 of 8 Home | About Ayurveda | About Vaidhya(Dr.) Rudra | Services and Therapies | Prakriti | Pranayam | Panchakarma | Contact Us INTRODUCTION TO FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENTS OF AYURVEDA: PRAKRITI According to Ayurveda, everything in this universe is made up of five elements, namely, earth, water, fire, air and ether (space). The word Prakriti means "nature" or natural form of the build and constitution of the human body. Ayurveda lays emphasis on examining the Prakriti or the natural state of an individual first. The vikriti i.e. disease is examined later. While the expert in modern medicine analyses the disease, the Ayurvedic expert is also interested in the individual who is suffering from the disease. All material in the universe, animate or inanimate, is composed of five basic elements - namely Akaash, Vaayu, Agni, Jal and Prithvi. Akash, or space, is omnipresent and all pervading; a substratum to the other four elements and due to its presence one can separate or differentiate material. Vaayu, or air, is responsible for the movement of all types and is vital for the existence of all creatures. Agni, is the element of energy or heat. Jal, is the element of water essential for sustenance of life. Prithvi, or earth, is responsible for structure and bulk of the material. These elements combine to form the three Doshas, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, or metabolic types and are represented in the human body in different forms. For instance, bones and teeth are earth, blood and lymph are water, the metabolism is fire, oxygen is air, and ether is the spaces found between matter, represented best by vibration or sound. Vata is a combination of Ether (space) and Air, Pitta is formed by combination of Fire and water and Kapha is a combination of Water and Earth. These various Doshas govern different functions and different attributes in the individual's body. All these Doshas are present in every human being but the balance differs. Usually only one Dosha is prominent and determines the constitution or Prakriti of an individual. Doshas are constantly being formed and reformed by food, activity, and bodily processes. The balance of these Doshas depends and changes with lifestyle or diet; mental and physical exertion; weather, chemicals, or germs etc. Thus a person's chances of developing certain types of diseases are related to the balance of Doshas, the state of the physical body, and mental or lifestyle factors. The Prakriti is believed to be unchanged over a person's lifetime. What is Vata? UNDERSTANDING AND APPLYING PRAKRITI: VATA Vata governs movement and neural-electrical impulses. It is responsible for some of the basic body functions such as the heartbeat, cell division, movement of food in digestion and the workings of the nervous system. Vata body areas are the large intestine, pelvis, bones, skin, ears, and thighs. Vata imbalances can cause conditions like high blood pressure, constipation, anxiety and dry skin. People with Vata as dominant Dosha are believed to be quick thinking, thin, and fast. Vata governs many basic functions of the body like breathing, heart pulsation, blood flow, all expansion and contraction, movements in the muscles and tissues, the movements of cytoplasm and the cell membranes, and the movement of the single impulses in nerve cells, blinking of the eyelids, waste elimination, and the way our thoughts cross our minds. Vata also controls feelings and emotions such as freshness, anxiety, fear, nervousness, pain, tremors, and spasms. The prime location of Vata in human body is colon but it also resides in the hips, thighs, ears, bones, large intestine, pelvic cavity, and skin. Thus if the Vata exceeds in the body it accumulated in these areas. Any imbalance of Vata energy can cause conditions like high blood pressure, constipation, anxiety, dry skin, insomnia and cramps. Vata can be thrown out of balance by, by staying up late at night, eating dry fruit, or eating before the previous meal is digested. Vata people have variable appetite and digestive efficiency and like sweet, sour and salty tastes and hot drinks. They usually have irregular appetite and thirst; hence experience digestive and malabsorption problems. Common Vata Dosha imbalances include: - Dry, hard stools, constipation or gas - Nervousness, anxiety, panic, fear - Difficulty tolerating loud noises - Twitches, tics, tremors, spasms - Low body weight, emaciation - Cracking and popping joints - Excess thinking or worrying - Spacey, scattered feeling - Dislike of cold and wind - Light, restless sleep - Dry or chapped skin - Absentmindedness - Poor memory Since Vata is a cold dry Doshas, warm, nourishing foods are good to balance Vata. You should include in your diet the food that is warm, moderately heavy, slightly oily (garnished with butter and fat), sweet, soothing and satisfying. All such foods are good for settling disturbed Vata. Food items such as warm milk, cream, butter, warm soups, stews, hot cereals, fresh baked bread, ripe fruits, salted nuts are good for vata. Breakfast is very important for vata people. You can add hot cereals such as cream of rice or wheat, any warm, milky, and sweet food item in your breakfast. Vata person should avoid high caffeine drinks instead of them they can opt herbal teas. Spicy Mexican or Indian foods that are cooked in oil also good for vata people. On the other hand cold foods such as cold salads, iced drinks, raw vegetables and greens are not very good for persons with vata imbalance. They should avoid eating candies, dry fruits, and unripe fruits. What is Pitta? UNDERSTANDING AND APPLYING PRAKRITI: PITTA In Ayurveda Pitta is known as Energy of Digestion and Metabolism. Pitta Dosha (bio-energy) is a combination of water and fire elements and formulated by the dynamic interplay of the both. These elements are transformative in nature thus they constantly modulate and control each other. In human body Pitta represents the fire element; it includes gastric fire or digestive fire, action of enzymes and amino acids that play a major role in metabolism, and the neurotransmitters and neuropeptides involved in thinking. People with Pitta personality are known for warm friendly behaviour and leadership qualities. Pitta is hot, sharp, light, oily, liquid, and spreading in nature. It is sour, bitter, pungent to the taste, and has a fleshy smell. All these characteristics are revealed in the body of the Pitta person. The main centres of Pitta in human body are small intestine, stomach, sweat glands, blood, fat, eyes, and skin. Pitta governs digestion, absorption, assimilation, nutrition, metabolism, body temperature, skin coloration, the luster of the eyes, intelligence, and understanding. It gives the person appetite, vitality, and the capacity to learn, understand and determine what is right or wrong. The imbalanced Pitta can cause many physical and psychological problems like anger, criticism, negative emotions, acidity, ulcers, heartburn, rashes and thinning hair. Pitta can be thrown out of balance by, eating spicy or sour food; being angry, tired, or fearful; or spending too much time in the sun. People with a predominantly Pitta constitution are thought to be susceptible to heart disease and arthritis. Pitta Prakriti people have light to medium body frame with well-built physique and medium height. Their chests are not very flat and they show a medium prominence of veins and muscle tendons. Pitta people may have sharp but yellowish teeth with soft and, at times, bleeding gums. Person with Pitta Prakriti has usually soft nails. Pitta people usually have a sensitive and reactive body with a medium frame and weight. They usually keep in shape as they rarely gain or lose much weight. Pitta constituent people usually have strong metabolism, good digestive fire and strong appetites. Thus they usually take large quantities of food and liquid at a time and often get irritated if they have to miss or wait for a meal. Pitta type people have a natural longing for sweet, bitter and astringent tastes and enjoy cold drinks. Pitta is a fire element, thus people with Pitta constitution tend to have higher body temperature with warm hands and feet. They do not feel comfortable in sunlight heat or hot weather as heat makes them tired. Pitta people do not like hard work as well as they also have a tendency toward excessive perspiration. Pitta Prakriti people are passionate and romantic and sexually have more vigor and endurance than Vatas, but less than Kaphas. There are some qualities of balanced Pitta person. - Good digestion - Energy - Goal-setting inclinations - Good problem-solving skills - Keen powers of intelligence - Decisiveness - Boldness and courage - Bright complexion Pitta is related with fire and control digestion and metabolism, body temperature, and biological transformations in the body. Usually Pitta people have strong efficient digestion, they can generally eat just about everything but they should include cool or warm food in their diet with less butter and added fat. Excessive use of salt, overuse of sour and spicy food and overeating are the main causes that trouble Pitta so such food items should be reduced, instead starchy foods such as vegetables, grains and beans, salad, milk and ice cream should be included in the diet. Alcoholic and fermented foods should also be avoided. Pitta person should not take coffee also as the acid in the coffee is also Pitta aggravating, instead they can have herb teas like mint, licorice root or other that pacify Pitta. What is Kapha? UNDERSTANDING AND APPLYING PRAKRITI: KAPHA The Doshas of Kapha is an alliance of water and earth elements. Kapha represents the Energy of Lubrication and Structure in Ayurveda. Kapha comprises all our cells, tissues and organs. Kapha molecules act as glue that hold the body together and provides it the basis for physical structure. Water is the main constituent of Kapha and provides biological strength and natural tissue resistance in the body. Kapha is heavy, slow, cool, oily, liquid, hard, smooth, dense, soft, static, viscous, and cloudy. It is white in color and has a sweet and salty taste. These attributes of Kapha can be seen with an individual who has predominant Kapha Dosha. The main centres of Kapha in the human body are chest, throat, head, sinuses, nose, mouth, stomach, joints, cytoplasm, plasma, and the liquid secretions of the body such as mucus. The chest is the dominant seat of Kapha. Kapha provide body resistance, lubricates the joints, moisture the skin, heals wounds; fills the spaces in the body; gives biological strength, vigor and stability; supports memory retention; gives energy to the heart and lungs and maintains immunity. Psychologically, it is responsible for the emotions of attachment, greed, and long-standing envy, calmness, forgiveness, and love. In a balanced state Kapha individual shows terrific endurance and physical strength with slow and steady speech and a calm, loving and forgiving attitude. But excess of Kapha can lead to lethargy, weight gain, congestion and allergies along with envy, greedy and possessive behavior. Kapha can be aggravated by, sleeping during the daytime, eating excessive sweet foods, overeating, and eating and drinking foods and beverages with too much salt and water (especially in the springtime). The main health ailments associated with Kapha Dosha include diabetes, gallbladder problems, stomach ulcers, and respiratory illnesses such as asthma. Kapha Prakriti people usually have strong and large body frame with heavy bones and muscles. Their chests are expanded and broad. Their veins and tendons are not obvious because of their thick skin but the muscle development is good. The bones are not prominent. Eyes are prominent feature of Kapha people. They usually have large and attractive eyes. Kapha people generally have strong and white teeth. Balanced Kapha people enjoy excellent health with strong immune system. Kapha people have the most energy of all constitutions, but it is steady and enduring, not explosive. Kapha people have a tendency to gain weight as they have slow digestion and metabolism. Kapha people enjoy sound and prolonged sleep. They feel cloudy and foggy in the morning and often desire tea/coffee as a stimulant to start the day. Kapha people have dislike for cold and damp weather as they are more prone to colds, congestion and cough problem. A balanced Kapha people have physical strength, a strong immune system, serenity or calmness, steady mind, rational thinking and mental determination, endurance and adaptability etc. Any of the properties of Kapha in excess can cause an imbalance. Kapha can be aggravated by, sleeping during the daytime, eating excessive sweet foods, overeating, and eating and drinking foods and beverages with too much salt and water. It also increases during winter and early spring or when weather is heavy, wet, cloudy, and cold. Full moon also aggravates Kapha. Kapha people should avoid heavy, oily foods, dairy and iced drinks; instead they need to include pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes that decrease Kapha influences. Food items such as spices, green leafy vegetables, chilies, beans etc. should be included in diet. Kapha people should avoid daytime naps. Going to bed early and rising early is always beneficial for them. When Kapha is aggravated or imbalanced one may feel: - Sluggish and dull in thinking - Lethargic or tired - Depressed, sad, sentimental - Slow to comprehend, slow to react - Clingy, hanging on to people and ideas - Greedy, possessive, materialistic - Sleepy or very tired in the morning, hard to get out of bed - Drowsy or groggy during the day - Weight gain, obesity - Mucus and congestion in the chest or throat - Mucus and congestion in the nose or sinuses - Nausea - Diabetes - Hay fever - Pale, cool, clammy skin - Edema, water retention, bloated feeling - Sluggish digestion, food "just sits" in the stomach - High cholesterol - Aching joints or heavy limbs