The Basic Principles Of Ayurveda We All Should Know

An ancient healing system rooted in Vedic culture, Ayurveda, is a natural and holistic approach to life that dates back 5,000 years. In Ayurveda, consider the five elements and three life energies of nature. Practicing these ancient rules will increase your harmony in the body, as well as your balance and peace-loving lifestyle.  Ayurveda means ‘science of life’ because it comprises the Sanskrit words ‘ayus’, meaning ‘life’, and ‘Veda’, meaning ‘science’.   Ayurveda is a science that teaches practitioners about the connection between mind, body, and spirit. The basic principles of Ayurveda are easy to remember and can make an enormous difference in your life. There are some key principles that you should know about in order to have a healthier, happier life. 

The 5 Elements in Ayurveda and how they influence your health 

The 5 Elements in Ayurveda, Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether, are the foundation of your health and well-being. Each element has a specific impact on your health and vitality. When these elements are in balance, you experience health and vitality. When they are out of balance, you may experience health issues. Therefore, learning about the 5 Elements and how they influence your health can help you to maintain balance and health in your life. 

The 3 Doshas in Ayurveda and how they influence your health 

The three doshas in Ayurveda are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each dosha handles a different aspect of your health.  

• Vata handles movement and change, 
• Pitta handles digestion and metabolism, and 

• Kapha handles structure and immunity. 

When one or more of the doshas are out of balance, you can experience health problems. Ayurveda can help you restore balance to your doshas and improve your health. 

Vata 

Vata comprises space and air, and they associate it with movement. As well as breathing, blinking, muscle and tissue movement, heart pulsations, and movement of cell membranes, it controls all the functions of the body.  Having a balance of Vata will promote creativity and flexibility. Hence, an unbalanced vata leads to fear and anxiety. 

Pitta 

The Pitta is the body’s metabolic system, and it comprises both Fire and water. Nutrition, metabolism, digestion, absorption, assimilation, and body temperature all rely on it. Optimal pitta implies intelligence and wisdom. If pitta is unbalanced, it can cause anger, hatred, and jealousy. 

Kapha 

The “glue,” formed from Earth and Water, that holds the cells together is called Kapha, the energy responsible for forming the body’s structure - bones, muscles, tendons. Every part of the body receives water from Kapha. It greases up joints, saturates the skin, and keeps up with resistance.   In balance, it communicated kapha as affection, smoothness, and pardoning. If it is unbalanced, it prompts connection, covetousness, and jealousy. 

Dhatu in Ayurveda 

The word dhatu means one which supports the body. The human body comprises seven tissue systems. Each is a representation of plasma, blood, muscle, fat, bone, bone marrow, and semen, which are Rasa, Rakta, Mamsa, Meda, Asthi, Mjja, and Shukra. Besides providing the body with nutrition, dhatus also aid in the growth and development of the mind. 

Mala in Ayurveda 

Mala is the opposite of clean. Combined with doshas and dhatus, it is the third element of the body. Stool, urine, and sweat are the three most common forms of malas. Therefore, proper excretion of malas from the body is crucial for maintaining the health of an individual.  A mala comprises two components, mala and kitta. In Mala, there are waste products from the body, in Kitta, there are waste products from the dhatus. 

Agni in Ayurveda 

Biological fire, called Agni, handles all the metabolic and digestive functions of the body. There are various enzymes within the alimentary canal, liver, and tissue cells that make up Agni. 

Tastes in Ayurveda 

So, there are six tastes in Ayurveda: sweet, sour, salty, spicy/hot, astringent/dry, and bitter. These six tastes should be balanced to maintain health.  Ayurveda is an ancient terminology that is still being practiced after ages. It has long been believed and practiced by millions; however, to positively influence our lives, we need to delve into its principles which can result in a healthy lifestyle as well as benefit us in the long run.