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Dear Doctor,
I have recently heard about Ayurvedic Medicine.
What is it?
Dear Reader,
In the Western world, we tend to forget
that different types of medicine have been practiced successfully for
thousands of years in other parts of the world. Ayurvedic
medicine is one such healing system.
Ayurveda (which means the
science of life) has been in existence for at least 4000 years and
originated in India. One of the more unique aspects of Ayurvedic medicine is that it offers a complete
approach to optimal health which can be oriented to each particular
individual’s needs.
One of the basic tenets of Ayurvedic medicine is that each of us is born with a
specific constitution or dosha. In Ayurvedic medicine, illness results when the dosha is out of balance through improper choices in
diet, lifestyle, or through harmful mental/emotional exposures.
Which constitution type are you?
The three constitutions in Ayurvedic medicine are called Vata,
Pitta and Kapha.
People with a Vata constitution tend to be very quick thinkers, speakers and
doers. They have wonderful
imaginations and are extremely creative.
They usually are very active and love movement, but tend to tire out
quickly. When out of balance,
people of this constitution type tend toward “spaciness”
and anxiety. People with Vata constitutions also tend to have dry skin, and do
not like cold temperatures. In Ayervedic medicine, the approach used to balance the Vata constitution would include recommendations for specific
foods to be eaten that are warming, moist, and grounding, such as mashed
potatoes, oatmeal and cooked carrots, as well as to encourage a very set
and organized routine of activity.
Pitta people tend to be on the hot side. Pitta people
are the organizers and managers in life.
They are very intelligent, and can be excellent leaders. They enjoy competition, and winning
(think Type A personality). When Pitta people are out of balance however, they tend
towards irritability and criticism.
Some methods used to balance this dosha
include providing regular meals that contain some foods that cooling, such
as cucumbers or melons.
Kapha people usually are
very calm, stable, loving individuals and physically can tend to be on the
heavy-set side. Kapha
people have wonderful endurance, and once started, can keep on going for
what seems forever. When this dosha is out of balance however, these individuals can
become very rigid and set in their ways.
The goals of balancing this dosha could
include having specific foods in the diet that warm and stimulate.
Few people can be described as being
just one type of dosha. As you read this, you may think that
more than one dosha actually applies to you. That
is because many individuals can be a combination of two of the
constitutional types.
There is no one dosha
that is better than the other. Each
of the constitutions has its own positive aspects when in balance, and
negative aspects when out of balance.
The idea is to try and maximize the health and wellness of the
person, based upon their particular constitution.
Ultimately, Ayurvedic
medicine attempts to balance and maintain a person’s constitution. To accomplish this, specific dietary,
sleep, exercise and lifestyle recommendations might be made. Perhaps an Ayurvedic
detoxification and rejuvenation program might also be recommended if
necessary.
One of the most interesting aspects of Ayurvedic medicine however, is the awareness that we
are influenced greatly by whatever we take in, whether it is physically
(through food), or through experiences on the emotional, mental or
spiritual levels. With this in mind,
one can be mindful about choosing what might be optimal for themselves. For
instance, think of the different effect that occurs while watching a
violent television show, versus that of viewing an inspirational
movie. The old adage “you are what
you eat” takes
on an even broader meaning in Ayurvedic medicine,
to not only include what you eat, but also what you experience. An awareness of what is healthy for YOU
can be the first step in the journey of health.
For more information about Ayurvedic medicine,
please contact Dr. Gagliardi at The
Yellowstone Naturopathic Clinic or read “Prakuti-Your
Ayurvedic Constitution”, by Dr. Robert E. Svoboda
Yellowstone Naturopathic
Clinic
720 N. 30th St.
Billings, MT 59101
PHONE 406·259·5096/FAX 406·248·5655
ync@180com.net
Dispensary
406·254·9682
dispensary@yncnaturally.com
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