PLANET AYURVEDA: ASK DOCTOR AJIT
Q: A:
I’ve been reading your column and think that there’s a lot of common sense in the advice you dispense. However, I don’t know much about Ayurveda so wonder if you could enlighten me. T. Bland, Eden Tce
Ayurveda is a medical system that originated in India over 5,000 years. It is a system of health care developed through centuries of observation and clinical practice which has investigated the physiology of the body and pathogenesis of disease. Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word that translates as “the science of life,” which reveals that it is not just about treating disease but offers a holistic approach to living a balanced and healthy life. Ayurveda believes that everything in the universe, including our own bodies, is made up of five great elements: earth, water, fire, air, and ether. In Ayurvedic physiology, these five elements combine to form three energies or intelligences in our bodies called Doshas. These Doshas are constantly moving in dynamic balance, maintaining all our bodily systems and ensuring they work together in harmony. These energies are called Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Vata means “to move, flow or command” and is a force made up of the elements ether and air. It governs all movement in the body: breathing, blinking of the eyelids, movements in the muscles and tissues, pulsations in the heart and the movement of impulses in nerve cells. In balance it promotes flexibility and creativity. Out of balance it produces fear and anxiety. The qualities of Vata are drying, cooling, light, agitating, and moving. Pitta is a force created by the dynamic interplay of water and fire. These forces represent transformation. Pitta governs all metabolic functions in the body: digestion, absorption, assimilation, body temperature and skin coloration, the luster of the eyes, intelligence, and understanding. In balance it promotes understanding and intelligence. Out of balance it produces anger, hate and jealousy. The qualities of Pitta are oily, sharp, hot, light and liquid. Kapha comprises the elements of water and earth. Kapha 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. In balance it promotes love, calmness and forgiveness. Out of balance it produces attachment, greed and envy. The qualities of Kapha are unctuous, cool, heavy, slow, smooth, soft and stable.
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According to Ayurveda, every individual is born with a unique combination of these Doshas in their body. Called Prakruti, this basic constitution is fixed throughout our lifetime. The combination of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha that is present in the sperm and ovum combine at the time of fertilisation to create a unique individual. Each of us then has a different combination of Vata, Pitta and Kapha in our bodies. This is how Ayurveda can explain the subtle differences between individuals and explains why everyone is unique and that two persons can react very differently when exposed to the same environment or stimuli. Your Prakruti is unique to you just as your fingerprint and DNA. Ideally, your constitution remains fixed throughout your life. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Every person is subjected to the constant interaction with their environment which will affect the person’s constitution at any time. The qualities in the environment and in our food can accumulate in our bodies and can disturb the dynamic balance between the Doshas. For example, if your Prakruti is Vata then your body will already be dry, cold, light and active because these are the dominant qualities of Vata. If you live in a cold climate and eat dry, cold and light foods then these qualities will accumulate in your body and cause Vata to become imbalanced. It is these imbalances that can lead to illness. Ayurveda teaches that these imbalances can be addressed by means of diet and lifestyle to return your body to a balanced and healthy state. The profound promise of Ayurveda is that through changes to diet and lifestyle, not only can we prevent disease but live a long, healthy life in balance and harmony. Life challenges us with many opportunities. Although there is much over which we have little control, we do have the power to determine our diet and lifestyle. To maintain balance and health it is important to give attention to these decisions. Diet, lifestyle and herbs appropriate to your individual constitution strengthen the body, mind and consciousness and keep us healthy. In my 35 years of clinical practice, both here and in India, I have seen the profound benefits of this health science help thousands of people achieve balance in their lives. (DR AJIT) PN PLANET AYURVEDA, 41 Gillies Avenue T: 09 522 5390 www.planetayurveda.co.nz
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)