FAQ's
1. What type of diet is suggested by Ayurveda?
The old traditional texts classify our diet into three types. They are Saatvik, Rajasik, Tamasik. The Saatvik diet consists of leafy vegetable, fresh fruits, milk, curd, butter, honey and so on. The Rajasik diet consists of hot and pungent foods meat, beans and so on. This is suitable only for those who engage in heavy physical work. A Tamasik diet includes fermented and highly spiced foods, curd, wines and so on and is considered harmful to health. According to Ayurveda, a Saatvik diet, moderate physical exercise and regular practice of yoga help one to maintain good health.
2. What is the central principle of Ayurveda?
The central principle of Ayurvedic science is that each human being is unique, having a distinct individual constitution, genetic inheritance and predisposition to certain diseases.
3. What are the steps followed in a Ayurvedic Therapy?
Ayurveda is an ancient health care system devised for the fast-paced and stressful modern life. This system is a stress reliever and immunity builder. Ayurveda approaches the problem from different angles. Panchakarma (Five cleansing procedures) and Ayurvedic massages are effective in flushing out toxins already in the body and internal systems down to the last cell. The body is tuned up by massage, oil bath and other procedures. Herbal food supplements and health care products build up the immunity system in a natural way. There are specific drugs to strengthen each system of the body, and arrest aging process Ayurveda prevents toxins entering into the body by making people keep a watch on their food habits and food.
4. What are the salient features of Ayurveda Health care system?
Ayurvedic healthcare system has perfected efficient methods and herbal preparations to keep the physical, mental and emotional health of a person in its prime throughout life.
It is contrary to the current practice of seeking treatment when a disease strikes or waiting to get medical help till symptoms manifest. It is a mind and body health care system evolved to help human beings get the maximum out of their lives in a perfectly natural and healthy way. Ayurveda instills in you a view of life that is holistic and congenial to enjoy the pleasures of life in a sustainable way. This can be achieved without disturbing the rhythm of your life.
5. According to Ayurveda, what is meant by Tridosha?
‘Vata’, ‘Pitta’ and ‘Kapha’ are the names of tridoshas. Vata constitutes of air, Pitta constitutes of bile and Kapha constitutes of phlegm. Doshas are basically three different forms of energy. The three doshas contain two of the five elements as any other matter. Thus ‘vata’ is made up of air and space and hence the lightest ‘dosha’. ‘Pitta’ contains fire and water, and ‘kapha’ with earth and water is the heavist of all ‘doshas’.They work as a team in a natural healthy individual and could be termed, ‘the executives’ of human organism. Perfect balance of these three doshas (energies) is the basis of well being. These constituents give specific properties to ‘doshas’ with each ‘dosha’ having one property particular to itself and two opposite to others. Hence the character of doshas is influenced mainly by what is eaten as also by the ambient temperature, season, input, mental state etc. Usually either one or combination of more than one dosha would be dominant in an individual. This defines the constitution of the person.
6. What kind of beauty treatments available in Ayurveda?
In Ayurveda, beauty is not just about carefully applied makeup or well manicured nails. Though there are various herbs to improve the texture of the skin and hair, beauty, according to Ayurveda, is the result of a radiant inner self. The radiance is caused by a healthy Ojas, the subtle quality of vigor or vitality which is the superfine essence of the seven dhatus.
7. What is the relationship between vital energy (Dosha), Tissue (Dhathu) and Impurities?
The troika of Fault (Dosha)-Tissue (Dhatu)-Impurities (Mala) is along with Fire (Agni), which means the fire of life that transforms matter in to energy form the main pillars of human organism. According to Ayurveda the Fault (Dosha), Tissue (Dhatu) and Impurity (Mala) should be in harmony with each other, with all the components properly balanced. The ‘doshas’ are executives in the organ. They influence the functioning of tissues (Dhatus) and therefore the metabolic end products i.e., impurities (Mala). If these impurities are not relieved out of our body regularly, then this accumulation will lead to diseases.
8. According to Ayurveda, what is a healthy body?
A nontoxic body fortified with natural and herbal nourishments is the abode of a creative mind, and indomitable spirit.
9. What is the Ayurvedic view of organisational layout of the body?
The science of Ayurveda has simplified the organisational layout of the human body into three basic components, Dosha (Fault), Dhatu (Tissue) and Mala (Impurities). The entire science of Ayurveda is based on the Pancha Mahabhootha ("five great elements") theory. The five elements are Earth (Pruthvi), Water (Jal), Fire (Agni or Tej), Air (Vayu) and Ether or Space (Akash). In ayurvedic philosophy, all matter in the universe is made up of these elements. Earth represents the solid state, water the liquid state, air the gaseous state, fire transforming force and ether is simultaneously the source of all matter and the space in which it exists. Thus all matter from tissues and organs, to diets and "doshas" (faults) is built on the five elements.
10. Now days, Ayurveda is becoming so popular and what makes people feel Ayurveda is safe than any other medicinal system? Why?
Ayurvedic science though ancient, could not be more relevant to today’s medical challenges and needs. Ayurveda is becoming so popular because the therapies are based on how and why we become ill. It can offer effective treatment for many conditions for which conventional medicine has not found cure. Ayurveda offers a safe therapy without any side effects.
11. What are the main important features of Ayurveda by which people are highly benefited?
Ayurvedic healthcare system has perfected efficient methods and herbal preparations to keep the physical, mental and emotional health of a person in its prime throughout life. It is contrary to the current practice of seeking treatment when a disease strikes or waiting to get medical help till symptoms manifest. It is a mind and body health care system evolved to help human beings get the maximum out of their lives in a perfectly natural and healthy way. Ayurveda instills in you a view of life that is holistic and congenial to enjoy the pleasures of life in a sustainable way. This can be achieved without disturbing the rhythm of your life.
12. How is Ayurveda different from other medicinal systems?
Modern medicine tries to treat and remove symptoms rather than treating the patient suffering from it. This stems from the view that all people are more or less the same. Ayurveda makes special contributions by addressing the uniqueness of each patient and by helping each body to heal itself.
13. According to Ayurveda, how can people prevent themselves from Diseases?
Traditional societies did not need a specialized approach for prevention of diseases. As such, the concept of pathogenesis in Ayurveda is basically different from threat of modern medical science. Ayurveda defines health as the state in which the dhatus are in equilibrium if this is disturbed disease is caused. Therefore the prevention of vitiation of the doshas (humors) is the first step in prevention of diseases, whether agantu (exogenous), nija (endogenous) or manasa (mental) in nature.
14. How dominance of Vata - Tridosha does influence a person?
The word ‘Vata’ is referred to ‘which moves’. Vata dosha is initiator of all forms of activity. It is important in the communication network of the body – from sense organ to brain and consciousness, from tissue to tissue and cell to cell. If ‘doshas’ are dynamic energies, ‘Vata dosha’ is the kinetic energy. ‘Vata’ is responsible for perception (that includes pain), assimilation and reaction. It brings a thought from memory to consciousness and transfers current experience into memories. It inspires speech and is the base of laughter and exaltation. At the level of physical body it is responsible for micro and macro movement. ‘Vata’ is more cerebral. ‘Vata dosha’ is the force behind the finger that writes and can be called the C.E.O. of the company. Vata has maturity and power of old age. Stress vitiates ‘vata’ which in turn alters ‘pitta’ or ‘kapha’ leading to wide verity of symptoms. Lack of sleep, excessive physical activity and long hours of fasting also vitiate ‘vata’.
15. How dominance of Pitta - Tridosha does influence a person?
‘Pitta dosha’ is responsible for all types of transformations in the body. Pitta controls digestion of food as well as conversion of light rays that fall on the retina to electric impulses. In the brain there is a local ‘pitta dosha’, responsible for comprehension and analysis of data received. A person with pre determined ‘pitta dosha’ is highly intelligent, quick to process sensory inputs and able to reach decisions promptly. Pitta controls emotion like anger, fear and bravado. Pitta controls digestion of food, it is responsible for hunger, appetite and thirst. It gives sheen to the skin. In contrast to vata, pitta is more physical. There are five types of ‘pitta dosha’. Although predominance of ‘pitta dosha’ imparts a glow to the skin, and make the hair soft and shiny, it can lead to early wrinkling of skin, graying of hair and tendency to bald prematurely. Excessive sweating, intolerance to heat, warm soles and palms (often moist) are characteristics of ‘pitta’ predominance. Increase in ‘pitta’ either due to dietary imbalance or other reasons lead to hunger but the food is not well digested, thus leaving the individual lethargic. Head aches, vomiting, or diarrhoea and skin disease occur. ‘Pitta dosha’ is most predominant during youth and adulthood. ‘Pitta’ get deranged on eating too spicy or oily food or on having a late night party (particularly if alcoholic beverages have been consumed), or under tension and anxiety. If Pitta level is increased it can hasten aging, besides causing havoc to digestion. Pitta dosha is the upwardly mobile executive. ‘Pitta’ reflects the dynamics of youth.
16. How dominance of Kapha - Tridosha does influence a person?
‘Kapha dosha’, the third angle of ‘dosha’ triangle is also termed phlegm (even though literal meaning is phlegm, this is not what it actually represents in the tridosha theory. Kapha is the cohesive energy in the body, it smoothes out problems, lubricates and provides support when needed. It acts as in house public relations officer. If ‘vata’ is kinetic energy then ‘kapha’ is potential energy. ‘Kapha’ is very close to tissues and like ‘pitta’ has greater physical form than ‘vata’. It shares many of the properties of tissue it influences. It is anti thesis of ‘pitta’ and is protective in nature. Its main property is stability. In contrast of ‘pitta’, ‘kapha’ denotes loyalty, compassion and love. A predominance of this ‘dosha’ makes a person forgiving in nature free from envy and endowed with patience. It gives mental strength and resistance to diseases. It gives firmness to joints while keeping them lubricated. It also enhances sexual potency. There are five types of kapha dosha, based on both anatomy and body function. Kapha being made up of water and earth is heavy and moist. Sweet, sour and salty items in the food can thus disturb this inherently heavy ‘dosha’. Carbohydrates and fats can increase ‘kapha’. It is usually at its most prominent during morning and early evening. Similarly during springtime it is seen that ‘kapha dosha’ is most aggressive. It is during this time that the people with ‘kapha dosha’ suffer the most and if sweet meats are consumed in large quantities they tend to become lazy. Predominance of ‘kapha’ makes a person plump, contented and perhaps a little slow. Yet this property makes the person have an immense durability in most adverse conditions. If this dosha is deranged there can be emaciation, impotence, dry mouth, poor digestion. ‘Kapha’ abnormalities lead to respiratory disease, polyuria, feeble mindedness, weakness and lethargy. Kapha is gentle arbitrator, controlling the youthfulness of ‘pitta’, but always willing to obey ‘vata’.
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