Ayurveda originates from the ancient traditions of India, it is considered one of the leading forms of holistic medicine available in the West. The principles of Ayurveda state that everything you interact with your diet, family, work and relationships, has an effect on your health and well being, nothing exists in isolation.

The three doshas are known as Vata, Pitta, & Kapha.

If we are predominantly Vata, we tend to be thin, light and quick in our thoughts and actions. Change is a constant part of our lives. When Vata is balanced, we are creative, enthusiastic and lively. But if Vata becomes excessive, we may develop anxiety, insomnia or irregular digestion.

If the Pitta dosha is most lively in our nature, we tend to be muscular, smart and determined. If balanced, we are warm, intelligent and a good leader. If out of balance, Pitta can make us critical, irritable and aggressive.

If we have mostly Kapha in our nature, we tend to have a heavier frame, think and move more leisurely and are stable. When balanced, it creates calmness, sweetness and loyalty. When excessive, Kapha can cause weight gain, congestion and resistance to healthy change.

Using the principles of Ayurveda, we can identify our mind/body nature and use this understanding to make the most nourishing choices in our lives. It is common for people to have a blend of characteristics and usually one will tend to be dominate.

Your scores are Vata: 3 Pitta: 3 Kapha: 4 Based on your results, you are a TRI-DOSHIC:

Vata is the principle of movement and change. It can be identified as the Wind element. People with a predominance of Vata in their nature tend to be thin, light, and quick in our thoughts and actions. Change is a constant part of life. When Vata is balanced, they are creative, enthusiastic, and lively. But if Vata becomes excessive, they may develop anxiety, insomnia, dry skin, or irregular digestion.

Vata Characteristics

Mind: Creative, quick, imaginative
Body: Thin, light frame
Skin: Dry
Hair: Dry
Appetite: Delicate, spontaneous, often miss meals
Routine: Variable, spontaneous
Temperament: Welcomes new experiences, excitable, friendly, energetic
Conversation Style: Loves to talk!!
Shopping Style: Buy, buy, buy.
Stress Response: What did I do wrong? Tendency to blame oneself

Pitta is the principle of transformation represented in our digestion of ideas, sensory experiences, emotions, and food. It is associated with the Fire element. People with a predominance of Pitta in their nature tend to be muscular, smart, and determined. If balanced, a Pitta is warm, intelligent, and a good leader. If out of balance, Pitta can make us critical, irritable, and aggressive.

Pitta Characteristics :

Mind: Sharp, intellectual, direct, precise, discerning
Body: Medium build, warm, muscular
Skin: Sensitive, flush, acne-prone
Hair: Tendency towards early graying or thinning
Appetite: Strong, can eat just about anything, anytime
Routine: Very precise and organized
Temperament: Passionate, driven, courageous, strong sex drive, good leader
Conversation Style: Speaks to convey a point
Shopping Style: Spends on luxury items
Stress Response: Irritable, tendency to blame others.

Kapha is the principle of protection, nourishment, and stability. It is associated with the earth element. People with a predominance of Kapha in their nature tend to have a heavier frame, think, and move more leisurely, and are stable. When balanced, it creates calmness, sweetness, and loyalty. When excessive, Kapha can cause weight gain, congestion, and resistance to healthy change.

Kapha Characteristics:

Mind: Detail orientated, steady, consistent
Body: Sturdy, gains weight easily, has trouble losing it
Skin: Smooth & oily
Hair: Thick, oily
Appetite: Loves to eat but has a slow digestion
Routine: Methodical and sturdy, resistant to change
Temperament: Thoughtful, forgiving, sweet, patient, loving, content, slow moving
Conversation Style: Simple and profound
Shopping Style: Saves
Stress Response: I don’t want to deal with it! Withdrawn

Accumulated Pitta

Out of balance Pitta leads to irritability, aggravation, and inflammation. Balancing Pitta requires opening up some space during your day so you are not perpetually generating friction. Think soothing and cooling. Here are some tips to maximize balance and well-being:

Body

Take a yoga class – it's non-competitive yet will still give you a great workout
Perform a daily self massage with soothing herbalized oil
Take deep breaths throughout the day
Avoid drinking caffeine or alcohol – it fuels the fire
Eat your largest meal of the day at lunch and favor cooling foods with a predominance of bitter, sweet, and astringent tastes
Drink Soothing Tea
Put your full attention on your meals when eating
Stay cool

Accumulated Vata

When Vata is out of balance, change and movement agitate the physiology resulting in a sense of instability. Balancing Vata requires introducing more grounding and stabilizing influences. Think routine and consistency.

Tips to encourage balance and well-being:

Meditate twice a day to quiet the mind
Look for opportunities to create rhythm and routine in your life
Go to bed and awaken at about the same time every day
Wear Relaxing fragrances
Listen to slow and relaxing music to calm Vata
Minimize heavy reading, eating, or watching TV right before bed
Diffuse relaxing fragrances into your environment
Favor mild pastel shades and earth tones in your environment

From a dietary standpoint, Ayurveda classifies the tastes of foods according to their affect on the different psychophysiological principles. There are six primary tastes: sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter and astringent. The three tastes that pacify the movement principle and will help build bulk are sweet, sour and salty. Increase your intake or whole grain breads, pasta, and organically derived dairy. One of the best bulk building combinations is pineapple juice and coconut milk which has both the sweet and sour tastes well represented. A delicious shake that can help build bulk consists of a couple tablespoons of almond butter in organic milk (cow, soy, rice or almond), sweetened with some honey or maple syrup. Blend it together in a blender and drink eight ounces two or three times per day.

Symptoms of tiredness, mild depression, and weight gain.

Thyroid hormone influences many aspect of human health, including body temperature, body weight, mental clarity, fertility, skin texture, hair growth, heart rate, and digestion. A variety of factors including immune function and nutrition can affect the thyroid gland. Due to its widespread effects, we often suspect that thyroid problems may be contributing to physical or emotional health challenges. Fortunately, current laboratory studies are often able to detect changes in pituitary and thyroid hormone levels before they produce noticeable problems.

Are you getting enough rest? Try regularly getting into bed with the lights off by 10 PM and seeing how this affects your energy level. Are you exercising daily? Exercise is one of the major links between hormones and metabolism and has been shown to improve the sensitivity of cells to thyroid hormone. A well-rounded balanced diet will supply you with the iodine and selenium necessary for healthy thyroid function. Iodine is present in iodized salt, dairy, fruits and vegetables grown in coastal soils, and sea kelp. Selenium is found in eggs, seafood, brewer’s yeast, and wheat germ. Brazil nuts are a particularly rich source of selenium.

Concern has been expressed over the interaction between soy intake and thyroid function. A few studies have suggested that soy may slightly inhibit the absorption of thyroid hormone in people taking replacement doses. Other reports have found that if people are deficient in iodine, soy protein may further inhibit normal thyroid production.

Symptoms of low thyroid reflect a Kapha imbalance. A Kapha pacifying diet, using Kapha spice blends, and drinking Kapha tea will help. Think stimulating and invigorating. Guggulu (Commiphora mukul) has been shown to have a slight thyroid stimulating effect in animals. This herb is most commonly used as a detoxifying agent in people with arthritis and elevated cholesterol.

Inflammatory reactions are triggered in the wrapping of central nerve fibers known as myelin. When this insulation is disrupted by an inflammatory reaction, the nerves are not as able to transmit their information normally with resulting neurological symptoms. With modern neuroimaging techniques we have learned that MS plaques come and go, often unnoticed by the person with the illness. Over time, scars develop, at times leading to more persistent symptoms.

From an Ayurvedic perspective, MS is a disease of excessive heat resulting in drying of the nerve fibers. The treatment is directed toward cooling and lubricating the nerve fibers. A number of herbal remedies may be tried although there are few scientific studies that have carefully assessed their value. For an herbal approach, these are the top three:

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Winter Cherry. The root of this plant has been used for thousands of years in India to strengthen a challenged nervous system. It is the Ayurvedic equivalent of ginseng, best absorbed when taken with a few ounces of warmed organic milk sweetened with a little honey. Take half a gram twice daily. When used before bed, it can also help induce a deep sound sleep.

Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), is a wild form of asparagus. Like Ashwagandha, it is a useful immune balancing herb. It has a soothing a cooling effect on the tissues and has been used for inflammation. Like Ashwagandha, it can be taken with milk sweetened with honey, twice daily.

Licorice, the pure powdered root to make tea twice daily. It has mild anti-inflammatory steroid-like effects, but can cause retention of salt and fluid if taken in excess.

Managing stress is important in maintaining a balanced immune system. Learn a meditation technique and practice it twice daily. A gentle yoga program will help keep your joints flexible and your muscles stretched and toned. It can also help improve energy flow in your body. Learn how to perform a simple oil massage on yourself using either a Vata or Pitta pacifying oil,leaving the oil on your skin for half an hour before showering.

Antioxidant vitamins provide benefits through a balanced nutritional program with plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Reducing animal fat helps to lessen the problems of MS patients, reduce intake of animal products, particularly red meat.

A number of medical treatments available for MS, which lessen the frequency and severity of flare-ups. These immune modulating drugs, which include the interferons (Betaseron, Avonex, Rebif) and glatiramer (Copaxone), must be administered by injection and may cause flu-like symptoms. Many tolerate them with minimal side effects and they can help cool the inflammatory response in the nervous system. Discuss your options with a qualified neurologist remembering that a holistic approach includes any intervention that improves the quality of your life.

Hot Flashes

When women stop ovulating they experience a decrease in circulating estrogen levels. This leads to increased reactivity of blood vessels and the autonomic system that regulates perspiration. Hot flashes are common in women who are receiving anti-estrogen treatment for breast cancer and men receiving hormonal therapy for prostate cancer.

The reason women have fewer heat related illnesses (referred to as Pitta imbalances) during their reproductive years is that they naturally release accumulated heat through their monthly menstrual flow. According to Traditional Chinese medicine, Tibetan medicine and Ayurvedic medicine, the blood is considered the heating principle in the body. When a woman transitions through menopause, she no longer has the opportunity to release the accumulated fire through her periods and therefore, for a time may experience hot flashes. The intensity of hot flashes seems to correlate with how abruptly a woman has a decline in her estrogen production. When a woman goes through a surgical menopause, she experiences a very abrupt change in her hormonal levels whereas during natural menopause the changes are more gradual.

There are three categories of plant-based estrogens:

• Phytoestrogens, also known as isoflavones; soybeans, garbanzo, pinto, and navy beans are common sources of isoflavones.
• Lignans; flaxseeds, sesame seeds, wheat bran, and olives are good sources of lignans.
• Coumestans; alfalfa sprouts, split peas, and lima beans are good sources of coumestans.

Less potent than pharmacological doses of estrogen, these natural substances interact with estrogen receptors in a similar way that our own hormones work. Increasing your intake of these natural plant-based estrogens is an important first step in reducing the severity of menopausal symptoms.

Herbs that have been traditionally used for menopause, include Dong quai, Black Cohosh and Shatavari. Research on Black Cohosh, a traditional Native American herb has generally supported its value in reducing uncomfortable menopausal symptoms.

Follow a “Pitta pacifying” (heat reducing) program that includes reducing your intake of spicy, salty, and sour foods and drinking tea made with cooling herbs like spearmint, fennel, coriander and hibiscus. Perform a daily self-massage (with herbal or sesame oil) and surround yourself with cooling, soothing aromas like lavender and ylang ylang.

Pay attention to balance. Minimize toxicity and maximize nourishment on physical and emotional levels. Give your physiology time to transition through this important stage of life and you will channel your creativity into greater vitality and freedom.

Tongue Coating

Coating of the tongue usually reflects a more systemic concern rather than a local process just affecting the mouth. In serious illnesses where a person is immuno-suppressed, a whitish coating is evidence for infections like thrush, due to the fungus, Candida albicans. Candida is almost universally present but produces problems when the host’s immune system is weakened. Thrush is diagnosed when the white patches on the tongue are scraped off and the underlying red tissue bleeds slightly.

A coated tongue reflects weakness in your digestive power. A coated tongue is an expression of ama, a Sanskrit word meaning “undigested residue”. It is the accumulation of toxins in the physiology. There are many causes for ama accumulation including the consumption of toxic foods and substances, emotional stress, recent surgery, chemotherapy or antibiotic treatment.

Ama has both physical and emotional components. We accumulate mental and emotional toxicity when we hold on to toxic emotions like hostility, resentment, jealousy and regret. We store toxins in our mind body system when we tolerate toxicity in our relationships and work environment.

Reduce the ama in your life, observe your environment and assess where you may be tolerating toxins. Look at the air you breathe and the water you are drinking. Eliminate tobacco and other recreational substances. Reduce alcohol and caffeine. Simplify your diet consuming easy to digest foods like rice, cooked vegetables and dahl soups made from mung beans. Use spicy herbs like ginger, basil, thyme, sage and cardamom. Fast one day per week consuming only fresh fruit and vegetable juices. Reduce consumption of dairy, particularly cheese, ice cream and yogurt.

Rinse your mouth with aloe vera juice four times a day. First swirl about a tablespoon in your mouth, spit it out and then drink a tablespoon so you are receiving four tablespoons internally for two weeks. An Ayurvedic herb is Neem (Azadirachta indica); Ayurveda’s most potent blood purifier. Boil a tablespoon of Neem leaves in a cup of water until the volume is reduced by half. Gargle and swish your mouth with this bitter, purifying herb. Sluggish bowels are another symptom of accumulated ama. The Ayurvedic formula known as Triphala can be helpful in mobilizing and eliminating toxicity through your digestive system. The recommended amount is about a gram per day in divided doses.

Gently cleaning your tongue when you brush your teeth provides an assessment of your current level of ama. You are not going to eliminate ama by cleaning your tongue, but you should notice progressive improvement as you engage in life and heart purifying practices.

With common degenerative arthritis, you normally experience periods of comfort, alternating with worsening. An exacerbation of discomfort is a result of not being sensitive to your body and overdoing an activity that aggravates the pain. A regular set of stretching exercises twice daily is the best prevention. Do stretching in a warm environment to avoid muscle strains that add to discomfort. Find a yoga instructor or physical therapist and develop a simple set of stretches that you can do on your own at your own pace on a daily basis.

Because there is an inflammation in arthritis, focus on ways to reduce it. Our body’s natural inflammatory chemicals are derived from nutritional components, and inflammation can be reduced through dietary change. N-3 polyunsaturated (omega-3) fatty acids tip the balance of chemicals in favor of anti-inflammatory effects. These fatty acids are abundant in cold water fish, flax seeds and walnuts.

A vegetarian diet can help arthritis sufferers. Part of the benefit may be the effect of vegetables on the population of bacteria in our colon. Changing the food we eat alters the bacteria that live in our bowels, which changes the composition of fatty acids that are made and absorbed. A diet rich in antioxidant vitamins including beta-carotene, tocopherols (vitamin E) and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is suggested. To insure adequate antioxidant intake consume a high fiber, low fat diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Supplement with an antioxidant formula that includes a minimum of 15,000 units of beta-carotene, 200 IU of E and 1 gram of vitamin C.

Do not get caught in the cycle of gaining weight because you are inactive due to the pain which is worsened by the extra pounds you are carrying. Focus on a balanced diet and stay with a regular exercise program.

In Ayurveda, the herb Commiphora mukul has been used for arthritis pain. Derived from a resin, it also lowers cholesterol. Known as guggulu, it is now widely available and is worth a try at 300 milligrams three to four times a day. Another Ayurvedic herb with anti-arthritis effects is Boswellia serrata. Derived from the tree that gives us Frankincense, it seems to blunt the production of certain inflammatory chemicals known as leukotreines. It is also readily available in the United States and can be tried at a dose of 300 milligrams three times daily.

Pay attention to basics to prevent pain flare-ups. Get rest, eat right, stay on a regular exercise program, and listen to your body’s signals so it doesn’t have to get attention.

Mmuscles comprise 40% the body; we commonly experience pain in our 400 muscles. Myalgia and myofibrositis became popular as names during the mid 1900's. When biopsies of tender muscles usually failed to show evidence of typical cellular inflammation, the “itis” was dropped from fibrositis leading to the term, fibromyalgia, which means pain in the fibrous and muscle tissue. Physical medicine specialists refer to it as myofascial pain disorder.

This condition consists of diffuse pain in the muscles with areas of local tenderness, known as trigger points. The painful areas respond to local measures as stretching and massage, but people with this problem often find themselves without benefit. The cause of fibromyalgia is not known. Some have suggested that fibromyalgia is a type of autoimmune disorder, but the blood tests to confirm this are not consistently present in patients with this condition and are not uncommon in people without chronic pain.

People with fibromyalgia often have other health concerns that diminish their quality of their life including fatigue, sleep disturbance, anxiety and depression. Digestive disturbances, headaches and circulatory complaints are also common. Fibromyalgia has been associated with post-traumatic stress disorder and a history of childhood emotional, physical and sexual abuse. Looking at the underlying environmental, nutritional and emotional issues are important in addressing this condition. Massage, aromatherapy and regular exercise are valuable components of a holistic program to raise your body’s natural production of pain relievers.

There is a close connection with chronic pain syndromes and fatigue. Examine your sleeping patterns. Be in bed by 10 p.m. A cup of valerian tea or hot milk with nutmeg encourage sound sleep. Wake up by 7 a.m., even if not a morning person. Learn meditation and practice twice daily for stress reducing relaxation. Enroll in a gentle yoga class that focuses more on process than the final position. Eliminate all potential toxins from you life including tobacco, alcohol and recreational drugs. Follow a nutritional program that is rich in whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables and low in animal fat.

Look at the relationships in your life and see if you are holding onto emotions that are depleting your energy, including family, friends and workplace. To the extent possible, try transforming your toxic relationships into more nourishing ones.

A number of herbs have been used to minimize chronic pain. Three Ayurvedic herbs are used for fibromyalgia. Boswellia, derived from the resin of Boswellia serrata, works by reducing the production of inflammatory, pain-stimulating chemicals. The second is guggulu. Derived from Commiphora mukul, it has been used in rheumatic conditions for thousands of years. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) has been shown to have pain relieving and anti-inflammatory effects. Try one of these herbs for four to six weeks to see if they have a noticeable impact on your level of discomfort.

Fibromyalgia responds to an Ayurvedic detoxification program known as Panchakarma. A simplified diet, massage, and detoxification procedures help awaken pain-relief.

Depression is a complex condition with physical, biochemical, emotional and spiritual components. Although the conventional medical model tends to focus on imbalances in neurochemistry, depression is the consequence of long-standing unresolved emotional issues, often from childhood, but also from later in life. The depletion of psychological energy used to repress accumulated painful feelings translates over time into depression. There are a number of things you can do to regain your enthusiasm and vitality.

Learn and practice meditation, one of the most effective ways to shift your inner reference point from the part of you that is depressed to the witnessing aspect of yourself that is beyond suffering and able to help you begin taking the steps to recovery.

This is an important time to eat in a healthy way by favoring a six tastes diet with fresh organic foods. It is helpful to begin an exercise program, including yoga, cardiovascular and strength training activities. Getting your life energy moving will enhance the production of natural mood elevating chemicals.

Look at the emotional issues underlying your condition. Seek out a counselor who can help you see your personal issues from a more expanded framework. If your depression is interfering with your ability to function, a course of anti-depressants may be helpful and will not preclude you from exploring a more holistic approach to deeper emotional healing. There are a few Ayurvedic herbs which may be helpful in depression. These are part of a holistic program rather than as a substitute for anti-depressant medications. The most important Ayurvedic herbs to help improve the mind are Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) and Brahmi (Centella asiatica or Bacopa moniera.)

Cultivate conscious communication skills so that you are better able to identify and meet your core emotional needs. The confidence that you can cultivate healthy relationships from this point forward will help heal your heart and soul.