Using Nutrition to Help the Body Find Balance [with Ayurvedic principles]
I’ve written posts before about why good food and nutrition are the best accompaniment to herbal medicine and how Food is our simplest form of medicine. But more than fueling the body, we can take that relationship, and understanding of our food, a little deeper. Use it as part of our healing, and to help bring more balance to our bodies and minds….
Ayurveda, often referred to as the "Science of Life," is an ancient Indian medical system that focuses on achieving balance and harmony in the body, mind, and spirit. One of the key aspects of Ayurveda is understanding our unique constitution, or dosha, which represents the energies and elements present within us.
In Ayurveda there are different energy types called Doshas. These energy types can be applied to herbal plants, foods, and our bodies.
The Doshas are a representation of how the different energies show up in human form. When it comes to health, Ayurvedic principles have viewed, successfully, for thousands of years, herbal medicine in a way that considers the application of herbal and nutritional treatment in conjunction with all of the factors of a persons lifestyle.
Herbs used mystically alongside (and with an emphasis on), diet, exercise, and stress management.
The Ayurvedic Body Types
To choose which herbs are right for you, you can match herbal tastes and energetics not only to a specific condition but to your characteristic mind-body qualities.
The system of Ayurvedic medicine offers guideposts that let you distinguish the most appropriate herbs for the job by matching their properties with your properties.
One of the most pragmatic and functional aspects of Ayurveda is its fairly detailed, well-defined system of body typing which provides a logical, consistent, and credible basis for making decisions and taking actions regarding your health, healing, prevention, and treatment.
Much like energetic and/or Astro herbalism it lets you narrow down your options from among the vast and sometimes overwhelming array of choices among herbs and healing substances — for there is always multiple herbs to choose to treat one issue.
And it lets you understand your most likely weaknesses, imbalances, and potential health problems, and determine how you can adjust your lifestyle to head off problems before they even arise.
The Doshas that make up the body-types are the elements within the Body and Nature; Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Ether. And while we all have all three Doshas to varying degrees, there is usually 1-2 that are more dominant than the rest.
The three Doshas are :
KAPPA — of earth and water
PITTA — of Fire and Water
VATA — of air and space/ether
These three Dosha body types, or energetic tendencies are characterised by temperature, moisture, weight, and texture. These qualities are related to the functions, systems, or qualities that each dosha governs in the body.
The kapha (earth) dosha maintains structure, solidity, growth, and lubrication in the body, forming connective and musculoskeletal tissue as well as mucus and other secretions. It is wet/oily, cold, heavy, slow, and sta-ble, and promotes those qualities in the body. The pitta (fire) dosha maintains digestive and glandular secretions, body heat, and metabolism, including digestive enzymes and bile. It is wet and oily, hot, light, and intense. Vata (air) dosha maintains movement in the body, such as respiration and joint mobility. It is dry, cold, light, and irregular.
And body types the doshas show up as not only physical characteristics, but also emotional tendencies and how we show up and represent ourselves in the World.
For example, pitta refers to a specific kind of energy (hot, wet, light, and intense) and a set of trends or symptoms influenced by that energy. It is descriptive: Body processes can be pitta; weather can be pitta; food can be pitta. But additionally, pitta is a body type--the fire type, one whose body is most likely to manifest pitta-type strengths and weaknesses. The pitta body type will be most likely to overemphasize pitta (fire) trends and tendencies, and to be affected by pitta food, weather, and so on.
We can use these Ayurvedic ways of viewing the body, herbs and foods to helps us create balance within the body through the foods we choose to eat.
Before we dive in further if you don’t already know what your Dosa is then I recommend you take this quiz to find out :
Foods to Balance the Body
Ayurvedic practices separate the foods we eat into the three Dosha categories where some foods are known to dampen a Dosha, or help increase it.
Depending on your needs, and your personal Dosha(s), you can use this knowledge of food and how it impacts the body in more subtle ways, to aid you in building even better health
The body type is a good predictor of which dosha is most likely to try to overpower the other two and dominate. You can think of the doshas as the three legs of a stool; the body type is characterized by which leg wants to get longer than the others and tip the stool. The job of the other two is then to stretch out and help the stool regain balance. Some times we need to help that process along with food, herbs, or lifestyle adjustments.
Here are the basics for each of the Doshas, including foods which will heighten or reduce depending on your needs.
Vata Dosha
Vata represents the elements of air and space, responsible for movement and creativity. Individuals with a Vata predominance often have a light and wiry build, dry skin, and experience anxiety or restlessness. To balance Vata, focus on grounding, warming, and nourishing foods.
Foods to increase Vata:
Warm, cooked grains like rice, quinoa, and oatmeal.
Root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots, and beets.
Healthy oils like ghee, sesame, or olive oil.
Nuts and seeds, especially almonds, walnuts, and flaxseeds.
Herbal teas such as ginger, cinnamon, or licorice.
Foods to reduce Vata:
Cold or raw foods, especially salads and raw vegetables.
Light and dry foods like crackers, popcorn, or dry cereals.
Carbonated drinks, caffeine, and excessive spices.
Avoiding excessive travel or erratic eating patterns.
Pitta Dosha:
Pitta represents the elements of fire and water and is responsible for digestion, metabolism, and transformation. Pitta individuals tend to have a medium build, strong appetite, and may experience anger or irritability. To balance Pitta, focus on cooling, calming, and hydrating foods.
Foods to increase Pitta:
Sweet and juicy fruits like melons, grapes, and mangoes.
Cooling vegetables such as cucumbers, cilantro, and zucchini.
Whole grains like basmati rice, barley, and quinoa.
Soothing dairy products like milk, butter, and coconut milk.
Cooling spices like coriander, fennel, and mint.
Foods to reduce Pitta:
Spicy and oily foods, including hot peppers, chili, and fried foods.
Sour fruits like oranges, grapefruits, and pineapples.
Alcohol, coffee, and processed foods.
Avoiding excessive heat or sun exposure.
Kapha Dosha:
Kapha represents the elements of earth and water and provides stability, strength, and support. Kapha individuals usually have a sturdy build, smooth skin, and may struggle with weight gain or lethargy. To balance Kapha, focus on stimulating, light, and warming foods.
Foods to increase Kapha:
Spicy and pungent foods like chili peppers, ginger, and garlic.
Light and dry fruits like apples, pomegranates, and berries.
Legumes such as lentils, chickpeas, and black beans.
Light grains like quinoa, buckwheat, and millet.
Stimulating teas like ginger, cinnamon, or green tea.
Foods to reduce Kapha:
Heavy and oily foods, including fried foods, processed snacks, and excessive dairy.
Sweet and juicy fruits like bananas, dates, and mangos.
High-fat meats like beef, pork, and lamb.
Avoiding excessive sleep or sedentary lifestyle.
Understanding our dosha and aligning our diet accordingly is an essential aspect of Ayurveda to maintain balance and promote overall well-being. We can adopt these aspects of Ayurveda as part of our general health maintenance (even if you don’t adhere to other Ayurvedic practices) as a healthy and balanced way to start using food as medicine.
By incorporating suitable foods into our daily meals, we can support our body's natural healing mechanisms and achieve optimal health. However, if you want to eat completely using the Ayurvedic method it is always advisable to consult with an Ayurvedic practitioner or healthcare professional for a personalised diet plan based on your specific needs and constitution. And to ensure that you aren’t neglecting any essential food groups or micro nutrients that can lead to other health issues down the line
xo Emily
