About Ayurveda
In Sanskrit “AYUR” means life and “VEDA” knowledge. According to Vedic wisdom, Ayurveda signifies truth of life. Thus, Ayurveda ultimately is the science of experiencing the truth of who you are. From understanding Ayurveda, you gain knowledge for your emotional, mental and physical balance.
With over 5.000 years of practice, Ayurveda is the world’s oldest holistic health system originating from Indian Vedic culture. Ayurveda, Yoga and Tantra are ancient disciplines which were first recorded in the Vedas and Upanishads by the rishis. While Yoga is the science of union with the Divine, Tantra is the most direct method of controlling energy which creates ultimate union with Truth. All three disciplines help to achieve longevity, rejuvenation and self-realization. None of these practices are standing alone, as they form an interdependent trinity of life. Used correctly, Ayurveda rewards you with health and longevity. Consequently, Ayurveda builds the foundation for Yoga and Tantra practices.
Ayurveda has been used for thousands of years to restore the harmony of body and mind. A long time after Great Britain conquered India, Ayurveda was banned and remained hidden in the kitchen of Indian households.
“When diet is wrong, medicine is of no use. When diet is right, medicine is of no need.” –
Ayurvedic Proverb
Its timeless nature makes Ayurveda easily applicable everywhere and is especially needed in our current busy, stressful everyday lives. Ayurveda offers gentle and effective solutions in case of illness and chronic conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, arthritis, infertility, menopause symptoms, depression, psoriasis, eczema and many more.
According to Ayurveda, dis-ease is caused by an imbalance of the doshas. The three doshas, or life energies are called Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These doshas are made up of the five basic elements (panca mahabhuta), which are found in all life on earth: ether, air, fire, water and earth.
VATA = Ether + Air
PITTA = Fire + Water
KAPHA = Water + Earth
These three elements (Vata, Pitta and Kapha) are found in nature, in the seasons and the times during your day. The doshas govern all psychological and physical functions of your body, mind and consciousness. Your body contains all three doshas within itself, Vata manifests as movement (heartbeat, blood circulation, respiration), Pitta as transformation (digestion, metabolism, nutrient absorption) and Kapha as stability (bone density, fat regulation, stamina).
DETERMINATION OF CONSTITUTION
The basic constitution of each individual is determined at conception, when the body’s makeup of the parents unites. Then, your very unique psychophysiology, also known as prakruti, is formed.
SEVEN TYPES OF CONSTITUTIONS
In general, there are seven different types of main-constitutions:
1. Vata
2. Pitta
3. Kapha
4. Vata-Pitta
5. Pitta-Kapha
6. Vata-Kapha
7. Vata-Pitta-Kapha
But there are literally as many individual constitutions, as there are people. Every individual has an exclusive constitution made up of all three doshas, you could be 50% Vata, 30% Pitta and 20% Kapha. Or you may have an equal balance of all three doshas, a tridoshic constitution. Every person is looked at differently, there is no size fits all, which signifies Ayurveda’s special approach. When you are given a specific treatment, it might be healing for you, while the same diet and lifestyle might lead to an imbalance or disease in someone else. Understanding your personal constitution and knowing what to eat and how to live accordingly is helpful to remain healthy. If you are already experiencing symptoms of disease, this means that one or more of your doshas have been disturbed over time.
We discern between the constitution you are born with, your prakruti, your “true nature”, which is the essence of who you are. And your vikruti, which you create due to the role you take on in society, through wrong schooling, friends, etc. Your vikruti is the nature of an imbalance. Ayurveda consultants help bringing your vikruti back to your innate prakruti. Therefore, trying to guess your constitution through online questionnaires can be very misleading and treating symptoms may lead to further illness. I highly recommend you to seek professional Ayurvedic advice before trying to solve any issues by yourself.
Jatharagni - The Digestive Fire
The Sanskrit word Agni means fire, it is your biological, “digestive fire”. When your digestive fire is too high or too low and your digestion is not working optimally, Ama is created in your body, which may turn into toxins. They circulate within your body and can lead to illness. Toxins originate from incorrect alimentation, wrong lifestyle choices, but also from unresolved issues or trauma.
“Health is order; disease is disorder.” –
Dr. Vasant Lad
According to Ayurveda, the root of all illness is Ama. Consequently, the first stage of an Ayurvedic nutritional treatment will strengthen your digestive fire, the Agni. This will enhance your bodies' own ability to dispel toxins. In order to counterbalance your digestive fire, specific herbs are used, because they help to dislodge Ama in your body and support the elimination process. During such a therapy, meals which are easily digestible and which address your dosha imbalance, together with various lifestyle changes, such as exercise, work or stress management, will be prescribed. The harmony of your Agni will be restored if you are following the dietary and lifestyle changes over time. In this way, you will find back into your prakruti.
The 6 Tastes - Shad Rasa
Astringent, Bitter, Pungent, Salty, Sour, Sweet
Incorporating all of the six tastes into your diet promotes the balance of all three doshas. Certain tastes will pacify or aggravate a dosha. Please find below how the Shad Rasa will affect each of the doshas.
VATA
pacified by sweet, sour & salty
aggravated by bitter, pungent & astringent
PITTA
pacified by sweet, bitter & astringent
aggravated by sour, salty & pungent
KAPHA
pacified by bitter, pungent & astringent
aggravated by sweet, sour & salty
To create harmony within your body, it is suggested to incorporate more of the tastes which will pacify your unique dosha. For example, a Kapha dominant person or a person suffering from Kapha symptoms should increase bitter, pungent and astringent and avoid sweet, sour and salty tastes.
Here you will find some examples for each of the tastes.
SWEET – most grains (wheat, spelt, rice), dairy, meat, ghee, pumpkin, sweet potato, dates, nuts, dried fruit, sugar, honey, maple syrup, licorice root etc.
SOUR – citrus fruits, tamarind, vinegar, tomato, alcohol, buttermilk, yogurt, pickled and fermented foods etc.
SALTY – sea vegetables, Kala Namak (black salt), (rock) salt, soy sauce, tamari, olives, fish etc.
PUNGENT – onion, garlic, chili, mustard, horseradish, watercress, arugula, oregano, thyme, basil, dill, black cumin, ginger, pepper, cinnamon, clove, cardamom etc.
BITTER – green vegetables, leafy vegetables, radicchio, citrus zest, aloe, coffee, cacao, grapefruit, fenugreek, turmeric, ajwain, black cumin, hing (Asafoetida), cilantro, parsley, rosemary etc.
ASTRINGENT – legumes, pomegranates, cranberries, green beans, alfalfa sprouts, okra, green grapes, apples, persimmon, berries, carob, tahini, seeds, cauliflower, herbal teas, quinoa etc.
Not only the Shad Rasa are an important factor in your diet. It should also be considered, if the food is heavy or light, hot- or cold-producing, oily or dry, solid or liquid – since this will also affect your dosha. Further, the food you consume should be seasonal and should change with the natural cycles of the seasons. The quality of the food is also of high importance. Your diet should be sattvic, meaning that the food you consume carries a lot of prana and will increase your energy. For example, by incorporating fresh vegetables, fruit, legumes, healthy fats, herbs and spices; simply pure, natural, vital foods. These should be ahimsa, meaning non-violent towards the environment and animals (organic, seasonal, vegetarian, biodynamic, eg. Demeter certification). The way you consume your food will also affect how well your body can digest it, it is best to do so mindfully.
Considering all these factors, what you consume will nourish your body, mind, and soul, your consciousness. It will set the foundation for your health and your longevity. Consequently, you will be able to dive deeper into other practices, such as Yoga, Tantra, or simply following the dreams and visions you have for yourself and your community. Instead of surviving, you will start thriving.
If you want to find out more about my personal approach to Ayurveda and food in general, please find my personal story, and background in the category “About”.