Ayurveda

Ayurveda was developed in India over 5000 years ago and is considered to be the "mother of medicine" in many cultures. The philosophies of Chinese, Arabic, Tibetan and Greek medicines are based on this highly structured system which uses natural care for healing and preventing disease. 

Diagnostic procedures, such as identifying an individual's mind-body type and taking a patient's pulse, aid in defining a suggested lifestyle of dietary habits, herbal supplements and physical and meditative practices.

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History and Philosophy

History: 

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Philosophy: 

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Treatment

Four main areas of treatment:

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Procedures:

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Definitions of Types

Kapha literally means "to keep together and to embrace," and therefore cements and gives structure to the body. It imparts stability to the mind and body, including heaviness, firmness, strength, resilience and coolness. Kapha's primary sites are the stomach and the chest.

Functions/Qualities:

Characteristics:

Effects of balanced Kapha:

Effects of unbalanced Kapha:

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Kapha illnesses:

Pitta is often referred to as "the fire within the body," and is the energy stored within the body that causes the release of heat and energy. This dosha controls digestion, heat production, metabolism and provides color to the blood, vision and skin. It is primarily concentrated in the small intestines.

Functions/Qualities:

Characterstics:

Effects of balanced Pitta:

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Effects of unbalanced Pitta:

Pitta Illnesses:

Vata means "that which moves things." This dosha controls activities of the nervous system and the processes of elimination and respiration. It lends motion to the other two doshas - Pitta and Kapha - is therefore considered to be the most essential. The classical seat of Vata is in the colon. 

Functions/Qualities:

Characteristics:

Effect of balanced Vata:

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Effects of unbalanced Vata: 

Vata illnesses:

Application and Effectiveness

The Kapha diet is a Spring diet. In order for it to be successful, decreased quantities of food should be eaten no earlier than 10:00 a.m. and no later than 6:00 p.m. Heavy meals in the evening are discouraged. The Kapha diet favors pungent (spicy foods, peppers, ginger, cumin), bitter (spinach, other green leafy vegetables, eggplant, turmeric), and astringent (beans, lentils, pomegranate, persimmons) tastes. 

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Kapha foods to favor:

Kapha foods to avoid:

Spices to aid digestion:

Massage oils to use:

The Pitta diet is a summer diet and its foods should be mostly warm-to-cool rather than steaming hot. Favor the sweet (sugar, milk, butter, rice, breads, pasta), bitter (spinach, other green, leafy vegetables, eggplant, turmeric) and astringent (beans, lentils, pomegranate, persimmons) flavors. Starting and ending meals with sweet-tasting foods is recommended.

Pitta foods to favor:

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Pitta foods to avoid:

Spices to aid digestion:

Massage oils to use:

The Vata diet is an Autumn/Winter diet and increased amounts of food should be consumed, particularly warm foods and beverages, and oily foods. Food containing more sweet (sugar, milk, butter, rice, breads, pasta), sour (yogurt, lemon, cheese, vinegar) and salty (salt) tastes should be eaten. Cold foods and beverages should be avoided. 

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Vata foods to favor:

Vata foods to avoid:

Spices to aid digestion:

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Massage oils to use:

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