Ayurveda Series Part-9

Thanks to all those who have been regularly following this Ayurveda series and constantly encouraging me to write more. Having received requests from most of you to know how to balance the doshas, I believe this post shall help in understanding the same.. So, lets get started..

There are 3 important aspects that one needs to know while we talk of balancing the doshas. Unless we understand its prakrutavasta(Normalcy) and vikrutavasta(Vitiation), balancing them would become tough. 

1. Firstly one needs to know about Shadrasas( Shad- means 6, rasas- tastes). The 6 tastes are

Madhura(Sweet)

Amla(Sour)

Lavana(Salt)

Katu(Pungent/Spicy)

Tikta(Bitter)

Kashaya(Astringent)

These 6 tastes have their effects on the doshas. Some pacify and some aggravate..

VATA- Pacifying- Madhura, Amla, Lavana/ Aggravating- Katu, Tikta,Kashaya

PITTA- Pacifying- Kashaya, Tikta, Madhura/ Aggravating- Katu, Amla, Lavana

KAPHA- Pacifying- Katu, Tikta, Kashaya/ Aggravating- Madhura, Amla, Lavana

This is the main aspect of Ayurvedic treatments. The aggravated doshas is identified based on the condition and the drugs(herbs/minerals) having the pacifying rasas(tastes) is chosen to be prescribed and that pacifies the aggravated doshas, providing relief from the ailment.

2. Next in line is the natural changes that doshas undergo during the day/night and also as per the age.

During childhood- It is Kapha predominant, hence you see most of the children suffering from respiratory issues quite often.

Teenage- It is Pitta predominant, hence you find most of them having voracious appetite and also acne issues

Old age- It is Vata predominant, hence you find arthritis issues, digestive issues esp constipation

3.  DAY/NIGHT- 2am-6am and 2pm-6pm and at the end of the digestion, VATA AGGRAVATES.

                         10am-2pm and 10pm-2am and during the digestion, PITTA AGGRAVATES

                         6am-10am and 6pm-10pm and during the beginning of the digestion, KAPHA AGGRAVATES

4. Effects of the seasons on the doshas

    VASANTA RITU/SPRING{ Chaitra Masa and Vaishaka Masa- mid MAR to mid MAY}- Kapha prakopa( aggravates)

HEMANTA RITU/EARLY WINTER{ Margashira Masa and Pushya Masa/ mid NOV- mid JAN}- Kapha Sanchaya(accumulation)

GREESHMA{ Jyesta masa and Ashada masa-Mid MAY to mid JULY}- Kapha Prashamana(pacifies)

   GREESHMA RITU/SUMMER- Vata Sanchaya(accumulation)

SHISHIRA RITU/LATE WINTER{Magha masa and Phalguna masa/mid JAN-mid MAR)- Vata Prakopa(aggravates)

SHARAD- Vata Prashamana(pacifies)

   VARSHA RITU/MONSOON{Shravana Masa and Bhadrapada Masa/mid JULY to mid SEPT}- Pitta Sanchaya(accumulation)

SHARAD RITU/AUTUMN{ Ashvayuja Masa and Karthika Masa/ mid SEP -mid NOV}- Pitta Prakopa(aggravates)

HEMANTA- Pitta Prashamana(pacifies)

Confusing??? hahaha… Let me explain with one example

How many have you, have experienced cold and running nose during the beginning of the spring? 

Here- Kapha has undergone accumulation(which you would not know evidently) in the body in the previous season, that is in early winter or hemanta ritu, in the spring/vasanta ritu the accumulated kapha aggravates/liquidifies due to the heat of the sun(beginning of the summer) and that you start experiencing as cold and running nose. In summer/greeshma ritu, kapha pacifies and cold issues stop bothering you.. 

Am I now clear?? or too much technical?? Please let me know in the comments..

This was required to be explained as this is the basic foundation to know about what causes its disturbance and how it gets pacified. Infact this explanation is just half the info, but I guess this is enough for now.. Have you noticed, our hindu festivals falls in each of these ritus/seasons and we have particular rituals and foods habits being followed during those days? You know why? that is because the festival falls between the end of previous season and before the beginning of the next season, which in Ayurveda is called RITU SANDHI, during which you gradually stop the food habits of previous season and adopt the new food habits for the coming season. That keeps the doshas in check.. This is why our Sanatana Dharma has had certain rituals and culture to be followed during those festivals for this very reason.. 

Next post I shall list certain dos and donts in general to maintain the doshas..Until then, take care:)