Ayurvera

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17 O rchar d Rd C ha tsw ood NSW 2067 0061 2 9904 7754

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1 Weekend 02

Living Body

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Ayur veda Elements 17 O rchar d Rd C ha tsw ood NSW 2067 0061 2 9904 7754

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2 “It is more important to

know what sort of person

has a disease than to know

what sort of disease a

person has.”

-Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.)

“The treatments themselves

do not ‘cure’ the condition,

they simply restore the

body’s self-healing ability.”

-Leon Chaitow, N.D., D.O.

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3 The dosha pentads

07 The Vata pentad

08 The Pitta pentad

10 The Kaph pentad

12 Dosha pentad exercise

14 Application of dosha

16 Application of elements

17 Subtle tissues

18 Subtle channels

24 Metabolic wastes

30 Digestive fire

34 Cooking and its effects

44 Metabolic toxins

46 Ayurvedic nutrition

52 Food practices

54 Exercises

Food energetics

57 Home remedies

82 Healing teas

85 Article

86

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5 your daily moment of zen

1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me,

for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me, either. Just leave me the

hell alone.

2. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and a

leaky tyre.

3. It’s always darkest before the dawn. So if you’re going to steal your

neighbour’s newspaper, that’s the time to do it.

4. Sex is like air. It’s not important unless you aren’t getting any.

5. Don’t be irreplaceable. If you can’t be replaced, you can’t be

promoted.

6. Always remember you’re unique. Just like anyone else.

7. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.

8. It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning

to others.

9. If you think nobody cares if you’re alive, try missing a couple of car

payments.

10. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes.

That way, when you criticize them, you’re a mile away and you have

their shoes.

11. If at first you don’t succeed, skydiving is not for you.

12. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and

he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.

13. If you lend someone $20, and never see that person again, it was

probably worth it.

14. Don’t squat with your spurs on.

15. Some days you are the bug, some days you are the windshield.

16. Don’t worry. It only seems kinky the first time.

17. Good judgement comes from bad experience, and a lot of that comes

from bad judgement.

18. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it

back in your pocket.

19. Timing has an awful lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

20. A closed mouth gathers no food.

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6 Test Your Doshas

1. Doshas are ……… 2. Every cell is operated by all three ……… 3. Each dosha has ……… main branches 4. ……… dosha is more important, as it is wisdom and movement 5. Pitta and ……… follow ……… dosha 6. Every function in our body is the result of ……… 7. Dosha is applied in various ……… 8. Dosha is one of the several ……… in Ayurveda 9. Doshas represent …………, ………… and ………

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7 dosha

pen

tad

dosha

pen

tad

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8 Udaana

Upward moving air. ‘Ud’ = upward ‘Ana’ = to move. Chest is the seat.

It moves around the nasal, navel and throat region. Is responsible for memory, will and effort. Gives us the power to transcend the outer world. Gives us various psychic powers. Governs coughing, spitting, vomiting and belching. Governs self-expression and aspirations in life.

Praana

The leading air.

‘Pra’ = primary or major. ‘Ana’ = to move.

The cranium is the seat.

Governs the intake of knowledge. Determines our inspiration or positive spirit in life. Connects us with our inner self. Constitutes the brain and nervous system. Governs and co-ordinates the mind, heart and consciousness.

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9 Vyaana

Diffusive / pervasive air. ‘Vi’ = peculiar, to distribute. ‘Ana’ = to move.

Heart is the seat.

Governs adduction and abduction. Governs expansion and contraction of body parts. Governs locomotion. Governs opening and closing. Governs the voluntary and involuntary movements.

Samaana

The equalising air.

‘Sama’ = same, equal or horrizontal. ‘Ana’ = to move.

Digestive organs are the seat. Force behind digestion. Force behind metabolism. Regulates all juices for digestion and metabolism. Recharges cellular energy. Balances the body by providing suitable nutrients.

Apaana

Downward directing Vayu. ‘Apa’ = downward, away. ‘Ana’ = to move.

The large bowel & pelvis are the seats. The bladder, genitals, thighs & other pelvic organs. Governs reproductive system. Governs hormonal functions. Governs excretion of urine and faeces. Governs the large intestine.

Acts as a plug.

The Vata - Pentad

Relative Position

Movements

Functions

Udaana

Samaana – Praana – Vyaana

Apaana

Ascend

Equilize – Control – Circulate

Descend

Creativity

Absorb – Intake – Circulate

Excrete

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10 Ranjaka

The fire of metabolism.

‘Ranj’ = to dye, to excite or glow. ‘ka’ = to act.

The seat is digestive organs. Tissue and cellular transformations. (Digestive organs are: Liver, spleen, pan-creas, stomach, small intestine etc.)

Paachaka

The fire of digestion. ‘Pac’ = to digest, ‘ka’ = to act.

The seat is small intestine.

Breaks down food into essence and waste. Strengthens and protects all other pittas. Good pAcaka pitta helps up know what, when and how much to eat.

Paachaka is the first consideration in the treatment of Pitta, as this is responsible both for building up our tissues and for de-stroying any pathogens that have entered the body with food. Paachaka is digestive awareness and discrimination. People with good paachaka pitta know what, when and how much to eat. They are in tune with their digestive system.

Ranjaka: When a dhaatu is transformed into the next one, it gets a new colour, texture, form and functions due to ranjaka pitta. The function of ranjaka pitta is ‘rasa ranjanam’. Here ‘rasa’ stands for all tissues. ‘Ranjanam’ means colouring or exciting the transforma-tion. Change of colour occurs when there is biochemical / structural change. Hence rasa ranjanam is metabolism

Pitta & Agni: This topic was

dis-cussed in detail by the masters as they are partially similar and different. A typical metabolic event in our body is composed of two stages, namely: breaking down of the nutrients & transformation of the nutrients. Primarily, pitta is involved with the breaking down of nutrients. Thus it fa-cilitates an environment for the nutrients to transform.

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11 Aalocaka

The fire of vision. ‘lok’ meaning ‘to look’. ‘ka’ means ‘to act’. The seat is the retina.

Vision & perception. Reception and assimilation of light from the external world.

Saadhaka

The fire of passion or ambition. ‘Sadh’ = to accomplish or to realise. ‘ka’ means ‘to act’.

The seat is brain & heart (‘hrdayam’). Awareness, intelligence and self-consciousness. On a lower level, worldly pleasures, wealth and prestige. On a higher level, the spiritual goals.

Bhraajaka

The fire of expression. ‘Bhraj’ = to shine, sparkle. ‘ka’ means ‘to act’.

The seat is the skin.

Maintaining complexion of skin. Expressing life / energy.

The Pitta - Pentad

The word “pitta” is derived from ‘dong avaghantane’ (breaking down) and ‘deng paripaalane’ (looking after). This means the function of pitta is to look after life by breaking down nutrients.

“Agni” is used in a trasformatory sense, a messenger or digestive faculty. Agni is a factor that brings about transformation, Interestingly, many authors -ancient and modern- use the terms agni and pitta as mutually interchangeable. This is because both are hot in quality and

potency, and both are involved in all stages of digestion and metabolism. There is no transformation without these factors. So they are partially similar.

It is important to remember, the doshas should be taken primarily as ‘functional units’ or organising principles’, rather than a physical substance. Of course, ‘dosha’ can be applied to any physical and non-physical ideas and substances. But ‘agni’ is definitely a physical substance.

This is why, when scriptures deal with the imbalances of ‘agni’ it says ‘aggravated pitta results in teekshna-agni’ (hyper-digestion). This statement clearly states that agni and pitta are two different concepts.

Also when scriptures describe the ‘healthy’, they say: healthy people have their doshas in balance, agni in balance and so forth. Here they have separately mentioned dosha and agni, indicating that they are different.

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12 Kledaka

Moistening Kapha.

‘Klid’ = to moisten or to soften. The seat is stomach.

Responsible for the liquefaction of food through alkaline secretions from the mucous lining in the stomach. It is a good medium which protects the gastro intestinal tract.

Avalambaka

Supporting kapha.

‘Avalamb’ to rest upon, depend on. The seats are heart, lungs.

The actions of the other Kaphas in the body depend on this branch of kapha. Foundation of all dhaatus, especially the first one, ‘rasa’. Protects the heart, lungs and throat by creating mucus and fluid lining. Makes us feel stable in our chest and heart.

When kapha is out of balance, we feel it in our chest and throat, in the form of increased or decreased mucus. This is the seat of water and earth from which we get stability and flexibility.

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13 Tarpaka

Satiating water. ‘Trp’ = Satiating, satisfying.

The seat us cranium. Brain and cerebrospi-nal fluid

Nourish all organs by lubricating. Protect our brain and nervous system. Yoga refers to this fluid as ‘amrt’ in treatises.

Bodhaka

Informing Kapha. ‘Budh’ = to know, perceive.

The seats are mouth, tongue, salivary glands.

Gives perception of taste.

Facilitates the communication in our body, in the mouth or in our cells.

Until saliva secretes we can’t taste any-thing. Being an alkaline secretion, saliva is an example.

Shleshaka

Embracing water. ‘Shlish’ = To embrace. The seat is joints.

Lubricates and stabilises the joints. Any shock-absorbing mechanism includ-ing bursae and synovial fluid.

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DOSHA -UNIT SEAT FUNCTION (BRIEF) I NEED TO IMPROVE

V1. Praana Cranium Reception of nutrients, impressions Organising V2. Udaana Chest Expression, effort, enthusiasm Lifting V3. Samaana Small Intestine Absorption, emotions Balancing V4. Vyaana Heart Circulation of energy, nutrients Circulating V5. Apaana Large intestine Elimination Holding

P1. Paachaka Stomach, s. Intestine Digestion Digestion

P2. Ranjaka Liver, Spleen, Pancreas Metabolism Assimilation

P3. Saadhaka Heart, brain Drive, passion, purpose Drive

P4. Aalochaka Eyes Vision Vision

P5. Bhraajaka Skin Complexion Expression

K1. Avalambaka Thorax Protects heart, lungs vital Nourishment K2. Kledaka Stomach Moistens food Moistening K3. Bodhaka Tongue (Taste) perception Perception K4. Tarpaka Cranium Protects vital organs Satiation K5. Shleshaka Joints Strengthens, lubricates Embracing

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15 Below are some easy examples of diseases and sub-doshas. Find out the main branch

of each dosha that is involved in the symptoms of the given diseases. Please remember

that every disease is linked to all doshas.

Asthma

What are the branches of Vata involved in this diseases?

1. Difficulty in breathing

2. Cyanosis, especially of lips, nails or extremities

3. Accumulation of mucus in the lungs due to accumulation of mucus in the stomach

4. Constipation, and relief or lessening of attack by treatment with medicated enema

5. Deep seated fear, which leads to attack

Jaundice

What are the branches of Pitta involved in this diseases?

1. Unusual revulsion for food

2. Yellowed skin due to bile pigments

3. Yellowed eyes

4. Presence of bile-derived compounds in the blood

5. Mental disorientation

Rheumatic fever

What are the branches of Kapha involved in this diseases?

1. A characteristic lesion with swollen, painful, tender, inflamed large joints

2. A thickly coated tongue

3. Nausea characterised by heaviness and dullness in the upper abdomen

4. Reduced sensory perception associated with delirium

5. Rheumatic pain with involvement of heart valves

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16 Application of the concept ‘dosha’

Vata

Pitta

Kapha

Ether-Air

Fire-Water

Water-Earth

Qualities

………

Constitution

………

Physiology

………

Stage/phase

………

Colours

………

Organs

………

Systems

………

Physical excess

………

Physical depletion

………

Mental excess

………

Mental depletion

………

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17 Application of the concept ‘elements’

Ether

Air

Fire

Water

Earth

Aakaasha

Vaayu

Agni

Jala

Prithwi

Qualities

………

……… ………

………

Constitution

………

……… ………

………

Physiology

………

……… ………

………

Stage/phase

………

……… ………

………

Colours

………

……… ………

………

Organs

………

……… ………

………

Systems

………

……… ………

………

Physical excess

………

……… ………

………

Physical depletion

………

……… ………

………

Mental excess

………

……… ………

………

Mental depletion

………

……… ………

………

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18 Test Your Tissues

1. The body is composed of seven ……… 2. The term dhaatu is translated as ……… 3. They are the seven ……… of a cell organelle. 4. They are formed by the five ………. 5. Each dhaatu has a different elemental ………. 6. Dhaatus metabolise into ……… , ………… and

………….

7. There are ……… and ………… dhaatus. 8. Fluid dhaatus ……… solid dhaatus. 9. Doshas ……… in dhaatus.

10. Dhaatus exist in the form of ……….

A gross dhaatu is almost parallel to the modern concept of cells. Shareera paramaanu is the term used by Caraka for a cell, meaning the smallest particle of the body.

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19 dhaatus

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20 Formation of dhaatus

Three forces of nature (air, sun and moon)

activate the functions of dhaatus.

food

shukra

rasa

majja

ojas

rakta

asthi

maamsa

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21 Dhaatus in a nutshell

Dhaatu

Site

Function

By-products

Wastes

1. Rasa

Plasma

Nourishing

Pleasing

Breast milk &

menstrual secretions

Kapha

(mucous secretions)

2. Rakta

Blood

Invigoration

Enlivening

Tendons & Vessels

Pitta

(bile etc.)

3. Maamsa Muscle

Plastering

Cohesion

Muscle fat & six skin

layers.

Deposits

in orifices

4. Medas

Fat

Lubrication

Oleation

Ligaments

Sweat

5. Asthi

Bone

Support

Holding

Teeth

Nails & body hairs

6. Majja

Marrow

Regeneration

Refilling

Hair

Lubricants

of skin, eyes & faeces

7. Shukra

Sperm,

Ovum

Creativity

Procreation

Nil

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Dhaatu Sigs of overgrowth Signs of depletion

1. Rasa

Accumulation of saliva, mucus & phlegm, clogging, loss of appetite and nausea. Congestion, cysts and tumours

Dehydration, fatigue, intolerance to sound, tremors, palpitations, exhaus-tion, pain and emptiness in the heart.

2. Rakta

Rashes, abscesses, enlarged liver and spleen, hypertension, tumours, weak digestion, delirium, hot flushes, red / bleeding of eyes and urine.

Pallor, low pressure, desire for sour and cold food, looseness and dryness, loss of lustre, collapse of blood vessels and rough / cracked skin.

3. Maamsa

Swelling/tumours in the muscles / glands, obesity, enlarged liver, irritability and ag-gression. Impaired sexual virility. Females: fibroids / miscarriage.

Weight loss, emaciation, fatigue and looseness of the limbs, lack of co-ordi-nation, fear, insecurity, and unhappi-ness.

4. Medas

Obesity, fatigue, difficulty in breathing, sexual debility, thirst, hypertension, dia-betes, poor longevity, sagging of thighs, belly and breasts. Fear /over attachment.

Fatigue, crackling of the joints, tired eyes, enlarged spleen, emaciation of the limbs and sunken abdomen, brittle / sensitive hair, nail, teeth and bones.

5. Asthi

Extra bones / teeth, bone growths, spurs, excessively large frame, pain in the joints, fear, anxiety and poor stamina. Arthritis.

Weariness, pain / looseness in the joints; brittle bones, weak teeth, hair, nails. Poor bone and teeth formation.

6. Majja

Heaviness of eyes, chronic eye disorders, deep sores in the limbs, and in the big joints, turbidity / infections in the eyes.

Weak / porous bones, pain in joints, diz-ziness, floaters, dark around the eyes, sexual debility, feeling empty & fearful.

7. Shukra

Over sexed > anger/violence, excessive reproductive fluids, calculus & prostatitis, ovarian/uterine cysts/polyps.

Lack of vigour / drive, fatigue, sterility / impotence, dry mouth, lower back pain, difficult ejaculation, blood in semen, fear, anxiety and hatred.

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Any imbalance affects all three doshas and dhaatus. For ex-ample, when heat increases it reduces vata and kapha, and increases pitta. So even a mild change in the system affects the doshas. Contaminated do-shas can reach anywhere, and attack the organ if it is weak. But any imbalance will have a specific root in a dosha, dhaatu, srotas, mala or kala. Based on this we give it a name like a ‘kapha disease’, ‘pitta imbal-ance’ or a ‘vatic symptom’. A dosha may have a certain affin-ity to a particular tissue or vice versa. Here we are looking at the dosha-dhaatu relationship in diseases.

Dhaatu is Duushya

A dhaatu are also known as a duushya. Duushya means the substratum in which physiol-ogy happens. In this context all the physical components of the body fall under this category.

Dhaatu How to increase

1. Rasa

Fluids, fruits, fruit juices, soups from tubers, sweet, sour and salty tastes and milk.

2. Rakta

Iron rich food like leafy vegetables molasses, black lemon, berries, spinaches, currants, grapes, carrots, beets.

3. Maamsa

Grains, nuts, legumes / pulses / lentils and meat.

4. Medas

Vegetable fats, dairy products (except but-termilk) & animal fats. Fats & lipids.

5. Asthi

Seeds, nuts and earth predominant foods. Minerals (calcium, zinc etc.).

6. Majja

Subtle oils/fats like butter, ghee, nuts and seeds. Many blood purifying / tonic herbs are also good.

7. Shukra

Sweet foods and drinks, dairy products, seeds and nuts.

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24 Test Your Srotas

1. The human body is composed of innumerable channels of varying ……… and ……….

2. It is a system of ……….

3. ……… exist as channels for proper distribution of tissues and their nutrients.

4. Each tissue has its own ……… and all ……… are interconnected.

5. ……… help tissues get adequately ……… and ……… wastes easily.

6. It is the body’s ……… system.

7. So both channel and its respective tissue have the same ……… Eg: The rasa-carrying channel is composed of Rasa dhaatu.

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26 Srotas

3 channels to bring nourishment

Praana

To carry praana, the breath & life force. Primarily the respiratory system. Origin: heart,

gastrointes-tinal tract & colon. Related to the praanic sheath of the body.

Anna

To carry food. Also called maha srotas. Mainly the digestive system. Origin: stomach.

Jala

To carry water. Regulate water metabolism. Fluid absorbing aspect of the digestive system.

Origin: Palate & pancreas. Diabetes is a disease of this system.

7 channels to circulate tissues

Rasa

To carry rasa, the primary nutrients in the system. Similar to the lymphatic and circulatory system

together. Origin: heart and vessels. It forms the primary network of channels in the body. Rasa is

the medium in which all other tissues are suspended.

Rakta

To carry rakta. This relates to the circulatory system, including blood cells. Origin: Liver & spleen,

wherein red blood cells are produced and destroyed.

Maamsa To supply maamsa. Muscular system. Origin: Ligaments to which muscles are connected and skin.

Medas

To supply the medas (fat or adipose tissue). Origin: Kidneys and omentum (abdominal fat).

Asthi

To supply the asthi (bones / skeletal system). Origin: Adipose tissue & hips, (the largest bones).

Majja

To supply the majja (marrow and nerve tissue). Origin: Bones and joints.

Shukra

To supply shukra, the reproductive tissue. Origin: Testes or ovaries, wherein sperm and ovum are

produced. Also connected to the prostrate in men and the uterus in women.

3 channels to eliminate waste

Sveda

To carry sweat (sveda) or the sebaceous system. Origin: Adipose tissue and hair follicles to which

the sebaceous glands are connected.

Mootra

To carry urine or the urinary system. Origin: Bladder & kidneys, the organs of urination.

Pureesha To carry feces. Origin: Colon and rectum, the organs of excretion.

1 Special Channel

Manas

To carry thought or the mental system. Origin: Emotions from the previous birth and nervous

sys-tem. All channels are the channels of the mind, or the mind connects all channels together. The

mind needs channels but consciousness doesn’t.

2 hormonal channels in females

Aaartava To carry different secretions of the female reproductive system. Origin: The uterus and ovaries.

Sthanya

To carry breast milk. It is treated as the subsystem of the artava channel. Origin: Uterus

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27 Channel Causes of aggravation of channels

Praana

Wrong posture & breathing, suppression of urges, dehydration, malnutrition, physical exertion

while hungry, smoking, air pollution or excessive, loud talking.

Food

Overeating, under-eating, eating at the wrong time, unwholesome food and by the derangement

of the digestive fire. Inappropriate food. Disobedience to the rules of eating.

Water

Overexposure to heat, dehydration, improperly digestion, alcohol.

Plasma

Heavy, cold or mucusy food, overeating and excess worry. Excessive sweets or dairy products.

Blood

Overheating / fermented food, excessive exposure to heat / sun, oily, hot, liquid food.

Muscle

Excessive food and drinks which cause exudation (abhiSyandi) in the tissues, too rich or heavy

food or day sleep. Mainly those increasing Kapha, particularly heaviness, oiliness and dullness.

Adipose Lack of exercise, day sleep, excessive fatty food, alcohol, processed food and sugars.

Skeletal Overexertion, jerks, strain to bones and vata increasing activities. Excessive use of depleted diet,

over processed food and malabsorption.

Marrow Emotional trauma, physical or emotional violence, loud noise, a prolonged unbalanced diet.

Crushing, dislocation or breaking of bones, by extreme pain and taking bad food combinations.

Reprodu.. Overindulgence or suppression of sexual urges; wrong surgical practices. Exposure to excess heat

or therapies including heat, radiation, exposure to intense chemicals etc.

Sweat

Excessive exposure to heat, food that is too hot / cold. Anger, fear / grief. Anything that promotes

excessive sweating. Suppression of the urge to urinate.

Urine

Improper intake of food and drinks, excessive sex, suppression of urge, excessive travel.

Feces

Suppression; irreguluar eating. Inadequate water and fibre intake.

Mind

Excessive exposure to heavy emotional situations, emotional shocks, suppressed emotions; strong

sensory stimuli like loud music, too much television, drugs, etc.

Menstrual Improper nourishment, psychological issues.

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Channels Excessive flow Blockage Deficiency Deviated flow

Praana Rapid breathing, hyperventilation. Wheezing, asthma, dyspnoea, hernia. Shallow breathe, short breath. Perforation, bleeding lungs.

Anna Excess hunger, acidity,

diarrhoea. Tumours, intestinal obstruction. Deficient appetite, anorexia. Vomiting, perforation.

Jala Excess hunger,

hypoglycemia Diabetes, pancreatic cancer Nausea, inability to taste Vomiting, anorexia

Rasa Oedema, mucus,

lymph congestion. Lymph obstruction, constipation. Dehydration, emaciation. Bleeding, coughing blood.

Rakta Palpitation, rapid pulse, hypertension.

Arrhythmia, clots, tumours, heart attack.

Slow pulse, varicose veins hypotension. Bleeding disorders, internal bleeding. Maamsa Hyperactivity, tremors. Muscle tumours, chronic inflammation. Spasms, low muscle tone.

Torn muscle tissue.

Medas Oedema, obesity. Tumours. Weight loss. Torn tissues.

Asthi Over growth of

skeletal tissues. Calcification, spurs. Weak bones, osteoporosis. Occurs with breaking of bones.

Majja Hypersensitivity, tremor,

overly sharp perception. Convulsions, coma, M.S. Hyposensitivity, numbness, weak regeneration. Damaged/malformed nerve tissue.

Shukra Spermatorrhea,

premature ejaculation. Blocked tubes, stones, tumours. Delayed ejaculation, low count. Discharge of sperm into bladder.

Sveda Excess sweating. Inability to sweat. Deficient sweating. Sweat in plasma.

Mootra Polyurea. Stones, obstruction. Scanty urination. Perforated bladder.

Pureesha Diarrhoea. Obstruction, tumours. Constipation. Perforation of large bowel.

Manas Hyperactive, worry, anger. Blocked emotions, inability to express. Dull senses, depression, grief. Delirium, schizophrenia. Aartava Polymenorrhea,

menorrhagea. Dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea. Delayed or irregular menstruation. Endometriosis,Tubular pregnancy.

Sthanya Galactorrhea. Mastitis, tumours,

31 mala

mala

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32 Bodily wastes -malas

Everything inside our body maintains homeostasis. Otherwise they obstruct the natural flow and thus work against life. Life is ever changing, always transforming.

Malas natural waste products, that are held in the body by the forces of vata and agni. When vata and agni are balanced, hence, functioning properly, dhaatus are fed plentifully with the essence of food. When they are not, the production of mala increases. In other words, nutrients become inefficient too early and turn into malas. This excess waste, if not excreted in a regular and complete fashion, begins to toxify tissues, thereby causing disease.

The principal malas

Malas are innumerable. The principal malas are faeces (pureesha), urine (mootra) and sweat (sveda). (Ancient texts haven’t included exhalation as a mere waste since it’s closely associated with praanic functions in the body).

The term pureesha means ‘the residue after the absorption of fluids’. Like doshas and dhaatus, malas are also made of the five elements. Secondary malas include the intestines’ fatty excretions, earwax, body hair, nails, tears, menstrual discharge, navel lint etc. These are also listed under the wastes of dhaatus during their transmutation.

Two daily evacuations are considered to be vital to health. Urine, the impure fluid of the body, is passed around five times a day if good health is to be maintained. An ample intake of pure water is vital to replenish the bodily fluids. Sweat is the perspiration formed to expel waste from the skin pores.

The normal flow of the malas is obstructed whenever the doshas are increased or decreased. Elimination

Exhalation Gas Lungs Sweat Liquid (light) Skin Urine Liquid (heavy) Kidneys Faeces Solid Colon

Doshas & malas

Vata, the dosha primarily involved with maintaining the dynamic balance, is in charge of retention and elimination bodily wastes. Pitta, involved in helping keep the metabolism intact, is in charge of separating wastes and nutrients in our system.

Kapha, which assists all the above functions by lubricating channels, may result in clogging the channels when aggravated. In these situations texts prescribe the five-fold purification therapies called pancha karma in advanced conditions.

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Excess & depletion

Malas Normal Signs of increase Signs of decrease

Faeces Acts as a filler or stay to the body. Bloating of abdomen, gurgling noise, feeling of heaviness.

Discomfort in the chest, gurgling noise, stomach cramps, constipation. Urine Carry the moist and slimy wastes

from the body.

Severe bladder pain, incomplete elimination. Frequent urination.

Scanty urination, dysuria, discoloured urine, anuria, hematuria.

Sweat Retention of moisture. Assists hair to keep firmly rooted.

Fluid retention. Dryness of skin. Less sweat, hair loss, brittle hair.

Aggravation of doshas

Malas Vata Pitta Kapha

Faeces Dry, constipated, painful. Acidic, blood, burns, smelly. Sticky, heavy, itchy. Urine Dark, grey scanty, painful. Yellow, red, burns, smelly. Cloudy, thick, sediments. Sweat Little. Scaly, bruising skin. Burns, rashes, inflamed. Itchy, heavy, cold, retention. Balancing

Malas To increase To decrease

Faeces Fibres, bulk promoting substances. Right amount and

timing of meals. Tannins and astringent food & herbs, fruits such as apples and plantains. Urine Use of sufficient fluids, kidney and urinary bladder tonics

(Tribulus). Cold hipbaths, astringent kidney herbs, judicial use of fluids in diet. Sweat Sweating therapy, massage exercise and deep breathing;

heating herbs such as ginger, garlic. Warm and fresh food; food and drinks hot in potency.

Cooling - therapies, gems, breathing and environment; herbs such as vetiver, sandalwood & lavender, food & drinks that are cold in potency.

The three golden rules of health are to: Keep your bowels moving, Keep your

breath moving And keep your body moving. ~ Anonymous

Exercise

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02

34 Test Your Fire

1. Agni is defined as ……… 2. Every ……… has its own agni.

3. Agni is produced by its own ……… 4. Paachaka Pitta ………food. 5. Agni ………food. 6. Agni and Paachaka Pitta are ……… 7. Excess Pitta suppresses ……… 8. No transformation is possible without ………

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02

35 agni

fir

e

fir

e

agni

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02

36 agni gaayatri

aum mahaa jwaalaaya vidmahe

agni devaaya dhee mahi

tanno agnih prachodayaat

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02

37 balam

is composed of

………, ……… and ………,

and regulate the three

agnis

that transform thoughts and

nutrients into seven groups of

dhaatus

which exist in the form of 16 groups

of interconnected pathways that are

called

srotas

Their functions are known as

……… and their structure

is known as ………

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02

38 A Bhojana Mantra

Chanted Before Meals

Aum anna puurne sadaa puurne

Shankara prana vallabhey

Jnaana vairaagya siddhyartham

Bhikshaam dehi cha Paarvatee.

Maataa cha Paarvatee Devee

Pitaa Devo Maheshvarah

Baandhavah Shiva bhaktascha

Svadeso bhuvana trayam.

Aum puurnamadah puurnamidam

Puurnat puurnam udachyate,

Puurnasya puurnam aadaya

Puurnam eva avashishyate.

Aum shaantih shaantih shaantih.

Aum Shivaarpanam astu.

Meaning:

Aum, beloved Shakti of Siva,

fully manifest as this foods.

O, Mother of the universe, nourish us with this

gift of food so that we may attain knowledge,

dispassion and spiritual perfection.

Goddess Parvati is my mother. God

Maheshvara is my father.

All devotees of Siva are my family. All three

worlds are my home.

Aum, That is complete.

Creation is complete. From Divine complete

flows this world’s complete.

This complete issues from that complete, yet

that complete remains full.

Aum, peace, peace, peace.

Aum, this I offer unto Siva.

Ref: SANKARA’S ANNAPURNASHTAKAM ISOPANISHAD INVOCATION TRADITIONAL SHAIVITE CLOSING

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02

39 Digestive fire

Jathara agni

Gastro intestinal fire

Metabolic fire

Dhaatu agni

Rasa fire

Rakta fire

Maamsa fire

Medas fire

Asthi fire

Majja fire

Shukra

Elemental fire

Bhuta agni

Ether fire

Air fire

Fire fire

Water fire

Earth fire

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02

40 Signs of healthy agni

appetitite ……… ……… after eating ……… ……… bowels ……… ……… urine ……… ……… eyes ……… ……… hair ……… ……… sleep ……… ……… mind ……… ……… skin ……… ………

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02

41 Weak Digestion

Signs

Agni vikrti lakshanam l Coated tongue l Frequent fatigue l Headaches l Nausea

l Skin: dry, too oily, cold/hot l Dull skin and eyes

l Cloudy/smelly urine

l Fatty/heavy/undigested stool l Smelly breath

l Foul body odour l Poor sleep l Constipation/diarrhoea l Cramps l Mental cloudiness

Weak Digestion

Causes

Agni vikrti nidaanam l Eating wrong foods l Eating at the wrong time l Eating in the wrong way l Eating too fast or too slow l Excessive cold drinks or foods l Excessive fasting, feasting l Inducing empty stimulation

l Overused chemical drugs, laxatives l Restraining natural urges

l Mental imbalances l Overexertion, excess sex l Lack of sleep and exercise l Not being mindful while eating l General illness

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02

42 Specific signs of weak agni

Irregular appetite Extreme thirst & hunger Sluggish appetite Irregular bowel motions Bleeding Fluid retention Weight loss Intense body odour Weight gain Gas, bloating Sweating, burning Excess lacrimation Anxious, fearful dreams Violent, aggressive dreams Emotional dreams Aches, pains, stiffness Heartburn Swelling, growth Constipation Diarrhoea Sticky faeces Dryness of mouth, nails Easily irritable Cold, sluggish skin Dry skin and hair Yellow/red discolouration Mucus, Hypersalivation Insomnia Colourful, violent dreams Sleepy

Frequent viruses Frequent bacteria Frequent fungus, Candida

My score ……… My score ……… My score ………

Vata excess Pitta excess Kapha excess

Irregular fire

Intense fire

Sluggish fire

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02

43 General balancing

Irregular fire

Intense fire

Sluggish fire

Routine Alkaline Fasting

Warmth Cooling Warmth

Moisture, light fats Astringets, bitters Less moistue, oils Light and easy to digest Light and easy to digest Light and easy to digest

Yoga practices

……… ……… ……… ……… ……… ……… ……… ……… ……… ……… ……… ……… ……… ……… ………

General balancing

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02

44 Enhance your cooking experience

1. Have a clean, orderly, uncluttered and well-equipped kitchen.

2. The kitchen is lit, well-ventilated and with a nice view, with flowers and uplifting music playing. 3. Have all the ingredients handy, preferably fresh and organic.

4. Wash hands and tie hair back.

5. Keep good hygiene (nails clipped etc). 6. Meditate for a few minutes beforehand.

7. Avoid distractions such as bothersome people, phone calls etc.

8. Whilst cooking meditate on those who will receive the meal and how much you love them. 9. Maintain a mood of gentleness, calm, awareness, serenity and gratitude.

Effects of utensils on doshas

Wood Aids digestive fluids Good for K. Gold Excellent for all doshas. Good for V. Copper Assists aPAna. Good for K.

Lotus leaves Antidote to poisons Silver Supports liver and V & P.

Glass/crystal /steel Good for P, good for liver, cooling. Stone / clay Anti-bacterial

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02

45 Effect of Cooking on doshas

Type of process Suited for Small amount for

Steaming/sautéing All doshas

Baking Kapha Vata

Frying Vata Pitta, Kapha Pressure cooking All doshas

Dry roasting Pitta, Kapha Vata Puffing Pitta, Kapha Vata Boiling All doshas

Fermenting Vata, Kapha Pitta

Frozen Pitta Vata, Kapha Dehydrating Pitta, Kapha Vata

Effect of Cooking on agni

1. Milk is heavy, but heating makes it light

2. Grains are heavy, puffing makes them lighter, flours are heavier 3. Rice is heavier when cooked with milk

4. Honey turns into poison when heated or taken with heating foods 5. Beans cooked while skimming froth off top reduces gas

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02

46 Test Your Ama

1. Cold /moist ama is from ……… and known as ………… 2. Hot/acidic ama is from ………and known as ………… 3. Cold/dry ama is from ……… and known as ………… 4. Ama is due to ………agni. 5. Cold/moist ama attracts ……… or ………. 6. Hot/acidic ama attracts ……… 7. Cold/dry ama attracts ……… 8. Most ama condition requires ……… or ………

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02

47 ama

to

xins

to

_xins

ama

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02

48

Life is based on fire. In every culture, ancient or modern, fire is the symbol and base of life. Eating is fire-worshipping. Right food, eaten at the right time, in the right way, in the right quantity nourishes fire and creates quality tissues. Fire is called agni. Any improper activities in lifestyle, emotions or diet can affect the proper digestion and thus the state

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49 Formation of Ama

Digestive and metabolic toxins

A healthy agni, a healthy person and healthy assimilation are interdepen-dent. If agni is deranged digestion is weak. This results in faulty tissues (ama), which in turn weakens agni.

Ama literally means anything unripe, improper, immature incomplete, un-suitable or raw. This form of nutrient is unun-suitable for being inside our body. If nutrients or tissues have Ama, they can’t function as they are expected to, resulting in lowered immunity and a weak body. Ama is toxin or poison. Improper eating > Weak agni > Ama/weak dhaatus > Blocked channels > Disease

Doshas & Ama

Dosha Qualities Example Possible microbe Vata Cold, dry, stiff, rigid Stones, clots, crystals Virus

Pitta Hot, burning, fluid, intense Acid Bacteria

Kapha Sticky , cold, heavy Mucus, phlegm Fungus, Candida

Tips to improve agni

Particular herbs have strong agni which help to augment our own digestive strength and facilitate Ama neutralisation and elimination.

Therapies Irregular fire Intense fire Sluggish fire

Herbs

Cinnamon, hing, fennel, cardamom, cumin, warm milk.

Aloe, golden seal, triphala and ghee.

Ginger, long pepper, cayenne, honey. Cleanse Sweating, oil enema, oily and mild laxatives. Purgation (bitter laxatives) Vomiting with herbs such as liquorice,

calamus etc. Favour

Mindful eating, regulation, sweet, sour and salty.

Relaxed, slow eating; bitter, sweet and astringent.

Fasting; pungent, bitter and astringent. Avoid

Gassy, cold, dry heavy foods; irregular meals.

Eating when upset; pungent, sour, salty food.

Overeating, late dinners; sweet, sour and salty foods. Applicable?

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50

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02

51 aahaaram

nutr

ition

_aahaar

am

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02

52 Ayurvedic nutrition

Ayurvedic nutrition considered the following categories of food items before prescribing diet.

Categories Sesame oil Ghee Ginger (fresh)

Taste Pungent, bitter Sweet Pungent, sweet Qualities Hot, light, moist, intense Cold, heavy, oily, mild Hot, light, dry, intense

Potency Hot Cold Hot

Absorption Last phase First phase First phase

Specific effects Nerve tonic Liver tonic Kapha ama digestive Effect on agni Stabilizing Coolant Stimulant

Effect on dosha Vata/Kapha reducing Vata/Pitta reducing Vata/Kapha reducing Effect on tissues Asthi, majja Rasa, majja, shukra Rakta, rasa

Effect on channel Asthi, majja, pureesha Rasa, majja, shukra, praana, anna Rakta, rasa, sveda, pureesha Effect on organ Large intestine Liver, stomach Stomach, small intestine Effect on system Nervous system Adipose system Circulatory system Effect on disease Depletion, blockage Depletion, last phase Inflammation

Study of Tastes

Tastes indicate active elements in each substance. We can understand the effects of it from the flavour of the substance. In other words according to the predominance of elements things taste differently. Here is the relationship between taste and predominant elements.

Taste / rasa Predominant elements Increase Decrease

Sweet Earth Water K V P Sour Earth Fire K P V Salt Water Fire K P V Bitter Air Ether V K P Pungent Air Fire V P K Astringent Earth Air V K P

Write down the three main qualities and potencies of the tastes

Tastes Quality 1 Quality 2 Quality 3 Potency Sweet ……… ……… ……… ……… Sour ……… ……… ……… ……… Salt ……… ……… ……… ……… Bitter ……… ……… ……… ……… Pungent ……… ……… ……… ……… Astringent ……… ……… ……… ………

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02

53 1. Sweet

Examples: Milk, rice, carob, wheat, butter, dates,

fennel, liquorice, potatoes and honey.

Physical effects: Nourishing, vitalising, adds

bulk, firmness, rejuvenative, regenerative, re-builds weak tissue, relieves emaciation, relieves fits and fainting, nutritive, tonic.

Mental effects: Harmonises, nourishes,

pro-motes contentment, love, calms, strengthens.

Excess effects: Excessive desire, gratification,

complacency. Obesity, Numbness, flaccidity, swelling, Increases sleep, legs and neck. Difficult urination & dyspnoea. Excessive secretion.

2. Sour

Examples: Berries, lemon, lime, raspberries,

rosehips, fermented food and ripe grapes.

Physical effects: Invigorating, appetising,

dis-pels intestinal gas, promotes secretions, moist-ening, aids digestion, stimulant, carminative, nourishment, tonic.

Mental effects Awakens, comforts, promotes

understanding, awareness, stabilises

Excess effects: Anger. Toxins in the blood, envy,

muscle wasting, jealousy, looseness of skin, oedema, burning.

3. Salt

Examples: Salts, Irish moss, seaweed.

Physical effects: Enkindles digestive fire,

moist-ening, cutting, biting, sharp, fluid, sedative, laxa-tive, deobstruent, relaxant, softens, promotes secretions and demulcent.

Mental effects: Intensifies, boldness, enlivens,

courage.

Excess effects: Greed, hedonism. Fluid

reten-tion, burning, weak senses & hair, dizzy, fluid retention, dermatitis, low virility, bleeding, hyperacidity, premature aging.

4. Pungent

Examples: Hot spices (garlic, onions, cayenne,

pepper, chilli, hing etc)

Physical effects: Cleanses, Purifies food,

en-kindles digestive fire, clarity to senses, promotes secretions such as nasal or lacrimal, relieves obesity, abdominal, swelling and retention of fluid Mental effects: Stimulant, promotes clarity, alertness

Excess effects: Anger, irritability, intolerance Excess effects: Delusions, tiredness, emaciation,

fainting, loss of consciousness, dizziness, burns, tremors, various pains, low virility

5. Bitter

Examples: Aloe, dandelion, gentian, golden

seal, yarrow, barberry and blue flag.

Physical effects: Antibacterial, germicidal,

febri-fuge, digestive and carminative; firms skin, puri-fies, reduces fat, marrow, lymph, urine & faeces.

Mental effects: Clarity in expression, keen

per-ception, focus

Excess effects: Depression, delusion, grief,

anxi-ety, fear, Insecurity, memory loss

Excess effects: Emaciation, Weariness, dizziness,

dryness, depletion, porosity, weight loss

6. Astringent

Examples: Tannins, lotus seeds, uva ursi,

rasp-berry leaves, sumach, witch hazel, plantain, turmeric and lentils.

Physical effects: Sedative, drying, contracting,

antiperspirant, inhibits elimination, healing of sores and wounds, promotes absorption, hae-mostatic, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-inflammatory

Mental effects: Retention of memory.

Excess effects: Pain, confusion, dryness, fear,

obstruction, constipation, darkens skin, weak-ens voice, convulsions, paralysis.

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54 Food Sadhanas

Imparting everyday actions with sacred significance for spiritual evolution.

Sadhana practice

of humility Gardening of celebration Reaping harvest of abundance Shopping calming mind Preparing Ghee of purification Washing dishes to infuse prANa Conscious contact of love Cooking nourishing meal of gratitude Offering meal

Poor Food Combinations

Equal quantities of honey & ghee. More sweet with Salt.

Milk with Salt / seafood / meat / yeast. Milk with sour fruit / pickles / vegetables. Fresh food with left overs.

Alcohol, yoghurt / honey with hot food / drinks. Nuts with starchy vegies.

Do I eat healthy?

Score: Never 0, Rarely 1, Occasionally 2, Mostly 3. The bigger the score the better your eating habits.

1. I have regular meals 1 2 3 4 5 6 2. I feed my body what it needs 1 2 3 4 5 6 3. I don’t overeat 1 2 3 4 5 6 4. I enjoy with all my five sense organs 1 2 3 4 5 6 5. I rest for a while after meals yet don’t go to sleep 1 2 3 4 5 6 6. I eat in a relaxed, slow manner 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. I chew well 1 2 3 4 5 6 8. I eat only when I’m hungry 1 2 3 4 5 6 9. I have an early and light dinner 1 2 3 4 5 6 10. I feel better rather than worse after eating 1 2 3 4 5 6 11. I have a large range of vegetables 1 2 3 4 5 6 12. I try to use organic vegetables 1 2 3 4 5 6 13. I try to use more unrefined food 1 2 3 4 5 6 14. I try to avoid preservatives, additives etc. 1 2 3 4 5 6 15. I try minimise tinned food 1 2 3 4 5 6 16. I try use seasonal, fresh food 1 2 3 4 5 6

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02

55 Food Antidotes

Cheese black pepper, allspice, ginger Sour cream coriander, cardamom

Yoghurt cumin, ginger

Rice clove, peppercorn

Wheat ginger

Legumes turmeric, hing, cloves, rock salt Ice cream clove, cardamom

Cabbage mustard seeds

Garlic grated coconut and lemon Green salad olive oil, lemon juice Potatoes ghee, peppercorn

Tomatoes lime, cumin

Avocado turmeric, lemon, garlic

Banana cardamom

Popcorn ghee

Sweets dry ginger powder

Food & their effects

“Food is tasty medicine, medicine is potent food” -Ayurveda.

We need the right combination of the three mental qualities with a predomination of Satwa. When we eat more rajasic or tamasic food our mind gets affected by them. Following are some examples of three groups of food.

Satvic

Food dear to those in the mode of goodness, increase the duration of life, purify one’s existence and gives strength, health, happiness and satisfaction. Such foods are juicy, fatty, wholesome and pleas-ing to the heart. 12 pt: Fresh vegetables, fruits, milk, ghee, nuts, butter, natural and lovpleas-ingly prepared foods.

Rajasic

Excessively sour, salty, pungent, fermented, dry and over processed are dear to those in the mode of passion. Such foods cause distress, misery and disease. Rajasic foods cause hyperacidity, irritability, increase toxins in the blood and promote hypertension. They disturb the senses and cause the emo-tions to fluctuate. Examples: Meat, hot spices, stimulants, intoxicants, fermented, pickled, salty, sour, pungent foods.

Tamasic

Food prepared more than three hours before being eaten, food that is tasteless, decomposed and putrefied, and food consisting of remnants and untouchable things is dear to those in the mood of ignorance. Tamasic foods cause hypo-activity, lethargy, apathy, excessive sleep, accumulate phlegm and waste materials. They dull the senses and keep the emotions heavy and resistant. 12 pt: Junk food, tinned food, decaying/ old food, reheated food.

Ref: Bhagavad Gita 17.8-9, 14.17

The doctor of the

future will give

no medicine, but

will interest his

patients in diet,

in the care of

the human frame

and in the cause

and prevention of

disease

- Thomas Edison.

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56 homework

reading

exercises

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57

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58 Food energetics

Refering to books such as nutrition almanac, collect 3 therapeutic uses and 3 nutrients for each food item given below.

Grains

Item Taste Potency Absob Dosha effect

Amaranth sweet hot sweet +VP, -K

……… ……… ……… Barley sweet cold sweet +V, -KP

……… ……… ……… Buckwheat sweet hot sweet +VP, -K

……… ……… ……… Corn sweet hot sweet +VP, -K

……… ……… ……… Millet sweet hot sweet +VP, -K

……… ……… ………

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59

Oats -uncooked sweet hot sweet +VP, -K

……… ……… ……… Oats -cooked sweet hot sweet -VP, +K

……… ……… ……… Quinoa sweet hot sweet -VK, +P

……… ……… ……… Rice (white) sweet cold sweet -VP, =K

……… ……… ……… Rice (brown) sweet cold sweet +PK, -V

……… ……… ……… Rye sweet hot sweet +VP, -K

……… ……… ………

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60

Triticale sweet hot sweet +VP, =V

……… ……… ……… Wheat sweet cold sweet +K, -VP

Tomatoes sw/so hot sour +PK, -V

……… ……… ……… Turnips ast cool pungent +K, -VP

……… ……… ……… Zucchini bit/sw cool sweet + V, -PK

……… ……… ………

Beans

Aduki sw/ast cool sweet +V, -PK

……… ……… ……… Chickpea sw/ast cool sweet +V, -PK

……… ……… ……… Broad bean sw/ast cool sweet +V, -PK

……… ……… ………

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66

Kidney sw/ast cool sweet +V, -PK

……… ……… ……… Lentils sw/ast hot sweet +PV, -K

……… ……… ……… Lima sw/ast cool sweet +V, -KP

……… ……… ……… Mung sw/ast cool sweet =VPK

Coconut sweet cool sweet +K, -PV

……… ……… ……… Lotus sw/ast cool sweet +KV, -P

……… ……… ……… Macadamia sweet hot sweet +PK, -V

……… ……… ……… Pecans sweet hot sweet +PK, -V

……… ……… ……… Pine sweet hot sweet +PK, -V

……… ……… ……… Pistachio sweet hot sweet +PK, -V

……… ……… ………

Ayurvera

02

1

Weekend 02

Living Body

02

2

“It is more important to

know what sort of person

has a disease than to know

what sort of disease a

person has.”

-Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.)

“The treatments themselves

do not ‘cure’ the condition,

they simply restore the

body’s self-healing ability.”

-Leon Chaitow, N.D., D.O.

02

3

contents

The dosha pentads

07

The Vata pentad

08

The Pitta pentad

10

The Kaph pentad

12

Dosha pentad exercise

14

Application of dosha

16

Application of elements

17

Subtle tissues

18

Subtle channels

24

Metabolic wastes

30

Digestive fire

34

Cooking and its effects

44

Metabolic toxins

46

Ayurvedic nutrition

52

Food practices

54

Exercises

Food energetics

57

Home remedies

82

Healing teas

85

Article

86

02

4

02

5

your daily moment of zen

1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me,

for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me, either. Just leave me the

hell alone.

2. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and a

leaky tyre.

3. It’s always darkest before the dawn. So if you’re going to steal your

neighbour’s newspaper, that’s the time to do it.

4. Sex is like air. It’s not important unless you aren’t getting any.

5. Don’t be irreplaceable. If you can’t be replaced, you can’t be

promoted.

6. Always remember you’re unique. Just like anyone else.

7. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.

8. It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning

to others.

9. If you think nobody cares if you’re alive, try missing a couple of car