Dr.Unnati.Chavda's Ayurveda Hospital

Friday, July 11, 2014

Vatta-Pitta-Kapha: Dosha

Vatta Dosha

DESCRIPTION
The Vata dosha is defined by the inherent interaction and exchange between space and air. The amount of space affects the ability of the air to gain momentum. If space is unrestricted and boundless, the air can gain momentum and become as forceful as a hurricane. Therefore, Vata is the impulse principle or the force of mobility, responsible for all movement in the mind and body.

Vata controls breathing, blinking, movements in the muscles and tissues, pulsations in the heart, all expansion and contraction, the movements of cytoplasm and cell membranes, the movement of the single impulses in nerve cells, hearing and speech functions.

Seat of Vata: The colon; also resides in the hips, thighs, ears, bones, large intestine, pelvic cavity, and skin.
Primary sense: Touch and hearing
Colors: Yellow, ochre or brown
Season: Fall

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF VATA (most common)
Lighter and thinner frame, tall or short
Prominent joints and bones
Thin, dry skin, with fine pores
Small and active eyes, usually dark brown or dark grey
Lips are generally thin and dry
Teeth tend to be small and crooked
Hair is usually dark, thin, dry and frizzy
Nails are dry and thin
Nose, hands and feet are often cold to the touch
Irregular eating, small appetites
Shorter stamina
Little perspiration
Quick speech and pace
Light, short, and often interrupted sleep
Sensitive to sound and touch

PSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF VATA (most common)
Creative
Imaginative and enthusiastic
Makes friends easily
Quick and lively
Learns fast
Stronger short-term memory, than long-term
Mental and physical energy come in bursts
Very active with continuously changing lifestyle
Great speakers, flowing thought patterns
Accommodating to the needs of others
Very generous with their time, money, and anything else they can offer

When Vata becomes imbalanced (excess), some of the most common things it can physically lead to are: joint pain, chills, gas, constipation, lower back pain, tremors, loss of appetite, insomnia, fainting and various other disturbing irregularities. The skin can also show signs of dehydration, flakiness, and excess or premature wrinkling.

Psychologically, out of balance Vata will be restless with anxiety, worry, and lack of focus. Overrun Vata is also nervous, fearful; unable to sit still, has constant worry, indecision and low tolerance.

Many different factors disturb Vata including stress, excess activity, strenuous exercise, constant travel, improper diet, the season of autumn, and especially an overly irregular routine.

Take into account that these are generalized descriptions.
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Pitta Dosha:

DESCRIPTION
The Pitta dosha is defined by the interaction and modulating relationship between fire and water. Fire and water's relationship is not based on similarity, but rather on the exchanging dominance of one over the other for the purpose of fueling important life processes. For example, too much fire will result in the boiling away of the water. Too much water will result in the fire being put out. Therefore, the consuming force of Pitta is the energy principle or force of transformation, which is responsible for all changes in the mind and body.

Pitta controls digestion, absorption, assimilation, nutrition, metabolism, body temperature, skin coloration, the luster of the eyes, intelligence, and understanding.
Seat of Pitta: Stomach; also resides in the small intestine, sweat glands, blood, fat, eyes, and skin.
Primary sense: Sight
Colors: Blue, green, or purple
Season: Summer

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PITTA (most common)
Medium build, proportionate
Develops muscles easily
Sensitive, combination skin
Luminous glow with large pores in T-zone
Eyes are bright and have penetrating gaze
Lips and eyes are medium sized, nose is often sharp
Hair is silky and thin, often with red hues
Nails are soft, pink and well formed
Soft and warm to the touch
Voracious appetite
Good digestive power
Speech is clear, sharp, and precise
Little sleep, but sound
Sensitive to bright light

PSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PITTA (most common)
Intellectual with warm personality
Good leader
Fiery, chivalrous and passionate
Asks many questions
Metaphorical and interpretive thinkers
Mental energy is sharp and focused
Competitive drive, highly ambitious
Great delegates, pioneers
Adaptable
Sensitive and compassionate
Extremely Visual

When Pitta is out of balance, some of the most common things is can physically lead to are hypersensitivity of the skin, blotchy redness, rashes, hives and dry patches, inflammation, ulcers, acidity, excess heat, thinning hair, high blood pressure, and insatiable hunger. Acne or eczema may also develop.

Psychologically, out of balance Pitta, is prone to frustration, anger, jealousy, aggression, arrogance, irritability and impatience. Exacerbated Pitta can also become spiteful, critical and judgmental.

Factors that can disturb Pitta include a diet that contains too many hot or spicy foods, fasting or skipping meals, over-exposure to the sun or to hot temperatures, and emotional trauma.

Kapha Dosha:

DESCRIPTION
Kapha is defined by the consistency and connection between water and earth. Kapha is structure and lubrication. For example, if we take a jar, fill it halfway with water and then add sand, the sand will gradually sink to the bottom of the jar, separating from the water. The only way to keep the sand in equilibrium with the water is by stirring the mixture continuously. Kapha is the steady stirring energy that keeps the water and earth together. Kapha is the fluid force of cohesion.

Kapha is responsible for our physical structure and maintain the body's resistance, lubricates the joints, provides moisture to the skin, helps to heal wounds, fills the spaces in the body, gives biological strength, vigor and stability, supports memory retention, gives energy to the heart and lungs, and maintains immunity.

Seat of Kapha: Chest (main); also seated in the throat, head, sinuses, nose, mouth, stomach, joints, cytoplasm, plasma, and in the liquid secretions of the body, such as mucus.
Primary sense: Smell and taste
Colors: Red, pink and orange
Season: Winter

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTI KAPHA (most common)
Larger, well-built frame
Evenly proportionate
Skin is clear with larger pores
Eyes are moist and prominent
Lips are full and pale
Large, strong teeth
Hair is thick, lustrous and usually wavy
Nails are clear and pale
Cool and moist to the touch
Constant appetite
Strong, with great endurance, good immunity
Slow, steady pace
Sleep is long and deep
Taste and smell sensitive

PSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF KAPHA (most common)
Caring, steady, and calm
Not easily irritated, strong and stable
Loving
Self-sufficient
Great long- term memory
Mental and physical energy is steady and enduring
Loves routine
Make good providers, dependable
Serene, warm and nurturing
Romantic and loyal

When Kapha is imbalanced (excess), some of the most common things it can physically lead to are lethargy, weight gain, congestion, asthma, prolonged sleep, excessive oiliness, blackheads, cystic acne, cysts, edema, water retention, and swelling.

Psychologically, emotions of depression, attachment, greed, and long-standing grudges or envy can emerge. They can also be greedy, possessive and withdrawn.

Some of the factors that disturb Kapha are not enough activity or exercise, improper diet, cold winter weather, and seclusion.

Disclaimer
The sole purpose of these blogs is to provide information about the tradition of ayurveda. This information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, prevention or cure of any disease. If you have any serious, acute or chronic health concern, please consult a trained doctor/health professional who can fully assess your needs and address them effectively. If you are seeking the medical advice of a trained Ayurvedic expert, call us or e mail.

Dr Unnati Chavda
https://www.facebook.com/drunnatichavda?ref=hl
www.ayurvedapanchkarma.in

Ayurveda and Summer: A Pitta Season

Do you ever feel drained of energy during the summer, a time when you really want to be out having fun? Do you get embarrassed because of skin rashes, bad breath or canker soars? Do you have to watch what you eat at parties because of food allergies, ulcers, hot flashes or heartburn?

If so, you’re not alone. So many people struggle with these imbalances in their bodies, especially during the summer.

Ayurveda believes that if we don’t adjust our diets and lifestyles to balance out the inherent qualities of the seasons we are more likely to struggle with unpleasant symptoms like the ones listed above.

Summer is referred to as pitta season by ayurvedic practitioners and devotees. Pitta is just a sanskrit word meaning “that which cooks” and refers to the combination of the elements of fire and water. Summer is pitta season because the qualities of nature are bright, hot, moving, sharp, liquid, acidic and oily. Physical activity seems to naturally ramp up and the sun is beating down strong.

In ayurveda we are given the opportunity to work with pitta season in order to experience more health by minding the delicate balance between hot & cold. If we have too much of the pitta qualities in our body and mind we can develop things like ulcers, inflammation, heartburn, skin rashes and liver disorders. On the other hand, if we cool ourselves down too much we put out our digestive fire, metabolism slows down and we lose our courage and drive.

The solution to leading a balanced summer is pretty simple:

Do less stuff that adds “heating” qualities to your life.
Do more stuff that adds “cooling” qualities to your life.

Exercise
Pittas should avoid exercising in the sun or participating in anything overly competitive because competition increases emotional heat. Brisk evening walks, early morning bike rides or jogs are good. Swimming is best for our hot-bodied friends, but water is not always accessible. Yoga is good for all bodies all year round, but absolutely NO Bikram yoga for pittas!!

schedule
Ever get a “second wind” at night with a sudden urge to clean the house from top to bottom? Or maybe you come up with a brilliant idea that can’t wait until morning? Welcome to pitta time (this goes for everyone, it’s nature’s law). Pitta time comes around twice a day, once from 10am-2pm and again from 10pm-2 am*

10am-2pm Around 10:00 am, we might get a little hungry for a snack. That’s because pitta energy has just moved in, increasing our agni (pg 9), prepping us to eat. The sun is strongest at noon and so is our agni (fires are aligned!) so lunch should be the biggest meal of the day. Pitta time is also a great time for strategic thinking, organizing, and any brainy activity because our mind is sharpest at this time.

10pm-2am Once 10pm rolls around, pitta kicks back in. This is bedtime. Pitta’s job is to process all food, emotions, thoughts, ideas and stresses, ridding what we no longer need, while we sleep. If we stay awake we will relive all the crud we were supposed to process! No bueno. This can result in feelings of unrest, anxiety and stress during the day because there hasn’t been proper processing. The body is smart and if we sleep when it cleans house (like we’re supposed to) we will wake up refreshed to begin everyday stress-free.

stress
Pittas hold the most weight on their shoulders, afterall they’re the leaders. To calm the mind and relieve stress, practice Nadi Shodhanam (alternate nostril breathing) daily. The nostrils are the quickest passage to the mind (that’s why aromatherapy works). And when the mind is easy, the body follows suit and stress, anger and emotional roller coaster ride will disappear. Also, get proper sleep.

scents

Sandalwood is instantly cooling, which makes it very soothing for the skin and as an added bonus, it rids negative energy! Pittas love the smell of sandalwood. It’s calming, grounding and comforting. Mint, ylang-ylang, camphor, rose and jasmine are some other scents to balance pitta.

Ghee

If you have not been introduced to all that is ghee-licious, I must share the good word.
Pitta and vata’s best friend, ghee:
• is the only oil/fat that increases agni (metabolism!)
• is the only oil/fat that is cooling (great for ‘heated’ disorders)
• reaches all bodily tissues to nourish and keep them supple
• has no harmful trans fats or hydrogenated oils
• relieves constipation
• has a high smoke point, does not burn, stir-fry away!
• is a sattvic food: brings harmony and peace to the mind, helping us make right choices
• nourishes the skin so it radiates (and helps prevent wrinkles)

Lifestyle: A little bit of sunshine can have a large impact on our spirits! This year especially, the onset of summer feels so positive and exhilarating, but at the same time, the ever-increasing heat can have dramatic effects on our mind-body systems. So the key is to not overdue anything—an essential part of Ayurveda is balance. Through all of our senses, we can make observations and use our awareness to understand our individual degree and measurement. In general, activities that help calm and cool the mind and senses, will bring dramatically beneficial effects. Implementing balance is a way of loving yourself and those around you. We have included some great and simple lifestyle tips.

Lifestyle Tips:

Go for a walk after dinner instead of watching tv.
Take luke-warm baths with soothing oils of Sandalwood or Rose.
Clean your surroundings and add ambiance with fresh flowers & natural incense.
Swim in fresh water! Of course any body of water is a gift from Mother Nature, but we are more vulnerable to dehydration, irritations and burning when we are at the shore.
Wherever you go, make sure to protect your skin with a proper all-natural sunscreen!, which protects you against UVA and UVB rays (30 SPF), while bestowing healing and nourishing nutrients to your skin.

Dr Unnati Chavda
https://www.facebook.com/drunnatichavda?ref=hl
www.ayurvedapanchkarma.in

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Ayurveda And Fruit: Healthy Eating

Healthy Fruit Eating

You don’t have to give up fruit, just eat it separately:

With the recent popularisation of the no-fructose approach, a lot of people are giving up fruit, at least for a short period of time while they “reset” their tastebuds. I’ve been amazed by the number of people coming to our health retreats and courses in recent years forgoing fruit because they’ve gone all hard-core fructose-free. This is all rather interesting from an Ayurvedic perspective because it is likely many people will feel much better for giving up fruit. I don’t eat a huge amount of fruit myself but this has nothing to do with fructose and everything to do with digestion.

Let me explain…
Fruit and Food Combining .From an Ayurvedic perspective, fresh fruit is considered very light and easy to digest - comparatively lighter than other foods. When it is eaten with (or after) heavier foods, it stays in the stomach for as long as the heaviest food takes to digest. As a result, it generally stays in the stomach for too long, is “overcooked” by our digestive juices and begins to ferment (think a bucket of ripe fruit sitting in the sun).

In Ayurveda, this resultant over-cooked, fermented mess is referred to as “Ama” or improperly digested food toxins (1). This damp, acidic waste accumulates in our digestive tract where it can effect our digestion - hampering the excretion of our digestive juices, the absorption of nutrients and potentially contributing to indigestion, food sensitivities and gut inflammation.
If it continues to accumulate, it can “overflow” from the gastro-intestinal tract into our subtle channels and tissues where it obstructs cellular nutrition and waste disposal. It is here, in the tissues and channels, that this Ama can precipitate the manifestation of disease, according to Ayurveda .

If you give up fruit for any reason, you help eliminate this cycle. As a result your digestion may feel more balanced and you’ll experience fewer symptoms of indigestion (less gas, bloating, pain, heartburn or acid reflux). You’ll digest and absorb your food a little better and the nutrients you do absorb will have a greater chance of nourishing your tissues and immune system so you’ll have more energy and get sick less often. Your digestion and tissue metabolism will work more efficiently so you’ll produce better quality tissues. This may lead to weight loss and improvements in your complexion, teeth, nails and hair. You may also experience a reduction in inflammation or other heat-related symptoms.

But you don’t have to give up fruit to experience these benefits. You simply have to follow the number one Ayurvedic rule of food combining:

Eat fresh fruit separately from other foods, especially heavy foods like dairy foods and grains .
That is… simply eat your fresh fruit in between meals as a snack and a few hours away from eating other foods.

If you eat a relatively healthy (i.e. unprocessed, home cooked) diet already and just make this one change, you will likely notice many of the benefits mentioned above… without eliminating anything.
Of course, Ama doesn’t only come from over-digested fruit. It also comes from environmental toxins and improperly digested food of any kind. But the inappropriate consumption of fruit is a pretty significant contributor in our diets. We get it wrong all the time, several meals a day, seven days a week! How wrong? We have strawberries on cereal with milk; bananas on oats porridge; raspberries and icecream on pancakes; cheese and apple snacks; fruit-filled yoghurts; banana smoothies; fruit juices with meals; fruit salads with cream after meals; and fruit platters with cheese at parties. If you think about it, when we eat fruit or fruit juice, we nearly always combine it with other foods, particularly heavier foods like dairy products and grains.

From an Ayurvedic perspective, it is taught that fruit also combines poorly with vegetables (3). Many health enthusiasts are now getting their fruit hit as part of a green smoothie - usually made from a combination of sweet fruits with green leafy veggies and a superfood or two. From an Ayurvedic perspective, these smoothies, along with fruit/veggie juice combinations, are also confusing to the digestive fire and will result in indigestion and the production of Ama.

So remember:
Eat fresh fruit separately from other foods, including vegetables.

Notice this food combination rule only applies to fresh fruit. Dried fruit has very different qualities - because the moisture has been removed, it has become a heavier food that combines better with other foods, including grains and dairy. So it is okay to add a sprinkle of dried sultanas or desiccated coconut to a veggie curry, cake or milky porridge. Fruit chutneys and jams also have different qualities to fresh fruit and can be used in small amounts as a condiment with meals. But fresh fruit (and fruit juice) should always be eaten separately.
While we’re on the subject of fruit juice, Ayurveda recommends it only be consumed in moderation. Juices are considered very rich, sweet and nourishing because they are a concentrate of many fruits so are more difficult to digest than whole fruit. If you do have the occasional juice fresh is best, make it small, don’t add ice and add a little fresh ginger to make it more digestible.

Fruit and Body Types:

If you know anything about Ayurveda it is likely you’ve read about body types or constitutions. Because Ayurveda is an elemental science, it recognises that each individual has a unique influence of the five elements within their body/mind - Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. Some people are born with a predominance of Ether and Air (known as Vata constitutions), others a predominance of Fire and Water (known as Pitta constitutions), while others have more Water and Earth (known as Kapha constitutions). Or, you might have a dual constitution - Vata/Pitta, Pitta/Kapha or Kapha/Vata. Our constitution or genetic elemental code if you like, provides us with a unique balance of elements and qualities. These can be kept in balance or drawn out of balance by the sensory inputs we expose ourselves to throughout our lives. Sounds complicated, but the formula is simple: “Like Increases Like”. So, for example, if you have a lot of water in your constitution and eat a lot of watery fruits like melons, your water element will become imbalanced. This is a vast, complex subject so let me tackle it very briefly from the perspective of fruits…

Vata Constitutions
Vata (Ether/Air) people are light and ethereal, naturally slim, a bit spacy and/or racy, and prone to dryness, poor circulation and feeling the cold. They have variable appetites and sensitive, variable digestion with a tendency towards gas and bloating. Each of the six tastes also has a predominance of two elements so can increase or decrease the elements in our body. Vata is balanced by sweet, sour and salty tastes and imbalanced by pungent, bitter and astringent tastes. Therefore, Vata people should favour sweet and sour fruits and avoid astringent fruits (unless cooked) or dried fruits (unless soaked)(4). If prepared in the right way, Vata people can benefit from a large variety of fruits.

Fruits that are more balancing for Vata people include cooked apples, avocadoes, apricots, sweet berries, ripe banana, cherries, coconut, dates, figs, grapes, grapefruit, kiwi, lime, ripe mango, melons, oranges, papaya, pineapple, plums, soaked prunes, soaked raisins, rhubarb, and tamarind.

Pitta Constitutions
Pitta (Fire/Water) people are naturally moderate in weight and build, angular, intense, and prone to conditions of excess heat. They have strong appetites and strong digestion with a tendency towards heartburn and reflux.
Pitta is balanced by sweet, bitter and astringent tastes and imbalanced by sour, salty and pungent tastes. Therefore, Pitta people should favour sweet and astringent fruits and avoid sour fruits (4). It is particularly important for Pitta people to ensure their fruit is ripe because most unripe fruit is sour.
Fruits that are more balancing for Pitta people include sweet apples, apricots, avocadoes, sweet berries, coconut, dates, figs, grapes, melons, pears, pomegranate, soaked prunes, raisins, rockmelon and watermelon.

Kapha Constitutions
Kapha (Earth/Water) people are naturally more robust and curvaceous but easily gain weight and are prone to fluid retention, excess mucous and feeling the cold. They generally have low appetites and dull digestion with a tendency towards heaviness and lethargy after meals.
Kapha is balanced by astringent, bitter and pungent tastes and imbalanced by sweet, sour and salty tastes. Therefore, Kapha people should avoid most fruits, except astringent fruits or dried fruit and should only eat them in small quantities. The sweet, sour and moist qualities of most fruits increase these already prevalent qualities in Kapha people. Fruits that are more balancing for Kapha people include ripe apples, dried apricots, cherries, cranberries, dried figs, lemons, pears, persimmon, pomegranate, soaked prunes, raisins and raspberries . If you have a dual constitution you should favour the tastes that balance both constitutions. For example, sweet balances both Vata and Pitta and astringent balances Pitta and Kapha. Kapha/Vatas should favour warming fruits because their mutual quality is coldness.

Conclusion
Despite these seemingly complicated lists, the secret to healthy fruit eating is to keep it simple. Favour fruits that are local and in-season. Eat fruits whole, one at a time instead of complex, extravagant salads, juices or smoothies. This will ensure you don’t eat too much. It will also help you to get to know your fruit better. When you eat fruit on its own you can genuinely distinguish how each fruit tastes and feels in your belly, unadulterated. And, as you gently feel into the tastes and their effect on you, you can prepare fruits in different ways to make them more appropriate for your constitution - sprinkling desiccated coconut and cardamom over a banana, stewing apples and pears with cloves and cinnamon, squeezing a little lime over papaya etc. But really, the most important thing is to enjoy your fruit eating - treat fruit as a treat! Savour each delicious morsel with mindfulness and gratitude, enjoying the sheer beauty of the experience. No fructose-guilt allowed!

Dr Unnati Chavda
https://www.facebook.com/drunnatichavda?ref=hl
www.ayurvedapanchkarma.in

Ayurveda Super Foods

Eight Ayurvedic Superfoods!

Foundatino of HealthSome foods do more than provide healthy nutrients - they promote strength, resilience, and contentment, says Ayurvedic cook Nadia Marshall

There is a lot of talk these days about “superfoods”. They’ve even found their way into a Masterchef mystery box! But what is a superfood anyway? According to Wikipedia it is a marketing term used to promote foods with health benefits that are usually high in nutrients and low in calories. Not particularly inspiring really… so I thought I might redefine the word from an Ayurvedic perspective. For a food to be “super” on my list, it needs to do two things:

1) Promote ‘Sattva’ in the Mind

2) Directly nourish ‘Ojas’

These two terms probably don’t mean anything to you so let me explain…

What is Sattva?

A very important concept in Ayurveda is the understanding that our food has a direct effect on the quality of our minds. This is explained through the idea of the three Universal Qualities known as Sattva, Rajas and Tamas.

Tamas is the quality of dullness and inertia. It is heavy and obstructive and when it becomes excessive in the mind, creates laziness, ignorance and depression. Rajas is the quality of agitation and activity. A mind predominant in Rajas is over stimulated and desirous, constantly seeking gratification outside itself. Any satisfaction it may find tends to be fleeting so the search continues…. eventually a Rajasic mind will exhaust itself and fall into a Tamasic heap.

Sattva is the opposite of Tamas. It is the quality of clarity and stillness and is associated with peace, contentment, love, compassion and kindness. It is that elusive, sustained kind of happiness we are all looking for and, according to Ayurveda, can be cultivated skillfully, with ease.

Everything in the universe contains a predominance of one or more of these qualities, including our food. Drawing on the Ayurvedic law of LIKE INCREASES LIKE we can infuse our minds with greater clarity, peace and contentment by eating predominantly Sattvic food. Unprocessed, unrefined, seasonal wholefoods are generally more Sattvic but there are also specific foods that are super Sattvic! Simultaneously, we can decrease our level of over stimulation and agitation by avoiding excessively Rajasic substances (especially fast food, refined sugar, chilli, coffee and alcohol) and our propensity for dullness and depression by avoiding Tamasic substances (especially heavily refined and processed food, canned food and other drugs).

What is Ojas?

Another very important concept in Ayurveda is the understanding of Ojas, the subtle essence of water in the body. There isn’t a direct Western translation for Ojas but Dr Robert Svoboda refers to it as “a pattern of secretions in the body” made up of various hormones, neurotransmitters and immune factors. The interplay between these factors relates to the function of Ojas described by Ayurveda.

Ojas is a subtle golden liquid said to have the color of ghee, the taste of honey and the smell of toasted rice. Although it is pervasive throughout the whole body/mind, it is found in greatest concentration in the heart and adrenal glands. In fact, Ayurveda teaches we have just eight drops of Ojas in our heart which sustain our life - when these run out, we die.

Ojas is considered to be our potential source of strength, power and the foundation of our immune system, protecting us from both internal and external causes of disease. It also supports us mentally. Ojas is responsible for integrating our body/mind and is the source of our creativity, patience, faith and mental resilience. If we are prone to fatigue, regular illnesses and generally feel a lack of confidence in ourselves, it is simply a sign that our Ojas is depleted.

Ayurveda teaches that after eating a meal, the digested and assimilated nutrients from that meal go on to nourish each of our bodily tissues. After each of our tissues has been fed, the remaining (and most potent) nutrients go on to nourish Ojas. This process is enabled by a strong, balanced digestive fire (known as “Agni” in Sanskrit). So we look after our Ojas by looking after our Agni. In turn, strong Ojas helps to preserve and strengthen our Agni further. However, there are a handful of very special foods that actually nourish Ojas directly.

The Super Eight!

So the eight Ayurvedic superfoods I have chosen are genuinely super. They don’t just provide a low calorie, dense hit of nutrients; they actually help to promote strength, resilience, peace and contentment in the body/mind. And the best thing is, they are readily available to absolutely everyone! Here they are…

1) Ghee
Ghee is clarified butter, with all of the milk solids and buttermilk removed (so it is actually lactose-free and can be consumed by lactose intolerant folk). Unlike most of the other superfoods on this list, ghee is actually easy to digest and it, in addition to being Sattvic and nourishing to Ojas, has the special quality of enkindling Agni, according to Ayurveda.

2) Cow milk
Cows are considered sacred animals in India and cow milk is highly revered in Ayurveda as one of the most Sattvic of foods. Buy unhomogenised, organic or biodynamic milk and only consume it warm, preferably with spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, black pepper or ginger to improve its digestibility and Ojas nourishing properties. If you have difficulty with cow’s milk don't worry, there are seven other superfoods on the list to choose from!

3) Basmati Rice
Basmati rice is Sattvic, nourishes Ojas and is also light and easy to digest so even if your Agni is weak, you should be able to digest it with ease. It is a long grain rice with a distinctive fragrance and delicate flavour... quick and easy to cook and absolutely delicious!

4) Dates
Dates are Sattvic and very nourishing to Ojas but are also quite rich, heavy and difficult to digest. Just because they are “super” doesn't mean you should eat them by the handful! Stick to two dates a day. Anything more and you may put a strain on your digestive fire.

5) Almonds
Almonds are also Sattvic and help to maintain our Ojas. But they are also quite rich and heavy so don't overdo them either. Two to four almonds a day is enough. To make them lighter and easier to digest, soak them in boiling water overnight, blanch them (remove their skins), then dry roast them. A great way to have your daily dose is as dry roasted slivers on top of porridge. Yummo!

6) Honey
Honey is super Sattvic and directly nourishes our own life-nectar, Ojas. The main thing to remember with honey is to choose the non heat-treated kind. Ayurveda teaches that when honey is heated to high temperatures its chemical composition is altered making it difficult to digest, with a tendency towards clogging the channels. So always purchase good quality honey that has undergone minimal processing and don't cook with it (adding a teaspoon to hot tea is fine). Honey is another rich food so again, moderation is key.

7) Ginger
Ginger is an amazing spice!! It is Sattvic and although it doesn't nourish Ojas directly, it promotes a strong, balanced digestive fire. If our Agni is balanced, our Ojas will be nourished as the end result of tissue metabolism. And eating ginger with all of the other foods on this list will make them easier to digest too!

8) Saffron
Our final superfood, Saffron, is one of the most revered of all exotic spices. It has a strong medicinal action on the blood, heart and reproductive system, is super Sattvic and also potentiates the action of any substance it is taken with, including the actions of the superfoods on this list! One to five strands per day is enough to impart its benefits and it is best eaten after soaking in warm milk.

Be careful not to boil Saffron as it contains precious volatile oils that will be lost and do not use if you are pregnant as it stimulates the flow of blood in the uterus.

So there you have it - my Ayurvedic Super Eight!

The good news is that all of these foods are also super delicious! But you may have noticed that many of them are quite rich, heavy and difficult to digest, which is another reason why it is so important to bring your attention to building a strong digestive fire - so you can digest and assimilate them properly.

Dr Unnati Chavda
https://www.facebook.com/drunnatichavda?ref=hl
www.ayurvedapanchkarma.in

Know Your Dosha

Dosha: Vata

Air and Space

Vata Dosha is the principle of movement in all living organisms and is a combination of the elements: air and space. Vata Dosha is closely related to the nervous system.
According to Ayurveda, the main characteristics of Vata Dosha in any person are:

Characteristics
Can appear in the body as:

Mobility
Generally quick actions, fast walking and speech, restless eyes, likes travelling and often has mood swings.

Dryness
Dry body (including skin, hair and lips), an inclination towards constipation as a result of dryness.

Coldness
Dislike towards cold weather, generally cold feet and hands, an inclination towards poor blood circulation.

Lightness
Generally underweight, thin physique (bones and muscles), light sleeper.

Roughness
Rough and cracked skin, nails, hair feet and hand. Crackling joints.

Some of the bodily functions ruled by Vata Dosha are:

physical movement
respiration
starts activities and processes in the body
stimulation of Agni (digestive fire)
excretion
development of the embryo
sensory perception
speech
hearing
enthusiasm
creativity

The imbalance created by excess Vata Dosha can be exacerbated by:

stress, over-exertion, or pressure
irregular daily routine or irregular mealtimes
going to bed late
raw, cold or dry foods
coffee, tea, carbonated drinks or cigarettes
long journeys
cold, windy weather, especially in autumn or winter

Vata Dosha can be balanced by:

a regular daily routine, including sleep and meal times
regular relaxation
warm nourishing foods with sweet, sour and salty tastes
moderate alcohol intake
keeping warm in cold weather
Ayurvedic massages

Dosha: Pitta

Fire and Water

Pitta Dosha is the principle of transformation in all living organisms and is a combination of the elements fire and water. Pitta Dosha is closely related to the digestive system, metabolism, enzymes and glands in the body.
The main characteristics of Pitta Dosha in any person are:

Characteristics
Can appear in the body as:

Heat
Good appetite, strong digestive fire, body temperature is higher than normal, dislike of heat, early greying of hair.

Oiliness
Oily skin which is soft. Dislike of oily food.

Fluidity
Excess sweating, passing of excess urine, loose stools tendency towards diarrhoea, excess thirst.

Sour
Acidity, teeth sensitive towards sour fruits, excess salivation. Sour eructation.

Sharpness
Accurate memory, sharp teeth and sharp facial features with a pointed nose and penetrating eyes.

Pungent
Burning sensation on skin, including eyes, throat and stomach. Feelings of anger and hatred.

Spreading
Spread of any infection of the body e.g. a rash, acne etc. Tendency towards desiring fame.

Some of the bodily functions ruled by Pitta Dosha are:

digestion
metabolism
vision
heat and energy production
skin lustre
hunger
thirst
intelligence
courage
anger

The imbalance created by excess Pitta Dosha can be exacerbated by:

anger
extremes of sour, salty and spicy food
coffee, tea, alcohol, cigarettes
loud aggressive music
too much direct sunlight, heat especially in summer

Dosha: Kapha

Water and Earth

Kapha Dosha is the principle of stability and maintenance in any living organism and is a combination of the elements water and earth. Kapha Dosha is closely related to the lymphatic and immune system in the body and is responsible for the growth of the individual.
The main characteristics of Kapha Dosha in any person are:

Characteristics
Can appear in the body as:

Heaviness
Deep voice, tendency towards obesity, large and heavy body, bones and muscles.

Coolness
Cold skin, tendency towards attacks of cold, slow metabolism leading to reduced appetite and thirst.

Softness
Soft skin and hair and tendency toward soft tender nails. Loving, caring and kind attitude.

Oiliness
Oily body including skin, hair, nails, stools. Flexible and mobile joints.

Sweetness
Tendency towards excess intake of sweet foods and drinks. Good anabolic state of the body.

Stability
Patient and relaxed attitude. Firm decisions. Likes sedentary activities like reading, watching television etc.

Sliminess
Excess salivation, thick slimy secretion when suffering from a cold. Thick joints with good mobility.

Some of the bodily functions ruled by Kapha Dosha are:

strength
maintenance of health
maintenance of the joint functions (synovial fluid)
smell
taste
anabolism and growth
potency
stability
nutrition
absorption
immunity
satisfaction
tolerance

Dr Unnati Chavda
https://www.facebook.com/drunnatichavda?ref=hl
www.ayurvedapanchkarma.in