My Dosha Types

Dhanvantri.. The origin of ayurvedic medicine is attributed to Dhanvantari the physician of the Gods .

Quote

"Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are". ~Anthelme Brillat-Savarin

Meaning of Ayurveda
Ayur means "longevity" ", veda means knowledge .So in other words the knowlege of prolonging your life is Ayurveda .

History

Exact time of the origin of Ayurveda is not clearly known. But one myth (Purana) from the Indian creation mythology gives some information about the origin of Ayurveda.

According to the Puran Ksheera sagara medan (ksheera means milk, sagar means ocean and madan means churning). In this story the gods and demons churned for “elixir” (nectar of immortibility) and from this churning of the ocean of milk so many things emerged:

Kamdhenu [a holy cow], Kalpavruksha [sacred tree], Goddess Lakshmi [goddess of prosperity], The Moon, Poison (Halahala) and   Whereas Ksheera sagara madan is treated as a myth, the disciple of Dhanvantri, called as “Charaka”, is well known to the world. 
We can still get his knowledge from a book called “Charakasamhita” written by Charaka. Along with this book, the books Sushruta Samhita [deals with Salya chikitsa = surgery] and Astanga Hridayam are also very famous books in Ayurveda.
Types Of Ayurvedic Parampara

According to Daiva parampara, the flow of the knowledge is like this:it was revealed by Lord Brahma. The knowledge of Ayurveda transformedfrom Brahma to Ashwini kumar [divine healers] through Prajapati [Sonof Brahma]. Ashwini Kumar taught Ayurveda to Indra. From Indra,
Ayurveda was revealed to a Saint called Bhardwaj.

According to Rishi parampara: Dhanvantri - Susruuta, Vaitarana,
Bambrha, Poshka bhavara, Gopura rakshita and Karaveera - Kasyapa -
Atri, Bhrugu and Vasishta.

Saivi parampara
According to Saivi (worshippers of Lord Siva) sampradaya (sampradaya =
cult):Lord Siva - Parvati - Nandi - Agastya - Chulastya - Tairayar.

So the origin of Ayurveda is not clearly known. But according to
information from ancient texts, we can say that, Ayurveda is an
ancient and higher knowledge which supports human being to lead a happy life in natural way.


Ayurveda was called "the science of eight components"

Internal medicine (Kāya-cikitsā)

Paediatrics (Kaumārabhṛtyam)

Surgery (Śalya-cikitsā)

Eye and ENT (Śālākya tantra)

Bhūta vidyā has been called psychiatry

Toxicology(Agadatantram)

Prevention of diseases and improving immunity and rejuvenatio(rasayana)

Aphrodisiacs and improving health of progeny (Vajikaranam)Pancha Mahabhootas or five elements

According to Ayurveda, human beings are made up of the five primary elements: Earth, Water, fire, Air and Space (Ether). The Universe too is made up of these Five primary elements. Thus, the universe affects us in the same way in which it is affected, with regard to the constitution of the five elements. This could be understood on the basis of the effect that food and climatic conditions have on our body.

TRIDOSHAS


These primary elements combine together in specific pattern to form three Doshas (or Bio-energies)-Vatha, Pitha and Kapha, which are present in the human body.
Vathais the Dosha formed by the combination of the elements of Ether and Air. It refers to all movements in the body, from micro to macro level, and is the catabolic force. It includes locomotion, nerve impulse and transfer of molecules across membranes, natural urges, thoughts etc.
Pitha is the Dosha formed by the element Fire alone. It refers to heat and all biochemical transformations. Thus digestion of food, warmth of body, intelligence etc, are attributes of Pitha.
Kapha is the Dosha formed by the combination of the elements of Water and Earth. Kapha refers to growth and is the anabolic energy.


Vata Body movements, running, walking, excretion of urine and feces.
Pitta Digestion of food, functionality of eye, body colour, hunger and thirst.
Kapha Movements of joints, strength, braveness, weight of the body.
Balancing these Vata, Pitta and Kapha in order to maintain a healthy life, is the one of the basic principles of Ayurveda.




All treatments are aimed at detoxifying the body and equilibrating the doshas. More stress is upon bringing the doshas to equilibrium because, they alone are able to influence the other factors. This will make the body pure and consequently healthy. Ayurveda has a three point method for healthy living:
Purification: By eliminating the accumulated toxins
Maintenance: by adhering to lifestyle advices together with daily and seasonal routines
Fortification: by immunizing and strengthening the body, so as to prevent diseases and improve endurance 

In order to balance these Vata, Pitta and Kapha, a person 
has to takeproper food according to their body nature.

Seasons –Tridosha – Disease:

The seasons have some effect on Vata, Pitta and Kapha of our body.
This effect may cure some doshas and may cause new doshas. To cure doshas of a particular season, nature provides proper herbs to human in that season. By knowing this fact, it is good to have seaosanal vegetables and herbs .
SATTVIC TAMSIC AND RAJSIC FOODS


According to Ayurveda food is classified into categorical types according  to the degree they enhance or hinder physical energy and spiritual energy.
These  Fundamental attributes are called GUNAS .

Sattvic Foods

Sattvic foods are light and easy to digest
—They bring clarity and perception
—Sattvic food has the potential to unfolds love and compassion in the individual
—Sattvic food promotes the qualities of forgiveness and austerity
It gives a feeling of contentment


Examples of sattvic (high prana) foods
Fruit mango, pomegranate, coconut, figs, peaches, pears
Grains rice, tapioca, blue corn
Vegetables sweet potato, lettuce, parsley, sprouts, yellow sqaush
Beans mung, yellow lentils, kidney, lima
Dairy organic milk, fresh homemade yoghurt
Meat none

Rajasic foods 
Rajasic foods are hot, spicy and salty
—They are irritants and stimulants
—All morish or tempting foods come under the category of rajasic
—Heavily spiced foods e.g. hot pickles and chutneys which can stimulate the senses
—Rajasic foods make the mind more agitated and susceptible to temptation
—The mind can become more rajasic, which means it tends towards anger, hate and manipulatio


Examples of rajasic (stimulating) foods
Fruit sour apples, apples, banana, guava
Grains millet, corn, buckwheat
Vegetables potato, nightshades, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, tamarind, pickles, winter squash
Beans red lentils, toor dal, adzuki
Dairy old sour milk, sour cream
Meat fish, shrimp, chicken


Tamasic Food 

tamasic food is heavy, dull and depressing
—It induces sleep
—Under this category comes dark meat, lamb, pork, beef, as well as thick cheese
—Old and stale food is also tamasic
—Only when too much of it is eaten, it causes the dulling effect.
In moderation, tamasic food is considered as grounding and promotes stability


Examples of tamasic (heavy) foods
Fruit avocado, watermelon, plums, apricots
Grains wheat, brown rice,
Vegetables mushrooms, garlic, onion, pumpkin
Beans urad dal, black, pinto, pink
Dairy cheese

KNOW YOUR DOSHA

The VATA DOSHA is a combination of space & air ). It controls movement and is responsible for basic body processes such as breathing, cell division and circulation.Vata dosha is an invisible force, or energy, formed by the combination of space and air. This dosha possesses all the properties of air, such as force, vacuum, dryness, coldness, lightness, wind and dehydration. They are active in all vital bodily functions such as respiration, digestion, excretion, formation of new structures and movement. They are composed of the same elements as the universe: space and air (vata dosha), fire and water (pitta dosha), and earth and water (kapha dosha). The doshas are not visible like blood or skin, but their presence is felt through their activities. They tend not to grow as the body grows; nor are they excreted as waste. They are, however, functional in the body from birth to death, and are the source of its constitutional and physiological energy. Vata body areas are the large intestine, pelvis, bones, skin, ears, and thighs. People with vata as their main dosha are believed to be quick-thinking, thin, and fast, and are susceptible to anxiety, dry skin, and constipation It is active in bodily movements: contraction and relaxation of muscles, blinking, breathing and the internal transportation and flow of substances such as blood, lymph, sweat, urine, nutrients and other fluids..
When balanced, these five vayus carry out the normal functions of the vata dosha. Certain factors, such as food, lifestyle, climatic conditions and the mind, however, can create changes and imbalances in the dosha. Those factors that are similar to its properties aggravate or excite the dosha; those opposite to its properties calm it down. Imbalances create major adverse effects in body functions, leading to chronic, incurable diseases. Furthermore, vata diseases are difficult to cure because of the unstable nature of vata.

The KAPHA DOSHA

Kapha dosha is composed of earth and water. These properties make this dosha stable, and it is responsible for growth and homeostasis of the body. Kapha dosha is produced in the body as a post-digestive product (in the form of energy), and its quality and quantity depend on the substances consumed and their proper digestion.
Kapha dosha is responsible for the cohesion of the body throughout life. It gives the body weight, mass and stability. Due to its water and earth components, it is cold, heavy, steady, dull, viscous and strong. It lubricates and moisturizes body tissues, thus maintaining their smooth functioning. It replaces old cells, heals wounds and balances the corrosive properties of pitta and vata. Kapha also works on mental and emotional levels, giving calmness and steadiness to the mind. Its properties are similar to ojas, which is the supreme strength or energy, produced after a metabolic cycle, giving vigor, strength and energy to the body and increasing resistance and immune power.
Like vata and pitta, kapha functions throughout the body. Its main sites are the mucous-producing tissues and organs, including those in the chest and gastric regions, palate, joints, plasma and lymph. 


The PITTA DOSHA combines fire and water.Pitta is composed
 of fire and water. When these two elements are combined, as in corrosive liquids like acids or alkalis, they have the strength to transform, burn and convert substances into different forms. It is thought to control hormones and the digestive system. Pitta body areas are the small intestines, stomach, sweat glands, skin, blood, and eyesBecause metabolic conversions take place in all cells of the body, pitta is found everywhere at the cellular level. Its main site, however, is in the abdominal region, where it metabolizes food through the action of enzymes and other intestinal secretions. . People with pitta as their primary dosha are thought to have a fiery personality, oily skin, and are susceptible to heart disease, stomach ulcers, inflammation, heartburn, and arthritis.Pitta energy represents the fire of the mind or the mental fire necessary for will power, determination, mental strength, capacity to make desicions, courage, love towards life, goals and ambitions, optimism, intelligence and creativity (originality) etc. Unbalanced pitta shows lack of interest in life, anxiety, depression, negative thinking and mental dullness. In addition, hormone and enzyme secretions are disturbed. Pitta dosha is transported throughout the body mainly through the blood, although the lymphatic system also carries pitta to minute cells.
An imbalanced dosha is believed to interrupt the natural flow of prana, or vital energy. The disrupted energy flow is then thought to impair digestion and allow the build up of body waste, or ama, which further impairs energy and digestion.

All treatments are aimed at detoxifying the body and equilibrating the doshas. More stress is upon bringing the doshas to equilibrium because, they alone are able to influence the other factors. This will make the body pure and consequently healthy. Ayurveda has a three point method for healthy living:

Purification: By eliminating the accumulated toxins
Maintenance: by adhering to lifestyle advices together with daily and seasonal routines
Fortification: by immunizing and strengthening the body, so as to prevent diseases and improve endurance


Ayurvedic Lifestyle Tips

The most important thing is to eat your main meal at noon, when the sun is strongest and the digestive fire reflects that strength. If you eat too much at night, or eat heavy foods such as meat or cheese then, the food will sit in your stomach and create AMA Eat light at night and your food will be easily digested before you go to sleep.
It's also important to eat all three meals at the same time every day. If your body gets used to a regular routine, the digestive juices will start to ready themselves before the meal, and will be more efficient in digesting. If you eat at all different times, your digestion will be thrown off.
Don't snack between meals unless you are actually hungry, and wait until the food is digested before eating a meal. If your digestion is already occupied with digesting and you add new food on top of that, the result is AMA, the sour, undigested waste product of undigested food.
Other aspects of the ayurvedic routine are also important. Going to sleep before 10 p.m. is essential, because then during the Pitta time of night (10-2) your digestion has a chance to cleanse and rejuvenate itself. If you stay up, you'll probably feel hungry about midnight and will want to eat, which will tax the digestion and create AMA.
Waking up before 6 a.m. is recommended, as if you sleep late into the Kapha time of the morning (6-10 a.m.), the channels of your body will become clogged with AMA and you'll feel dull and tired.
Daily exercise that is suitable for your body type will stimulate digestion and help cleanse the body of toxins. It's also important to manage your stress, and to have a job that your enjoy and is not too taxing for your body type. Everyone can benefit from spending time each day practicing the program to remove mental, emotional and physical stress.
Spring is Ideal for CleansingMany people feel the signs of AMA buildup in spring more than at other times of year, because the toxins that are already in the body start to display their symptoms then. The reason is that if you don't follow the proper seasonal diet and routine during the first two months of winter (November and December), the body can accumulate more toxins then. The channels become clogged, and at the same time because of the cold temperatures, AMA gets stuck or "frozen" in the walls of the channels.

At this point there will not be as many symptoms of AMA But during the second two months of winter, January and February, there is a slight warming effect, because the sun is starting to gain in strength and is moving toward its zenith in June, even though it's still cold out. By the time spring comes and it really is warmer outside, the frozen AMA starts to melt, and as it flows into the body's channels, the channels become flooded with toxins.
Because these toxins are naturally melting in spring, it is the best time to detoxify. The body is already in the mode of eliminating toxins, so it is a good time to support the body in that role.

In general it is advised to eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper.
When the metabolism is high in the morning eat a solid breakfast with plenty of grains, such as a meusli with oats, rice flakes, cracked wheat, (not for brain related problems or IBS) or have cream of wheat or porridge. Accompany this with lots of dried fruits and nuts. Dates, figs, black raisins, apricots, almonds and walnuts are highly nutritious and energising.
Lunch should also be full, with a good balance of protein, carbohydrate and fibre. For example, rice or brown bread with one cup of lentils or soya and three cups of vegetables. Eating salad has an alkalising effect to balance out the acidic effect of primary carbohydrates such as bread and pasta. The most acidic foods are meat and eggs so these should be balanced by plenty of fibre. Fruit and salad should be eaten before meals rather than after to avoid obstruction in the digestive process by other harder to digest foods such as carbs.

It is advised to know your Dosha type from a Ayurvedic practioner


VATA
Vata types tend to be fast, wiry and creative types
.rtant.Thin build and small-boned. Can be tall or short
Prominent joints, don’t put on weight easily
Skin is dry, chaps easily, rough, cool, prominent veins
Hair is coarse and dry
Small, active, dark eyes
Lips are thin, dry, chap easily
Brittle, ridged or cracked nails
Little strength, tires easily
Variable appetite, can get very hungry
Very physically active
Bowel movements irregular, hard, dry
Mind is active, restless
Tendency toward fear or anxiety when under stress
Recent memory is good, long-term memory is poorLight sleeper
Cold hands and feet, little perspiration
Dreams are fearful, flying, movement
Tendency towards constipation, anxiety, nervousness, poor sleep
Vata's primary organ is the colon
You need routine in your life to ground your moving energy
Travel, especially air travel, can imbalance a Vata.
Vata's are aggravated by cold, frozen or dried foods.
In order to be balanced, you need to eat foods that warm you, avoiding extreme cold, raw and
frozen foods. Moist rather than dry foods are also recommended.
Maintaining a regular routine is important
Ayurveda considers vata to be the energy of drive, force, motion, direction and action; therefore, that interferes with its movement and direction will excite or aggravate it--either locally or throughout the body--creating destructive and degenerative changes in the tissues. One of the symptoms of unbalanced vata is dry, rough skin with a dark or cracked appearance. Other signs include poor circulation, constipation, difficulty in breathing (asthma), joint pains, stiffness, restricted movement, swelling, burping, flatulence, abdominal gassy distension, negative thoughts, loss of concentration or memory, disturbed sleep, desire for warm foods, instability of mind and body, indecisive attitude, cracking of joints, tremors, tantrums, or emaciation.

Unless diagnosed in a timely manner and treated to remove the causative factors, vata imbalances can lead to chronic disease. Some disorders are in this category are arthritis, asthma, indigestion, excessive gas, heart disorders, infertility, constipation, and nerve problems such as paralysis, Parkinson's, etc.

Treatments for vata disorders include remedies, diet and lifestyle factors that have the opposite properties of vata. Some of these are warmth, heat, oily fluids, lubricants such as ghee, and spices with warming properties like ginger and black pepper.


PITTA TYPE
Pitta types are determined and strong willed with good digestion.
The Pitta's primary organs are the small intestine and stomach
Pitta's tend to be hot, oily, and light.
Pitta is associated with the fire element, and tend to have a fiery quality.
When a Pitta becomes imbalanced, he or she may notice skin rashes, burning, inflammation, fever, ulcers, anger, jealousy, copious urine.In addition to their physical responsibilities, the doshas also control mental energies.Vata energy, as mentioned in the last issue, is a very active and mobile force. It controls all the functions of mind: thinking, imagination, dreams, and all neurological and psychological functions associated with the mind. Unbalanced mental vata energy can result in restlessness, insomnia, nervousness,
skepticism, indecisiveness, fear, unstable thoughts, distractions, mood swings and spacy feelings, etc.
In order to be balanced, Pitta's should remain cool, avoiding excess heat, steam or humidity. They should also avoid excessively oily food or fried foods as well as caffeine, alcohol, red meat, hot spices, or salt, choosing instead to eat fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains.
Medium build
Moderate body weight, may be athletic, muscular
Oily skin, warm, sensitive skin, reddish, inflamed
Hair is fine, oily, may have balding or premature graying
Medium, penetrating, light sensitive eyes
Lips are soft, medium-sized
Soft and flexible nails
Medium strength
Strong appetite, irritable if you miss a meal or can’t eat when you’re hungry
Enjoys physical activity, especially competitive
Bowel movements easy and regular, soft, oily and loose
Mind is focused and sharp
Tend toward anger, frustration or irritability when under stress
Excellent memory
Usually sleep well
Good circulation, perspire frequently
Dreams fiery, angry, violence, passionate
Tendency towards inflammation, high blood pressure, hypersensitive, aggression
Unbalanced pitta leads to improper digestion, elevated body temperature, burning sensations, ulcers, irritation, redness, skin disorders, hemorrhages, piles, acidity, disturbed sleep, eye problems, loss of confidence, malabsorption of food, malnourishment, loss of appetite or excessive hunger and thirst, discolorations of the skin and body substances such as urine and blood, etc., reduced or excessive secretions of hormones and enzymes, and improper formation of the types of pitta energy and body tissues which are dependent on pitta. Ultimately, the body becomes weak and cold.Substances, climate and lifestyle having qualities or properties similar to the pitta dosha will aggravate this energy, whereas those with the opposite qualities will calm it down. An excessive intake of any of the following will prevent pitta dosha from performing its normal functions: hot, spicy or sour foods; fried, oily, fermented, stale and "fast" foods; incompatible combinations of foods; artificial colorings and flavorings; sour or unripe fruits and alcoholic drinks.
Lifestyle factors that aggravate pitta include exposure to sun, hot weather, indoor heat, chemicals, corrosives and strenuous exercises. In addition, mental tensions, austerities, fighting, fasting, cruelty, jealousy, competition and greed can cause the pitta energy to become unbalanced.
KAPHA TYPES
Kapha types have good endurance, strength and stamina.
Although it is easy for you to follow routine, it is healthier for you to periodically break from routine.
You tend toward inertia and tend to attach to people or things.
Food and security are important to you.
The primary organ is the chest.
Kapha is often correlated with the production of mucus.
Kapha types have a tendency towards congestion, sinusitis, slugishness, weight gain, diabetes or water retention.
In order to be balanced, Kapha's should be physically active, consume little fried or fatty foods, avoid icy drinks, sweets or excessive amounts of bread. They should enjoy plenty of fresh vegetables.
Kapha types should allow excitement, change and challenge to become a regular part of their lives.


Note: If you have marked two constitutions nearly equally, you may be a combination.
More:Thick, ample or stocky build. Larger bone-structure.Thick skin, cool, prone to acne
Thick hair, shiny, lustrous
Large, round eyes with thick eyelashes
Lips are large, smooth, full
Strong and thick nails
Strong, good endurance
Less active, sometimes lethargic
Bowel movements thick, oily, heavy, slow
Mind is calm and slow
Tendency to avoid situations that are difficult
Memory is slow but sustaining
Sound, heavy sleeper
Moderate perspiration
Dreams peaceful, romantic, water, ocean
Tendency towards respiratory congestion, water retention, lymph congestion, cystic acne, tiredness
When kapha dosha is increased, there is loss of appetite, dullness, and the body becomes heavy, cold, slow and lethargic. Excess salivation may occur and the body becomes pale. Weight and girth may increase due to accumulation of toxins, water retention and improper lymph circulation. Tachycardia (very fast heartbeats) and labored breathing may result due to inadequate lubrication in the heart and lung regions.
Other disorders associated with unbalanced kapha are nasal congestion, colds, coughs, sinusitis, pneumonia, asthma, pleurisy, rheumatic conditions, nausea, fainting and obesity.
Overweight

KAPHA
Balancing Foods
Vegetables - Asparagus, Beets, Beet Greens, Bell Pepper, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Eggplant, Garlic, Green Beans, Horseradish, Leafy Greens, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Okra, Onions, Parsley, Peas, Peppers, Potatoes, Spinach, Sprouts, Turnips, Watercress. Raw, pungent and bitter vegetables are balancing. Sweet, juicy vegetables are aggravating.
Grains - Amaranth, Barley, Buckwheat, Corn, Granola, Millet, Oats, Oat Bran, Quinoa, Basmati Rice, Rice Cakes, Rye and Wheat Bran are balancing. Cooked Oats, Brown or White Rice, and Wheat are imbalancing.
Legumes and Nuts - Adzuki beans, Black-Eyed Peas, Chickpeas, Flaxseeds, Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Lima Beans, Navy Beans, Pinto Beans, Red Lentils, Split Peas, White Beans are balancing. Almonds, Brazil Nuts, Cashew, Coconut, Macadamia Nuts, Peanuts, Pecans, Pine Nuts, Pistachios, Psyllium, Sesame, Black lentils, Mung Beans, KIdney Beans, Lentils, Soy Beans, Tempeh, Walnuts and Tofu are imbalancing.
Meat - Chicken dark meat, Turkey dark meat, eggs are balancing. Beef, Duck, Freshwater Fish, Lamb, Pork, Seafood, Shrimp, and Venison are aggravating.
Herbs, Spices and Condiments - allspice, Anise, Basil, Black Pepper, Caraway, Cardamom, Cayenne, Cinnamon, Cloves, Coriander, Cumin, Dill, Fenugreek, Garlic, Ginger, Horseradish, Mint, Mustard Seeds, Nutmeg, Onion, Oregano, Paprika, Parsley, Peppermint, Poppy Seeds, Rosemary, Sage, Spearmint, Star Anise, Tarragon, Thyme, Turmeric, Wintergreen are balancing.
Dairy - Ghee, Goats Milk and Diluted Yogurt (diluted 1:4 yogurt:water) are balancing. Butter, Cheese, Buttermilk, Cow's Milk, Ice Cream, S our Cream and Yogurt are aggravating.

In general it is advised to eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper.
According to ayurveda, every individual has unique needs for balance.

In the morning eat a solid breakfast with plenty of grains, such as a meusli with oats, rice flakes, cracked wheat, (not for brain related problems or IBS) or have cream of wheat or porridge. Accompany this with lots of dried fruits and nuts. Dates, figs, black raisins, apricots, almonds and walnuts are highly nutritious and energising.
Lunch should also be full, with a good balance of protein, carbohydrate and fibre. For example, rice or brown bread with one cup of lentils or soya and three cups of vegetables. Eating salad has an alkalising effect to balance out the acidic effect of primary carbohydrates such as bread and pasta. The most acidic foods are meat and eggs so these should be balanced by plenty of fibre. Fruit and salad should be eaten before meals rather than after to avoid obstruction in the digestive process by other harder to digest foods such as carbs.
Once you know what your Ayurvedic dosha is, you can balance it by learning what foods support you and what foods can further aggravate your dosha.
The following general guidelines can help you get started. An Ayurvedic physician can help you further tailor your diet towards your individual constitutional type.Kapha dosha is increased or unbalanced by heavy intake of starchy, sweet, cold, oily or fatty foods.Fish, meat, heavy dairy products, mushrooms, bananas and peas are among the specific foods that aggravate kapha.pha dosha is increased or unbalanced by heavy intake of starchy, sweet, cold, oily or fatty foods.Fish, meat, heavy dairy products, mushrooms, bananas and peas are among the specific foods that aggravate kapha.
Lifestyle factors that aggravate kapha include excess sleep; lack of work or exercise (physical as well as mental); a sedentary lifestyle; eating of cold, heavy foods, especially at night; and a windy, wet climate.
When kapha dosha is increased, there is loss of appetite, dullness, and the body becomes heavy, cold, slow and lethargic. Excess salivation may occur and the body becomes pale. Weight and girth may increase due to accumulation of toxins, water retention and improper lymph circulation. Tachycardia (very fast heartbeats) and labored breathing may result due to inadequate lubrication in the heart and lung regions.
Other disorders associated with unbalanced kapha are nasal congestion, colds, coughs, sinusitis, pneumonia, asthma, pleurisy, rheumatic conditions, nausea, fainting and obesity.
Treatment for unbalanced kapha includes the removal of causative factors. When kapha is aggravated, herbs, foods, spices, and climactic conditions with opposite properties will calm it down. For deficient conditions, herbs, foods, etc. with similar kapha properties are prescribed.
VATA
Balancing Foods
Fruit - Apricots, Avocado, Bananas, Berries, Dates, Fresh Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes, Kiwi, Lemons, Mango, Melon, Oranges, Papaya, Peaches, Pineapple, Plums, Strawberries. Sweet fruits are balancing. No dried fruits.
Vegetables - Artichoke, Asparagus, Beets, Carrots, Cucumber, Green Beans, Leeks, Mustard Greens, Okra, Olives, Onion, Parsnip, Potato, Squash, Watercress, Zucchini. Cooked vegetables are most balancing. Avoid raw vegetables.
Grains - Amaranth, Oats, Rice, Wheat, Wild Rice
Legumes and Nuts - Adzuki beans, Almonds, Black lentils, Brazil Nuts, Cashews, Flax, Hazelnuts, Mung beans, Peanuts, Pecans, Pine Nuts, Pistachios, Pumpkin, Red lentils, Sesame, Soy cheese, Soy milk, Sunflower, Tofu, Walnuts
Meat - Beef (occasionally), Chicken or Turkey (white meat), Duck, Eggs, Freshwater Fish, Seafood, Shrimp
Herbs, Spices, Condiments - Brown Rice Syrup, Honey, Maple Syrup, Molasses, other sweeteners than White Sugar, Allspice, Almond Extract, Anise, Basil, Bay Leaf, Black Pepper, Caraway, Cardamom, Cayenne, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Cloves, Coriander, Coconut, Cottage Cheese, Cumin, Dill, Fennel, Garlic, Ghee, Ginger, Mustard, Nutmeg, Onion, Oregano, Parsley, Peppermint, Poppy Seeds, Rosemary, Sage, Spearmint, Spirulina, Tamarind, Tarragon, Thyme, Pickles, Salt, Seaweed, Soy Sauce, Turmeric, Vanilla
Dairy - Buttermilk, Cow's Milk, Cheese, Goat's Milk, Goat Cheese, Yogurt. All is moderation.

Foods that aggravate vata are dry, dehydrated foods or gas-producing foods such as raw salads, potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, potato chips, biscuits, crackers, beans (red and kidney), chick peas, and cold, fizzy drinks. Lifestyle factors include living in a cold, rainy, windy climate and overexertion from too much work or strenuous sports like weight-lifting, which can cause extensive wear and tear on the body tissues. Suppression of natural urges, such as urinating or coughing, and mental factors, such as suppressing or over-expressing emotions, also lead to imbalance of vata.


PITTA
Balancing Foods
Fruit - Apples, Avocado, Berries, Dates, Figs, Grapes, Mango, Melons, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Pomegranate, Prunes, Raisins, Watermelon. Sweet fruits are balancing. Sour fruits are aggravating.
Vegetables - Artichoke, asparagus, bell pepper, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cucumber, celery, green beans, leafy greens, mushrooms, okra, parsley, parsnip, peas, potatoes, squash, sprouts, zucchini. Sweet and bitter vegetables are balancing.
Grains - Barley, Cooked Oats, Basmati Rice, White Rice, Wheat, Wheat Bran, Wheat Granola are balancing. Amaranth, Buckwheat, Millet, Oat granola, Quinoa, Brown Rice and Rye are aggravating. Legumes and Nuts - All beans except black and red lentils are balancing, such as adzuki beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, soy beans, split peas and tofu. Coconut, psyllium, pumpkin and sunflower are balancing. Almonds, Brazil Nuts, Cashews, Chia, Filberts, Flax, Macadamia Nuts, Peanuts, Pecans, Pine Nuts, Pistachios and Sesame are aggravating.
Meat - Chicken white meat, turkey white meat, egg white, freshwater fish, shrimp (in moderation) are balancing. Beef, egg yolk, duck, lamb, pork, venison and seafood other than shrimp are imbalancing.
Herbs, Spices and Condiments - Maple Syrup, Fruit Juice Concentrate, Barley Syrup, Brown Rice Syrup, and other sweeteners except for honey and molasses, Coconut, Coriander, Cumin, Dill Fennel, Ghee, Mint, Orange Peel, Peppermint, Saffron, Seaweed, Spearmint, Sprouts, Turmeric, Wintergreen are balancing. Chili peppers, Garlic, Ginger, Horseradish, Ketchup, Mustard, Lemon, Mayonnaise, Onions, Pickles, Salt, Sesame Seeds, Soy Sauce and Tamari are aggravating. Dairy - Butter (unsalted), Cottage Cheese, Mild Soft Cheeses, Ghee, Cow's Milk, Goats Milk are balancing. Salted butter, Buttermilk, Hard Cheese, Feta Cheese, Sour Cream and Yogurt are aggraving