In recent months, Ayurveda, a system of medicine which originated in India over 3000 years ago, is taking the Western world by storm. Many retailers, including multinational health food chain Holland and Barrett, have reported a surge in sales for products relating to Ayurvedic medicine, which include herbal supplements, skin care and oils. Ingredients such as ashwagandha and turmeric, which, according to Ayurvedic thought, support cognitive health and development, have increased in popularity. 

Ayurvedic medicine is associated with a whole host of benefits. Advocates report glowing skin, healthy hair, reduced inflammation, lower blood pressure and cholesterol and a better quality of life. With this in mind, wellbeing experts at UK Saunas share a helpful beginners guide to Ayurveda. 

Ayurveda explained: The basics 

Ayurveda, which originated in India over 3000 years ago, is a natural system of medicine. The term, derived from the Sanskrit for knowledge (veda) and life (ayur), is based on the notion that disease is caused by an imbalance in a person’s consciousness. To restore balance, Ayurveda recommends natural therapies and lifestyle changes. 

Typically, treatment under the Ayurveda system begins with purification and features herbal remedies, massage therapy, meditation, yoga and changes to diet. 

The three doshas 

Ayurveda takes a holistic approach, influenced by the Hindu principle of interconnectedness of the mind, body and spirit with the universe. According to practitioners of Ayurveda, each being is formed of five basic elements: space, air, fire, water and earth.

These elements combine in the body, forming three doshas, or life energies. Doshas control how the body works. Vata dosha comprises space and air, pitta dosha fire and water and kapha dosha water and earth. Distribution of doshas differs from person to person. 

 

Vata dosha controls basic bodily functions, such as breathing, heart function, blood flow and mind function. Vata dosha can be disrupted by grief, fear and lack of sleep.

Pitta dosha, meanwhile, is responsible for digestion and metabolism. Excess warmth, exertion or eating sour, salty or pungent foods may cause imbalance.

Kapha dosha controls body strength and stability, weight and the immune system. Balance may be disrupted by napping during the day and an excess of sugary foods.

Individual dosha balance behaves as a kind of Ayurvedic blueprint – a forecast of potential health problems a person may be more prone to, and ways to prevent and treat them.

Becoming an active participant in your journey to wellbeing 

Ayurveda, with its focus on holistic healing, necessitates that practitioners are active participants in their own journey to wellbeing. Although supplements and herbal formulas are crucial elements of Ayurveda, simply consuming them, without awareness of the process as a whole, is not sufficient.

Determining your Ayurvedic body type 

Put simply, your Ayurvedic body type is determined by the balance of doshas, which are also described as bodily humours. If you are unsure of your Ayurvedic body type, try consulting a licensed practitioner or complete an online quiz. This Ayurvedic Profile quiz by Banyan Botanicals is a great place to start. 

Characteristics of a vata-dominant person 

  • Learns quickly
  • Good at multitasking 
  • Kind-hearted 
  • Naturally slim build 
  • May be forgetful
  • Prone to anxiety 
  • Highly sensitive to the cold 
  • More likely to suffer from insomnia 
  • Prone to digestive issues 
  • Has poor circulation 

Characteristics of a kapha dominant person 

  • Empathetic, caring and trusting 
  • Very patient 
  • Has strong bones and joints 
  • Has a healthy immune system 
  • Prone to weight gain 
  • Susceptible to depression 

Characteristics of a pitta dominant person 

  • Highly intelligent 
  • Self-motivated 
  • Is a natural leader 
  • Has a fast metabolism and good circulation 
  • Has a tendency to be impatient and is prone to conflict 
  • Sensitive to hot temperatures 
  • Prone to mood swings when hungry 

Ayurveda and yoga 

The Vedas are Hinduism’s oldest texts. Vedic knowledge, described by Ancient Indian seers and yogis, reveal the inner workings of both the universe and our own conscience, aiming to liberate us from the perpetual cycle of birth and death. Yoga is recognised as one of the six systems of Vedic philosophy, and is known as sadhana, or spiritual practice. The term yoga means to combine, unite and integrate. 

In Ayurvedic thought, the body, mind and soul are all connected. Ritual, mantra and meditation are commonly used to heal the mind. Asana, or the physical practice of yoga, is combined with pranayama, or breathing techniques and meditation to facilitate healing. 

Cultivating a healthy diet

The Ayurvedic “diet” is not a diet as we understand it in a Western sense, but instead revolves around a holistic approach to eating. Encompassing mindset and spiritual energy, the Ayurvedic diet does not focus specifically on calories.

Agni, or fire, is viewed as the source of life, nutrition and awareness. It facilitates the digestion of food. To ensure health, we must stoke our inner fire. 

Consistency is crucial in an Ayurveda. Lunch should be the largest meal, and snacking between meals should be avoided. According to Ayurvedic thought, agni requires between 3-6 hours to digest each meal, and food should be fully digested before eating again to avoid weakening the fire. 

Our meals should be unique as we are, accommodating our dosha balance. Those with a high balance of vata dosha should favour grounding, warm foods that have a soft texture. Protein and fats are important elements. 

For pitta dosha, incorporate cool, dry foods high in carbohydrates. Fresh, cooling foods are recommended to decrease internal heat. 

Those with a high balance of kapha dosha, meanwhile, should aim to eat easy-to-digest, warming and light food. Meals should be freshly cooked and well spiced. 

If you’re unsure what to eat, try keeping a food journal as you experiment. Be patient. Being in tune with both physical and psychological wellbeing is crucial. 

As a general rule, avoid combining “challenging foods”, such as rich proteins in a single meal, as these are tricky to digest. Fruits are relatively easy to digest. Eat these alone, as combining them with other foods may exacerbate bloating. 

Ayurvedic thought details six tastes; sour, salty, sweet, bitter, pungent and astringent. Each of these tastes facilitates a unique bodily function, and impacts doshas. All six tastes are crucial for optimal balance, but should be consumed in different quantities depending on your dosha balance. Turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom and ginger commonly feature in Ayurvedic cooking. 

Ayurvedic oils 

Plain and herb infused herbs are commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine, typically during massage. Base oils, also known as carrier oils, are pure organic oils which are sourced naturally. Sesame oil and coconut oil are base oils. 

Herbal oils, meanwhile, are made with a combination of base oil and one or more Ayurvedic herbs. Ayurvedic herbs include arjuna, amalaki, bacopa, tulsi and punarnava. All herbs have different qualities and uses.