India is a land of both mysticism and piety. The roots of the country lie very deep in the belief system and strong adherence to Holy scriptures and texts.
Four Vedas or scriptures are considered sacred
- Rigveda
- Samaveda
- Yajurveda
- Atharvaveda
Ayurveda is a “upaveda” or subdivision of Atharvaveda. Ayurveda means “the science of life”. In Sanskrit, Ayur means life. Veda means knowledge. Ayurvda is a holistic science that deals with health and longevity. This includes the healing of the mind and body.
Ayurveda says that a human being is a combination of three Doshas (humors), 7 Dhatus (body tissue) and 3 Malas (waste products), and made of Panchabhoota. According to Ayurveda, health is a state of equilibrium of Tridodosha (3 Doshas), Sapthadhatu (7 body tissues), and 3 Malas and Agni (fire) maintained in normalcy. If there is any deviation in this equilibrium, it develops diseases.
The core objectives of Ayurveda are
- Maintaining the health of the healthy individual and
- Treating the diseased
Ayurveda helps to maintain this equilibrium of the body through specific treatment methods, lifestyle changes and nutritional guidelines.
ABHYANGAM
It is defined as a procedure of application of sneha dravyas over the body and make to and fro movements.
Gentle soothing massage with warm medicated herbal oil.
BENEFITS
Abhyangam should be done daily because it helps to
- Retards ageing, exertion and pacifies vata
- Good for vision
- Nourishes the body
- Increases longevity
- Good sleep
- Good for skin (complexion and firmness)
- Provides good physic
- It helps softness of body
- Pacifies kapha and vata
- promotes tissue elements
- provides cleanliness, complexion and strength.
INDICATIONS
- Pain and stiffness in the muscles.
- Paralysis
- Frozen shoulder
- Swelling or oedema in the body
- Generalized weakness
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- vata vyadhi
- leucoderma
- tuberculosis
- alcoholism
- Tumour
- Relaxation and rejuvenation
- Rehabilitation after injury
- Decreased range of motion
- Skin diseases
- hiccups
- dysuria
SHIRODHARA
- Pouring warm liquids gently over the forehead for a prescribed period of time in a prescribed manner.
- It is a detox therapy for removal of toxins from our mind. Keeping our mind healthy is essentially important for prevention of any disease
- Also mental relaxation is needed to cure any disease pathology.
- As ayurveda has given equal importance to mental health, this therapy focusing on the psychological well-being forms an important part of detox therapy
BENEFITS
Abhyangam should be done daily because it helps to
- Relieves stress, tension, depression
- Enhances sleep quality
- Diminishes anxiety
- Pacifies vata dosha
- Improves mind concentration.
- Nourishes hair and scalp.
- Lowering the blood pressure.
- Deeply heal the nervous system.
INDICATIONS
- Epilepsy
- Mental exhaustion
- Insomnia
- Neuro behavioural disorders
- Headache caused due to migraine, exposure to sunlight
- Paralysis
- Eye pain
- Pacifies vata doshas
- Anxiety disorders
- Hypertension
- Migraine
- Phobia
- Lock jaw
KASHAYA DHARA
Kashaya dhara is an ayurvedic decoction bath where a medicated decoction is poured locally or all our the body for a particular time period from a particular height maintaining rhythm and time
BENEFITS
- Treats various inflammatory conditions, infectious diseases and removes undigested food that is toxins from the body
- Reduces stiffness and pain in the joints.
- Helps with weight loss.
- Strengthens immunity
- Ards in the body’s elimination of wastes and toxins.
- Stimulates the circulatory and lymphatic systems.
- Induces deep relaxation, calms the mind and reducer anxiety and stress-related symptoms
- Helps in skin rejuvenation.
- Enhances the quality of sleep.
- Improves the clarity of mind
INDICATIONS
- Arthritis
- joint inflammation
- Insomnia
- Vitiligo
- Anxiety
- Diabetic foot
- paralysis
- Stress related disorders.
- Sciatica
- Post delivery care
- eczema
- General fatigue
- Varicose ulcer
- Psoriasis
KSHEERA DHARA
Ksheera dhara is the ayurveda treatment procedure that refers to pouring of lukewarm cow’s milk processed with herbal decoction having cooling potency, with a slow rhythmic flow to the forehead or over the whole body for a particular duration with a simultaneous gentle relaxing massage.
BENEFITS
- Increases blood circulation of the body
- Helps in relaxation of mind and body
- Helps in lubricating the joints
- Reduces excess heat and burning sensation.
- Restores vitality
- Reduces migraine frequency
- Improves skin glow
- Helps in stress relief
- Relieves Fatigue.
- Restores dosha balance
- Boost memory
- Improves energy, mental clarity
- Produces cooling and relaxing effect on body.
INDICATIONS
- Vata pitta imbalances
- Insomnia
- Stress related problems
- Hypertension
- Depression
- Anxiety
Head :
- Vata pitta conditions where pitta is very prominent
- Burning sensation
- Inflammatory condition the joints
Body :
THALAM
A therapeutic procedure of suitable medicinal powder is mixed with suitable colocations of oil and paste prepared is applied over the head with help of suitable cap to provide nourishment to brain cells.
BENEFITS
- Calms and nourishes mind
- Battling insomnia
- Relieving migraines, enhance vision
- Reduces stress, tension, headache and fatigue, mental relaxation
- Relieves skin irritation and scalp problems.
- Improves memory & concentration powers
- Clarity with nasal passage, soothing ear &throat passages.
- Helps cure many neurological problems.
INDICATIONS
- Insomnia
- weak sight
- Skin problems
- Throat infections
- Migraine
- Eyes
- Neurological disorders.
- Facial paralysis
THALA POTHICHIL
Thala – Head
Pothichil-covering
- Thala pothichil is a special procedure of application of medicated paste on the head. Thala pothichil.
- Also called as shirolepa (anointment to head / head pack).
- Basically it is a cooling treatment.
BENEFITS
- Corrects the imbalance of pitta dosha
- Relaxes and calms down the mind.
- Has a soothing effect on the body
- Stabilizes the nervous system.
- Activates the marma points.
- Relieves streets, tension, heaviness of the head.
- Improves quality of sleep.
- Improves lustre and smoothens of hair.
- Improves memory.
- Relaxes, rejuvenates and nourishes the head and neck region.
- Relieves migraine
INDICATIONS
- Insomnia and sleep disorders
- Hypertension
- Chronic headaches like migraines
- Burning sensation of the body.
- Epilepsy
- Certain skin diseases of scalp like dermatitis of scalp, dandruff, hair loss
- Anxiety, depression
- Chronic sinusitis.
- Some stages of mental retardation.
- Autism
- Premature greying of hair
- Certain typer of insanity
- ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)
NETRA TARPANAM
Netra tarpanam is a procedure where lukewarm medicated ghee is made to stay stagnant in the eyes for a speculated time in a specific formed frame.
BENEFITS
- Improves vision
- Moisturizes the dry eyes.
- Cleanses eyes, removes dust from eyes.
- Beneficial in computer vision syndrome.
- Reduces burning sensation of eyes.
- Nourishes and relaxes tired eyes.
- Gives freshness to the eyes.
- Strengthens the nerves and muscles of eyes.
- Cures the feeling of rigidity and stiffness in the external portion of your eyes
INDICATIONS
- feeling of darkness in front of eyes.
- excessive darkness of the eyes
- eyes appear to have hardened.
- Eye lashes falling down
- dirtiness of eyes.
- abnormal deviation of eyeball.
- eyes which have been constantly and repeatedly afflicted and debilitated due to many diseases.
- Difficulty to open or close the eyes.
- a type of cellulitis occurring in the eyes.
- Hyperaemia of conjunctiva.
- Phlyctenular conjunctivitis.
- Conjunctivitis
- Glaucoma
- Hyperaemia of conjunctiva
- Atrophy of cranial nerves
- Keratitis or inflammation of cornea.
- After pacification of redness of eyes, tearing pain, irritation and dirt.After pacification of redness of eyes, tearing pain, irritation and dirt.
PIZHICHIL
- Pouring of medicated oil in a rhythmic stream from a height of 4 angula all over the body
- It combines two therapies – oleation and fomentation.
- It used to balance Vata doshas.
BENEFITS
- Increase blood circulation
- Nourishes muscles, nerve tissues and sexual ability
- Effective tor paraplegia, hemiplegia and general debility.
- Helps is healing fractures.
- Treats neuromuscular disease
- Rejuvenates the body
- Relieves body pain and muscle spasm
- Increases immunity of body
INDICATIONS
- Paralysis
- Hemiparesis
- Poliomyelitis
- Paraplegia
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Myalgia, Fibromyalgia
- Musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders
- Muscular dystrophy
- Polymyalgia rheumatica
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Guillain barre syndrome
- Spinal stenosis
- Spina Bifida
- Frozen shoulder
- cervical spondylosis
- sciatica
NAVARA THEPPU
- Applying warm Navara rice paste all over the body and rubbed.
- This warm paste is said to stimulate sweating & removing of toxins throughout the skin
BENEFITS
- Helps to rejuvenate and nourishing the body
- Help to reduce stream and alleviates pain
- Improves skin texture.
- Strengthen the nervous system, improves blood circulation
- Cures joint pain
- Beneficial in vata rogаs
- Increases lustre and softness of skin
INDICATIONS
- Paralysis
- Muscle and joint pains
- Muscular dystrophy
- Nourishes the body
- Muscle wasting, emaciation(Malnutrition)
- Rebuilding the muscular and immune system of body
- Arthritis
- Cerebral palsy
- Generalized weakness
- contraction of muscles.
- Sciatica
SWEDANA
It is a procedure which relieves stiffness, cold and which induce sweating.
BASHPA SWEDANA
- Applying herbalised steam evenly to the body while sitting comfortably in a wooden steam box.
- With this method, your body can be fully steamed while your head remains cool.
- In Ayurveda, it is believed that the eyes and head should be protected from over heating.
BENEFITS
- Relieves pain
- Decreases muscle spasm
- Relaxes muscle tension.
- Improves circulation.
- Promotes the elimination of toxins through the sweat
- Revitalizes and rejuvenates the skin.
- Loosens the tightened muscle.
- Expels toxins from the skin.
- Softens and brightens the skin.
- Reduces stiffness in joints.
- Stimulates the internal organs of the body.
- Pacifies vata and pitta
INDICATIONS
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Chronic pains
- Sprain
- Inflammation
- Lipoma
- Stiffness of thigh and lower limbs
- Diseases manifested due to disturbances in fat metabolism
- Spondylitis
- Neurological disorders.
- Stiffness of joints
- Dyspnoea
- Allergic rhinitis
- Hiccup
CHOORNA PINDA SWEDA
- It is a form of fomentation, in which heated or oil fried herbal powders (prepared by pounding the herbs which have the property of healing pain, catches, swelling, inflammation and degeneration) tied in a bolus to provide heat to the pain afflicted joints or body parts
- CPS is a treatment in which herbal powders having analgesic, anti degenerative and anti-inflammatory properties are used for fomentation (sweat inducing) of painful parts.
BENEFITS
- Provides relief from pain, inflammation, swelling and stiffness associated with bone, joint and musculoskeletal pain.
- Heals musculoskeletal and neuromuscular diseases.
- Increases the peripheral blood supply.
- Alleviates body ache and strengthens the muscles.
- Relaxes the muscles.
INDICATIONS
- Osteoarthritis
- Gout
- Sciatica
- IVDP
- Spondylolisthesis
- Spinal stenosis
- Coccydynia -Tail bone pain
- lumbar spondylosis
- cervical spondylosis
- Bursitis
- Frozen shoulder
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
JAMBEERA PINDA SWEDA
It is a procedure in which sliced lemon along with other medicaments are selected based on their analgetic and anti-inflammatory properties are tied into a bolus and used for fomentation (induce sweat) on painful areas.
BENEFITS
- Relieves pain, stiffness and swelling
- Pacifies vata and kapha dosha in the joints, muscles & soft tissues
- Improves the movements of the joint
- Soother the nerves
- Improves blood circulation
INDICATIONS
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Bursitis
- Osteo arthritis
- Torticollis
- Cervical spondylosis
- Fibromyalgia
- Fibromyalgia
- Muscular cramps
- Lumbago
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- cartilage tears
PATRA PINDA SWEDA
- A treatment in which, leaves of medicinal plants are made into bolus, which is then given all over the body
- The treatment focuses on clearing the micro channels throughout the body carrying sweat and provides pain relief and detoxification.
BENEFITS
- Delays age-related degeneration of joints
- Improves mange of movements of joints
- Prevents water retention in joints
- Improves blood circulation in body
- Soothes nerves & provides relief from neuralgic pain, caused by nerve disorders
- Improves memory and motor functions in people with paralysis
INDICATIONS
- Spondylosis
- Spondylitis
- Osteoarthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Back pain or body ache
- Cramps
- Sciatica
- Sports injuries
- Chronic pains
- Paralysis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Myalgia
- Post-traumatic dysfunction
- neuralgia
SHASTIKA SHALI PINDA SWEDA
- A Special type of medicated rice which it cocked with herbs.
- This is then applied is a synchronized manner to different parts of body as a fomentation
- Strengthens the muscles, nerves, rejuvenates and re-energize body
BENEFITS
- Prevents degeneration of joint tissues and wasting of muscles.
- Muscular disorders
- Neurological disorders
- Emaciation and blood related problems.
- Vata disorders
- It increases Lustre and softness to skin
- provides lightness in joint, soft tissues
- Enhances flexibility and movements of joints
INDICATIONS
- Arthritis
- Malnutrition
- Myopathies
- Osteoarthritis, RA, Joint pain and stiffness
- prolapse of Intervertebral disc
- Neurological disorders like paralysis.
- Cerebral palsy
- Spondylolisthesis
- Sciatica
- generalized weaknens
VALUKA SWEDA
- It is a procedure in which sand is taken is a cloth and made into bolus and fomentation is given by heating it in a hot pan.
- Sand should be fine, not too fine nor too big. Heated sard is used to make painful body parts sweat.
- This is called dry fomentation.
BENEFITS
- Weight reduction
- RA alleviates paín, inflammation,stiffness,swelling
- Pacifies vata and kapha doshas
- cures joint pains & rheumatism
- Treats back pain and muscle stiffness
- Relieves muscle spasm and sprains
INDICATIONS
- Increases circulation
- Reduces stress, induces calmness and enhances sleep quality
- Strengthens tissues
- Reduces pain, inflammation and muscle stiffness
- Rejuvenates bones,nerves, muscles
- Stiffness of thighs.
- Obesity
VAMANA
- Expulsion of doshas from the upper route in called emesis
- Forcible elimination of the unripe pitta and kapha from mouth. Here the unripe is either not transformed or waste
BENEFITS
- All the morbid matter is expelled from the body. It feels lightness in the body, sensory faculties are rejuvenated Digestive fire, is ignited and appetite is rejuvenated.
- Detoxification improved metabolism
- Restores good health, cures skin tissues like psoriasis
- It reduced serum cholesterol, triglycerides and reduces weight
INDICATIONS
- Diseases caused by kapha
- Pitta or vata situated in place of kapha
- commonly conducted in skin diseases,dyspnoea,insanity etc…
- In spring season
- An a pre operative procedure of rasayana(anti-ageing)
- Irrespective of rogibala in poison,indigestion,eating of unwholesome food
- acute fever
- diarrhoea
- Anal urethra, vaginal haemorrhages
- Tuberculosis
- skin diseases
- diabetes mellitus
- Filariasis
- Asthma
- Nausea
- lactation disorders
- diseases of head & neck
RESPIRATORY
- Rhinitis
- Bronchitis
- Bronchial asthma
- Chronic sinusitis
- Upper respiratory tract infections
DIGESTIVE
- Dyspepsia
- APD
- gastro enteritis
- bleeding diathesis from lower orifices
- Anorexia
- diarrhoea
- Nausea
- water brash
- Piles
MISCELLANEUS
- acute fever
- Pharyngitis
- Filarial Lymphedema
- Goitre
- Insanity
- seizure disorder
- cystic lesions
- Neoplasm
SKIN DISEASES
- Psoriasis
- Chronic dermatitis
- Pruritis
- Abscess
- Cold abscess
VIRECHANA
- Removal of doshas through anus is called purgation
- It completely cleanses the body and remove toxins from the gastrointestinal tract, liver and gall bladder
- It is a purification treatment
- Elimination of pitta dosha from the body
BENEFITS
- Improves digestion and metabolism
- Relieves congestion from the liver
- Increases appetite
- Disappears abdominal bloating and heaviness
- The mind feels calm and clear
- The body feels clean, strong, and vital
- Gets relief in gastrointestinal disorders
- Improves the condition of skin disorders, rashes, and allergies
- Promotes metabolism and assimilation by stimulating the digestive fire, while simultaneously cleansing waste products and burning undigested food/metabolic toxin
- Reduces excessive body heat and acidity
- Deeply cleanses the blood, liver, and bile
- Promotes clarity of mind
- Strengthens and rejuvenates bodily tissues
- Eliminates the morbid doshas specially pitta and secondarily kapha
- Increases the strength of digestive fire
- Increases mental ability
- Improves the functions of sensory and motor organs
- Increases longevity
- Improves bowel movements and prevents constipation
INDICATIONS
- Most pitta genic disorders like gastritis, stomach and intestinal ulcers, acne, eczema, furuncles, abscesses, liver infections
- Skin diseases like acne, eczema, dermatitis, bluish pigmentation, skin cancer, and psoriasis
- Chronic fever (lasts more than 10 to 14 days)
- Haemorrhoids, fistula in ano
- Abdominal tumors
- Spleenomegaly
- Paralysis
- Hepatomegaly and jaundice
- Worms
- Dyspnea, epilepsy
- Erysipelas
- Gout
- Glaucoma
- Attention deficit disorder (ADH)
- Inguinal hernia
- Headache, migraine
- Rakta pitta from upper routes like mouth, nostrils, diseases characterized by tendency of spontaneous bleeding
- Disorders of heart
- Pain in the sides of the chest
- Abnormal upward course of morbid vata dosha in the abdomen
- Burning and watering of eyes, burning sensation in mouth
- Slow poisoning
- Abnormal stagnation of the food in the gastrointestinal tract with no sign of expulsion in the form of either vomiting or diarrhea
- Tastelessness
- Chlorosis
BASTHI
- The bladders of the animals were used as a device for basti in olden days, so named as basti karma
- Medicated enema is a procedure which is used to expel the vitiated doshas out of the body through the intestinal route
- Basti is administered to the anal region and does stir up the doshas and residual waste products residing in the umbilicus, waist, flanks, pelvis and does oleation of the body and expels out the feces
TYPES :
Internal –
- Nirooha vasti
- Anuvasana
- Matra
- Uttara
External –
- Janu vasti
- Kati vasti
- Greeva vasti
- Hrudhaya vasti
EXTERNAL VASTI:
- JANU VASTI: Medicated oil poured over the knee for relieving pain
- KATI VASTI: Medicated oil poured over the back for relieving pain
- GREEVA VASTI: Medicated oil poured over the neck region
- HRUDHAYA VASTI: Oil poured over the chest region to relieve chest pain in heart disorders
INTERNAL VASTI:
- NIROOHA VASTI: Administration of enema predominantly consisting of herbal decoction along with medicated oil, honey, rock salt, and herbal powder
- ANUVASANA VASTI: Medicated oils are used for the same purpose
- MATRA VASTI: Compared to anuvasana, in matra vasti, less quantity of oil is used
- UTTARA VASTI: Administration of medicaments into the bladder and uterus with the help of vasti yantra is known as Uttara vasti. For Uttara vasti, both kashaya as well as oils are used
BENEFITS
- Stabilizes youthfulness
- Increases the digestive power
- Pleasing
- Clarity of brain and intellect
- Clarity of sense organs
- Lightness in organs
- Helps in the nourishment of the body
- Helps to eliminate the toxins and vata dosha accumulated in the colon
- Helps in healthy and regular bowel movements and promotes digestive health
- Helps to reduce mental health problems
- Helps patients facing chronic and frequent stomach aches
- Helps in balancing the tridoshas
- Enhances absorption and digestion
- Relieves constipation
- Enhances blood circulation
- Relieves vata-related joint problems
- Improves the tone and texture of the skin
- Enhances the immune system
INDICATIONS
NIROOHA VASTI:
- Diseases affecting the whole body
- Diseases afflicting part of the body
- Diseases afflicting the abdominal viscera
- Obstruction to the passage of flatus
- Obstruction of urine
- Obstruction of stools/constipation
- Obstruction of ejaculation of semen
- Decrease of strength
- Wasting of muscles
- Deterioration of doshas
- Diminution of quantity of semen
- Distention of abdomen
- Numbness of the body
- Worms in the gut
- Upward movement of vayu
- Diarrhea
- Pain in the inter-phalangeal joints
- Rise of internal heat
- Contamination of spleen
- For abdominal tumors
- Colic
- Heart diseases
- Fistula in ano
- Insanity
- Hernia
- Fever
- Pain in heart, flanks, back, low back
- Pain in head, ear
- Tremors
- Convulsions
- Heaviness of the body
- Dryness of body
- Stiffness of the body
- Gurgling sounds in the abdomen
- Cramps in the calf muscles
- All diseases caused by vitiated vayu
- Fever
- Cold, running nose
- Glaucoma
- Facial paralysis
- Darkness in front of eyes
- Urinary calculi
- STDs
- Hemiplegia
- Gout
- Piles
- Less production of breast milk
- Stiffness of nape of neck
- Lockjaw
- Dysuria
- Impacted fetus
ANUVASANA VASTI:
- Same as nirooha
- Can be given daily to persons having good digestion, doing exercise daily, suffering from vata disorders
NASYAM
- Administration of medicine through the nasal route is known as Nasya
- Nasya is part of purification procedure
- As in the nearest root, the diseases related to the head are best treated by the procedure
BENEFITS
- Balancing tridosha, which governs body’s functions
- Improved respiratory health
- Enhanced mental clarity
- Enhanced sensory perception
- Stress reduction, supports detoxification, improved sleep
- It develops and strengthens the shoulder, chest, skin, and neck
INDICATIONS
- Diseases of the head caused by vata
- Hiccup
- Tetanus
- Convulsive disorders
- Stiffness of neck, hoarseness of voice
- Remove toxins from all the channels and cavities: neck, brain, eyes, nose, ear, and throat
- Cures nasal congestion, sinusitis, and asthma
- Guarantees complete immunity
- Improves memory power, strengthen sensory organs
- Revitalize the brain and nervous system, relieves headache and stress, prevents skin diseases
- Greying of hair, baldness, facial palsy, sinusitis, rhinitis, earache, stammering or alteration of voice, corrhiza, tonsillitis, cataract, diseases of nose, ear, eye, head, skull, headache, migraine, hysteria, goiter, cataract
RAKTA MOKSHANA
- Letting out the impure blood from the body is called blood letting therapy
- When blood get vitiated by doshas it causes various diseases. It is a procedure which expels out vitiated blood from the body
BENEFITS
- Remove deep-seated circulating toxins from blood
- Relieves stagnation and congestion in varicose veins
- Improves circulation to a specific area, reduces inflammation, and improves healing of a specific location along with the entire system in general
- Alleviates acute pain and redness in one’s body
- Blood purification, detoxification, localized healing, improving blood flow
- Treats varicose veins, relieves arthritis pain, treats sciatica, hemorrhoids, treats cardiovascular diseases, skin diseases like psoriasis, eczema, etc.
- Feels lightness
- Cessation of pain
- Decrease in the intensity of vyadhi
- Cheerfulness, relaxed
INDICATIONS
- Abscess
- Skin diseases
- Tumors
- Filariasis
- Syphilis
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Diseases of lips
- Tuberculosis
- Dental toothworm
- Diseases of female genital organs
- Gouty arthritis
- Skin disorders like allergic dermatitis, eczema, sciatica, abscess, edema, swelling, and inflammations
- Uremia, dullness, pericarditis, tonsillitis
VATA PITTA KAPHA
- SHAREERIKA DOSHA – Vata,pitta,kapha
- MANASIKA DOSHA – Rajas,tamas
- Which does dooshana of body
- Which produces vyadhi by dooshana
- Which are having prakruti sthapana property & producing vyadhi independently
- Tridoshas are responsible for maintenance of homeostasis in the body & health is nothing, but a slate of equilibrium of tridoshas
- Diseases is manifested as a result of disturbance in the state of equilibrium among there doshas
GUNAS OF DOSHAS:
VATA:
It is responsible for all movements and it is the initiating and controlling factorPITTA:
Performs the activities like digestion, metabolism, production of heat & that is why called agni, means fire.KAPHA:
Performs functions like protection, strength stability & resistance.- In general, vata guna is opposite to kapha guna
- Kapha guna is opposite to vata, but sheeta guna is present is both. – In vata it is laghu sheeta.These gunas are due to panchamaha bhoota composition of doshas.
- Vata is prime cause for movement of pitta and kapha
- Kapha is sheeta guna yukta,pitta is ushna guna yukta
- Vata produce sheeta,when movement is decreased, ushnata when movement is more. So to give movement to kapha and pitta,vata should have both guna. But opposite guna cannot reside is one. So vata is anushna sheeta
VATA GUNA:
Dry,light,cold,roughness,subtle,clear
PITTA GUNA:
Hot,sharp,light,liquid
KAPHA GUNA:
Unctuous,cold,heavy,slow,sticky
TRIDOSHA STHANA:
VATA –
- Colon
- Bones
- Hips
- Lower limbs
- Ears
- Skin
Main location of vata is colon
PITTA –
- Umbilical region
- Small intestine
- Sweat
- Lymph
- Blood
- Product of food digestion containing all nutrients
Main location of pitta is umbilicus.
KAPHA –
- Chest
- Throat
- Head
- Pancreas
- Bone joints
- Fat
- Nose
- Small intestine & stomach
- Torgue
Main location of kapha is chest.
FUNCTIONS
VATA DOSHA:
Vata ia responsible for all movements (Movement of blood in blood vessels, movement of nutrients, movement of au in lungs, locomotion movements of hands and legs, etc..)
In its normal state vata causes
- Enthusiasm
- Regulates respiration process
- Regulates all locomotor movements
- Regulates all activities of mind
- Speech
- Initiation of natural urges (tears, faeces, urination,sneezing coughing, vomiting, Yawning, etc)
- Maintenance of the dhatus (tissues) in their normalcy
- Proper functioning of the sense organs.
PITTA DOSHA:
In its normal state, pitta causes
- Digestion & metabolism
- Maintenance of body temperature
- Vision
- Causes hunger, thirst, appetite
- maintains skin complexion
- Intelligence
- Courage
- Valour
- Softness of the body.
KAPHA DOSHA:
Kapha confers
- Stability
- Lubrication
- Compactness (Firmness) of the joints
- It is the cause for mental capacity to withstand/withhold emotions, strains, etc
- It is also cause for forgiveness
- The doshas which are vitiated become abnormal undergoing either increase or decrease cause vitiation of rara and other dhatus(tissues)
- Both doshas and dhatus together vitiate the malas(waste products) which inturn vitiate the malayanas ( channels of their elimination).
TYPES
5 types of vata
- 1. Prana
- 2. Udana
- 3. Vyana
- 4. Samana
- 5. Apana
PRANA VATA:
- Prana is located in the head and moves in the chest, throat
- It regulates heart, sense organs, intellect and vision.
It is the cause for
- Expectoration
- Sneezing
- Belching
- inspiration
- swallowing of food
UDANA VATA:
- The chest is the seat of Udana
- It moves in the nose, umbilicus and throat.
Its functions are
- Initiation of speech
- Effort
- Enthusiasm
- Strength
- Colour
- Complexion and
- Memory
VYANA VATA:
Vyana is located in the heart, moves all over the body in great speed. It’s functions are
- Flexion and extension
- Opening and closing of the eyelids
Generally all the body activities are regulated by Vyana vata
SAMANA VATA:
- Samana vata is located near the digestive fire.
- It moves in the alimentary tract.
- It receives the food into stomach.
Aids in
- Digestion
- Helps in dividing the food into useful part and waste part
- Moves these parts in their normal paths.
APANA VATA:
- It is located in the large intestine.
- Moves in the waist, bladder, genitals.
Its functions are,
- Ejaculation
- Urination
- Child birth
- Menstruation
- Defecation
5 TYPES OF PITTA
- 1. Pachaka Pitta
- 2. Ranjaka Pitta
- 3. Sadhaka Pitta
- 4. Alochaka Pitta
- 5. Bhrajaka Pitta
PACHAKA PITTA :
- It is located between large intestine and stomach.
- It is composed of all the basic elements (Panchamahabhoota).
- It is predominant with fire element and devoid of water element
- It is called by the term Anala, fire because of its function of Paka-digestion and transformation of food materials
- It cooks the food
- divides it into essence and waste.
- It bestows grace and influence on other types of pitta.
- Hence among all types of pitta, pachaka pitta is the dominant one
RANCHAKA PITTA:
- The pitta located in the stomach is called as Ranjaka.
- It converts the useful part of the digestion into blood.
- Hence it converts Rasa Dhatu into Rakta Dhatu.
SADHAKA PITTA:
- The pitta located in the heart is known as Sadhaka.
- It attends to mental functions such as knowledge, intelligence, Self-consciousness
ALOCHAKA PITTA:
- It is located in the eyes
- It helps in vision
BHRAJAKA PITTA:
- It resides in skin
- Helps in exhibition of colour and complexions.
5 TYPES OF KAPHA:
- 1. Avalambaka kapha
- 2. Kledaka kapha
- 3. Bodhaka kapha
- 4. Tarpaka kapha
- 5. Sleshaka kapha
AVALAMBAKA KAPHA:
- It is located in the chest and the meeting place of shoulder, neck and back.
- By its innate strength and by the power of essence of food,it does Lubrication, nourishing etc.. functions that are attributed to water element
- It also influences the functioning of other types of kapha
KLEDAKA KAPHA:
- Located in the stomach.
- It moistens the hard food mass
- Helps in digestion.
BODHAKA KAPHA:
- It is located in the tongue.
- It helps in taste perception.
TARPAKA KOTHA:
- It is located in the head.
- It nourishes sense organs.
SHLESHAKA KAPHA:
- It is located in the bone joints.
- It lubricates and strengthens the joints.
SAPTA DHATU
- That which sustain and nourishes
- Which a responsible for growth and development.
- which supports by constructive 7 tissue elements – Rasa, rakta, Mamsa, Meda, asthi, Majja Shukra
- Dosha and mala in normal states also termed as dhatu
DHATU:
- Most important constructive elements of body, should always be supplied with adequate amount of essential nutrients.
- Ahara rasa passes through all the channels with the help of vayu
- Every dhatus then after supplies this received nutrients to the next coming dhatu making it like a cascade
- In such a way there are two forms of every dhatu –
- One in circulating state providing nutrition to next dhatu (Poshak /Asthayi dhatu | Dynamic form)
- Other in stable state receiving nutrition and undergoing growth & development ( Poshya /sthayi dhatu / Static form)
- form of dhatu which supports (dharana) – poshya | Static form
- Form of dhatu which provides nutrition (Poshana) – poshaka/ Dynamic form
FUNCTIONS OF BODY TISSUES :
- Rasa dhatu (Product of digestion and metabolism) -Provides nourishment
- Rakta dhatu(blood) – Maintenance of life activities
- Mamsa dhatu (muscle) – enveloping (covering). It covers around bones and enables voluntary and involuntary actions
- Medha (fat) – Lubrication
- Asthi (Bones )- Supports, forms the framework of the body.
- Majja (Bonemarrow) – Filling the inside of the bones.
- Shukra (male & female reproduction system)-conception & pregnancy.
RELATION BETWEEN DOSHA AND DHATU:
- Vata resides in bones
- Pitta resides in sweat and blood
- Kapha resides in rest of the dhatu and mala
- Incase of pitta and kapha, when there is an increase of pitta/kapha, there is also respective increase of tissues and waste products associated with them.
Eg: If pitta increases, then sweat and blood vitiation also increases. The same rule applies to decrease as well.
But incase of vata, if vata decreases, then asthi increases. They are inverse proportionately related with each other.
LOCATIONS:
Two types
- General – Whole body.
- Specific
Specific locations of dhatus :
- Srotas – storage part
- Specific organ – Anatomical and physiological understanding
- Kala – Limiting membrane separating every dhatu
RASA DHATU: (PLASMA)
The dhatu is transporter of body plasma fluids and provides nourishment to all other dhatus . Rasa dhatu is supported by kapha dosha.
RAKTA DHATU: (BLOOD)
It is basis of life & provides nourishment to all tissues and cells in the body. It provides strength to body and colour to blood. Rakta dhatu is supported by pitta dosha.
MAMSA DHATU: (MUSCLES)
Provides movement to the muscular system in body. It provides physical supped to medha dhatu. Mamsa dhatu is supported by kapha dosha.
MEDHO DHATU: (FAT)
This dhatu collects the energies & stores it to provide strength to the body. The adipose tissue also stores fat as a means of body lubrication and a support to bones. The medha dhatu is supported by kapha dosha
ASTHI DHATU: (BONE)
The dhatu includes all the bones and cartilages and gives shape to the body. It also supports mamsa dhatu Asthi dhatu is supported by vata dosha
MAJJA DHATU: (BONE MARROW)
It nourishes the body & helps maintain its functions Majja dhatu strengthens the body, fill the bones and nourishes the shukra dhatu Majja dhatu is supported by kapha dosha
SHUKRA DHATU: (REPRODUCTIVE TISSUE)
This dhatu nourishes the reproductive strengths of an individual. It includes sperm & ovum. Shukra dhatu is supported by kapha dosha Thus, all 7 dhatus are inter-connected.Mal functioning of single dhatu can have impact on all other dhatus. Dhatus are composed of panchamaha Bhuta elements. Thus doshas also made up of 5 elements, help manage the balance of dhatus. A system of well balanced doshas helps balance the dhatus, thus leading to proper functioning of entire system of body.
TRIMALA
The waste products of our body are
- Faeces
- Urine
- Sweat
FUNCTIONS :
- Faeces – Maintainance of strength of the body.
- Urine – Elimination of moisture (water)
- Sweat – slow elimination of moisture
Faeces when increased, causes :
- Distention of abdomen.
- Gurgling noise
- Feeling of heaviness.
Urine when increased produces :
- Severe pain in the bladder
- Feeling of non-elimination ever after elimination
Sweat when increased produces :
- Excess of perspiration
- Foul smell
- Itching
Faeces when decreased, causes :
- Gurgling noise in the intestine and bloating.
- Vata moves in upwards direction in the intestine.
- Causing discomfort and pain in the region of heart and flanks.
Decrease of urine causes :
- Scanty urination
- Dysuria
- Urine discolouration or haematuria.
Decrease of sweat leads to :
- Falling of hair
- Stiffness of hair
- Cracking of skin