Not feeling well? your Doshas can be unbalanced
Angry, cold sensation, anxious , depressed or physically ill? If you have been feeling unwell for a long period of time may is time to check your Doshas (the 3 bio-energies that composed all matter) because they can be unbalanced.
In this blog, you can find different tips to know if your Doshas are unbalanced and how to get your balance back!
Let´s start…
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is a short term people use for ayurvedic medicine. It is one of the oldest holistic medicines that improves your general wellbeing. The term Ayurveda means ayur (life) and veda (science). In other words, Ayurveda translates the science of life. On our previous blog you can find the most important characteristics of this holistic medicine.
According to Ayurveda, our universe consists of five elements:
- Ether
- Air
- Earth
- Fire
- Water
Ayurveda says that there are three principle bio-energies, these are the Doshas (vatta, pitta and kapha). They exist in all matter and every Dosha is also composed by different combinations of the five elements. So your body is composed by the combination of Doshas.
Ayurvedic medicine: Principles
Ayurveda is based on the belief that health and wellbeing depend on the balance between your mind, body, and spirit. In other words, when you are in harmony with the universe, you have good health; however, when something disrupts this balance, you get sick.
Causes of unbalanced
Among the things that can disrupt this balance are:
- Genetics
- Birth defects
- Injuries
- Climate and seasonal change
- Age
- Emotions.
How know if your Doshas are unbalanced and how to balance them back.
1.Vata where the air and space elements dominate
Imbalance characteristics
- Constipation
- Gas formation
- Belly distension
- Dehydration
- Astringent taste in mouth
- Dry and rough skin
- Pains or general body-ache
- Loss of strength and fatigue
- Disturbed or lack of sleep (Insomnia)
- Tremors and twitches
- Feeling vertiginous
- Sensitiveness to cold and desire for warmth
- Feeling anxious, nervous or stressed
- Desire of running away
- Feeling confused, fearful & shaky
What you can do to balance Vata
Cold causes Vata to contract and tighten, in addition, restricts the free flow of movement that is so vital to your well-being. Vata needs warmth on all levels. In other words, you need to feel warmed by everything that surrounds you (your friends and family, the environment, what you eat, etc.). Some examples of what you can do are:
- Stay warm.
- Choose hot foods like meals with sriracha and use natural spices (cinnamon, curcuma, etc.).
- Avoid extreme cold foods and frozen drinks.
- Minimize consumption of raw foods, especially apples and members of the cabbage family.
- Moderate your consumption of beans.
- Make sure food is hot, moist and well lubricated, for example soup, hot drinks, and rice with a little oil or butter.
- Choose sweet, sour, and salty flavours in your food.
- Keep a regular routine.
- Create a safe, calm, and secure environment (as much as you can).
Pitta where the fire element dominates
Imbalance characteristics
- Lethargy
- Decreased or no appetite at all
- Nausea
- Water retention
- Congestion, mucous formation
- Mouth secretions
- Breathing difficulties
- Excessive sleep
- Sweetness in mouth
- Feeling of heaviness
- Depression, sadness
- Dull, inactiveness
- Feeling unsupported or unloved
- Feeling greedy, entangled, possessive
How to balance Pitta
Pita is balanced when: First, you can trust your feelings and express them in ways that make you feel supported for those around you. Second, when you live your life with joy and courage. Remember that it is much easier to stay calm and focused when eating a diet that supports Pitta, there are some tips for you:
- Stay cool.
- Avoid excessive heat, steam and moisture.
- Avoid excess oils, fried foods, caffeine, salt, alcohol, red meat, and hot spices.
- Increase the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Consume milk and cottage cheese.
- Eat whole grains.
- Get plenty of fresh air.
- Try to avoid anger (use techniques that help you like meditation or breathing exercises).
Kapha where the earth and water elements dominate
Imbalance characteristics
- Excessive thirst or hunger
- Heartburn and acidity
- Burning sensation in eyes, hands and sole
- Hot flushes in body
- Skin rashes, acne, and boils
- When you vomit bile (yellow water)
- Hypersensitivity to light
- Strong body odor
- Nausea and headache
- Loose motions
- Bitter taste in the mouth
- Sensitiveness to heat and desire for a cool environment
- Snappy speech and actions
- Judgmental or criticizing tendencies
- Anger, irritability, hostility
- Argumentative or aggressive attitude
- Impatience and restlessness
- Frustration
How to balance kapha
Allow excitement, challenge, and change in your life as much as possible. Thera are some tips for you:
- Get plenty of physical activity every day.
- Keep fat intake to a minimum.
- Avoid fried foods.
- Avoid iced foods and drinks.
- Reduce sweets, and excessive amounts of bread.
- Choose hot, light and dry foods.
- Reduce your consumption of liquids.
- Choose bitter and astringent taste when choosing foods and herbs.
- Fully enjoy fresh vegetables, herbs and spices.
- Get enough and good sources of carbohydrates to sustain and maintain adequate energy levels.
A final word
Little changes can improve your general wellbeing. Be kind to yourself, look after you, try an ayurvedic massage, relax, enjoy what you do and love yourself.
We hope this information is useful for you. If you need advice or have any questions about our treatments, please contact us. You can find us in Mill Hill Broadway and Islington. We are always happy to help. If you like this blog, please share!
References:
https://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/ayurvedic-treatments
https://www.keralaayurveda.us/courses/signs-and-solutions-for-fall-imbalance/
https://www.escuelaayurveda.com/blog/como-equilibrar-las-doshas-vata-pitta-y-kapha/
https://www.artofliving.org/in-en/ayurveda/what-is-ayurveda/dosha-imbalance
