What if there was a customized way of living?
What if there were foods, herbs, movement, habits, and routines that sought to bring balance and harmony to your specific body type, mental tendencies, and energy nature?
Welcome to Ayurvedic medicine!
As previously discussed, Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient Indian medical system still in use to this day that focuses on balancing the body and mind and keeping them harmonious.
Each individual is said to have a constitution consisting of three doshas (types of energies): vata, pitta, and kapha. Depending on which dosha(s) is dominant, one can work to restore balance with tailored lifestyle choices and medical treatments.
Learn more about the doshas in our previous blog where we list out characteristics for each.
An Ayurvedic practitioner can assist in defining one’s dosha(s), but online quizzes are also available and can be helpful.
Here are a few: Dosha Quiz, What’s Your Dosha
Interested in lifestyle tips for your specific dosha(s)? Check out the following!
Vata
A blend of air and ether (space), vata is light, cool, changeable, mobile, dry, thin, creative, and fast.
If left unbalanced, it can result in restlessness, bloating, constipation, joint pain, anxiety, and an overly busy mind.
Do:
- take breaks to slow down/meditate
- develop a calming schedule, refrain from running from place to place
- create a warm, cozy, and nourishing space with soft blankets and candles
- eat protein at each meal
- give yourself or schedule a massage with warm oils
- practice yoga, go for a walk, or stretch
- drink warm foods like teas, broths, and soups
- include warming spices in your diet such as cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, and cloves
- eat cooked foods such as rice, oats, quinoa, dairy, root vegetables, and meat
Avoid:
- fasting or skipping meals
- caffeine
- alcohol
- raw foods
- cold environments/excessive air conditioning
- an overly busy schedule
Pitta
Pitta is a mix of fire and water and has characteristics of heat, oiliness, medium frame, average sleep and metabolism, hunger, and passion.
Imbalance can create impatience, irritability, being overly critical, overeating, inflammation, hot flashes, rash, and sleep issues.
Do:
- cool the body with cold drinks, shade, or a cool shower
- opt for calming movement like walking and yoga
- eat cooling foods such as melons, cucumbers, and sweet fruits
- use herbs such as lavender, chamomile, and mint
- restore in nature, look around and ground the self
Avoid:
- alcohol
- caffeine
- spicy and salty foods
- waiting until you are ravished to eat
- intense and strenuous exercise
Kapha
Both earth and water, Kapha dosha is heavy, soft, slow, lethargic, stable, gentle, methodical, and cold.
Imbalance can show up in excess mucus, weight gain, allergies, sluggish bowels, oversleeping, and depression.
Do:
- choose stimulating exercise such as HIIT workouts and weight lifting
- eat when hungry
- eat light foods with pungent flavor such as apples, cherries, artichoke, leafy vegetables, peppers, and garlic
- warm digestion with cinnamon, cardamon, ginger, cumin, and cloves
- enjoy warming beverages such as chai tea and golden milk
Avoid:
- heavy meat and processed/oily foods like cheese
- overeating
- oversleeping
- the same routine day in and day out
Although certain doshas have seasons throughout the year, an individual may have an overall dominant dosha (or doshas) in daily life. The above are just a few lifestyle tips that can help calm a dosha in excess; there are many more ways that can be found in books, online, and with specialized practitioners.
Dr. Graves uses Ayurvedic medicine often when it comes to prescribing herbs. Specifically, customized blends can help target specific energy imbalances.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call us at (303) 688-6698 or click here.
The CNMA office provides naturopathic care, acupuncture, testing, massage, and holistic counseling to those in Castle Rock, Castle Pines, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Centennial, Parker, Larkspur, Monument, Colorado Springs, and the greater Denver metro area. For those outside of these areas, virtual appointments are available.
REFERENCES:
https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/health/vata-dosha-imbalance/
https://www.pukkaherbs.com/us/en/wellbeing-articles/best-foods-to-balance-vata-digestion
https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/health/ayurveda/pitta-imbalance/
https://chopra.com/articles/understanding-pitta-how-to-feed-your-inner-fire
https://www.pukkaherbs.com/us/en/wellbeing-articles/foods-to-balance-kapha-digestion
https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/health/kapha-dosha-imbalance/
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