What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda, meaning "Science of Life," is a comprehensive 4,000-year-old healing system from India. It views health as a dynamic balance between body, mind, and consciousness, treating each person as a unique individual with their own constitutional makeup.
Natural Methods
Healing through herbs, minerals, diet, lifestyle modifications, and therapeutic practices
Balance Focus
Establishing harmony between physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions of health
Personalized Care
Tailored treatments based on individual constitution, imbalances, and life circumstances
Root Cause Focus
Identifying and treating underlying imbalances rather than suppressing symptoms
The Three Doshas
Ayurveda identifies three fundamental energies (doshas) that govern all biological and psychological functions. Understanding your dominant dosha is key to personalized healing.
Vata
Air + Ether
Governs:
All movement in body and mind—breathing, circulation, nerve impulses, thoughts
Qualities:
Cold, dry, light, mobile, erratic, quick
✓ When Balanced:
Creativity, enthusiasm, mental clarity, vitality
✗ When Imbalanced:
Anxiety, insomnia, dry skin, constipation, scattered thoughts
Pitta
Fire + Water
Governs:
All transformation—digestion, metabolism, body temperature, mental processing
Qualities:
Hot, sharp, penetrating, oily, intense
✓ When Balanced:
Sharp intellect, courage, strong digestion, radiant complexion
✗ When Imbalanced:
Inflammation, heartburn, anger, irritability, skin rashes
Kapha
Water + Earth
Governs:
All structure and lubrication—body mass, joints, immunity, emotional stability
Qualities:
Heavy, slow, cool, stable, soft, oily
✓ When Balanced:
Strength, endurance, calmness, compassion, immunity
✗ When Imbalanced:
Weight gain, congestion, lethargy, depression, water retention
Understanding Autoimmune Disease Through Ayurveda
Ayurveda views autoimmune conditions as the result of two interconnected factors: weakened digestive fire (Agni) and accumulated toxins (Ama). When these combine, the body's intelligence becomes confused and attacks its own tissues.
Weakened Agni
Digestive Fire / Metabolic Power
Agni is the transformative force that converts food into energy and tissue. When Agni weakens, incomplete digestion creates unprocessed food material that becomes toxic to the body.
Poor digestion and irregular appetite
Weak metabolism and low energy
Incomplete food processing
Ama Accumulation
Toxic Residue / Undigested Matter
Ama is a sticky, heavy substance formed from undigested food. It circulates through the body, deposits in weak tissues, obstructs channels, and triggers the inflammatory response that characterizes autoimmune conditions.
Sticky, heavy substance coating tissues
Deposits in genetically weak tissues
Triggers chronic inflammation
Recognizing Ama in Your Body
Energy & Vitality
- • Chronic fatigue and low energy
- • Drowsiness after meals
- • Heavy, sluggish feeling
Digestive Issues
- • Loss of appetite or poor hunger
- • Bloating and feeling of fullness
- • Irregular bowel movements
Physical Signs
- • Thick white coating on tongue
- • Body stiffness (especially mornings)
- • Unpleasant body odor or bad breath
The Six Tastes in Ayurvedic Nutrition
Each taste (Rasa) has specific effects on the doshas. Balancing all six tastes in your meals helps maintain equilibrium and supports the body's natural healing intelligence.
Sweet (Madhura)
Earth + Water
Nourishing, grounding, builds tissue
Salty (Lavana)
Water + Fire
Improves taste, aids digestion
Sour (Amla)
Earth + Fire
Stimulates appetite, awakens mind
Pungent (Katu)
Air + Fire
Clears congestion, stimulates metabolism
Bitter (Tikta)
Air + Ether
Detoxifies, reduces inflammation
Astringent (Kashaya)
Air + Earth
Drying, tightening, healing
Ayurvedic Daily Regimen (Dinacharya)
Establishing daily rhythms aligned with nature's cycles is foundational to Ayurvedic healing. These practices support strong Agni and prevent Ama accumulation.
Morning Routine
Start your day aligned with nature
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Wake before sunrise
During Vata time (4-6 AM) for mental clarity
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Warm ginger water
Awakens digestion, flushes toxins
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Meditation & gentle stretching
10-15 minutes to calm mind and awaken body
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Warm, cooked breakfast
Porridge with ghee, warming spices
Evening Routine
Wind down peacefully for restorative sleep
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Light, early dinner
3 hours before bed, easy to digest
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Avoid screens
Reduce stimulation 1-2 hours before sleep
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Evening meditation or gentle yoga
Release stress, prepare for rest
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Warm milk with turmeric (optional)
Calming, anti-inflammatory nightcap
Essential Guidelines for Digestive Health
Practices to Embrace
- ✓ Allow 3-4 hours between meals for complete digestion
- ✓ Maintain 12-14 hour overnight fast to cleanse system
- ✓ Eat only when truly hungry, not from habit
- ✓ Use warming spices: ginger, cumin, coriander, turmeric
- ✓ Favor warm, freshly cooked meals
Practices to Avoid
- ✗ Cold, dry, or rough foods that aggravate Vata
- ✗ Eating within 2-3 hours of bedtime
- ✗ Incompatible food combinations (milk with fruit, etc.)
- ✗ Heavy meats and highly processed foods
- ✗ Overeating or eating when not hungry
