How integral is Ayurveda to modern life today and how we can we embrace  it in our daily lives?

Ancient Ayurveda philosophy does detailed customisation for individual body types and historically they have anticipated and detailed the complications of modern lifestyle illnesses that we see today. A close watch on the recommended Ayurveda routines help one to prevent many of such diseases and lead a healthy life. Knowledge on one’s constitution varying with seasons and dos and don’ts are important to achieve optimal health.

What is the best way for one to understand what their natal constitution or prakruti is? And keep it in optimum condition?

One can understand the nature of their constitution or Prakruti by having a detailed diagnosis by an Ayurveda practitioner. However, there are also self-diagnostic tools that would help someone to get a fair understanding of their major imbalances. These are based on physical, physiological, mental, emotional and behavioural changes. Knowing these excess or deficiencies, we should then adopt a lifestyle that suits us the best so that we can bring such imbalances back to the normal state. Most of these practices are based on diet, exercise, yoga and other lifestyle modification.

What kind of personality is the pitta dominant person?

Pitta dosha according to Ayurveda has a fire nature which can be constructive or destructive.  They tend to have increased body temperature and are prone to inflammation. Their skin is usually warm and might feel burning sensation. They usually suffer from upper gastric issues such as gastritis or heartburns and there is greater chance for formation of stomach ulcers. They tend to be aggressive, fiery, short-tempered, over reactive to situations, poor sleep patterns. They have an analytical mind and moderate memory. Generally they keep relations that are useful to them.

How does disease/ imbalance occur and what should we be mindful of?

Generally according to Ayurveda, imbalance in any doshas are as a result of unhealthy lifestyle and improper diet. However there are external factors that might influence such imbalances. Hence we should be mindful of detecting such factors and correct them by adopting a lifestyle that will suit one’s constitution.

How does one know whether a disease can be attributed to ones prakruti or vikruti? Does one’s prakruti ever change/ become imbalanced?

According to Ayurveda diseases are categorized under vatika (vata predominant), pittaja (pitta predominant) and Kaphaja (kapha predominant) and also various combinations of the three doshas. For someone with a particular prakruti may have a tendency for such diseases which are usually dominated by their prakruti. When there is vikruti (imbalance of one’s innate dosha) various diseases can be manifested as there will be various imbalances that can occur based on the excess and deficiencies of other doshas.

One’s prakruti has to be assessed after the completion of physical growth and development. The innate constitution (prakruti) won’t change for the same person, however it can be influenced by various factors such as age, seasons and climatic changes.

How does one recognize pitta imbalance? What are the signs/ symptoms, especially in women?

Pitta imbalances are usually manifested by reddish colouration, burning sensation, increase digestive fire, inflammations characterized by boils or redness or increased temperature, odorous sweating, increased moisture on the skin and sour taste inside mouth. Women can have hot flashes, mood swings, IBS like symptoms of the bowels, frequent, scanty and burning micturition, increased volume and duration of menstrual cycle.

What lifestyle changes can be made to tackle it?

A lot of pitta excess can be managed by changing a pitta favourable lifestyle. Some of these are increased hydration to maintain body heat at the optimum level, avoid going late to bed and day time sleep to prevent aggravation of pitta, reduce over exposure to sunlight. Other changes that could be adopted are cooling pranayamas in yoga and also meditative practices including music meditation to stay calm and also oil application using oils containing cold potency herbs.  They can also have adequate exposure natural breeze during the early mornings and late evenings.

How can food be used as a medicine?

A pitta dominant person has to watch what and when they consume food. They will benefit from avoiding larger meals and resort to smaller meals at frequent intervals. Also avoid foods that are fried, fermented, junk, devoid of moisture, and also that are predominant on spicy, salty and sour taste. Prefer foods that are predominant in bitter, sweet and astringent taste.

How mindful are we to be of changing seasons?

Seasonal changes do influence any doshas and according to Ayurveda these six seasons have a vital role in one’s predominant doshas. Out of 6 seasons there are three consecutive seasons where we see aggravation (mild-heavy-normalcy) of one particular dosha and other three seasons the same dosha can be vitiated by other factors such as lifestyle. Every two seasons will have a fortnight transition period in between where there is a possibility of vitiation of all three doshas resulting in compromised immunity and one is prone to develop diseases such as epidemics during this period. Proper care as recommended by Ayurveda is important to overcome such health issues due to seasonal changes.

Can you suggest any tridoshic remedies, be it teas, foods, etc. or any other things to balance doshas?

Balance of doshas are generally done by adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes positive eating. Lifestyle modifications include sound quality sleep, moderate exercise, practicing healthy daily routines, breathing practices and yoga. Dietary changes include a satvik meal comprising of all the six tastes in mild to moderate form. Intake of fresh fruits and vegetables are also important. One has to stay away from junk food, friend food, canned food and other processed or refined meals. Water intake also has to be optimum. Herbal teas such as Triphala infusions are helpful in balancing all the three doshas.