Ayurveda

Ayurveda (Sanskrit for 'science of life') is the traditional healing system of the Indian subcontinent, where its use can be traced to 2,500 BC. Based on Hindu holy texts, it has similarities with Traditional Chinese Medicine and Tibetan medicine.

According to the principles of Ayurveda, the five great elements - earth, air, fire, water and ether - that underlie all living things can be simplified as three constantly fluctuating 'vital energies', or doshas. The daily rise and fall of these energies in our bodies is affected by food, time of day, season, stress and emotions. Imbalances are thought to affect the flow of 'life energy,' or prana, and impede agni, the body's 'digestive fire'. A deficiency in agni produces toxic substances called ama that can cause illness.

Restoring energies
Treatment aims to restore the doshic balance by means of detoxification techniques, diet, yoga postures, breathing exercises, meditation, massage and herbal remedies. The three doshas - vata, pitta and kapha - have distinctive attributes. Each of us is born with a unique combination of doshas, known as prakriti, that govern our personality, intellect and physiological strengths and weaknesses. Usually one dosha is dominant, but sometimes two are ascendant and those people will have features of both.

Vata is formed from air and ether. Vata people tend to be slight and either tall or short, creative, quick and nervous in movements, and wasteful of energy. Vata types should avoid pungent, bitter foods that increase vata, and eat sweet, sour, salty, moist warming foods such as casseroles to calm the dosha.

Pitta is formed from fire and water. Pitta people are inclined to be of average height and evenly proportioned, and are usually confident, ambitious and competitive. Sour, salty, pungent foods increase pitta, and pitta types should avoid red meat and eat more sweet, astringent, bitter foods, especially salads, chicken and fish.