I love Ayurvedic medicine.  I have worked for many years as a Naturopath with excellent results and have incorporated my Ayurvedic understandings into my practice, which have dramatically improved my clients' health and wellbeing. Ayurveda means the 'science' or 'wisdom' of life. It is an ancient system based on eternal truths about the human body, mind and spirit. Although it originated in the East thousands of years ago, it is relevant and appropriate for present-day Western society too. Just the simple understanding of our primary constitutional type, and therefore being able to see the underlying cause of our disease, can be so empowering for treating ourselves and our children. 

In Ayurveda, we understand the inseparable link between body, emotions, mind and spirit. For example, if someone is manifesting a disease, it is never just the body that is imbalanced. Usually, the root cause of the physical illness is in the mind or spirit. Traditionally Ayurveda was used to bring balance even before disease was seen to manifest physically. ​
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We use practices like massage, yoga, meditation, mantras, pure action, devotion, compassion, pure foods, as well as lifestyle adjustments to balance, strengthen and purify. Where there is an imbalance or disease already, Ayurveda also uses counselling, herbs and specific foods, along with therapies like nasya, shirodhara and individualized massages. Ayurvedic medicine
is based around understanding the five elements and how they manifest. These elements within us are in a unique combination, which is what determines who we are. Inside us, the elements make up the doshas (or types) of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. 

Ayurveda is such a vast science, and yet:
The principles of the five elements within us are actually quite easy to grasp;
​ and then become almost like common sense to apply. ​

To understand better, here's an overview of the characteristics of each type:
​ ​

Characteristics of Vata  
  • Light, thin build - often either quite short or very tall
  • Performs activities quickly
  • Irregular hunger and digestion
  • Insomnia or light interrupted sleep
  • Excitability, changing moods, erratic emotionally
  • A tendency to get spaced out
  • Enthusiastic, imaginative, often visionary
  • Quick to grasp and quick to forget
  • A tendency to worry, anxiety, fears 
  • Tires quickly and tendency to over-eat
  • A tendency towards constipation
  • Erratic mental and physical energy

​The basic tendency of the vata type is creative and changeable.
Characteristics of Pitta
  • Medium build, medium strength
  • Healthy digestion with good, sharp hunger
  • A tendency towards anger, impatience and irritability when under stress
  • Fair, ruddy skin, often with moles/freckles
  • Intolerance to the sun or hot weather
  • Good, impressive voice/ Charismatic good speakers
  • Regular mental energy picks up things fairly quickly, remembers fairly well
  • Good leaders easily have an overview of situations
  • Good, proper meal habits 
  • Blonde, light brown, or red hair, usually become bald or grey  younger

The basic tendency of the pitta type is quick and fiery. 
Characteristics of Kapha
  • Solid, powerful build, great physical strength and endurance
  • Steady energy, slow and graceful action
  • Slow to anger, relaxed personality
  • Skin will be cool, oily, pale and soft
  • Slow to grasp, yet never forgets
  • Good sleep
  • Tendency to obesity
  • Slow digestion
  • Affectionate, tolerant and forgiving
  • The tendency to become possessive, sluggish and lazy

​The basic tendency of the Kapha type is slow and deliberate. 

​Once we get an idea of which type we are, then we can soothe down, or balance, when the element goes into excess and causes discomfort or disease. For example, if my child is a Pitta type constitution (or dosha), with lots of the fire element, she will be quicker, sharper, and tending towards hot types of conditions or diseases. When imbalanced, she will get hot, impatient or angry when stressed, and will tend to fevers, skin conditions, or nauseous tummy complaints with loose stool. Whereas, if another child were the Vata type, with lots of space and air elementally, then he will have drier skin, erratic habits, smaller bone structure and tend towards constipation, anxiety and fearfulness when out of balance. The first child needs cooling down or to “chill out”, so she needs fewer foods which are heating or overstimulating. More encouragement to relax and be in the moment, with less goal focus, will soothe her wired nervous system. Caffeine and flavourings and preservatives will negatively impact more on this Pitta type as her liver heats up, trying to deal with them. The second, more Vata type child will return to balance with routine, like regular meals and bedtimes, as well as warm, nourishing, grounding foods. Massaging his feet with warm oils will soothe the nervous system and decrease anxiety. Comforting touch improves his self-esteem and heals from within. 

The third constitutional type, Kapha, tends towards stagnating, slowness and apathy, which often lead to obesity and related conditions. This individual needs stimulation, change and encouragement to move. Group activities or team sports are often the best way to help them. Kapha imbalanced people need to eliminate sugar and high carbohydrate foods from their diet, and favour dryer and lighter foods instead. They are prone to sluggishness and thus need movement above all else. 

For each of the doshas, it can be seen that manifesting symptoms require opposite qualities to calm them. In this way, Ayurvedic principles become empowering to us as individuals and parents. We can easily reclaim common sense elemental basics and thus bring more balance and health on all levels for the whole family. 

For more information  contact me with any questions you may have regarding Ayurveda or any other health or wellbeing issue.