ALSO	BY	THE	AUTHOR
Ayurveda	Cooking	for	Self-Healing
	(with	Usha	Lad)
The	Yoga	of	Herbs
	(with	David	Frawley)
Ayurveda:	The	Science	of	Self-Healing
Secrets	of	the	Pulse

Although	the	information	contained	in	this	book	is	based	on	Ayurvedic	principles	practiced	for	thousands	of	years,	it
should	not	be	taken	or	construed	as	standard	medical	diagnosis	or	treatment.	For	any	medical	condition,	always	consult
with	a	qualified	physician.
Copyright	©	1998	by	Vasant	Lad,	M.A.Sc.
All	rights	reserved.	No	part	of	this	book	may	be	reproduced	or	transmitted	in	any	form	or	by	any	means,	electronic	or
mechanical,	including	photocopying,	recording,	or	by	any	information	storage	and	retrieval	system,	without	permission	in
writing	from	the	publisher.
Published	by	Three	Rivers	Press,	New	York,	New	York.
Member	of	the	Crown	Publishing	Group.
Random	House,	Inc.	New	York,	Toronto,	London,	Sydney,	Auckland
www.randomhouse.com
THREE	RIVERS	PRESS	is	a	registered	trademark	and	the	Three	Rivers	Press	colophon	is	a	trademark	of	Random	House,	Inc.
Originally	published	in	hardcover	by	Harmony	Books	in	1998.
First	paperback	edition	printed	in	1999.

Library	of	Congress	Cataloging-in-Publication	Data	Lad,	Vasant,	1943-
The	complete	book	of	Ayurvedic	home	remedies	/	by	Vasant	D.	Lad.—1st	ed.
Includes	bibliographical	references.
1.	Medicine—Ayurvedic.	I.	Title.
R605.L263	1998				615.5’3—dc21				97-27802
eISBN:	978-0-307-81591-0
v3.1

This	book	is	dedicated	with	all	my	heart	to	my	most	loving	wife,
Usha,	and	my	children,	Aparna	and	Pranav
.

Contents
Cover
Other	Books	by	This	Author
Title	Page
Copyright
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Introduction:	The	Need	for	Healing
Part	I:	THE	SCIENCE	OF	LIFE
1.	Ayurveda:	Body,	Mind,	and	Soul
The	Universe	and	How	We	Are	Connected
The	Five	Elements:	Building	Blocks	of	Nature
The	Three	Doshas:	Vata,	Pitta,	and	Kapha
The	Twenty	Qualities:	An	Important	Key	to	Healing
2.	Discover	Your	Mental	and	Physiological	Type
Prakruti
	and	
Vikruti
How	to	Determine	Your	Constitutional	Type
Characteristics	of	the	Vata	Individual
Characteristics	of	the	Pitta	Individual
Characteristics	of	the	Kapha	Individual
How	to	Use	This	Knowledge
3.	Why	We	Get	Sick
The	Definition	of	Health
Ten	Factors	in	Health	and	Illness
How	Disease	Develops
Part	II:	PUTTING	AYURVEDA	TO	WORK
4.	How	We	Can	Stay	Healthy
Awareness
Taking	Action	to	Modify	the	Cause
Restoring	Balance
Techniques	for	Cleansing	and	Purification
A	Simple	Home	Purification
Rejuvenation	and	Rebuilding
Self-Esteem

5.	Ayurvedic	Lifestyle:	The	Ultimate	Preventive	Medicine
In	Tune	with	Nature
Ayurvedic	Daily	Routine

Seasonal	Routines
6.	Breathing	Techniques
The	Secret	of	
Pranayama
Six	Breathing	Techniques
7.	Meditation	and	Mental	Discipline
Empty	Bowl	Meditation
So-Hum
	Meditation
Double-Arrowed	Attention
8.	Ayurvedic	Dietary	Guidelines
Food	Guidelines	for	the	Constitutional	Types
The	Six	Tastes
Healthy	and	Unhealthy	Eating	Habits
Incompatible	Food	Combinations
Food	and	the	Three	
Gunas
Part	III:	SECRETS	OF	AYURVEDIC	SELF-HEALING:	AN	ENCYCLOPEDIA	OF
ILLNESSES	AND	REMEDIES
How	to	Use	the	Encyclopedia
Components	of	Ayurvedic	Healing
Diagnosis	and	Treatment
Cautions
Illnesses	and	Remedies,	A-Z
Conclusion:	Taking	Responsibility	for	Your	Own	Health:	How	to	Integrate	Ayurveda
into	Your	Life
Appendix	1
How	to	Use	the	Healing	Properties	of	Metals,	Gemstones,	Colors,	and	Aromas
Appendix	2
How	to	Prepare	and	Use	Herbs,	Ghees,	and	Oils
Appendix	3
Special	Ayurvedic	Procedures
Appendix	4
Yoga	
Asanas
Glossary
Resources
Reading	List

The	author	would	like	to	acknowledge	those	whose	dedication	and	insight	brought	the
knowledge	of	Ayurveda	to	the	world,	especially	his	teachers	who	lovingly	showed	the	way
and	shared	their	knowledge	and	experience.	He	would	also	like	to	express	his	gratitude	to
the	following	people,	without	whose	contributions	this	book	would	not	exist.	To	his	loving
wife,	Usha,	and	his	children,	Pranav	and	Aparna,	for	their	love,	patience,	and	support
during	the	writing	of	this	book.	To	Wynn	Werner	and	the	Ayurvedic	Institute	staff	for	their
help	with	the	original	outline,	the	various	drafts,	and	for	raising	important	points	during
this	process.	To	Jack	Forem	for	proposing	the	idea	for	the	book,	and	for	help	writing,
organizing,	and	editing	the	material	in	a	clear	and	enjoyable	style.	At	Harmony	Books,
appreciation	to	Leslie	Meredith	and	Peter	Guzzardi	for	believing	in	the	project,	and	to
Joanna	Burgess	for	her	exacting	attention	in	bringing	the	book	to	production.

Introduction
The	Need	for	Healing
Ayurveda	is	the	art	of	daily	living	in	harmony	with	the	laws	of	nature.	It	is	an	ancient
natural	wisdom	of	health	and	healing,	a	science	of	life.	The	aims	and	objectives	of	this
science	are	to	maintain	the	health	of	a	healthy	person	and	to	heal	the	disease	of	an
unhealthy	person.	Both	prevention	(maintenance	of	good	health)	and	healing	are	carried
out	by	entirely	natural	means.
According	to	Ayurveda,	health	is	a	perfect	state	of	balance	among	the	body’s	three
fundamental	energies,	or	
doshas	(vata,	pitta,	kapha)
	and	an	equally	vital	balance	among
body,	mind,	and	the	soul	or	consciousness.
Ayurveda	is	a	profound	science	of	living	that	encompasses	the	whole	of	life	and	relates
the	life	of	the	individual	to	the	life	of	the	universe.	It	is	a	holistic	system	of	healing	in	the
truest	sense.	Body,	mind,	and	consciousness	are	in	constant	interaction	and	relationship
with	other	people	and	the	environment.	In	working	to	create	health,	Ayurveda	takes	into

consideration	these	different	levels	of	life	and	their	interconnectedness.
As	a	science	of	self-healing,	Ayurveda	encompasses	diet	and	nutrition,	lifestyle,	exercise,
rest	and	relaxation,	meditation,	breathing	exercises,	and	medicinal	herbs,	along	with
cleansing	and	rejuvenation	programs	for	healing	body,	mind,	and	spirit.	Numerous	adjunct
therapies	such	as	sound,	color,	and	aromatherapy	may	also	be	employed.	The	purpose	of
this	book	is	to	acquaint	you	with	these	natural	methods,	so	you	can	make	the	lifestyle
choices	and	learn	the	self-healing	modalities	that	are	right	for	you	in	order	to	create,
maintain,	or	restore	health	and	balance.
Ayurveda
	is	a	Sanskrit	word	that	means	“the	science	of	life	and	longevity.”	According	to
this	science,	every	individual	is	both	a	creation	of	cosmic	energies	and	a	unique
phenomenon,	a	unique	personality.	Ayurveda	teaches	that	we	all	have	a	constitution,	
which

which
is	our	individual	psychobiological	makeup.	From	the	moment	of	conception,	this	individual
constitution	is	created	by	the	universal	energies	of	Space,	Air,	Fire,	Water,	and	Earth.
These	five	elements	combine	into	the	three	fundamental	energies,	or	
doshas
.	Ether	and	air
constitute	vata,	which	is	the	energy	of	movement;	fire	and	water	constitute	pitta,	the
principle	of	digestion	or	metabolism,	the	transformation	of	matter	into	energy;	and	water
and	earth	make	up	kapha,	the	energy	of	structure	and	lubrication.	When	the	male	sperm
and	the	female	egg	join	at	the	time	of	fertilization,	the	vata–pitta–kapha	factors	from	the
parents’	bodies	that	are	most	active	and	predominant	at	the	moment,	due	to	the	season,	the
time,	the	emotional	state,	and	the	quality	of	their	relationship,	form	a	new	individual	with
a	particular	constellation	of	qualities.

In	modern	terms	we	speak	of	this	blueprint	of	the	individual	as	our	inherited	genetic
code;	from	ancient	times	Ayurveda	has	called	it	our	
prakruti
	or	individual	constitution,	a
constant	factor	that	does	not	change	throughout	life.	It	is	our	own	unique	pattern	of	energy,
our	combination	of	physical,	mental,	and	emotional	characteristics	and	predispositions.
Though	the	underlying	structure	of	our	
prakruti
	remains	a	fixed	reality,	our	home	base	or
essential	individuality,	it	is	constantly	bombarded	by	numerous	forces.	Changes	in	age	and

in	our	external	environment,	alternating	heat	and	cold	as	the	seasons	pass,	our	endlessly
shifting	thoughts,	feelings,	and	emotions,	and	the	quality	and	quantity	of	the	food	we	eat
continuously	affect	us.	Unhealthy	diet,	excess	stress,	insufficient	rest	or	exercise,	and
repressed	emotions	all	disturb	our	
doshic
	balance.	Depending	on	the	type	of	changes	and	the
individual’s	underlying	constitution,	various	ailments	may	develop:
•	Some	individuals	experience	an	increase	or	aggravation	of	kapha,	leading	to	conditions
such	as	colds,	congestion,	sneezing,	and	allergic	manifestations,	as	well	as	attachment,
greed,	and	possessiveness.
•	A	pitta	individual	may	become	highly	critical,	angry,	or	perfectionistic,	or	may	develop
physical	symptoms	such	as	acid	indigestion,	heartburn,	diarrhea,	dysentery,	hives,	rash,	or
acne.
•	Vata	imbalances	may	manifest	as	constipation,	abdominal	distention,	sciatica,	arthritis,

acne.
or	insomnia,	along	with	psychological	symptoms	such	as	fear,	anxiety,	and	insecurity.
All	these	illnesses	and	conditions,	in	addition	to	the	countless	others	that	lead	to	human
suffering,	are	due	to	alterations	in	the	body’s	inner	ecology.	These	upset	the	individual’s
balance,	creating	subtle	biochemical	changes	that	ultimately	lead	to	disease.	This	is	why	the
Ayurvedic	system	of	medicine	speaks	of	the	need	for	healing	for	every	individual	in	every
walk	of	life.
As	the	internal	and	external	conditions	of	our	lives	change,	if	we	are	going	to	remain
healthy	we	need	to	constantly	adjust	in	order	to	maintain	equilibrium.	Some	of	this
adjusting	takes	place	automatically	due	to	the	beautiful	wisdom	and	intelligence	with	which
our	bodies	have	been	designed.	But	much	demands	conscious	choice.
To	maintain	health	and	balance,	we	have	
to	juggle	with	the	three	doshas,	taking	action	to

increase	or	decrease	vata,	pitta,	or	kapha	as	conditions	demand.	This	requires	moment-to-
moment	awareness,	moment-to-moment	consciousness,	moment-to-moment	healing.
Thus	healing—healthy,	balanced,	conscious	living	in	the	fullness	of	the	present	moment—
is	really	a	way	of	life.	Ayurveda	is	not	a	passive	form	of	therapy	but	rather	asks	each
individual	to	take	responsibility	for	his	or	her	own	daily	living.	Through	our	diet,	our
relationships,	our	job,	our	numerous	responsibilities,	and	our	daily	life	as	a	whole,	we	can
take	simple	actions	for	prevention,	self-healing,	wholeness,	and	growth	toward	fulfillment.
According	to	Ayurveda,	our	life	has	a	purpose.	Simply	stated,	that	purpose	is	to	know	or
realize	the	Creator	(Cosmic	Consciousness)	and	to	understand	our	relationship	with	That,
which	will	entirely	influence	our	daily	living.	This	great	purpose	is	to	be	achieved	by

balancing	four	fundamental	aspects	of	life:	
dharma
,	which	is	duty	or	right	action;	
artha
,
material	success	or	wealth;	
kama
,	positive	desire;	and	
moksha
,	spiritual	liberation.	These	are
called	the	four	
purusharthas
,	the	four	great	aims	or	achievements	in	the	life	of	any
individual.
The	foundation	of	all	these	facets	of	life	is	health.	To	maintain	
dharma
	and	carry	out	our
duties	and	responsibilities	to	ourselves	and	others,	we	must	be	healthy.	Likewise,	in	order	to
create	affluence	and	achieve	success	in	action,	good	health	is	indispensable.	To	have
creative,	positive	desire,	we	need	a	healthy	mind	and	consciousness,	a	healthy	body,	and
healthy	perception.	(Desire—
kama
—is	sometimes	translated	as	sex	and	refers	to	progeny
and	family	life,	but	it	is	really	the	positive	energy	or	force	of	desire	that	generates	and

propels	any	creative	work.)	And	
moksha
	or	spiritual	liberation	is	nothing	but	perfect
harmony	of	body,	mind,	and	consciousness	or	soul.	Thus	the	whole	possibility	of
achievement	and	fulfillment	in	life	rests	on	good	health.
In	the	quarter	century	that	I	have	been	practicing	medicine,	I	have	worked	in	surgery,
gynecology,	obstetrics,	and	pediatrics,	as	well	as	in	general	medicine,	treating	thousands	of
individuals	in	all	stages	and	walks	of	life.	I	have	repeatedly	observed	that	lifestyle	choices,
such	as	diet,	exercise,	and	daily	routine,	can	be	a	potent	source	of	healing	as	well	as	a	cause
of	disease.	Many	health	problems	seem	intertwined	with	the	stresses	of	daily	life,	family
and	relationship	problems,	and	worries	about	job	and	money.	Others	are	directly	connected
to	eating	the	wrong	kinds	of	food	or	getting	too	much	or	too	little	exercise.
I	have	also	grown	more	and	more	aware	that	illness	provides	us	with	an	invitation	for

self-transformation,	an	opportunity	to	change	our	way	of	thinking,	feeling,	eating,	and	in
general	caring	for	ourselves	and	our	lives.	It	never	ceases	to	amaze	and	delight	me	how
quickly	and	powerfully	life	can	be	set	on	the	right	track	and	balance	restored	simply
through	a	proper	diet,	herbal	medicines,	meditation,	an	appropriate	exercise	program,	and
other	purely	natural	means.
The	remedies	in	this	book	come	from	my	own	practical	clinical	experience,	based	on
principles	and	practices	developed	over	centuries.	The	tradition	of	Ayurveda	extends	
back
over	more	than	five	thousand	years	of	continuous	daily	practice,	from	ancient	times	to	the
present	day.	It	is	not	a	recently	developed	system	of	“alternative	healing”	but	an	enduring
science	of	life	that	has	never	lost	its	integrity	and	essential	nature.	You	can	imagine	how

much	wisdom	it	contains	and	how	much	practical	knowledge	it	has	accumulated	over	a
span	of	five	millennia!
About	three	thousand	years	ago	(around	900	
B.C
.),	the	long	oral	tradition	of	Ayurveda	took
new	form	when	three	great	scholars—Charaka,	Sushruta,	and	Vagbhata—wrote	down	the
principles	of	this	ancient	wisdom.	Their	textbooks	are	still	used	by	students,	practitioners,
and	teachers	in	Ayurvedic	medical	schools	and	colleges	throughout	India.
In	a	profound	sense,	Ayurveda	is	the	mother	of	all	healing	systems.	From	its	eight
principal	branches	(pediatrics,	gynecology	and	obstetrics,	ophthalmology,	geriatrics,
otolaryngology,	toxicology,	general	medicine,	and	surgery)	have	come	the	main	branches	of
medicine	as	it	is	practiced	today,	as	well	as	many	modern	healing	modalities,	including
massage,	diet	and	nutritional	counseling,	herbal	remedies,	plastic	surgery,	psychiatry,

polarity	therapy,	kinesiology,	shiatsu,	acupressure	and	acupuncture,	color	and	gem	therapy,
and	meditation.	All	these	have	roots	in	Ayurvedic	philosophy	and	practice.
The	great	sage-physician	Charaka,	one	of	the	founders	of	Ayurvedic	medicine,	said,	“A
physician,	though	well	versed	in	the	knowledge	and	treatment	of	disease,	who	does	not
enter	into	the	heart	of	the	patient	with	the	virtue	of	light	and	love,	will	not	be	able	to	heal
the	patient.”	To	the	best	of	my	ability,	I	have	followed	this	advice	all	my	life,	and	I	would
urge	you	to	follow	it	in	using	this	knowledge	to	help	others	and	to	heal	yourself.
Love	is	the	essence	of	our	life.	I	have	written	this	book	with	love,	and	I	offer	it	to	you,
dear	reader,	with	the	hope	that	the	suggestions	offered	here	will	become	a	vital	part	of	your
self-healing	and	continued	well-being.

L
Chapter	1
Ayurveda:	Body,	Mind,	and	Soul
ike	other	great	ancient	civilizations,	India	never	separated	science	from	philosophy
and	religion.	Rather,	it	viewed	all	knowledge	as	part	of	a	whole	designed	to	promote
human	happiness,	health,	and	growth.
Philosophy
	is	the	love	of	truth.	
Science
	is	the	discovery	of	truth	through	experiment.
Religion
	is	the	experience	of	truth	and	application	of	it	in	daily	living.
Ayurveda,	the	science	of	life,	is	both	systematized	knowledge	and	practical	wisdom,	an
art	of	healthy	living	that	encompasses	all	phases	of	life,	body,	mind,	and	spirit.	Like	all
sciences,	it	includes	both	a	practical	and	a	theoretical	aspect.	In	order	to	make	best	use	of
the	practical	recommendations	that	come	later	in	this	book,	it	will	help	if	you	understand
the	essentials	of	Ayurvedic	theory.	This	first	chapter	may	seem	a	bit	abstract,	but	please	be
patient	and	read	it	carefully,	as	it	forms	the	basis	of	all	that	is	to	follow.

According	to	Ayurveda,	the	source	of	all	existence	is	universal	Cosmic	Consciousness,	which
manifests	as	male	and	female	energy.	
Purusha
,	often	associated	with	the	male	energy,	is
choiceless,	passive,	pure	awareness.	
Prakruti
,	the	female	energy,	is	active,	choiceful
consciousness.	Both	
Purusha
	and	
Prakruti
	are	eternal,	timeless,	and	immeasurable.	These	two
energies	are	present	in	all	living	organisms,	including	every	man	and	woman,	as	well	as
inanimate	objects.
Purusha
	is	formless	and	beyond	attributes.	Unmanifested	pure	existence,	beyond	cause
and	effect,	beyond	space	and	time,	
Purusha
	takes	no	active	part	in	creation	but	remains	a
silent	witness.
Prakruti
,	which	has	form,	color,	and	attributes,	is	the	divine	creative	will	that	dances	
the
dance	of	creation.	
Prakruti
	is	the	One	that	becomes	many.	
Purusha
	is	the	lover,	
Prakruti
	the
beloved.	Creation	of	this	universe	happens	through	their	love.	All	of	nature	is	the	child	born

the
from	the	womb	of	
Prakruti
,	the	Divine	Mother.
In	the	manifestation	of	nature	from	
Prakruti
,	the	first	expression	is	
Mahad
	(or	
Mahat
),
intelligence	or	cosmic	order.	(In	human	beings,	it	is	referred	to	as	
Buddhi
,	intellect.)	Next	is
Ahamkar
	or	ego,	the	sense	of	self-identity,	the	center	in	our	consciousness	from	which	we
think,	act,	and	react.	
Ahamkar
	expresses	itself	in	three	universal	qualities:
Sattva
	is	stability,	purity,	wakefulness,	essence,	clarity,	and	light.
Rajas
	is	dynamic	movement	and	causes	sensations,	feelings,	and	emotions.
Tamas
	is	the	tendency	toward	inertia,	darkness,	ignorance,	and	heaviness.	
Tamas
	is
responsible	for	deep	sleep	and	periods	of	confusion.	It	also	leads	to	the	creation	of	matter.
From	the	essence	of	
Sattva
	are	born	the	mind,	the	five	sense	faculties	and	their	organs

Sattva
(ears	to	hear,	skin	to	perceive	touch,	eyes	to	see,	tongue	to	taste,	nose	to	smell),	and	the
five	motor	organs	or	organs	of	action:	the	mouth	(for	speech),	the	hands,	feet,	reproductive

organs,	and	organs	of	excretion.
Rajas
	is	the	active	force	behind	the	movement	of	both	the	sensory	and	motor	organs.
Tamas
	gives	rise	to	the	five	elements,	which	form	the	basis	of	material	creation:	space
(ether),	air,	fire,	water,	and	earth.
Man,	a	creation	of	Cosmic	Consciousness,	is	considered	to	be	a	microcosm	of	the
macrocosm	that	is	the	universe.	Whatever	is	present	in	the	cosmos,	the	same	is	present	in
human	beings.	Man	is	a	miniature	of	nature.
The	concept	of	the	five	elements	is	one	of	the	most	fundamental	in	Ayurvedic	science.	These
five	elements	(space,	air,	fire,	water,	and	earth)	exist	in	all	matter,	both	organic	and
inorganic.	As	man	is	a	microcosm	of	nature,	the	five	elements	also	exist	within	each
individual.	Our	psychological	tendencies,	as	well	as	our	five	senses	and	the	various	aspects
of	our	body’s	functioning,	are	all	directly	related	to	the	five	elements.

According	to	Ayurveda,	the	five	elements	manifest	sequentially,	beginning	with	space,
from	the	pure,	unified,	unmanifested	Cosmic	Consciousness	that	is	the	source	of	all.
SPACE
Sometimes	referred	to	as	“ether,”	space	is	empty,	light,	subtle,	all-pervading,	omnipresent,
and	all-enclosing.	It	is	universal,	non-moving,	and	formless.	Space	is	nuclear	energy.	It
appears	when	the	pure	unmanifest	consciousness	begins	to	vibrate	and	is	associated	with
sound	and	the	sense	of	hearing.	We	need	space	in	order	to	live,	move,	grow,	and
communicate.	Spaces	in	the	body	include	the	mouth,	nose,	gastrointestinal	tract,	respiratory
tract,	abdomen,	and	thorax.	Psychologically,	space	gives	freedom,	peace,	and	expansion	of
consciousness	and	is	responsible	for	love	and	compassion	as	well	as	feelings	of	separation,
isolation,	emptiness,	ungroundedness,	insecurity,	anxiety,	and	fear.

AIR
Air	is	dry,	light,	clear,	and	mobile.	The	second	manifestation	of	consciousness,	air	moves	in
space.	Air	is	electrical	energy—the	electron	moves	because	of	the	air	element.	It	is	formless,
but	it	can	be	perceived	by	touch,	to	which	it	is	related.	The	principle	of	movement,	air
expresses	itself	in	the	movements	of	the	muscles,	the	pulsations	of	the	heart,	the	expansion
and	contraction	of	the	lungs.	Sensory	and	neural	impulses	move	to	and	from	the	brain
under	the	influence	of	the	air	principle,	which	is	also	responsible	for	breathing,	ingestion,
the	movement	of	the	intestines,	and	elimination.	The	flow	of	thought,	desire,	and	will	are
governed	by	the	air	principle,	which	gives	us	happiness,	freshness,	joy,	and	excitation.	It	is,
along	with	space,	also	responsible	for	fear,	anxiety,	insecurity,	and	nervousness.

FIRE
Fire	is	hot,	dry,	sharp,	penetrating,	and	luminous.	When	air	begins	to	move,	it	produces
friction,	which	generates	heat	or	fire.	Fire	is	radiant	energy.	On	the	atomic	level,	the	atom
radiates	heat	and	light	in	the	form	of	a	quantum	wave.	Fire	is	active	and	changeable.	In	our
solar	system,	the	sun	is	the	source	of	fire	and	light.	In	the	body,	our	biological	“fire”	in	the
solar	plexus	regulates	body	temperature	and	metabolism:	digestion,	absorption,	and
assimilation.	Fire	is	associated	with	light	and	with	vision.	Fire	is	intelligence.	It	is	necessary
for	 transformation,	 attention,	 comprehension,	 appreciation,	 recognition,	 and
understanding.	Fire	is	also	responsible	for	anger,	hatred,	envy,	criticism,	ambition,	and
competitiveness.
WATER
The	next	manifestation	of	consciousness,	water	is	fluid,	heavy,	soft,	viscous,	cold,	dense,
and	cohesive.	It	brings	molecules	together.	Water	is	chemical	energy	(it	is	the	universal

chemical	solvent).	Water	is	associated	with	the	sense	of	taste;	without	moisture	the	tongue
cannot	taste	anything.	Water	exists	in	the	body	as	plasma,	cytoplasm,	serum,	saliva,	nasal
secretion,	cerebrospinal	fluid,	urine,	and	sweat.	It	is	necessary	for	nutrition	and	to	maintain
life;	without	it,	our	cells	could	not	survive.	Water	is	contentment,	love,	and	compassion.	It
creates	thirst,	edema,	and	obesity.
EARTH
Earth	is	heavy,	hard,	rough,	firm,	dense,	slow-moving,	and	bulky—the	most	solid	of	the	five
elements.	It	is	neither	hot	nor	cold.	Earth	is	mechanical	or	physical	energy.	According	to
Ayurveda,	it	is	nothing	but	crystallized	or	solidified	consciousness.	It	gives	strength,
structure,	and	stamina	to	the	body.	All	the	body’s	solid	structures	(bones,	cartilage,	nails,
teeth,	hair,	skin)	are	derived	from	the	earth	element.	Earth	is	associated	with	the	sense	of

smell.	It	promotes	forgiveness,	support,	groundedness,	and	growth.	It	also	creates
attachment,	greed,	and	depression,	and	its	absence	produces	feelings	of	ungroundedness.
In	our	body,	the	electrical	energy	of	the	neuron	becomes	the	physical	energy	of	the
movement	of	muscles,	mediated	through	the	neurotransmitter,	which	is	chemical.	Indeed,	all
the	five	elements	are	present	on	every	level	of	our	physiology,	starting	with	a	single	cell.
Within	the	cell,	the	cell	membrane	is	earth,	cellular	vacuoles	are	space,	cytoplasm	is	water,
nucleic	acid	and	other	chemical	components	of	the	cell	are	fire,	and	movement	of	the	cell	is
due	to	the	air	principle.	Every	single	cell	also	has	mind,	intelligence,	and	consciousness,
through	which	it	manifests	selectivity	and	choice.	From	all	the	possible	nutrients	in	its
environment,	every	cell	chooses	its	own	food—that	choice	is	intelligence	at	work.

Both	in	our	outer	environment	and	within	us,	the	proportion	and	balance	of	these
elements	is	forever	shifting,	changing	with	the	seasons,	the	weather,	the	time	of	day,	the
stage	of	one’s	life.	For	health,	and	often	for	sheer	survival,	we	have	to	continuously
accommodate	ourselves	to	these	changes,	through	what	we	eat,	what	we	wear,	where	we
live,	and	so	on.	This	is	a	balancing	act,	playing	elements	against	each	other.	We	use	solid

earth	to	build	homes,	to	protect	ourselves	against	changes	in	air,	heat	(fire),	and	water.	We
use	fire	to	prepare	food	(made	of	water	and	earth).
These	five	great	elements	combine	into	three	basic	energies	or	functional	principles,	which
are	present,	in	varying	degrees,	in	everything	and	everybody.	Space	(ether)	and	air
constitute	vata.	Fire	and	water	combine	to	make	up	pitta.	Water	and	earth	constitute
kapha.
In	our	bodies,	these	three	doshas	or	humors	govern	our	psychobiological	functioning.
vata–pitta–kapha	are	present	in	every	cell,	tissue,	and	organ.	When	in	balance,	they	create
health.	When	out	of	balance,	they	are	the	cause	of	disease.
These	three	doshas	are	responsible	for	the	huge	variety	of	individual	differences	and
preferences,	and	they	influence	all	we	are	and	all	we	do,	from	our	choices	of	food	to	our
modes	of	relating	to	others.	They	govern	the	biological	and	psychological	processes	of	our

body,	mind,	and	consciousness.	They	regulate	the	creation,	maintenance,	and	destruction	of
bodily	tissue,	and	the	elimination	of	waste	products.	They	also	govern	our	emotions.	When
in	balance,	they	generate	noble	qualities	such	as	understanding,	compassion,	and	love.
When	their	balance	is	disturbed	by	stress,	improper	diet,	environmental	conditions	or	other
factors,	they	can	give	rise	to	negative	emotions	such	as	anger,	fear,	and	greed.
In	Ayurveda,	vata	is	the	bodily	air	principle.	It	is	the	energy	of	movement.	Pitta	is	the
principle	of	fire,	the	energy	of	digestion	and	metabolism.	And	kapha	is	the	principle	of
water,	the	energy	of	lubrication	and	structure.
All	people	have	all	of	these	three	doshas,	but	one	of	them	is	usually	primary,	one
secondary,	and	the	third	least	prominent.	Thus,	each	person	has	a	particular	pattern	of

energy,	an	individual	combination	of	physical,	mental,	and	emotional	characteristics	that
make	up	his	or	her	constitution	(
prakruti
).	Just	as	everyone	has	an	individual	
fingerprint
that	can	be	identified	by	a	trained	practitioner,	so	everyone	has	an	energy	print—a	balance
or	proportion	of	vata,	pitta,	and	kapha—that	is	uniquely	his	or	her	own.
Health	depends	on	maintaining	this	proportion	in	balance.	Balance	is	the	natural	order	of
things;	imbalance	provokes	and	reflects	disorder.	Within	our	bodies	there	is	a	constant
interplay	between	order	and	disorder,	which	determines	our	state	of	health.
Health	is	order;	disease	is	disorder.	The	internal	environment	of	the	body	is	ceaselessly
reacting	to	the	external	environment.	Disorder	occurs	when	these	two	are	out	of	harmony
with	each	other.	But	since	order	is	inherent	within	disorder,	the	wise	person	learns	to	be

aware	of	the	presence	of	disorder	and	sets	about	to	reestablish	order.
In	
chapter	2
	we	will	see	how	the	three	fundamental	doshas	combine	to	create	the	seven
constitutional	types	of	Ayurveda,	and	you	will	learn	your	own	body	type,	the	key	to	making
lifestyle	choices	for	self-healing	and	maximum	well-being.	For	the	moment,	let	us	look	a
little	more	deeply	into	the	characteristics	of	these	three	basic	energies	of	life.
VATA

Vata	is	the	energy	of	movement.	Although	it	is	the	air	
principle
,	it	is	not	considered	the	same
as	actual	air	in	the	external	environment,	but	rather	as	the	subtle	energy	that	governs
biological	movement.
Vata	is	intimately	related	to	our	vital	life	essence,	known	as	
prana.	Prana
	is	the	pure
essence	of	vata.	It	is	the	life-force,	the	play	of	intelligence.	That	flow	of	intelligence	is
necessary	for	communication	between	two	cells,	and	it	maintains	the	life	function	of	both.
On	a	cosmic	level,	
prana
	is	said	to	be	the	attraction	between	
Purusha
	and	
Prakruti
.
As	the	principle	of	mobility,	vata	regulates	all	activity	in	the	body,	both	mental	and
physiological.	It	is	responsible	for	breathing,	the	blinking	of	our	eyes,	the	beating	of	our
hearts,	and	all	movement	in	the	cytoplasm	and	cell	membranes.	All	the	impulses	in	the	vast
networks	of	our	nervous	system	are	governed	by	vata.
When	vata	is	in	balance,	it	promotes	creativity	and	flexibility	and	evokes	feelings	of

freshness,	lightness,	happiness,	and	joy.	Out	of	balance,	vata	produces	fear,	nervousness,
anxiety,	even	tremors	and	spasms.
Vata	is	dry,	light,	cold,	subtle,	clear,	mobile,	and	dispersing.	We	shall	soon	see	how	these
qualities	are	expressed	in	a	person	with	a	vata	constitution.
PITTA
Pitta	is	translated	as	fire,	but	this	is	not	meant	literally.	Rather,	it	is	the	
principle
	of	fire,	the
energy	of	heating	or	metabolism.	Pitta	governs	all	the	biochemical	changes	that	take	place
within	our	bodies,	regulating	digestion,	absorption,	assimilation,	and	body	temperature.
From	the	standpoint	of	modern	biology,	pitta	comprises	the	enzymes	and	amino	acids	that
play	a	major	role	in	metabolism.
Pitta	regulates	body	temperature	through	the	chemical	transformation	of	food.	It
promotes	appetite	and	vitality.
Not	only	food	is	metabolized	by	us.	Every	impression	coming	in	from	the	outside	is	also

processed	or	“digested”	and	made	a	part	of	us.	Thus	pitta	(when	in	balance)	promotes
intelligence	and	understanding	and	is	crucial	
in	learning.	Out-of-balance	pitta	may	arouse
fiery	emotions	such	as	frustration,	anger,	hatred,	criticism,	and	jealousy.
Pitta	is	hot,	sharp,	light,	oily,	liquid,	pungent,	sour,	and	spreading.	These	qualities	occur	in
various	ways	in	people	of	pitta	constitution.
KAPHA
Kapha	combines	water	and	earth.	It	is	the	energy	that	forms	the	body’s	structure,	the	glue
that	holds	the	cells	together.	Kapha	also	supplies	the	liquid	needed	for	the	life	of	our	cells
and	bodily	systems.	It	lubricates	our	joints,	moisturizes	the	skin,	helps	to	heal	wounds,	and
maintains	immunity.	Kapha	provides	strength,	vigor,	and	stability.
Psychologically,	excess	kapha	is	responsible	for	the	emotions	of	attachment,	greed,	lust,

and	envy.	When	kapha	is	in	balance	it	expresses	itself	in	tendencies	toward	love,	calmness,
and	forgiveness.
The	qualities	of	kapha	include	heavy,	slow,	cool,	oily,	damp,	smooth,	soft,	static,	viscous,

and	sweet.	Kapha	individuals	display	these	qualities	in	various	ways.
Together,	these	three	doshas	govern	all	the	body’s	metabolic	activities.	Kapha	promotes
anabolism,	the	process	of	building	up	the	body,	the	growth	and	creation	of	new	cells	as	well
as	cell	repair.	Pitta	regulates	metabolism,	which	is	digestion	and	absorption.	Vata	triggers
catabolism,	the	necessary	deterioration	process	in	which	larger	molecules	are	broken	down
into	smaller	ones.
Vata,	the	principle	of	movement,	moves	both	pitta	and	kapha,	which	are	immobile.	Thus
when	vata	is	out	of	balance,	it	influences	and	disturbs	the	other	doshas.	The	majority	of
illnesses	have	aggravated	vata	at	their	source.
The	whole	of	life’s	journey	is	divided	into	three	major	milestones.	From	birth	to	age	16	is
the	kapha	age.	From	16	to	50	is	the	age	of	pitta,	and	from	50	to	100	the	age	of	vata.
In	childhood,	kapha	and	the	process	of	anabolism	are	predominant,	as	this	is	the	time	of

greatest	physical	growth	and	the	structuring	of	the	body.	Kapha	disorders,	such	as	lung
congestion,	cough,	colds,	and	mucus	secretions,	are	common	at	this	time.	In	adulthood,	a
time	of	activity	and	vitality,	pitta	is	most	apparent.	Vata	and	the	catabolic	processes	of
deterioration	take	over	in	old	age,	bringing	vata	disorders	such	as	tremors,	emaciation,
breathlessness,	arthritis,	and	loss	of	memory.
Now	we	come	to	another	important	aspect	of	Ayurvedic	theory,	which	will	help	you	to
make	intelligent	choices	for	self-healing.	Ayurveda	delineates	twenty	fundamental	qualities,
which	appear	in	ten	pairs:
The	Twenty	Basic	Attributes	or	Qualities
Heavy—Light
Oily—Dry
Stable—Mobile
Slimy—Rough
Gross—Subtle
Cold—Hot
Slow—Sharp
Soft—Hard
Dense—Liquid
Cloudy—Clear
These	qualities	are	found	both	in	the	world	around	us	and	in	our	bodies.	Today’s	
weather

weather
may	feel	light	or	heavy,	and	it	may	be	liquid	or	dry,	mobile	(windy)	or	stable,	hot	or	cold,
cloudy	or	clear.	Food	we	eat	can	partake	of	any	of	these	qualities.	Ice	cream,	for	example,
is	heavy,	oily,	cold,	soft,	and	liquid.	Our	skin	may	be	oily	or	dry,	rough	or	smooth.	Our
moods,	too,	can	be	heavy	or	light,	cloudy	or	clear;	our	thinking	may	be	slow	or	sharp,	our
mind	quiet	and	stable	or	mobile	and	hyperactive,	clear	or	cloudy.
We	are	constantly	affected	by	changes	in	these	qualities.	Cold,	windy,	clear,	dry	weather

aggravates	vata	dosha	and	may	lead	to	colds	and	any	number	of	vata	ailments	such	as
insomnia,	constipation,	or	arthritis.	Hot,	humid	weather	aggravates	pitta	and	may	lead	to
outbreaks	of	irritation	and	anger	as	well	as	physical	complaints	like	acne,	eczema,	or	skin
rashes.	Cloudy,	gray,	humid	or	rainy	weather	can	aggravate	kapha,	leading	to	colds	and
coughs,	depression,	lethargy,	overeating	and	oversleeping,	and	weight	gain.
Each	of	these	paired	qualities	represents	the	extreme	on	a	continuum.	The	two	qualities	in
each	pair	influence	or	affect	one	another	according	to	two	fundamental	principles	of
Ayurveda:
1.	Like	increases	like.
2.	Opposites	decrease	each	other.
These	principles	are	a	key	to	healing	with	Ayurveda.	When	an	imbalance	has	manifested,
successful	treatment	requires	increasing	opposite	qualities
.	For	example,	if	there	is	too	much
heat	(excess	pitta),	a	cool	drink,	a	swim,	or	some	herbs	with	cooling	properties	will	greatly

help	pacify	pitta	and	reduce	the	heat.	A	person	suffering	from	too	much	heat	will	not	be
helped	by	playing	tennis	in	the	sun,	eating	spicy	foods,	or	taking	a	sauna.	Similarly,	if	you
are	cold	and	shivering	from	exposure	to	cold	windy	weather,	have	a	bowl	of	warm	soup,
wrap	up	in	a	blanket,	or	take	a	hot	bath.	These	simple	remedies	immediately	make	sense
when	we	hear	them	because	they	are	so	natural.
Ayurvedic	physicians	have	carefully	observed	nature	and	located	these	qualities	within	all
things,	both	organic	and	inorganic.	Ayurvedic	treatment	consists	to	a	great	extent	of
identifying	a	person’s	disorder	in	terms	of	these	qualities,	and	setting	right	any	imbalances.
How	is	this	done?	Speaking	in	very	general	terms,	excessive	dryness	in	the	body—
constipation,	dry	skin,	emaciation,	and	so	on—is	frequently	associated	with	aggravated

vata;	excessive	heat—burning	urine,	irritated	eyes,	fever,	inflammation,	anger,	or	a	critical
attitude—with	aggravated	pitta;	and	undue	heaviness—lethargy,	overweight,	congestion,
and	excess	mucus—with	unbalanced	kapha.	Whatever	the	symptoms	may	be,	for	self-
treatment	you	need	to	understand	them	and	then	adjust	your	lifestyle—diet,	exercise,	and
so	on—to	restore	a	state	of	balance	and	health.
The	hundreds	of	remedies	in	
Part	III
	of	this	book	will	help	you	to	do	this,	but	essentially	it
is	your	own	moment-to-moment	awareness	and	self-observation,	your	sensitivity	to	your
own	constitution	and	your	own	unique	requirements	for	health,	and	perhaps	most
importantly,	your	willingness	to	act	on	your	knowledge,	that	will	make	all	the	difference
between	poor	health	and	a	vital,	happy,	healthy,	long	life.

T
Chapter	2
Discover	Your	Mental	and	Physiological	Type
his	chapter	will	take	you	further	on	your	journey	toward	radiant	health	as	we	begin	to
apply	the	principles	from	
chapter	1
	to	discover	and	understand	your	own	unique
constitution.
According	to	Ayurveda,	there	are	seven	main	body	types:
All	three	doshas	are	present	in	each	individual	at	all	times,	but	their	proportion	varies
from	person	to	person.	Thus,	ten	vata	individuals,	or	ten	kapha-pitta	individuals,	will	have
ten	different	temperaments,	ten	unique	sets	of	qualities	and	characteristics.	Maintaining	our
individual	qualitative	and	quantitative	proportion	of	the	doshas	is	our	challenge	if	we	are	to
remain	healthy.	When	we	maintain	this	proportion	our	health	is	good,	but	when	the
balance	is	upset,	disease	may	result.
Prakruti	and	Vikruti
At	the	time	of	conception,	each	person’s	combination	and	proportion	of	vata,	pitta,	and
kapha	is	determined	according	to	the	genetics,	diet,	lifestyle,	and	current	emotions	of	the

parents.	As	mentioned	in	the	Introduction,	the	doshas	predominant	in	the	parents	combine
to	form	the	constitution	of	the	new	life	they	are	creating.
If,	for	example,	the	father	is	pitta	predominant	and	the	mother	vata	predominant,	and
the	pitta	factor	is	stronger	than	the	vata,	and	the	union	is	taking	place	on	a	hot	summer
night	after	eating	a	spicy	meal,	then	the	baby	that	is	born	will	have	a	constitution	that	is
pitta	predominant.	Or	if	both	parents	are	kapha,	and	they	have	a	kaphagenic	diet	and	are
making	love	in	kapha	season,	then	their	child	will	have	a	predominance	of	kapha	dosha.
A	few	fortunate	individuals	are	born	with	a	constitution	in	which	all	three	doshas	are
equally	present,	which	gives	them	the	likelihood	of	exceptionally	good	health	and	a	long
life	span,	but	most	of	us	have	one	or	two	doshas	predominant.
NOTE

NOTE
:	When	Ayurveda	says	health	comes	from	balancing	your	doshas,	this	does	not
mean	you	should	try	to	have	equal	amounts	of	vata,	pitta,	and	kapha.	Rather,	it
means	
maintaining	the	balance	with	which	you	were	conceived
.

The	unique	and	specific	combination	of	the	three	doshas	at	conception	is	called	your
prakruti
,	which	means	“nature.”	It	is	your	psychobiological	temperament.	
Prakruti
	does	not
change	during	a	person’s	lifetime.	Your	
prakruti
	may,	for	example,	be	predominantly	pitta,
with	vata	secondary	and	a	little	kapha.	(This	can	be	written	as	V
2
P
3
K
1
.)	For	you,
maintaining	balance	means	keeping	this	proportion.	If	your	vata	or	kapha	should	increase,
moving	toward	an	equal	proportion	of	the	doshas,	it	would	not	be	healthy	for	you.
As	conditions	change—due	to	weather,	dietary	choices,	fatigue,	stress,	emotional	state,
exercise	or	lack	of	it—the	balance	of	the	doshas	in	our	mind-body	system	also	changes.	This
altered	state	of	the	doshas,	reflecting	the	current	state	of	our	health,	is	called	our	
vikruti
.	If
your	health	is	excellent,	your	current	doshic	status	will	be	the	same	as	your	
prakruti
.	But
more	likely	there	will	be	a	discrepancy,	and	it	is	this	difference	between	the	two	that	gives

.	But
a	direction	for	healing.	Your	aim	will	be	to	reestablish	the	balance	indicated	by	your
prakruti
.
I	know	you	are	eager	to	find	out	what	your	constitution	is,	so	let’s	move	on	to	that.
Afterward,	we	will	look	more	deeply	into	the	characteristics	of	each	doshic	type.
The	chart	on	
this	page
	to	
this	page
	is	a	self-assessment	that	will	enable	you	to	determine
your	unique	constitution	according	to	Ayurveda.
Please	remember	that	this	can	provide	only	a	rough	guideline.	The	subtleties	of	each
person’s	mental,	emotional,	and	physical	makeup	are	manifold	and	can	be	accurately
assessed	only	by	a	physician	thoroughly	trained	and	experienced	in	Ayurvedic	diagnosis.	So
please	do	not	draw	any	absolute	conclusions	about	yourself	based	on	the	self-assessment	or
the	descriptions	of	the	doshas;	rather,	use	this	information	to	help	you	grow	in	self-

understanding,	and	as	a	guide	to	plan	your	diet,	exercise	regimen,	and	other	aspects	of	your
lifestyle	for	maximum	health.
It	is	best	to	fill	out	the	self-evaluation	twice.	(You	might	want	to	photocopy	it,	to	have	it
available	for	others	or	for	future	use.)	First,	base	your	choices	on	what	is	most	consistently
true	about	your	life	as	a	whole,	over	many	years.	This	indicates	your	
prakruti
.	Then	fill	it	out
a	second	time,	considering	how	you	have	been	feeling	recently,	in	the	last	month	or	two.
This	is	your	
vikruti
	or	present	condition.
It	often	helps	to	have	a	spouse	or	good	friend	verify	your	answers,	as	they	may	have	good
insights	and	some	objectivity	to	offer	as	you	make	your	responses.
After	filling	out	the	chart,	add	up	the	number	of	marks	under	vata,	pitta,	and	kapha	to
discover	your	own	balance	of	the	doshas	in	your	
prakruti
	and	
vikruti
.	Most	people	will	have

prakruti
	and	
vikruti
one	dosha	predominant,	a	few	will	have	two	doshas	approximately	equal,	and	even	fewer
will	have	all	three	doshas	in	equal	proportion.
After	adding	up	the	numbers,	make	them	into	a	ratio,	with	3	as	the	highest	number.	For
example,	suppose	you	come	out	with	V	=	10,	P	=	6,	K	=	3.	This	would	translate	into
V
3
P
2
K
1
.
Once	you	have	determined	your	predominant	doshas,	studying	the	following
characteristics	of	vata,	pitta,	and	kapha	will	help	you	gain	a	deeper	and	more

comprehensive	understanding.
Vata	individuals	have	light,	flexible	bodies.	Their	frame	is	on	the	small	side,	with	light
muscles	and	little	fat,	so	that	they	tend	to	be	slim	or	even	underweight.	They	often	appear
to	be	“too	tall”	or	“too	short,”	or	they	may	appear	physically	underdeveloped,	with	flat
chests	and	less	strength	and	stamina	than	the	other	types.	Their	veins	and	muscles	are	often
quite	prominent.
Vatas	generally	have	dry	skin	tending	toward	roughness.	Their	circulation	is	poor,	with
the	result	that	their	hands	and	feet	are	often	cold.	Because	vata	dosha	is	cold,	dry,	light,	and
mobile	and	people	with	a	vata	constitution	tend	to	lack	insulating	material	(the	fatty	tissue
under	the	skin),	they	are	uncomfortable	in	cold	weather,	especially	if	it	is	dry	and	windy,
and	they	much	prefer	spring	and	summer.
These	individuals	have	a	variable	appetite	and	thirst	and	variable	digestive	strength.

They	are	often	attracted	to	astringent	food	such	as	salads	and	vegetables,	but	their	bodies
actually	need	sweet,	sour,	and	salty	tastes.	(We	will	discuss	the	effect	of	tastes	in	
chapter	8
.)
Raw	vegetables	increase,	rather	than	balance,	vata.	Vata	individuals	often	experience
digestive	difficulties	and	problems	with	absorption	of	nutrients.	They	tend	to	produce
scanty	urine,	and	their	feces	are	hard,	dry,	and	small	in	size	and	quantity.	Constipation	is
one	of	their	most	common	ailments.
Vatas	are	the	most	likely	of	the	body	types	to	fast	or	to	eat	very	little,	but	this	actually
increases	vata	and	tends	toward	imbalance.
Other	physical	characteristics	typical	of	vata	types	include	small,	recessed	eyes,	which	are
often	quite	lusterless;	dry,	thin	hair,	often	curly	or	kinky;	dry,	rough	skin	and	nails;
cracking,	popping	joints;	and	teeth	that	may	be	irregular,	broken,	or	protruding.

Vatas	walk	quickly	and	are	always	in	a	rush.	Due	to	the	mobile	quality	of	vata,	they	do
not	like	sitting	idle	but	prefer	constant	activity.	They	also	like	to	do	a	lot	of	traveling.	Not
doing	anything	is	a	punishment	for	them.	They	are	attracted	to	jogging,	jumping,	and
vigorous	physical	activity,	but	because	they	tend	to	have	less	stamina,	they	can	easily	get
strained	or	overtired.

Vatas	are	drawn	toward	a	lot	of	sexual	activity.	But	excess	sex	is	one	of	the	causes	of
aggravated	vata.	Vatas	generally	have	a	difficult	time	prolonging	sex,	and	vata	men	may
experience	premature	ejaculation.
Vata	individuals	sleep	less	than	the	other	body	types	and	have	a	tendency	toward
interrupted	sleep	or	insomnia,	especially	when	vata	is	aggravated.	Nevertheless	they
generally	wake	up	feeling	alert	and	fresh	and	ready	to	go.
Psychologically,	vatas	are	blessed	with	quick	minds,	mental	flexibility,	and	creativity.
They	have	excellent	imaginations	and	excel	at	coming	up	with	new	ideas.	When	in	balance,
they	are	joyful	and	happy.	Vatas	tend	to	talk	quickly	and	to	talk	a	lot.	They	are	easily
excited,	alert,	and	quick	to	act—but	may	not	think	things	through	before	acting,	so	they
may	give	a	wrong	answer	or	make	a	wrong	decision	with	great	confidence!
Vatas	are	quite	loving	people,	but	may	love	someone	out	of	fear	and	loneliness.	In	fact,

fear	is	one	of	the	symptoms	of	unbalanced	vata.	These	individuals	may	experience	fear	of
loneliness,	darkness,	heights,	and	closed	spaces.	Anxiety,	insecurity,	and	nervousness	are
also	common	among	them.	They	are	worriers.
One	of	the	main	psychological	qualities	of	vata	individuals	is	readiness	to	change	or,	to
put	it	the	other	way,	difficulty	with	stability	and	commitment.	They	often	change	furniture,

housing,	jobs,	or	towns,	and	get	easily	bored.	They	don’t	like	to	stay	in	any	place	more	than
a	year!	Their	faith	is	also	quite	variable.	Vatas	may	be	low	on	willpower	and	often	feel
unstable	or	ungrounded.
Clarity	is	one	of	the	attributes	of	vata,	and	vata	individuals	generally	are	clear-minded
and	even	clairvoyant.	Along	with	their	lively	minds	and	fertile	imaginations,	they	are
usually	highly	alert	and	grasp	new	ideas	quickly.	However,	they	are	also	quick	to	forget.
They	think	and	speak	quickly,	but	are	restless	and	easily	fatigued.	They	generally	have	less
tolerance,	confidence,	and	boldness.
Vata	types	tend	to	make	money	quickly,	but	they	spend	it	quickly,	too,	often	impulsively
or	on	trifles.	A	vata	may	go	to	the	flea	market	and	come	home	with	a	lot	of	junk!	They	are
not	good	savers.	Nor	are	they	good	planners,	and	as	a	consequence	they	may	suffer
economic	hardship.
The	word	
vata
	is	derived	from	a	root	that	means	“to	move,”	and	this	gives	an	important

The	word	
vata
clue	to	the	character	of	vata	individuals.	As	the	principle	of	mobility,	vata	provides	the
motive	power	for	all	our	mental	and	bodily	processes.	It	regulates	all	activity	in	the	body,
from	the	number	of	thoughts	we	have	to	how	quickly	and	efficiently	food	moves	through
our	digestive	tract.
The	behavior	that	vatas	are	drawn	to—travel,	erratic	hours,	continual	stimulation,
frequent	change—can	easily	upset	their	balance	and	lead	to	vata	disorders	such	as
constipation,	gaseous	distention,	weakness,	arthritis,	pneumonia,	excessively	dry	skin,	dry
lips,	dry	hair,	dry,	cracked	nipples,	and	cracked	heels.	Nerve	disorders,	twitches	and	tics,
mental	confusion,	palpitations,	and	breathlessness,	as	well	as	muscle	tightness,	low
backache,	and	sciatica,	are	also	due	to	aggravated	vata.	Excess	vata	makes	the	mind	restless
and	hyperactive.	Loud	noises,	drugs,	sugar,	caffeine,	and	alcohol	also	derange	vata	dosha,

as	does	exposure	to	cold	weather	and	cold	foods.
The	Attributes	of	Vata	Individuals
Following	are	the	main	attributes	of	vata	dosha	and	how	they	are	expressed	in	the
physical,	mental,	and	behavioral	characteristics	of	a	vata	individual.
ATTRIBUTES
MANIFESTATIONS	IN	THE	BODY
Dry
Dry	skin,	hair,	lips,	tongue;	dry	colon,	tending	toward	constipation;
hoarse	voice
Light
Light	muscles,	bones,	thin	body	frame,	light	scanty	sleep;	underweight
Cold
Cold	hands,	feet,	poor	circulation;	hates	cold	and	loves	hot;	stiffness	of
muscles
Rough
Rough,	cracked	skin,	nails,	hair,	teeth,	hands	and	feet;	cracking	joints
Subtle	fear,	anxiety,	insecurity;	fine	goose	pimples;	minute	muscle

Subtle
twitching,	fine	tremors;	delicate	body
Mobile
Fast	walking,	talking,	doing	many	things	at	a	time;	restless	eyes,
eyebrows,	hands,	feet;	unstable	joints;	many	dreams;	loves	traveling	but
does	not	stay	at	one	place;	swinging	moods	and	shaky	faith
Clear
Clairvoyant;	understands	and	forgets	immediately;	clear,	open	mind,
experiences	void	and	loneliness
Astringent
Dry	choking	sensation	in	the	throat;	gets	hiccoughs,	burping;	loves	oily,
mushy	soups;	craving	for	sweet,	sour,	and	salty	tastes
Excess	vata	is	a	major	factor	in	PMS	(premenstrual	syndrome).	When,	as	her	period
approaches,	a	woman	experiences	bloating,	low	back	ache,	pain	in	the	lower	abdomen,
cramps,	pain	in	the	calf	muscles,	and	insomnia,	and	emotionally	she	feels	anxiety,	fear,	and
insecurity,	this	is	due	to	aggravation	of	vata	dosha.
Like	the	wind,	vata	types	have	a	hard	time	settling	down	and	staying	grounded.	When
their	vata	becomes	aggravated,	it	is	difficult	to	calm	them	down.	Sticking	to	a	routine	is

difficult	for	them,	but	it	is	vital	if	they	are	to	remain	healthy.
The	dry,	cold,	windy	seasons	of	autumn	and	winter	tend	to	increase	and	aggravate	vata
dosha,	so	at	these	times	vata	individuals	need	to	be	particularly	careful	to	stay	in	balance.
They	need	to	dress	warmly	and	eat	warm,	heavier	foods.	Warm,	moist,	slightly	oily	foods
are	beneficial,	as	are	most	warming	spices.	Steam	baths,	humidifiers,	and	moisture	in
general	are	helpful.
General	Guidelines	for	Balancing	Vata
Keep	warm
Keep	calm
Avoid	raw	foods
Avoid	cold	foods
Avoid	extreme	cold	temperatures
Eat	warm	foods	and	spices
Keep	a	regular	routine
The	pitta	body	type	is	one	of	medium	height	and	build,	though	some	individuals	are	slender
with	a	delicate	frame.	They	seldom	gain	or	lose	much	weight.	Their	muscle	development	is

moderate,	and	they	are	generally	stronger	physically	than	vata	types.	Pitta	eyes	are	bright
and	may	be	gray,	green,	or	copper-brown,	and	their	eyeballs	are	of	medium	prominence.

These	individuals	tend	to	have	ruddy	or	coppery	skin	and	may	have	reddish	hair,	which
tends	to	be	silky.	They	often	experience	early	graying	or	hair	loss,	so	that	a	pitta	man
frequently	has	a	receding	hairline	or	a	big,	beautiful	bald	head!
Moles	and	freckles	are	common	on	pitta	skin,	which	tends	to	be	oily,	warm,	and	less
wrinkled	than	vata	skin.	Pittas	have	sharp,	slightly	yellowish	teeth	and	frequently	have
bleeding	gums.
The	normal	body	temperature	of	people	with	a	pitta	constitution	is	a	little	higher,	and
their	hands	and	feet	are	usually	warm	and	may	be	sweaty.	Pittas	may	feel	quite	warm	when
both	vatas	and	kaphas	are	cold.	They	perspire	quite	a	lot,	even	when	it’s	50	degrees,	while
a	vata	person	will	not	perspire	even	at	a	much	higher	temperature.	Their	body	perspiration
often	has	a	strong,	sulfury	smell;	their	feet	also	perspire	and	may	have	a	strong	smell.
This	heat	is	the	main	characteristic	of	pitta	types,	which	is	not	surprising	as	the	word

pitta	is	derived	from	the	Sanskrit	word	
tapa
,	which	means	to	heat.	(The	word	can	also	be
translated	as	“austerity,”	and	pitta	individuals	can	be	quite	austere.)	They	have	a	low
tolerance	for	hot	weather,	sunshine,	or	hard	physical	work.	Although	they	are	a	fiery	type,
their	sex	drive	may	not	be	very	strong.	Pittas	may	use	sex	to	release	anger.
Pittas	have	a	strong	appetite,	strong	metabolism,	and	strong	digestion.	They	consume
large	quantities	of	food	and	drink,	and	they	also	produce	large	quantities	of	urine	and	feces,
which	tend	to	be	yellowish	and	soft.	When	out	of	balance,	they	crave	hot	spicy	dishes,
which	are	not	good	for	them.	They	should	eat	food	with	the	sweet,	bitter,	and	astringent
tastes.	When	hungry,	a	pitta	person	needs	to	eat	soon,	otherwise	he	or	she	will	become
irritable	and	hypoglycemic.
Pitta	sleep	is	of	medium	duration,	but	it	is	uninterrupted	and	sound.	These	individuals

like	to	read	before	they	go	to	sleep	and	often	fall	asleep	with	a	book	on	their	chest.
Girls	with	a	pitta	constitution	begin	menstruating	and	reach	puberty	early.	They	can	start
menstruation	as	early	as	the	age	of	ten.
Pitta	physical	ailments	tend	to	be	related	to	heat	and	the	fire	principle.	They	are	prone	to
fevers,	inflammatory	diseases,	acid	indigestion,	excessive	hunger,	jaundice,	profuse
perspiration,	hives	and	rashes,	burning	sensations,	ulceration,	burning	eyes,	colitis,	and
sore	throats.	All	“itises”	are	inflammatory	disorders	and	are	due	to	excess	pitta.	These
individuals	are	susceptible	to	sunburn	and	do	not	like	bright	light.
Pitta-type	PMS	symptoms	include	tenderness	in	the	breasts,	hot	flashes,	hives,	urethritis,
and	sometimes	a	burning	sensation	when	passing	urine.
Pitta	individuals	are	alert	and	intelligent	and	have	good	powers	of	comprehension	and

concentration.	Their	intellects	are	penetrating	and	keen,	and	their	memories	are	sharp.
They	have	good,	logical,	investigating	minds.	They	love	to	go	deeply	into	problems	and	find
solutions.	Their	minds	are	always	at	work,	and	they	like	to	solve	problems	and	puzzles	of
all	kinds.	They	also	tend	to	be	good	speakers.	They	are	lovers	of	knowledge	and	have	a
great	capacity	for	organization	and	leadership.
Pittas	are	night	people.	They	become	alert	around	midnight	and	love	to	read	late	at
night.
Orderliness	is	important	to	them.	A	pitta	person’s	home	or	room	is	always	clean	and	neat.
Clothes	are	kept	in	a	designated	place,	shoes	are	in	orderly	rows,	and	books	are	arranged
according	to	height	or	another	definite	system.

Pittas	love	noble	professions.	They	are	doctors,	engineers,	lawyers,	judges—very	bright,
brainy	people.	They	have	good	administrative	abilities	and	like	to	be	in	a	leadership	role.
They	are	good	planners	and	are	ambitious	and	disciplined.	Aggressive	by	nature,	they	easily
take	charge	of	situations.	They	may	become	political	figures.	They	have	a	lot	of	charisma.
People	are	attracted	to	them.
Pittas	are	often	wise,	brilliant	people,	but	they	can	also	have	a	controlling,	dominating
personality.	They	have	a	tendency	toward	comparison,	competition,	and	aggressiveness,
and	they	are	meticulous	and	perfectionistic.	Everything	has	to	be	done	on	time,	and
correctly!	Pitta	individuals	never	yield	an	inch	from	their	principles,	which	sometimes	leads
to	fanaticism.	They	tend	to	be	critical,	especially	when	pitta	dosha	is	aggravated;	if	there	is
no	one	to	criticize,	pitta	people	will	criticize	and	judge	themselves.
A	pitta’s	life	span	is	only	moderately	long.	These	individuals	burn	their	life	energy

through	too	much	mental	activity,	perfectionism,	aggressiveness,	and	the	constant	search
for	success.	They	have	a	deep-seated	fear	of	failure.	They	don’t	like	the	words	
no
	or	
fail
	and
therefore	may	be	highly	stressful.	They	are	the	typical	workaholics.
Pittas	generally	seek	material	prosperity	and	tend	to	be	moderately	well	off,	though	they
spend	rather	than	save	their	money.	They	like	to	live	in	luxurious	homes	and	drive	fancy
cars;	they	love	perfumes,	gems,	jewelry,	and	other	costly	items;	and	they	enjoy	exhibiting
their	wealth	and	possessions.
A	number	of	factors	can	increase	pitta	to	the	point	of	aggravation.	One	is	simply	eating
too	much	spicy	food,	including	black	pepper,	cayenne	pepper,	curry	peppers,	and	
jalapeño
peppers.	Pitta	can	also	be	increased	by	sour	and	citrus	fruits,	such	as	grapefruits	and	sour

oranges.	Eating	rancid	yogurt,	smoking	cigarettes,	and	drinking	sour	wine	can	also	be
harmful.	Working	near	fire	or	lying	in	the	sun	are	causes	of	increased	pitta.
The	Attributes	of	Pitta	Individuals
Following	are	the	main	attributes	of	pitta	dosha	and	how	they	are	expressed	in	the
physical,	mental,	and	behavioral	characteristics	of	a	pitta	individual.
Hot
Good	digestive	fire;	strong	appetite;	body	temperature	tends	to	be
higher	than	normal;	hates	heat;	gray	hair	with	receding	hairline	or
baldness;	soft	brown	hair.
Sharp
Sharp	teeth,	distinct	eyes,	pointed	nose,	tapering	chin,	heart-shaped
face;	good	absorption	and	digestion;	sharp	memory	and	understanding;
irritable
Light
Light/medium	body	frame;	does	not	tolerate	bright	light;	fair	shiny	skin,
bright	eyes

Oily
Soft	oily	skin,	hair,	feces;	does	not	like	deep-fried	food	(which	may	cause
headache)
Liquid
Loose	liquid	stools;	soft	delicate	muscles;	excess	urine,	sweat	and	thirst
Spreading
Pitta	spreads	as	rash,	acne,	inflammation	all	over	the	body	or	on
affected	areas;	pitta	subjects	want	to	spread	their	name	and	fame	all
over	the	country
Sour
Sour	acid	stomach,	acidic	pH;	sensitive	teeth;	excess	salivation
Bitter
Bitter	taste	in	the	mouth,	nausea,	vomiting;	repulsion	toward	bitter
taste;	cynical
Pungent
Heartburn,	burning	sensations	in	general;	strong	feelings	of	anger	and
hate
Fleshy	smell
Fetid	smell	under	armpits,	mouth,	soles	of	feet;	socks	smell
Red
Red	flushed	skin,	eyes,	cheeks	and	nose;	red	color	aggravates	pitta
Yellow
Yellow	eyes,	skin,	urine	and	feces;	may	lead	to	jaundice,	overproduction
of	bile;	yellow	color	increases	pitta
Eating	fatty	fried	food,	or	oily	food	such	as	peanut	butter,	can	create	nausea	or	headaches
for	a	pitta.

Summer	is	the	most	difficult	time	for	pitta	individuals.	In	hot	humid	weather	pitta	dosha
can	easily	become	aggravated.	Heat	builds	up	in	the	system,	and	pitta	individuals	become
more	susceptible	to	the	heat-related	ailments	mentioned	above.	They	may	become	quite
irritable	and	are	easily	agitated	and	angered.	Tempers	flare.	Their	sharp	minds	become
hypercritical	and	judgmental.	Jealousy	and	envy	may	blaze	up.	They	need	to	cool	down!
General	Guidelines	for	Balancing	Pitta
Avoid	excessive	heat
Avoid	excessive	oil
Avoid	excessive	steam
Limit	salt	intake
Eat	cooling,	nonspicy	foods
Drink	cool	(but	not	iced)	drinks
Exercise	during	the	cooler	part	of	the	day

Kapha	people	are	blessed	with	a	strong,	healthy,	well-developed	body.	Their	chests	are
broad	and	expanded,	and	they	have	strong	muscles	and	large,	heavy	bones.	With	their
larger	frames	and	constitutions	dominated	by	the	water	and	earth	elements,	kaphas	tend	to
gain	weight	and	have	difficulty	taking	it	off.	To	complicate	matters,	kaphas	generally	have
a	slow	digestion	and	metabolism.	As	a	result,	they	tend	to	carry	excess	weight	and	to	be	on
the	chubby	side.	A	kapha	person	may	even	do	a	water	fast	and	gain	weight!
In	addition	to	their	large	frames,	kapha	individuals	have	strong	vital	capacity	and
stamina	and	tend	to	be	healthy.	Their	skin	is	soft,	smooth,	lustrous	and	thick,	and	it	tends	to
be	oily.	Their	eyes	are	large,	dark,	and	attractive,	with	long,	thick	lashes	and	brows.	The
whites	of	their	eyes	are	very	white.	They	have	large,	strong,	white	teeth.	Their	hair	tends	to
be	thick,	dark,	soft,	wavy,	and	plentiful.	They	have	hair	everywhere!

Individuals	with	a	kapha	body	type	have	a	steady	appetite	and	thirst,	though	digestion	is
slow.	They	can	comfortably	skip	a	meal	or	work	without	food,	while	it	is	difficult	for	a	pitta
person	to	concentrate	without	eating.
Because	of	their	slow	metabolic	rate,	kaphas	who	maintain	health	and	balance	generally
enjoy	a	long	span	of	life,	longer	than	the	other	two	doshic	types,	who	tend	to	“burn	out”
more	quickly.	However,	if	kapha	dosha	is	allowed	to	become	aggravated,	the	person	is
likely	to	become	obese,	which	is	one	of	the	main	causes	of	diabetes,	hypertension,	and	heart
attack.	Such	a	person	cannot	live	a	very	long	life.
Kaphas	have	quite	a	sweet	tooth	and	love	candy,	cookies,	and	chocolate.	They	are
generally	attracted	to	sweet,	salty,	and	oily	foods,	but	these	contribute	to	water	retention
and	weight	gain;	their	bodies	need	
lighter	fare	and	do	better	with	the	bitter,	astringent,	and
pungent	tastes.

Because	of	the	cloudy	and	heavy	qualities	of	kapha,	these	individuals	often	feel	heavy
and	foggy	in	the	morning	and	may	find	it	hard	to	get	going	without	a	cup	of	coffee	or	tea.
Morning	is	not	their	time.	They	prefer	midday,	yet	might	feel	like	taking	a	nap	after	lunch;
they	often	feel	lethargic	after	a	full	meal.	Unfortunately,	daytime	sleep	increases	kapha	and
is	not	good	for	them.
Kaphas	evacuate	slowly	and	their	stools	tend	to	be	soft	and	pale	in	color.	Their
perspiration	is	moderate,	more	than	vatas	but	less	than	pitta	types.	Their	sleep	is	deep	and
prolonged.
Despite	their	strong	bodies	and	great	stamina,	kaphas	shun	exercise.	Vigorous	exercise	is
good	for	them,	but	they	prefer	to	sit,	eat,	and	do	nothing!	Rather	than	jog,	they	prefer	to
walk—slowly!	Kaphas	do	tend	to	like	swimming,	but	it	is	not	particularly	good	for	them,	as

their	bodies	will	absorb	some	water.	When	they	do	exercise,	they	become	hungry	afterward
and	will	want	to	eat.	After	a	workout	at	the	gym	they	will	go	to	a	restaurant	for	a	snack.
Kapha	dosha	is	slow	and	steady	in	every	way.	These	individuals	move	slowly	and	talk
slowly	(their	speech	pattern	may	become	monotonous).	They	eat	slowly	and	are	slow	to
decide	and	slow	to	act.	They	move	slowly	and	gracefully.
Kapha	individuals	are	blessed	with	a	sweet,	loving	disposition.	By	nature	they	are
peaceful,	patient,	tolerant,	caring,	compassionate,	and	forgiving.	They	love	to	hug	people.
Kaphas	are	stable,	solid,	and	faithful.	Their	spiritual	or	religious	faith	is	deep	and	abiding,
and	their	minds	calm	and	steady.
One	of	the	dominant	qualities	of	kapha	is	softness,	which	manifests	as	soft	skin,	soft	hair,

soft	gentle	speech,	a	soft	nature,	and	a	soft,	gentle,	loving	look.	A	pitta	person’s	look	is
sharp	and	penetrating.	A	vata’s	look	is	spacy!	But	a	kapha	person	looks	calm,	quiet,
grounded,	stable.	He	or	she	is	
here
,	right	now!
Kaphas	can	be	slow	to	comprehend,	but	once	they	know	something,	that	knowledge	is
permanently	retained.	They	have	excellent	long-term	memories.
Although	a	kapha	individual	is	forgiving,	if	you	insult	them	or	hurt	their	feelings,	they
will	forgive	you,	but	they	will	never	forget!	A	kapha	person	will	tell	you,	“On	the	twenty-
fourth	of	January,	1972,	at	three-thirty	in	the	afternoon,	when	we	were	having	tea,	you
said	such	and	such	to	me—but	I	have	forgiven	you!”
Their	tendencies	toward	groundedness	and	stability	help	them	to	earn	and	hold	on	to
money,	and	they	are	good	at	saving.	Their	extravagances	are	minor,	mostly	in	the	area	of
spending	a	little	on	cheese,	candy,	and	cakes.
A	kapha	person	has	a	steady	sex	drive,	and	he	or	she	can	enjoy	sex	for	hours	at	a	time,

without	dissipation	of	energy,	without	orgasm	or	ejaculation	of	semen.	It	may	take	them
some	time	to	become	interested,	but	once	they	are	stimulated,	they	tend	to	stay	that	way.
Kapha	dosha	is	aggravated	by	kapha-producing	food,	such	as	watermelon,	sweet	fruits,
candy,	cookies,	yogurt,	and	other	dairy	products.	Cold	and	frozen	food	and	chilled	water,
sleeping	in	the	daytime,	and	sitting	and	doing	nothing	all	increase	kapha.	Sedentary	work,
especially	when	combined	
with	steady	munching	at	the	desk,	produces	too	much	kapha	in
the	body.	Excess	kapha	slows	digestion	and	metabolism	and	lowers	the	digestive	fire,	and
the	person	may	become	chubby	or	even	obese.
The	Attributes	of	Kapha	Individuals
Following	are	the	main	attributes	of	kapha	dosha	and	how	they	are	expressed	in	the
physical,	mental,	and	behavioral	characteristics	of	a	kapha	individual.
Heavy

Heavy
Heavy	bones,	muscles,	large	body	frame;	tends	to	be	overweight;
grounded;	deep	heavy	voice
Slow
Slow	walk,	talk;	slow	digestion,	metabolism;	sluggish	gestures
Cool
Cold	clammy	skin;	steady	appetite	and	thirst	with	slow	metabolism	and
digestion;	repeated	cold,	congestion	and	cough;	desire	for	sweets
Oily
Oily	skin,	hair	and	feces;	lubricated,	unctuous	joints	and	other	organs
Damp
Congestion	in	the	chest,	sinuses,	throat	and	head
Smooth
Smooth	skin;	gentle	calm	nature;	smoothness	of	organs
Dense
Dense	pad	of	fat;	thick	skin,	hair,	nail	and	feces;	plump	rounded	organs

Soft
Soft	pleasing	look;	love,	care,	compassion	and	kindness
Static
Loves	sitting,	sleeping	and	doing	nothing
Viscous
Viscous,	sticky,	cohesive	quality	causes	compactness,	firmness	of	joints
and	organs;	loves	to	hug;	is	deeply	attached	in	love	and	relationships
Cloudy
In	early	morning	mind	is	cloudy	and	foggy;	often	needs	coffee	as	a
stimulant	to	start	the	day
Sweet
The	anabolic	action	of	sweet	taste	stimulates	sperm	formation,
increasing	quantity	of	semen;	strong	desire	for	sex	and	procreation;
abnormal	function	may	cause	craving	for	sweets
Salty
Helps	digestion	and	growth,	gives	energy;	maintains	osmotic	condition;
abnormal	function	may	create	craving	for	salt,	water	retention
The	difficult	time	of	year	for	kapha	individuals	is	winter	and	early	spring,	when	the
weather	is	heavy,	wet,	cloudy,	and	cold.	Then	kapha	accumulates	in	the	system	and	leads	to
physical,	emotional,	and	mental	imbalances	of	the	kapha	variety.	Physical	problems	will

tend	to	be	related	to	the	water	principle,	such	as	colds,	flu,	sinus	congestion	and	other
diseases	involving	mucus,	such	as	bronchial	congestion.	Sluggishness,	excess	weight,
diabetes,	water	retention,	and	sinus	headaches	are	also	common.
Emotionally,	when	kapha	becomes	unbalanced,	these	individuals	may	suffer	from	greed,
attachment,	envy,	possessiveness,	lust,	and	laziness,	leading	to	kapha-type	depression.
Interestingly,	kapha	can	become	aggravated	as	the	moon	gets	full	because,	as	biologists
have	discovered,	there	is	a	tendency	toward	water	retention	in	the	body	at	that	time.
Kapha	women	may	suffer	from	PMS	symptoms	such	as	excessive	emotionality,	water
retention,	white	vaginal	discharge,	and	overurination.	They	may	feel	attachment,	greed,
and	lethargy	at	that	time	and	will	probably	have	a	tendency	toward	excess	sleep.
General	Guidelines	for	Balancing	Kapha
Get	plenty	of	exercise

Avoid	heavy	foods
Keep	active
Vary	your	routine
Avoid	dairy	foods
Avoid	iced	food	and	drinks
Avoid	fatty	or	oily	foods
Eat	light,	dry	food

Knowing	your	Ayurvedic	constitution	
(prakruti)
	has	many	benefits	for	your	life	and	health:
•	Self-understanding,	which	is	the	foundation	of	life,	is	greatly	increased.	Ayurveda	says
that	every	person	is	a	unique	and	divine	book.	To	read	that	book	is	a	great	art.	The
knowledge	of	
prakruti
	can	help	you	to	read	your	own	book,	which	is	your	life.	By
understanding	your	constitution,	you	can	better	understand	your	psychological	tendencies,
your	strengths,	and	your	weaknesses,	as	well	as	your	physiological	strong	and	weak	areas.
•	You	may	see	that	your	habits	and	tendencies,	such	as	erratic	lifestyle	and	schedule
(vata)
,	irascibility	
(pitta)
,	or	laziness	
(kapha)
,	or	physical	problems	such	as	overweight
(kapha)
,	ulcers	
(pitta)
,	or	constipation	
(vata)
,	are	directly	related	to	your	constitution.	The
tendency	toward	such	imbalances	is	inherent	in	the	way	your	mind-body	system	is	designed.

•	When	you	can	anticipate	the	kinds	of	illnesses	and	imbalances	you	are	likely	to	have,
you	can	take	precautions	to	prevent	them	from	arising.	You	can	adjust	your	lifestyle—daily
routine,	diet,	amount	or	type	of	exercise,	and	so	on—to	keep	your	doshas	in	balance	and
your	health	at	its	best.
•	You	can	also	use	the	knowledge	of	constitutional	types	to	understand	others	with	
whom
you	are	related,	whether	in	your	personal	life	or	at	work.	To	succeed	in	relationships,	which
is	such	a	confused	and	problematic	area	today,	it	is	helpful	to	know	the	constitution	of	your
husband	or	wife,	boyfriend	or	girlfriend.	Understanding	one	another	brings	clarity;	clarity
brings	compassion,	and	compassion	is	love.	Such	a	relationship	brings	happiness,	joy,	and
longevity.
Using	this	knowledge	of	
prakruti
,	if	your	spouse	is	upset	and	angry	you	can	say	to	him	or

prakruti
her,	“Honey,	it’s	not	you,	it’s	your	pitta!”	That	will	open	a	new	dimension	of	understanding
of	emotional	reactions	in	the	relationship.
Use	the	knowledge	of	your	
prakruti
	as	a	baseline,	to	see	where	you	should	be.	Then	look
at	your	
vikruti
,	your	current	imbalances,	as	a	clue	to	help	you	restore	balance,	using	the
food	charts,	yoga	postures,	herbs,	recommended	exercises,	and	the	like,	presented
throughout	this	book.
For	instance,	if	your	
vikruti
	shows	more	pitta	than	your	
prakruti
,	you	will	want	to	follow
the	guidelines	for	pacifying	pitta.	If	you	have	a	disorder	that	is	caused	by	excess	vata,	pitta,
or	kapha,	follow	the	guidelines	for	pacifying	that	dosha.	For	sinus	congestion,	for	example,
follow	a	kapha-reducing	diet	until	the	condition	subsides.
If	your	
prakruti
	and	
vikruti
	seem	about	the	same,	then	choose	the	diet	and	lifestyle
guidelines	for	your	strongest	dosha.

seem	about	the	same,	then	choose	the	diet	and	lifestyle
Finally,	remember	that	“balance”	does	not	mean	equal	amounts	of	vata,	pitta,	and
kapha;	rather,	it	means	maintaining	
your	proportion
	of	the	three	doshas,	according	to	your
constitution.	It	is	not	a	static	state,	but	a	dynamic	equilibrium	that	needs	constant	renewal.

W
Chapter	3
Why	We	Get	Sick
hat	is	health?	What	is	disease?	Are	sickness	and	health	just	a	matter	of	luck,	or	of
which	bacteria	you	happen	to	encounter	in	your	daily	life?	What	can	we	do	to
maintain	a	positive	state	of	health	and	avoid	getting	sick?
These	are	questions	that	the	five-thousand-year-old	tradition	of	Ayurvedic	medicine	has
considered	in	depth.	The	answers,	drawn	from	deep	insight	and	generations	of	practical
experience,	can	help	us	prevent	illness	from	developing	and	heal	it	if	it	arises.
Let’s	begin	by	examining	the	Ayurvedic	understanding	of	health.	Then	we	will	look	at	ten
potential	causes	of	illness	and	how	you	can	counteract	them.	Once	you	are	aware	of	the
factors	that	can	either	maintain	health	or	disturb	your	body’s	equilibrium	and	set	the	disease
process	in	motion,	you	can	organize	your	life	for	health	and	balance.	Finally,	we	will
consider	the	Ayurvedic	understanding	of	how	illness	develops,	from	its	earliest,	invisible
stages	until	it	is	fully	grown.

According	to	Ayurveda,	health	is	not	simply	the	absence	of	disease.	It	is	rather	a	state	of
balance	among	body,	mind,	and	consciousness.
Health	consists	of	a	balanced	state	of	the	three	humors	(doshas),	the	seven	tissues
(dhatus)
,	the	three	wastes	
(malas)
,	and	the	gastric	fire	(agni),	together	with	the
clarity	and	balance	of	the	senses,	mind,	and	spirit.
Although	you	will	not	need	to	master	all	these	terms	and	considerations	in	order	to
effectively	use	the	remedies	in	
Part	III
,	an	acquaintance	with	them	will	give	you	a	bigger
picture	of	the	depth	and	practicality	of	this	science.
You	are	already	familiar	with	the	three	doshas,	the	biological	humors	or	principles	that
govern	all	activity	in	the	body:	
vata,	the	energy	or	principle	of	movement;	pitta,	the	energy
of	digestion	and	metabolism;	and	kapha,	the	principle	of	lubrication	and	structure.	Balance
of	the	three	doshas	maintains	health;	imbalance	leads	to	disease.
The

The	
dhatus
	are	the	basic	bodily	tissues.	They	are	responsible	for	the	entire	structure	of	the
body	and	the	functioning	of	the	different	organs	and	systems.	Crucial	to	the	development
and	nourishment	of	the	body,	the	
dhatus
	unfold	successively	as	follows,	starting	with	the
nourishment	derived	from	the	product	of	digestion:
1
.	
Rasa
	(plasma	or	cytoplasm)	contains	nutrients	from	digested	food	and	subsequently
nourishes	all	tissues,	organs,	and	systems.
2
.	
Rakta
	(blood)	governs	oxygenation	in	all	tissues	and	vital	organs	and	thus	maintains

life-function.
3
.	
Mamsa
	(muscle)	covers	the	delicate	vital	organs,	performs	the	movements	of	the	joints,
and	maintains	the	physical	strength	of	the	body.
4
.	
Meda
	(fat)	maintains	the	lubrication	of	the	tissues	and	serves	as	insulating	material	to
protect	the	body’s	heat.
5
.	
Asthi
	(bone	and	cartilage)	gives	support	to	the	body’s	structure.
6
.	
Majja
	(bone	marrow	and	nerves)	fills	up	the	bony	spaces,	carries	motor	and	sensory
impulses,	and	facilitates	communication	among	the	body’s	cells	and	organs.
7
.	
Shukra
	and	
artava
	(male	and	female	reproductive	tissues)	contain	the	pure	essence	of	all
bodily	tissues	and	can	create	a	new	life.
Each	
dhatu
	is	dependent	on	the	previous	one.	If	the	raw	materials	of	digestion	are
inadequate,	or	if	there	is	a	problem	in	any	stage,	each	successive	
dhatu
	will	not	receive	the
nourishment	it	needs	and	the	respective	tissues	or	organ	systems	will	suffer.	So	for	good
health,	all	seven	
dhatus
	must	develop	and	function	properly.

dhatus
The	three	waste	products	
(malas)
	are	feces,	urine,	and	sweat.	The	body	must	be	able	to
produce	these	in	appropriate	amounts,	and	to	eliminate	them	through	their	respective
channels.
Agni	is	the	biological	fire	or	heat	energy	that	governs	metabolism.	It	can	be	equated	with
the	digestive	enzymes	and	metabolic	processes	involved	in	breaking	down,	digesting,
absorbing,	and	assimilating	our	food.	Agni	maintains	the	nutrition	of	the	tissues	and	the
strength	of	the	immune	system.	It	destroys	microorganisms,	foreign	bacteria,	and	toxins	in
the	stomach	and	intestines.	It	is	an	extremely	vital	factor	in	maintaining	good	health.
Agni	sustains	life	and	vitality.	An	individual	endowed	with	adequate	agni	lives	long	and
has	excellent	health.	But	when	agni	becomes	impaired	because	of	an	imbalance	in	the
doshas,	metabolism	is	adversely	affected.	The	body’s	resistance	and	immunity	are	impaired,

and	the	person	begins	to	feel	unwell.	When	this	vital	fire	is	extinguished,	death	soon
follows.
In	addition	to	these	bodily	factors,	the	senses,	mind,	and	spirit	also	play	a	vital	role	in
maintaining	good	health,	as	we	will	discuss	in	the	next	section.	When	all	these	factors	are
balanced,	it	produces	a	state	called	
swastha
,	which	means	“totally	happy	within	oneself.”
Agni
There	is	a	saying	in	Ayurveda	that	a	person	is	as	old	as	his	or	her	agni.	According	to
the	
Charaka	Samhita
,	one	of	the	great	classics	of	Ayurvedic	medicine:
“The	span	of	life,	health,	immunity,	energy,	metabolism,	complexion,	strength,
enthusiasm,	luster,	and	the	vital	breath	are	all	dependent	on	agni	(bodily	fire).	One
lives	a	long	healthy	life	if	it	is	functioning	properly,	becomes	sick	if	it	is	deranged,	or
dies	if	this	fire	is	extinguished.	Proper	nourishment	of	the	body,	
dhatus,	ojas
,	etc.,

,	etc.,
depends	upon	the	proper	functioning	of	agni	in	digestion.

“The	five	types	of	agni,	corresponding	to	ether,	air,	fire,	water,	and	earth,	digest	the
respective	components	of	the	food.…	In	this	way,	balanced	agni	cooks	the
appropriately	chosen	and	timely	consumed	food,	and	leads	to	promotion	of	health.…
“Agni	is	necessary	for	the	normal	process	of	digestion,	and	the	subtle	energy	of	
agni
transforms	the	lifeless	molecules	of	food,	water,	and	air	into	the	consciousness	of	the
cell.”
This	state	of	happiness	and	balance	can	be	created	and	sustained	by	maintaining	a
healthy	lifestyle	in	accordance	with	nature	and	the	requirements	of	your	own	constitution.
Proper	nutrition,	proper	exercise,	healthy	relationships,	positive	emotions,	and	a	regulated
daily	routine	all	contribute	to	a	healthy	life.	On	the	other	hand,	wrong	diet,	inadequate
exercise,	troubled	relationships,	negative	or	repressed	emotions,	and	an	erratic	schedule	are
at	the	root	of	disease.	These	causative	factors	upset	the	balance	of	the	doshas,	weaken	agni
and	the	
dhatus

and	the	
dhatus
,	and	lead	to	poor	health.
Illness	does	not	suddenly	appear.	There	is	a	direct	causal	link	between	the	factors	that
influence	us	and	the	effects	they	produce.	The	
cause	is	the	concealed	effect,	and	the	effect	is
the	 revealed	 cause
.	The	cause	is	like	a	seed,	in	which	the	as-yet-unmanifested	tree	is
concealed.	The	tree	is	the	expressed	value	of	the	seed.	Health	is	the	effect	of	a	healthy
lifestyle	and	healthy	habits;	disease	is	the	“tree”	sprouted	from	unhealthy	habits.
According	to	the	
,
Both	the	patient	and	the	patient’s	environment	need	to	be	examined	in	order	to
arrive	at	an	understanding	of	the	disease	and	the	causes	of	disease.	It	is	important
to	know	where	the	patient	was	born	and	raised,	and	the	time	of	onset	of	the
imbalance.	It	is	also	important	to	know	the	climate,	customs,	common	local
diseases,	diet,	habits,	likes	and	dislikes,	strength,	mental	condition,	etc.

This	enumeration	opens	the	door	to	the	wide	variety	of	factors	constantly	influencing	our
health.	Let	us	consider	some	of	them.
LIKE	INCREASES	LIKE
The	first	important	principle	in	considering	the	potential	causes	of	disease	is	“Like	increases
like.”	A	dosha	is	increased	by	experiences	and	influences	(such	as	food,	weather,	and
seasons)	with	qualities	similar	to	it.	Dry	foods,	dry	fruit,	running,	jogging,	jumping,	always
being	in	a	rush,	and	working	too	hard	are	all	factors	that	aggravate	vata	in	the	system.
Pittagenic	factors,	such	as	hot	spicy	food,	citrus	fruit,	fermented	food,	and	hot	humid
weather,	provoke	excess	pitta.	Cold,	cloudy,	damp	weather,	eating	dairy	products,	wheat,

and	meat,	and	sitting	and	doing	nothing	increase	kapha.
The	antidote	to	“like	increases	like”	is	“opposite	qualities	decrease	or	balance.”	This	is	the
key	to	healing.
NOTE
:	In	general,	one’s	
prakruti
	indicates	one’s	disease	proneness.	Individuals	of	pitta
constitution,	for	example,	tend	to	have	pitta	diseases.	But	this	is	not	inevitable.	A
person	of	vata	constitution	who	eats	a	lot	of	hot	spicy	food,	drinks	alcohol,	lies	in
the	sun,	smokes	cigarettes,	and	represses	anger	will	definitely	get	a	pitta	disease.	If
he	or	she	eats	candy,	cookies,	ice	cream,	and	other	dairy	products	and	is	exposed	to
cold	weather,	there	will	be	a	susceptibility	to	congestive	kapha	disorders.
FOOD	AND	DIET
We	have	already	touched	on	the	effects	of	food	on	the	doshas,	and	
chapter	8
	will	discuss	this
important	topic	in	depth,	so	we	won’t	go	into	it	at	length	here.	The	principle	is	simply	that
eating	the	right	kinds	of	food	for	your	
prakruti
	maintains	vitality	and	balance,	while	eating

prakruti
the	wrong	kinds	creates	imbalance	in	the	doshas,	the	first	step	in	the	genesis	of	disease.
Eating	spicy	food	or	sour	or	citrus	fruit	and	drinking	alcohol	all	increase	heat	and	acidity
in	the	body,	something	a	pitta	person	cannot	afford.	For	a	vata	individual,	dried	fruits,
beans	(including	garbanzo,	pinto,	and	aduki)	are	hard	to	digest	and	will	provoke	vata.	Raw
salads,	which	are	cold	and	astringent,	will	likewise	increase	vata.	For	a	kapha	individual,
dairy	products,	cold	drinks,	and	fatty	fried	foods	definitely	add	to	kapha.	So	a	vata	person
eating	a	vatagenic	diet,	a	pitta	person	eating	a	pitta-provoking	diet,	and	a	kapha	person
eating	kapha-aggravating	food	are	definitely	creating	imbalance	and	sowing	the	seeds	for
ill	health.
Wrong	food	combinations	(see	table	
this	page
),	stale	food,	food	with	chemical	additives,

this	page
and	wrong	eating	habits,	such	as	eating	too	much	late	at	night	or	eating	in	a	rush,	also
contribute	to	imbalance	and	lead	to	poor	digestion	and	poor	health.	Diet	is	thus	one	of	the
main	potential	causes	of	ill	health—but	by	understanding	these	principles	and	eating
according	to	the	guidelines	for	our	constitutional	type,	it	is	also	one	of	the	major	ways	we
can	take	control	of	our	lives	and	maintain	healthy	balance.
SEASONS
Ayurveda	classifies	the	seasons	according	to	their	predominant	dosha.	The	windy,	cool,	dry
weather	of	autumn	is	largely	vata,	followed	
by	the	dark,	heavy,	damp,	cloudy	kapha
qualities	of	winter.	Early	spring	is	still	primarily	kapha,	but	as	late	spring	arrives,	the
increased	warmth,	light,	and	brightness	express	pitta	qualities,	which	blossom	in	their	full
intensity	in	the	summer.
Each	of	these	seasons	brings	its	own	challenges	to	health.	The	predominant	dosha	of	the

season	will	tend	to	build	up	at	that	time	and	can	cause	aggravation	especially	in	someone
of	the	same	
prakruti
.	If	we	act	intelligently,	we	can	avoid	this	accumulation	and
aggravation.
For	example,	because	autumn	and	early	winter	tend	to	increase	vata,	individuals	with	a

vata-predominant	constitution	need	to	eat	warm	foods,	dress	warmly,	avoid	cold	food	and
drinks,	and	stay	out	of	nasty	weather.	Otherwise	they	will	fall	prey	to	vata	illnesses	and
discomforts,	such	as	constipation,	insomnia,	and	lower	back	pain.	If	pitta	individuals	want
to	remain	free	of	anger,	as	well	as	hives,	rash,	and	diarrhea,	they	need	to	keep	cool	in	the
summer,	avoiding	spicy	foods,	overexertion,	and	overexposure	to	the	hot	sun.	Kaphas	need
care	in	the	heart	of	winter	and	early	spring	if	they	are	going	to	avoid	colds,	coughs,
allergies,	and	sinus	congestion	in	the	damp,	cool,	heavy	weather.
We	will	look	further	at	the	seasons,	their	effects,	and	how	we	can	best	live	in	harmony
with	their	rhythms	and	changes	in	
chapter	5
,	where	we	discuss	the	ideal	Ayurvedic	lifestyle,
including	daily	and	seasonal	routines.
EXERCISE
Exercise	is	another	factor	that	can	profoundly	influence	your	health	for	better	or	worse.

EXERCISE
Regular	exercise	improves	circulation	and	increases	strength,	stamina,	and	immunity.	It
helps	one	to	relax	and	to	sleep	peacefully.	It	benefits	the	heart	and	lungs,	is	vital	for
effective	digestion	and	elimination,	and	helps	the	body	purify	itself	of	toxins	through
sweating	and	deep	breathing.	Exercise	increases	the	rate	of	combustion	of	calories,	so	it	is
good	for	maintaining	body	weight	and	for	weight	loss.	It	also	makes	the	mind	alert	and
sharp	and	develops	keen	perception.
On	the	other	hand,	insufficient	exercise,	overexertion,	or	exercise	that	is	inappropriate	for
one’s	constitution	can	lead	to	ill	health.
Lack	of	exercise	eventually	brings	a	loss	of	flexibility	and	strength	and	puts	one	at	greater
risk	for	many	diseases,	such	as	diabetes,	hypertension,	osteoporosis,	and	heart	disease.
Some	amount	of	sweating	helps	to	eliminate	toxins,	reduces	fat,	and	makes	you	feel	good.

But	overexertion	may	cause	dehydration,	breathlessness,	chest	pain,	or	muscle	aches,
ultimately	leading	to	arthritis,	sciatica,	or	a	heart	condition.
Yoga	stretching	and	some	aerobic	exercise	are	valuable	for	all	body	types,	but	the	amount
and	intensity	of	your	exercise	should	be	based	upon	your	constitution.	Kaphas	can	do	the
most	strenuous	exercise,	pittas	can	handle	a	moderate	amount,	and	vatas	require	the
gentlest	exercise.	Even	though	fast-moving	vatas	are	attracted	to	active	sports,	quieter
exercises	such	as	walking	and	yoga	stretching	are	better	for	them.	They	should	leave
jogging,	fast	bicycling,	aerobic	dancing,	and	fast	walking	to	pitta	and	kapha	
types.	Kaphas
are	the	most	reluctant	exercisers,	preferring	to	do	little	or	nothing,	but	it	is	important	for
them,	or	they	will	tend	to	put	on	weight	and	feel	emotionally	heavy	and	dull.

So	here	again,	self-knowledge—knowledge	of	your	constitution—plus	a	few	pieces	of
vital	information	give	you	the	opportunity	and	the	challenge	to	maintain	good	health	or
fall	into	imbalance	and	illness.
You	will	find	additional	information	about	exercise	in	
Part	II
,	where	we	discuss	the
Ayurvedic	daily	routine.
AGE

As	briefly	mentioned	in	
chapter	1
,	Ayurveda	divides	the	human	life	span	into	three	stages.
At	each	stage,	certain	diseases	and	types	of	disease	are	more	common.	Childhood	is	the	age
of	kapha.	Children’s	bodies	are	growing	and	building	up	their	structure,	so	kapha	dosha	is
more	predominant.	Their	bodies	are	soft	and	gentle	(qualities	of	kapha),	they	require	more
sleep	than	adults,	and	they	are	susceptible	to	kapha	illnesses	such	as	colds	and	congestion.
Adulthood	exhibits	more	characteristics	of	pitta.	Adults	are	more	competitive,	aggressive,
and	ambitious	than	children;	they	work	hard,	they	require	less	sleep,	and	they	fall	prey	to
pitta-type	disorders	such	as	gastritis,	colitis,	and	peptic	ulcers.
Old	age	is	the	age	of	vata.	Elderly	people	sleep	quite	a	bit	less,	and	their	sleep	is	broken.
They	tend	to	get	constipation,	cracking	and	popping	of	joints,	degenerative	diseases	such	as
rheumatoid	arthritis	and	Alzheimer’s	disease,	and	suffer	from	forgetfulness,	all	characteristic

of	vata	dosha.
This	shows	that	our	age	and	stage	of	life	are	factors	that	have	to	be	considered	in	the
choices	we	make	to	keep	our	doshas	in	balance	and	remain	healthy.	Elderly	people,	for
example,	should	not	engage	in	strenuous	exercise,	and	if	possible	they	should	minimize
travel,	among	many	factors	that	increase	vata.	They	should	favor	a	vata-balancing	diet,
with	more	warm,	moist	foods,	more	oil,	and	less	salad	and	dried	fruit.
MENTAL	AND	EMOTIONAL	FACTORS
Our	life	is	a	whole,	consisting	of	body,	mind,	and	pure	consciousness.	Both	health	and
disease	have	psychological	as	well	as	physical	origins.	Illness	may	begin	in	the	mind	and
emotions	and	then	affect	the	body;	mental	imbalance	creates	physical	imbalance.	Equally,
physical	disorders	and	imbalances	can	generate	mental	disorders.	Because	of	this,	mind	and
body	are	never	considered	separately	in	Ayurveda.

Every	perception,	thought,	feeling,	and	emotion,	whether	positive	or	negative,	is	a
biochemical	event	that	influences	the	doshas	and	affects	the	cells,	tissues,	and	organs	of	the
body.	Fear,	anger,	grief,	hatred,	envy,	possessiveness,	and	other	negative	emotions	disturb
our	doshic	balance;	likewise,	when	the	doshas	are	already	out	of	balance,	they	may	give	rise
to	these	same	negative	emotions.
•	Increased	vata	is	associated	with	anxiety,	insecurity,	fear,	nervousness,	restlessness,
confusion,	grief,	and	sadness.
•	
Increased	pitta
	is	associated	with	anger,	envy,	hate,	ambition,	competitiveness,	criticism,
judgmental	attitude,	sharp	speech,	perfectionism,	and	the	need	to	be	in	control.
•	
Increased	kapha
	is	associated	with	greed,	attachment,	possessiveness,	boredom,	laziness,
and	lethargy.
Emotions	have	an	affinity	with	certain	organs:	grief	and	sadness	with	the	lungs,	anger

with	the	liver,	and	hatred	with	the	gall	bladder.	The	kidneys	may	become	the	seat	of	fear,
and	the	heart	(as	well	as	the	lungs)	the	abode	of	grief	and	sadness.	Nervousness	is
associated	with	the	colon,	while	the	stomach	is	the	home	of	agitation	and	temptation,	and
the	spleen	may	be	related	to	attachment.
As	we	have	discussed,	emotions	have	a	physical	as	well	as	a	psychological	aspect.

Emotions	are	reactions	to	situations.	If	we	do	not	understand	and	maintain	clear	awareness
of	the	total	movement	of	an	emotion,	from	its	arising	to	its	dissolution,	it	will	tend	to
adversely	affect	a	particular	organ,	causing	stress	and	weakness	and	creating	what	is
known	as	a	“defective	space”	(
khavaigunya
),	where	a	future	disease	may	manifest.	(See	
this
page
,	“How	Disease	Develops.”)
STRESS
Modern	medicine	often	views	stress	as	the	result	of	a	particular	lifestyle,	or	of	overwork,
emotional	trauma,	and	so	on.	Ayurveda	considers	stress	less	as	a	result	or	condition	than	as
a	causal	factor	in	disease.	A	regular	daily	routine,	nourishing	diet,	positive	emotions,	and
loving	relationships	result	in	strength	and	health.	But	keeping	late	hours,	eating	food	that	is
aggravating	to	one’s	constitution,	traveling	a	lot,	using	the	mind	or	stimulating	the	senses
too	much,	repressing	negative	emotions	such	as	anger	or	fear,	and	maintaining	problematic

relationships	all	put	stress	on	the	body	and	mind.	In	addition,	toxins	in	food,	water,	air
pollution,	excessive	noise,	and	many	other	environmental	factors	are	also	stressful.
Stress	is	a	major	factor	in	many	diseases.	It	may	trigger	allergies,	asthma,	and	herpes,
and	it	may	even	lead	to	heart	conditions.
Stress	disturbs	the	doshas	and	can	create	disequilibrium	of	vata,	pitta,	or	kapha,
depending	on	the	individual’s	constitution.	Vata	individuals	may	develop	vata	conditions
such	as	anxiety	or	fearfulness.	Pitta	individuals	may	react	to	stress	in	the	form	of	anger,	or
they	may	suffer	from	hypertension,	peptic	ulcer,	ulcerative	colitis,	and	other	pitta	disorders.
Kapha	individuals	under	stress	tend	to	eat	and	eat	and	eat.
In	
Part	III
	you	will	find	many	suggestions	to	minimize	the	impact	of	stress	on	your	life,
and	to	relieve	symptoms	caused	by	stress	if	they	develop.

OVERUSE,	UNDERUSE,	AND	WRONG	USE	OF	THE	SENSES
Our	senses	give	us	great	pleasure	as	well	as	vital	information.	Through	ordinary	experience
our	senses	of	taste,	touch,	smell,	sight,	and	hearing	can	nourish	us,	and	we	can	also	find
healing	through	sense	therapies	such	as	aromatherapy,	color	therapy,	mantras	and	other
healing	sounds,	massage,	and	the	tastes	in	herbs	and	foods.
But	because	all	our	perceptions,	as	well	as	
our	thoughts	and	feelings,	are	biochemical
events	as	well	as	experiences	in	consciousness,	improper	use	of	the	senses	can	create
imbalance	or	damage	in	the	body	and	result	in	illness.
Overuse
	of	the	senses	strains	and	stresses	our	nervous	system.	To	use	a	simple	example,
repeated	exposure	to	bright	light	hurts	the	retina	and	strains	the	optic	nerve,	which	triggers
pitta,	and	sooner	or	later	a	person’s	eyesight	will	be	affected	or	neuritis-like	symptoms	will

arise.	If	we	listen	to	loud	music	or	hear	loud	sounds,	the	eardrum	and	the	rest	of	our	hearing
apparatus	are	hurt	and	weakened;	if	it	occurs	often,	the	person	can	become	deaf.	Loud
sounds	also	affect	systemic	vata	dosha,	giving	rise	to	vata	symptoms	such	as	arthritis	or
degenerative	changes	in	the	bones.	Lying	in	the	sun	strains	the	sense	of	touch,	aggravates
pitta,	and	may	lead	to	skin	cancer.

Misuse
	of	the	senses	means	using	them	in	a	wrong	way,	such	as	trying	to	read	very	small
letters,	or	looking	through	a	microscope	or	telescope	(which	creates	a	strain	on	the	eyes),	or
reading	while	lying	down	(which	changes	the	angle	of	focus	and	builds	up	stress	on	the
muscles	of	the	eyeball),	which	will	eventually	result	in	pitta	or	vata	disorders.	Eating	a
large	quantity	of	wrong	food,	such	as	hot,	spicy,	stimulating	food	containing	cayenne
pepper,	is	a	misuse	of	the	taste	organ.	Listening	to	loud	sounds	over	the	telephone,	and
long	phone	conversations,	both	aggravate	vata.	Exposing	the	senses	to	wrong	inputs,	such
as	watching	violent	movies	on	television,	is	also	a	misuse	of	the	senses.
Underuse
	of	the	senses	means	not	perceiving	with	total	attention,	ignoring	what	we
perceive,	or	not	making	full	use	of	our	wonderful	sensory	equipment.	This	can	lead,	for
example,	to	accidents.	SAD	(seasonal	affective	disorder)	is	a	form	of	depression	that	affects

people	who	don’t	get	enough	sunlight	during	the	winter—a	kind	of	underuse	of	the	sense	of
sight.	“Cabin	fever,”	the	discomfort	and	restlessness	born	of	staying	indoors	for	a	long	time,
is	at	least	partly	the	result	of	sensory	deprivation.	Prolonged	fasting—underuse	of	the	sense
of	taste—aggravates	vata.
“KNOWING	BETTER”
Very	often	we	get	sick	because	we	disregard	our	own	knowledge	or	wisdom.	Understanding
our	
prakruti
,	our	psychobiological	constitution,	is	self-knowledge;	understanding	how	certain
foods,	for	instance,	can	disturb	the	balance	of	our	mind-body	system	and	lead	to	illness,
while	other	food	is	balancing	and	strengthening	for	us,	is	knowledge	we	can	use	to	remain
healthy.	And	yet	often	we	follow	the	impulses	of	the	moment	and	choose	foods	that	will
cause	us	problems.
If	a	person	who	knows	that	her	constitution	is	largely	pitta	decides	to	eat	hot	spicy	food

for	lunch	and	then	spends	the	rest	of	the	summer	afternoon	working	in	the	garden,	she	is
disregarding	her	intelligence	and	understanding	and	asking	for	trouble.
As	individuals,	we	are	all	part	of	the	Cosmic	Consciousness,	the	universal	intelligence	that
so	beautifully	organizes	all	of	nature.	That	intelligence	is	within	us,	and	by	following	the
time-tested	principles	of	Ayurveda	and	paying	attention	to	our	own	intuition	and	inner
wisdom	about	what	is	
right	for	us,	we	can	regulate	our	lives	in	harmony	with	it.
RELATIONSHIPS
Our	life	is	relationship.	We	are	related	to	the	earth,	the	moon,	the	sun,	the	air	we	breathe,
the	water	we	drink,	the	food	we	eat.	You	are	related	to	your	friends,	your	parents	and
children,	your	spouse,	and	your	co-workers,	as	well	as	to	your	own	body,	your	thoughts	and
feelings,	your	job,	and	your	bank	account.	In	our	daily	life,	relationships	are	most
important.

Often	we	use	our	personal	relationships	as	a	sort	of	power	game,	to	control	others.	Then
relationships	become	a	battlefield	rather	than	a	field	of	love.	When	a	negative	emotion
comes	up	in	a	relationship,	such	as	resentment	of	a	past	hurt	or	insult,	anger,	fear,	anxiety,
or	criticism,	pay	attention	to	the	feeling.	Don’t	judge	the	other	person	or	yourself.	When

your	spouse	says	something	and	you	feel	hurt	or	angry,	look	inside	to	see	what	your
thoughts	and	feelings	are	saying	to	you.	Be	honest.	Out	of	honesty,	clarity	comes.
When	clarity	is	lacking,	feelings	are	repressed,	or	communication	is	absent	at	times	of
crisis	in	our	relationships,	stress	builds	up,	and	this	is	one	of	the	causes	of	illness.	Stress
disrupts	our	inner	biochemistry,	the	doshas	are	thrown	out	of	balance,	and	the	seeds	of
disease	are	sown.
Husband	and	wife,	brother	and	sister,	parent	and	child—all	our	relationships	must	be
absolutely	clear.	Clarity	in	relationships	develops	compassion,	and	compassion	is	love.
Therefore	love	is	clarity.	And	as	we	all	know,	love	is	the	key	to	successful	relationships.
If	you	look	back	over	the	ten	factors	presented	in	this	section,	you	will	see	that	you	have
a	great	deal	of	choice	and	control	over	whether	they	will	create	a	potentially	disease-
producing	imbalance	in	the	doshas.	This	is	true	even	of	such	apparently	uncontrollable

factors	as	the	seasons	and	the	weather:	if	it	is	cold,	you	can	dress	warmly;	if	it	is	hot,	you
can	take	it	easy	and	stay	out	of	the	sun.
According	to	Ayurveda,	illness	is	the	end	result	of	a	long	process	that	can	be	detected	and
addressed	at	any	stage.	This	process	has	been	thoroughly	studied	and	its	phases	delineated
in	great	detail.
The	disease	process	begins	with	disturbances	in	the	balance	of	the	doshas.	Temporary
imbalances	are	common	and	quite	normal;	problems	arise	if	the	aggravated	condition	is	not
corrected.	In	the	normal	course	of	events,	vata,	pitta,	and	kapha	go	through	cycles	of
change	in	three	stages:	accumulation,	provocation	or	aggravation,	and	pacification.	Pitta,
for	example,	begins	to	build	up	and	accumulate	in	the	late	spring.	It	is	provoked	or
aggravated	in	the	hot	summer	months,	and	it	naturally	becomes	pacified	when	the	weather
cools	down	in	the	autumn.

If	the	increased	dosha	isn’t	pacified	naturally	through	a	change	in	seasons,	it	undergoes
further	changes	and	disease	may	result.	If	a	person	with	a	predominantly	vata	constitution
experiences	some	degree	of	increased	vata	in	the	fall	due	to	the	cool,	dry,	windy	weather,
but	it	returns	to	normal	soon	after,	disease	will	not	develop.	The	person	can	aid	the	process
of	restoring	balance,	for	example,	by	eating	moist,	warming	foods	and	dressing	warmly	in
the	windy	weather.
How	to	Transform	Negative	Feelings
Negative	feelings	can	cause	hurt	both	to	ourselves	and	to	others.	If	we	express	anger	or
criticism,	for	example,	we	inflict	pain	on	someone	else.	On	the	other	hand,	repressing
such	feelings	creates	problems	for	ourselves,	as	the	stressful	biochemistry	affects	the
internal	organs	and	systems	down	to	the	cellular	level.
If	both	expressing	and	holding	back	negative	feelings	can	be	harmful,	what	shall	we

do	when	these	emotions	boil	up	in	us?	Ayurveda	offers	a	way	to	learn	from	such
situations	and	resolve	them	in	a	positive	manner.
At	the	moment	the	feeling	comes	up,	look	into	it.	Let’s	suppose	it	is	a	feeling	of
anger.	Take	a	long,	deep	breath,	let	yourself	feel	the	anger,	and	exhale	it	out.	Give	the
feeling	total	freedom	to	express	itself	
within	you
,	so	that	you	look	at	it	honestly	and	feel
it.	Breathe	into	it,	surrender	to	it,	and	be	with	it.	Breathe	into	it,	and	breathe	out.	Soon
it	will	dissolve	by	itself.
You	have	to	be	aware	not	only	of	the	external	thing—what	your	spouse	or	friend	is
saying—but	at	the	same	time	you	have	to	bring	awareness	to	your	inner	self.	When
awareness	goes	both	ways,	outer	and	inner,	understanding	is	total.	This	approach
doesn’t	put	a	scar	on	the	mind.
Look	at	the	feeling—any	feeling	or	emotion—without	labeling	it	or	naming	it.	Then
the	observer	and	the	observed	become	one.	Observe	with	total	awareness,	with	no

division	between	subject	and	object,	no	separation	between	yourself	and	the	feeling.
Give	freedom	to	the	feeling;	let	it	flower;	let	it	fade	away.
If	the	condition	of	aggravated	vata	continues,	vata	will	move	into	the	general	circulation
and	into	the	deep	connective	tissue,	where	it	will	generate	pathological	changes.	Disease
will	develop.	Imbalance	is	disorder,	and	disorder	is	disease.
Disease	is	like	a	child.	It	has	its	own	creation	within	the	womb	of	the	body,	according	to	a
process	known	as	
samprapti
	or	pathogenesis,	literally	“the	birth	of	pain.”	In	brief,	this	is
how	it	happens:
1.	ACCUMULATION
Due	to	various	causes,	such	as	diet,	weather,	seasons,	emotions,	and	others	we	have
discussed,	the	doshas	begin	to	accumulate	in	their	respective	sites:	vata	in	the	colon,	pitta	in
the	intestines,	and	kapha	in	the	stomach.	This	is	the	easiest	stage	at	which	to	treat	any

incipient	health	problem.	A	trained	Ayurvedic	physician	can	feel	the	imbalance	
in	your
pulse	even	at	this	stage,	and	you	may	be	able	to	detect	it	yourself.
Vata	accumulation	may	be	experienced	as	constipation,	abdominal	distension,	or	gases	in
the	colon.	Pitta	buildup	may	be	felt	as	heat	around	the	belly	button	area	and	can	be
observed	as	a	slightly	yellowish	discoloration	in	the	whites	of	the	eyes,	or	dark	yellow-
colored	urine.	The	person	will	be	very	hungry	and	will	crave	candy	and	sugar.	Accumulated
kapha	leads	to	feelings	of	heaviness,	lethargy,	and	loss	of	appetite.
At	this	stage	the	individual	is	still	quite	healthy,	and	when	a	dosha	starts	to	build	up,	the
body’s	intelligence	creates	an	aversion	to	the	causal	factor	and	a	craving	for	opposite
qualities,	which	can	restore	balance.	For	example,	if	you’ve	eaten	ice	cream	three	days	in	a

row	and	kapha	is	building	up,	the	thought	of	more	ice	cream	will	not	be	appealing;	rather,
your	body	will	crave	cayenne	pepper	or	other	spicy	food	to	burn	up	the	kapha	and
counteract	it.	One	should	listen	to	this	wisdom	and	not	continue	increasing	the	cause.

2.	AGGRAVATION
The	accumulated	dosha	continues	to	build	up	in	its	own	site.	The	stomach	gets	brimmed	up
with	kapha,	the	intestines	fill	with	pitta,	or	the	colon	overflows	with	vata.	These
accumulated	doshas	then	try	to	move	from	their	sites.	Kapha	tries	to	go	up	into	the	lungs,
pitta	tries	to	move	into	the	stomach	and	gallbladder,	and	vata	tries	to	move	into	the	flanks.
You	can	feel	this	stage,	too.	For	example,	if	you	eat	too	much	kapha	food	on	Saturday
night,	you	might	feel	full	when	you	wake	up	on	Sunday	and	think	to	yourself,	“Maybe	I
should	fast	or	eat	very	lightly	today.”	But	then	someone	invites	you	out	for	Sunday	brunch,
and	you	eat	heavily	again.	The	next	day	you	might	get	a	cough	or	a	feeling	of	congestion	in
the	lungs	as	the	kapha	starts	to	move	upward.	Excess	pitta	in	the	second	stage	may	cause
heartburn	or	acid	indigestion,	even	nausea.	Vata	rising	up	may	cause	pain	in	the	flanks	or
midback,	or	even	breathlessness.

According	to	Ayurvedic	therapeutics,	the	disease	process	can	be	addressed	at	any	stage,
but	specific	treatments	are	needed	for	specific	stages.	In	these	first	two	stages,	one	can
reverse	the	process	by	oneself,	using	common	sense	to	apply	the	principle	of	opposite
qualities,	and	taking	some	home	remedies.	Once	the	disease	process	has	gone	beyond	the
gastrointestinal	tract	and	entered	the	third	phase,	it	is	no	longer	under	one’s	own	control,
and	trained	medical	help	is	needed.	(See	
sidebar
	on	ama.)
3.	SPREAD
The	dosha	begins	to	spread	from	its	place	of	origin,	overflowing	into	the	bloodstream	and
the	general	circulation	of	the	body,	“looking”	for	a	place	to	enter.	Here	the	disease	process
has	progressed	to	the	point	where	eliminating	the	causal	factor	will	not	be	enough.	A
panchakarma
	purification	program	(or	a	similar	cleansing	regimen)	is	needed	in	order	to
return	the	doshas	to	their	respective	sites	in	the	gastrointestinal	tract	so	they	can	be

excreted	from	the	body.
Ama,	Agni,	and	the	Disease	Process
The	body’s	biological	fire,	which	governs	the	transformation	of	matter	into	energy,	is
of	thirteen	major	types.	The	central	fire,	called	
jatharagni
,	governs	the	digestion	and
assimilation	of	food.	The	other	agnis	(the	fire	component	in	the	cells,	tissues,	and
organs)	perform	the	local	process	of	digestion	and	nutrition.	When	agni	is	robust	and
healthy,	then	whatever	a	person	eats,	the	system	digests,	assimilates,	and	absorbs	it,
then	eliminates	the	impurities.	But	when	the	doshas	are	aggravated	because	of	poor
diet,	an	unhealthy	lifestyle,	or	negative	emotions,	they	first	affect	agni,	which	becomes
unbalanced.	When	agni	becomes	weakened	or	disturbed,	food	is	not	properly	digested.
The	undigested,	unabsorbed	food	particles	accumulate	in	the	gastrointestinal	tract

and	other	subtle	sites	in	the	body	and	turn	into	a	toxic,	sticky,	foul-smelling	substance

called	
ama
.	(Ama	may	also	be	formed	by	bacterial	invasion	and	cellular	metabolic
waste.)	In	the	third	(“spread”)	stage	of	the	disease	process,	ama	overflows	from	its	site
of	origin	to	other	bodily	channels	such	as	the	blood	vessels,	capillaries,	and	lymphatics,
and	clogs	the	channels	and	the	cell	membranes.
When	these	molecules	of	ama	clog	the	channels,	the	cellular	intelligence	(
prana
)
which	is	constantly	flowing	between	the	cells	gets	blocked,	and	some	cells	become
isolated.	An	isolated	cell	is	a	lonely	cell,	and	a	lonely	cell	is	a	confused	cell.
Pathological	changes	begin	to	occur.	But	the	root	cause	of	cytopathological	changes	is
the	movement	of	these	molecules	of	ama.	So	the	ama	has	to	be	eliminated	from	the
body	by	
	or	other	means.	(See	“
”
in	
chapter	4
.)
4.	DEPOSITION	OR	INFILTRATION
The	aggravated	dosha	enters	an	organ,	tissue,	or	system	that	is	weak	or	defective,	due	to

previous	trauma,	genetic	predisposition,	accumulated	emotional	stress,	repressed	emotions,
or	other	factors.	These	weak	areas	in	the	body	can	be	described	as	negative	locations,	like
potholes	in	the	road.	Smoking	cigarettes,	for	example,	creates	weakness	in	the	lungs;	eating
too	much	sugar	creates	weakness	in	the	pancreas	and	blood	tissue,	and	so	on.
The	newly	arrived,	aggravated	humor	(dosha)	creates	confusion	within	the	cellular
intelligence	of	the	weaker	tissue	and	overwhelms	it,	changing	its	normal	qualities	and
functions.	The	quality	of	the	aggravated	dosha	suppresses	the	normal	qualities	of	the	tissue
and	combines	with	it,	creating	an	
altered	state,	changed	in	structure	and	function.	In	this
way,	the	“seeds”	of	disease	begin	to	sprout.
Up	to	this	point,	the	disease	has	not	appeared	on	the	surface,	but	it	can	be	detected	by	a

skilled	physician	or	recognized	by	imbalances	in	the	doshas	such	as	those	mentioned	above.
An	alert	person	can	feel	subtle	changes	in	the	body.	If	the	condition	is	not	interrupted	at
this	stage,	it	will	erupt	as	a	full-blown	disease.
5.	MANIFESTATION
In	this	stage,	qualitative	changes	become	apparent.	The	signs	and	symptoms	of	an	actual
disease	appear	on	the	surface;	the	person	becomes	sick.	Whether	in	the	lungs,	kidneys,	liver,
joints,	heart,	brain,	or	wherever,	the	seeds	of	disease	now	sprout	and	begin	to	manifest	in
the	area	of	the	defective	tissue.
6.	CELLULAR	DEFORMITY	LEADING	TO	STRUCTURAL	DISTORTION
Now	the	pathological	process	is	fully	developed	and	the	disease	completely	manifested.
Structural	changes	appear,	and	complications	of	other	organs,	tissues,	or	systems	become
evident.	This	is	also	the	stage	it	which	the	disease,	now	fully	developed,	is	therefore	most

difficult	to	treat.
In	the	fifth	stage,	for	example,	when	aggravated	pitta	dosha	is	invading	the	wall	of	the
stomach,	it	may	manifest	as	an	ulcer.	But	in	the	sixth	stage,	the	pitta	will	perforate	the	ulcer
and	cause	hemorrhaging,	or	it	may	provoke	a	tumor.	Function	begins	to	be	disturbed	in	the
fifth	stage,	but	here	the	structure	of	the	tissue	is	affected,	as	well	as	the	surrounding	tissues
and	systems.
Obviously,	treatment—restoration	of	balance	and	normal	functioning—is	far	easier	at
earlier	stages.	That	is	why	prevention	is	emphasized	so	strongly	in	Ayurveda.	It	is	much
more	effective	to	treat	the	illness	in	its	seed	stage,	before	it	sprouts	and	grows.
Both	health	and	disease	are	processes.	Disease	is	a	process	of	abnormal	movement	of	the
doshas,	while	health	is	a	process	of	their	normal	functioning.	The	wise	person	understands
that	the	normal	rhythm	and	quality	of	the	process	can	be	reestablished	by	changing	diet	and

lifestyle	and	avoiding	the	etiological	factors	that	cause	disease.
The	key	is	awareness.	The	more	you	are	alert	to	how	your	mind,	body,	and	emotions	are
reacting	to	changing	circumstances;	the	more	you	are	aware	of	your	constitution	and	the
moment-to-moment	choices	you	can	make	to	maintain	health,	the	less	opportunity	you
create	for	becoming	sick.
SAMPRAPTI	(PATHOGENESIS):	THE	SIX	STAGES	OF	THE	DISEASE	PROCESS

T
Chapter	4
How	We	Can	Stay	Healthy
he	goal	of	Ayurveda	is	to	maintain	the	health	of	a	healthy	person	and	heal	the	illness
of	a	sick	person.	
Part	III
	of	this	book	contains	hundreds	of	suggestions	to	help	you	if
you	have	fallen	ill.	But	staying	well	is	far	easier	than	curing	an	illness,	especially	once	an
imbalance	has	progressed	through	the	later	stages	of	the	disease	process.	That	is	why
prevention	is	so	strongly	emphasized	in	Ayurvedic	medicine.	In	this	chapter	we	will
consider	some	of	the	fundamental	principles	and	approaches	recommended	by	Ayurveda	for
remaining	healthy.
Awareness
The	master	key	to	remaining	healthy	is	
awareness
.	If	you	know	your	constitution,	and	you
can	remain	alert	to	how	your	mind,	body,	and	emotions	respond	to	the	changing	conditions
in	your	environment	and	the	numerous	facets	of	your	daily	life,	such	as	the	food	you	eat,
you	can	make	informed	choices	to	maintain	good	health.
As	we	saw	in	
chapter	3

As	we	saw	in	
chapter	3
,	the	cause	is	the	concealed	effect	and	the	effect	is	the	revealed
cause,	as	the	seed	contains	the	potential	tree	and	the	tree	reveals	the	potency	of	the	seed.
To	treat	the	cause	is	to	treat	the	effect,	to	prevent	it	from	coming	to	fruition.	If	a	kapha
person	always	has	kapha	problems	in	the	spring	season,	such	as	hay	fever,	colds,
congestion,	sinus	headaches,	and	weight	gain,	such	a	person	should	watch	his	diet	and
eliminate	kapha-producing	food	like	wheat,	watermelon,	cucumber,	yogurt,	cheese,	candy,
ice	cream,	and	cold	drinks.	(Ice	is	not	good	for	a	kapha	person;	it	will	produce	congestive
disorders.)
The	knowledge	of	the	causes	of	disease,	and	the	understanding	that	“like	increases	like”
and	“opposites	balance,”	give	us	all	the	information	we	need	to	maintain	or	restore	
our
health,	simply	through	conscious	attention,	moment-to-moment	awareness	of	our	behavior.

our
If	I	am	living	consciously,	I	may	observe	that	after	I	ate	yogurt	two	weeks	ago,	I	felt
congested	and	a	cold	developed.	Then	it	cleared	up	and	I	was	okay	for	a	few	days.	When
yogurt	comes	my	way	again,	the	memory	will	come	up	and	my	body	will	say,	“Hey,	last
time	you	ate	yogurt,	you	got	sick!”	If	I	bring	lively	awareness	and	listen	to	my	body,	it	will
tell	me,	“I	don’t	want	yogurt.”	To	listen	to	the	body’s	wisdom,	the	body’s	intelligence,	is	to
be	aware,	and	this	is	one	of	the	most	effective	ways	to	prevent	disease.
Developing	an	awareness	of	the	potential	causes	of	imbalance,	and	of	one’s	moment-to-
moment	state	of	well-being,	is	the	necessary	first	step	to	maintaining	health.	The	second
step	is	taking	action.

You	can’t	control	the	weather,	but	you	can	dress	properly,	so	that	cold	winds,	or	rain,	or
summer’s	heat	will	not	aggravate	the	doshas.	Changes	in	the	weather	are	a	potential	cause
of	doshic	imbalance.	Windy,	cold,	dry	weather	will	aggravate	vata	dosha;	hot,	sticky
weather	is	sure	to	provoke	pitta;	cold,	cloudy,	wet	weather	will	increase	kapha	dosha.	Once
we	have	knowledge	and	understanding,	it	is	time	to	take	action.	Put	on	a	hat,	a	scarf,	a
warm	coat;	stay	out	of	direct	sunlight.	Modify	the	cause.
Potential	causes	of	illness	and	imbalance	are	constantly	arising,	both	within	us	and	on
the	outside.	The	weather	is	changing,	our	surroundings	are	changing,	our	thoughts	and
feelings	are	changing,	and	stressful	situations	are	coming	and	going.	In	response	to	these
changes,	we	have	to	act	skillfully.	As	the	Bhagavad	Gita	says,	“Skill	in	action	is	called	
yoga
.”
I	have	to	be	smart	enough	to	know	my	previous	history	and	to	learn	from	it.	When	I	eat
garbanzos,	I	get	a	stomachache,	so	
this

this
	time	I	should	not	eat	them.	Or	if	there	is	nothing	to
eat	except	garbanzos,	then	I	can	add	cumin	powder,	ghee,	and	a	little	mustard	seed,	and	it
will	be	suitable	for	me	to	eat.	The	garbanzos’	dry,	light	vatagenic	effect	will	be	modified	by
the	moist,	oily	ghee	and	the	warming	spices.
A	substantial	part	of	the	Ayurvedic	pharmacy	is	the	Ayurvedic	art	of	cooking.	Adding
specific	seasonings	changes	the	property	of	food	and	can	cause	a	“forbidden”	food,	one	that
might	have	provoked	imbalance,	to	become	acceptable.	Some	people,	for	example,	are
sensitive	to	potatoes.	Potatoes	give	them	gas	and	little	aches	and	pains	in	the	muscles	and
around	the	joints.	But	if	they	peel	off	the	skin	and	sauté	the	potato	with	ghee	and	a	little
turmeric,	mustard	seed,	cumin	powder,	and	cilantro,	it	mitigates	the	vata-provoking
property	of	the	potato	and	the	body	can	then	handle	it.	One	can	take	action	to	modify	the

cause;	the	body’s	response	will	be	different,	and	that	particular	causative	factor	will	not
have	an	adverse	effect.
This	principle	applies	equally	well	to	psychological	factors.	You	may	know	that	watching
violent	movies	upsets	you	and	
gives	you	nightmares.	The	violent	imagery	disturbs	your
doshic	balance,	provoking	anxiety	and	fear.	You	have	observed	this	happening	to	you;	the
next	time	you	are	confronted	with	the	“opportunity”	to	subject	yourself	to	a	violent	movie,
you	can	just	say	no.
It	keeps	coming	down	to	the	same	central	issue:	consciousness,	awareness,	finding	out,
“What	is	my	role	in	this	situation?	What	do	I	know?	What	can	I	do?”
The	first	step	in	staying	healthy	is	developing	awareness	of	the	potential	causes	of	disease
so	you	can	avoid	them	or	deal	with	them	intelligently.	The	second	step	is	taking	action	to

modify	causes	you	can’t	avoid	or	control	(such	as	the	weather).	The	next	step	is	to	restore
balance	once	it	begins	to	be	lost.	The	main	method	for	doing	this	is	to	apply	the	opposite
quality	or	qualities.
If	you’re	cold,	have	some	hot	soup	or	take	something	warm	to	drink.	If	you’re	agitated	or
upset	(perhaps	you	watched	that	violent	movie	against	your	better	judgment),	sit	down	and
do	some	meditation	to	calm	your	mind	and	emotions.	If	your	pitta	has	been	provoked	and
you’re	feeling	hot	under	the	collar,	take	a	swim	or	have	some	sweet	cooling	fruit.
This	principle	seems	so	simple	and	makes	such	good	sense	that	it	is	easy	to	overlook	it	in

practical	daily	life.	But	it	is	extremely	powerful	and	effective.	If	you	apply	it,	you	will	find
that	you	can	quickly	and	effortlessly	restore	balance	to	your	mind	and	body.
Now	we	have	to	consider	still	another	level	of	self-healing.	What	if	you	haven’t	taken	the
opportunity	to	develop	awareness,	to	modify	the	cause,	or	to	apply	opposite	qualities	to
restore	balance,	and	you	have	begun	to	get	sick?	What	to	do	now?
The	principle	of	opposites	is	almost	universally	valid	and	helpful	at	any	stage	of	disease.
But	once	disease	has	begun	to	develop,	it	will	not	be	sufficient.	At	this	stage	it	becomes
necessary	to	use	techniques	for	cleansing	and	purifying	your	body	of	excess	doshas	and
accumulated	toxins.
As	we	have	seen,	when	the	doshas	are	aggravated	because	of	poor	diet,	unhealthy
lifestyle,	negative	emotions,	or	other	factors,	they	first	affect	agni	(the	body’s	biological

fire,	which	governs	digestion	and	assimilation).	When	agni	becomes	weakened	or	disturbed,
food	is	not	properly	digested.	The	undigested,	unabsorbed	food	particles	accumulate	in	the
gastrointestinal	tract	and	turn	into	the	toxic,	sticky	substance	called	ama.	In	the	third
(“spread”)	stage	of	the	disease	process,	ama	clogs	the	intestines,	overflows	through	other
bodily	channels	such	as	the	blood	vessels,	and	infiltrates	the	bodily	tissues,	causing	disease.
Ama	is	thus	the	root	cause	of	disease.	The	presence	of	ama	in	the	system	can	be	felt	as
fatigue,	or	a	feeling	of	heaviness.	It	may	induce	constipation,	indigestion,	gas,	and
diarrhea,	or	it	may	generate	bad	breath,	a	bad	taste	in	the	mouth,	stiffness	in	the	body,	or
mental	confusion.	Ama	can	most	
easily	be	detected	as	a	thick	coating	on	the	tongue.
According	to	Ayurveda,	disease	is	actually	a	crisis	of	ama,	in	which	the	body	seeks	to

eliminate	the	accumulated	toxicity.	Thus	the	key	to	prevention	of	disease—once	ama	has
begun	to	build	up—is	to	help	the	body	eliminate	the	toxins.
To	remove	ama	from	the	system,	Ayurveda	employs	many	internal	cleansing	programs.
One	of	these,	most	widely	known	in	the	West,	is	a	five-procedure	program	known	as
	(“five	actions”).	The	
	programs	used	at	Ayurvedic	treatment
centers	include	prepurification	methods	to	prepare	the	body	to	let	go	of	the	toxins,	followed
by	the	purification	methods	themselves.
The	first	preparatory	step	is	internal	oleation.	The	patient	is	asked	to	drink	a	specific,
small	quantity	of	ghee	(clarified	butter)	every	day	for	several	days.	The	ghee	creates	a	thin
film	in	the	body’s	channels	that	lubricates	them,	allowing	the	ama	lodged	in	the	deep
connective	tissues	to	move	freely,	without	sticking	to	the	channels,	to	the	gastrointestinal

tract	for	elimination.	Internal	oleation	is	done	for	three	to	five	days	or	even	longer,
depending	on	the	individual	circumstances.
This	is	followed	by	external	oleation	in	the	form	of	oil	massage	(
snehana
)	and	sweating
(
swedana
).	Oil	is	applied	to	the	entire	body	with	a	particular	kind	of	massage	that	helps	the
toxins	move	toward	the	gastrointestinal	tract.	The	massage	also	softens	both	the	superficial
and	deep	tissues,	helping	to	relieve	stress	and	to	nourish	the	nervous	system.	Then	the
individual	is	given	a	steam	bath,	which	further	loosens	the	toxins	and	increases	their
movement	toward	the	gastrointestinal	tract.
After	three	to	seven	days	of	these	procedures,	the	doshas	will	have	become	well

“ripened.”	At	this	point	the	physician	will	determine	that	the	patient	is	ready	to	eliminate
the	aggravated	doshas	and	accumulated	ama.	One	of	the	five	
karmas
	or	actions	is	selected
as	the	most	expedient	route	to	eliminate	the	excess	doshas.	These	procedures	may	include:
•	therapeutic	vomiting	(
vamana
)	to	remove	toxins	and	excess	kapha	from	the	stomach;
•	purgation	or	laxative	therapy	(
virechana
)	to	help	remove	ama	and	excess	pitta	from	the
small	intestines,	colon,	kidneys,	stomach,	liver,	and	spleen;
•	medicated	enema	therapy	(
basti
)	to	help	remove	excess	vata	from	the	colon.	Aggravated
vata	is	one	of	the	main	etiological	factors	in	the	manifestation	of	diseases.	If	we	can	control
vata	through	the	use	of	
bastis
,	we	have	gone	a	long	way	toward	eliminating	the	cause	of	the
vast	majority	of	diseases.
•	
nasya
	or	nasal	administration	of	medication,	in	which	dry	herbal	powders	or	oils	such	as

•	
nasya
ghee	are	inserted	into	the	nose	to	help	remove	accumulated	doshas	in	the	head,	sinus,	and
throat	areas,	and	to	clear	up	breathing.
•	
rakta	moksha
,	purification	of	the	blood,	which	is	traditionally	done	in	one	of	two	ways.
Bloodletting,	in	which	a	small	amount	of	blood	is	extracted	from	a	vein,	is	one	method,
though	it	is	illegal	in	the	United	States	and	is	therefore	not	available	here.	The	second	way
is	to	cleanse	the	blood	using	blood-purifying	herbs	such	as	burdock.
Panchakarma
	is	not	the	only	method	used	by	Ayurveda	to	remove	ama	from	the	body.
Depending	on	the	individual’s	strength	and	the	seriousness	of	the	disease,	one	of	two	main
approaches	will	be	employed.	If	the	person	is	weak	and	debilitated	and	the	disease	is
strong,	the	preferred	method	is	palliation	and	pacification	(
shamanam
),	which	neutralizes

shamanam
ama	through	gentler	methods	of	purification,	including	herbs.	If	the	patient	has	more
strength	and	energy	and	the	illness	is	not	so	complicated	or	serious,	then	
	is
appropriate.
IMPORTANT	NOTE
:	
	is	a	special,	powerful	procedure	requiring	guidance	from
a	properly	trained	medical	staff,	not	just	someone	with	a	modest	amount	of
Ayurvedic	training.	It	is	performed	individually	for	each	person,	with	his	or	her
specific	constitution	and	medical	condition	in	mind,	and	it	requires	close
observation	and	supervision	at	every	stage,	including	post-
	support.
Should	You	Use	Ghee?
The	use	of	ghee	for	internal	oleation	is	recommended	for	most	people.	However,
individuals	with	high	blood	levels	of	cholesterol,	triglycerides,	and	sugar	should	not	use	it.	So
before	you	begin	your	home	treatment,	see	a	doctor	and	have	your	blood	tested	for	these
factors
.

factors
.
If	they	are	within	the	normal	range,	there	is	no	problem.	If	they	are	high,	then
instead	of	ghee	use	flaxseed	oil,	which	provides	effective	oleation	and	also	contains
fatty	acids,	which	help	to	reduce	cholesterol	levels.

Take	2	tablespoons	of	the	flaxseed	oil	three	times	a	day	for	three	days,	fifteen
minutes	before	eating.
Both	for	periodic	prevention	(to	reverse	any	buildup	of	ama)	and	to	deal	with	a	specific
health	problem,	
	is	a	highly	recommended	art	of	cleansing	and	detoxification.	If
you	are	not	near	a	center	where	
	is	available	under	the	supervision	of	a	trained
Ayurvedic	physician,	you	can	do	an	effective	purification	program	at	home.
Begin	your	home	detoxification	program	with	internal	oleation.	For	three	days	in	a	row,
take	about	2	ounces	of	warmed,	liquefied	ghee	early	in	the	morning.	(See	
appendix	2
	for
instructions	on	making	ghee.)	For	a	vata	person,	take	the	ghee	with	a	pinch	of	rock	salt.
For	a	pitta	individual,	take	the	2	ounces	of	ghee	plain.	The	kapha	individual	should	add	to
the	ghee	just	a	pinch	of	
trikatu
	(a	mixture	of	equal	amounts	of	ginger,	black	pepper,	and
pippali
,	or	Indian	long	pepper).

trikatu
pippali
The	ghee	provides	internal	oleation	and	lubrication,	which	is	necessary	so	that	the	ama	or
toxins	begin	to	come	back	from	the	deep	tissue	to	the	gastrointestinal	tract	for	elimination.
After	your	three	days	of	internal	oleation,	it	is	time	for	external	oleation.	For	the	next
five	to	seven	days,	apply	7	to	8	ounces	of	warmed	(not	hot!)	oil	to	your	body	from	
head	to
toe,	rubbing	it	in	well.	The	best	oil	for	vata	types	is	sesame,	which	is	heavy	and	warming;
pittas	should	use	sunflower	oil,	which	is	less	heating;	kaphas	do	best	with	corn	oil.	You	can
do	this	oil	massage	for	fifteen	to	twenty	minutes.
After	the	oil	is	well	rubbed	in	and	absorbed,	take	a	hot	bath	or	shower.	Then	wash	with
some	Ayurvedic	herbal	soap,	such	as	
neem
.	Let	some	of	the	oil	remain	on	your	skin.
The	ancient	Ayurvedic	textbooks	recommend	rubbing	some	chickpea	flour	over	the	skin	to

absorb	and	help	remove	the	oil.	This	works	very	well	to	remove	the	oil,	but	it	is	more	suited
to	a	culture	in	which	individuals	bathe	outdoors.	Today,	if	you	use	chickpea	flour,	be	aware
that	oil,	flour,	and	hot	water	combine	into	a	formidable	mass	that	can	easily	clog	your
plumbing.	Flushing	the	drain	with	extra	hot	water	immediately	following	your	bath	can
help.
During	your	home	purification,	every	night	at	least	one	hour	after	supper	take	½	to	1
teaspoon	of	
triphala
.	(For	information	on	
triphala
,	see	
appendix	2
.)	Add	about	half	a	cup	of
boiling	water	to	the	
triphala
	powder,	and	let	it	steep	ten	minutes	or	until	it	has	cooled	down,
then	drink	it.	Along	with	its	many	healing	and	nourishing	properties,	
triphala
	is	a	mild	but
effective	laxative.	It	will	provide	the	benefits	of	a	more	potent	
virechana
	or	purgative
treatment,	but	more	gently	and	over	a	longer	span	of	time.	
Triphala

virechana
Triphala
	is	safe	and	can	be
effectively	used	for	months	at	a	time.
To	complete	your	home	
	treatment,	on	the	last	three	days	perform	an
Ayurvedic	medicated	enema,	or	
basti
,	after	your	hot	bath	or	shower.	Use	
dashamoola
	tea	for
the	enema.	Boil	1	tablespoon	of	the	herbal	compound	
	in	1	pint	of	water	for	five
minutes	to	make	a	tea.	Cool	it,	strain	it,	and	use	the	liquid	as	an	enema.	(See	instructions
for	
basti
	in	
appendix	3
.)	Retain	the	liquid	as	long	as	you	comfortably	can.	And	don’t	worry
if	little	or	no	liquid	comes	out.	For	certain	individuals,	particularly	vata	types,	the	colon

may	be	so	dry	and	dehydrated	that	the	liquid	may	all	be	absorbed.	This	is	not	harmful	in
any	way.
This	
snchana
	(oleation	both	internal	and	external	with	ghee	and	oil),	
swedana
	(sweating
using	a	hot	shower	or	hot	bath),	and	
virechana
	(purgation)	using	triphala,	followed	by	
basti
using	
	tea,	constitute	an	effective	
	that	you	can	easily	do	on	your
own	at	home.
During	this	entire	time	it	is	important	to	get	plenty	of	rest,	and	to	observe	a	light	diet.
From	day	four	to	day	eight,	eat	only	
kitchari
	(equal	amounts	of	basmati	rice	and	mung	dal
cooked	with	cumin,	mustard	seed,	and	coriander,	with	about	2	teaspoons	of	ghee	added	to
it).	Kitchari	is	a	wholesome,	nourishing,	balanced	food	that	is	an	excellent	protein
combination.	It	is	easy	to	digest	and	good	for	all	three	doshas,	and	it	is	also	cleansing.
Be	your	own	healer.	Do	this	simple	home	purification,	preferably	at	the	junction	between

seasons.	Take	responsibility	for	your	own	healing.	You	will	start	to	experience	a	great
change	in	your	thinking	and	in	your	feelings,	and	you	will	really	fall	in	love	with	your	life!
The	purpose	of	
	is	not	just	to	get	well	but	to	purify	the	body	and	strengthen	it
so	that	future	diseases	will	not	occur,	and	you	can	enjoy	a	long	life	in	good	health.	In	this
regard	the	
	purification	can	be	seen	as	a	preliminary	to	rejuvenation.	If	you
want	to	dye	your	shirt,	don’t	color	it	while	it’s	dirty.	Wash	it	first,	then	dye	it.	The	washing
is	the	
	detoxification	program,	and	the	dyeing	is	the	rejuvenation	and
revitalization.
Ayurvedic	rejuvenatives	(
rasayanas
)	bring	renewal	and	longevity	to	the	cells,	and	when
the	cells	live	longer,	the	person	lives	longer.	
Rasayanas
	give	strength,	vitality,	and

Rasayanas
longevity,	strengthen	tone,	increase	energy,	and	build	immunity.	The	body’s	various	agnis
become	more	robust,	so	health	becomes	more	robust.
For	a	vata	individual,	an	excellent	rejuvenative	tonic	is	the	herb	
ashwagandha
.	Take	1
	in	a	cup	of	hot	milk	twice	a	day,	morning	and	evening.

An	excellent	rejuvenative	herb	for	pittas	is	
shatavari
.	Take	1	teaspoon	twice	a	day	in	a	cup
of	warm	milk.	Kaphas	can	use	
punarnava
,	1	teaspoon	twice	a	day,	but	in	a	cup	of	warm
water.
You	can	also	use	various	herbal	mixtures	designed	to	tonify	the	system,	such	as	the
traditional	recipe	
chyavanprash
.
Three	Cautions	About	Home	Panchakarma
1.	
,	even	in	this	gentle	home	program,	has	a	powerful	effect	and	should
be	done	only	by	individuals	of	sufficient	strength.	If	you	are	anemic,	or	feel	weak	and
debilitated,	even	this	home	procedure	is	not	for	you.
2.	Do	not	do	
	in	a	clinic,	or	even	this	home	purification,	if	you	are
pregnant.
3.	One	result	of	
,	even	in	this	mild	home	version,	is	that	the	deep
connective	tissue	may	start	releasing	unresolved	past	emotions,	such	as	grief,	sadness,
fear,	or	anger	along	with	the	built-up	ama	and	excess	doshas.	If	this	happens,	make
yourself	some	Tranquillity	Tea	(see	recipe	on	
this	page

this	page
),	and	meditate,	using	whatever
method	you	have	learned	or	the	Empty	Bowl	meditation	described	in	
chapter	7
.	The
releasing	of	emotions	may	happen	weeks	or	even	several	months	after	you	finish	your
home	
.
To	make	your	rejuvenation	more	effective,	after	completing	your	
purification	program,	set	some	time	aside	to	build	up	your	strength.	Whether	you	take	a
weekend,	a	week,	a	month,	or	even	more,	use	the	time	as	a	purposeful	period	of	rest,
relaxation,	and	rebuilding	of	body,	mind,	and	spirit.	Here	are	a	few	suggestions:
Get	plenty	of	rest.
Observe	celibacy	so	that	you	don’t	waste	your	vital	energy.
Eat	carefully,	according	to	the	guidelines	for	your	constitution.
Meditate	and	do	yoga	postures	regularly.
Quite	a	few	more	suggestions	for	rejuvenative	herbs,	foods,	and	tonics	for	all
constitutional	types	are	offered	in	
Part	III
.	See,	for	example,	the	recommendations	under
“
Low	Libido
”	and	“
Fatigue
.”

Part	III
“
Low	Libido
”	and	“
Fatigue
.”
Self-esteem	is	at	the	core	of	healing.	Because	of	the	connectedness	of	mind	and	body,	our
sense	of	self-esteem	is	our	cells’	sense	of	self-esteem.	This	is	because,	according	to	Ayurveda,

every	cell	is	a	center	of	intelligence	and	awareness.	Every	cell	carries	the	sense	of	self	for	its
own	survival.	It	is	the	sense	of	self	in	the	cell	that	maintains	the	size	and	shape	of	the	cell.
Self-esteem,	self-confidence,	and	self-respect	promote	cellular	intelligence,	which	is
necessary	for	proper	cell	function	and	immunity.
Modern	science	is	just	now	acknowledging	the	importance	of	the	mind-body	connection,
but	knowledge	of	it	has	been	part	of	Ayurveda	for	five	thousand	years.	Our	sense	of	self,
our	attitudes	and	understandings,	our	feelings,	are	all	psychobiological	events.	
Self-esteem
is	one	such	event,	one	that	is	strengthening	to	our	cells	and	to	all	aspects	of	our	bodies.	A
lack	of	self-confidence	and	self-love	is	detrimental.
Cancer	is	an	example	of	this	lack.	Cancer	cells	have	lost	their	intelligence	and	grow
separate	from	the	body.	They	are	irregular	and	robust	and	have	an	isolated,	selfish	sense	of

self	which	is	in	conflict	with	the	life	of	normal,	healthy	cells.	When	cancer	occurs,	it’s	as	if	a
war	is	going	on	between	the	cancerous	cells	and	the	healthy	cells.	If	the	healthy	cells	are
strong	enough	in	self-esteem,	they	can	conquer	and	kill	the	cancer	cells.	But	if	we	do	not
have	enough	self-esteem	and	self-respect,	then	the	cancer	cells	will	win	and	will	conquer	the
healthy	cells.
Thus	self-esteem	is	important	for	maintaining	immunity.	If	you	love	yourself	as	you	are,
you	will	develop	confidence,	and	that	will	heal	disease.	That	is	why	cellular	immunity,	or
natural	resistance,	depends	upon	self-esteem.

H
Chapter	5
Ayurvedic	Lifestyle:	The	Ultimate	Preventive	Medicine
ow	you	live	your	daily	life	is	the	key	factor	in	determining	your	health	and	your
quality	of	experience.	It	is	also	the	factor	over	which	you	have	the	most	control.	You
can’t	control	the	weather	or	your	genetic	makeup,	but	what	you	do	every	day	either	builds
up	your	health,	vitality,	and	resistance	to	disease,	or	wears	you	down.	Your	moment-to-
moment	choices—what	to	eat,	how	much	to	eat,	how	to	respond	to	others,	whether	to
exercise	or	not,	how	late	to	stay	up	at	night,	and	so	on—play	a	major	role	in	your	mental
and	physical	health.
But	how	do	you	create	your	lifestyle,	the	rhythms	of	your	daily	living?	Is	it	just	pure
habit,	based	on	how	your	parents	lived	and	how	you	grew	up?	Should	the	time	you	wake	up
be	dictated	by	when	you	need	to	get	to	work,	and	should	what	you	eat	be	determined	by
what’s	available	at	the	fast-food	shops?	If	you	decide	to	take	control	of	your	lifestyle	and

structure	new,	healthier	habits,	what	principles	will	guide	you?
According	to	Ayurveda,	you	couldn’t	do	better	than	to	strive	to	live	your	life	in	harmony
with	Mother	Nature.
Ayurveda	flourished	in	a	civilization	vastly	different	from	life	today,	a	world	in	which
human	life	was	intimately	intertwined	with	the	life	of	nature.	The	great	rhythms	and	forces
of	nature—the	alternation	of	day	and	night,	the	rhythmic	cycle	of	seasons—all	affect	us,	as
do	the	inevitable	seasons	and	cycles	of	human	life,	birth	and	growth,	aging	and	death.
Through	the	plants	we	eat	for	food,	the	water	we	drink,	and	the	air	we	breathe	in	common
with	all	beings,	we	are	inextricably	one	with	nature.
The	sages	of	settled	mind	who	unfolded	the	wisdom	of	Ayurveda	saw	this,	and	they	saw
that	the	master	key	to	good	health	is	to	get	ourselves	into	harmony	with	nature.	
Thus	the

Thus	the
ideal	Ayurvedic	daily	routine	that	follows	is,	as	you	will	see,	based	on	patterns	of	nature.
Being	in	tune	with	nature	also	means	being	in	tune	with	
your
	nature,	your	constitution	or
prakruti
	(which	means	nature).	It	means	being	true	to	your	own	nature,	to	how	you	are
built,	mentally	and	emotionally	as	well	as	physically.	It	means	that	your	food	and	exercise
requirements,	how	much	you	need	to	sleep,	how	much	sexual	activity	is	healthy	for	you,
what	kind	of	climate	is	beneficial,	all	revolve	around	your	doshic	makeup,	your	individual
nature.
Living	in	accordance	with	nature	and	natural	law	means	continually	balancing	our	inner
ecology	by	adjusting	to	our	ever-changing	environment.

A	daily	routine	is	essential	for	maintaining	good	health	and	for	transforming	our	body,
mind,	and	consciousness	to	a	higher	level	of	functioning.	A	regulated	daily	routine	puts	us
in	harmony	with	nature’s	rhythms.	It	establishes	balance	in	our	constitution	and	helps	to
regularize	our	biological	clock.	It	indirectly	aids	in	digestion,	absorption,	and	assimilation
of	food,	and	it	generates	self-esteem,	discipline,	peace,	happiness,	and	long	life.
Waking	up	too	early	or	too	late,	undisciplined	eating,	staying	up	too	late,	job	stress,	and
untimely	bowel	movements	are	a	few	habits	that	can	unsettle	us.	Regularity	in	sleeping,
waking,	eating,	and	eliminating,	indeed	following	a	regular	daily	routine,	brings	discipline
to	life	and	helps	maintain	the	integrity	of	the	doshas.
Our	body	is	a	clock.	Or	rather,	it	is	several	clocks	at	once.	According	to	Ayurveda,	every
organ	has	a	definite	time	of	maximum	functioning.	Morning	time	is	the	lung	time.	Midday

is	stomach	time,	when	we	feel	hungry.	Afternoon	is	liver	time,	and	late	afternoon	is	when
the	colon	and	kidneys	operate	at	their	peak.
This	biological	clock	works	in	conjunction	with	the	doshic	clock.	Morning	and	evening
(dawn	and	dusk)	are	the	times	when	the	influence	of	vata	is	greatest.	In	the	early	morning,
from	about	2	
A.M
.	to	sunrise,	vata	creates	movement	and	people	awaken	and	tend	to	excrete
waste.	Again	in	the	late	afternoon,	from	about	2	
P.M
.	until	sunset,	the	influence	of	vata
makes	one	feel	light	and	active.
Early	morning	and	evening	are	kapha	times.	From	sunrise	until	about	10	
A.M
.,	kapha
makes	one	feel	fresh	but	a	little	heavy.	Then	again	in	the	evening,	from	about	6	
P.M
.	until
around	10,	kapha	ushers	in	a	period	of	cooling	air,	inertia,	and	declining	energy.
Midday	and	midnight	are	pitta	times.	At	midmorning,	kapha	slowly	merges	into	pitta,

and	by	noon	one	feels	hungry	and	ready	for	lunch.	Again	from	10	
P.M
.	until	around	2	
A.M
.,
pitta	is	at	its	peak,	and	food	is	digested.
Thus	there	is	a	daily	cycle	of	vata–pitta–kapha:
6	
A.M
.–10	
A.M
.	=	kapha
10	
A.M
.–2	
P.M
.	=	pitta
2	
P.M
.–6	
P.M
.	=	vata
6	
P.M
.–10	
P.M
.	=	kapha
10	
P.M
.–2	
A.M
.	=	pitta
2	
A.M
.–6	
A.M
.	=	vata
So	there	is	a	doshic	clock	(when	a	particular	dosha	is	operating	at	its	peak)	and	a
biological	clock	(when	a	particular	organ	is	operating	at	its	peak).	Based	on	these	clocks,
the	Ayurvedic	sages	developed	the	
dinacharya
,	or	daily	routine.	This	daily	routine	is	the	art
of	bringing	harmony	between	the	biological	and	doshic	clocks	and	chronological	time.	Here
are	its	most	salient	features:
WAKE	UP	EARLY
It	is	beneficial	to	wake	up	before	the	sun	rises.	At	this	time	of	the	morning,	pure	qualities

are	lively	in	nature,	which	can	bring	freshness	to	the	doors	of	perception	and	peace	of

mind.
Ideally,	vata	people	should	get	up	at	about	6	
A.M
.,	pitta	people	by	5:30,	and	kapha	people
by	4:30.	This	is	the	ideal:	do	the	best	you	can.	If	you	can	wake	up	at	5:30,	it	will	be	very
good.
Right	after	awakening,	look	at	your	hands	for	a	few	moments,	then	gently	move	them
over	your	face,	neck,	and	chest	down	to	your	waist.	This	will	bring	more	alertness.
SAY	A	PRAYER
It	is	good	to	start	the	day	by	remembering	the	Divine	Reality	that	is	our	life.	You	may	do
this	in	your	own	way,	as	your	religion	or	personal	experience	dictates.	Or	you	may	use	this
simple	prayer:
Dear	God,	you	are	inside	of	me
Within	my	very	breath
Within	each	bird,	each	mighty	mountain.
Your	sweet	touch	reaches	everything
and	I	am	well	protected.
Thank	you	God
for	this	beautiful	day	before	me.
May	joy,	love,	peace,	and	compassion
be	part	of	my	life
and	all	those	around	me	on	this	day.
I	am	healing	and	I	am	healed
.
WASH	YOUR	FACE,	MOUTH,	AND	EYES

.
Splash	your	face	with	cold	water	a	couple	of	times.	Swish	and	rinse	out	your	mouth.	Then
wash	your	eyes	with	cool	water,	and	massage	the	eyelids	by	gently	rubbing	them.	Blink
your	eyes	seven	times,	and	then	rotate	your	eyes	in	all	directions:	side	to	side,	up	and
down,	diagonally,	clockwise,	and	counterclockwise.	All	this	will	help	you	feel	alert	and
fresh.	(See	“
Eyes—Ayurvedic	Care
”	in	
Part	III
	for	more	on	eye	exercises	and	eye	washes.)
DRINK	A	GLASS	OF	WATER
Drink	a	glass	of	room-temperature	water,	preferably	from	a	pure	copper	cup	or	tumbler.
(Fill	the	cup	the	night	before	and	let	it	sit	overnight.)	If	the	water	is	too	cold,	it	may
provoke	kapha	disorders	such	as	colds,	coughs,	and	sore	throat.	For	kapha	and	vata
individuals,	it	is	actually	better	to	drink	hot	water,	but	for	a	pitta	person,	lukewarm	is	best.

This	water	will	not	be	absorbed	but	will	wash	the	gastrointestinal	tract	and	flush	the
kidneys.	It	also	stimulates	peristalsis	in	the	intestines,	stimulates	the	descending	colon	and
ileocecal	valve,	and	helps	with	having	a	good	bowel	movement.
It	is	not	a	good	idea	to	start	the	day	with	coffee	or	black	tea.	These	drain	kidney	energy,

overstimulate	the	adrenals,	and	promote	constipation.	They	are	also	habit-forming.
EVACUATION
Sit	(or	better,	squat)	on	the	toilet,	and	have	a	bowel	movement.	Even	if	you	don’t	have	the
urge,	sit	for	a	few	minutes,	without	forcing.	If	you	do	this	every	day,	following	your	glass	of
warm	water,	the	habit	will	develop.	(See	“
Constipation
”	for	suggestions	on	promoting
healthy	bowel	movements.)
After	evacuation,	wash	the	anal	orifice	with	warm	water,	then	wash	your	hands	with	a
gentle	soap.
CLEAN	YOUR	TEETH	AND	TONGUE
Use	a	soft	toothbrush	for	your	teeth,	and	an	herbal	powder	made	of	astringent,	pungent,
and	bitter	herbs.	(See	“
Teeth	and	Gums—Ayurvedic	Care
”	for	further	suggestions.)
Scrape	your	tongue	every	morning.	This	is	an	important	part	of	daily	hygiene,	from
which	you	can	learn	a	lot	about	your	health	and	habits.	Note	how	coated	your	tongue	is,
and	how	your	breath	smells.	If	you	get	the	smell	of	last	night’s	pizza,	that	means	the	food	is

not	yet	thoroughly	digested.	If	there	is	a	lot	of	coating	on	the	tongue,	that	means	there	is
much	ama	or	toxicity	in	the	system.	Perhaps	you	ate	too	late,	or	your	dinner	was	hard	to
digest.
If	there	is	ama	on	the	tongue	and	a	bad	smell	on	the	breath,	don’t	eat	breakfast.	Eating
breakfast	is	not	good	if	you	have	not	digested	last	night’s	dinner.
You	can	see	that	this	daily	regimen	brings	more	awareness.	By	following	this	routine,	you
come	in	contact	with	your	body	and	observe	the	functioning	of	your	system.	You	know
exactly	what	is	happening.	This	knowledge	gives	you	the	power	to	create	better	health	by
altering	your	behavior.
To	scrape	your	tongue,	use	a	stainless-steel	tongue	scraper.	You	can	also	use	a	spoon.
Gently	scrape	from	the	back	or	base	of	the	tongue	forward,	until	you	have	scraped	the
whole	surface	(seven	to	fourteen	strokes).	In	addition	to	removing	bacteria	from	the	tongue,

scraping	sends	an	indirect	message	to	all	the	internal	organs	and	stimulates	gastric	fire	and
digestive	enzymes.
GARGLE
To	strengthen	the	teeth,	gums,	and	jaw,	to	improve	the	voice	and	remove	wrinkles	from	the
cheeks,	gargle	twice	a	day	with	warm	sesame	oil.	Also,	hold	the	oil	in	your	mouth	and	swish
it	around	vigorously.	Then	spit	it	out	and	gently	massage	the	gums	with	your	index	finger.
NOSE	DROPS	
(NASYA)
Now	put	3	to	5	drops	of	warm	ghee,	
brahmi
	ghee,	or	sesame	oil	into	each	nostril.	This	helps

to	clean	the	sinuses	and	also	improves	voice,	vision,	and	mental	clarity.	In	dry	climates,
and	during	cold	winters	when	the	house	is	heated	with	dry	air,	nose	drops	help	to	keep	the
nostrils	lubricated.	(For	more	on	
nasya
,	see	
appendix	3
.)
The	nose	is	the	doorway	to	the	brain.	Use	of	nose	drops	nourishes	
prana
	and	enlivens
consciousness	and	intelligence.
OIL	MASSAGE
Take	4	or	5	ounces	of	warm	(not	hot)	oil,	and	rub	it	all	over	your	head	and	body.	Gently
massaging	the	scalp	with	oil	can	bring	happiness	into	your	day,	as	well	as	help	prevent
headaches	and	slow	balding	and	graying	of	your	hair.	If	you	oil	your	body	again	before
going	to	bed,	it	will	help	induce	sound	sleep.
Oil	massage	improves	circulation,	calms	the	mind,	and	reduces	excess	vata.	The	skin	of
the	entire	body	becomes	soft,	smooth,	and	brightened.
Best	Oils	by	Body	Type
For	Ayurvedic	oil	massage,	use	one	of	the	following	oils,	according	to	your
constitutional	type:
Vata	=	sesame	oil
Pitta	=	sunflower	oil

Kapha	=	corn	oil
BATHING
Following	your	oil	massage,	take	a	bath	or	shower.	Bathing	is	cleansing	and	refreshing.	It
removes	fatigue,	brings	energy	and	alertness,	and	promotes	long	life.	Bathing	every	day
brings	holiness	into	your	life.
EXERCISE
Everyone	should	do	some	exercise	every	day.	A	walk	in	the	fresh	early-morning	air	and
some	yoga	stretching	are	good	enough	for	many	people;	some	additional	aerobic	exercise
may	also	be	beneficial,	depending	on	your	
prakruti
.
Kapha	individuals,	with	their	stronger,	heavier	physiques,	can	do	the	most	strenuous
exercise,	and	they	benefit	from	it.	Jogging,	bicycling,	tennis,	aerobics,	hiking,	and
mountain	climbing	are	great	for	kaphas	(though	they	don’t	like	such	vigorous	exercise!).
Pittas	do	well	with	a	moderate	amount	(swimming	is	especially	helpful	for	cooling	pitta),

while	vata	individuals	do	best	with	quieter	exercises	like	walking,	easy	swimming,	or	yoga
asanas
.
As	a	general	rule,	Ayurveda	recommends	exercising	up	to	one	half	of	one’s	capacity.	A
good	gauge	is	to	exercise	until	sweat	forms	on	the	forehead,	under	the	arms,	and	along	the
spinal	column.	Straining	is	absolutely	not	recommended.
Yoga	stretching	is	recommended	for	all	body	types.	Postures	particularly	beneficial	for
vata	individuals	include	the	Sun	Salutation	(twelve	cycles,	done	slowly).	The	most
important	seat	of	vata	in	the	body	is	in	the	pelvic	cavity,	and	any	exercise	that	stretches	the
pelvic	muscles	helps	to	calm	vata.	These	include	the	Forward	Bend,	Backward	Bend,	Spinal
Twist,	Shoulder	Stand,	Plow,	Camel,	Cobra,	Locust,	Cat,	and	Cow	poses,	and	Leg	Lifts.	The
Headstand,	Half	Wheel,	and	Yoga	
Mudra
	are	also	beneficial.	(For	illustrations	of	yoga
postures	see	
appendix	4
.)
The	major	seat	of	pitta	is	the	solar	plexus,	
so	exercises	that	stretch	the	muscles	around	the

.)
solar	plexus	are	especially	beneficial	for	individuals	with	a	pitta	
prakruti
	and	will	help	to
pacify	pitta.	These	include	the	Fish,	Boat,	Camel,	Locust,	and	Bow	poses.	Pittas	should	also
do	the	Moon	Salutation	(sixteen	cycles,	moderately	fast).	Avoid	the	Headstand,	Shoulder
Stand,	Plow,	and	other	inverted	poses.
The	important	seat	of	kapha	is	in	the	chest.	Exercises	that	stretch	the	pulmonary	cavity
and	increase	circulation	in	the	chest	are	effective	for	kaphas	and	will	help	relieve	and
prevent	bronchial	congestion,	cough,	and	other	kapha	illnesses.	Beneficial	postures	include
the	Sun	Salutation	(twelve	cycles,	done	rapidly)	and	the	Shoulder	Stand,	Plow,	Locust,
Bridge,	Peacock,	Palm	Tree,	and	Lion	postures.	(Illustrations	of	yoga	postures	are	found	in
appendix	4
.)
PRANAYAMA
After	finishing	your	exercises,	sit	quietly	and	do	some	deep	breathing:	twelve	Alternate

PRANAYAMA
Nostril	breaths	for	vata;	sixteen	Cooling	(
shitali
)	breaths	for	pitta;	one	hundred	Breath	of
Fire	(
bhastrika
)	breaths	for	kapha.	(Instructions	for	these	breathing	exercises	appear	in
chapter	6
.)
MEDITATION
End	your	
pranayama
	by	going	right	into	your	meditation.	Whatever	system	or	technique	of
meditation	you	do,	do	it	now.	If	you	don’t	presently	do	any	meditation	practice,	try	the
Empty	Bowl	meditation	explained	in	
chapter	7
.	You	will	find	that	meditation	brings	peace
and	balance	into	your	life.
BREAKFAST
Now	it	is	time	for	you	to	enjoy	your	breakfast!	Your	meal	should	be	fairly	light	in	the	hot
months,	and	more	substantial	in	cold	weather.	Vata	and	pitta	persons	should	eat	some
breakfast;	kaphas	are	usually	better	off	if	they	don’t	eat,	since	eating	during	kapha	time

will	increase	kapha	in	the	body.	Follow	the	dietary	guidelines	for	the	three	doshas	which
appear	in	
chapter	8
.
OFF	TO	WORK
After	breakfast	go	to	work	or	to	your	studies	if	you	are	a	student.	While	walking	to	work	(or
to	and	from	your	car,	the	train,	or	the	bus),	be	aware	of	every	step.	Carry	your	meditative
mind	with	you.	When	you	look	at	your	boss	or	colleague,	at	the	same	time	look	inside.	Then
your	work	will	become	a	meditation.	You	will	find	yourself	looking	at	others	with
compassion	and	greater	awareness.
It	is	better	not	to	drink	tea	or	coffee	at	work.	If	you	are	thirsty,	have	some	warm	water	or
some	fruit	juice	if	you	prefer.
LUNCHTIME
By	around	noon	you	will	become	quite	hungry.	Have	a	bowl	of	soup	and	some	salad,	or
some	rice	and	vegetables,	following	the	guidelines	for	your	constitution.	And	don’t	drink	too
much	during	your	meal.	Take	a	cup	of	water	(preferably	warm	but	definitely	not	iced),	and

just	take	a	sip	between	two	mouthfuls	of	food.	Drinking	a	little	water	improves	digestion.
One	can	drink	a	cup	of	water	an	hour	before	lunch	or	an	hour	after	lunch,	but	not
immediately	afterward,	as	that	slows	down	digestion	and	creates	ama.
SIT	STRAIGHT,	WALK	STRAIGHT
Maintain	your	vertebral	column	straight.	When	you	keep	the	backbone	straight,	energy
flows	upward	and	you	maintain	your	awareness.	It	is	difficult	to	be	aware	when	the	spine	is
crunched.
TAKE	A	WALK
When	you’ve	finished	your	job	for	the	day,	go	home	and	take	a	walk,	alone,	silently,	in	the
woods,	in	the	park,	or	on	the	bank	of	the	river.	Listen	to	the	water,	the	birds,	the	rustle	of
leaves,	the	barking	of	a	dog.	In	that	listening,	the	meditative	mind	is	regained.
In	this	way,	every	day	becomes	heavenly.	Every	day	becomes	a	celebration,	something

new.	That’s	why	the	routine	is	most	important.	The	discipline	of	the	routine	leaves	room	for

awareness,	openness,	and	freshness.
SUPPER	TIME
At	around	six	o’clock	(see	“
Mealtimes	for	Each	Dosha
”	box)	have	your	supper.	If	you	like	to
cook,	you	can	cook	according	to	the	
Ayurvedic	Cookbook	for	Self-Healing
	that	I	have	written
with	my	wife,	Usha	Lad	(see	the	
).	Don’t	watch	television	while	eating.	Pay
attention	to	the	food.	Eating	food	with	attention	becomes	meditation.	And	when	you	are
eating	with	awareness,	you	will	not	eat	too	much;	you’ll	eat	just	a	sufficient	amount.
It	is	better	to	eat	when	the	sun	is	up.	Eating	late	at	night	will	change	the	body	chemistry,
sleep	will	be	disturbed,	and	you	will	not	feel	rested	in	the	morning.	If	you	eat	supper
around	6,	by	9	the	stomach	will	be	empty	and	you	will	sleep	soundly.
AFTER	DINNER
Sing	songs	while	you	wash	the	dishes.	Be	happy.	Keep	smiling.
About	an	hour	after	dinner,	if	you	are	taking	
triphala
	(an	herbal	compound	that	is	both
strengthening	and	purifying),	take	½	teaspoon	with	some	warm	water.

Then	if	you	like,	you	can	watch	TV,	perhaps	some	news.	You	should	know	what’s
happening	in	this	world	of	ours.	Or	you	can	read	a	magazine	or	a	book.
BEFORE	GOING	TO	BED
Before	you	go	to	bed,	some	spiritual	reading	is	important,	even	if	only	for	a	few	minutes.
And	don’t	forget	to	drink	a	cup	of	hot	milk,	with	a	little	ginger,	cardamom,	and	turmeric.
Drinking	milk	at	bedtime	helps	to	induce	sound	sleep.	According	to	Ayurveda,	that	milk	also
nourishes	
shukra	dhatu
,	the	body’s	highly	refined	reproductive	tissue.
Rubbing	a	little	oil	on	the	soles	of	your	feet	and	on	the	scalp	is	also	soothing	and
promotes	restful	sleep.
Finally,	before	you	go	to	bed,	do	a	few	minutes	of	meditation.	Sit	quietly	and	watch	your
breath.	In	the	pauses	between	breaths,	you’ll	meet	with	nothingness,	and	nothingness	is
energy	and	intelligence.	Allow	that	intelligence	to	deal	with	your	problems.	In	this	way,

you’ll	begin	and	end	your	day	with	meditation,	and	meditation	will	stay	with	you	even
during	deep	sleep.
BEDTIME
It	is	recommended	that	vatas	go	to	bed	by	10	
P.M
.	and	sleep	on	their	left	side.	Pittas	should
sleep	on	the	right	side,	retiring	between	10	and	11	
P.M
.	The	best	bedtime	for	kapha
individuals	is	between	11	and	midnight;	they	should	sleep	on	their	left	side.
Kapha	individuals	generally	like	to	sleep	about	nine	hours,	and	they	feel	it	is	good	for
them.	But	this	is	an	illusion.	Sleeping	this	long	will	slow	down	their	metabolism,	and	they

will	put	on	weight	and	become	chubby.	The	best	schedule	for	them	is	to	stay	up	until	about
11	
P.M
.	or	midnight,	then	to	wake	up	early,	around	4:30	or	5:00	
A.M
.	and	go	out	for	a	walk.
That	shorter	sleep	will	help	to	induce	a	light	quality	in	their	body,	and	they	will	start	losing
weight.
SEX
Ayurveda	has	some	definite	suggestions	about	the	proper	role	of	sex	in	our	lives.	Sex	is	a
tremendous	creative	force,	and	through	
sex	people	share	their	love	and	compassion	and	can
derive	great	pleasure.
Sex	is	also	correlated	with	constitutional	type.	The	recommended	frequency	of	sexual
activity	is	quite	different	for	the	different	types.	Kaphas,	with	their	strong	constitutions,	can
make	love	two	to	three	times	a	week,	whereas	the	suggestion	for	vatas	is	once	or	at	most
twice	a	month.	Pitta	individuals	are	in	the	middle;	every	two	weeks	is	recommended	for
them.
Too-frequent	lovemaking	reduces	
ojas
,	the	body’s	vital	energy,	and	leaves	the	person

them.
ojas
weak	and	open	to	diseases.	It	also	aggravates	vata	dosha.
To	restore	strength	and	replenish	
ojas
,	after	each	time	you	make	love	a	massage	is
helpful,	as	are	nourishing	drinks	such	as	almond	milk.	(See	recipe	for	almond	milk	on	
this
page
.)	The	best	time	for	lovemaking	is	between	10	and	11	
P.M
.	Sex	in	the	morning	or	in	the
daytime	is	not	recommended.
This	entire	daily	routine	is	very	important.
I	set	more	store	by	a	good	regimen	that	maintains	my	humors	in	balance	and
procures	me	a	sound	sleep.	Drink	hot	when	it	freezes,	drink	cool	in	the	dog	days;	in
everything,	neither	too	much	nor	too	little;	digest,	sleep,	have	pleasure,	and	snap
your	fingers	at	the	rest	of	it.
—
Voltaire
The	seasons,	like	the	times	of	day,	are	characterized	by	cycles	of	vata,	pitta,	and	kapha.
Maintaining	good	health	during	all	four	seasons	requires	living	in	harmony	with	these

natural	cycles,	continually	adjusting	to	the	changes	in	the	outer	environment	through	the
food	we	choose	to	eat,	the	type	and	amount	of	exercise	we	do,	the	clothes	we	wear,	and	so
on.	The	suggestions	in	this	section	will	help	you	be	at	your	best	all	year	round.

Please	remember	that	you	cannot	determine	the	seasons	just	by	dates	on	the	calendar.
Ayurveda	is	a	system	of	natural	medicine,	which	means	that	you	have	to	see	what	is
happening	in	nature!	In	different	geographic	areas	the	seasons	come	at	different	times	and
have	varied	characteristics.	In	addition,	in	just	one	day	there	may	be	four	seasons:	sunshine
and	singing	birds	creating	a	springlike	air	in	the	morning;	warm	summery	breezes	at
midday;	gusts	of	cool,	dry	autumnal	wind	in	the	afternoon;	cold,	cloudy,	wintry	weather
after	dark.	So	look	at	nature	as	it	is,	and	apply	the	appropriate	principles	and	practices.
GUIDELINES	FOR	SUMMER
Summer	is	hot,	bright,	and	sharp,	the	season	of	pitta.	Thus	the	main	recommendation	for
everyone,	especially	for	individuals	whose	
prakruti
	is	primarily	pitta,	is	to	keep	cool	and	not
allow	pitta	dosha	to	become	aggravated.
•	In	the	morning,	as	part	of	your	daily	routine,	rub	5	to	6	ounces	of	coconut	oil	or

sunflower	oil	on	your	body	before	bathing.	Coconut	oil	is	calming,	cooling,	and	soothing	to
the	skin.
•	Wear	cotton	or	silk	clothing;	it	is	cooling,	
light,	and	allows	the	skin	to	breathe.	Loose-
fitting	clothes	are	best;	they	permit	the	air	to	pass	through	and	cool	the	body.
•	The	best	colors	to	wear	in	hot	weather	are	white,	gray,	blue,	purple,	and	green.	Avoid
red,	orange,	dark	yellow,	and	black,	which	absorb	and	retain	heat	and	will	aggravate	pitta.
•	Follow	the	pitta-pacifying	diet	from	the	food	guidelines	in	
chapter	8
.	Good	fruits	for
summer	include	apples,	pears,	melons,	plums,	and	prunes.	Watermelon	and	lime	juice	are
also	good	in	summer.	Try	steamed	asparagus,	broccoli,	brussels	sprouts,	cucumber	raita,	and
basmati	rice.	Kitchari	made	of	basmati	rice	and	mung	dal,	with	a	little	ghee	and	grated
coconut,	makes	a	delicious	light	meal.	Avoid	sour	fruits,	citrus	fruits,	and	even	beets	and

carrots,	which	are	all	heating.	Garlic,	onion,	chili,	tomato,	sour	cream,	and	salted	cheeses
are	also	not	recommended.	You	can	eat	more	salads	in	summer	than	at	any	other	time,	as
they	are	cooling,	but	they	are	best	eaten	for	lunch.	If	you	eat	meat,	you	can	have	some	light
meat—chicken,	turkey,	or	shrimp—once	a	week.	Avoid	dark	meats,	which	are	heating.
•	Don’t	drink	hot	water	or	hot	drinks	in	the	summer.	Room-temperature	or	cool	drinks	are
best.	Ice	and	iced	drinks,	however,	inhibit	digestion	and	create	toxins	(ama)	in	the	body;	it
is	best	never	to	drink	them.
•	A	refreshing	drink	is	cool	lassi.	Mix	1	part	yogurt	with	4	parts	water,	and	blend	2	or	3
minutes	until	creamy.	You	can	add	¼	teaspoon	roasted	cumin	seed	before	blending,	or	for	a
sweet-flavored	drink,	add	2	tablespoons	Sucanat	or	other	sweetener	and	1	drop	of	rose

water.	The	juice	of	¼	lime	in	a	cup	of	cool	water	with	a	pinch	of	cumin	powder	is	also
refreshing.
•	Working	in	a	hot	kitchen	provokes	pitta.	If	you	cook,	cook	in	the	early	morning	or	in
the	evening.	If	someone	cooks	three	days	in	a	row,	on	the	fourth	day	you	should	treat	that
person	to	dinner	in	a	restaurant.	This	will	avoid	conflicts	in	the	relationship.
•	If	you	customarily	drink	alcoholic	beverages,	avoid	whiskey,	brandy,	rum,	and	red	wine,
which	are	heating.	Some	cool	beer	during	hot	days	will	be	all	right.
•	This	is	a	season	of	generalized	low	energy.	Thus	it	is	all	right	to	take	a	short	nap	in	the

daytime.
•	If	you	have	to	work	outside,	wear	a	wide-brimmed	hat.
•	Wear	sunglasses	outdoors	during	the	brightest	part	of	the	day.	Lenses	should	be	smoky
gray	or	green,	not	red	or	yellow	and	especially	not	blue	or	purple,	which	will	damage	the
eyes.
•	If	you	can,	work	indoors.	Have	some	air	conditioning	in	your	car	and	in	your	room	or
office.
•	Never	lie	in	the	sun	in	summer.	If	the	weather	is	very	hot,	don’t	wear	shorts	or	short
sleeves,	but	wear	loose-fitting	clothing	to	protect	your	skin.	No	person	having	multiple
moles	should	lie	in	the	sun;	it	may	provoke	extreme	pitta	aggravation	and	lead	to	skin
cancer.
•	If	you	feel	really	hot,	take	a	swim	in	a	cool	lake	or	pool,	then	drink	a	little	lime	juice	in
water.
•	Avoid	strenuous	exercise.	If	you	are	accustomed	to	running	or	other	vigorous	aerobic
exercise,	do	it	early	in	the	morning	at	the	coolest	part	of	the	day.
•	
Do	some	mild	yoga	exercises	and	quiet	meditation	twice	a	day.	Good	postures	for

•	
summer	include	the	Fish,	Camel,	Boat,	Cobra,	Cow,	and	Palm	Tree	poses.	Pitta	individuals
should	not	do	inverted	poses	such	as	Headstand	and	Shoulder	Stand,	which	can	be	pitta-
provoking.	Also,	do	the	Moon	Salutation.	(See	illustrations	in	
appendix	4
.)
•	Perform	
shitali	pranayama
,	a	cooling	breathing	exercise	described	in	
chapter	6
.
•	Certain	jewelry	and	gems	will	help	cool	pitta.	These	include	a	necklace	of	sandalwood
beads,	a	jade	or	pearl	necklace,	amethyst	crystals,	moonstone,	malachite	crystals,	and	any
silver	jewelry.
•	In	the	evening,	after	dinner,	go	for	a	walk	in	the	moonlight.	Dress	in	white	clothes,	with
white	flowers	in	your	hair	or	a	garland	of	white	flowers	around	your	neck.
•	You	can	go	to	bed	a	little	later	on	summer	nights,	around	11	
P.M
.	or	midnight.	Rub	some
coconut	oil	on	your	scalp	and	the	soles	of	your	feet	for	a	cooling	effect	before	going	to

sleep.	Sleep	on	your	right	side.
•	Sandalwood,	jasmine,	and	khus	oils	are	cooling	and	are	good	fragrances	to	wear	in	the
summer.	Also,	place	a	few	drops	of	sandalwood	oil	on	your	pillow,	and	you	will	be	sleeping
with	sandalwood	perfume	all	night.
•	Sex	should	be	minimized	in	the	summer,	as	it	is	heating	and	will	provoke	pitta.	If	you
want	to	have	sex,	do	it	between	9	and	10	
P.M
.,	when	it	is	cooler	but	not	yet	pitta	time.
During	the	summer,	the	sun	evaporates	the	moisture	of	the	earth	and	therefore
induces	hot,	dry	and	sharp	qualities	in	the	atmosphere,	resulting	in	pitta
aggravation.	In	summer	sweet,	cold,	liquid,	and	fatty	food	and	drinks	are	beneficial.
One	should	avoid	or	minimize	excessive	exercise	and	sex,	alcohol,	and	diets	which
are	salty,	sour,	pungent,	or	hot.	In	summer	time	one	should	enjoy	forests,	gardens,

flowers,	and	cool	water.	During	the	night	one	should	sleep	on	the	open	airy	roof	of
the	house,	which	is	cooled	by	the	rays	of	the	moon.
—

GUIDELINES	FOR	FALL
Autumn	is	dry,	light,	cold,	windy,	rough,	and	empty	(trees	drop	their	leaves).	All	these
qualities	provoke	vata	dosha.	So	naturally	the	guidelines	for	autumn	revolve	around
pacifying	vata.
•	If	you	can,	wake	up	early,	around	5	
A.M
.,	when	the	air	is	calm	and	the	birds	are	not	yet
out	of	bed.	There	is	an	extraordinary	silence	and	peace	at	this	time	of	day.
•	Good	yoga	
asanas
	for	the	autumn	season	include	the	Lotus	pose,	Forward	Bend,
Backward	Bend,	Vajrasana	(Sitting	on	the	Heels),	Spinal	Twist,	Camel,	Cobra,	Cow,	and
Cat.	Shoulder	Stand	and	Headstand	are	all	right	in	moderation.	Also	do	the	Sun	Salutation	a
minimum	of	twelve	cycles.	As	a	maximum,	you	can	do	as	many	Sun	Salutations	as	your	age,
but	you	have	to	build	up	to	this	through	regular	daily	practice.	Finish	your	yoga	session
with	
savasana
,	the	relaxation	pose.
•	Gentle	Alternate	Nostril	
pranayama
	is	good	following	yoga	postures.	Then	meditate	for
at	least	ten	to	fifteen	minutes.

pranayama
•	Every	morning	before	your	bath	or	shower,	rub	6	to	9	ounces	of	warm	sesame	oil	all
over	your	body,	from	head	to	toe.	Sesame	
oil	is	warming	and	heavy	and	will	help	to
balance	vata.	Then	take	a	nice	warm	shower.	Leave	a	little	of	the	oil	on	your	skin.
•	Good	fall	colors	for	pacifying	vata	are	red,	yellow,	and	orange.	White	is	also	helpful.
•	After	your	yoga,	meditation,	and	bath,	have	some	breakfast.	Try	oatmeal,	cream	of	rice,
cream	of	wheat,	tapioca,	or	any	grain	that	will	help	to	settle	vata.	(See	the	food
recommendations	for	vata	in	
chapter	8
.)	For	lunch	and	supper,	tortillas,	chapatis,	basmati
rice,	mung	dal	kitchari,	and	steamed	vegetables	are	all	good	fall	foods	to	balance	vata.
Salads	are	not	recommended.	Mushy,	soft	soups	and	stews	are	good,	and	be	sure	to	use
some	ghee.
•	Don’t	drink	black	tea	or	coffee	after	dinner.	Try	some	herbal	tea,	such	as	cumin-

some	ghee.
coriander-fennel	tea	(equal	proportions),	or	ginger-cinnamon-clove	tea.
•	Fasting	is	not	good	during	the	autumn	season.	It	generates	too	much	lightness	and
emptiness,	which	provoke	vata.
•	Be	sure	to	keep	warm.	Dress	warmly	enough	both	indoors	and	out.	On	a	windy,	gusty
day,	cover	your	head	and	ears.
•	Very	active,	vigorous	exercise	should	be	avoided,	especially	by	individuals	with	a	vata
•	A	short	afternoon	nap	is	acceptable	for	vatas.
•	Try	to	be	in	bed	by	10	
P.M
.
•	Drinking	a	cup	of	warm	milk	at	bedtime	is	good	in	the	autumn	season.	It	induces	sound,
natural	sleep.	Heat	the	milk	until	it	begins	to	boil	and	rise	up,	then	let	it	cool	enough	to
drink	comfortably.	You	might	add	a	pinch	each	of	ginger	and	cardamom	and	a	small	pinch
of	nutmeg.	These	herbs	are	warming	and	soothing	and	will	help	both	with	digesting	the
milk	and	with	relaxation.

•	At	the	junction	between	summer	and	fall,	a	
	treatment	will	help	remove
excess	vata	from	the	system.	(See	
chapter	4
.)	If	you	can’t	go	to	an	Ayurvedic	clinic,	try	the
home	purification	treatment	outlined	in	
chapter	4
.	A	crucial	component	of	this	treatment
should	be	the	
basti
	or	medicated	enema,	as	follows:

1
.	
Boil	2	tablespoons	of	
	powder	in	1	pint	of	water	for	5	minutes.
2
.	
Strain	out	the	herbs,	and	to	the	liquid	add	½	cup	warm	sesame	oil.
3
.	
When	this	mixture	has	cooled	to	a	comfortable	temperature,	use	it	for	the	enema.	Try	to
retain	it	for	30	minutes.
4
.	
After	half	an	hour	or	after	a	good	bowel	movement,	add	another	½	cup	warm	sesame
oil	to	the	rectum.	Try	to	retain	this	oil	for	at	least	10	minutes.
•	This	procedure	will	lubricate	the	colon,	calm	vata,	and	remove	stress	from	the	lower
back	and	neck	areas.	You	can	do	this	
basti
	once	a	week	during	the	autumn	season	to	keep
vata	in	check.
•	During	this	season,	take	particular	care	to	avoid	loud	noise,	loud	music	(such	as	rock),
fast	driving,	and	too	much	sexual	activity.	Avoid	cold	drafts	and	cold	winds.	These	all
aggravate	vata.
•	Excellent	herbs	for	pacifying	vata	dosha	in	the	autumn	are	
	(actually	a
formula	consisting	of	ten	herbs),	
ashwagandha,	bala
,	and	
vidari
.
GUIDELINES	FOR	WINTER

,	and	
vidari
.
In	winter,	the	sky	is	cloudy,	the	weather	is	cold,	damp,	and	heavy,	and	life	in	the	cities
moves	slowly;	it	is	generally	a	season	of	kapha.	A	kapha-pacifying	regimen	should	be
adopted,	especially	by	kapha	individuals.	However,	certain	vata-provoking	qualities,	such
as	dry,	cold,	windy,	and	clear,	are	sometimes	prominent	on	winter	days,	so	vata	individuals
need	to	keep	this	in	mind.
•	In	winter	there	is	no	need	to	get	up	early.	The	5:00	rising	time	suggested	for	summer
and	autumn	is	not	necessary	now.	Unless	you	have	to	get	up	earlier	to	go	to	work,	you	can
get	up	around	7	
A.M
.
•	After	brushing	your	teeth	and	scraping	your	tongue	(see	the	Daily	Routine,	
this	page
),
do	some	yoga	
asanas
,	including	the	Sun	Salutation.	Beneficial	postures	for	winter	season
include	the	Fish,	Locust,	Boat,	Bow,	Lion,	and	Camel	poses,	Shoulder	Stand	and	Headstand.

These	postures	help	to	open	the	chest,	stretch	the	throat,	drain	the	sinuses,	and	relieve
congestion	of	the	chest.
•	Follow	your	yoga	postures	with	some	breathing	exercises.	
Bhastrika
	(Breath	of	Fire)	will
cleanse	kapha	dosha.	Follow	this	with	a	few	minutes	of	Right	Nostril	breathing,	which
promotes	circulation	and	heat.	(See	instructions	in	
chapter	6
.)
•	Winter	is	a	season	of	kapha.	So,	like	slow	and	steady	kapha,	don’t	be	in	a	rush.	Be	sure
to	follow	your	breathing	exercises	with	some	quiet	meditation.
•	After	meditation	apply	some	warm	sesame	oil	to	your	entire	body,	then	take	a	hot
shower.	Sesame	oil,	which	is	warming,	is	beneficial	for	all	constitutional	types	in	the
winter.
•	For	a	good	winter	breakfast,	have	some	oatmeal,	cornmeal,	barley	soup,	tapioca,
kitchari,	or	poha	(cooked	rice	flakes).	About	an	hour	later,	drink	tea	made	of	these	herbs:
dry	ginger			½	teaspoon

cinnamon			½	teaspoon
clove										a	pinch
Boil	these	herbs	in	a	cup	of	hot	water	for	five	minutes,	and	drink	the	tea.	It	will	increase
heat	and	pitta,	improve	circulation,	and	eliminate	mucus	from	the	system.	However,	if	you
have	an	ulcer,	don’t	drink	this	tea;	it	will	be	too	heating.
•	Wear	bright	warming	colors	such	as	red	and	orange.
•	Always	wear	a	hat	outdoors	in	winter.	More	than	60	percent	of	the	body’s	heat	is	lost
through	the	head.	Also	cover	your	neck	and	ears.
•	For	lunch,	eat	kapha-soothing	food	but	not	food	that	is	vata-aggravating.	Whole-wheat
bread,	steamed	vegetables,	and	hot	mushy	soup	with	much	ghee	and	some	crunchy	croutons
would	be	just	right.
•	If	you	like	to	eat	meat,	Ayurveda	says	that	winter	is	the	time	to	eat	it,	because	agni
(digestive	fire)	is	strong.	Chicken	and	turkey	are	good	choices.
•	Although	a	nap	may	be	acceptable	in	summer	and	autumn	(especially	for	pitta	and	vata
individuals,	respectively),	sleeping	in	the	daytime	is	not	recommended	during	winter

because	it	will	increase	kapha,	slow	down	metabolism,	and	reduce	the	gastric	fire.
•	Ayurveda	recommends	drinking	a	little	
dry	red	wine—a	few	ounces	at	most—in	the
winter	to	improve	digestion	and	circulation.	
Draksha
	(Ayurvedic	herbal	wine)	is	a	good
choice.	Take	4	teaspoons	of	draksha	with	an	equal	amount	of	water	before	or	after	dinner.
•	The	winter	season,	when	the	sky	is	covered	by	clouds	and	it	is	gray	outdoors,	is
conducive	to	loneliness	and	depression.	Following	the	kapha-pacifying	routine	will
definitely	help.	If	possible,	don’t	be	away	from	your	wife,	husband,	boyfriend,	or	girlfriend
in	the	winter.	When	it	is	cold	outside	and	inside	there	is	no	one	to	sleep	with,	you	will
definitely	feel	lonely.	When	you	have	your	companion	in	the	winter,	you	feel	great!
•	At	the	end	of	the	day,	rub	a	small	amount	of	sesame	oil	on	your	scalp	and	on	the	soles
of	your	feet.

•	According	to	Ayurvedic	tradition,	winter	is	the	season	in	which	you	can	have	sex	more
often.
•	The	best	herbs	for	winter	are	
pippali
,	licorice,	ginger,	
punarnava
,	black	pepper,	and	
kutki
.
You	can	also	use	the	herbal	tonic	
.
•	Some	light	fasting,	for	a	day	or	two,	is	all	right	if	your	digestive	fire	is	strong.	You	can
drink	some	apple	juice	or	pomegranate	juice	during	your	fast	if	you	like.
•	At	the	junction	between	autumn	and	winter,	individuals	who	tend	to	get	kapha
problems	in	winter	(colds,	coughs,	flu,	sinus	congestion,	and	the	like)	should	receive
	at	an	Ayurvedic	clinic,	under	the	care	of	an	Ayurvedic	physician,	to	remove
excess	kapha	dosha.	This	will	help	give	you	a	problem-free	winter.
GUIDELINES	FOR	SPRING
Spring	is	the	king	of	the	seasons.	In	the	Bhagavad	Gita	Lord	Krishna	reveals	his
predominant	attributes	in	the	eleventh	chapter:	“I	am	the	Soul	in	the	body,	the	Mind	in	the

senses,	the	Eagle	among	birds,	the	Lion	among	animals.	Among	all	the	trees	I	am	the	sacred
Bodhi
	tree,	and	of	the	seasons,	I	am	Spring.”

In	spring	Mother	Earth	wakes	up	and	causes	sprouting;	energy	moves	up;	everything	is
blooming	and	flowering,	full	of	colors	and	greenery.	People	feel	energetic	and	love	to	go
outdoors.	It	is	the	season	of	celebration.
The	qualities	of	spring	are	warm,	moist,	gentle,	and	unctuous.	Due	to	the	warmth,	the
accumulated	snow	and	ice	of	winter	begin	to	melt.	Similarly,	accumulated	kapha	in	the
body	starts	liquefying	and	running.	That	is	why	so	many	people	get	spring	colds.	In
addition,	as	flowers	shed	their	pollen,	fragrance,	and	perfume,	making	vata	and	pitta
people	happy,	many	kapha	individuals	get	hay	fever	and	allergies.
As	early	winter	carries	some	of	the	qualities	of	fall,	so	early	spring	is	much	like	winter,
and	many	of	the	recommendations	are	the	same.	For	example,	
	is	highly
recommended,	to	clear	the	system	of	accumulated	kapha	dosha	and	help	prevent	allergies,
hay	fever,	colds,	and	sinus	congestion.
•	Good	herbs	for	spring	include	ginger,	black	pepper,	
pippali

pippali
,	and	a	tea	made	of	cumin,
coriander,	and	fennel	in	equal	proportions.	
Sitopaladi,	punarnava
,	and	
sudarshan
	are	also
beneficial.
•	
Strictly	avoid	heavy,	oily	food.	Also,	it	is	better	not	to	eat	sour,	sweet,	and	salty	foods,
as	they	provoke	kapha.	Stay	away	from	dairy	products,	especially	in	the	morning.	Avoid	ice
cream	and	cold	drinks,	which	are	especially	kaphagenic.
•	Favor	bitter,	pungent,	and	astringent	foods.	All	legumes,	such	as	yellow	split	peas,	red
lentils,	and	garbanzo	and	pinto	beans,	are	recommended.	Radishes,	spinach,	okra,	onions,
and	garlic	can	be	used,	along	with	hot	spices	such	as	ginger,	black	pepper,	cayenne	pepper,
and	chili	pepper.	(But	don’t	overdo	these	hot	spices	if	your	constitution	is	predominantly
vata	or	especially	if	it	is	pitta.)	After	each	meal,	drink	some	tea	made	from	ginger,	black
pepper,	and	cinnamon.

•	Use	less	ghee	and	fewer	dairy	products,	and	use	more	honey,	which	is	heating.	A	cup	of
hot	water	with	a	teaspoon	of	honey	helps	balance	kapha	during	the	spring	season.	(But
never	cook	honey;	it	clogs	the	subtle	channels	and	acts	as	a	toxin	in	the	system.)	You	can
end	your	meal	with	a	cup	of	freshly	made	lassi	(see	
this	page
	for	recipe).
•	For	those	who	eat	meat,	chicken,	turkey,	rabbit,	and	venison	are	permissible;	seafood,
crab,	lobster,	and	duck	are	not	recommended	during	spring	season.
•	This	is	a	good	season	to	observe	a	juice	fast	of	apple,	pomegranate,	or	berry	juice.
•	Wake	up	early,	and	go	for	a	morning	walk.	Also,	do	the	Sun	Salutation	and	kapha-
reducing	yoga	postures,	such	as	the	Fish,	Boat,	Bow,	Locust,	Lion,	and	Camel	poses,	and	the
Headstand	and/or	Shoulder	Stand.	
Bhastrika
	and	Right	Nostril	breathing	are	also	helpful
(see	
chapter	6
).
•	Sleeping	in	the	daytime	aggravates	kapha;	hence	it	is	not	recommended	during	this
season.

).
season.
As	spring	advances	and	the	weather	heats	up,	you	will	want	to	change	from	a	kapha-
pacifying	regimen	to	the	pitta-pacifying	guidelines	suggested	for	summer.	In	fact,	as	the
weather	alternates	between	cold	and	hot,	you	will	need	to	be	alert	day-to-day	and	use	your
common	sense	to	remain	in	balance.

P
Chapter	6
Breathing	Techniques
rana
	is	the	bridge	between	body,	mind,	and	consciousness.	It	is	the	constant	movement
of	awareness.	
Prana
	carries	awareness	to	the	object	of	our	perception;	that	movement
of	awareness	through	
prana
	is	called	attention.	The	internal	movement	of	
prana
	is	the
movement	of	sensation,	thought,	feeling,	and	emotion.	Thus	
prana
	and	mind	are	deeply
connected.
The	physical	manifestation	of	
prana
	is	breath.	Breathing	and	mind	are	closely	connected.
Ayurveda	says	that	breathing	is	the	physical	part	of	thinking	and	thinking	is	the
psychological	part	of	breathing.	Every	thought	changes	the	rhythm	of	breath,	and	every
breath	changes	the	rhythm	of	thinking.	When	one	is	happy,	blissful,	and	silent,	breathing	is
rhythmic.	If	one	is	disturbed	with	anxiety,	fear,	or	nervousness,	the	breathing	is	irregular
and	interrupted.
Ancient	Vedic	seers	(
rishis
)	discovered	this	intimate	relationship	between	breathing	and
mental	activity	and	uncovered	the	art	of

mental	activity	and	uncovered	the	art	of	
pranayama.	Pranayama
	equals	
prana
	plus	
ayam.
Ayam
	means	“to	control,”	
prana
	is	“breath.”	By	controlling	the	breath,	we	can	control
mental	activity.
The	Secret	of	Pranayama
The	
rishis
	also	found	an	intimate	relationship	between	the	right	and	the	left	breath	cycle.
You	may	have	noticed	that	sometimes	you	breathe	more	easily	through	the	left	nostril,	and
sometimes	your	breathing	shifts	more	to	the	right	nostril.	This	shift	happens	about	every	45
to	90	minutes.	Just	as	the	right	side	of	our	body	is	governed	by	the	left	side	of	the	brain	and
vice	versa,	breathing	better	through	the	left	nostril	activates	the	right	hemisphere	of	the
brain,	and	breathing	better	through	the	right	nostril	activates	the	left	brain.
The	left	brain	is	associated	with	male	energy,	the	right	with	female	energy.	The	left	brain
is	for	logical	thinking,	investigation,	inquiry,	aggressiveness,	competition,	and	judgment.

Whenever	we	are	judging,	investigating,	and	so	on,	our	right	breath	cycle	is	dominant	and
our	left	brain	hemisphere	is	operating.	Exactly	opposite,	when	the	right	hemisphere	is
acting	and	the	left	breath	cycle	is	working,	we	have	female	energy,	which	is	associated	with
love,	compassion,	intuition,	art,	poetry,	and	religion.	So	when	an	artist	is	drawing	a	picture
or	a	poet	writing	a	poem,	he	or	she	is	using	some	part	of	the	right	brain.	And	when	the
scientist	is	working	in	the	lab,	investigating	and	solving	a	problem,	at	that	time	he	or	she	is
using	some	part	of	the	left	brain.
The	secret	of	
pranayama
	is	the	secret	of	handling	the	male	and	female	energy	operating	in
our	nervous	system.	In	Alternate	Nostril	
pranayama
,	when	we	inhale	through	the	left	nostril,
we	charge	the	right	brain.	When	we	inhale	through	the	right	nostril,	we	charge	our	left

brain.	When	yogis	do	Alternate	Nostril	breathing,	their	male	and	female	energies	become
equally	balanced.	When	these	energies	are	balanced,	the	neutral	energy	is	awakened	and

one	experiences	pure	awareness,	which	is	called	
brahman
.
When	we	do	
pranayama
,	the	
nadis
	(subtle	channels	of	the	nervous	system)	become
purified,	the	mind	becomes	controlled,	and	we	can	go	beyond	male	and	female	energies	to
pure,	choiceless,	passive	awareness.
This	is	the	basis	for	
pranayama
.	Then	there	are	numerous	types	of	
pranayama:
	practices	to
heat	or	cool	the	body;	Right	Nostril	breathing	to	awaken	more	male	energy;	Left	Nostril
breathing	to	awaken	more	female	energy;	and	so	on.
ALTERNATE	NOSTRIL	
PRANAYAMA
One	of	the	simplest	breathing	practices,	and	one	that	is	very	effective,	as	we	have	discussed,
is	Alternate	Nostril	
pranayama
.
1
.	
Sit	comfortably	on	the	floor	in	a	crosslegged	posture,	keeping	the	spine	straight.	If	you
are	not	comfortable	in	this	position,	sit	upright	on	the	front	edge	of	a	chair	with	your
feet	flat	on	the	floor.
2
.	
Close	the	right	nostril	with	your	right	thumb,	and	inhale	through	the	left	nostril.	Inhale

2
.	
into	the	belly,	not	into	the	chest.
3
.	
After	inhaling,	hold	your	breath	for	just	a	moment.
4
.	
Exhale	through	your	right	nostril	while	closing	the	left	with	the	ring	and	little	finger	of
your	right	hand.
5
.	
Repeat	steps	1	to	3,	but	this	time	start	by	inhaling	through	the	
right
	nostril	(while	you
close	the	left	nostril	with	your	ring	and	little	finger).
You	can	do	this	breathing	exercise	for	five	to	ten	minutes.
NOTE
:	This	
pranayama
,	as	well	as	the	others	in	this	book,	is	best	learned	under	the
guidance	of	an	accomplished	teacher.

SHITALI	PRANAYAMA
	(COOLING	BREATH)
Curl	your	tongue	into	a	tube.	Inhale	slowly	through	the	curled	tongue,	swallow,	and	then
exhale	normally	through	the	nose,	keeping	the	mouth	closed.	You	will	feel	the	incoming	air
cool	your	saliva,	your	tongue,	and	the	oral	mucous	membranes.
This	form	of	breathing	is	helpful	for	pacifying	high	pitta.	It	lowers	the	oral	temperature,
makes	the	saliva	cool,	helps	to	quench	thirst,	and	improves	digestion,	absorption,	and
assimilation.	
Shitali
	is	effective	for	high	blood	pressure,	burning	throat	or	tongue,	and	a
burning	sensation	in	the	eyes.	It	cools	the	entire	body.
If	you	can’t	curl	your	tongue	into	a	tube,	an	alternative	way	to	perform	
shitali
	is	with
your	teeth	lightly	clenched	together	and	your	tongue	pressed	up	against	the	teeth.	The	air	is
then	inhaled	through	the	teeth.	Some	people	feel	pain	when	cool	air	is	drawn	through	the
teeth;	keeping	your	tongue	against	your	teeth	will	provide	warmth	and	prevent	this
discomfort.
BHASTRIKA	PRANAYAMA

	(BREATH	OF	FIRE)
This	breathing	exercise	increases	the	vital	capacity	of	the	lungs,	relieves	allergies	and
asthma,	and	helps	make	the	lungs	strong	and	healthy.	It	also	heats	the	body.
Inhale	passively	(through	the	nose),	but	exhale	actively	and	with	
a	little
	force.	Start	slowly
and	increase	the	speed.	Imagine	a	steam	locomotive	moving	slowly	and	picking	up	speed.
Do	one	round	of	30	strokes	or	exhalations,	then	rest	for	one	minute.	You	can	do	up	to	five
such	rounds	of	
bhastrika
	in	the	morning	and	five	in	the	evening.

SHITALI	PRANAYAMA	(COOLING	BREATH)
BHASTRIKA	PRANAYAMA	(BREATH	OF	FIRE)
BHRAMARI	PRANAYAMA
	(HUMMING	BREATH)
On	inhalation,	constrict	the	epiglottis	so	as	to	create	a	humming	sound.	On	exhalation,	the
sound	is	long	and	low.	The	inhalation,	which	is	more	high-pitched,	is	traditionally	said	to	be
like	a	female	bee;	the	exhalation,	which	has	a	deeper	sound,	like	a	male	bee.
If	you	find	it	difficult	to	make	the	humming	sound	on	the	inhalation,	just	inhale	naturally,
take	a	deep	breath	into	the	belly,	and	then	do	the	humming	on	the	exhalation.
When	doing	
bhramari
,	touch	the	tip	of	your	tongue	lightly	to	the	edge	of	the	soft	palate
near	the	back	of	the	roof	of	your	mouth.	Be	sure	the	teeth	are	not	clenched.
Bhramari
	improves	the	melodiousness	of	the	voice.	The	humming	vibrates	the	nervous
system	and	is	a	form	of	sound	therapy	for	the	brain.	It	is	also	good	for	the	thyroid,	thymus,

and	parathyroid	glands.	Do	ten	cycles.
UJJAYI	PRANAYAMA
	(BREATH	OF	VICTORY)
Sit	in	either	Vajrasana	or	the	Lotus	posture,	with	your	hands	resting	on	your	knees,	palms
up.	Keep	your	head,	neck,	and	chest	in	a	straight	line.	Lower	your	head	into	a	slight	chin
lock	by	moving	your	head	in	and	down,	toward	your	chest.	Bring	your	awareness	to	the
throat	area.
Now	comes	the	slightly	tricky	part.	Without	actually	swallowing,	start	the	action	of
swallowing,	to	raise	the	trachea	upward.	At	the	same	time,	while	constricting	your
epiglottis,	as	in	silently	“saying”	the	letter	
e
,	slowly	and	deeply	inhale	into	the	belly.	The
inhaled	air	will	create	a	soft,	gentle	whispering	sound	of	rushing	air	as	it	brushes	the	throat,
trachea,	heart,	and	diaphragm.
After	inhaling,	swallow	and	hold	your	breath	at	the	belly	for	a	moment,	then	slowly
exhale	the	air	by	again	constricting	the	epiglottis—as	if	humming,	but	without	producing
any	humming	sound.
Ujjayi	pranayama

	brings	great	joy.	It	calms	the	mind,	relaxes	the	intercostal	muscles,	and
really	brings	a	sense	of	victory.	
Ujjayi
	is	good	for	all	three	doshas	and	helps	to	reestablish
constitutional	balance.	It	promotes	longevity.	Do	twelve	cycles	(repetitions)	at	a	time.
SURYA	BHEDI	PRANAYAMA
	(RIGHT	NOSTRIL	BREATHING)
Put	a	cotton	“plug”	in	your	left	nostril	so	that	you	will	breathe	through	the	right	nostril,	or
block	the	left	nostril	by	gently	pressing	with	the	ring	and	little	finger	of	the	right	hand.	Sit
comfortably.	Breathe	in	and	out	through	the	right	nostril	only.	Repeat	ten	times.

M
Chapter	7
Meditation	and	Mental	Discipline
editation	is	an	art	of	bringing	harmony	to	body,	mind,	and	consciousness.	Life	with
meditation	is	a	flowering	of	bliss	and	beauty.	Life	without	meditation	is	stress,
confusion,	and	illusion.
During	ancient	times	meditation	was	often	considered	a	way	of	life.	Truly,	meditation	is
not	separate	from	daily	living,	but	as	a	discipline,	we	have	to	practice	certain	techniques,
methods,	and	systems.	Once	we	have	practiced	a	form	of	meditation	and	mastered	it,	that
discipline	stays	with	us	in	every	aspect	of	our	lives.	So	whatever	technique	you	do,
whatever	system	you	follow,	according	to	the	instruction	given	by	your	teacher,	please	do
that.
But	what	is	meditation,	and	what	is	not?
Meditation	is	not	concentration.	In	concentration	we	narrow	the	mind,	and	a	narrow
mind	is	a	limited	mind.	We	need	that	limited,	pointed,	concentrated	mind	to	probe	into	any
subject,	to	solve	problems,	to	learn	a	language,	to	fly	an	airplane.	We	need	it.	But	not	in

meditation.
In	concentration	we	build	a	wall	of	resistance,	and	in	the	effort	to	control	the	mind,	we
lose	energy.	Some	people	meditate	that	way	for	an	hour,	and	when	they’re	finished,	they
feel	tired,	because	for	that	hour	they	were	fighting	and	fighting,	negating	everything,
saying	no	to	all	thoughts	and	perceptions,	trying	to	focus	the	mind.
Concentration	is	all-exclusive,	but	meditation	is	all-inclusive.	Meditation	is	open,
choiceless	awareness.	Everything	is	welcome.	Meditation	says	yes	to	everything,	while
concentration	says	no	to	everything.
Concentration	is	effort.	Wherever	there	is	effort,	there	is	a	maker	of	the	effort.	The	maker
of	the	effort	is	the	ego.	Concentration	nourishes	the	ego,	the	maker	of	the	effort.	The	more
the	concentration,	the	more	ego.
In	meditation,	there	is	no	effort	and	no	
effort-maker.	Therefore	there	is	freedom.	You	are

just	sitting	quietly	and	listening	to	everything,	whether	it	is	the	call	of	a	bird,	the	cry	of	a
child,	the	rustle	of	the	leaves.	Every	sound	is	welcome.	Whatever	the	sound,	allow	it	to
come	to	you.	When	you	listen	to	the	sound,	you	become	the	center	and	the	sound	is
peripheral,	rushing	toward	you,	to	meet	with	you.
In	listening	to	any	kind	of	sound	without	judgment,	without	criticism,	without	liking	or
disliking,	you	become	the	center	and	all	sounds	rush	toward	you,	to	dissolve	into	you.
Follow	the	sound.	Allow	it	to	pass	through	you.	Don’t	resist.	Then	a	magical	phenomenon
happens.	You	become	empty.	You	become	silent,	pure	existence.
When	a	breeze	comes	to	you,	allow	that	breeze	to	pass	through	you.	No	effort,	no
resistance.	Remember,	peace	is	not	the	opposite	of	sound.	Every	sound	dissolves	into	peace.
You	are	that	peace,	and	sound	comes	to	meet	with	you	and	dissolve	into	you.

Look	at	any	object,	a	tree,	a	flower,	even	the	wall.	There	is	no	choice	in	the	looking,	no
judgment,	just	choiceless	observation.
Awareness	is	the	act	of	listening,	the	act	of	looking.	No	effort	is	required,	no

concentration.	In	awareness,	in	meditation,	concentration	happens	naturally.	It	is	given	to
you	as	a	gift.	But	in	concentration,	in	choosing,	you	miss	meditation.
In	expanded,	empty	consciousness,	thinking	stops,	breathing	becomes	quiet,	and	one
simply	exists	as	pure	awareness.	In	that	state	there	is	great	joy,	beauty,	and	love.	Individual
consciousness	merges	with	Cosmic	Consciousness,	and	one	goes	beyond	time	and	thought.
In	that	state,	whether	the	eyes	are	open	or	closed	does	not	matter.	It	comes	like	a	breeze
without	invitation,	because	this	state	is	your	true	nature—love,	bliss,	beauty,	and
awareness.	There	is	no	fear,	no	depression,	no	anxiety,	no	worry,	no	stress.	One	becomes
the	witness	of	anxieties,	worries,	and	stress.	In	that	state,	healing	occurs.
This	is	what	is	called	discipline.	Discipline	means	learning,	and	one	who	is	learning	is
called	a	disciple.	So	we	have	to	learn	the	art	of	discipline.	Discipline	means	putting

everything	in	its	right	place.	Thought	has	a	right	place,	desire	has	a	right	place,	job	has	a
right	place,	duty	has	a	right	place.	Discipline	brings	harmony	in	our	life.	Therefore
discipline	and	meditation	go	together.	There	is	no	meditation	without	discipline,	and	no
discipline	without	meditation.	They	are	one.	Mind	in	meditation	is	mind	in	discipline.
The	so-called	concentrated	mind	is	a	controlling	mind.	A	confused	mind	controls.	But	a
mind	that	is	free,	alert,	and	aware	is	blissful.	That	mind	is	a	disciplined	mind.	And
discipline	is	the	perfume	of	life.	Without	that	perfume,	life	never	becomes	celebration.
When	you	meditate,	sit	with	your	back	straight.	If	you	can,	sit	in	the	Lotus	pose	(or	Half
Lotus	if	that	is	more	comfortable	for	you).	If	that	is	not	comfortable,	you	can	sit	on	a	chair
but	keep	your	vertebral	column	erect.

With	persistent	practice,	you	can	increase	the	time	you	spend	in	the	Lotus	to	one,	two,	or
even	three	hours.	If	one	sits	properly	in	a	Lotus	pose	for	three	hours	a	day,	enlightenment
will	soon	come.
Sitting	in	the	Lotus	pose	helps	to	open	the	heart.	Breathing	becomes	quiet,	and	thinking
automatically	slows	and	stops.	To	go	beyond	thought	is	to	go	beyond	suffering,	because	it	is
thought	that	creates	suffering.
Sit	comfortably	and	quietly	with	your	palms	up	and	open	and	placed	on	your	knees,	like
empty	bowls.	Open	your	mouth	slightly,	and	touch	the	tongue	to	the	roof	of	the	mouth,
behind	the	front	teeth.
Begin	by	paying	attention	to	your	breath.	Let	your	lungs	breathe	with	no	effort	on	your
part.	Simply	watch	the	movement	of	your	breath.	Inhale.	Exhale.
During	inhalation,	air	touches	the	inside	of	the	nostrils.	Be	aware	of	that	breath.	During

exhalation,	again	air	touches	the	nostrils.	The	ingoing	air	feels	cool,	the	outgoing	air	is
warm.	For	a	fraction	of	a	second,	enter	into	your	nose!	Sit	in	the	nostril	and	watch	your
breath:	ingoing,	outgoing,	ingoing,	outgoing.	Let	your	lungs	do	their	job.	You	are	simply
sitting	and	watching.
After	five	minutes,	follow	the	breath.	When	the	lungs	inhale,	go	with	the	air	into	the
nose,	to	the	back	of	the	throat,	the	trachea,	lungs,	heart,	diaphragm.	Go	deep	down	behind
the	belly	button,	where	you	will	experience	a	natural	stop.	For	a	fraction	of	a	second,	the
breath	stops.	Stay	in	that	stop,	then	when	the	lungs	exhale,	again	follow	the	breath	as	it

reverses	its	course.	Come	up	from	the	belly	button	to	the	diaphragm,	heart,	lungs,	trachea,
and	throat,	back	to	the	nose,	then	out	of	the	body.
During	exhalation	the	air	goes	out	of	the	body	to	about	nine	inches	in	front	of	the	nose,
where	there	is	a	second	stop.	Again,	stay	in	that	stop	for	a	moment.
These	two	stops	are	very	important.	The	first	stop	is	behind	the	belly	button,	the	second
outside	the	body	in	space.	As	your	awareness	rests	in	these	two	stops,	time	stops,	because
time	is	the	movement	of	breath.	When	breath	stops,	mind	stops,	because	mind	is	the
movement	of	breath.	When	the	mind	becomes	quiet,	you	simply	exist,	without	body,	without
mind,	without	breath.
In	that	stop,	you	become	like	an	empty	bowl,	and	when	you	become	an	empty	bowl,
divine	lips	will	touch	you.	God	will	come	to	you,	to	pour	out	his	love.	You	do	not	need	to
seek	God,	for	God	is	seeking	you.	From	ages	past,	God	is	seeking	an	empty	bowl,	to	fill	with

his	love.	But	all	bowls	are	full	of	desire,	ambition,	business,	competition,	success	and
failure.
Just	sit	quietly	and	stay	in	the	stop.	That	stop	is	a	door.	Simply	enter	the	door	and	jump
into	the	inner	abyss.	You	will	feel	an	extraordinary	tranquillity	and	peace	surrounding	you.
Practice	this	meditation	for	15	minutes	in	the	morning	and	in	the	evening.	Over	the	days,
weeks,	and	months,	you	will	find	your	time	in	the	stops	naturally	increasing	until,
eventually,	inner	and	outer	will	merge	and	everything	will	happen	within	you.
NOTE
:	If	you	are	more	comfortable,	you	may	practice	this	meditation	in	a	prone
position.
So-Hum	Meditation
In	
So-Hum
	meditation	we	sit	quietly	and	watch	our	breath,	as	in	the	Empty	Bowl
meditation,	but	we	add	the	sound	
So
	on	inhalation,	
Hum
	on	exhalation.	(Only	silently;	we
don’t	speak	the	sounds	aloud.)

So
Hum
When	sound,	breath,	and	awareness	come	together,	it	becomes	light.	We	have	seen	that
every	atom	radiates	light	and	heat	energy,	which	is	a	quantum	wave.	The	moment	we	pay

attention	to	our	breath	and	start	feeling	
So-Hum,	So-Hum
	along	with	the	breath,	our	breath
becomes	a	quantum	wave	and	radiates	light.	You	may	see	that	light	of	life	at	the	third	eye.
Inspiration	(breathing	in)	is	living;	expiration	(breathing	out)	is	dying.	When	a	child	is
born,	with	its	first	breath	life	expresses	itself	with	inspiration.	When	someone	dies,	we	say
he	has	expired.	The	breath	has	gone	out.
Hum
	means	“I”	or	“individual	ego”;	
So
	means	“He,	the	Divine.”	So	in	the	natural	course	of
So-Hum
	meditation,	when	
So
	goes	in,	life	energy	goes	in	and	
Hum
,	ego,	our	limited
individuality,	goes	out.	That	is	the	significance	of	
So-Hum
	meditation.	When	you	inhale	
So
,
you	are	inhaling	life.	When	you	exhale	
Hum
,	you	are	exhaling	ego	and	limitation.
So-Hum
	meditation	properly	practiced	leads	to	the	union	of	the	individual	with	the
universal	Cosmic	Consciousness.	You	will	go	beyond	thought,	beyond	time	and	space,

beyond	cause	and	effect.	Limitations	will	vanish.	Your	consciousness	will	empty	itself,	and
in	that	emptying	it	will	expand	and	peace	and	joy	will	descend	as	a	benediction.
Double-Arrowed	Attention	(Witnessing)
In	Vedic	science,	witnessing	is	called	
samyag	darshan
.	This	is	a	process	of	looking	outward
and	inward	simultaneously.
When	we	look	at	a	tree,	a	star,	a	mountain,	or	a	flower,	something	goes	out	from	our
eyes,	touches	the	object,	and	comes	back	to	us.	That	which	goes	out	of	our	eyes	in	order	to
touch	the	object	of	perception,	we	call	attention.	Ayurveda	says	that	attention	happens
when	
prana
	goes	out	and	carries	the	vibration	of	awareness	toward	the	object.	Thus,
attention	is	awareness	plus	
prana
,	movement.
One	arrow	goes	out	and	touches	the	object.	At	the	same	time,	a	second	arrow	of	attention
should	go	inside,	toward	the	center	of	our	heart,	to	observe	the	observer.	At	the	time	of

looking,	when	you	look	at	the	object	outside,	at	the	same	time,	look	at	the	looker;	watch	the
watcher;	observe	the	observer.	What	happens	when	the	watcher	is	watched	is	that	the
watcher	disappears.	This	simple	watching,	without	a	watcher,	is	called	witnessing.	In	that
witnessing,	you	develop	intimacy,	relationship,	with	the	object	of	perception.

T
Chapter	8
Ayurvedic	Dietary	Guidelines
he	purpose	of	this	chapter	is	to	help	you	choose	a	suitable	diet	for	balance,	harmony,
and	health	in	your	life,	based	on	Ayurvedic	principles.	Health-conscious	people	today
are	interested	in	the	role	good	nourishment	can	play	in	their	healing	and	in	their	health.
Many	have	come	to	realize	that	proper	food	and	diet	can	make	a	vital	contribution	to	good
health,	while	inappropriate	eating	is	often	responsible	for	poor	health,	lack	of	vitality,	and
susceptibility	to	disease.
The	Ayurvedic	tradition	offers	much	insight	into	what	food	will	suit	and	balance	each
individual,	how	to	prepare	and	cook	this	food	properly,	how	to	avoid	food	combinations
that	will	create	toxins	in	the	body,	and	what	eating	habits	to	cultivate—and	which	to	avoid
—in	order	to	receive	the	most	nourishment	from	what	you	eat.	All	these	topics,	except
specific	guidelines	on	how	to	prepare	and	cook	the	food,	will	be	discussed	in	this	chapter.
(Interested	readers	may	consult

(Interested	readers	may	consult	
Ayurvedic	Cooking	for	Self-Healing
	by	Usha	Lad	and	Dr.
Vasant	Lad,	a	complete	reference	guide	to	Ayurvedic	cooking,	including	spices	and	herbs,
healing	qualities	of	common	foods,	menu	planning,	and	dozens	of	delicious	recipes.)
What	you	eat	should	be	suited	to	your	individual	constitution.	Ideally,	in	deciding	what	to
eat,	you	would	know	your	constitution	and	understand	its	relationship	to	the	qualities	of
various	kinds	of	food,	including	whether	each	food	would	be	helpful	or	aggravating	to	your
unique	doshic	balance.	You	would	have	to	take	into	account	the	taste	of	the	food	(we	will
discuss	that	issue	later	in	this	chapter),	and	whether	its	qualities	
are	heavy	or	light,	oily	or
dry,	liquid	or	solid.	You	would	also	have	to	know	whether	the	food	is	cooling	or	heating
(
virya
),	and	its	postdigestive	effect	(
vipaka
).
If	you	are	interested,	you	can	go	more	deeply	into	Ayurvedic	theory	in	order	to	fully

vipaka
).
comprehend	these	factors	(see	the	
).	Otherwise,	the	following	charts	take	these
factors	into	consideration	in	recommending	what	foods	to	eat	or	avoid.
The	charts	categorize	foods	according	to	their	suitability	for	each	doshic	type.	Here	are	a
few	points	to	remember:
•	Foods	marked	“no”	tend	to	aggravate	that	particular	dosha,	while	foods	marked	“yes”
pacify	or	balance	that	dosha.	In	planning	your	diet,	choose	foods	that	create	balance,	and
avoid	those	that	might	provoke	your	predominant	doshas	or	the	dosha	that	is	currently
aggravated	or	increased.
•	The	recommendations	are	not	meant	to	be	absolute,	but	are	guidelines.	If	a	food	is	on
your	“no”	list,	that	means	you	should	avoid	it	most	of	the	time,	and	if	you	eat	it,	eat	a
modest	amount	or	do	something	to	modify	its	effects.	Apples,	for	example,	are	quite	vata-

provoking	if	eaten	raw.	But	if	you	cook	them	and	eat	them	warm,	with	a	little	ghee	and

warming	spices	such	as	cardamom	or	cinnamon,	they	are	fine	for	vata	individuals	in	modest
amounts.
•	Keep	the	seasons	in	mind.	Summer,	for	example,	is	pitta	season,	and	it	is	not	good—
especially	for	people	with	a	predominantly	pitta	constitution—to	eat	too	many	hot,	spicy
foods,	or	pitta	dosha	will	become	aggravated.	Similarly,	during	autumn,	when	the	air	is	dry
and	cool	and	more	vata	is	present	in	the	atmosphere,	everyone—but	especially	individuals
with	a	vata	constitution—should	avoid	dry	fruit,	salads,	cold	foods,	and	other	vata-
provoking	items.	In	winter	and	early	spring,	the	heavy,	cold,	moist	season	of	kapha,	one
should	make	an	extra	effort	to	avoid	cold	food	and	drinks,	ice	cream,	cheese,	yogurt,
melons,	and	other	kaphaincreasing	foods.
•	For	individuals	with	a	dual	constitution	(two	doshas	approximately	equal),	a	little	extra
care	is	needed,	but	you	can	figure	it	out.	For	example,	a	vata-pitta	individual	needs	to	avoid

vata-increasing	foods	in	the	fall	and	winter	(but	without	increasing	pitta	too	much)	and
minimize	pitta-provoking	foods	in	the	summer	(but	without	aggravating	vata).	Stated	in
positive	terms,	favor	vata-balancing	foods	in	the	fall,	pitta-pacifying	foods	in	the	summer.
Here	are	some	general	dietary	guidelines	for	balancing	the	doshas:
Vata
50	percent	whole	grains—whole-grain	cooked	cereals,	some	breads	and	crackers
20	percent	protein—eggs,	high-quality	dairy	products,	poultry,	fish,	seafood,	beef,	tofu,
black	and	red	lentils
20–30	percent	fresh	vegetables—with	an	optional	10	percent	for	fresh	fruit
Pitta
50	percent	whole	grains—whole-wheat	breads,	cereals,	cooked	grains
20	percent	protein—beans	(except	lentils),	tofu,	tempeh,	cottage	cheese,	ricotta	cheese,
raw	milk,	egg	white,	chicken	and	turkey	(white	meat	only),	shrimp,	rabbit,	venison

20–30	percent	vegetables—with	an	optional	10	percent	for	fresh	fruit
Kapha
30–40	percent	whole	grains—rye	crackers,	dry	cereals,	cooked	grains
20	percent	protein—chicken,	turkey,	boiled	and	poached	eggs,	small	amount	of	goat’s
milk,	and	most	beans	(including	garbanzos,	adzukis,	pintos,	black	beans,	red	lentils,
navy	and	white	beans,	split	peas,	and	black-eyed	peas)
40–50	percent	fresh	vegetables—with	an	optional	10	percent	for	fresh	or	dried	fruit.	A
daily	salad	is	good.
FOOD	GUIDELINES	FOR	THE	BASIC	CONSTITUTIONAL	TYPES
Note:
	Guidelines	provided	in	this	table	are	general.	Specific	adjustments	for	individual
requirements	may	need	to	be	made,	e.g.,	food	allergies,	strength	of	agni,	season	of	the	year,
and	degree	of	dosha	predominance	or	aggravation.	
*
okay	in	moderation;	
**
okay	rarely.

Taste	is	important	and	has	a	direct	effect	on	bodily	doshas.	According	to	Ayurveda,	each
food	substance	(and	also	each	medicinal	herb)	has	a	specific	taste.	When	the	tastes	are	used
in	the	proper	amounts,	individually	and	collectively,	they	bring	about	balance	of	our	bodily
systems.
The	taste	buds	on	our	tongue	are	organized	in	six	groups,	corresponding	to	the	six	tastes
recognized	by	Ayurveda:	sweet,	sour,	salty,	bitter,	pungent,	and	astringent.	These	six	basic
tastes	are	derived	from	the	five	elements:
Earth	+	Water	=	Sweet
Earth	+	Fire	=	Sour
Water	+	Fire	=	Salty
Fire	+	Air	=	Pungent	(Spicy)
Air	+	Space	=	Bitter
Air	+	Earth	=	Astringent
Different	groups	of	taste	buds	on	the	tongue	perceive	taste	and	send	a	signal	to	the	brain;
from	there,	messages	go	out	which	not	only	directly	influence	digestion	but	also	affect	the
doshas	and	all	the	body’s	cells,	tissues,	organs,	and	systems.
SWEET

SWEET
The	sweet	taste	is	present	in	foods	such	as	rice,	sugar,	milk,	wheat,	dates,	and	maple	syrup.

The	qualities	of	sweet	foods	are	usually	oily,	cooling,	and	heavy.	The	sweet	taste	increases
the	vital	essence	of	life.	When	used	moderately,	it	is	wholesome	to	the	body	and	promotes
growth	of	all	seven	
dhatus
	(plasma,	blood,	muscles,	fat,	bones,	marrow	and	nerve	tissue,
and	reproductive	fluids).	Proper	use	gives	strength	and	longevity.	It	encourages	the	senses,
improves	complexion,	and	promotes	healthy	skin,	hair,	and	a	good	voice.	Sweet	taste	can
relieve	thirst	and	burning	sensations	and	can	be	invigorating.	It	promotes	stability.
Despite	all	these	good	qualities,	excessive	use	of	the	sweet	taste	can	produce	many
disorders.	Sweet	foods	aggravate	kapha	and	cause	colds,	cough,	congestion,	heaviness,	loss
of	appetite,	laziness,	and	obesity.	They	may	also	provoke	lymphatic	congestion,	tumors,
edema,	diabetes,	and	fibrocystic	changes	in	the	breast.
SOUR
The	sour	taste	is	found	in	foods	such	as	citrus	fruits,	sour	cream,	yogurt,	vinegar,	
cheese,

SOUR
cheese,
lemon,	green	grapes,	and	fermented	food.	Sour	substances	are	liquid,	light,	heating,	and
oily	in	nature.	When	used	in	moderation,	they	are	refreshing	and	delicious,	stimulate
appetite	and	salivation,	improve	digestion,	energize	the	body,	nourish	the	heart,	and
enlighten	the	mind.
If	one	uses	the	sour	taste	in	excess,	it	can	cause	excessive	thirst,	hyperacidity,	heartburn,
acid	indigestion,	ulcers,	and	sensitive	teeth.	As	it	has	a	fermenting	action,	it	may	be	toxic	to
the	blood	and	can	cause	skin	conditions	such	as	dermatitis,	acne,	eczema,	boils,	and
psoriasis.	The	hot	quality	may	lead	to	an	acid	pH	in	the	body	and	may	cause	burning	in	the
throat,	chest,	heart,	bladder,	and	urethra.
SALTY
Sea	salt,	rock	salt,	and	kelp	are	examples	of	the	salty	taste.	Salt	is	heating,	heavy,	and	oily.
Used	moderately,	it	relieves	vata	and	increases	pitta	and	kapha.	Due	to	its	water	element,	it

is	laxative,	and	due	to	its	fire	element,	it	lessens	spasm	and	pain	of	the	colon.	In
moderation	it	promotes	growth	and	maintains	water	electrolyte	balance.	It	stimulates
salivation,	improves	the	flavor	of	food,	and	aids	in	digestion,	absorption,	and	the
elimination	of	wastes.
Too	much	salt	in	the	diet	may	cause	aggravation	of	pitta	and	kapha.	It	makes	the	blood
thick	and	viscous,	causes	hypertension,	and	worsens	skin	conditions.	Feeling	hot,	fainting,
skin	wrinkling,	and	baldness	may	be	due	to	excessive	use	of	the	salty	taste.	Salt	may	also
induce	water	retention	and	edema.	Patchy	hair	loss,	ulcers,	bleeding	disorders,	skin
eruptions,	and	hyperacidity	may	all	result	from	overuse	of	the	salty	taste.
PUNGENT
The	pungent	taste	is	present	in	various	hot	peppers	(cayenne,	chili,	black),	as	well	as	in
onions,	radishes,	garlic,	mustard,	and	ginger.	It	is	light,	drying,	and	heating	in	nature.	Used

in	moderation,	it	improves	digestion	and	absorption	and	cleans	the	mouth.	It	clears	the

sinuses	by	stimulating	nasal	secretions	and	tearing	of	the	eyes.	The	pungent	taste	aids
circulation,	breaks	up	clots,	helps	in	the	elimination	of	waste	products,	and	kills	germs	and
parasites.	It	brings	clarity	of	perception.
On	the	other	hand,	overuse	of	the	pungent	taste	in	the	daily	diet	may	cause	negative
reactions.	It	can	kill	sperm	and	ova,	causing	sexual	debility	in	both	sexes.	It	may	induce
burning,	choking,	fainting,	and	fatigue	with	feelings	of	heat	and	thirst.	By	aggravating
pitta,	it	can	cause	diarrhea,	heartburn,	and	nausea.	Pungency	can	also	aggravate	vata	(it	is
derived	from	both	the	fire	and	air	elements),	resulting	in	giddiness,	tremors,	insomnia,	or
pain	in	the	leg	muscles.	Peptic	ulcers,	asthma,	colitis,	and	skin	conditions	may	result	from
excessive	use.
BITTER
This	taste	is	found	in	coffee,	bitter	melon,	aloe	vera,	rhubarb,	and	the	herbs	yellow	dock,
fenugreek,	turmeric	root,	dandelion	root,	and	sandalwood.	Bitter	is	the	taste	most	lacking	in

the	North	American	diet.	It	is	cool,	light,	and	dry	in	nature,	increases	vata,	and	decreases
pitta	and	kapha.	Though	bitter	is	
not	delicious	in	itself,	it	promotes	the	flavor	of	other
tastes.	It	is	antitoxic	and	kills	germs.	It	helps	to	relieve	burning	sensations,	itching,	fainting,
and	obstinate	skin	disorders.	It	reduces	fever	and	stimulates	firmness	of	the	skin	and
muscles.	In	a	small	dose	it	can	relieve	intestinal	gas	and	works	as	a	digestive	tonic.	It	is
drying	to	the	system	and	causes	a	reduction	in	fat,	bone	marrow,	urine,	and	feces.
Overuse	of	the	bitter	taste	may	deplete	plasma,	blood,	muscles,	fat,	bone	marrow,	and
semen	and	may	result	in	sexual	debility.	Extreme	dryness	and	roughness,	emaciation,	and
weariness	may	be	the	result	of	excessive	eating	of	the	bitter	taste.	It	may	at	times	induce
dizziness	and	unconsciousness.
ASTRINGENT

The	astringent	taste	is	present	in	unripe	bananas,	pomegranates,	chickpeas,	green	beans,
yellow	split	peas,	okra,	alfalfa	sprouts,	and	the	herbs	goldenseal,	turmeric,	lotus	seed,
arjuna,	and	alum.	It	is	cooling,	drying,	and	heavy	in	nature	and	produces	a	dry,	choking
sensation	in	the	throat.	Taken	in	moderation,	the	astringent	taste	calms	pitta	and	kapha	but
excites	vata.	It	helps	in	the	healing	of	ulcers	and	stops	bleeding	by	promoting	clotting.
Excess	use	may	cause	dryness	in	the	mouth,	difficulty	in	speech,	and	constipation,	as	well
as	abdominal	distention,	heart	spasms,	and	stagnation	of	circulation.	It	may	affect	the	sex
drive	and	lead	to	depletion	of	sperm.	It	can	give	rise	to	emaciation,	convulsions,	Bell’s
palsy,	stroke	paralysis,	and	other	neuromuscular	vata	disorders.
EFFECTS	OF	TASTES	ON	THE	DOSHAS
The	tastes	have	the	following	effects	upon	the	doshas:
VATA
.

VATA
.
	People	of	vata	constitution	should	avoid	bitter,	pungent,	and	astringent	substances	in

excess,	because	they	increase	air	and	have	a	tendency	to	cause	gas.	Foods	and	herbs
containing	sweet,	sour,	and	salty	tastes	are	good	for	individuals	of	vata	constitution.
Herbs	and	the	Six	Tastes
The	taste	of	an	herb	is	not	incidental	but	is	directly	related—indeed,	directly
responsible—for	much	of	its	therapeutic	value.	That	is	why	Ayurvedic	herbs	are
generally	taken	in	a	form	that	requires	tasting	them,	rather	than	concealing	the	taste
in	a	capsule.
There	is	no	problem	in	taking	an	herb	that	has	a	sweet,	pungent,	or	otherwise
tempting	taste.	But	most	people,	particularly	in	Western	culture,	don’t	like	the	bitter	or
astringent	tastes,	and	if	they	have	to	take	an	herb	with	either	of	these	tastes,	they	want
to	put	the	herb	into	a	capsule	and	swallow	it	without	tasting	it.	Since	the	stomach	has
no	taste	buds,	when	the	herb	is	taken	this	way,	the	effects	and	benefits	derived	from
the	taste	are	lessened,	because	they	are	not	perceived.	When	we	eat	food,	we	don’t	lose

the	effect	of	the	tastes	because	we	have	to	chew;	when	we	use	capsules,	we	miss	the
taste	of	the	herb.
One	of	the	reasons	the	Ayurvedic	physician	prescribes	an	herb	is	to	balance	whatever
taste	is	lacking	in	the	body.	The	herb	transmits	that	taste	and	its	effects	into	
rasa	dhatu
(plasma).	
Triphala
,	for	example,	provides	all	the	tastes	except	salty,	but	it	tends	to	yield
the	predominant	taste	that	is	lacking	in	the	body,	which	for	most	Westerners	is	the
bitter	taste.	That’s	why	for	many	people	
triphala
	tastes	bitter	for	some	time.	Later,	after
regular	use,	the	bitter	taste	will	have	been	received	into	the	
rasa	dhatu
,	and	
triphala
may	taste	sour	or	sweet.
In	Ayurvedic	medicine,	most	herbs	are	classified	according	to	their	predominant
taste,	secondary	aftertaste,	and	“potential”	taste.	The	main	taste	acts	on	
rasa	dhatu
,	the

rasa	dhatu
,	the
aftertaste	acts	on	the	nervous	system,	and	the	third	taste	has	either	a	heating	or	a
cooling	effect.
This	explains	why	it	is	important	to	have	the	effect	of	taste	on	the	tongue	when
taking	Ayurvedic	medications.

PITTA
.	Pitta	individuals	should	avoid	sour,	salty,	and	pungent	substances,	which	aggravate
bodily	fire.	However,	sweet,	bitter,	and	astringent	tastes	are	beneficial	for	pittas.
KAPHA
.	Kapha	individuals	should	avoid	foods	containing	the	sweet,	sour,	and	salty	tastes,	for
they	increase	bodily	water.	Better	for	them	are	foods	with	pungent,	bitter,	and	astringent
tastes.
How	you	eat	is	as	important	as	what	you	eat.	Here	are	some	suggestions	for	healthy	eating,
followed	by	a	list	of	habits	to	avoid.
EATING	HABITS	TO	CULTIVATE
Choose	foods	according	to	your	constitution.	They	will	nourish	you	and	not	aggravate
your	doshas.
Choose	foods	according	to	the	season.
Eat	fresh,	
sattvic
	food	of	the	best	quality	you	can	afford.
Do	not	eat	unless	you	feel	hungry.
Do	not	drink	unless	you	feel	thirsty.	If	you	are	hungry	and	you	drink	instead	of	eating,
the	liquid	will	dissolve	the	digestive	enzymes	and	reduce	your	gastric	fire.
Sit,	don’t	stand,	to	eat.

When	eating,	eat.	That	is,	don’t	read,	watch	TV,	or	be	distracted	by	too	much
conversation.	Focus	on	the	food.
Chew	well,	at	least	32	times	per	mouthful.	This	enables	the	digestive	enzymes	in	the
mouth	to	do	their	work	properly.
Eat	at	a	moderate	speed.	Don’t	gobble	your	food.
Fill	one-third	of	your	stomach	with	food,	one-third	with	water,	and	leave	one-third
empty.
Don’t	eat	more	at	a	meal	than	the	amount	of	food	you	can	hold	in	two	cupped	hands.
Overeating	expands	the	stomach	so	that	you	will	feel	the	need	for	additional	food.
Overeating	also	creates	toxins	in	the	digestive	tract.
During	meals,	don’t	drink	iced	drinks	or	fruit	juice,	sip	a	little	warm	water	between
mouthfuls	of	food.
Honey	should	never	be	cooked.	If	it	is	cooked,	the	molecules	become	like	a	glue	that
adheres	to	mucous	membranes	and	clogs	the	subtle	channels,	producing	toxins.
UNHEALTHY	EATING	HABITS
Overeating

Eating	too	soon	after	a	full	meal
Drinking	too	much	water,	or	no	water,	during	a	meal
Drinking	very	chilled	water	during	a	meal,	or	indeed	at	any	time
Eating	when	constipated
Eating	at	the	wrong	time	of	day,	either	too	early	or	too	late	(see	“
Ayurvedic	Daily
Routine
,”	starting	
this	page
)
Eating	too	much	heavy	food	or	too	little	light	food
Eating	fruit	or	drinking	fruit	juice	with	a	meal
Eating	without	real	hunger
Emotional	eating
Eating	incompatible	food	combinations	(see	chart	on	
this	page
)
Munching	between	meals
The	shelves	of	pharmacies	and	health	food	stores	these	days	are	lined	with	digestive	aids
and	pills	for	indigestion	and	gas.	It	is	likely	
that	most	of	these	gastrointestinal	problems
begin	with	poor	food	combining.
According	to	Ayurveda,	certain	food	combinations	disturb	the	normal	functioning	of	the
gastric	fire	and	upset	the	balance	of	the	doshas.	Combining	foods	improperly	can	produce

indigestion,	fermentation,	putrefaction,	and	gas	formation.	If	such	a	situation	in	your
stomach	and	intestines	is	frequent	or	prolonged,	it	can	lead	to	disease.	As	just	one	example,
eating	bananas	with	milk	can	diminish	agni	(gastric	fire)	and	change	the	intestinal	flora,
resulting	in	toxins	and	causing	sinus	congestion,	cold,	cough,	allergies,	hives,	and	rash.	Such
disturbances	generate	ama,	the	toxic	substance	that	is	the	root	cause	of	most	ailments.
The	following	table	lists	some	(but	far	from	all)	of	the	incompatible	food	combinations
worth	avoiding.	You	can	alleviate	some	of	the	ill	effects	of	these	combinations	by	using
spices	and	herbs	in	your	cooking.	A	strong	digestive	fire	can	be	the	most	powerful	means	of
dealing	with	these	combinations.	Chew	a	bit	of	fresh	ginger	(sprinkled	with	salt	and	lime
juice	if	you	like)	before	meals	to	stimulate	digestion.
NAME	OF	FOOD
INCOMPATIBLE	WITH
MILK

MILK
BANANAS
	
Fish,	Melons,	Yogurt,	Sour	Fruits,	Kitchari	(mung	dal	and
basmati	rice),	Bread	made	with	yeast
YOGURT
MILK
	
Sour	fruits,	Melons,	Hot	drinks—including	coffee	and	tea—Fish,
Mango	(thus	mango	lassi	is	not	a	good	idea),	Starches,	Cheese,
Banana
MELONS
EVERYTHING
,	especially:
“Eat	them	alone	or	leave

them	alone”
Grains,	Starches,	Fried	foods,	Cheese
EGGS
MILK
	
Yogurt,	Melons,	Cheese,	Fruits,	Potatoes
STARCHES
BANANAS
	
Eggs,	Milk,	Dates
HONEY
GHEE
	in	equal	proportions	(by	weight)
(never	cook	honey)
Grains
CORN
Dates,	Raisins,	Bananas
LEMONS
Yogurt,	Milk,	Cucumber,	Tomato
NIGHTSHADES
	(Potato,	tomato,
eggplant)
Yogurt,	Milk,	Melon,	Cucumber
Particularly	to	be	avoided	are	such	concoctions	as	banana	milkshakes	and	“fruit	smoothies”
made	with	milk.	Mixed	fruit	salads	are	also	incompatible.	Some	blended	fruit	drinks	made
with	all	fruit	may	be	all	right,	but	check	this	chart	first.
Recommendations	Regarding	Milk	and	Milk	Products
In	Ayurveda,	milk	and	dairy	products	such	as	ghee	and	freshly	made	yogurt	are
considered	highly	important	to	the	diet.	However,	the	process	of	pasteurization,	which
kills	bacteria	and	other	potentially	harmful	microorganisms,	may	also	destroy	the
enzymes	necessary	for	proper	digestion.	If	the	milk	is	heated	for	a	fairly	long	period	of

time,	such	as	fifteen	or	twenty	minutes,	the	enzymes	will	definitely	be	destroyed,	and
calcium	and	other	nutrients	may	not	be	absorbed.
When	milk	is	heated	just	until	it	reaches	the	boiling	point,	its	enzymes	are	not
destroyed,	and	it	becomes	less	kaphagenic.	So	if	you	can	obtain	organic,	unpasteurized
milk	from	certified	dairies	and	heat	it	just	to	the	boiling	point,	that	would	be	best.
Nevertheless,	pasteurized	milk	from	the	supermarket,	and	dairy	products	made	from
that	milk,	are	still	better	than	no	dairy	products	at	all.
Note	that	for	each	food	in	capital	letters	on	the	left,	the	food	in	capitals	on	the	right	is	the
most	incompatible;	foods	in	small	letters	are	less	incompatible.
Food	and	the	Three	Gunas

The	Ayurvedic	tradition	teaches	that	food	is	not	only	for	nutrition,	to	nourish	the	body,	but
also	affects	the	mind	and	consciousness.	As	we	have	a	physical	constitution	(vata–pitta–
kapha),	we	also	have	a	mental	constitution	characterized	by	the	three	
gunas:	sattva,	rajas
,
and	
tamas
.
According	to	the	Sankhya	philosophy	of	creation,	
sattva,	rajas
,	and	
tamas
	are	universal
qualities	necessary	for	the	creation	of	the	universe	(see	
this	page
).	They	are	equally
necessary	for	maintaining	our	psychobiological	functions.
Because	of	
sattva
,	we	remain	conscious	and	reawaken	every	morning.	Because	of	
rajas
,
our	thoughts,	feelings,	and	emotions	move	in	a	creative	way.	Because	of	
tamas
,	we	become
tired,	exhausted,	and	heavy;	without	
tamas
	there	is	no	sleep.	Another	way	to	look	at	it	is
that	
sattva
	brings	clarity,	
rajas
	brings	perception,	and	
tamas
	gives	solid,	concrete	experience.
These	three	qualities	are	also	necessary	for	the	functioning	of	every	cell.	
Satva

Satva
	is	potential
energy,	
rajas
	is	kinetic	energy,	and	
tamas
	is	inertia.	The	potential	energy	in	the	cell	is
awareness;	it	becomes	active	due	to	the	kinetic	energy	of	
rajas
;	then	the	cell	becomes	inert
because	of	the	
tamasic
	quality.	Thus	these	three	qualities	are	absolutely	necessary	
for	the
psychobiological	activities	of	the	human	body.
Psychological	Constitutions
Indian	philosophy	classifies	human	temperaments	into	three	basic	types:	
sattvic,	rajasic
,
and	
tamasic
.	These	types	all	differ	in	psychological	and	moral	disposition,	as	well	as	in
their	reactions	to	social,	cultural,	and	physical	conditions,	as	is	described	in	the
classical	texts	of	Ayurveda.
Sattvic
	qualities	imply	essence,	reality,	consciousness,	purity,	and	clarity	of
perception.	People	in	whom	
sattvic
	qualities	predominate	are	loving,	compassionate,

sattvic
religious,	and	pure-minded,	following	truth	and	righteousness.	They	tend	to	have	good
manners	and	positive	behavior,	and	they	do	not	easily	become	upset	or	angry.
Although	they	work	hard	mentally,	they	do	not	get	mental	fatigue,	so	they	need	only
four	to	five	hours	of	sleep	at	night.	They	look	fresh,	alert,	aware,	and	full	of	luster	and
are	recognized	for	their	wisdom,	happiness,	and	joy.	They	are	creative,	humble,	and
respectful	of	their	teachers.	Worshiping	God	and	humanity,	they	love	all.	They	care	for
people,	birds,	animals,	and	trees	and	are	respectful	of	every	life	and	existence.
Rajasic
	individuals	are	loving,	calm,	and	patient—so	long	as	their	own	interests	are
served!	All	their	activities	are	self-centered	and	egotistical.	They	are	kind,	friendly,	and
faithful	only	to	those	who	are	helpful	to	them.
All	movement	and	activity	is	due	to	
rajas
,	which	leads	to	the	life	of	sensual

rajas
enjoyment,	pleasure	and	pain,	effort	and	restlessness.	People	in	whom	
rajasic
	qualities
predominate	tend	to	be	egoistic,	ambitious,	aggressive,	proud,	and	competitive	and
have	a	tendency	to	control	others.	They	like	power,	prestige,	and	position	and	are
perfectionists.	They	are	hard-working	people	but	may	be	lacking	in	proper	planning

and	direction.	Emotionally	they	tend	to	be	angry,	jealous,	and	ambitious	and	to	have
few	moments	of	joy.	They	suffer	from	a	fear	of	failure,	are	subject	to	stress,	and	are
quickly	drained	of	mental	energy.	They	require	eight	hours	of	sleep.
Tamas
	is	darkness,	inertia,	heaviness,	and	a	tendency	toward	materialism.
Individuals	dominated	by	
tamas
	are	often	less	intelligent.	They	tend	toward	depression,
laziness,	and	excess	sleep,	even	during	the	day.	A	little	mental	work	tires	them	easily.
They	like	jobs	with	less	responsibility,	and	they	love	to	eat,	drink,	sleep,	and	have	sex.
They	tend	to	be	greedy,	possessive,	attached,	irritable,	and	uncaring	toward	others.
They	are	willing	to	harm	others	for	their	own	self-interest.
There	is	a	constant	interplay	of	these	three	
gunas
	in	everyone’s	consciousness,	but
the	relative	predominance	of	either	
sattva,	 rajas
,	or	
tamas
	is	responsible	for	an
individual’s	psychological	constitution.
In	the	Ayurvedic	literature,	food	is	classified	as

In	the	Ayurvedic	literature,	food	is	classified	as	
,	or	
tamasic
	according	to	the
mental	qualities	it	promotes.	In	brief,	
sattvic
	food	is	light,	healthy	food	that	increases	clarity
of	mind,	
rajasic
	food	is	tempting	food	that	increases	activity	and	agitation,	and	
tamasic
	food
is	heavy,	dulling	food	that	creates	depression	and	heaviness	and	leads	to	many	disorders.
Sattvic
	food	is	light	and	easy	to	digest.	It	brings	clarity	of	perception,	unfolds	love	and
compassion,	and	promotes	the	qualities	of	forgiveness	and	austerity.	
Sattvic
	foods	include
fruit,	steamed	vegetables,	and	fresh	vegetable	juice.	Milk	and	ghee	are	
sattvic
	foods	that
build	up	
ojas
	and	give	vitality	to	
prana
.
Rajasic
	foods	are	hot,	spicy,	and	salty.	They	are	irritants	and	stimulants,	and	they	are
tempting	foods	(once	your	hand	goes	into	the	bag,	you	cannot	stop	eating	them),	such	as
salty	crackers	and	potato	chips.	
Rajasic

Rajasic
	foods	also	include	certain	heavily	spiced	foods,	such
as	hot	pickles	and	chutneys,	which	stimulate	the	senses.	These	foods	make	the	mind	more
agitated	and	susceptible	to	temptation.	Gradually,	from	eating	these	foods,	the	mind
becomes	more	
rajasic
,	which	means	it	tends	toward	anger,	hate,	and	manipulation.
Tamasic
	food	is	heavy,	dull,	and	depressing	and	induces	deep	sleep.	Under	that	category
comes	any	dark	meat,	lamb,	pork,	and	beef,	as	well	as	thick	cheese.	Old	and	stale	food	is
also	
tamasic
.
However,	the	heavy,	dulling	effect	of	
tamasic
	food	occurs	only	when	it	is	eaten	in	excess.
In	moderation,	
tamasic
	food	is	grounding	and	promotes	stability.	If,	for	example,	an
individual	has	an	excess	of	the	
rajasic
	quality—the	mind	is	hyper	and	ungrounded	and	there
is	insomnia—some	
tamasic
	food	eaten	in	moderation	will	help	the	person	become	more
grounded	and	get	some	sleep.
We	can	classify	food	into	categories	of	
,	or

,	or	
tamasic
	according	to	the	table	on
the	facing	page.
RELATIONSHIP	OF	THE	
GUNAS
	AND	THE	DOSHAS
Students	of	Ayurveda	frequently	ask	whether	there	is	a	relationship	between	the	three	
gunas

and	the	three	doshas.	There	is	not	a	direct	correspondence,	but	there	is	a	relationship.
Sattva
	is	present	in	the	doshas	in	this	order:
1
.	
in	pitta	as	knowledge	and	understanding
2
.	
in	vata	as	clarity	and	lightness
3
.	
in	kapha	as	forgiveness	and	love
Tamas
1
.	
It	is	heavy,	dull,	and	sleepy	in	kapha.
2
.	
In	pitta,	it	expresses	as	aggressiveness	and	competitiveness.
3
.	
There	is	very	little	of	it	in	vata,	but	it	is	represented	as	confusion.
Rajas
,	active	and	hyper,	is	present	in	vata	and	in	pitta	but	is	virtually	absent	from	kapha.
Vata	is	approximately	75	percent	
rajas
,	20	
percent	
sattva
,	and	5	percent	
tamas
.	Pitta	is	50
percent	or	more	
sattva
,	45	percent	
rajas
,	and	up	to	5	percent	
tamas
.	Kapha	is	maybe	75
percent	
tamas
	and	15	to	20	percent	
sattva
,	with	very	little	
rajas
.	Here	is	another	way	we	can
see	these	relationships:

Now	you	have	more	than	enough	background	information	to	benefit	from	the	remedies
and	recommendations	made	in	
Part	III
.	I	hope	you	have	enjoyed	this	introduction	to
Ayurveda	and	that	you	will	incorporate	its	principles	and	practices	into	your	life.	If	you	do,
I	know	your	health	will	improve	and	your	life	will	blossom	physically,	mentally,
emotionally,	and	spiritually.

Part	III
	
Secrets	of	Ayurvedic	Self-healing:	An	Encyclopedia	of
Illnesses	and	Remedies

T
he	ancient	Ayurvedic	art	of	healing	deals	with	every	individual’s	life	as	a	whole.	To
the	Ayurvedic	
vaidya
	(physician),	every	individual	is	an	indivisible,	complete,	unique
being.	At	the	same	time,	Vedic	philosophy	teaches	that	there	is	a	concurrent	and	inherent
relationship	between	the	macrocosm	(the	universe)	and	the	microcosm	(the	individual).	The
individual	is	constantly	exposed	to	environmental	changes,	seasonal	changes,	changes	in
diet,	lifestyle,	emotions,	job,	financial	status,	and	relationships.	These	changes	are
constantly	bombarding	every	human	being.	To	remain	healthy	or	to	regain	health,	all	these
factors	have	to	be	taken	into	consideration.
As	you	have	learned,	when	the	body’s	doshic	balance	of	vata–pitta–kapha	is	disturbed,
illness	may	result.	The	purpose	of	Ayurvedic	healing	is	not	just	to	relieve	the	symptoms	of	a
specific	illness	but	to	bring	the	out-of-balance	factors	back	into	harmony.

Thus,	the	purpose	of	Ayurvedic	remedies,	whether	they	be	herbal	medications,	dietary	and
nutritional	changes,	yoga	postures,	cleansing	procedures,	or	breathing	exercises,	is	to
eradicate	the	underlying	causes	of	the	disease,	not	merely	to	remove	the	symptoms.	Of
course	one	must	deal	directly	with	emergency	or	life-threatening	symptoms,	such	as
wheezing	in	asthma,	heart	pain	in	heart	conditions,	or	high	fever	in	infections.	But	if	the
fundamental	causes	of	the	illness	are	not	dealt	with,	the	problem	will	manifest	again	in	the
same	or	another	form.
The	Ayurvedic	approach	to	restoring	health	is	known	as	
chikitsa
	(disease	management)	and
traditionally	consists	of	eight	components.	
If	you	glance	at	the	accompanying	box,	you	will
note	that	
chikitsa
	is	a	complete	healing	program	that	begins	with	identifying	and

note	that	
chikitsa
eliminating	the	underlying	cause	of	the	illness,	proceeds	by	purifying	the	body	and
reestablishing	balance,	and	ends	with	strengthening	and	revitalizing	the	affected	organs,
tissues,	and	systems	so	that	the	disease	will	not	recur.
If	you	become	sick,	your	illness	is	not	likely	to	become	completely	healed	unless	you
change	the	behaviors	that	gave	rise	to	it.	Dietary	indiscretions,	a	stressful	lifestyle,
unresolved	emotions,	insufficient	exercise—these	are	some	of	the	factors	that	are	at	the	root
of	most	illness.	Identifying	and	eliminating	these	causal	factors	are	essential	components	of
the	healing	process.	If	you	take	some	of	the	recommended	herbal	formulas	but	allow
unhealthy	lifestyle	habits	to	continue	unabated,	it’s	not	likely	that	you	will	experience
lasting	or	significant	improvement.
That	is	why,	for	each	condition,	I	have	suggested	not	only	medications	but	numerous

other	measures	you	can	use	for	healing,	such	as	specific	yoga	postures	and	breathing
exercises,	foods	to	favor	or	avoid,	massage	oils,	teas,	healing	pastes,	and	many	other	ways
to	promote	healing.	In	addition,	
Part	II
	of	the	book	provides	suggestions	for	your	diet	and
daily	routine	that	can	get	you	established	in	a	healthy	way	of	living	in	harmony	with
nature.	Please	make	use	of	these	recommendations	as	part	of	your	own	personal	holistic
program	for	creating	and	supporting	health.
Your	body’s	innate	healing	mechanisms	
are	always	at	work,	striving	to	maintain	or

restore	total	health	and	balance.	The	recommendations	offered	here	will	support	the	body
in	its	natural	process	of	healing.
Ayurvedic	Disease	Management	(Chikitsa)
The	traditional	Ayurvedic	program	of	healing	has	eight	essential	components:
1
.	
Find	out	the	person’s	
prakruti
	(constitution).
2
.	
Find	out	the	
vikruti
	(the	present	altered	state	of	the	doshas	in	the	body).
3
.	
Find	out	the	cause	or	causes	of	the	illness,	such	as	diet,	lifestyle,	emotional
patterns,	quality	of	relationships,	genetic	predisposition,	and	so	on.
4
.	
As	the	first	line	of	treatment,	remove	the	cause.
5
.	
Provide	the	proper	regimen	(diet,	exercise,	
pranayama
,	etc.),	according	to	the
person’s	
prakruti,	vikruti
,	seasons,	climate,	age,	and	so	on.
6
.	
Provide	a	detoxification	procedure:	either	palliation	(
shamana
)	or	elimination
(
shodana
,	such	as	
).
7
.	
Provide	rejuvenation	(
rasayana
)	for	the	body	in	general,	to	increase	immunity	and
to	strengthen	specific	organs	and	tissues.
8
.

8
.	
Provide	therapies	that	are	(a)	antagonistic	to	the	provoked	dosha	and	(b)
antagonistic	to	the	disease,	based	on	the	principle	that	opposite	qualities	balance.
The	following	points	will	help	you	to	make	best	use	of	this	encyclopedia	of	Ayurvedic
healing.
Ayurvedic	first-aid	treatments	are	effective	if	you	first	do	a	careful,	discriminating	diagnosis
to	determine	whether	the	condition	is	vata,	pitta,	or	kapha	in	nature.	A	specific	treatment,
for	a	specific	type	of	condition,	will	be	beneficial.
On	the	other	hand,	if	you	do	not	take	the	time	to	diagnose	carefully,	the	treatment	may
not	be	appropriate,	and	consequently	you	will	not	get	the	desired	result.	So	before	deciding
on	an	Ayurvedic	line	of	treatment,	look	carefully	at	the	physical	signs	and	symptoms	that
will	help	you	determine	whether	it	is	a	vata,	pitta,	or	kapha	illness	or	condition.	Then

choose	the	recommended	treatment.
On	the	few	occasions	when	it	is	not	mentioned	whether	a	condition	is	vata,	pitta,	or
kapha,	you	can	feel	comfortable	using	any	general	treatment	suggestions	made	for	that
condition.
A	 NOTE	 ABOUT	 HERBAL	 MEDICATIONS
.	The	pharmacopoeia	of	Ayurveda	is	vast,	including	literally

thousands	of	medicines,	many	of	them	herbal	preparations.	For	each	condition	listed	here,	I
have	tried	to	include	several	very	simple	remedies,	utilizing	common	kitchen	herbs	or
household	strategies	such	as	taking	a	warm	bath.	I	also	recommend	some	common
Ayurvedic	herbs,	most	of	which	are	easily	obtained	from	various	sources	(see	
Resources
).
For	guidelines	on	how	to	prepare	your	own	herbal	formulas,	how	to	take	herbs,	how	to
make	ghee,	and	other	important	information,	please	see	
appendix	2
.
SEE	WHAT	WORKS
.	For	each	condition,	several	suggestions	are	made.	No	one	expects	you	to	use
all	of	them.	Try	what	sounds	good	to	you,	and	observe	how	it	works.	If	it	solves	the
problem,	you	don’t	need	to	try	any	others.	If	it	doesn’t	seem	to	work,	then	try	a	different
approach.	Each	person	is	different	and	will	react	differently	to	these	remedies.
DON’T	 BE	 DISCOURAGED	 IF	 A	 REMEDY	 DOESN’T	 WORK
.	In	self-treatment	using	Ayurvedic	principles	and

remedies,	keep	in	mind	a	fundamental	therapeutic	guideline.	If	you	diagnose	your	problem
to	be,	for	example,	a	vata	disorder	and	embark	on	a	treatment	to	reduce	vata,	then	find
that	the	treatment	is	not	working	or	appears	to	be	exacerbating	the	problem,	this	indicates
that	your	diagnosis	was	not	entirely	correct.
This	does	not	mean	you	should	give	up	on	Ayurvedic	remedies!	Simply	try	using	the
treatment	recommended	for	either	pitta	or	kapha,	whichever	makes	more	sense	to	you
considering	your	symptoms.	If	you	are	untrained	in	Ayurvedic	diagnosis,	you	may	simply
have	made	a	mistake.	So	use	your	best	judgment	and	try	again.
Sometimes	the	effect	of	the	first	remedy	can	give	you	a	clue	for	a	more	beneficial
treatment.	For	example,	perhaps	you	thought	your	condition	was	due	to	excess	kapha,	and
you	decided	to	use	a	heating	herb	
such	as	ginger,	pepper,	or	
trikatu
	to	treat	it.	If	the

trikatu
condition	worsens	and	you	develop	symptoms	of	aggravated	pitta,	such	as	irritability	or	a
skin	rash,	you	can	infer	that	perhaps	the	problem	was	actually	related	to	excess	pitta.
Reassess	the	situation,	and	take	the	next	step.
BE	SURE	TO	TREAT	YOUR	ACTUAL	CONDITION
.	Most	imbalances	and	illnesses	are	related	to	constitution.	As
it	is	often	said,	“
Prakruti
	indicates	disease	proneness.”	Vata	individuals	are	likely	to	have
vata-related	problems,	pitta	individuals	will	have	primarily	pitta	conditions,	and	kaphas
will	have	kapha	illnesses.
However,	in	a	small	percentage	of	cases,	your	illness	or	condition	may	not	coincide	with
your	own	constitutional	type.	For	example,	you	may	be	predominantly	a	pitta	type,	but	you
may	have	a	vata	condition	such	as	insomnia	or	constipation.	It	may	be	the	result	of	any
combination	of	vata-aggravating	factors	in	your	life,	such	as	a	vata	diet,	a	cold	dry	climate,

or	irregular	hours.	So	when	remedies	are	suggested,	be	careful	to	choose	options	that	fit	the
symptoms	of	your	
condition
,	not	necessarily	your	body	type.
HOW	LONG	TO	TAKE	A	REMEDY
.	In	general,	remedies	should	be	used	until	your	symptoms	disappear.
This	may	be	a	few	days,	a	few	weeks,	or	a	few	months,	depending	on	several	important
factors,	such	as:	How	severe	is	the	disease	or	condition?	How	long	have	you	had	it?	How
motivated	are	you	to	get	well?
First,	assess	your	desire	to	get	well.	If	you	have	a	strong	desire	and	are	motivated	to	get
results,	the	first	thing	you	need	is	diligence	in	following	the	prescribed	Ayurvedic	regimen.

Because	of	the	law	of	
karma
	(cause	and	effect),	to	a	great	extent	you	will	derive	benefits
according	to	your	own	actions.	So	in	addition	to	taking	your	herbs	two	or	three	times	a	day
as	recommended	(no	skipping,	no	forgetting	them	at	home	…),	you	also	need	to	address	the
underlying	causes	of	your	condition	by	rethinking	your	diet,	daily	routine,	exercise
program,	etc.	Chances	are	that	the	herbal	remedies	alone,	without	some	changes	in	your
lifestyle,	will	not	be	powerful	enough	to	override	the	very	behavior	patterns	that	caused	the
illness	in	the	first	place.
If	your	condition	is	serious,	and	you	are	diligent	with	your	remedies	and	make
appropriate	lifestyle	changes	and	still	the	symptoms	persist,	you	need	to	see	your	doctor	for
help.	On	the	other	hand,	if	the	condition	is	chronic,	it	is	unrealistic	to	expect	that	something
that	has	persisted	for	years	is	going	to	disappear	in	a	week	or	a	month.
So	in	deciding	how	long	to	use	the	recommended	remedies,	use	your	common	sense.	And

do	your	best	right	from	the	start:	If	you	don’t,	and	you	end	up	not	getting	the	results	you
would	like,	it’s	human	nature	that	you	will	question	whether	you	could	have	done	better.
Every	disease	process	in	the	body,	and	every	process	of	healing,	has	its	own	momentum,
speed,	and	duration.	You	cannot	make	the	mango	ripen	quickly;	it	ripens	of	its	own	accord.
So	in	order	to	eradicate	the	disease	completely,	allow	sufficient	time,	and	have	patience.
Ayurveda	is	not	a	quick	fix.	Anything	that	is	quickly	fixed	does	not	resolve	the	problem
totally.
Cautions
CONSULT	YOUR	DOCTOR
.	Some	of	the	conditions	in	this	book	are	serious	medical	conditions	which
require	the	supervision	of	a	medical	doctor.	Mild	or	preclinical	cases	may	sometimes	be
completely	healed	using	these	Ayurvedic	recommendations,	but	these	remedies	are	not	a
substitute	for	consulting	with	a	physician.

If	you	are	already	under	a	doctor’s	care	for	a	specific	illness	or	condition,	the	Ayurvedic
remedies	suggested	here	may	be	used	in	conjunction	with	the	regimen	outlined	by	your
physician.	But	it	is	only	fair	and	proper	to	do	so	with	his	or	her	knowledge	and	supervision.
Ask	your	doctor	to	carefully	monitor	your	progress.	As	time	goes	by,	you	may	be	able	to
minimize	or	eliminate	your	dependence	on	strong	medications	if	your	body’s	balance	can	be
brought	to	a	point	at	which	diet,	exercise,	herbs,	and	other	Ayurvedic	methods	are	sufficient
to	control	or	eliminate	the	condition.
DETERMINE	THE	SEVERITY	OF	THE	DISEASE
.	The	vast	majority	of	minor	injuries	and	illnesses	can	be	treated
at	home,	with	such	natural	means	as	lifestyle	changes,	diet,	herbs,	and	simple	yoga
stretching	exercises.	But	sometimes	it	is	absolutely	crucial	to	get	medical	attention	from	a
qualified	physician	or	even	from	a	trained	hospital	staff.	This	is	extremely	important	and

must	always	be	remembered.
For	example,	diarrhea	that	lasts	for	a	day	or	even	a	couple	of	days	can	be	effectively
treated	at	home	(see	“
Diarrhea
”).	But	suppose	a	person	has	profuse	diarrhea	that	goes	on
for	some	time,	so	that	he	or	she	becomes	severely	dehydrated.	This	is	a	serious	condition
that	requires	hospitalization.	It	cannot	be	treated	at	home	or	even	in	the	outpatient

department;	it	needs	admission	to	a	hospital	so	that	intravenous	feeding	can	begin
immediately.
Or	suppose	someone	has	a	high	fever,	perhaps	104	or	105	degrees	Fahrenheit,	and	is
babbling	incoherently,	appears	delirious,	and	is	losing	consciousness.	This	is	a	serious
situation	and	one	has	to	act	promptly	to	get	help.
So	always	be	alert	to	the	severity,	intensity,	persistence,	or	recurrence	of	any	disease
condition,	and	be	sure	to	treat	it	properly.	And	remember:	If	you	are	not	a	trained	medical
professional,	you	may	not	always	know.	When	in	doubt,	see	a	doctor.
A	WORD	ABOUT	LICORICE	TEA
.	On	several	occasions	I	recommend	the	use	of	licorice	tea.	Individuals
with	hypertension	(high	blood	pressure)	may	use	this	tea	for	emergencies	(such	as	to	relieve
an	asthma	attack—see	“
Asthma
”),	but	they	should	not	use	it	on	a	regular	basis;	it	promotes
sodium	retention,	which	may	increase	blood	pressure.

Abdominal	Cramps
	
See	“
Muscle	Cramps	and	Spasms
”
	
Acne
	
See	also	“
Skin—Ayurvedic	Care
”
Acne	is	the	result	of	high	pitta	moving	under	the	skin	and	breaking	out	in	pimples.
Ayurveda	recommends	several	natural	approaches	that,	taken	together,	can	effectively
control	acne.
The	possible	pitta-provoking	causes	are	numerous.	They	include	emotional	stress,
premenstrual	hormonal	changes,	and	exposure	to	chemicals	or	too	much	sunlight.	The
problem	might	also	be	a	bacterial	infection.	It	is	important	to	find	out	the	cause,	so	it	can
be	properly	treated	or,	in	the	case	of	exposure	to	chemicals	or	sunlight,	simply	avoided.
FOLLOW	THE	PITTA-PACIFYING	DIET
.	Because	acne	is	a	pitta	condition,	the	first	step	is	to	follow	the
pitta-pacifying	diet	detailed	in	
chapter	8
.	Avoid	spicy	and	fermented	foods,	salt,	fried	foods,
and	citrus	fruits.	Favor	blander	foods	such	as	rice,	oatmeal,	and	applesauce.
USE	THESE	HERBS	TO	BALANCE	PITTA

.	The	following	formula	is	excellent	for	pacifying	the	excess	pitta
that	causes	acne:
kutki
guduchi
shatavari
Make	a	mixture	of	equal	proportions	of	these	three	herbs	(you	might	start	with	1
teaspoon	of	each),	and	take	¼	teaspoon	of	your	mixture	2	or	3	times	a	day.	After
meals,	place	the	powder	on	your	tongue	and	wash	it	down	with	warm	water.
•	A	helpful	tea,	made	from	common	household	herbs,	is	cumin-coriander-fennel	tea.	After
each	meal,	steep	⅓	teaspoon	of	each	of	these	three	seeds	in	hot	water	for	10	minutes,
strain,	and	drink.	Use	this	tea	3	times	a	day.
DRINK	BLUE	WATER
.	Fill	a	clear	glass	bottle	or	jar	with	water,	and	cover	it	with	some	translucent
blue	paper	(such	as	blue	cellophane,	available	at	art	supply	and	some	grocery	stores).	Put
the	bottle	in	the	sun	for	about	2	hours.	Drink	1	to	3	cups	of	the	water	
each	day.	This	will
have	a	cooling,	soothing	effect.	Believe	it	or	not,	it	works!

Healing	Pastes	for	Your	Skin
Here	are	three	pastes	you	can	make	at	home	and	apply	to	your	skin.	They	can	be
effective	in	reducing	acne.
1
.	
Mix	1	teaspoon	of	chickpea	flour	(available	at	Indian	grocery	stores	and	natural
food	stores)	with	enough	water	to	make	a	paste,	and	wash	your	face	with	this
mixture.	Rinse	off,	then	apply	either	of	the	following:
2
.	
Mix	almond	powder	with	a	little	water,	and	apply	the	paste	to	your	face.	Let	it	dry
and	remain	on	your	skin	for	up	to	half	an	hour,	then	rinse	it	off.	(You	can	easily
make	the	almond	powder	yourself	in	a	coffee	or	nut	grinder.)
3
.	
A	paste	of	sandalwood	and	turmeric	powders	mixed	in	goat’s	milk	is	healing	for
the	skin.	Take	¼	teaspoon	turmeric	and	½	teaspoon	sandalwood	powder,	mix
them	together,	and	add	sufficient	goat’s	milk	to	make	a	paste.	Apply	this	mixture
to	your	face.	
Note:
	Your	face	will	look	yellow	for	some	time—up	to	5	days—but
this	formula	is	quite	effective	in	alleviating	acne.
DRINK	ALOE	VERA	JUICE

.	You	might	try	drinking	half	a	cup	of	pure	aloe	vera	juice	twice	a	day.
KEEP	YOUR	COLON	CLEAN
.	Keeping	your	colon	clean	is	important,	in	order	to	remove	toxins	from
the	body.	You	can	easily	accomplish	this	by	taking	the	herb	
amalaki
,	½	to	1	teaspoon	daily,
as	a	powder	on	the	tongue.	Take	it	before	bedtime,	and	wash	it	down	with	warm	water.
APPLY	MELON
.	Rub	some	melon	on	the	skin	at	bedtime,	and	leave	it	on	overnight.	Its	cooling,
anti-pitta	quality	will	help	heal	acne.	It	also	makes	the	skin	soft.
YOGA	 POSTURES
.	Recommended	yoga	
asanas
	for	acne	are	the	Lion	Pose	and	the	sequence	of
postures	called	the	Moon	Salutation.	(See	
appendix	4
	for	illustrations.)
BREATHING	EXERCISE
.	Breathing	through	the	left	nostril	only,	for	5	to	10	minutes,	will	help	to
reduce	pitta.	(This	is	called	the	Moon	Breath	and	is	said	to	be	cooling;	breathing	through	the

right	nostril	is	called	the	Sun	Breath	and	is	heating.)	Simply	cover	the	right	nostril	with	your
thumb,	and	breathe	normally	through	the	left	side.	If	the	nostril	is	blocked,	don’t	force	it;
try	again	later.
RELAX	YOUR	FACE
.	Rub	your	hands	together	vigorously	to	create	a	bit	of	warmth,	and	
place	both
hands	over	your	face	for	a	couple	of	minutes.	This	will	relax	the	facial	muscles	and	increase
the	blood	supply.
You	can	also	rub	your	hands	until	the	palms	become	warm,	then	gently	touch	just	the
heart	of	the	palm	to	the	eyelashes.	Our	eyelashes	are	intensely	electrically	charged;	they

take	that	warmth	and	relieve	the	pitta	under	the	skin	that	is	coming	out	in	the	form	of	acne.
VISUALIZATION
.	The	root	cause	of	acne	is	emotional	stress.	One	effective	way	to	relieve	that
stress	is	visualization.	Close	your	eyes	and	visualize	that	the	acne	is	clearing	up	and	going
away—as	if	you	are	communicating	with	the	tissues	in	your	skin	that	are	bursting	out	in
acne.	This	works.
A	final	suggestion:	Avoid	frequent	looking	in	the	mirror	and	feeling	bad	about	the	acne.
	
Addictions
	
See	also	“
Smoking
”
Why	are	people	addicted?	In	the	majority	of	cases	(excluding	tragic	situations	such	as
babies	who	are	born	addicted	because	of	their	mother’s	addiction),	people	who	are	addicted
start	out	simply	seeking	more	pleasure	and	joy	in	their	life.	Their	life	is	difficult	and
unhappy,	their	relationships	may	be	painful	and	unfulfilling,	they	may	be	dissatisfied	and
stressed	at	work,	and	they	simply	don’t	know	how	to	deal	with	the	situation.	So	they	escape

from	the	reality	of	their	circumstances	into	drugs	or	alcohol.
Whether	the	addictive	substance	is	tobacco,	marijuana,	alcohol,	or	something	else,	it	soon
goes	beyond	being	a	psychological	escape	and	becomes	a	chemical	dependency.	Then,
unless	a	certain	level	of	the	addictive	substance	is	present	in	the	blood,	the	person’s	brain
doesn’t	function	properly.
Treatment	depends	on	how	serious	and	long-standing	the	addiction	is.	For	milder
addictions,	such	as	a	recent	smoking	habit,	the	person	may	simply	be	able	to	stop.	But	if	a
chronic	alcoholic	suddenly	stops	drinking,	it	creates	alcohol	withdrawal	syndrome	that	is
difficult	to	deal	with.
CLEANSING
.	To	effectively	handle	the	problem	of	addiction,	it	is	important	to	do	
,
an	effective	Ayurvedic	cleansing	and	detox	program.	See	
chapter	4
	for	a	description	of
	treatments	you	can	receive	at	an	Ayurvedic	clinic,	and	a	home

for	a	description	of
	treatments	you	can	receive	at	an	Ayurvedic	clinic,	and	a	home	
program	you	can	do	for	yourself.
DOSE	REDUCTION
.	Along	with	this	cleansing	program,	slowly	decrease	the	dose	of	the	addictive
substance.	According	to	Ayurveda,	unless	some	strong	medications	are	available	to	deal
with	withdrawal,	it	is	not	good	to	completely	stop	using	the	addictive	substance	all	at	once,
or	a	stressful	withdrawal	syndrome	will	probably	occur.
•	With	nicotine	toxicity	(which	affects	the	lungs	and	cardiovascular	system)	and	alcohol
toxicity	(which	affects	the	liver)	we	have	to	strengthen	the	affected	organs.	For	alcohol
toxicity,	use	this	formula:
chitrak	3	parts
kutki	3	parts
Take	½	teaspoon	of	these	herbs,	with	2	tablespoons	of	aloe	vera	juice,	3	times	a

day.
•	Ayurveda	suggests	a	bitter	wine	made	of	aloe	vera	juice.	(It	is	called	
kumari	asava
.)	In
place	of	hard	liquor	or	other	alcoholic	drinks,	the	person	who	is	addicted	to	alcohol	can	take
small	amounts	of	this	light,	dry	wine.	Try	4	teaspoons	diluted	with	an	equal	amount	of
water.	Then	gradually	reduce	the	amount	of	herbal	wine	in	the	dose,	while	at	the	same	time
using	the	above	herbal	formula	to	strengthen	the	damaged	liver.
•	The	same	applies	to	tobacco.	For	a	person	who	is	addicted	to	nicotine,	remove	one-third
to	one-half	of	the	tobacco	from	each	cigarette	(at	the	end	you	light),	and	fill	the	paper	with
a	mixture	of	rose	petals,	
brahmi
,	and	
jatamamsi
	(equal	proportions).	Smoke	it	until	the
tobacco	starts	burning.	The	moment	the	tobacco	starts,	put	out	the	cigarette	and	discard	it.
NASAL	 MEDICINE
.	Doing	
nasya
	with	
brahmi
	ghee	will	also	reduce	the	toxicity	of	nicotine	(see
appendix	3
).
EXERCISE

nasya
	with	
brahmi
appendix	3
).
EXERCISE
.	Most	of	the	time,	whenever	there	is	the	desire	to	drink	or	to	smoke,	the	person
should	go	out	for	a	walk	in	the	fresh
T
IME	TO
	S
EE	THE
	D
OCTOR
If	there	is	strong	alcohol	addiction	and	the	person	experiences	a	headache,	tremors,
drowsiness,	depression,	or	other	alcohol	withdrawal	symptoms	when	he	or	she	stops
drinking,	see	a	doctor	right	away:	Medical	help	is	needed.
air,	or	do	some	other	exercise,	or	go	for	a	swim.
APPETITE	STIMULATION
.	Some	people	drink	because	they	have	a	low	appetite.	Unless	they	have	a
drink,	they	never	feel	hungry.	In	such	cases,	instead	of	alcohol,	they	can	have	some	ginger
tea	to	stimulate	their	appetite	(see	also	“
Appetite,	Low
”).	Or	try	this	recipe	for	a	tea	to
stimulate	agni,	the	digestive	fire:
Agni	Tea
1	quart	water
⅛	pinch	cayenne	pepper
½	handful	minced	ginger	root
2	tablespoons	Sucanat	or	other	sweetener
⅛	to	½	teaspoon	rock	salt

Put	all	the	above	ingredients	in	a	pot	and	boil	for	20	minutes.
Take	the	pot	off	the	burner,	cool	for	a	few	minutes,	then	add	the	juice	of	half	a	lime.	Do
not	boil	the	lime	juice.
YOGA	
ASANAS
.	Some	yoga	exercises	will	also	be	beneficial.	Sun	Salutations	Should	be	included,
and	some	Alternate	Nostril	breathing.	
So-Hum
	Meditation	will	also	be	helpful.	(See	
chapters

6
	and	
7
.)
	
Allergies
	
See	also	“
Food	Allergies
”
According	to	Ayurvedic	
samprapti
	(pathogenesis),	allergies	are	a	doshic	reaction	to	a	specific
allergen,	such	as	pollen,	dust,	chemicals	on	a	rug,	ragweed,	or	any	strong	chemical	smell.
These	allergic	reactions	are	
classified	as	vata	type,	pitta	type,	and	kapha	type.
•	
Vata-type	allergies
	are	characterized	by	bloating	of	the	stomach,	gastric	discomfort,	or
even	intestinal	colic.	A	vata	allergy	may	lead	to	sudden	wheezing,	sneezing,	headache,
ringing	in	the	ears,	or	insomnia.	For	example,	some	individuals,	when	exposed	to	dust	or
pollen,	suddenly	start	wheezing.	The	wheezing	is	due	to	narrowing	of	the	bronchial	tree	due
to	vata	dosha.	That	person	may	also	experience	insomnia	and	other	vata-type	symptoms.
•	
In	a	pitta	type	of	allergy
,	pitta	dosha	is	already	present	under	the	skin.	If	the	person
comes	in	contact	with	an	allergen,	such	as	chemicals,	ragweed,	or	certain	synthetic	fibers,

then	the	pitta	penetrates	through	the	capillaries	due	to	its	hot	and	sharp	qualities	and
creates	a	rash,	itching,	hives,	urticaria,	allergic	dermatitis,	or	eczema—all	pitta-type	allergic
reactions.
•	
Kapha	allergies
	are	often	experienced	during	spring	season,	when	plants	and	trees	shed
their	pollens	into	the	atmosphere.	When	the	pollens,	such	as	juniper	or	any	other	flower
pollen,	are	inhaled,	they	enter	the	nasal-respiratory	passage,	and	in	some	people	they
irritate	the	delicate	mucous	membrane,	leading	to	hay	fever,	colds,	congestion,	a	cough,
sinus	infection,	and	even	asthma.
In	order	to	treat	allergies	effectively,	first	we	have	to	find	out	whether	it	is	vata,	pitta,	or
kapha	type.	Then	we	can	determine	the	specific	line	of	treatment.
In	most	cases,	perhaps	80	percent,	your	
prakruti
	(constitution)	predicts	your	allergy

prakruti
proneness.	That	is,	there	is	usually	a	correspondence	between	a	person’s	constitution	and
the	type	of	allergic	reaction.	A	person	of	pitta	
prakruti
	is	more	likely	to	have	a	pitta	allergic
reaction,	especially	when	the	
vikruti
	or	current	status	of	the	system	shows	a	pitta	imbalance.
But	it	may	also	happen	that	due	to	diet,	environmental	conditions,	emotional	factors,	or
other	causes,	a	kapha	person	may	have	a	vata	imbalance,	and	so	forth.
TREATMENT	FOR	VATA-TYPE	ALLERGIES
BASTI
.	One	of	the	most	effective	remedies	for	vata-type	allergies	is	a	
	tea	
basti
(enema).	Boil	1	tablespoon	of	the	herbal	compound	
	in	1	pint	of	water	for	5
minutes	to	make	a	tea.	Cool	it,	strain	it,	and	use	the	liquid	as	an	enema.	(See	
appendix	3
for	complete	directions.)	Vata	symptoms,	such	as	wheezing,	sneezing,	dryness	of	the	throat,

dryness	of	the	colon	leading	to	distension,	constipation,	and	abdominal	discomfort,	can	be
immediately	corrected	by	this	
	tea	
basti
.

HERBAL	REMEDIES
.	Use	this	herbal	formula:
ashwagandha	1	part
bala	1	part
vidari	1	part
Mix	these	herbs	in	equal	proportion,	and	take	¼	teaspoon	of	the	powder	3	times	a
day,	washed	down	with	warm	water,	to	relieve	vata	allergies.
•	To	soothe	an	extreme	wheezing	condition,	make	one	cup	of	either	ginger	or	
licorice	tea,
boiling	1	teaspoon	of	the	herb	for	about	3	minutes	in	1	cup	of	water.	Then	add	5	to	10
drops	of	
mahanarayan
	oil,	mix	thoroughly,	and	take	1	sip	every	10	to	15	minutes.	(If	you	do
not	have	
	oil,	you	can	substitute	½	teaspoon	of	plain	ghee.)
TREATMENT	FOR	PITTA-TYPE	ALLERGIES
.	This	herbal	formula	is	effective	to	pacify	pitta:
shatavari	8	parts
kama	dudha	½	part
guduchi	1	part
shanka	bhasma	¼	part
Take	½	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	2	or	3	times	a	day	after	meals,	with	a	little	warm
water.
•	For	hives,	rash,	urticaria,	dermatitis,	or	eczema,	apply	
neem
	oil	or	
tikta	ghrita
	(bitter
ghee)	on	the	skin.
BLOOD	PURIFICATION

neem
	oil	or	
	(bitter
.	Traditionally,	Ayurveda	has	suggested	that	individuals	with	high	pitta,	who
are	prone	to	developing	pitta-type	problems	such	as	sunburn	in	the	summer	season,	do	
rakta
moksha
,	or	bloodletting,	before	the	onset	of	the	summer.	Although	this	practice	is	currently
not	very	well	respected	in	the	West,	it	is	still	used	widely	in	India,	as	it	has	proven	to	be	an
effective	preventive	and	healing	measure.	To	make	use	of	it	today,	you	might	consider
donating	about	½	pint	or	100	cc.	of	blood	to	a	blood	bank.	That	will	help	to	defuse	pitta
conditions	such	as	allergic	dermatitis	and	allergic	eczema.
•	To	produce	a	similar	effect,	you	can	use	a	blood-cleansing	herbal	combination.	For
example,	mix	the	herbs	
manjistha
	and	
neem
	in	equal	amounts.
manjistha	1	part
neem	1	part
Take	½	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	3	times	a	day	with	warm	water	after	meals.	It	will

cleanse	the	blood	and	help	to	heal	pitta-type	allergies.
•	The	common	Western	herb	burdock	is	also	an	effective	blood	purifier;	you	can	make	a
tea	from	½	teaspoon	burdock	per	cup	of	boiling	water	and	drink	it	2	or	3	times	a	day.
TREATMENT	FOR	KAPHA-TYPE	ALLERGIES
.	Kapha	allergies	generally	take	the	form	of	respiratory-pulmonary	congestion,
cough,	cold,	asthma,	or	hay	fever.	For	relief	from	these	conditions,	use	the	following	herbal
formula:
sitopaladi	4	parts
yashti	madhu	4	parts
abrak	bhasma	⅛	part
Take	about	¼	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	3	times	a	day	with	honey.
PURGATION	THERAPY
.	Kapha-type	allergies	occur	when	excess	kapha	collects	in	the	stomach	and
lungs.	One	way	to	relieve	this	congestion	is	purgation	therapy	(
virechana
).	
Use	flaxseed	oil
(available	in	most	natural	food	stores),	and	take	1	teaspoon	2	or	3	times	a	day	for	2	or	3
days.	This	will	be	quite	effective.	Or	you	can	use	
triphala
	(see	below).
VOMITING	 THERAPY

triphala
.	The	Ayurvedic	therapy	that	is	particularly	effective	for	removing	excess
kapha	from	the	stomach	and	respiratory	tract	is	
vamana
,	or	vomiting	therapy.	I	have
noticed,	however,	that	people	in	the	West	have	a	strong	cultural	bias	against	vomiting,	and
many	seem	particularly	uncomfortable	with	this	procedure.	It	not	only	seems	physically
repugnant	but	may	be	emotionally	difficult	as	well,	as	some	emotional	purification	may
arise	as	a	result	of	the	physical	purification.	So	if	you	tend	to	have	strong	emotions	or	have
trouble	dealing	with	them,	it	might	be	better	for	you	not	to	try	
vamana
.
If	you	want	to	try	it—and	I	want	to	emphasize	that	it	is	very	effective	for	eliminating
excess	kapha—the	procedure	is	to	drink	a	stomach	full	of	licorice	tea	and	salt	water	and
then	to	regurgitate	it,	emptying	the	stomach.	Start	by	drinking	several	cups	of	licorice	tea,

followed	by	a	pint	of	water	with	about	1	teaspoon	of	salt	mixed	in.	Drink	enough	to	fill
your	stomach,	then	rub	the	back	of	the	tongue	and	vomit	it	out.
IMPORTANT	CAUTION
:	If	you	have	high	blood	pressure,	low	blood	pressure,	hiatal	hernia,	or
a	history	of	heart	problems,	do	not	do	
vaman
	therapy.
HEALING	GUIDELINES	FOR	ALL	TYPES	OF	ALLERGIES
USE	TRIPHALA
.	For	all	three	types	of	allergies,	one	can	take	½	to	1	teaspoon	of	
triphala
	at	night.
(See	
appendix	2
	for	instructions	for	preparing	
triphala
.)	
Triphala
	acts	as	both	a	laxative	and
a	purgative.	It	consists	of	three	herbs:	
amalaki,	bibhitaki
,	and	
haritaki.	Haritaki
	works	on	vata

dosha,	
amalaki
	on	pitta	dosha,	and	
bibhitaki
	on	kapha	dosha.
DIETARY	CHANGES
.	For	vata	allergy,	follow	a	vata-soothing	diet;	for	pitta	type	of	allergy,	the
pitta-pacifying	diet;	and	for	kapha	allergy,	the	kapha-reducing	diet.	(Diet	guidelines	may	be
found	in	
chapter	8
.)
WATCH	 YOUR	 FOOD	 COMBINATIONS
.	It	is	important	for	individuals	with	allergies	not	to	eat
incompatible	food	combinations,	such	as	milk	and	yogurt,	meat	and	dairy,	poultry	and
dairy,	melon	and	grains,	or	fruits	and	grains.	Avoid	such	things	as	banana	milk	shakes	and
“fruit	smoothies”	made	with	milk.	For	a	more	complete	list	of	food	incompatibilities,	please
turn	to	
this	page
.
AVOID	THE	CAUSE
.	For	most	allergies,	one	should	try	to	avoid	the	immediate	cause:	the	allergen.
People	who	are	allergic	to	cats,	dogs,	hair,	pollen,	mold,	and	so	on	should	simply	try	to
avoid	them.	Also	try	to	stay	away	from	synthetic	fibers	such	as	polyester	and	rayon,	which

can	cause	pitta-type	skin	allergies.	It	is	best	to	wear	cotton	clothing.	Because	of	the	large
quantity	of	pesticides	routinely	sprayed	on	cotton,	you	might	consider	using	only	organic
cotton	
products,	though	they	tend	to	be	more	expensive.
BLOCK	THE	ALLERGENS
.	Generally,	the	respiratory	passage	is	open	to	dust	and	other	allergens.	One
way	to	minimize	the	effect	of	allergens	that	you	can’t	avoid	is	to	lubricate	the	nasal	mucous
membrane	with	ghee.	This	prevents	direct	contact	of	the	allergen	with	the	mucous
membrane.
USE	NEEM	OIL
.	Another	way	to	reduce	or	avoid	the	effect	of	environmental	allergens	is	to	apply
neem
	oil	to	the	exposed	part	of	the	body.	The	presence	of	the	oil	on	the	skin,	as	well	as	the
disinfectant	properties	of	
neem
,	will	minimize	contact	with	the	allergen.
NOTE
:	Use	
neem
	herbalized	oil—that	is,	
neem
	leaves	cooked	in	a	base	of	sesame	or
another	oil.	Pure	
neem

neem
neem
neem
	extract	will	be	too	strong.	If	you	find	that	even	this
herbalized	
neem
	oil	is	too	strong	and	creates	an	itching	or	burning	sensation,	mix	it
half	and	half	with	coconut	oil.
MEDITATE	FOR	STRESS	 REDUCTION
.	Most	allergies	are	stress	related.	Because	of	stress,	imbalance	is
created	in	mind	and	body.	The	practice	known	as	Empty	Bowl	meditation	helps	to	restore
balance	and	thus	helps	take	care	of	stress-related	allergies.	(See	
chapter	7
	for	guidelines.)
YOGA	POSTURES
.	The	most	helpful	yoga	
asana
	for	kapha	and	vata	allergies	is	the	Sun	Salutation.
For	pitta	allergies,	do	the	Moon	Salutation.	For	help	with	yoga	
asanas
,	see	
appendix	4
.
BREATHING	EXERCISES
.	Alternate	Nostril	breathing	is	effective	for	respiratory	allergies	such	as	hay
fever,	wheezing,	and	sneezing.	
Bhastrika
	(Breath	of	Fire)	is	good	for	kapha-type	congestive
allergies	(see	
chapter	6
).	Also,	
ujjayi	pranayama

chapter	6
).	Also,	
	helps	to	improve	immunity	and	is	beneficial
for	all	types	of	allergies.

Anemia
	
Modern	medicine	has	delineated	several	types	of	anemia:	iron-deficiency	anemia,
pernicious	anemia,	sickle-cell	anemia,	and	hypoproteinemic	anemia	(lack	of	protein	in	the
blood),	as	well	as	certain	vitamin-deficiency	anemias,	such	as	B-12	and	folic	acid-deficiency
anemia.	Certain	bleeding	disorders,	such	as	profuse	menstrual	bleeding,	bleeding
hemorrhoids,	or	bleeding	gums,	can	lead	to	anemia	because	of	blood	loss.	Whenever
modern	medicine	deals	with	the	problem	of	anemia,	it	considers	all	these	etiological	factors.
Ayurveda	looks	at	anemia	quite	differently.	Ayurvedic	classification	of	anemia	falls	under
three	basic	doshic	conditions:	vata	type,	pitta	type,	and	kapha	type.	It	doesn’t	matter
whether	a	person	has	iron	deficiency	or	folic	acid	deficiency;	what	is	important	is	how	the
anemia	is	expressing	itself	through	a	particular	individual.	As	it	turns	out	(see	box	
this
page
),	there	is	also	a	correspondence	between	the	Ayurvedic	interpretation	and	the

this
page
understanding	according	to	modern	medicine.
TYPES	OF	ANEMIA
•	In	vata-type	anemia,	the	person	looks	thin,	with	dry,	rough,	scaly	skin,	and	has	cracking
of	the	joints.	He	or	she	looks	emaciated	and	pale,	may	suffer	from	breathlessness	and
constipation,	and	may	pass	tarry	black	stool.
•	In	pitta-type	anemia,	the	eyes	are	slightly	yellowish,	the	person	may	get	high-colored
urine,	and	the	stools	are	dark	brown	or	have	a	slightly	yellowish	tinge.	There	may	be
nausea	or	pain	in	the	liver	and/or	spleen	area.	Dizziness	or	vertigo	may	be	experienced,
and	the	person	may	become	easily	irritated	by	light.
•	In	kapha-type	anemia,	there	is	often	swelling	(edema),	and	the	person’s	skin	feels	cold
and	clammy	and	looks	shiny.	Because	of	the	edema,	the	skin	gets	stretched	so	much	that	you
can	often	see	the	reflection	of	the	window	on	it.

By	careful	observation	one	can	tell	whether	the	anemia	is	vata,	pitta,	or	kapha	type.	By
treating	that	dosha,	one	treats	the	root	cause	and	can	alleviate	the	anemia.
TREATMENT
FOR	VATA-TYPE	ANEMIA
.	For	vata	anemia,	Ayurveda	suggests	taking	
,	which	is	bitter	ghee
(see	
appendix	2
).	One	teaspoon	of	
	5	to	10	minutes	before	breakfast,	lunch,	and
dinner	will	help	to	improve	the	blood	volume.
•	One	can	also	use	a	mixture	of
kaishore	guggulu	2	parts
ashwagandha	5	parts
dashamoola	5	parts

Take	½	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	3	times	a	day	with	warm	milk	to	help	correct	vata-
type	anemia.
•	A	specific	formula	is	given	in	Vedic	literature	for	a	cleansing,	detoxifying	herbal	remedy
for	vata-type	anemia.	It	is	called	
gandharva	haritaki
,	which	is	
haritaki
	powder	roasted	in
castor	oil	in	an	iron	pan.	Place	1	tablespoon	castor	oil	in	an	iron	pan	and	heat	on	the	stove;
when	the	oil	is	warm	enough,	sauté	1	ounce	of	the	herb	
haritaki
.	The	
haritaki
	will	become
thick	and	will	turn	slightly	brown.	(You	have	to	stir	it.)	Take	½	teaspoon	of	
gandharva
haritaki
	at	bedtime,	washed	down	with	warm	water.	Take	it	for	2	months	or	until	the	blood
returns	to	normal.
NOTE
:	This	mixture	may	cause	loose	stools;	if	this	happens,	reduce	your	dosage	until
comfortable.
FOR	PITTA-TYPE	ANEMIA
.	For	pitta	anemia,	Ayurveda	suggests	
shatavari
	ghee.	(The	
shatavari
	and	the
ghee	are	cooked	together.	Directions	for	preparing	herbalized	and	medicated	ghees	and	oils
appear	in	
appendix	2

appear	in	
appendix	2
.)	Take	1	teaspoon	of	
shatavari
	ghee	3	times	a	day,	before	breakfast,
lunch,	and	dinner.
•	One	can	also	use	this	herbal	formula:
shatavari	5	parts
brahmi	3	parts
neem	2	parts
loha	bhasma	⅛	part
Mix	these	herbs,	and	take	½	teaspoon	of	the	mixture	3	times	a	day	with	2
tablespoons	of	aloe	vera	gel.	This	combination	
will	be	quite	effective	in	treating
pitta-type	anemia.
FOR	KAPHA-TYPE	ANEMIA
.	Where	there	is	swelling,	use:
punarnava	5	parts
gokshura	3	parts
kutki	2	parts
Take	½	teaspoon	of	this	herbal	mixture	twice	a	day	with	a	few	sips	of	warm	water.
Or	you	can	mix	it	with	a	little	honey	and	then	wash	it	down	with	water.
FOR	ALL	TYPES	OF	ANEMIA
EAT	IRON-RICH	FOODS
.	Iron	is	a	good	blood	builder,	so	foods	rich	in	iron,	such	as	beets,	carrots,
grapes,	raisins,	and	currants,	are	used	in	the	Ayurvedic	treatment	of	most	anemias.	Figs,
dates,	and	date	sugar	are	also	good	sources	of	iron.	Pomegranate	juice	and	cranberry	juice

can	be	used	as	blood	builders,	as	can	a	combination	of	beet	and	carrot	juice.	(Add	a	pinch	of

cumin	to	your	carrot/beet	juice	for	maximum	effect.)	Chlorophyll	is	also	a	good	source	of
iron,	and	many	times	Ayurveda	does	suggest	using	chlorophyll,	generally	in	the	form	of
spinach,	chard,	and	other	fresh	green	vegetables.
YOGURT	AND	TURMERIC
.	Eat	a	cup	of	plain	yogurt	with	up	to	1	teaspoon	turmeric	on	an	empty
stomach,	morning	and	afternoon.	Do	not	eat	this	after	sunset.	If	kapha	is	unbalanced,	eat
this	at	noon	only.
BLUE-GREEN	ALGAE
.	Blue-green	algae	can	also	be	effectively	used,	but	primarily	for	pitta	anemia.
Because	it	is	a	rich	source	of	
prana
,	it	is	not	good	for	vata	individuals,	as	it	will	make	them
quite	hyper.	Kapha	types	may	also	find	it	beneficial.
COPPER	WATER
.	Vata	and	kapha	individuals	may	find	copper	water	effective.	Fill	a	genuine
copper	glass	or	cup	with	water	and	let	it	stand	overnight,	then	drink	it	in	the	morning	(see
appendix	1
).
DIET	AND	LIFESTYLE	CHOICES
.	These	choices	should	follow	the	general	guidelines	(diet,	exercise,	and
so	on)	for	each	doshic

so	on)	for	each	doshic	
constitutional	type.	For	vata	problems,	follow	the	anti-vata
guidelines;	for	pitta	anemia	follow	the	pitta-soothing	diet	and	other	guidelines;	and	for
kapha-type	anemia,	follow	the	kapha-reducing	guidelines.
Correlation	of	Ayurvedic	and	Western	Types	of	Anemia
Clinical	observation	has	shown	that	the	various	types	of	anemia	classified	by	modern
medicine	can	be	correlated	with	the	types	of	anemia	delineated	by	Ayurveda.	For
example,	pitta-type	anemia	has	been	associated	with	mononucleosis	and	hepatitis	and
may	lead	to	problems	with	the	liver.	Cobalamine	(vitamin	B-12)-deficiency	anemia	is
also	associated	with	pitta.	Kapha-type	anemia	may	lead	to	hypo-proteinemic	anemia
and	swelling,	while	vata-type	anemia	may	be	associated	with	iron	deficiency	and	folic
acid–deficiency	anemia.	By	treating	the	vata–pitta–kapha	types	of	anemia,	Ayurveda

can	at	the	same	time	treat	the	types	of	anemia	categorized	by	modern	medicine.
YOGA	
ASANAS
.
	Yoga	postures	good	for	anemia	of	both	the	vata	and	kapha	varieties	include	the
Locust	pose,	Lotus	pose,	and	inverted	poses	(Shoulder	Stand,	Plow	pose,	Headstand),	which
bring	the	blood	supply	to	the	vital	organs	such	as	the	thyroid,	thymus,	and	brain.	Headstand
will	not	be	good	for	pitta-type	anemia,	but	the	Sun	Salutation,	as	well	as	the	Boat,	Bow,
and	Bridge	poses,	will	be	effective.
BREATHING	 EXERCISE
.	For	all	anemic	conditions,	
surya	pranayama
	(Right	Nostril	breathing)	is
recommended.	Block	your	left	nostril	with	your	right	ring	finger	and	breathe	only	through
the	right	nostril.	Right	Nostril	breathing	stimulates	the	liver,	which	plays	an	important	role

in	building	the	blood.
	
Anger	and	Hostility
	
Anger	and	hostility	are	signs	of	aggravated	pitta	in	the	nervous	system.	Pitta	is	necessary
for	right	understanding	and	judgment,	but	when	it	gets	disturbed	or	out	of	balance,	it
creates	misunderstanding	and	wrong	judgment,	leading	to	anger	and	hostility.	The	aim	is	to
bring	the	pitta	back	to	its	normal	constitutional	function.
Here	are	several	simple	home	remedies	to	cool	down	that	hot	pitta	and	keep	tempers
under	control.
DIET
.	Perhaps	most	important,	a	person	who	becomes	angry	easily	or	often	should	follow	the
pitta-pacifying	diet	(see	
chapter	8
),	especially	avoiding	hot,	spicy	and	fermented	foods,
citrus	fruit,	and	sour	fruit.	Favor	simple,	bland	foods	and	cool	drinks,	and	avoid	alcohol	and
drinks	with	caffeine.
KEEP	COOL
.	It’s	also	not	recommended	for	people	with	a	pitta	body	type	to	take	saunas	or
steam	baths,	to	get	overheated	from	exercise	or	sports,	or	to	be	in	too	much	direct	sun.	In
other	words:	keep	cool.

.	Rub	some	
bhringaraj
	oil	or	coconut	oil	on	your	scalp	and	on	the	soles	of	the	feet.
That	will	help	to	bring	down	the	excess	pitta.	(See	instructions	for	preparing	herbalized
ghees	and	oils	in	
appendix	2
.)	You	can	do	this	every	night	before	getting	in	bed	to	regularly
moderate	pitta.	Be	sure	to	wear	some	old	socks	and	a	hat,	or	put	a	towel	on	your	pillow,	to
prevent	the	oil	from	staining.
USE	SANDALWOOD	OIL
.	Another	simple	and	effective	way	to	help	balance	your	emotions	is	to	place
a	drop	of	sandalwood	essential	oil	on	the	“third	eye”	area	between	your	eyebrows,	as	well
as	on	the	throat,	breastbone,	navel,	temples,	and	wrists.	Just	a	small	amount	of	oil	is
sufficient.
HERBAL	TEAS
.	Drink	chamomile-tulsi-rose	tea.
chamomile	1	part
tulsi	(holy	basil)	1	part
rose	petal	powder	2	parts
Steep	½	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	in	1	cup	of	hot	water,	cool	it,	and	then	drink.	You
can	drink	it	3	times	a	day,	after	each	meal.

•	You	can	use	an	even	simpler	formula.	Take	½	teaspoon	of	chamomile	and	1	teaspoon	of
fresh,	finely	chopped	cilantro	leaves,	and	steep	them	in	1	cup	hot	water	for	about	10
minutes.	Allow	this	tea	to	cool	before	you	drink	it.

HAVE	A	PITTA-PACIFYING	DRINK
.	Into	1	cup	of	grape	juice,	add	½	teaspoon	cumin,	½	teaspoon	fennel,
and	½	teaspoon	sandalwood	powder.	This	cooling,	pitta-pacifying	drink	will	help	to	settle
angry	feelings	and	other	pitta	symptoms	such	as	burning	in	the	stomach.
GHEE	
NASYA
.
	Dip	your	little	finger	into	a	jar	of	
brahmi
	ghee	(or	plain	ghee	if	you	haven’t	made
brahmi
	ghee),	and	lubricate	the	inside	of	your	nostrils	with	a	small	amount.	(Make	sure	your
nails	are	trimmed	so	you	don’t	scratch	yourself.)	Then	gently	inhale	the	ghee	upward.	This
sends	a	calming	message	to	the	brain.	You	will	become	quite	tranquil;	anger	and	hostility
will	dissolve	like	a	cloud	in	the	sky.
DO	BREATHING	EXERCISES
.	A	cooling	
pranayama
	to	help	dissipate	anger	is	
.	Make	a
tube	of	your	tongue;	breathe	deeply	through	your	mouth	down	into	your	belly;	hold	the
breath	for	a	few	seconds;	exhale	through	your	nose.	Do	about	12	repetitions.	(See	the
illustration	in	
chapter	6
.)

chapter	6
.)
.	Good	yoga	
asanas
	for	pitta	include	the	Camel,	Cobra,	Cow,	Boat,	Goat,	and
Bridge	poses.	(See	
appendix	4
	for	illustrations	of	yoga	postures.)	Avoid	the	Headstand	or
other	inverted	poses	such	as	the	Plow	and	Shoulder	Stand.	Do	not	perform	the	Sun
Salutation;	do	the	Moon	Salutation	instead.
MEDITATE
.	There	is	an	ancient	method	of	meditation	that	involves	watching	your	every
emotion	come	and	go,	without	either	naming	it	or	trying	to	tame	it.	As	the	feelings	arise,
breathe	deeply,	and	exhale	the	emotions	out.
	
Angina
	
Angina,	or	to	give	it	its	full	name,	angina	pectoris	(chest	pain),	is	a	condition	created	by
kapha	dosha.	Accumulated	kapha	blocks	the	flow	of	
prana
	vata	into	the	coronary	artery,	so
that	the	heart	muscles	do	not	receive	sufficient	blood	and	oxygen	supply.	It	is	a	kind	of	local
anemia,	resulting	in	pain	that	can	be	severe	and	frightening.	Typically,	the	pain	starts	from

the	breastbone	in	the	center	of	the	chest,	goes	to	the	left	shoulder,	and	passes	along	the
inner	side	of	the	upper	arm	to	the	tip	of	the	little	finger.
.	To	heal	angina,	the	following	herbal	remedy	is	effective:
shringa	bhasma	⅛	part
musta	3	parts
arjuna	3	parts
Take	½	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	2	or	3	times	a	day	with	warm	water.
Another	effective	remedy	is	to	boil	½	cup	each	of	milk	and	water,	add	½	teaspoon	of
arjuna
	and	2	pinches	of	saffron,	and	take	twice	or	3	times	a	day.	You	may	find	this	remedy
beneficial	for	both	chest	pain	and	heart	palpitations.

SPECIAL	HERBS
.	In	India,	angina	is	often	directly	dealt	with	by	taking	certain	powerful	herbs
sublingually	(under	the	tongue)	to	produce	immediate	relief,	as	nitroglycerin	tablets	are
often	used	in	modern	medicine.	Ask	your	Ayurvedic	physician	about	these	herbs.
A	HEALING	PASTE
.	Topically,	one	can	apply	a	paste	to	the	chest.	Make	the	paste	of	ginger	powder
(1	teaspoon)	and	
shringa	bhasma
	(just	a	pinch).	Add	sufficient	warm	water,	and	apply.
DEER	HORN
.	Try	to	get	hold	of	some	deer	horn.	(Indian	groceries	and	Chinese	herb	stores	are
possible	sources.)	Using	a	mortar	and	pestle	or	another	kind	of	grinding	stone,	rub	the	deer
horn	on	the	rough	stone	until	a	little	paste	is	formed.	Applying	a	little	of	that	paste	on	the
chest	can	instantaneously	relieve	angina	pain.
T
IME	TO
	S
EE	THE
	D
OCTOR
The	heart	is	a	precious,	vital	organ.	Any	symptom	related	to	the	heart	could	be	a
sign	of	heart	disease	or	a	signal	that	heart	disease	is	developing.	So	if	you	have	any

chest	pain	that	could	be	due	to	your	heart,	please	consult	your	doctor.	Especially—
but	not	exclusively—if	you	get	chest	pain	from	less	exertion	than	usual,	or	if	your
chest	pain	lasts	longer	than	a	few	minutes,	treat	it	as	a	medical	emergency.
GOLD	WATER
.	Taking	1	teaspoon	of	gold	water	2	or	3	times	a	day	before	food	is	also	effective.
(See	
appendix	1
	for	instructions	on	making	gold	water.)
.	If	there	is	no	acute	angina	pain,	you	can	improve	coronary	circulation	by	doing
some	gentle	yoga	stretching.	Beneficial	postures	include	the	Camel	pose,	Boat	pose,	Locust
pose,	gentle	Spinal	Twist,	and	Cobra	pose.	These	postures	stretch	the	coronary	arteries	and
increase	blood	supply	to	the	heart.
	
Anxiety
	
Anxiety,	which	often	is	associated	with	insomnia	and	feelings	of	fear,	is	due	primarily	to
aggravation	of	vata	dosha	in	the	nervous	system.	So	to	heal	anxiety,	we	have	to	balance
vata.

vata.
Here	are	several	effective	Ayurvedic	remedies	to	pacify	vata,	heal	anxiety	and	fear,	and
improve	your	sleep.
CALMING	TEA
.	Make	a	tea	of	the	following	herbs:
tagar	or	valerian	1	part
musta	1	part
Steep	½	teaspoon	of	these	herbs	in	1	cup	hot	water	for	5	to	10	minutes,	and	drink.
T
IME	TO
	S
EE	THE
	D
OCTOR

Everyone	experiences	worry	and	anxiety	from	time	to	time.	But	if	severe	anxiety
continues	for	a	long	time	or	becomes	overwhelming	and	interferes	with	your	social
or	occupational	functioning,	medical	attention	is	required.	Here	are	three	reasons	to
see	a	doctor:
1
.	
You	chronically	experience	severe	symptoms	such	as	shortness	of	breath,	chest	pressure
or	pain,	and	dizziness,	along	with	extreme	worry	and	tension.
2
.	
You	have	panic	attacks—short,	unexplained	periods	of	intense	fear.
3
.	
You	avoid	people,	places,	or	situations	in	order	to	avoid	feeling	anxious.
This	formula	effectively	pacifies	vata	and	reduces	anxiety.	You	can	drink	this	tea
twice	a	day.
RELAXING	BATH
.	A	warm	bath	of	ginger	and	baking	soda	will	help	you	pacify	anxiety.	Use	⅓	cup
ginger	and	⅓	cup	baking	soda	in	a	tubful	of	water.	Soak	for	10	to	15	minutes.
ALMOND	 MILK
.	Almond	milk	helps	to	eliminate	anxiety.	Soak	about	10	raw	(not	toasted)

almonds	overnight	in	water.	Peel	off	the	skins,	and	put	the	almonds	in	the	blender.	Add	1
cup	warm	milk.	While	blending,	add	a	pinch	of	ginger	and	a	small	pinch	of	nutmeg	and
saffron.
ORANGE	 JUICE
.	For	anxiety	accompanied	by	a	fast	heart	rate,	a	cup	of	orange	juice	with	1
teaspoon	of	honey	and	a	pinch	of	nutmeg	powder	can	be	effective.
CALMING	PRESSURE	POINT
.	Make	a	fist	with	your	left	hand,	so	that	the	fingers	rest	in	the	middle	of
the	palm.	Locate	the	point	where	the	middle	finger	ends,	in	the	“heart”	of	the	palm.	Then,
with	the	thumb	of	your	right	hand,	press	firmly	on	this	point	in	the	center	of	your	left	hand.
Press	for	1	minute.	This	
will	calm	down	the	agitation	of	
prana
,	which	causes	anxiety.
Ayurvedic	Oil	Massage
Giving	yourself	a	full-body	oil	massage	will	greatly	help	to	reduce	anxiety.	Vatas
should	use	sesame	oil;	pittas,	sunflower	or	coconut	oil;	kaphas,	corn	oil.	Use	6	or	7

ounces	of	warmed-up	(
not	hot
)	oil,	and	rub	it	over	your	whole	body	from	head	to	toes.
Ordinarily	this	massage	is	done	before	the	morning	bath,	but	if	you	have	high	anxiety
or	insomnia,	you	can	also	do	it	before	going	to	bed.
A	minimassage	is	also	effective:	Using	the	appropriate	oil	for	your	constitution,	rub
some	on	your	scalp	and	spend	a	few	minutes	rubbing	the	bottom	of	your	feet.
RELAXATION	POSE
.	Lie	down	on	your	back	in	the	yoga	posture	known	as	
savasana
,	the	“Corpse”	or
Relaxation	pose,	arms	by	your	sides.

MEDITATE	TO	RELAX
.	Sitting	quietly,	focus	your	attention	on	the	top	of	your	head	while	doing	the
So-Hum
	meditation	(described	in	
chapter	7
).
	
Poor	appetite	is	a	condition	of	low	
	(digestive	fire).	Low	agni	may	be	due	to	slow
metabolism,	or	slow	metabolism	caused	by	low	agni;	each	affects	the	other.	Low	agni
creates	not	only	poor	appetite	but	also	indigestion,	bloating,	ama	(toxins)	in	the
gastrointestinal	tract,	coating	on	the	tongue,	and	bad	breath.	Lack	of	energy	is	also
common.
The	most	effective	treatment	for	this	situation	may	surprise	you:	Don’t	eat.	A	short	fast
will	help	to	kindle	the	digestive	fire.	Skip	breakfast,	and	don’t	nibble	anything.	By	noon
your	appetite	will	probably	return,	and	you	will	be	hungry	and	ready	to	eat.
Lack	of	appetite	is	often	due	to	continual	munching,	combined	with	drinking	cold	drinks,
which	depress	agni.	For	the	sake	of	good	digestion	and	long-term	health,	as	well	as	reviving

your	appetite,	both	of	these	bad	habits	have	to	be	stopped.
If	you	are	not	hungry	even	by	lunchtime,	take	some	fresh	ginger,	chop	a	little	into	small
pieces,	add	some	lime	juice	and	a	pinch	of	rock	salt,	and	chew	it	up.	That	will	kindle	agni
and	stimulate	the	appetite.
Low	appetite	may	also	be	due	to	emotional	factors.	If	that	is	the	case,	make	a	tea	of
ginger,	
brahmi
,	and	chamomile	in	equal	proportions.	Use	1	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	per	cup
of	water,	steep	for	5	to	10	minutes,	and	drink.
Also,	take	½	teaspoon	of	
triphala
	in	a	cup	of	warm	water	every	night	before	going	to	bed.
Pour	boiling	water	into	the	
triphala
,	and	let	it	cool	until	it’s	comfortable	to	drink.
These	few	simple	measures	should	be	enough	to	help	you	regain	a	healthy	appetite.	If	you
try	them	and	still	don’t	feel	like	eating,	see	your	doctor,	as	lack	of	appetite	can	be	a
symptom	of	a	more	serious	illness.
	
Arthritis

Arthritis
	
Ayurveda	distinguishes	three	categories	of	arthritis,	corresponding	to	vata,	pitta,	and
kapha.	To	treat	this	condition	properly,	it	is	vital	to	carefully	diagnose	which	type	you
have.
TYPES	OF	ARTHRITIS
•	
If	arthritis	is	due	to	vata
,	your	joints	will	crack	and	pop.	They	become	dry	and	are	not
swollen	as	they	may	be	if	excess	vata	is	not	the	cause.	The	joints	may	also	feel	cold	to	the
touch.	They	are	painful	mostly	upon	movement,	and	there	is	usually	one	particular	tender
spot.	Jogging,	jumping,	trampolining,	or	any	strenuous	exercise	tends	to	aggravate	the
pain.
•	
Pitta-type	arthritis
	is	characterized	by	inflammation;	the	joint	becomes	swollen	and	
is

painful	even	without	movement.	It	often	looks	red	and	feels	hot	to	the	touch.
•	
In	kapha-type	arthritis
,	the	joint	also	becomes	stiff	and	swollen,	but	it	feels	cold	and
clammy	rather	than	hot.	A	little	movement,	rather	than	aggravating	the	pain,	tends	to
relieve	it.	The	pain	is	greater	in	the	morning,	and	as	the	person	starts	moving	around,	the
pain	diminishes.
FOR	ALL	TYPES	OF	ARTHRITIS
Treatment	for	each	type	of	arthritis	is	unique,	as	we	shall	see	in	a	moment.	But	for	all	cases,
it	is	important	to	know	that	arthritis	begins	in	the	colon.
Depending	on	the	person’s	lifestyle,	diet,	and	emotional	pattern,	either	vata,	pitta,	or
kapha	goes	out	of	balance.	Then	that	particular	dosha	slows	down	agni	(digestive	fire),
resulting	in	the	toxic,	sticky	by-product	of	inadequate	digestion	known	as	ama.
Vata,	the	main	active	dosha,	brings	the	ama	into	the	colon,	and	from	there	it	travels
through	the	system	and	lodges	in	the	
asthi	dhatu
	(bone	tissue)	and	in	the	joints,	giving	rise

to	the	stiffness	and	pain	characteristic	of	arthritis.
So	our	aim	in	treating	arthritis	is	to	remove	the	ama	from	the	joint	and	bring	it	back	to
the	colon,	and	then	to	eliminate	it.
This	is	why,	to	relieve	arthritis,	it	is	important	to	keep	the	colon	clean.	To	accomplish
this,	if	you	do	not	know	positively	whether	it	is	vata,	pitta,	or	kapha	arthritis,	taking
triphala
	at	night	(1	teaspoon)	with	some	warm	water	(½	to	1	cup)	will	be	effective	for	all
types.	Alternatively,	if	you	know	positively	which	type	it	is,	you	can	use	
haritaki
	for	vata-
type	arthritis,	
amalaki
	for	pitta-type,	and	
bibhitaki
	for	kapha-type	arthritis	(½	to	1	teaspoon
with	warm	water	in	all	cases).
Now	for	the	complete	treatments.
FOR	VATA-TYPE	ARTHRITIS
•	Follow	the	vata-pacifying	diet	(
chapter	8
).	Favor	warm,	easy-to-digest	foods,	and	avoid

chapter	8
cold	foods	and	drinks,	including	salads.	Avoid	beans,	drying	grains	such	as	barley	and	corn,
and	the	nightshades:	tomato,	potato,	and	eggplant.
•	Take	
yogaraj	guggulu
,	1	tablet	3	times	per	day.
•	Apply	
	oil	on	the	affected	joint,	followed	by	application	of	local	moist	heat.
For	example,	say	you	have	an	arthritic	ankle.	Apply	the	
	oil,	rub	it	into	the
skin,	and	then	soak	your	foot	in	warm	to	bearably	hot	water.	Add	a	“teabag”	of	brown
mustard	seeds	to	the	water.	You	can	make	the	bag	by	wrapping	2	tablespoons	of	mustard
seeds	in	a	handkerchief	or	cheesecloth.
•	Helpful	yoga	postures	include	Forward	Bend	(don’t	strain),	the	Chest-Knee	pose,	Maha
Mudra,	and	the	Half	Bridge	pose.	(For	illustrations	of	yoga	postures,	see	
appendix	4
.)
FOR	PITTA-TYPE	ARTHRITIS
Pitta	arthritis	often	has	more	pain	and	inflammation	associated	with	it	than	other	types.

•	Follow	the	pitta-pacifying	diet	(
chapter	8
).	Particularly	avoid	hot,	spicy	foods,	pickles,
spinach,	and	tomatoes.
•	These	Ayurvedic	herbal	formulas	will	help	you.	Take	1	tablet	of	
kaishore	guggulu
	(350
mg.)	3	times	a	day,	and	½	teaspoon	
sudarshan
	twice	a	day,	washed	down	with	warm	water.
•	Externally,	apply	cool	castor	oil	or	coconut	oil	to	the	painful	area.
•	Application	of	a	cooling	substance,	such	as	sandalwood	powder	paste,	is	soothing.	Make
the	paste	by	taking	1	teaspoon	of	sandalwood	powder	and	adding	sufficient	water	to	make
a	paste.	Rub	it	gently	onto	the	joint.
•	If	the	joint	is	hot	and	inflamed,	you	can	put	an	icebag	on	it.	This	will	help	to	ease	the
pain	and	inflammation.
•	Helpful	yoga	postures	include	the	Boat,	Bow,	Camel,	Cow,	and	Locust	poses,	as	well	as
the	series	of	postures	known	as	the	Moon	Salutation.	(See	
appendix	4
	for	illustrations	of
yoga	postures.)
•	You	can	also	perform	
,	as	follows:	Make	a	tube	of	your	tongue.	Breathe

deeply	through	your	mouth	down	into	your	belly.	Hold	the	breath	for	a	few	seconds,	then
exhale	through	your	nose.	Do	about	12	repetitions.	(See	illustration	in	
chapter	6
.)
FOR	KAPHA-TYPE	ARTHRITIS
Arthritis	is	classified	as	kapha	when	the	joint	is	painful,	swollen,	stiff,	and	feels	cold	and
clammy	to	the	touch.
•	Follow	the	kapha-reducing	diet	(
chapter	8
).	Especially,	take	no	dairy	products	and	no
cold	drinks.
•	A	potent	herbal	formula	to	help	with	this	type	of	arthritis	is	
punarnava	guggulu
	tablets
(250	mg.).	Take	1	tablet	3	times	a	day.
•	Externally,	you	can	apply	a	paste	of	
vacha
	(calamus	root)	powder.	Add	sufficient	warm
water	to	1	teaspoon	of	powder	to	make	a	paste,	and	apply	to	the	joint.
•	When	there	is	an	effusion	(when	the	joint	fills	with	fluid),	you	can	make	an	effective
paste	of	equal	amounts	of	
punarnava
	powder	and	ginger	powder.	Mix	1	teaspoon	of	each

punarnava
with	enough	warm	water	to	form	a	paste,	and	apply.
•	Yoga	postures	that	are	helpful	for	kapha-type	arthritis	include	the	Tree,	Triangle,
Forward	Bend,	and	Spinal	Twist.	(Illustrations	of	yoga	postures	appear	in	
appendix	4
.)
RHEUMATOID	AND	OSTEOARTHRITIS
In	addition	to	the	vata–pitta–kapha	method	of	classifying	arthritis,	this	condition	can	also
be	classified	as	either	rheumatoid	arthritis	or	osteoarthritis.	If	you	are	sure	which	condition
you	have,	the	following	guidelines	will	add	more	specificity	to	your	treatment.
FOR	RHEUMATOID	ARTHRITIS
.	Take	1	
simhanada	guggulu
	tablet	(350	mg.)	3	times	a	day,	and	1	
chitrak-
adhivati
	(200	mg.)	tablet	twice	a	day.
•	A	quarter	teaspoon	of	
	washed	down	with	a	little	warm	water	3	times	a
day	is	also	recommended.
•	You	can	also	drink	1	cup	of	ginger	tea	with	2	teaspoons	of	castor	oil	added.	Castor	oil

contains	natural	precursors	of	steroids,	which	help	to	heal	the	inflammatory	condition	of
rheumatoid	arthritis.	Take	this	tea	before	going	to	bed.	Expect	some	laxative	effect	from	the
castor	oil.
FOR	OSTEOARTHRITIS
.	Take	1	tablet	of	
	twice	a	day.	At	night,	take	½	teaspoon
gandharva	 haritaki
	(
haritaki
	sautéed	in	castor	oil)	with	warm	water.	If	you	don’t	have
,	use	ginger	tea	with	castor	oil,	as	described	above.
	
Asthma	and	Wheezing
	
Bronchial	asthma	is	characterized	by	sudden	attacks	of	short,	gasping	breaths	accompanied
by	wheezing.	If	the	attack	is	not	stopped,	the	person	may	have	increasing	difficulty
breathing.
The	underlying	cause	of	all	asthmatic	conditions	is	increased	kapha	dosha	in	the	stomach.
From	there	it	moves	into	the	lungs,	trachea,	and	bronchi.	The	increased	kapha	blocks	the
natural	flow	of	air,	creating	spasm	in	the	bronchial	tree	and	resulting	in	asthma	and
wheezing.

wheezing.
Ayurvedic	treatment	for	asthma	aims	to	bring	the	kapha	lodged	in	the	lungs	and	bronchi
back	to	the	stomach,	from	which	it	can	be	eliminated.
Asthma	may	be	brought	on	by	allergies,	a	
cold,	congestion,	cough,	or	hay	fever.	It	can	be
instigated	by	pollen,	dust,	animal	hair,	or	various	foods,	or	an	increase	of	kapha	internally.
Regardless	of	the	cause,	during	an	asthmatic	attack	it	is	important	to	immediately	relieve
the	difficult	breathing	and	asthmatic	wheezing.
To	Immediately	Stop	Wheezing
Boil	1	teaspoon	of	licorice	root	
(yashti	madhu)
	in	a	cup	of	water	for	a	couple	of	minutes
to	make	a	licorice	tea.	Just	before	drinking	the	tea,	add	5	to	10	drops	of	
oil	if	you	have	some,	or	use	½	teaspoon	of	plain	ghee.	Take	one	sip	of	this	tea	every	5
to	10	minutes.
In	some	instances,	the	licorice	tea	may	induce	vomiting.	This	is	beneficial:	It

eliminates	kapha	and	relieves	the	spasm	of	the	bronchial	tubes,	and	the	person	usually
feels	better	immediately.
You	can	use	this	licorice	tea	not	only	for	emergencies	but,	if	you	are	prone	to
develop	asthma,	every	day	as	a	preventive.	The	only	exception	is	that	individuals	with
hypertension	should	not	use	much	licorice	tea,	as	it	makes	the	body	retain	sodium.
They	may	take	it	as	an	emergency	measure	to	avert	an	asthma	attack,	but	they	should
not	drink	it	regularly.
NOTE
:	Prepare	the	tea	as	soon	as	you	begin	to	feel	an	attack	coming	on,	when

there	is	tightness	in	the	chest,	some	difficulty	breathing,	or	whatever	warning
bell	symptoms	you	recognize	from	past	experiences.	Don’t	wait	until	you	are
already	having	serious	problems	breathing.
Once	you	prepare	the	tea,	it	can	last	for	72	hours	and	not	lose	its	effectiveness.
The	following	herbal	remedies	can	be	taken	on	a	regular	basis	for	long-term	prevention	of
asthma.
•	Mix	1	teaspoon	cinnamon	and	¼	teaspoon	
trikatu
	into	a	cup	of	boiling	water.	Let	it
steep	for	10	minutes,	and	add	1	teaspoon	of	honey	before	drinking.	You	can	take	this	tea
•	A	tea	made	of	half	licorice	and	half	ginger	is	also	beneficial	for	asthma	prevention.	Use
half	a	teaspoon	of	the	combined	herbs	per	cupful	of	water.
•	Also	try	½	teaspoon	bay	leaf	and	¼	teaspoon	
pippali
	mixed	into	1	teaspoon	honey,
taken	2	or	3	times	a	day.
•	Another	remedy	that	can	relieve	congestion	and	alleviate	breathlessness	is	¼	cup	onion

juice	with	1	teaspoon	honey	and	⅛	teaspoon	black	pepper.	This	remedy	will	also	be
effective	for	immediate	relief	of	asthma.
•	This	herbal	formula	is	helpful	both	for	prevention	and	immediate	relief:
sitopaladi
	½	
teaspoon
punarnava
	½	
teaspoon
pippali	pinch
abrak	bhasma	pinch
For	immediate	relief,	take	this	entire	mixture	with	honey,	a	little	bit	at	a	time.	For
long-term	usage,	take	it	once	a	day.
•	You	may	also	find	⅓	cup	spinach	juice	with	a	pinch	of	
pippali
	effective.	Drink	this	twice
a	day.
THREE	MUSTARD	SEED	REMEDIES
Mustard	seeds	are	effective	in	healing	the	bronchial	system.	Here	are	three	ways	to	take
advantage	of	their	heating	and	healing	power:
1
.	
Rubbing	a	little	brown	mustard	oil	onto	your	chest	will	give	some	relief.
2
.	
Make	a	tea	by	mixing	ground	mustard	seeds	and	
pippali
	(or	black	pepper	if	you	don’t
have	
pippali

pippali
have	
pippali
).	Steep	¼	teaspoon	of	each	for	10	minutes	in	1	cup	hot	water,	then	add	1

to	2	teaspoons	honey.	Drink	2	or	3	times	a	day,	or	for	better	results	sip	it	every	15
minutes	throughout	the	day.
3
.	
Mix	1	teaspoon	of	brown	mustard	oil	with	1	teaspoon	natural	organic	sugar.	Take	2	or
3	times	a	day	on	an	empty	stomach.
OTHER	APPROACHES
IF	YOU	HAVE	AN	INFECTION
.	In	some	people,	the	underlying	cause	of	asthmatic	wheezing	may	be	an
infection	descending	from	the	nose	and	sinuses.	If	this	is	the	case,	putting	5	to	10	drops	of
warm	ghee	in	each	nostril	will	help.
TRY	TO	AVOID	ALLERGENS
.	If	your	asthma	and	wheezing	are	due	to	a	food	allergy,	then	avoid	the
problematic	food.	Similarly,	avoid	any	object	that	may	provoke	your	condition,	such	as
dusty	books,	moldy	basements,	and	some	chemicals.
FOODS	TO	AVOID
.	Avoid	most	dairy	products,	including	all	cheeses.	Avoid	fermented	foods	and	all
hydrophilic	food	substances	such	as	salty	items,	cucumber,	and	tuna	fish.	Some	people	need
to	avoid	mushrooms,	peanuts,	walnuts	and	other	nuts,	and	yeast.	The	reaction	may	be

immediate,	for	people	extremely	sensitive	to	these	substances,	or	it	may	take	several	hours
to	develop.
FOR	CHRONIC	BRONCHIAL	ASTHMA
.	If	you	have	chronic	bronchial	asthma,	try	this	remedy.	Insert	about
7	cloves	into	a	peeled	banana,	and	keep	it	overnight.	Next	morning	eat	the	banana	and	the
cloves.	Don’t	eat	anything	for	an	hour,	then	drink	1	cup	of	hot
T
IME	TO
	S
EE	THE
	D
OCTOR
Asthma	can	ordinarily	be	controlled	using	these	Ayurvedic	remedies.	However,	if
you	find	that	medicines	that	ordinarily	help	you	breathe	more	comfortably	no
longer	seem	to	be	working,	or	if,	along	with	your	difficulty	breathing,	you	have
chest	pain,	swollen	feet,	and	profuse	sweating,	and	you	have	a	history	of	heart
problems,	you	need	to	seek	immediate	medical	attention.
water	with	1	teaspoon	of	honey.	This	will	energize	the	lungs	and	should	reduce
asthmatic	wheezing.
YOGA	FOR	ASTHMA
.	Effective	yoga	
asanas

asanas
	to	help	relieve	asthma	are	the	Bow	and	Cobra	poses,
sitting	in	the	Vajrasana,	and	the	inverted	poses	including	Shoulder	Stand	and	Plow.
(Illustrations	of	yoga	postures	appear	in	
appendix	4
.)
	
Athlete’s	Foot
	
People	with	kapha–pitta	constitutions,	who	sweat	a	lot,	are	most	prone	to	get	athlete’s	foot.

This	is	an	itchy,	inflammatory	condition	between	the	toes,	often	accompanied	by	sweating
on	the	soles	of	the	feet.
Athlete’s	foot	can	be	effectively	treated	with	Ayurvedic	remedies.	Begin	by	cleaning	the
problem	area	with	some	tea	tree	oil	on	a	cotton	swab.	This	natural	antiseptic	oil	is	widely
available	in	natural	food	stores	and	elsewhere.
Then	apply	a	mixture	of	aloe	vera	gel	and	turmeric.	Mix	1	teaspoon	of	aloe	vera	gel	with
½	teaspoon	turmeric,	and	apply	some	of	the	mixture	to	the	affected	areas.	But	be	a	little
careful:	This	mixture	will	turn	your	skin	and	socks	yellow!	If	you	use	it	at	night,	it	will	stain
your	sheets,	so	you	might	wear	a	pair	of	old	socks	to	prevent	the	discoloration.	Continue
with	this	treatment	twice	a	day	for	at	least	2	weeks
An	alternative	treatment	is	to	wash	your	feet	with	
neem
	soap.	Then	dry	thoroughly	with	a
hair	drier	or	soft	towel,	and	apply	some	
neem
	oil	(about	¼	teaspoon)	mixed	with	about	10
drops	of	tea	tree	oil.	Apply	that

neem
drops	of	tea	tree	oil.	Apply	that	
mixture	topically	to	the	affected	area	with	a	cotton	swab.
If	you	have	athlete’s	foot	or	are	prone	to	get	it,	avoid	fermented	food	and	sugar.
	
Backache
	
Backache	is	uncommonly	common	these	days.	It	has	become	an	occupational	hazard	in
many	different	kinds	of	work.	People	may	pull	or	strain	their	back	muscles	while	lifting	a
heavy	load	or	while	sitting	at	a	desk	in	front	of	a	computer.	Emotional	factors	can	also	lead
to	back	pain,	as	can	injuries,	such	as	from	a	car	accident.	Some	people	may	even	have	a
slipped	disk,	which	can	lead	to	severe	back	pain.	Whatever	the	cause	of	your	backache,	the
following	natural	Ayurvedic	home	remedies	will	be	helpful.
.	Take	
,	1	tablet	3	times	a	day,	or	1	tablet	of	
	2	or
3	times	a	day.	Both	of	these	special	Ayurvedic	formulas	are	available	from	most	sources	of
Ayurvedic	herbs	(see	
Resources
).

Resources
).
•	Backache	can	also	be	relieved	by	the	use	of	the	herb	
musta
,	which	is	a	muscle	painkiller.
Take	¼	to	½	teaspoon	2	or	3	times	a	day	with	warm	water.
•	The	herbs	
tagara
	and	valerian	are	muscle	relaxants.	Taking	½	teaspoon	of	either	with
some	warm	water	will	relax	the	muscles	that	may	be	causing	back	pain.	It	will	also	help
induce	restful	sleep.
Most	back	pain	can	be	effectively	treated	with	these	herbs,	but	a	ruptured	or	slipped	disk
often	requires	intensive	medical	care.
RUB	IN	SOME	OIL
.	Rubbing	the	painful	area	of	the	back	with	
	oil	is	also	effective	for
relieving	the	pain.	Vata	and	pitta	types	should	just	rub	the	oil	on	the	surface,	while	kapha
types	should	give	a	deeper	massage	to	the	area	for	some	time.
Alternatively,	try	this	procedure:	Apply	a	paste	made	of	ginger	powder	mixed	with
sufficient	water	to	the	affected	area.	Leave	it	on	for	10	to	15	minutes,	wash	it	off,	and	then
rub	the	back	with	some	eucalyptus	oil.

(Unless	your	back	pain	is	in	the	neck	or	shoulder	area,	these	back	rubs	will	have	to	be

done	by	a	friend!)
TAKE	A	HOT	HERBALIZED	BATH
.	For	extra	healing	and	muscle	relaxation,	apply	the	
	oil	on
your	back	and	then	follow	with	a	hot	bath	in	which	you	put	some	ginger	powder	and
baking	soda	(⅓	cup	of	each).	Soak	in	the	tub	for	10	to	15	minutes.	You	may	repeat	this	bath
2	or	3	times	a	week,	perhaps	on	Tuesday,	Thursday,	and	Saturday.
AN	ENEMA	CAN	HELP
.	Individuals	who	suffer	from	backache	often	get	constipated,	and	it	may	be
difficult	to	tell	which	is	the	effect	and	which	is	the	cause.	The	backache	may	be	due	to
chronic	constipation,	or	the	spasming	muscles	and	anxiety	caused	by	the	back	pain	may
induce	constipation.	In	either	case,	a	simple	enema	of	
	tea	will	help.
Boil	1	tablespoon	of	
	powder	in	a	pint	of	water	for	about	5	minutes,	cool	it
down,	and	add	½	cup	sesame	oil.	When	it	is	cool	enough,	use	it	as	an	enema,	retaining	the
liquid	for	5	to	10	minutes	if	you	can.	A	
-sesame	oil	enema	is	soothing	to	vata	and

will	help	relieve	both	the	constipation	
and	the	pain.	(See	
appendix	3
	for	enema	guidelines.)
GENTLE	STRETCHES
.	Some	gentle	yoga	exercises	can	help	with	back	pain.
IMPORTANT
:	All	yoga	postures	should	be	learned	with	a	trained	yoga	teacher,	but
especially	when	you	have	a	backache,	you	should	not	do	any	yoga	postures	without
expert	guidance.	This	is	especially	true	if	your	pain	comes	from	a	slipped	disk.
In	general,	the	following	postures	may	be	helpful:
Camel	pose
Lotus	pose
Cow	pose
Forward	Bend
Spinal	Twist
Palm	Tree	pose
Locust	pose
gentle,	modified	Fish	pose
All	these	postures	may	be	used	both	as	a	preventive	measure	and	to	help	remedy	back	pain.
But	again,	be	sure	to	get	advice	from	a	trained	teacher.	(Illustrations	of	yoga	postures
appear	in	
appendix	4
.)
MORE	TIPS	TO	HELP	HEAL	BACKACHE
•	Backache	is	often	due	to	excess	vata,	so	it	is	helpful	to	reduce	your	consumption	of	vata-

increasing	foods.	Avoid	most	beans,	including	black	beans,	pinto	beans,	adzuki	beans,	and
garbanzo	beans.	Avoid	raw,	cold	salads.	(See	
chapter	8
	for	more	on	the	vata-pacifying	diet.)
•	Avoid	exposure	to	cold	weather	or	cold	winds.
•	Sit	quietly	and	meditate,	or	observe	your	breathing.	This	will	help	relax	tense	muscles.
(For	help	with	meditation,	see	
chapter	7
.)
•	Don’t	walk	in	high-heeled	shoes.

•	Don’t	try	to	do	jogging,	jumping,	or	other	strenuous	exercise,	rather,	do	some	gentle
yoga	stretching	as	mentioned	above.
•	Sexual	activity	should	be	minimized.
Following	these	guidelines	will	help	you	heal	your	aching	back	as	well	as	avoid	back	pain
in	the	future.
	
Bad	Breath
	
Bad	breath	is	often	a	sign	of	systemic	toxicity,	either	in	the	colon,	intestine,	or	mouth.	It	can
also	be	due	to	chronic	indigestion	or	malabsorption.	When	digestion	is	weak	or	sluggish,	the
food	you	eat	undergoes	fermentation	and	putrefaction	in	the	gastrointestinal	tract,	leading
to	the	formation	of	ama,	which	has	a	foul	smell.
Stand	in	front	of	a	mirror,	and	stick	out	your	tongue.	If	the	back	portion	of	the	tongue	is
coated,	that	is	the	sign	of	ama,	which	is	responsible	for	the	bad	breath.
The	primary	Ayurvedic	aim	in	treating	bad	breath	is	to	kindle	gastric	fire	(agni),	which	in
turn	burns	ama	and	alleviates	the	root	cause	of	the	condition.	Here	are	several	effective

home	remedies	to	prevent	and	treat	bad	breath.
DIETARY	AND	HERBAL	REMEDIES
•	First	monitor	your	diet.	It’s	important	not	to	eat	heavy	meals,	and	to	stay	away	from
cold	drinks,	ice	cream,	cheese,	and	yogurt,	all	of	which	reduce	the	gastric	fire	
and	slow
down	digestion,	with	a	likely	increase	of	ama.
•	Then,	after	each	meal	(generally	after	lunch	and	dinner),	chew	about	1	teaspoon	of
roasted	fennel	and	cumin	seeds	(mixed	half	and	half).	This	will	improve	digestion,	which
indirectly	helps	to	detoxify	the	colon.	The	licorice-flavored	fennel	seeds	alone	would	be
delicious	and	helpful,	but	this	mixture	will	have	a	better	effect.
•	Drink	½	cup	of	aloe	vera	juice	twice	a	day	until	freshness	is	restored	to	the	breath.
•	Slowly	chewing	one	or	two	cardamom	seeds	also	helps	to	minimize	bad	breath.
Cardamom	aids	digestion	and	helps	to	reduce	ama.

•	After	each	meal,	drink	a	cup	of	cumin-coriander-fennel	tea	(equal	proportions)	as	a
digestive	aid.	Steep	about	¼	to	½	teaspoon	of	each	herb	per	cup	of	hot	water.
OTHER	REMEDIES
TAKE	CARE	OF	YOUR	TEETH	AND	GUMS
.	Another	cause	of	bad	breath	is	poor	oral	hygiene.	It’s	important
to	clean	the	teeth	after	each	meal.	Use	an	Ayurvedic	toothpaste	containing	
neem
	or	an
herbal	formula.	Also	use	dental	floss	every	day.	Applying	some	tea	tree	oil	mixed	half	and
half	with	
neem
	oil	to	the	gums	and	gently	massaging	will	help	prevent	receding	gums.	Be
sure	to	spit	out	the	residue	rather	than	swallowing.	(See	
“Teeth	and	Gums—Ayurvedic
Care.”
)

.	The	yoga	posture	known	as	Yoga	Mudra,	the	Lion	pose,	and	sitting	in	the	Lotus
posture	with	a	Forward	Bend	are	good	
asanas
	for	combating	bad	breath	(see	
appendix	4
).
.	You	can	also	do	the	
pranayama
	known	as	
shitali
	(see	instructions	in	
chapter
6
).
If	you	follow	these	guidelines,	you	can	say	good-bye	to	bad	breath.
	
Baldness
	
See	also	“
Hair	Care	Secrets
”
Hair	loss	is	a	subtle	metabolic	disorder.	It	may	be	related	to	disease—I	have	seen	hair	loss	in
persons	with	diabetes,	for	example,	or	following	typhoid	infection.	It	may	be	due	to	some
fungal	infection	on	the	scalp,	or	to	hormonal	imbalance.	A	deficiency	of	calcium,
magnesium,	and	zinc	may	affect	the	nourishment	of	the	hair	enough	that	the	hair	starts	to
fall	out.	And	there	is	a	definite	hereditary	factor,	in	which	genes	appear	to	trigger	hair	loss
at	a	certain	age.
According	to	Ayurveda,	early	hair	loss	is	often	related	to	body	type	and	the	balance	of	the

doshas.	Pitta	individuals,	and	those	who	have	excess	pitta	in	their	system,	are	more	likely
than	the	other	body	types	to	lose	their	hair	early	in	life,	or	to	find	that	their	hair	becomes
prematurely	thin	or	gray.	Excess	pitta	in	the	sebaceous	gland,	at	the	root	of	the	hair,	or
folliculitis	(inflammation	of	the	hair	follicles)	can	make	the	person	start	losing	hair.
ALOE	VERA
.	To	reduce	pitta	and	preserve	the	health	of	your	hair,	drink	aloe	vera	juice	(⅓	cup)
or	take	some	aloe	vera	gel	(1	tablespoon	with	a	pinch	of	cumin)	3	times	a	day	for	about	3
months.
.	Another	effective	way	to	pacify	pitta	is	to	rub	some	coconut	oil	on	
your	scalp	and
on	the	soles	of	your	feet	at	bedtime.	Wear	some	old	socks,	and	to	preserve	the	health	of
your	pillow,	wear	a	loose	woolen	cap	or	cover	the	pillow	with	a	towel	so	it	won’t	get
damaged	by	the	oil.
•	Massaging	the	scalp	with	
brahmi
	oil	or

brahmi
	oil	or	
	oil	at	bedtime	can	help	to	prevent	hair
loss.	In	addition	to	the	qualities	of	the	oil,	the	massage	itself	will	improve	circulation	at	the
root	of	the	hair,	thus	bringing	more	nutrients	to	support	hair	growth.
•	Massaging	the	hair	with	vitamin	E	oil	may	also	be	effective	in	preventing	or	slowing
hair	loss.
FOOD	FOR	YOUR	HAIR
.	Healthy	hair	depends	upon	a	nourishing	diet.	Dairy	products	such	as	cheese,
milk,	and	yogurt	are	beneficial	for	the	hair	(assuming	you	digest	them	well),	as	are	white
radish	and	daikon.	Coconut,	cooked	apples,	and	cabbage	are	also	useful.
•	Eat	a	handful	of	white	sesame	seeds	every	morning.	One	handful	of	these	small	seeds
contains	about	1,200	mg.	of	calcium	and	magnesium	and	is	a	good	source	of	nourishment
for	your	hair.

HERBS	FOR	YOUR	HAIR
.	Certain	herbs	are	useful	for	nourishing	the	hair.	Try	this	beneficial	formula:
bhringaraj	4	parts
jatamamsi	3	parts
At	bedtime,	add	½	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	to	1	cup	of	goat’s	milk,	heat	to	boiling,
and	drink.	This	will	build	up	the	bones	and	nourish	the	hair.
MINERAL	SUPPLEMENTS
.	You	may	also	be	able	to	improve	the	condition	of	your	hair	by	taking
mineral	supplements	to	be	sure	you	have	enough	calcium,	magnesium,	and	zinc.	Take	a
supplement	containing	approximately	the	following	daily	dose	of	minerals:
calcium	1,200	mg.
magnesium	600	mg.
zinc	60	mg.
Take	these	supplements	at	bedtime.
MASSAGE
.	Stress,	stiffness	in	the	neck,	and	whiplash	from	a	car	accident	can	also	contribute	to
hair	loss.	To	soften	the	neck	muscles,	relieve	pain,	and	reduce	stress,	massage	your	neck
and	shoulder	muscles	before	showering.
NECK	EXERCISES
.	You	can	also	do	some	simple	neck	exercises,	such	as	turning	your	head	to	the

left	3	times,	to	the	right	3	times,	lifting	it	up	3	times,	moving	it	down	toward	your	chest	3
times,	and	then	rolling	it	gently	in	a	circle	3	times	in	each	direction.
ANTISTRESS	TEA
.	To	help	you	deal	with	stress,	make	a	tea	of	equal	proportions	of	
jatamamsi
	and
brahmi
.	Steep	1	teaspoon	of	the	mix	in	1	cup	of	hot	water,	and	drink	2	or	3	times	a	day.
.	Yoga	postures	can	help	to	relieve	tension	in	your	neck	and	indirectly	aid	in
keeping	hair	healthy.	Recommended	postures	include	the	Shoulder	Stand,	Camel	pose,
Cobra	pose,	and	Cow	pose.	(Illustrations	appear	in	
appendix	4
.)
MEDITATE	FOR	RELAXATION
.	You	will	also	find	meditation	an	effective	means	for	reducing	stress	and
tension.	Try	sitting	quietly	and	observing	your	breathing.	Or	try	the	Empty	Bowl	meditation
(described	in	
chapter	7
).
	
Bites	and	Stings

chapter	7
).
	
Any	bite	or	sting	of	an	insect	can	trigger	a	local	irritation	of	pitta	under	the	skin.	As	long	as
the	venom	of	the	insect	remains	there,	it	may	keep	on	creating	periodic	allergic	reactions,
or	may	even	create	sting-bite	nephritis,	a	serious	condition	involving	generalized	edema

(swelling)	and	breathlessness,	and	the	person	can	choke.	So	stings	and	bites,	though	usually
quite	innocuous,	may	occasionally	be	very	serious;	one	has	to	be	watchful.
CILANTRO
.	As	soon	as	possible	after	receiving	a	sting	or	bite,	take	some	cilantro	juice.	Place	a
handful	of	cilantro	in	a	blender	with	about	⅓	cup	water,	blend	thoroughly,	and	strain	it.
Drink	the	juice	(use	2	teaspoons	3	times	a	day),	and	apply	the	pulp	locally	to	the	skin	at	the
affected	area.	It	will	instantaneously	pacify	the	itching,	burning,	and	hives	or	rash	created
by	the	sting	or	bite.
DRINK	COCONUT	WATER
.	One	can	drink	⅓	cup	of	coconut	water	(the	“juice”	inside	the	coconut)
with	about	⅛	teaspoon	
kama	dudha
	added.	Drinking	this	mixture	2	or	3	times	will	help	heal
the	reaction	to	the	sting	bite.
COCONUT	ASH
.	Here	is	another	simple	and	fascinating	remedy.	Take	a	piece	of	dried	coconut,
and	set	fire	to	it.	It	will	catch	fire	like	wax.	Let	it	burn	for	about	½	inch	and	then	blow	it

out.	There	will	be	a	little	smoke,	and	when	the	smoke	disappears,	a	tarry	black	residue	will
remain.	Apply	that	residue	directly	to	the	bite	for	instant	relief.
Why	does	this	work?	Because	coconut	is	a	good	source	both	for	antihistamines	and	for
natural	steroids.
You	may	do	the	same	thing	with	the	ash	from	burning	some	of	the	outer	coconut	shell.
APPLY	
NEEM
	OIL	OR	
NEEM
	PASTE
.	At	the	site	of	the	bite,	you	can	also	apply	
neem
	oil	or	a	
neem
	paste.
Neem
	is	an	antidote	to	most	poisonous	insect	venoms.	To	make	a	paste,	take	a	little	
neem
powder	and	mix	it	with	a	little	water.	Apply	it	to	the	skin	and	leave	it	on	for	10	to	20
minutes,	then	rinse	it	off.	Do	not	use	pure	
neem
	extract;	instead	use	an	herbalized	oil	made
by	boiling	
neem
	leaves	in	a	sesame	oil	base.	This	is	generally	available	in	natural	food
stores	or	Indian	groceries.

.	You	will	also	find	a	paste	made	from	½	teaspoon	of	sandalwood	powder	plus
½	teaspoon	turmeric	soothing	and	healing.	Mix	the	two	herbs	together	with	sufficient	water
to	make	a	paste,	and	apply	topically	to	the	site	of	the	bite.
PREVENTION
.	
Neem
	oil	is	a	much-used	insect	repellent	in	India	and	around	the	world.	It	contains
a	natural	chemical	compound	that	repels	insects.	Rub	a	little	onto	exposed	skin	before	going
outdoors.
	
Bladder	Problems
	
See	also	“
Urinary	Incontinence
”
Problems	with	the	bladder	and	urination	
may	indicate	cystitis,	an	inflammation	of	the
bladder	that	causes	a	burning	sensation	when	passing	urine.	Other	bladder	problems
include	frequent	urination,	or	its	opposite,	stagnation	or	retention	of	urine	in	the	bladder,
leading	to	bladder	distension.	There	may	be	pain	in	the	bladder	area	while	urinating,	a
condition	called	strangury.	Let’s	look	at	each	of	these.

RETENTION	OF	URINE	IN	THE	BLADDER
In	this	condition	the	bladder	is	distended	but	the	person	doesn’t	pass	urine.	It	may	be	due	to
constriction	of	the	urethra,	enlargement	of	the	prostate	gland,	or	perhaps	a	stone	in	the
urethra.	The	causes	may	be	many,	but	the	cure	is	simple:
•	Take	two	towels	or	sponges,	one	dipped	in	hot	water,	the	other	dipped	in	cool	water.
About	every	minute,	alternate	placing	them	in	the	bladder	area.	This	alternation	of	hot	and
cold	stimulates	the	bladder,	and	the	person	easily	passes	urine.
•	If	alternating	hot	and	cold	compresses	isn’t	completely	successful,	apply	
punarnava
	paste
(
punarnava
	powder	with	sufficient	water	to	make	a	paste)	to	the	skin	directly	above	the
distended	bladder.	Leave	it	on	for	about	half	an	hour.
•	If	the	retention	is	due	to	stricture	(narrowing)	in	the	urethra	or	enlargement	of	the
prostate	gland,	then	use	this	formula:
punarnava	guggulu	4	parts
shilajit	1	part

Taking	½	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	3	times	a	day	with	warm	water	will	help	to
dilate	the	stricture	or	relax	the	prostate	gland	and	help	to	restore	the	easy	flow	of
the	urine.
CYSTITIS
Cystitis	causes	a	burning	sensation	while	urinating.	To	relieve	this	condition,	drink
coriander	tea,	cumin	tea,	or	fennel	tea.	Or	make	a	tea	of	equal	proportions	of	these	three
herbs.	Cumin-coriander-fennel	tea	is	widely	used	in	Ayurveda	to	relieve	irritation	of	the
bladder	while	passing	urine.
You	may	also	find	this	mixture	effective	for	cystitis:
gokshura	4	parts
Take	½	teaspoon	of	this	herbal	mixture	2	or	3	times	a	day	with	warm	water.
BLADDER	ATONIA
This	is	a	condition	in	which	the	bladder’s	sphincter	loses	its	tone	or	strength,	and	the
bladder	leaks	urine.	It	is	more	common	among	women.	A	woman	may	sneeze	or	cough	and

inadvertently	passes	some	urine.	For	this	condition,	take	one	handful	of	white	sesame	seeds
along	with	1	teaspoon	of	jaggery	or	natural,	unrefined	brown	sugar,	and	chew	it	well,
followed	by	half	a	cup	of	water	to	wash	it	down.	This	is	a	very	simple	remedy	to	bring	tone
back	to	the	bladder.	Take	it	once	or	twice	a	day	until	your	condition	is	better.
For	further	discussion	and	suggestions,	see	“
”	and	“
Prostate

Problems
.”
	
Bleeding,	External
	
Generally,	within	5	to	6	minutes	after	getting	a	cut,	the	bleeding	will	stop	by	itself.	The
blood	will	clot,	the	bleeding	will	stop,	and	the	cut	will	be	sealed.	In	such	cases—the	vast
majority—there	is	nothing	much	to	do	unless	the	cut	is	severe	and	bleeding	is	excessive.
Some	people,	however,	bleed	for	a	longer	time,	because	the	blood	does	not	cooperate	and
clot	quickly	enough.	When	a	person	continues	to	bleed,	it	basically	means	that	the	blood	is
too	thin.	Although	the	problem	usually	has	a	relatively	simple	and	benign	cause,	failure	of
the	blood	to	clot—or	gums,	cuts,	or	wounds	that	start	to	bleed—may	also	be	an	early	sign	of
blood	cancer,	leukemia,	or	hemophilia	purpura,	a	pitta	disorder	that	causes	profuse
bleeding	under	the	skin.
From	the	Ayurvedic	perspective,	blood	that	fails	to	clot	in	a	timely	manner	is	due	to	a
pitta	imbalance.	Excess	pitta	in	the	blood	makes	the	blood	hot,	sharp,	and	penetrating	and

doesn’t	allow	natural	coagulation	and	clotting	to	occur.	The	basic	prescription,	then,	is	to
follow	a	pitta-soothing	diet,	use	pitta-soothing	herbs,	and	take	specifically	hemostatic	herbs,
herbs	that	directly	help	to	stop	bleeding.
APPLY	COLD
.	To	stop	external	bleeding,	start	by	applying	cold.	Use	some	ice	(plain	or	wrapped
in	a	cloth),	which	helps	to	constrict	the	blood	vessels	and	stop	bleeding.	A	bag	of	frozen
vegetables	from	the	freezer	will	do	the	job	in	an	emergency.
APPLY	PRESSURE
.	Other	simple	ways	to	stop	bleeding,	well	known	to	most	people,	are
1
.	
tying	a	tourniquet
2
.	
applying	pressure	directly	over	the	bleeding	area
3
.	
if	the	bleeding	is	in	an	extremity,	raising	the	arm	or	leg	higher	than	the	rest	of	the
body.
ALOE
.	Another	effective	approach	is	to	apply	some	aloe.	A	pinch	of	aloe	powder	mixed	into	a

body.
ALOE
paste	with	a	pinch	of	turmeric	powder	will	immediately	stop	most	bleeding.	Aloe	vera	gel
will	also	be	effective.
ASTRINGENT	HERBS
.	Other	astringent	herbs	are	also	effective.	The	Ayurvedic	herbs	
lodhra,	kushtha
,
and	
bilva
	are	effective	to	stop	bleeding,	either	alone	or	mixed	in	equal	proportions	into	a
paste	that	can	be	applied	directly.	They	are	also	effective	taken	internally	for	continuing
problems	with	bleeding,	use	½	teaspoon	2	or	3	times	a	day.
COTTON	ASH
.	For	external	bleeding,	you	will	find	this	ancient,	simple	remedy	effective.	Take	a
small	ball	of	sterilized	cotton,	and	burn	it.	(Be	sure	it	is	real	cotton,	not	the	synthetic
material	often	found	these	days,	which	will	be	totally	ineffective.)	When	the	cotton	turns	to

black	ash,	wait	for	it	to	cool	down,	and	then	apply	it	to	the	bleeding	wound	and	press.	The
ash	will	stick	to	the	bleeding	point	and	stop	the	bleeding	instantaneously.	Within	a	couple
of	days	a	scab	will	form,	and	the	wound	will	completely	heal.
NOTE
:	Don’t	remove	the	ash;	leave	it	on	the	wound	to	form	a	scab.	Otherwise	you	will
open	the	cut	again.
DRINK	COLD	WATER
.	Many	times	just	drinking	some	cold	water	will	stop	the	bleeding,	as	coolness
constricts	blood	vessels.
	
Bleeding,	Internal
	
See	also	“
Rectal	Bleeding
”
Cases	of	internal	bleeding	include	peptic	ulcer,	hematoma	(a	blood-filled	swelling),	and
bleeding	through	the	urethra.	To	help	put	a	stop	to	the	bleeding,	make	an	herbal	compound
out	of	these	Ayurvedic	herbs:
lodhra
kushtha
bilva
Mix	these	herbs	in	equal	amounts,	and	take	½	teaspoon	2	or	3	times	a	day.	Each	of
these	herbs	helps	to	stop	bleeding,	so	you	can	use	just	one	if	that’s	all	you	can
locate,	though	the	mixture	will	be	most	effective.

Pitta	people	bruise	more	easily;	their	blood	vessels	are	thin	and	are	more	easily	ruptured.
People	with	pitta	constitutions	can	help	prevent	internal	bleeding	by	taking	the	same	three
Ayurvedic	herbs,	
,	and	
bilva
.	Mix	the	three	herbs	in	equal	amounts,	and	take
½	teaspoon	of	the	mixture	2	or	3	times	a	day	with	warm	water,	for	as	long	as	the	condition
lasts.
T
IME	TO
	S
EE	THE
	D
OCTOR
The	appearance	of	blood	in	the	urine	or	stools	can	be	a	sign	of	serious	illness	such
as	kidney	problems	or	cancer,	and	it	should	be	investigated	more	deeply	in
consultation	with	your	physician.
TURMERIC	PASTE
.	When	a	person	has	been	injured,	the	blood	vessels	sometimes	rupture,	causing
a	large	bruise	and	a	blood-filled	swelling	known	as	a	hematoma.	To	stop	the	internal
bleeding	and	pacify	the	hematomalike	swelling,	apply	a	paste	made	of	1	teaspoon	turmeric

powder,	1	teaspoon	sandalwood	powder,	and	a	pinch	of	alum	powder.	(Mix	the	powders
together	with	a	little	water	to	make	a	paste.)	When	the	paste	is	on	the	skin,	apply	some
pressure	on	the	hematoma.

SAFFRON	MILK
.	Another	aid	to	stopping	internal	bleeding	is	to	drink	a	cup	of	warm	milk,	to
which	½	teaspoon	of	turmeric	powder	and	a	pinch	of	saffron	have	been	added.
JUICES
.	Drinking	cranberry	or	pomegranate	juice	is	also	helpful	to	stop	internal	bleeding.
	
Boils
	
Boils—painful,	pus-filled	inflammations	of	the	skin	and	subcutaneous	tissue—have	many
causes.	They	may	be	due	to	chronic	constipation,	or	to	high	pitta	in	the	blood.	A	toxic	liver
can	also	create	boils.	Repeated	boils	may	be	a	sign	of	diabetes,	so	if	you	get	boils
repeatedly,	check	on	your	blood	sugar.
NEEM	POWDER	PASTE
.	At	the	site	of	the	boil,	apply	a	paste	of	
neem
	powder	(preferably)	or	some
neem
	oil.	To	make	the	paste,	simply	mix	a	little	
neem
	powder	with	warm	water.
TRIPHALA	WASH
.	Wash	the	affected	area	with	
triphala
	tea.	Boil	1	teaspoon	
triphala
	in	1	cup	of
water.	Cool,	and	wash	your	face	or	other	affected	area	with	the	tea.	Let	it	dry	on	the	skin.
(For	information	about	
triphala
,	see	
appendix	2
.)

triphala
,	see	
appendix	2
.)
FOR	DIABETES
.	If	there	is	a	history	of	diabetes	in	the	family	and	you	get	repeated	boils,	use	this
formula:
neem	1	part
turmeric	1	part
kutki	½	part
Taking	½	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	2	or	3	times	a	day	with	warm	water	will	help
take	care	of	the	root	cause	of	the	boil.	Continue	taking	it	until	the	boil	disappears.
FOR	CHRONIC	CONSTIPATION
.	If	the	boil	appears	to	be	due	to	chronic	constipation,	do	a	
basti
	(enema)
using	
	tea.	Boil	1	tablespoon	of	the	herb	
	in	a	pint	of	water	for	5
minutes.	Let	the	liquid	cool,	strain	it,	and	use	it	for	an	enema.
In	addition,	take	½	teaspoon	of	
amalaki
	or	the	herbal	compound	
triphala
	at	night.	Steep
the	
triphala
	in	a	cup	of	hot	water	for	5	to	10	minutes	and	then	drink.	This	purgation	will
help	to	remove	excess	pitta	from	the	hematopoietic	(blood-building)	system,	which	is	the
cause	of	the	boil.	You	may	continue	taking	the	
triphala
	or	
amalaki

triphala
	or	
amalaki
	indefinitely,	even	after	the
boil	is	healed,	as	a	preventive	and	general	health	tonic.
COOLING,	HEALING	PASTE
.	Apply	a	paste	of	red	sandalwood	and	turmeric	powder	locally.	Use	½
teaspoon	of	each	powder,	and	mix	them	together	in	warm	water	to	make	a	paste.
BRING	THE	BOIL	TO	A	HEAD
.	Apply	cooked	onions	as	a	poultice,	or	apply	a	paste	of	ginger	powder
and	turmeric	(½	teaspoon	of	each)	directly	to	the	boil,	to	bring	it	to	a	head.

LIVER	CLEANSERS
.	A	boil	may	develop	into	an	abscess,	if	the	boil	is	due	to	an	infection	of	the
sebaceous	glands	(a	pitta	condition).	It	becomes	inflamed,	raised,	and	red.	If	you	use	a
formula	to	help	cleanse	the	liver,	the	condition	will	be	improved.
A	simple	and	effective	liver	cleanser	is	aloe	vera	gel.	Take	2	tablespoons	3	times	a	day.
Or	you	may	try	this	Ayurvedic	formula:
shanka	pushpi	3	parts
gulwel	sattva	⅛	part
Take	½	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	3	times	a	day	with	warm	water.
	
Breastfeeding	Problems
	
There	are	several	types	of	breastfeeding	problems.	Let’s	take	them	one	at	a	time.
THE	CHILD	HAS	NO	APPETITE
In	this	case,	the	mother	is	producing	a	lot	of	milk,	but	the	child	has	no	appetite.	Here	
are	a
number	of	effective,	natural	ways	to	help.
DRINK	FENNEL	TEA
.	Make	a	tea	by	steeping	1	teaspoon	of	fennel	seeds	in	a	cupful	of	boiled	water.
When	the	tea	cools,	give	the	baby	1	teaspoonful	every	10	to	15	minutes.

Childhood	is	the	kapha	stage	of	life,	when	the	body	is	building.	It	is	also	the	time	when
many	kapha	disorders	occur	(such	as	colds	and	runny	noses)	and	when	kapha	may	stagnate
in	the	stomach,	slowing	down	the	appetite.	Giving	this	fennel	tea	will	help	to	wash	out	the
kapha	and	in	a	gentle	way	stimulate	the	secretion	of	digestive	enzymes.
MAKE	GHRITA	MADHU
.	Mix	a	pinch	of	
pippali
	in	½	teaspoon	of	honey	combined	with	½	teaspoon
ghee.	Give	it	to	your	baby	to	lick.	The	more	he	or	she	licks	the	mixture,	the	more	the
appetite	will	come	back.
MONITOR	YOUR	DIET
.	One	possible	reason	for	a	baby’s	apparent	lack	of	appetite	is	that	your	milk
may	not	taste	good	to	the	child.	If	you	tend	to	have	excess	pitta	in	your	constitution,	and
especially	if	your	diet	is	hot	and	spicy	or	includes	sour	foods	and	fruits,	your	milk	may
become	bitter,	and	the	baby	won’t	like	it.	This	unpleasant	taste	could	be	the	cause	of	the

child’s	apparent	lack	of	appetite.	So	it	is	important	to	determine	the	mother’s	
prakruti
(constitutional	type)	and	to	be	sure	the	diet	she	is	eating	is	appropriate.
EMPTY	YOUR	BREASTS
.	If	your	child	has	a	diminished	appetite	and	you	are	secreting	more	milk
than	gets	used,	it	is	important	to	empty	your	breasts.	This	will	avoid	congestion	of	the
mastic	and	lymphatic	tissue.	Be	sure	the	breasts	are	emptied	of	milk	at	least	2	or	3	times	a
day.

IF	YOU	DECIDE	NOT	TO	BREASTFEED
.	A	related	situation	occurs	when	a	woman	chooses	not	to	breastfeed
her	child.	Then	the	milk	is	stagnant,	which	may	be	one	of	the	causes	of	fibrocystic	changes
in	the	breast.	So	it	is	important	to	empty	the	breasts	whenever	milk	is	present.
THERE	IS	INSUFFICIENT	MILK
The	child	has	a	strong	appetite,	but	lactation	is	scanty.	This	problem	is	the	reverse	of	the
first.	Here	are	several	suggestions	to	increase	the	quality	and	quantity	of	milk.
SHATAVARI	 KALPA
.	To	increase	lactation,	Ayurveda	recommends	a	delicious	concoction	called
shatavari	kalpa
:	the	herb	
shatavari
	roasted	in	a	pan	with	ghee	and	natural	brown	sugar.	Take
one	teaspoon	of	that	sweet,	roasted	
shatavari
	in	warm	milk	2	or	3	times	a	day.
PLAIN	 SHATAVARI
.	You	can	also	use	plain	
shatavari
	with	ghee	and	sugar.	Mix	together	equal
amounts	of	
shatavari
	and	natural	sugar,	and	take	1	teaspoon	of	the	mixture	with	1	teaspoon
of	ghee	along	with	a	cup	of	hot	milk.

.	Another	formula	to	increase	breast	milk	is	almond	milk.	Soak	10	almonds
overnight	in	water.	In	the	morning,	peel	them	and	blend	them	in	the	blender	with	a	cup	of
hot	water	or	hot	milk.	Pour	the	mixture	into	a	cup	or	glass,	and	add	1	teaspoon	
honey	or
date	sugar,	and	a	pinch	each	of	ginger,	cardamom,	and	saffron.	Drink	twice	a	day.
HERBAL	FORMULA
.	To	maintain	healthy	lactation,	use	this	herbal	formula:
shilajit	2	parts
shatavari	3	parts
Take	¼	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	2	or	3	times	a	day	with	a	spoonful	of	honey.	If	you
wish,	you	may	use	this	formula	the	entire	time	you	are	breastfeeding.
INFECTED	NIPPLE
A	third	problem	is	that	during	the	time	you	are	nursing	your	child,	the	nipple	is	not
properly	cleaned	and	a	fungal	infection	develops.	So	take	care	to	wash	carefully	to	prevent
this	from	happening.
To	prevent	breast	abscess,	mastitis,	congestion,	and	stagnation	of	milk	in	the	breast,	gently

massage	your	breasts	with	warm	castor	oil.	Take	1	teaspoon	of	the	oil,	and	gently	massage
the	breast	from	inside	outward—that	is,	from	the	sternum	(breastbone)	back	toward	the
armpit,	both	underneath	and	around	the	nipple,	and	to	the	side.

Do	not	apply	the	castor	oil	to	the	areola	and	nipple.	If	you	apply	castor	oil	to	the	nipple
and	your	baby	sucks	the	oil,	he	or	she	may	get	diarrhea.	So	either	avoid	the	nipple	or	wash
off	the	oil	before	nursing	the	child.
	
Breasts,	Sore
	
Sore	breasts	are	generally	symptomatic	of	hormonal	imbalance,	lymphatic	congestion,	or
premenstrual	syndrome.	Or	the	physical	discomfort	may	be	associated	with	some	emotional
factor,	such	as	grief	or	sadness.	Here	are	several	suggestions	for	effective	self-treatment:
GENTLE	MASSAGE
.	Take	1	teaspoon	of	warm	castor	oil,	and	gently	massage	the	breast	from	inside
outward,	that	is,	from	the	sternum	(breastbone)	back	toward	the	armpit,	both	underneath
and	around	the	nipple,	and	to	the	side.	This	kind	of	gentle	massage	before	the	morning
bath,	as	well	as	at	bedtime,	will	help	to	relieve	the	soreness.
HERBS	FOR	WATER	RETENTION
.	Water	retention	may	also	be	responsible	for	sore	breasts.	The	breasts

become	tender,	swollen,	and	enlarged,	and	the	bra	becomes	tight.	To	reduce	the	swelling,
make	the	following	herbal	mixture:
For	a	Constipated	Baby
In	India,	if	a	nursing	baby	becomes	constipated,	the	mother	intentionally	applies	a	few
drops	of	castor	oil	to	her	nipple.	Then,	when	the	baby	sucks	the	milk,	those	few	drops
of	castor	oil	are	taken	in	along	with	the	milk,	and	the	constipation	is	relieved	in	a
gentle	way.
punarnava	1	part
shatavari	1	part
Use	½	teaspoon	of	this	mix	in	1	cup	hot	water	to	make	a	tea,	and	drink	it.	Then
massage	the	breasts	as	above,	and	you	will	see	remarkable	improvement.	You	may
drink	the	tea	twice	a	day	until	the	soreness	goes	away.
ANOTHER	EFFECTIVE	HERBAL	REMEDY
.	Sore	breasts	can	also	be	treated	with	another	herbal	combination:
jatamamsi	2	parts
tagar	3	parts

Mix	the	herbs	together	in	the	above	proportions,	and	use	½	teaspoon	in	a	cup	of
water	to	make	a	tea.	Steep	for	5	to	10	minutes,	and	drink.	You	can	use	this	tea
twice	a	day	until	the	soreness	is	gone.
NOTE
:	Never	use	an	overly	tight	bra	for	long	periods	of	time.	The	pressure	obstructs
circulation,	and	the	breast	tissue	stops	breathing.	It	is	better	to	use	a	cotton	bra	that
allows	proper	breathing	of	the	mastic	tissue.
	
Brittle	Nails
	
The	nails	of	our	fingers	and	toes	are	considered	in	Ayurveda	to	be	a	by-product	of	bone
formation	
(asthi	dhatu)
.	Proper	nutrition	for	building	strong	bones	is	thus	essential	if	you
want	to	have	healthy	nails.	If	there	is	insufficient	intake	of	calcium	and	magnesium,	or
malabsorption	of	these	minerals,	the	nails	become	rough,	brittle,	cracked,	and	split,	and
ridges	and	creases	may	appear.	If	you	have	these	symptoms,	you	can	be	sure	they	are	signs
of	malnutrition	of	the	bone	tissue.

To	strengthen	the	bones	and	nails,	take	over-the-counter	supplements	of	calcium,
magnesium,	and	zinc.	Your	formula	should	include	a	daily	dose	of	approximately
calcium
1,200	mg.
magnesium
600	mg.
zinc
60	mg.
Take	the	supplements	at	bedtime	for	best	results.	A	general	mineral	supplement	might	also
be	helpful.
You	may	be	getting	enough	minerals,	but	toxins	in	the	colon	may	be	preventing	their
complete	absorption.	If	you	are	taking	calcium,	magnesium,	and	zinc	as	a	dietary
supplement	and	your	nails	are	still	brittle,	that	indicates	that	you	are	not	absorbing	these
minerals.	The	culprit	is	overaccumulation	of	toxins	(ama)	in	the	colon.
A	safe	and	simple	way	to	cleanse	the	colon	of	the	ama	is	to	regularly	take	the	herbal
compound	
triphala
	(see	
appendix	2
).	Steep	about	½	teaspoon	in	½	to	1	full	cup	of	warm
water,	strain,	and	drink.	You	can	take	this	at	night	before	going	to	bed,	or	steep	it

overnight	in	cold	water	and	drink	it	first	thing	in	the	morning.	It	will	gradually	eliminate
the	ama.
Another	way	to	promote	the	growth	and	strength	of	your	nails	is	to	eat	a	handful	of	white
sesame	seeds	every	day.	A	handful	of	sesame	seeds	contains	about	1,200	mg.	of	calcium	and
magnesium.
Either	one	of	the	Ayurvedic	herbs	
	
or	
shatavari
	(½	teaspoon)	taken	in	a	cup	of
hot	milk	twice	a	day	may	also	help	to	prevent	brittle	nails.
Aerobic	exercise	such	as	swimming,	jogging,	or	aerobic	dance,	or	the	sequence	of	yoga
postures	known	as	the	Sun	Salutation	(see	illustration	in	
appendix	4
),	should	also	be
helpful.	Exercise	improves	the	circulation	and	helps	carry	the	minerals	to	the	tissue	at	the

root	of	the	nails.
Because	the	nails	are	connected	with	the	
	(bone	tissue),	strengthening	
asthi
	will
be	helpful.	Taking	
triphala	guggulu
	tablets	(200	mg.)	twice	a	day,	after	lunch	and	dinner,
will	help	to	strengthen	your	nails.
In	some	individuals,	brittle	nails	and	bone	loss	go	together.	Specifically,	in	women	of
menopausal	age,	brittle	nails	may	suggest	weakness	in	the	
.	So	if	you	have	brittle
nails,	it	would	be	wise	to	investigate	the	possibility	that	osteoporosis	may	be	developing.
	
Burns
	
Many	people	believe	the	best	thing	you	can	do	for	a	burn	is	to	put	something	fatty	or
greasy	on	it,	such	as	butter.	But	this	is	not	true.	Any	burn	is	pitta,	the	dosha	of	fire.	The	hot,
sharp,	burning	quality	of	pitta	immediately	creates	searing	pain	and	inflammation.	A	fatty
substance	is	in	fact	contraindicated,	as	it	would	serve	to	aggravate	the	pitta.
T
IME	TO
	S
EE	THE
	D
OCTOR
We	are	not	discussing	serious	burns	in	this	section	but	common	household	burns,

S
EE	THE
	D
OCTOR
such	as	from	inadvertently	touching	an	iron,	a	skillet,	or	a	cigarette.	For	serious
burns,	particularly	over	a	larger	area	of	the	body,	a	person	needs	hospitalization,
plasma,	and	intensive	care.
The	most	effective	way	to	treat	a	burn	is	with	cold.	Immediate	application	of	something
cold,	such	as	ice	or	cold	water,	is	the	best	remedy.	If	you	have	no	ice	cubes,	use	a	bag	of
frozen	vegetables	from	the	freezer.
After	applying	cold,	make	a	paste	of	sandalwood	and	turmeric	powders	(equal	amounts)
mixed	
not
	in	water	but	in	aloe	vera	gel.	Use	about	1	tablespoon	aloe	vera	and	¼	teaspoon
each	of	the	sandalwood	and	turmeric.	Mix	them	together,	and	apply	the	paste	topically.
This	will	be	soothing	and	healing.
Or,	after	the	ice,	when	the	burning	sensation	stops,	apply	bitter	ghee	
(tikta	ghrita)
.
Cilantro	is	beneficial	for	burns.	Make	fresh	cilantro	juice	by	placing	a	handful	of	cilantro

.
in	the	blender	with	about	⅓	cup	of	water.	Strain.	Take	the	juice	internally	(2	teaspoons	3
times	a	day),	and	put	some	of	the	pulp	directly	on	the	skin.
It	is	important	not	to	apply	a	bandage	to	cover	the	burn.	Keep	it	open	to	the	air.	If	you
apply	a	bandage,	the	body’s	heat	may	affect	the	burn	adversely.	So	apply	the	herbal	paste
or	bitter	ghee,	and	leave	it	alone.	If	you	have	to	cover	it	to	keep	the	medication	from
rubbing	off,	use	some	light	gauze.
	
Bursitis
	
See	also	“
Arthritis
”
Bursitis	is	an	inflammation	of	the	bursae,	the	little	fluid	sacs	around	the	shoulder,	knee,	
and
other	parts	of	the	body.	Bursitis	is	a	pitta	condition	that	is	similar	to	arthritis.	Effective

treatment	for	it	is	similar	to	the	treatment	for	pitta	arthritis.
Taking	
	(1	tablet	3	times	a	day)	should	help.	This	herbal	remedy	is
available	by	mail	from	various	sources	of	Ayurvedic	herbs	(see	
Resources
).
Application	of	sandalwood	paste	will	be	soothing.	Make	the	paste	by	taking	1	teaspoon
of	sandalwood	powder	and	adding	sufficient	water	to	form	a	paste.	Rub	it	gently	onto	the
painful	area.
Nasya
,	or	the	application	of	warm	ghee	nose	drops	to	the	nostrils	(5	drops	in	each
nostril),	will	help	to	relieve	the	pain.	
Nasya
	opens	up	the	flow	of	
prana
	and	helps	the	
prana
to	flow	freely	through	the	connective	tissue	of	the	joint,	which	will	alleviate	pain.	(For
instructions,	see	
appendix	3
.)
Topically,	try	gently	rubbing	some	sesame	oil,	eucalyptus	oil,	tea	tree	oil,	
oil,	or	
neem
	oil	into	the	swollen	joint	or	other	painful	area.
As	with	arthritis,	the	pathological	process	of	bursitis	begins	with	toxicity	accumulated	in

the	colon.	These	toxins	get	absorbed	in	the	bloodstream,	go	into	the	general	circulation,	and
lodge	in	the	bursae,	leading	to	the	symptoms	of	bursitis.	So	it	is	important	to	keep	the	colon
clean	by	using	the	following	strategies:
•	Before	going	to	bed	at	night,	take	1	cup	of	hot	milk	with	2	teaspoons	of	castor	oil	added.
The	laxative	effect	will	eliminate	pitta-type	toxicity	in	the	colon.	If	2	teaspoons	do	not
work,	use	3	teaspoons	the	following	night,	adjusting	your	own	dose.	You	should	get	a
couple	of	good	bowel	movements	in	the	morning,	which	will	help	to	cleanse	the	impurities
of	the	colon.	You	may	continue	using	this	remedy	until	your	symptoms	clear	up.
•	As	a	second	choice,	you	can	take	
triphala
	or	
amalaki
	(1	teaspoon)	at	night	in	1	cup	of
warm	water.
Your	diet	should	be	pitta-soothing	but	not	vata-provoking.	Strictly	avoid	hot,	spicy	foods

and	fermented	foods	such	as	pickles.	Also	avoid	raw	vegetables	and	salad.	Strictly	avoid	ice
water	and	other	ice-cold	drinks.	Don’t	eat	beans	(pinto	beans,	adzuki	beans,	black	beans,	or
garbanzos).
As	long	as	you	have	bursitis,	you	should	not	do	strenuous	exercise.	Gentle	yoga	stretching
is	beneficial.	Try	the	Camel,	Cobra,	Cow,	and	Cat	poses,	the	Spinal	Twist,	and	Forward
Bend—under	the	guidance	of	a	yoga	teacher.
	
Canker	Sores
	
Canker	sores	are	generally	traumatic,	that	is,	they	are	due	to	a	cut	or	bruise	in	the	mouth.
When	people	eat	some	sharp,	dried,	or	hard	foods,	such	as	popcorn,	corn	chips,	crackers,	or
dried	bread,	or	chew	fennel	seeds	after	a	meal,	the	hard,	sharp	food	can	hurt	the	oral
mucous	membrane,	and	within	a	couple	of	days	it	will	manifest	as	a	canker	sore.
People	who	use	a	rough,	hard-bristled	toothbrush,	or	who	press	unduly	hard	while

brushing	their	teeth,	may	irritate	the	mucous	membranes	and	create	a	canker	sore.	Some
individuals	inadvertently	bite	the	delicate	tissues	in	their	cheeks	or	lips	during	sleep,	or
even	while	chewing	or	talking.	This	is	more	likely	if	they	have	TMJ	and	their	bite	is	
uneven,
which	can	easily	lead	to	lacerations	and	canker	sores.	If	they	have	high	pitta	in	their	saliva,

their	teeth	may	be	sharp	because	the	crown	of	the	tooth	becomes	eroded,	a	combination
that	may	result	in	repeated	sores.
TOPICAL	REMEDIES
•	The	simplest	Ayurvedic	solution	to	canker	sores	is	local	application	of	turmeric	and
honey.	Mix	together	1	teaspoon	honey	with	¼	teaspoon	turmeric,	and	rub	it	on	the	sore.	It
will	burn	a	little	at	first,	but	the	sore	area	will	heal	quickly.
•	Rinse	your	mouth	several	times	a	day	with	a	little	aloe	vera	juice.
•	Aloe	vera	gel,	2	tablespoons	3	times	a	day,	can	also	help	heal	canker	sores.
•	Mixing	aloe	vera	gel	with	
neem
	powder	is	also	helpful.	Use	1	teaspoon	of	gel	with	a
pinch	of	
neem
	powder,	mix	together,	and	apply	directly	to	the	canker	sore.
•	Put	10	drops	of	tea	tree	oil	in	⅓	cup	of	water,	and	swish	the	liquid	in	your	mouth.	The
mild	solution	will	act	as	an	antiseptic	to	help	prevent	secondary	infection,	and	it	will	also
help	to	heal	the	sore.
•	Another	topical	Ayurvedic	remedy	is	the	herb	
kama	dudha
.	Take	¼	teaspoon	and	1

kama	dudha
teaspoon	fresh	cream.	Mix	together	and	rub	it	on	the	sore.
INTERNAL	REMEDIES
•	Generally,	people	with	high	pitta	are	more	likely	to	get	canker	sores.	So	follow	the
pitta-soothing	diet,	avoiding	hot,	spicy	foods	and	fermented	food	(
chapter	8
).	Also	keep
away	from	strong	alcoholic	drinks,	which	will	aggravate	the	sores.
•	Between	meals,	drink	½	cup	cranberry	juice.	That	will	help	to	heal	the	sore	and	relieve
the	burning	sensation	and	irritation.
•	Eating	a	mixture	of	rock	candy	powder	(½	teaspoon)	and	cumin	powder	(½	teaspoon)
will	help	stop	the	pain,	as	well	as	reduce	inflammation	and	irritation.
•	Sometimes	canker	sores	are	accompanied	by	either	diarrhea	or	constipation.	Taking	½
teaspoon	arrowroot	with	1	cup	warm	milk	helps	relieve	constipation;	taking	¼	teaspoon
arrowroot	with	1	teaspoon	ghee	corrects	diarrhea.
	
Cataracts

Cataracts
	
Cataracts	are	a	kapha	disorder.	Molecules	of	kapha	accumulate	in	the	lens	of	the	eye	and
affect	its	translucence	and	transparency,	making	it	increasingly	opaque.	As	the	cataract
grows,	it	creates	increasingly	smoky,	blurred	vision.	Generally	persons	with	diabetes	are
prone	to	cataracts,	as	are	young	people	with	juvenile	diabetes,	though	cataracts	are
primarily	associated	with	elderly	people.
EFFECTIVE	HERBAL	EYEWASH
.	If	your	eye	doctor	has	detected	an	early	sign	of	cataracts	developing,
this	
triphala
	tea	eyewash	will	be	effective	in	dissolving	the	molecules	of	kapha	that	cause	the
cataract.
Boil	1	teaspoon	
triphala
	in	a	cup	of	water	for	2	to	3	minutes.	Let	the	tea	cool,	and	strain	it

with	a	double	or	triple	layer	of	cheesecloth	so	that	not	a	single	particle	of	
triphala
	is	left	in
the	strained	tea.	Then,	with	
an	eye	cup,	wash	your	eyes	with	the	
triphala
	tea.	You	may	wish
to	repeat	the	wash	2	or	3	times,	depending	on	how	it	feels	and	how	much	tea	actually	got
into	the	eye.
To	keep	the	lens	clear	and	prevent	the	further	growth	of	cataracts,	wash	your	eyes	with
triphala
	tea	in	the	morning	and	at	bedtime.	Do	it	regularly	for	one	month,	and	if	it	proves
effective,	you	can	continue	indefinitely.	It	will	help	to	arrest	the	process	of	cataract
formation.
CASTOR	OIL	EYE	DROPS
.	One	drop	of	pure	castor	oil	(without	preservatives)	placed	in	the	eye	at
bedtime	lubricates	the	cornea	and	the	conjunctiva	and	helps	to	remove	molecules	of	kapha
from	the	lens.	In	this	way	one	can	prevent	cataracts	from	developing.
HERBAL	REMEDY
.	A	third	approach	is	to	take	this	herbal	mixture	internally:

Take	½	teaspoon	of	this	herbal	mixture	twice	a	day	with	warm	water	as	a
preventative	measure	against	cataracts.	As	with	the	triphala	eyewash,	you	may
continue	using	this	formula	as	long	as	you	wish.
	
Cellulite
	
Cellulite	is	more	a	sociological	problem	than	a	health	problem!	Subcutaneous	fat	that
accumulates	under	the	skin	and	causes	little	dimples	on	the	skin	surface,	cellulite	is
certainly	not	a	disease.	People	with	high	cholesterol,	who	eat	fried,	fatty	food	and	whose
diet	is	excessively	kapha-provoking,	appear	to	be	more	likely	to	have	it,	as	do	individuals
who	use	a	lot	of	olive	oil	in	their	cooking.	As	cellulite	may	gradually	lead	to	obesity,	this
condition	can	be	seen	as	an	early	phase	of	being	overweight.
In	Ayurvedic	terms,	
meda
	agni	(the	agni	or	fiery	quality	responsible	for	metabolizing	fat)
under	the	skin	becomes	low.	Unprocessed	fatty	molecules	lodge	there	and	create	cellulite.

The	Ayurvedic	aim	in	treatment	is	to	kindle	or	enliven	the	
meda
	agni.
EXERCISE
.	Regular	exercise	is	the	first	approach.	Walking,	swimming,	or	other	aerobic	exercise
is	important,	and	at	least	some	of	the	exercise	should	be	“local”	to	the	area	where	the
cellulite	is	forming.	In	other	words,	if	cellulite	is	developing	on	the	thighs,	don’t	restrict
your	exercise	to	weight	lifting	and	upper-body	development!
WATCH	OUT	FOR	 KAPHA
.	Watch	your	diet	and	be	sure	it	isn’t	kapha-increasing	(see	
chapter	8
).
Minimize	dairy	products,	sweets,	cold	food	and	drinks,	and	fatty	fried	food.	Strictly	avoid
olive	oil	in	cooking.

VITAMIN	 K
.	Rub	vitamin	K	cream	onto	the	skin.	This	cream	will	remove	spider	veins	and
minimize	cellulite.
LOCALIZED	MASSAGE
.	Massage	the	affected	area	with	sesame	oil	and	mustard	oil,	mixed	half	and
half.	After	the	massage,	dust	with	a	powder	of	the	herb	
vacha
	(calamus),	and	rub	the	skin.
This	will	help	remove	the	cellulite.
	
Cholesterol
	
High	cholesterol	means	increased	lipids	(fats)	in	the	blood.	It	is	essentially	a	metabolic
disorder.	People	having	low	liver	function	or	diminished	thyroid	activity,	who	have	taken
steroids	in	the	past,	or	whose	diet	is	very	kaphagenic,	seem	most	prone	to	develop	high
cholesterol.
Your	cholesterol	level	should	be	below	200.	About	160	to	190	is	normal,	but	a	cholesterol
reading	of	200	or	above	is	worrisome,	as	a	high	cholesterol	level	in	the	blood	tends	to	create
plaque	on	the	artery	walls,	resulting	in	atherosclerotic	changes,	cardiovascular	disorders,
hypertension,	stroke,	and	heart	problems.

There	are	two	kinds	of	cholesterol,	HDL	(high-density	lipoprotein),	which	is	the	“good”
cholesterol,	and	LDL	(low-density	lipoprotein),	which	is	the	“bad”	cholesterol.	Researchers
these	days	are	saying	that	what	is	more	important	than	the	total	level	of	cholesterol,	as	a
predictive	factor	for	cardiovascular	and	other	health	problems,	is	the	ratio	of	total
cholesterol	to	HDL.
To	reduce	high	cholesterol	levels,	and	to	prevent	cholesterol	from	building	up	any	higher,
follow	these	guidelines.
WATCH	YOUR	DIET
.	Stick	to	a	kapha-pacifying	diet	(
chapter	8
).	No	fatty	fried	food.	No	cheese.	No
high-fat	milk	or	yogurt.	Minimize	sweets	and	cold	food	and	drinks.	Use	garlic	and	onion	in
cooking.
GET	 REGULAR	 EXERCISE
.	Each	day	from	Monday	to	Friday,	walk	for	at	least	half	an	hour.	Go
swimming	or	participate	in	some	other	aerobic	exercise	at	least	three	times	each	week.

Just	by	regulating	diet	and	exercise,	you	can	control	cholesterol.	But	there	is	much	more
that	you	can	do.
HERBS	TO	COMBAT	CHOLESTEROL
.	Garlic	is	effective	against	high	cholesterol.	Mix	together	1	clove	of
fresh	garlic	chopped	fine,	½	teaspoon	grated	ginger	root,	and	½	teaspoon	lime	juice;	eat
before	each	meal.
•	Drink	a	tea	made	of	1	teaspoon	cinnamon	and	¼	teaspoon	of	the	herbal	mixture	
trikatu
.
Steep	it	for	10	minutes	in	a	cupful	of	water,	add	1	teaspoon	honey,	and	drink.	Take	it	twice
a	day.
•	Taking	½	teaspoon	
trikatu
	with	1	teaspoon	honey	2	or	3	times	a	day	is	good	for	burning
ama	and	excess	kapha	and	helps	to	regulate	cholesterol.
•	This	herbal	mixture	can	help	control	high	cholesterol	levels:

shilajit	¼	part
Take	½	teaspoon	twice	a	day,	with	honey	and	hot	water.
•	Take	one	200-mg.	tablet	of	
	3	times	a	day.
•	Another	herb	that	has	been	remarkably	effective	in	bringing	down	cholesterol	levels	is
chitrak-adhivati
.	Taking	1	200-mg.	tablet	twice	a	day,	after	lunch	and	dinner,	will	help	bring
cholesterol	back	to	normal.
HOT	WATER	AND	 HONEY
.	Early	in	the	morning,	drink	1	cup	of	hot	water	into	which	you	
add	1
teaspoon	of	honey.	This	will	help	to	“scrape”	fat	from	your	system	and	reduce	cholesterol.
Adding	1	teaspoon	of	lime	juice	or	10	drops	of	apple	cider	vinegar	will	make	the	drink	more
effective.
FOODS	THAT	REDUCE	CHOLESTEROL
.	In	addition	to	avoiding	high-fat	foods,	you	can	eat	certain	foods
that	in	themselves	help	to	reduce	cholesterol.	These	include	blue	corn,	quinoa,	millet,	and
oatmeal.	Some	research	suggests	that	apples,	grapefruit,	and	almonds	can	also	help	reduce

.	Yoga	postures	that	are	good	for	controlling	cholesterol	include	the	Sun
Salutation,	Shoulder	Stand,	Peacock,	Cobra,	Spinal	Twist,	Locust,	and	Lotus.
.	The	breathing	exercise	known	as	Breath	of	Fire	
(bhastrika)
	is	also	helpful.
(See	
chapter	6
	for	instructions.)
	
Chronic	Fatigue
	
See	“
Fatigue	and	Chronic	Fatigue
”
	
Colds	and	Flu
	
Individuals	often	get	colds	and	flu	during	the	winter	and	spring	seasons.	The	symptoms	are
all	too	familiar:	runny	nose,	cough,	congestion,	headache,	an	achy	body,	and	sometimes
fever.
Ayurvedically	speaking,	colds	are	a	kapha-vata	disorder.	The	body	builds	up	an	excess	of
cool	and	moist	kapha	qualities,	resulting	in	congestion	and	a	runny	nose,	and	at	the	same
time	it	may	suffer	from	excess	vata,	which	reduces	agni	(gastric	fire),	leading	to	chills,	loss
of	appetite,	and/or	poor	digestion.
GINGER	REMEDIES

The	best	remedy	for	colds	is	ginger
.	Here	are	several	simple	home	remedies	using	ginger	that
will	greatly	relieve	your	cold	symptoms	and	hasten	full	recovery.
•	Combine	the	following	herbs	together:
ginger	1	part
cinnamon	1	part
lemongrass	2	parts
Steep	1	teaspoon	of	this	formula	for	about	10	minutes	in	1	cup	of	hot	water;	strain
it,	and	add	honey	for	sweetness	if	you	like.	If	you	drink	this	delicious	tea	several
times	a	day,	it	will	help	to	take	care	of	cold,	congestion,	and	flu.
•	Another	excellent	remedy	is	ginger-cardamom-cinnamon	tea.	Here	is	the	formula:
ginger	2	parts
cinnamon	3	parts
cardamom	just	a	pinch
Steep	1	teaspoon	in	a	cup	of	hot	water	for	10	to	15	minutes.	When	the	tea	has
cooled	down	somewhat,	you	can	add	about	½	to	1	teaspoon	of	honey	for	taste.
•	Boil	1	teaspoon	ginger,	or	a	few	eucalyptus	leaves,	in	a	pint	of	water.	Turn	off	the
stove,	put	a	towel	over	your	head,	and	inhale	the	steam.	This	will	relieve	congestion	and
help	you	feel	much	better.	Just	steam	alone,

help	you	feel	much	better.	Just	steam	alone,	
with	no	herbs	added	at	all,	will	also	be
ADDITIONAL	HERBAL	REMEDIES
•	Try	½	teaspoon	fennel	seed	powder	mixed	with	1	teaspoon	natural	sugar,	2	or	3	times	a
day.
•	For	a	cold	with	cough	and	congestion,	mix	½	teaspoon	cinnamon	and	1	teaspoon	honey.
Eat	this	mixture	2	or	3	times	a	day.	(For	help	with	your	cough,	please	see	“
Cough
.”)
•	For	flu,	make	a	tea	from	1	teaspoon	
tulsi
	(holy	basil)	in	1	cup	water.	Boil	for	just	1
minute	and	then	drink.
•	An	ancient	Ayurvedic	herbal	formula	that	is	effective	for	colds	is	the	following:
sitopaladi	1	part
maha	sudarshan	churna	1	part
Combine	these	herbs	in	equal	proportions	and	take	¼	teaspoon	with	1	teaspoon
honey	2	or	3	times	a	day	after	eating.
•	Western	herbology	has	some	helpful	herbs	for	colds.	Try	this	mixture:

echinacea	1	part
goldenseal	1	part
cinnamon	2	parts
Take	¼	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	with	honey	twice	a	day.
CAUTION
:	Don’t	Combine	Ginger	and	Aspirin.	Ginger	and	aspirin	are	both	blood
thinners	and	should	not	be	taken	together.	Therefore	it	is	wise	to	drink	ginger	tea—
or	use	any	other	ginger	remedy—either	two	hours	before	or	two	hours	after	you
take	any	aspirin.
OTHER	REMEDIES	AND	RECOMMENDATIONS
VITAMIN	C
.	Taking	some	Vitamin	C	will	be	beneficial.
NATURAL	NOSE	DROPS
.	Put	some	liquefied	ghee	(3	to	5	drops)	in	each	nostril	in	the	morning	and
evening.	This	will	lubricate	the	nasal	passages	and	relieve	the	irritation	and	sneezing	of	a
cold.
HOT	WATER
.	Drinking	hot	water	several	times	a	day	is	an	effective	way	to	remove	toxins	from
the	system	and	hasten	recovery	from	a	cold.
NO	DAIRY	PRODUCTS
.	Strictly	avoid	dairy	products	such	as	yogurt,	cottage	cheese,	and	milk,	and
all	cold	drinks.
BE	SURE	TO	REST
.	Rest	is	very	important	for	healing.	As	much	as	possible,	rest,	read,	and	relax.

ONLY	 MILD	 EXERCISE
.	Ayurveda	says	that	when	you	have	a	cold,	it	is	best	not	to	do	vigorous
exercise,	which	can	set	up	the	conditions	for	the	cold	to	move	into	the	chest.	Just	do	some
gentle	yoga	
asanas.	Surya	namaskar
	(Sun	Salutation)	is	beneficial.	The	inverted	postures,
including	Shoulder	Stand	and	Headstand	(hold	for	only	about	1	minute),	as	well	as	Forward
Bend,	help	to	
prevent	postnasal	drip	and	help	to	drain	the	mucus	through	the	nose.
.	Use	the	Breath	of	Fire	breathing	exercise	to	help	burn	up	your	cold.	Inhale
normally	and	passively,	but	exhale	forcefully,	and	repeat	rapidly	several	times.	This
exercise	will	help	to	eliminate	mucus	from	the	respiratory	tract.	For	more	detailed
chapter	6
.
•	Another	effective	breathing	exercise	is	deep	Alternate	Nostril	breathing,	without

chapter	6
.
retention	of	breath.	This	will	also	help	to	relieve	congestion	(see	
chapter	6
).
.	As	a	preventive	measure,	take	the	herb	
amalaki
.	It	is	a	
rasayana
	(rejuvenative
tonic)	and	a	good	source	of	vitamin	C	and	iron.	Taking	1	teaspoon	of	
amalaki
	daily,	with
warm	water	at	night,	will	help	to	prevent	the	common	cold.

If	you	are	taking	triphala	at	night
,	you	are	already	taking	
amalaki
,	it	is	one	of	the	three	herbs
that	constitute	
triphala
	(along	with	
haritaki
	and	
bibhitaki)
.	Taking	extra	
amalaki
	is	not
recommended,	as	it	would	create	diarrhea.
	
Colitis
	
Colitis	is	caused	when	vata	pushes	pitta	into	the	colon	and	inflammation	occurs.	The	basic
line	of	treatment	is	to	pacify	pitta.
•	An	excellent	herbal	remedy	for	colitis	is:
shatavari	4	parts
shanka	bhasma	⅛	part
kama	dudha	⅛	part
sanjivani	2	parts
Take	¼	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	with	warm	water	2	or	3	times	a	day	for	1	or	2
months.
•	You	can	also	take	aloe	vera	gel,	1	tablespoon	twice	a	day.	Aloe	vera	is	cooling	and	good
for	reducing	pitta.
ENEMAS
HEALING	 ENEMA	 FOR	 ULCERATIVE	 COLITIS
.	Ulcerative	colitis	is	characterized	by	diarrhea,	mucus,	and
blood	from	the	rectum.	For	that	condition,	Ayurveda	suggests	a	
basti
	(enema)	using	(instead
of	plain	water)	a	tea	made	from	an	astringent	herb	such	as	
bilva,	ashoka

(enema)	using	(instead
,	sandalwood,	or
licorice	root.	This	is	how	to	prepare	the	enema:
Boil	1	tablespoon	of	the	herb	(such	as	licorice	powder)	in	1	pint	of	water	for	5	minutes.
Strain,	and	add	about	2	tablespoons	of	ghee	while	the	tea	is	still	warm.	Let	the	liquid	cool	to
room	temperature,	and	use	it	for	an	enema.	Retain	the	liquid	inside	for	5	minutes	if	you
can.	Do	this	procedure	once	or	twice	a	week.	(More	complete	instructions	for	
basti
	are	found
in	
appendix	3
.)
Licorice	contains	food	precursors	of	natural	steroids,	which	will	help	heal	the	ulcer.	This	is
a	safe,	simple	way	to	correct	colitis	or	ulcerative	colitis.
SOOTHING	OIL	ENEMA
.	The	colon	is	the	seat	of	vata.	This	vata	dosha	is	pulling	or	pushing	pitta	into
the	colon,	which	then	causes	the	colitis.	To	combat	the	excess	pitta	and	at	the	same	time
pacify	vata,	Ayurveda	suggests	injecting	a	cooling	oil	such	as	coconut	oil	into	the	rectum.

Use	about	1	cup	of	slightly	warmed	oil	as	a	
basti
,	and	try	to	retain	it	for	5	minutes,	but	don’t

worry	if	it	comes	out	more	quickly.
DIETARY	REMEDIES
TWO	APPLE	REMEDIES
.
•	A	simple	and	beneficial	remedy	for	colitis	is	to	eat	cooked	apples	with	a	pinch	of
nutmeg.	Peel	a	couple	of	apples,	remove	the	seeds,	and	cook.	Make	them	into	a	pulp	(you
can	use	a	potato	masher),	and	add	1	teaspoon	ghee	and	a	pinch	of	nutmeg.	This	will	help	to
pacify	the	irritation	of	colitis	and	ulcerative	colitis.
•	Apple	juice	will	also	help	relieve	the	burning	sensation.
DIETARY	 PRECAUTIONS
.	A	person	with	ulcerative	colitis	should	never	eat	hot	spicy	food,	drink
alcohol,	or	use	tobacco,	all	of	which	provoke	pitta	and	will	significantly	irritate	the	colon.
EXERCISES	TO	STRENGTHEN	THE	COLON
LEG	LIFT
.	When	a	person	has	ulcerative	colitis,	the	colon	is	very	weak.	To	strengthen	the	wall
of	the	colon,	lie	flat	on	your	back	and	gradually	lift	both	your	legs,	keeping	the	knees	as
straight	as	you	can,	until	the	legs	are	at	a	45-degree	angle	to	the	floor.	This	exercise	is

called	a	Leg	Lift.	If	you	find	it	difficult	to	lift	both	legs	together,	you	can	lift	one	leg	and
then	the	other.	Hold	your	legs	in	the	raised	position	for	just	a	few	seconds	at	first,	up	to	1
minute	after	several	weeks	of	practice.
.	Slowly	move	into	the	Chest-Knee	pose,	then	the	Plow	pose,	Locust	pose,	and	if
you	can,	the	Elevated	Lotus.	Also,	exercise	your	abdomen	by	drawing	it	gradually	in	and
out.	This	will	strengthen	the	wall	of	the	colon.	Illustrations	of	yoga	postures	are	in	
appendix
4
.
	
Conjunctivitis
	
This	is	a	pitta	condition	involving	inflammation	of	the	conjunctiva	of	the	eyes,	which	makes
the	eyes	red	and	photophobic	(highly	sensitive	to	light),	with	discharge	and	a	burning
sensation.	Here	are	some	effective	remedies:
CILANTRO	LEAVES
.	Apply	the	pulp	of	fresh	cilantro	leaves	on	closed	eyelids.	Blend	a	handful	of

cilantro	leaves	with	¼	to	⅓	cup	water;	strain	out	the	juice,	and	apply	the	pulp	to	your
closed	eyelids.	Drinking	the	liquid	will	also	be	beneficial.
CORIANDER	 EYEWASH
.	Make	an	eyewash	by	steeping	1	teaspoon	of	coriander	seeds	in	1	cup
boiling	water	for	at	least	15	minutes.	Strain	thoroughly,	and	cool	before	using	the	water	on
your	closed	eyes.	(Don’t	worry	if	a	
little	goes	into	the	eyes.)	Careful:	Don’t	use	it	either	too
hot	or	too	cold.

GOATS	MILK	COMPRESS
.	Dip	a	sterilized	cotton	ball	in	goat’s	milk,	and	put	it	over	your	eyes.	This
will	cool	down	pitta	and	allow	conjunctivitis	to	be	healed.
.	Internally,	you	can	take	a	mixture	of	equal	parts	of	
kama	dudha
	and	
gulwel
sattva
.	Take	¼	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	with	warm	water	twice	a	day	for	1	week.
HOW	TO	HEAL	CONJUNCTIVITIS	IN	CHILDREN
The	best	way	to	heal	conjunctivitis	in	young	children	is	to	place	a	drop	of	mother’s	milk	in
the	eye.	Mother’s	milk	is	healing	for	her	child.	If	the	mother	is	still	lactating,	and	her	child
gets	conjunctivitis,	with	irritation	and	discharge	in	the	eye,	just	one	drop	of	her	milk	may
heal	it.
NATURAL	HERBAL	ANTIBIOTICS
•	Make	a	turmeric	solution	by	stirring	some	turmeric	into	a	few	ounces	of	pure	water.
Immerse	a	clean	handkerchief	into	the	solution,	and	let	it	dry.	(It	will	be	quite	yellow.)
Then	use	it	to	mop	the	affected	eyes.
T
IME	TO
	S
EE	THE
	D
OCTOR

T
IME	TO
	S
EE	THE
	D
OCTOR
If	your	conjunctivitis	is	not	cleared	up	within	3	to	4	days,	immediately	see	your
doctor.
The	natural	antiseptic,	antibiotic	properties	of	the	turmeric	will	help	take	care	of	the
bacteria	and	facilitate	healing.
•	Herbal	antibiotics	are	also	helpful	taken	internally.	You	can	make	a	mixture	of	these
three:
neem	1	part
Take	½	teaspoon	twice	a	day	with	warm	water,	after	meals.
	
Constipation	is	a	vata	condition	expressing	such	vata	qualities	as	dryness	and	hardness.	It	is
caused	by	insufficient	fiber	in	the	diet,	insufficient	water	intake,	lack	of	exercise,	heavy
meat	eating,	and	numerous	other	factors.	Constipation	may	create	distension	and
discomfort,	flatulence	and	pain,	headache	and	bad	breath,	and	may	lead	to	absorption	of
toxins	from	the	colon.	Thus	it	is	best	to	prevent	constipation	by	keeping	vata	in	balance.

FOLLOW	THE	VATA-PACIFYING	DIET
.	One	of	the	best	ways	to	prevent	constipation,	especially	if	you
have	a	predominantly	vata	constitution,	is	to	follow	the	vata-balancing	diet	(see	
chapter	8
).
Stay	away	from	cold	foods	and	drinks,	dried	fruit,	salads,	and	most	beans;	favor	warm
foods,	warm	drinks,	and	well-cooked	vegetables.	Some	oil	in	the	diet	is	helpful.
TRIPHALA
.	Probably	the	best	Ayurvedic	remedy	for	constipation	is	
triphala
,	a	combination	
of
three	herbs	beneficial	for	all	doshic	types	(see	
appendix	2
).	Most	problems	with
constipation	can	be	corrected	by	taking	½	to	1	teaspoon	of	
triphala
	at	night.	Steep	the	herbs
in	a	cup	of	hot	water	for	5	to	10	minutes,	and	drink.
Some	people	find	that	taking	
triphala
	at	night	creates	a	diuretic	action	and	they	have	to
get	up	several	times	to	urinate.	If	that	happens	to	you,	you	can	steep	the	
triphala
	in	a	cup	of
warm	water	overnight	and	drink	it	first	thing	in	the	morning.	Actually,	the	best	time	to	take
triphala

triphala
	is	in	the	very	early	morning,	around	4	or	5	
A.M
.,	but	do	your	best	within	your	daily
schedule.
Here	are	some	further	recommendations	to	help	relieve	constipation:
SNACK	ON	FRUIT
.	Many	varieties	of	fruit	can	help	remedy	constipation.	So	in	between	meals,	eat
some	fruit.	A	banana,	for	example,	is	a	mild	laxative.	Two	ripe	yellow	bananas,	taken
between	meals,	will	help	relieve	constipation.	(But	don’t	eat	the	bananas	with	meals.	They
don’t	combine	well	with	other	foods.	See	
chapter	8
	for	tips	on	healthy	food	combining.)
NOTE
:	Bananas	should	be	eaten	when	ripe.	You	can	tell	a	ripe	banana	by	its	bright
yellow	skin.	The	inside	will	be	studded	with	tiny	black	dots.	Green	bananas	are
constipating	and	should	be	avoided.	Also	avoid	eating	bananas	once	the	skin	turns
black.	They	are	overripe.
AN	APPLE	A	DAY	KEEPS	THE	DOCTOR	AWAY
.	There	is	a	lot	of	truth	in	this	old	folk	saying.	Apples	are
effective	both	to	help	regularize	the	bowels	and	to	clean	the	tongue	and	teeth.	To	combat

constipation,	peel	and	thoroughly	chew	a	raw	apple	about	an	hour	after	a	meal.
Also	effective:
Pineapple	juice
Raisins—a	handful	every	day,	at	least	an	hour	after	meals
Prunes
Peaches—one	or	two	about	an	hour	after	meals
EAT	MORE	FIBER
.	Fiber	in	the	diet,	such	as	wheat	bran,	oatmeal,	or	oat	bran,	will	help	keep	the
bowels	regular.	Don’t	forget	that	fresh	fruit	and	vegetables	as	well	as	whole	grains	are	high
in	fiber,	too.
MILK	 AND	 GHEE—MILD	 AND	 EFFECTIVE
.	Taking	1	or	2	teaspoonfuls	of	ghee	in	a	cup	of	hot	milk	at
bedtime	is	an	effective	but	gentle	means	of	relieving	constipation.	This	is	especially	good
for	vata	and	pitta	constitutions,	but	it	may	be	too	kapha-increasing	for	kapha	types	to	use
regularly.

CASTOR	OIL
.	Castor	oil	can	also	be	used,	but	only	when	the	constipation	is	more	obstinate.	At
bedtime,	make	yourself	a	cup	of	ginger	tea	(either	by	boiling	some	fresh,	sliced	ginger	in
water,	or	adding	some	powdered	ginger	to	a	cup	of	hot	water),	and	then	add	2	teaspoons	of
castor	oil	to	the	tea	and	drink	it.
If	2	teaspoons	don’t	bring	the	desired	result,	try	the	procedure	again	the	next	night,
increasing	the	dose	to	3	teaspoons,	and	then	go	to	4	teaspoons	if	necessary.	Adjust	your
dose	according	to	what	works.
SUGGESTION
:	Use	this	castor	oil	laxative	treatment	on	weekends,	when	you	can	stay
home!
Castor	oil	tends	to	create	dependency,	in	the	sense	that	once	you	use	it,	other	purgatives
rarely	work.	That	is	why	it	is	recommended	to	use	castor	oil	for	constipation	only	in	severe
cases	or	in	emergencies,	as	a	last	resort,	but	not	on	a	regular	basis.
However,	there	is	one	way	to	avoid	this	dependency.	Take	2	teaspoons	of	castor	oil	with

1	cup	warm	milk.	This	will	give	a	good	bowel	movement	without	creating	dependency.
FLAXSEED
.	At	night,	boil	1	tablespoon	of	flaxseed	in	a	cup	of	water	for	at	least	2	to	3	minutes.
Then	drink	the	whole	cupful,	including	the	tea	and	the	seeds.
FOR	CONSTIPATION	IN	CHILDREN
.	Give	the	child	3	figs	soaked	in	warm	water.
FOR	SEVERE	CONSTIPATION
.	If	there	is	absolute	constipation	for	three	days,	don’t	use	purgatives.	The
use	of	drastic	purgatives	when	constipation	is	severe	can	create	an	intestinal	obstruction	or
even	perforation,	which	can	be	dangerous.	A	better	approach	is	to	do	an	enema	and	then
take	steps	to	regulate	the	system.
Do	the	enema	with	plain	warm	water,	or	you	can	use	
triphala
	tea	or	
	tea
instead	of	plain	water.	That	will	relieve	the	immediate	problem.	Then,	to	regulate	bowel
movements,	follow	the	suggestions	in	the	following	section.

.	Here	are	several	suggestions	for	avoiding	constipation	in	the	future.
chapter	8
).
•	Use	a	lot	of	fiber	in	your	diet.
•	Drink	4	to	5	glasses	of	water	a	day,	in	addition	to	whatever	juices	or	teas	you	may
drink.
•	Get	regular	exercise.	Half	an	hour	of	walking,	light	jogging,	swimming,	or	other	aerobic
exercise	(suitable	to	your	constitution,	age,	and	level	of	fitness)	from	Monday	to	Friday	will
be	very	beneficial.
•	Yoga	
asanas
	will	also	help	prevent	constipation.	In	particular,	practice	the	Sun
Salutation	(12	cycles	a	day),	Chest-Knee	pose,	and	Leg	Lift	(see	
appendix	4
).
•	The	yoga	exercise	known	as	
nauli
	will	also	be	beneficial	(see	
appendix	3
).
	
Constipation	During	Pregnancy

See	also	“
”
The	best	remedy	for	constipation	during	pregnancy	is	the	herb	
sat	isabgol
	(psyllium	husks).
Take	1	teaspoon	with	a	glass	of	warm	milk.
A	cup	of	hot	milk	with	1	teaspoon	of	ghee	added	is	also	effective.	Ghee	and	milk	mixed
together	is	a	wonderful	combination	for	gentle,	mild	laxative	action	during	pregnancy.
One	of	the	most	effective	herbal	remedies	for	constipation,	
triphala
,	should	
not
	be	used
during	pregnancy.	It	will	irritate	the	child,	and	the	baby	will	become	hyperactive.
Also,	do	not	take	castor	oil	or	any	other	
drastic	purgative	during	pregnancy;	like	
triphala
,
it	will	make	the	baby	hyperactive.
	
Cough
	
A	tickling	sensation	in	the	throat,	dryness,	irritation,	or	inflammation	of	the	trachea	or
bronchus	can	all	cause	a	cough.
From	an	Ayurvedic	perspective,	most	coughs	are	caused	by	excess	pitta	or	kapha	in	the
bronchial	tree,	causing	congestion	and	irritation	of	the	bronchial	mucous	membrane.	The

basic	strategy	for	managing	this	condition	is	to	reduce	the	unwanted	pitta	or	kapha	that	is
creating	the	congestion.
To	treat	a	cough	most	effectively,	you	need	to	determine	whether	it	is	a	dry	cough	(vata)
or	a	productive	cough	with	mucus	coming	up	(kapha),	or	whether	pitta	has	also	become
involved.
DRY	COUGH
For	a	dry	cough	or	a	cough	without	much	mucus,	eat	a	ripe	banana	with	1	teaspoon	of
honey	and	2	pinches	of	ground	black	pepper.	You	can	eat	this	2	or	3	times	a	day.
Rx	for	a	Stubborn	Cough
Chop	a	clove	of	garlic,	and	boil	it	in	a	cup	of	milk.	Then	add	¼	teaspoon
turmeric.	This	creates	a	golden	yellow	milk	that	tastes	like	garlic	soup.	This
garlic-turmeric	milk	is	effective	for	soothing	and	healing	most	types	of	cough.
•	Try	chewing	¼	teaspoon	of	
ajwan
	mixed	with	1	teaspoon	natural	organic	sugar.
•	Make	
talisadi
	tea,	made	of
talisadi	powder	½	teaspoon
licorice	powder	½	teaspoon

with	a	little	honey	added.	This	tea	is	quite	effective.
•	Dry	cough	or	irritation	in	the	throat	may	be	due	to	slight	congestion	in	the	tonsils,	or	a
congestive	condition	in	the	throat	such	as	pharyngitis	or	laryngitis.	To	relieve	this
condition,	boil	1	cup	milk	with	½	teaspoon	turmeric	and	¼	teaspoon	ginger,	making	a
golden	yellow	milk.	If	you	drink	this	at	night,	it	will	relieve	the	irritation	in	the	throat	and
take	care	of	a	dry	cough.
PRODUCTIVE	COUGH
For	a	productive	or	kapha	cough,	the	simplest	home	remedy	is	black	pepper.	Mix	¼
teaspoon	of	the	powder	with	1	teaspoon	of	honey,	and	eat	it	on	a	full	stomach.	(If	your
voice	is	hoarse,	use	1	teaspoon	of	ghee	instead	of	the	honey.)	The	heating	quality	of	black
pepper	helps	relieve	congestion	and	drives	out	the	cough.	Take	2	or	3	times	a	day	for	3	to	5
days.
•	A	tea	made	from	½	teaspoon	ginger	powder,	plus	a	pinch	of	clove	and	a	pinch	of
cinnamon	powder	in	a	cupful	of	boiled	water,	can	offer	relief	from	your	cough.

•	If	your	cough	persists,	try	this	formula:
ground	mustard	½	teaspoon
ginger	powder	½	teaspoon
Mix	together	into	1	teaspoon	of	honey,	and	eat	slowly.	(Ginger	relieves	congestion,
and	mustard	has	a	heating	action.)	You	can	use	this	mixture	2	to	3	times	a	day	for
as	long	as	the	cough	persists.
•	Another	helpful	natural	remedy	for	a	productive	cough	is	the	following:
bay	leaf	½	teaspoon
pippali	¼	teaspoon
Take	this	mixture	in	1	teaspoon	honey	2	or	3	times	a	day.
•	You	can	also	try	1	teaspoon	honey	mixed	with	a	pinch	of	clove	powder,	2	or	3	times	a
day.
OTHER	COUGHS
PRODUCTIVE	COUGH	WITH	GREENISH-YELLOWISH	MUCUS
.	In	such	a	cough	there	is	some	secondary	infection
due	to	the	involvement	of	pitta	dosha.	For	this	condition,	you	can	use	a	tea	made	of	equal
proportions	of

maha	sudarshan
Use	¼	teaspoon	of	the	mixture	to	make	a	tea,	and	drink	it	3	times	a	day	with
honey.
T
IME	TO
	S
EE	THE
	D
OCTOR
If	your	cough	persists	for	more	than	a	week,	you	should	see	a	doctor.
It	will	encourage	elimination	of	the	mucus	and	help	heal	the	cough	quickly.
FOR	A	CHILD’S	COUGH
.	Try	giving	the	child	a	drink	of	½	cup	pomegranate	juice	with	a	pinch	of
ginger	powder	and	a	pinch	of	
pippali
	powder.
•	Mix	¼	teaspoon	of	
	with	1	teaspoon	of	honey	as	an	effective	cough	remedy	for
children.	However,	if	the	mother	is	sensitive	or	allergic	to	pollen,	the	child	may	be	allergic
to	honey.	In	that	case,	instead	of	honey,	use	maple	syrup.
FOR	A	CHRONIC	COUGH
.	Make	a	mixture	of	4	parts	garlic	powder	to	1	part	
trikatu
.	Add	a	little
honey.	Take	this	twice	a	day.
	
Cramps,	Abdominal
	
See	“
”
	
Cramps,	Menstrual
	
See	“
Menstrual	Difficulties
”
	
Dandruff
	
Although	dandruff	can	sometimes	be	caused	by	a	fungal	infection	or	other	skin	disease,	in

most	cases	it	is	produced	when	the	scalp	doesn’t	receive	a	sufficient	supply	of	blood.
Consequently	there	is	a	lack	of	protein	in	the	skin,	which	becomes	dry	and	flaky.
Dandruff	may	also	be	due	to	a	deficiency	of	vitamin	B-6,	or	to	an	excess	of	vata	dosha,
which	also	makes	the	skin	dry.
The	treatment	is	simple.	To	improve	circulation	to	the	scalp,	massage	for	a	few	minutes
daily	with	
neem
	oil	(in	a	sesame	oil	base).	If	a	fungal	infection	of	the	skin	is	causing	the
dandruff,	the	
neem
	oil,	which	has	disinfectant	properties,	will	help	heal	this	also.
A	second	option	is	to	use	some	eggwhite	mixed	with	lime	juice.	Put	two	eggwhites	in	a
small	jar	or	container	with	the	fresh	juice	of	one	lime,	mix	together,	and	apply	to	your	hair.
Let	it	stay	in	your	hair	for	a	half	hour,	then	wash	the	hair	with	
neem
	soap.	The	egg-white

neem
will	provide	the	scalp	with	the	lacking	protein,	and	the	dandruff	will	soon	disappear.

Depression
	
PLEASE	NOTE
:	Depression	is	a	serious	medical	condition	that	requires	the	supervision	of	a
medical	doctor.	Mild	or	preclinical	cases	may	sometimes	be	completely	healed	using
these	Ayurvedic	recommendations,	but	they	are	not	a	substitute	for	consulting	with
a	physician.
If	you	are	already	under	a	doctor’s	care	for	depression,	the	Ayurvedic	remedies
suggested	here	can	be	used	in	conjunction	with	the	regimen	outlined	by	your
physician.	But	it	is	only	fair	and	proper	to	do	so	with	his	or	her	approval	and
supervision.
Ask	your	doctor	to	carefully	monitor	your	progress.	As	time	goes	by,	you	may	be
able	to	minimize	or	eliminate	your	dependence	on	strong	medications	if	your	body’s
balance	can	be	brought	to	a	point	where	diet,	exercise,	and	other	Ayurvedic
programs	are	sufficient	to	control	or	eliminate	the	depression.
Clinical	depression	is	more	than	just	a	low	or	heavy	mood.	The	symptoms	of	depression

include	a	loss	of	interest	in	friends	and	usual	activities;	sleep	disturbances,	such	as
insomnia,	early	morning	awakening,	or	oversleeping;	anxiety,	irritability,	or	restlessness;
low	energy	and	fatigue;	poor	appetite	and	weight	loss,	or	sometimes	the	reverse,	overeating
and	weight	gain;	difficulty	concentrating	and	making	decisions;	decreased	sex	drive;
feelings	of	worthlessness	and	guilt;	feelings	of	hopelessness	and	helplessness;	frequent
crying	spells;	and	suicidal	thoughts.
The	genesis	of	depression,	from	an	Ayurvedic	perspective,	is	too	complex	to	lay	out	here.
In	brief	we	can	say	that	because	of	specific	etiological	factors,	vata	from	the	colon,	pitta
from	the	intestine,	or	kapha	from	the	stomach	enters	the	general	circulation	and	lodges	in
the	nervous	system,	interferes	with	normal	functioning	of	the	mind	and	nervous	system,
and	causes	depression.

The	resulting	depression	may	be	vata,	pitta,	or	kapha.	Each	of	these	three	types	of
depression	is	treated	in	different	ways,	though	the	first	step	for	each	is	to	bring	the	diet	in
line	with	the	guidelines	for	vata-,	pitta-,	and	kapha-pacifying	diets	(see	
chapter	8
).	This	is
important—please	don’t	overlook	it!
VATA	DEPRESSION
Vata-type	depression	is	generally	associated	with	fear,	anxiety,	nervousness,	and	insomnia.
The	following	home	remedies	will	help	dissolve	a	mild	vata	depression:
•	Drink	
	tea.	Steep	1	teaspoon	of	the	herb	
	in	1	cup	of	hot	water,
and	drink.	Take	twice	a	day.
•	Make	a	tea	from	equal	proportions	of	
	and	
brahmi
	(about	⅓	to	½	teaspoon
each),	steep	in	a	cup	of	water	for	about	10	minutes,	and	drink	2	or	3	times	a	day.
•	Another	domestic	remedy	for	depression	is	a	tea	made	of	holy	basil	
(tulsi)
	and	sage.	Use
¼	teaspoon	
tulsi
	and	½	teaspoon	of	sage	per	cup	of	hot	water;	drink	twice	a	day.

and	sage.	Use
¼	teaspoon	
tulsi
•	Nose	drops	of	warm	sesame	oil	(3	to	5	drops	in	each	nostril)	are	effective	for	relieving

depression	(see	
appendix	3
).	Do	this	
nasya
	procedure	morning	and	evening	on	an	empty
stomach.
•	Rubbing	the	top	of	the	head	and	the	soles	of	the	feet	with	sesame	oil	is	quite	soothing	to
vata	and	healing	for	vata	depression.
•	Psychologically,	one	factor	that	sustains	vata	depression	is	loneliness.	Try	to	spend	more
time	relating	to	people;	it	will	help	lift	the	depression.
PITTA	DEPRESSION
Pitta-type	depression	is	generally	associated	with	anger,	or	with	fear	of	failure,	of	losing
control,	or	of	making	mistakes;	it	often	involves	thoughts	of	committing	suicide.	It	is
serious;	you	should	consult	your	doctor.
Of	course	it	is	possible	to	have	a	mild	pitta	depression,	caused	by	failing	an	examination,
not	getting	a	promotion	at	work,	or	some	such	thing.	A	pitta	person	can	be	quite	addicted
to	success	and,	when	he	or	she	doesn’t	succeed,	can	easily	become	upset	and	depressed.	This
type	of	depression	may	not	last	long	or	be	too	severe.

Pittas	are	most	vulnerable	to	SAD,	seasonal	affective	disorder,	a	fairly	mild	form	of
depression	that	usually	occurs	in	the	winter.
For	all	types	of	pitta	depression,	use	the	following	simple	but	effective	remedies:
•	Rub	some	coconut	oil	or	sunflower	oil	onto	your	scalp	and	the	soles	of	your	feet	at
bedtime.
•	Drink	gotu	kola	or	
brahmi
	tea	or	ginkgo	tea	2	or	3	times	a	day.	Use	½	teaspoon	of	herbs
in	a	cup	of	hot	water.
•	Mix	equal	amounts	of	these	three	herbs:
brahmi
jatamamsi
shatavari
Take	½	to	1	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	2	or	3	times	a	day	with	warm	water,	as	a	tea.
•	Use	
brahmi
	ghee	nose	drops,	3	to	5	drops	in	each	nostril,	twice	a	day	on	an	empty
stomach.
•	Meditate.	A	few	minutes	of	meditation	will	be	helpful	in	healing	pitta	depression.	See
chapter	7
	for	some	hints	on	meditation.
KAPHA	DEPRESSION
Kapha	depression	creates	a	sense	of	mental	heaviness	and	is	associated	with	excess	sleep,

weight	gain,	drowsiness,	and	lousiness!	The	following	natural	remedies	may	bring	great
relief	from	kapha	depression:
•	Fast	for	3	to	4	days	on	apple	juice.	This	will	work	wonders	to	lighten	the	heaviness	of	a

kapha	depression.
•	Increase	the	amount	of	exercise	you	do.
•	Drink	ginger	tea	(½	to	1	teaspoon	of	
ginger	powder	steeped	in	hot	water)	twice	a	day.
T
IME	TO
	S
EE	THE
	D
OCTOR
If	your	depression	doesn’t	soon	begin	to	lift	as	a	result	of	using	these	Ayurvedic
home	remedies,	please	consult	a	doctor.
•	Make	the	following	herbal	compound:
sarasvati	2	parts
punarnava	3	parts
Take	this	mixture	3	times	a	day.	Put	½	teaspoon	of	the	powder	on	your	tongue,	and
wash	it	down	with	warm	water.
•	Put	5	drops	of	
punarnava
	ghee	in	each	nostril	twice	a	day.	(See	
appendix	2
	for
instructions	on	how	to	prepare	your	own	medicated	ghees	and	oils.)
•	The	Sun	Salutation	(12	repetitions	a	day),	Shoulder	Stand,	and	Plow	pose	are
recommended	yoga	
asanas
	for	depression.	Also	do	the	Maha	Mudra.	Other	recommended
postures	are	the	Bow	pose	and	the	Vajrasana	(Sitting	on	the	Heels).	(Illustrations	of	yoga
asanas
	appear	in	
appendix	4
.)
•	The	breathing	exercise	known	as	

asanas
	appear	in	
appendix	4
.)
	is	also	beneficial	for	healing	kapha
depression.	(See	instructions	in	
chapter	6
.)
	
Diabetes
	
Diabetes	is	a	metabolic	kapha	type	of	disorder	in	which	diminished	functioning	of	agni
(digestive	fire)	leads	to	a	tendency	toward	high	blood	sugar.	To	control	high	blood	sugar,
Ayurveda	uses	the	following	herbal	mixture:
shardunika	1	part
kutki	1	part
punarnava	2	parts
Take	½	teaspoon	2	or	3	times	a	day	with	warm	water.
•	Another	simple	and	effective	herbal	way	to	control	blood	sugar	is	to	use	turmeric.	Fill
some	00-size	capsules	(available	at	a	pharmacy	or	natural	food	store)	with	turmeric,	and
take	2	capsules	3	times	a	day,	a	few	minutes	before	meals.	You	can	continue	this	program
for	up	to	a	month,	and	then	reevalulate	your	condition.	Clinical	observation	suggests	that	a

person	who	is	insulin	dependent	will	experience	a	markedly	diminished	requirement	for
insulin;	the	diabetes	can	often	be	brought	under	control.
•	To	help	regulate	your	blood	sugar	level,	you	can	try	taking	½	teaspoon	of	ground	bay
leaf	and	½	teaspoon	turmeric,	mixed	in	1	tablespoon	aloe	vera	gel.	Take	the	mixture	twice
a	day	before	lunch	and	dinner.
DIET
.	To	reduce	kapha,	you	should	follow	the	kapha-pacifying	diet	(see	
chapter	8
),	especially
avoiding	excess	intake	of	sweets,	carbohydrates,	and	dairy	products.	Take	more	fresh
vegetables	and	bitter	herbs.
.	Put	one	cup	of	water	into	a	copper	vessel	at	night,	and	drink	the	water	in	the
morning.
.	Beneficial	yoga	postures	for	diabetic	conditions	include	the	Sun	Salutation	and
the	Peacock	pose,	Locust	pose,	Leg	Lift,	and	Chest-Knee	pose.	Alternate	Nostril	breathing	is
also	helpful.	(Please	see	illustrations	for	yoga	postures	in	
appendix	4
,	and	the	
pranayama
instructions	in	
chapter	6
.)
	
Diarrhea

appendix	4
,	and	the	
pranayama
chapter	6
.)
	
Diarrhea
	
See	also	“
Diarrhea—Babies
”
Generally,	diarrhea	occurs	when	agni	(the	digestive	fire)	becomes	weak.	As	a	result,
absorption	and	assimilation	become	minimal,	and	the	undigested	foodstuff	gets	eliminated
as	a	liquid,	watery	stool.	To	relieve	diarrhea,	Ayurveda	aims	to	strengthen	agni	and	to
pacify	whatever	dosha—generally	pitta—is	aggravated.
Indigestion,	nervousness,	or	eating	some	wrong	food	or	food	combination	can	also	create
diarrhea.
PACIFY	PITTA
The	first	line	of	defense	against	diarrhea	is	to	immediately	reduce	pitta	in	your	diet.	Follow
the	guidelines	for	the	pitta-pacifying	diet	(see	
chapter	8
),	especially	keeping	away	from
spicy	and	fermented	foods.
T
IME	TO
	S
EE	THE
	D
OCTOR
If	there	is	no	serious	illness,	diarrhea	is	usually	quite	easy	to	control.	However,	this
condition	can	also	be	a	symptom	of	a	more	serious	illness,	so	if	these	home	remedies
don’t	work	in	2	or	3	days,	consult	a	doctor.

FOUR	FOOD	CURES
•	Cook	one	or	two	apples	until	they	are	mushy,	then	add	1	teaspoon	ghee,	a	pinch	of

cardamom,	and	a	pinch	of	nutmeg.	Eat	slowly.	This	mixture	is	not	only	delicious,	it	will	also
help	stop	diarrhea	right	away.
•	If	you	don’t	have	apples,	you	can	use	bananas,	only	you	don’t	have	to	cook	them.	Chop
1	or	2	ripe	bananas	into	pieces,	and	as	with	the	apples,	add	1	teaspoon	of	warm	ghee	and	a
pinch	each	of	cardamom	and	nutmeg.	Bananas	are	high	in	potassium,	which	helps	to	bind
the	stool.
•	Another	effective	remedy	for	diarrhea	is	cooked	rice	with	yogurt.	Take	about	a	cupful	of
cooked	basmati	rice,	add	1	tablespoon	of	ghee	and	3	or	4	tablespoons	of	plain	fresh	yogurt,
stir	together,	and	eat.
•	Another	remedy	using	yogurt	is	to	blend	together	equal	parts	of	yogurt	and	water	(about
½	cup	each),	add	about	⅛	teaspoon	of	fresh	grated	ginger,	and	drink.
•	Try	ginger	powder	(about	½	teaspoon)	with	1	teaspoon	raw	natural	sugar.	Mix
together,	and	chew	the	mixture	with	some	warm	water.	Take	2	or	3	times	a	day	for	2	to	3
days.
•	Another	simple	remedy	is	the	following:

days.
ghee	1	teaspoon
nutmeg	¼	teaspoon
ginger	powder	¼	teaspoon
natural	sugar	1	teaspoon
Mix	together	and	eat.	Like	the	ginger-sugar	mixture	above,	take	this	formula	2	or	3
times	a	day	for	2	to	3	days.
•	For	acute	diarrhea,	mix	½	teaspoon	fennel	powder	with	½	teaspoon	ginger	powder,	and
chew	this	mixture	2	or	3	times	a	day.
•	Try	drinking	a	cup	of	hot	black	coffee	with	a	little	lime	juice	(about	10	drops)	and	a
pinch	of	cardamom	or	nutmeg.
•	If	your	diarrhea	appears	to	be	the	result	of	high	pitta,	use	this	herbal	formula:
shatavari	½	teaspoon
arrowroot	½	teaspoon
Mix	together,	and	take	with	½	cup	warm	water	2	or	3	times	a	day.
•	You	can	also	use	
	(psyllium	husks)	to	combat	pitta	diarrhea.	This	may	sound
strange,	as	psyllium	is	often	used	as	a	laxative.	However,	in	pitta	diarrhea,	an	excess	of
pitta	accumulates	in	the	gastrointestinal	tract	and	irritates	the	wall	of	the	colon,	creating
the	diarrhea.	So	at	bedtime,	take	1	teaspoon

the	diarrhea.	So	at	bedtime,	take	1	teaspoon	
	mixed	into	a	cup	of	fresh	yogurt.
That	will	absorb	pitta	and	bind	the	stool,	helping	to	correct	the	diarrhea.	Be	sure	the	yogurt
is	freshly	made,	not	old.

AVOID	DEHYDRATION
Diarrhea	can	sometimes	cause	dehydration.	To	prevent	this	from	happening,	add	1
teaspoon	of	natural	sugar,	1	teaspoon	of	lime	juice,	and	a	pinch	of	salt	to	a	pint	of	room-
temperature	water,	and	sip	throughout	the	day.
NOTE
:	If	the	diarrhea	continues	beyond	three	days,	it	would	be	wise	to	consult	a
doctor.
	
Diarrhea	in	the	babies	of	nursing	mothers	may	be	due	to	the	mother’s	diet.	For	example,	if
the	mother	eats	stale	and	leftover	food,	or	food	that	is	heavy	to	digest,	then	her	milk	will
become	harder	for	the	child	to	digest.	As	a	general	rule,	Ayurveda	suggests	that	when	babies
six	months	old	or	younger	get	diarrhea,	the	mother	should	follow	a	pitta-pacifying	diet.
AN	APPLE	A	DAY
	…	A	baby’s	diarrhea	can	usually	be	corrected	simply	by	feeding	the	child	some
cooked	apple.	Remove	the	skin	and	seeds,	cook	the	apple,	and	add	½	teaspoon	ghee,	a
pinch	of	cardamom,	and	a	small	pinch	of	ginger.	Stir	it	up	well,	and	cool	to	room
temperature.

:	To	feed	this	applesauce	to	your	child,	use	a	standard	baby	bottle.	With	a
clean	scissors,	cut	off	the	tip	of	the	nipple,	making	an	opening	large	enough	for	the
applesauce	to	flow	through.
MAKE	WHEY
.	Whey	is	a	natural	source	of	lactobacillus.	Since	a	baby’s	diarrhea	is	often	due	to
altered	flora	in	the	gastrointestinal	tract,	the	whey	should	help	restore	the	normal	flora.	It	is
also	a	good	source	of	potassium	and	of	calcium,	which	binds	the	stool.
Bring	1	cup	of	milk	to	a	boil;	when	it	just	begins	to	boil,	squeeze	a	little	lime	juice	(about
½	teaspoon)	into	the	pot.	The	milk	
will	curdle.	Then	strain	the	thick	part	out	by	pouring	the
mixture	through	cheesecloth	or	a	sieve.
The	remaining	watery	part	is	the	whey.	Giving	4	to	5	teaspoons	of	the	whey	to	the	child
every	10	to	15	minutes	should	stop	the	diarrhea.
(The	thick,	solid	part	is	a	delicious	fresh	cheese	called	
paneer
,	much	used	in	Indian
cooking.	Try	it!)
A	SIMPLE	HERBAL	REMEDY

paneer
.	Another	simple	domestic	remedy	is	to	mix	1	teaspoon	honey,	½	teaspoon
ghee,	a	pinch	of	nutmeg,	and	a	pinch	of	saffron.
POPPYSEED	PORRIDGE
.	You	can	also	make	your	child	a	porridge	of	poppy	seeds.	Bring	½	cup	milk
and	½	cup	water	to	a	boil,	then	add	about	1	teaspoon	poppy	seeds.	The	seeds	will	swell	and
become	soft;	they	will	make	a	nice,	easily	digested	porridge.	It	is	a	good	food	that	helps	to
stop	diarrhea.	As	a	bonus,	your	child	will	also	sleep	soundly.

T
IME	TO
	S
EE	THE
	D
OCTOR
If	your	infant	has	diarrhea,	watch	him	or	her	carefully.	If	bowel	movements	are
becoming	less	frequent	and	are	firmer	and	denser,	your	child	is	getting	better.	But	if
the	stools	continue	to	be	watery	and	occur	several	times	in	a	day,	and	if	your	baby’s
eyes	appear	sunken,	the	lips	are	dry,	and	she	or	he	looks	drowsy,	these	are	all
warning	signs	of	dehydration.	This	is	a	serious	condition,	and	you	need	to	consult	a
doctor.
CALCIUM	 SUPPLEMENT
.	Babies	may	also	get	diarrhea	when	they	are	teething.	Teeth	are	a	by-
product	of	
,	or	bone	formation.	When	babies	start	growing	teeth,	especially	the
incisors	or	canine	teeth,	vata	in	the	
	gets	provoked,	their	digestive	fire	becomes
weak,	and	they	may	get	diarrhea.	At	that	time,	they	need	more	calcium.	You	can	give	the
child	a	simple	calcium	supplement	in	the	correct	dose	for	children.
	
Dizziness
	
See	“
Fainting	and	Dizziness
”
	
Dry	Skin
	
See	also	“
”

Dizziness
	
See	“
”
	
Dry	Skin
	
See	also	“
”
Dry	skin	can	have	several	causes.	It	may	be	due	to	a	lack	of	sebaceous	(oily)	secretions;
insufficient	sweating;	an	excess	of	hot,	sharp	pitta;	or	too	much	vata.	External	causes	of	dry
skin	include	sun,	wind,	hot	dry	air,	excess	washing,	and	excess	use	of	soap	or	dishwashing
soap.
MOISTURIZING	CREAM	MAY	NOT	BE	THE	ANSWER
.	Many	people	use	moisturizing	creams	to	counteract	dry
skin.	But	dryness	of	the	skin	usually	comes	from	within	rather	than	from	external	causes.
For	this	reason,	mere	application	of	a	moisturizer	doesn’t	truly	solve	the	problem.
In	general,	moisturizing	creams	work	only	temporarily.	They	stimulate	secretions	of	the
sebaceous	glands,	and	for	a	while	the	skin	
looks	soft	and	oily.	But	then	the	glands	become
tired	and	exhausted,	resulting	in	more	dryness.	You	will	have	much	greater	success	if	you

treat	the	dryness	both	externally,	with	natural	oils,	and	internally,	by	lubrication	of	the
colon	with	oil	enemas.
Here	are	several	effective	Ayurvedic	home	remedies	to	keep	your	skin	smooth	and
lustrous.
APPLY	SOME	OIL
.	In	some	cases,	applying	some	oil	to	your	skin	may	be	all	you	need	to	eliminate
dry	skin.	If	your	constitution	is	predominantly	vata,	apply	sesame	oil;	if	you	are	pitta,
apply	sunflower	or	coconut	oil.	If	you	are	kapha,	apply	corn	oil.
However,	application	of	oil	to	the	skin	will	probably	not	be	sufficient.	To	treat	the
internal	cause	of	the	dryness,	you’ll	have	to	lubricate	the	colon	with	a	gentle	oil	enema.

OIL	ENEMA
.	Here	is	the	procedure:
•	
Step	1:
	Begin	with	a	cleansing	enema.	Either	in	the	morning	or	evening,	give	yourself	a
regular	water	enema.	After	a	good	bowel	movement,	wait	one	hour	before	proceeding	to
step	2.
•	
Step	2:
	For	the	oil	enema,	use	1	cup	of	sesame,	sunflower,	or	corn	oil,	according	to	the
above	vata–pitta–kapha	recommendations.	Inject	the	oil	into	the	rectum	(using	a	hot	water
bottle	or	a	syringe),	and	try	to	retain	it	for	5	to	10	minutes.	If	it	goes	out,	don’t	worry,	let	it
out.	(More	complete	guidelines	on	how	to	do	an	enema	are	in	
appendix	3
.)
This	simple	oil	enema	will	make	your	skin	soft,	delicate,	and	gorgeous.	The	colon	is	an
important	part	of	the	absorption	process	for	food	nutrients.	Similarly,	the	oil	in	the	colon
from	the	enema	easily	gets	absorbed	into	the	system	and	helps	to	lubricate	the	skin	from
within.
For	best	results,	perform	the	oil	enema	according	to	this	schedule:
Week	1			Every	day
Week	2			Every	2	days
Week	3			Every	3	days
Week	4			Once

Week	4			Once
CHERRY	MASK
.	You	may	also	find	relief	from	dry	skin	by	applying	a	pulp	of	fresh	cherries	to
your	face	at	night,	before	going	to	bed.	Leave	it	on	for	15	minutes,	and	then	rinse	off.	This
will	give	you	a	beautiful	complexion.
	
Earache
	
If	the	ear	passage	gets	dried	and	crusty	due	to	excess	vata,	it	may	start	aching.	The	eardrum
may	even	become	tight	and	painful.
However,	before	treating	earache,	it	is	important	to	first	rule	out	several	possibilities,
such	as	infection	
(otitis	externa
	or	
otitis	interna)
,	perforated	eardrum,	or	excess	wax	causing
pressure	on	the	ear	(see	“
Earwax
”).	Having	ruled	these	out,	one	can	then	treat	the	vata
problem.
TEA	TREE	OIL
.	Begin	by	pulling	down	on	the	lobe	of	your	painful	ear.	If	this	hurts,	it	means	there
is	
otitis	externa
,	external	ear	infection.	To	heal	the	infection,	take	a	cotton	swab	and	dip	it

is	
into	tea	tree	oil,	a	wonderful	natural	disinfectant	widely	available	at	natural	food	stores
and	some	pharmacies.	Then	apply	the	oil	to	the	ear	with	the	swab.
NOTE
:	Using	plain	tea	tree	oil	may	create	a	burning	sensation	on	sensitive	skin,	so	it
is	usually	best	to	dilute	it,	using	10	to	20	drops	of	tea	tree	oil	mixed	in	1	ounce	of
sesame	oil.
TEA	TREE	OIL	WITH	
NEEM
.
	For	an	even	more	effective	treatment,	combine	the	tea	tree	oil
with	
neem
	oil.	Here	again,	don’t	use	pure	
neem
	extract.	Mix	10	to	20	drops	of	
neem
	in

sesame	oil,	then	add	it	to	the	tea	tree	oil.	Gently	apply	a	few	drops	of	the	oil	mixture	to	the
ear	passage.
ANTIBIOTIC	HERBS
.	At	the	same	time	you	are	treating	the	infection	on	the	outside	with	tea	tree	oil,
internally	you	can	take	turmeric-echinacea-goldenseal	tea:
Stir	½	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	into	hot	water,	steep	for	a	few	minutes,	and	drink.
Alternatively,	simply	swallow	½	teaspoon	of	the	powder	mixed	in	1	teaspoon	of
honey.	Take	3	times	a	day	after	food,	for	1	week.	This	powerful	antiseptic,
antibiotic	formula	will	help	control	the	ear	infection.
ASAFETIDA
.	You	can	also	take	a	small	amount	of	cotton,	put	a	pinch	of	asafetida	into	it,	and
roll	it	into	a	capsulelike	shape.	Place	that	ball	of	cotton	into	the	outer	ear.	The	fumes	of	the
asafetida	will	quickly	relieve	ear	pain.
ONION	 JUICE
.	Combine	1	teaspoon	fresh	onion	juice	with	½	teaspoon	honey.	Mix	well;

introduce	5	to	10	drops	into	the	affected	ear.	The	mixture	should	be	room	temperature	or	a
little	warmer	before	you	put	it	in	your	ear.
HEAT
.	Earache	can	also	be	moderated	by	heat.	Take	a	handkerchief	and	put	it	on	a	warm	(not
hot)	pan,	fold	it,	and	place	it	on	the	ear	to	give	a	little	soothing	external	heat.
	
Ears,	Ringing
	
See	“
Tinnitus
”
	
Earwax
	
Earwax	is	one	of	the	natural	secretions	of	the	body.	It	has	the	function	of	protecting	the
eardrum	from	dust,	and	it	also	keeps	the	ear	canal	lubricated.	But	because	it	is	constantly
exposed	to	the	air,	the	wax	may	accumulate	dust	and	dirt	and	become	tarry	black	or	brown-
black	and	thick,	packed	tightly	into	the	ear	canal.	It	may	obstruct	hearing	or	create
uncomfortable	pressure,	and	so	it	has	to	be	periodically	removed.
WASH	IT	OUT
.	Gentle	irrigation	of	the	ear	canal	with	warm	water	will	usually	take	care	of	it.

WASH	IT	OUT
You	can	pick	up	an	ear	syringe	in	a	pharmacy	quite	inexpensively.	Prepare	a	pint	of	warm
water	(body	temperature),	add	about	½	teaspoon	of	baking	soda,	and	use	that	water	to
clean	the	ear.	Follow	the	directions	that	come	with	the	syringe,	which	essentially	are	to	hold
the	syringe	at	the	edge	of	the	ear	canal	(do	not	insert	it;	the	water	has	to	be	free	to	come

out	again),	and	squirt	the	water	
gently
	into	the	ear.	You	will	want	to	tilt	your	head	toward
the	shoulder	of	the	ear	
you	are	cleaning	and	hold	your	head	over	a	basin	or	over	the	sink.
Do	a	final	rinse	with	plain	warm	water.
After	irrigating	the	ear,	it	is	important	to	dry	the	ear	thoroughly.	A	good	way	is	to	dip	a
cotton	swab	into	some	rubbing	alcohol,	and	wipe	the	ear	with	the	swab.
SOFTEN	IT	WITH	OIL
.	Sometimes	the	wax	is	stubborn	and	doesn’t	come	out	easily.	In	that	case,	for
a	day	or	two	before	doing	the	irrigation,	soften	the	wax	in	the	ear	canal	by	lubricating	it
with	warm	garlic	oil.	Take	about	1	tablespoon	of	sesame	oil,	add	½	clove	of	freshly
chopped	garlic,	and	boil	it	until	the	garlic	pieces	turn	brown.	It	will	have	a	pleasant	smell.
Then	press	the	oil	from	the	garlic,	and	strain	it	into	a	jar	or	other	container.	(Plain	sesame
oil	will	also	work,	but	the	garlic	oil	will	be	more	effective.)

Then,	2	or	3	times	a	day,	put	a	few	drops	of	that	oil—when	it	is	warm,	not	hot—into	the
ear.	That	will	lubricate	the	ear	passage	and	soften	the	wax	for	easy	removal.
DISSOLVE	IT	WITH	HYDROGEN	PEROXIDE
.	You	can	also	use	a	mild	hydrogen	peroxide	solution	(about	a	3
percent	solution)	to	dissolve	the	wax.	You	can	buy	this	solution	in	most	pharmacies.	Put	a
few	drops	in	the	ear.	It	will	oxygenate	the	ear,	and	the	wax	will	simply	dissolve.	When
you’re	finished,	clean	the	ear	with	some	warm	sesame	oil.
MASSAGE	TO	LOOSEN	STUBBORN	WAX
.	For	stubborn	earwax,	massage	the	outside	of	the	ear.	Put	a	little
sesame	oil	or	castor	oil	on	the	mastoid	bone	(the	bone	behind	the	ear),	and	gently	massage.
Pull	the	ear	lobe,	and	at	the	same	time	open	your	mouth.	This	will	help	to	loosen	the	ear
wax,	and	it	will	come	out	quite	easily	when	you	irrigate	with	water.

.	The	root	cause	of	excessive	earwax	production	is	increased	vata	in	the	
mamsa
dhatu
	(muscle	tissue).	To	deal	with	this,	take	
	tablets,	200	mg.	twice	a	day,
for	one	month.	That	will	definitely	break	down	the	body’s	habit	of	forming	excess	earwax.
.	Here	is	another	excellent	way	to	prevent	the	buildup	of	earwax.	Once	a	month,
sleep	on	your	left	side.	Fill	your	right	ear	with	warm	sesame	oil,	and	go	to	bed.	(Put	an	old
towel	on	the	pillow	to	catch	the	excess	oil.)	The	whole	night,	the	ear	passage	will	be	soaked
in	the	sesame	oil.	The	wax	will	rise	up	toward	the	surface	of	the	ear	canal,	and	you	can
clean	it	out	in	the	morning	with	a	dry	cotton	swab.	(Don’t	stay	awake	all	night	trying	not
to	turn	over;	just	sleep	comfortably.	Even	a	couple	of	hours	with	the	oil	filling	the	canal	will
do	the	trick.)

The	next	night,	sleep	on	the	other	side	and	treat	the	other	ear	in	the	same	way.	This	way
you	can	avoid	the	tendency	for	excess	earwax	to	form.
	
Eating	Disorders
	
See	also	“
”	and	“
Obesity
”
NOTE
:	The	Ayurvedic	recommendations	in	this	and	related	sections	can	help	you	deal

with	eating	disorders,	but	to	fully	heal	them	you	may	also	require	psychiatric
counseling.
KINDS	OF	EATING	DISORDERS
BULIMIA	AND	BINGE	EATING
.	Almost	everyone	does	some	extra	munching	now	and	then.	But	if	you
often	continue	eating	even	though	you	are	full,	you	might	be	a	victim	of	binge	eating
disorder	or	bulimia.
Individuals	with	bulimia	eat	to	excess	and	then	induce	vomiting	to	avoid	gaining	weight,
while	those	with	binge	eating	disorder	overeat	but	don’t	induce	vomiting.	Binge	eating	may
lead	to	obesity,	and	bulimia	may	lead	to	metabolic	disorders.
OVEREATING
.	Overeating	of	all	kinds	is	most	often	the	result	of	psychological	and	emotional
factors,	such	as	low	self-esteem,	anxiety,	grief,	and	sadness.	To	compensate	for	those
emotions,	people	go	on	eating.
ANOREXIA
.	Anorexia	nervosa	is	a	serious	problem,	usually	among	young	women	who	have	a
fear	of	being	fat	and	purposefully	starve	themselves.	The	root	cause	of	anorexia	is	often
depression.
SUGGESTED	REMEDIES

Here	are	some	brief	suggestions	to	help	you	deal	effectively	with	these	eating	disorders.	For
more	complete	treatments,	please	see	“
”	and	“
Obesity
.”
FOLLOW	A	LOW-FAT	DIET
.	Avoid	fatty	fried	food,	cheese,	yogurt,	excess	carbohydrates,	ice	cream.
These	kapha-inducing	substances	lead	to	weight	gain	and	possibly	to	obesity.
EAT	 HOT	 SPICY	 FOOD
.	When	cooking,	add	garam	masala,	chili	pepper,	cayenne	pepper,	curry
pepper,	turmeric,	cumin,	and	the	like	to	your	food.	These	spices	will	burn	the	ama	that
causes	overeating.
EAT	TWO	OR	THREE	MEALS	A	DAY
.	That’s	all.	Eat	breakfast,	lunch,	and	dinner,	but	skip	between-meal
snacking.	While	eating,	play	some	soft,	gentle	music	such	as	classical	Indian	music;	choose	a
gentle,	loving	raga.	Don’t	listen	to	jazz	or	rock;	that	loud	music	will	overstimulate	the
system	and	cause	you	to	eat	more.
LICORICE
.	Whenever	you	desire	to	munch,	eat	licorice	candy,	which	is	a	mild	diuretic	that	acts

LICORICE
to	reduce	kapha.	Or	eat	a	handful	of	raisins.
HERBAL	 TEA
.	To	help	heal	the	emotional	factor	in	all	eating	disorders,	drink	herbal	tea.
Excellent	choices	are	chamomile,	comfrey,	
brahmi
,	or	
jatamamsi
.	These	are	good
individually,	but	a	tea	made	from	all	of	these	mixed	together	in	equal	amounts	is	especially
effective	to	reduce	stress	and	balance	the	emotions.	Use	½	to	1	teaspoon	of	herbs	steeped	in

boiling	water	for	10	minutes.
NOTE
:	If	there	is	depression,	
jatamamsi
	or	
brahmi
	tea	will	help,	but	it	may	also	be
necessary	to	see	a	psychiatrist	or	other	mental	health	professional.
.	Rub	some	
	oil	on	the	soles	of	the	feet	and	on	the	scalp	at	night.	That	will
help	you	relax	and	sleep.	Lightly	massaging	with	a	little	of	the	oil	in	
the	morning	will	also
help	you	deal	with	the	stress.
.	Good	yoga	
asanas
	for	eating	disorders	include	the	Bow,	Boat,	Peacock,	and
Rooster	poses.	The	Lion	pose	is	also	quite	effective	for	reducing	stress	(see	
appendix	4
).
BREATHING	 AND	 MEDITATION
.	
	and	
So-Hum
	meditation	will	also	be	helpful	(see
chapters	6
	and	
7
).
	
Edema
	
See	also	“
Swelling	During	Pregnancy
”
Suddenly	one	morning	a	person	may	wake	up	with	swollen	eyes,	a	swollen	foot,	a	swollen
nose,	or	a	swollen	toe—any	part	of	the	body	can	swell.	There	may	be	associated	symptoms

such	as	pain	or	itching.	Sometimes	the	edema	may	be	related	to	an	injury,	such	as	a	bump,
or	it	may	be	due	to	torn	ligaments.	Or	fluid	may	seep	from	the	blood	vessels	due	to
prolonged	standing	or	walking.	Because	of	poor	circulation,	a	person’s	feet	or	ankles	may
swell.	Edema	may	also	be	an	allergic	reaction,	or	the	result	of	an	insect	bite.
Because	there	are	so	many	possible	reasons	for	the	swelling,	finding	out	the	cause	is
essential	for	maximally	effective	treatment.	Nevertheless,	the	following	recommendations
should	prove	helpful.
APPLY	 A	 HEALING	 PASTE
.	At	the	site	of	the	swelling,	apply	a	paste	made	of	turmeric	and	red
sandalwood.	Mix	an	equal	amount	of	the	herbal	powders	together,	add	sufficient	water	to
make	a	paste,	and	apply.
NOTE
:	Don’t	get	this	mixture	of	turmeric	and	sandalwood	in	your	eyes;	it	may	irritate
the	eye	and	create	conjunctivitis.
GIVE	YOUR	FEET	A	RAISE

.	If	the	edema	is	in	your	feet,	raise	the	feet.	Sit	in	a	comfortable	chair	with
your	legs	resting	on	a	footstool,	or	use	a	small	table	and	place	a	couple	of	pillows	under
your	feet.	When	you	go	to	bed,	place	pillows	under	your	feet.	This	will	gradually	drain	the
excess	water	and	relieve	the	swelling.
FOR	INSECT	BITES
.	For	swelling	due	to	insect	bites,	use	
neem
	and	tea	tree	oil	topically.	The	venom
of	the	insect	irritates	the	skin,	and	
neem
	and	tea	tree	oil	mixed	together	in	equal	proportion
will	neutralize	the	venom	toxicity	and	minimize	the	edema.	
Neem
	oil	is	also	effective	by
itself.	(See	“

NATURAL	ANTIHISTAMINE	FOR	ALLERGIES
.	If	the	swelling	is	due	to	allergy,	take	antihistamine	in	the	form
of	fresh	cilantro	juice.	Chop	some	fresh	cilantro	and	place	in	the	blender	with	⅓	cup	of
water.	Blend,	strain,	and	drink	immediately.	Also	apply	the	pulp	locally	to	the	swollen
area.	(See	“
Allergies
”	for	many	more	suggestions.)
FINGER	RING	SWELLING
.	Swelling	on	a	finger	may	be	due	to	a	too-tight	ring.	Simply	remove	the
ring.	If	it	will	not	easily	slip	off,	raise	your	hand	high	above	your	head	or	soak	your	hand	in
ice	water	for	a	few	minutes,	then	use	some	soap	or	oil	to	make	your	finger	slippery.	If	this
does	not	work,	the	ring	may	have	to	be	cut.	That	will	release	the	blood	flow	and	relieve	the
edema.
HERBS	TO	IMPROVE	CIRCULATION
.	Poor	circulation	can	lead	to	edema.	To	increase	circulation,	mix:
manjistha	3	parts
LOCAL	EXERCISE	TO	IMPROVE	CIRCULATION

.	In	addition	to	the	above	herbal	formula,	giving	some	exercise
to	the	part	of	the	body	that	is	swollen	should	improve	circulation	and	reduce	the	swelling.
Fill	a	pan	or	bucket	with	hot	water,	and	steep	a	“teabag”	of	mustard	seeds	in	it.	Make	the
bag	by	wrapping	2	tablespoons	of	mustard	seeds	in	a	handkerchief	or	some	cheesecloth.	Put
it	into	the	bucket	you’re	using	to	soak	your	ankle,	finger,	or	whatever	part	is	swollen.	While
you	soak,	flex	the	swollen	part	and	do	some	underwater	exercises	to	increase	circulation.
REMEDIES	FOR	LOCALIZED	SWELLING
•	
For	swelling	of	the	nose
,	do	
nasya
	using	
brahmi
	oil	or	plain	ghee	(see	
appendix	3
).
•	
For	swelling	of	the	eyes
,	apply	a	few	drops	of	pure	rose	water.	You	can	generally	buy	a	3
percent	solution	of	rose	water;	to	make	it	at	home,	use	organic	roses	and	soak	both	petals

and	the	hip	in	distilled	water	for	several	hours,	then	strain	and	use	the	water.
•	
For	swollen	toes
,	apply	a	paste	of	turmeric	and	red	sandalwood.
•	
For	a	torn	ligament
,	apply	some	
	oil	topically.	Internally,	take	
kaishore
guggulu
,	200	mg.	twice	a	day.
•	
For	facial	swelling
.	Some	parasites,	such	as	amoebas,	giardia,	and	pinworms,	can	create
swelling	of	the	face.	If	you	have	determined	that	this	is	the	cause	of	your	facial	swelling,	the
following	formula	will	be	effective:
vidanga	3	parts
neem	3	parts
shardunika	3	parts
Take	½	teaspoon	twice	a	day	after	lunch	and	dinner.

Eye	Irritation
	
See	also	“
”
Around	the	age	of	40,	
alochaka
	pitta	(a	subtype	of	pitta	associated	with	vision)	tends	to
become	low,	and	people	frequently	find	that	their	eyes	become	irritated.	Individuals	who
work	in	front	of	a	computer	for	a	long	time,	watch	a	lot	of	TV	or	movies,	or	do	a	lot	of
driving	or	close-up	work,	or	who	live	in	a	city	with	high	air	pollution,	may	find	that	their
eyes	become	irritated	and	build	up	quite	a	lot	of	strain.
The	irritation	may	be	due	to	dryness	of	the	conjunctiva	(which	results	from	excess	vata),
or	it	may	be	related	to	excess	hyperacidity	or	pitta	in	the	stomach.	Or,	because	the	liver	and
eyes	are	closely	related,	high	or	stagnant	pitta	in	the	liver	may	be	a	causal	factor.	It	is
important	to	pin	down	the	cause	in	order	to	treat	it	with	maximum	effectiveness.	But	most
of	the	following	remedies	will	be	helpful	in	all	situations.
TAKE	A	BREAK
.	If	you	are	using	your	eyes	a	lot,	perhaps	in	front	of	a	computer	or	driving,	stop

every	hour	or	two	for	a	few	minutes	to	give	your	eyes	a	rest.
USE	A	PROTECTIVE	SCREEN
.	Use	a	protective	screen	on	your	video	terminal,	to	cut	radiation	and
glare.
CHANGE	YOUR	FOCUS
.	If	you	are	doing	a	lot	of	reading,	stop	for	a	minute	or	two	and	refocus	on	a
distant	object.	Every	half	hour,	close	the	book	and	look	at	something	across	the	room	or	out
the	window.	Doing	something	different	with	the	eyes	is	restful	and	will	help	prevent	eye
irritation.
TAKE	A	TEA	BREAK
.	In	the	midst	of	a	lot	of	close-up	work	or	sitting	at	the	computer,	stop	for	a	few
minutes	and	have	a	cup	of	tea:	chamomile,	comfrey,	mint,	or	even	
chai
	(which	has	some
caffeine	and	will	not	be	as	soothing	as	the	other	three).	This	will	be	relaxing	and	will	help
to	relieve	the	irritation	and	strain.
ROSE	WATER	EYE	DROPS
.	You	can	also	prepare	a	solution	of	rose	water.	Take	1	ounce	of	distilled	or

purified	water,	add	5	drops	of	pure	rose	water,	and	use	the	solution	to	rinse	your	eyes.	Use
a	dropper	or	an	eye	cup,	and	be	sure	the	water	is	neither	too	cold	nor	too	hot.	This	solution
will	immediately	soothe	any	eye	irritation.
SPLASH	YOUR	EYES	WITH	WATER
.	Simply	washing	the	eyes	with	clean	water	will	also	help.	As	if	rinsing
your	face	after	washing,	splash	some	water	onto	your	eyes,	opening	the	eyes	for	a	moment
to	allow	some	water	to	go	in.	Or	you	can	use	an	eye	cup	and	rinse	the	eyes.
THE	SIMPLEST	AND	BEST	REMEDY	FOR	IRRITATED	EYES
.	Put	a	single	drop	of	pure,	genuine	castor	oil	(without
preservatives)	into	your	eyes	at	bedtime.	Rubbing	a	little	castor	oil	on	the	soles	of	your	feet
at	bedtime	also	helps;	remember	to	wear	some	old	socks	to	prevent	the	oil	from	staining
your	sheets.
FOR	BLOODSHOT	EYES
.	If	your	eyes	are	irritated	and	bloodshot,	drink	a	cup	of	fresh	orange	juice

with	½	teaspoon	of	natural	sugar	and	a	pinch	of	cumin.
TO	PACIFY	ACIDITY
.	If	excess	acid	and	high	pitta	in	your	system	seems	to	be	the	cause	of	the	eye
irritation,	take	some	
shatavari
	(½	teaspoon),	add	just	a	pinch	of	
shanka	bhasma
,	and	take	it
twice	a	day	for	2	weeks,	with	a	little	warm	water.
•	Aloe	vera	gel	(2	tablespoons	3	times	a	day)	also	pacifies	acidity.
•	If	you	determine	that	high	pitta	might	be	the	cause	of	the	eye	irritation,	make	a	mixture
of	the	herbs	
shanka	pushpi
	and	
jatamamsi
	in	equal	proportions.	Take	½	teaspoon	twice	a	day
for	2	weeks.
	
Eyes-Ayurvedic	Care
	
Ayurveda	has	a	number	of	excellent	suggestions	for	maintaining	your	eyes	in	strength	and
health.
COOL	WATER	WASH
.	Early	in	the	morning,	when	you	wash	your	face,	fill	your	mouth	
with	cool
water	and	hold	it	there;	then	splash	cool	water	over	your	open	eyes.	Traditionally,	you’re
not	supposed	to	swallow	or	spit	out	the	water,	but	keep	it	in	your	mouth	as	you	sprinkle	the

cool	water	on	your	eyes.	This	has	a	double	cooling	effect,	both	from	outside	and	from	the
oral	cavity,	that	will	make	your	eyes	feel	fresh,	happy,	and	cheerful.	(If	you	prefer,	you	can
use	an	eye	cup	instead.)
GHEE	LAMP
.	A	traditional	Ayurvedic	way	to	strengthen	and	soothe	the	eyes	is	to	gaze	at	
the
flame	of	a	ghee	lamp.	Prepare	a	ghee	lamp	by	taking	a	small	bowl,	placing	a	cotton	wick	in
it,	and	adding	ghee.	Be	sure	the	wick	is	made	of	genuine	cotton;	synthetic	cotton	will	burn
up	in	an	instant.	Also	be	sure	the	wick	is	not	too	thick.	Apply	a	little	ghee	to	the	tip	of	the
wick	and	then	light	it.
Ayurvedic	Eye	Exercises

The	following	exercises	will	strengthen	your	eyes.
•	First,	blink	the	eyes	rapidly	several	times.	Then,	with	eyes	open,	move	your	eyes	in
this	pattern:
up	and	down
side	to	side
diagonally	from	top	left	to	bottom	right
diagonally	from	top	right	to	bottom	left
clockwise	in	a	circle
counterclockwise	in	a	circle
•	Hold	your	arm	outstretched	in	front	of	you.	Look	at	the	tip	of	your	index	finger,
and	gradually	bring	the	finger	close	to	you,	following	it	with	your	eyes,	until	it	touches
your	“third	eye,”	between	the	eyebrows.
•	Look	at	the	tip	of	your	nose,	and	then	up	toward	your	“third	eye.”
•	Finally,	close	your	eyes	tightly,	then	release.	These	exercises	are	beneficial	for
improving	the	circulation	of	the	eccentric	muscles	of	the	eyeball.
After	finishing	the	exercises,	or	anytime	your	eyes	feel	tired	or	strained,	rub	your
palms	vigorously	together	for	a	few	seconds	to	generate	some	warmth,	then	place	them
lightly

lightly
	over	your	eyes.	Feel	how	soothing	the	warmth	is!	Keep	them	there	for	a	minute
or	two	to	strengthen	and	nourish	your	eyes.
Set	the	ghee	lamp	at	a	distance	of	2	or	3	feet	from	you,	remove	your	glasses,	and	gaze	at
the	flame	for	2	or	3	minutes	
without	blinking
.	This	procedure	will	improve	the	
tejas
	or
lustrous	quality	of	the	eyes.
SALUTE	THE	SUN
.	Another	effective	way	to	keep	eyes	strong	is	to	do	the	Sun	Salutation	exercise.
Performing	12	sets	of	Sun	Salutations	is	one	of	the	best	exercises	for	the	entire	body,
including	the	eyes	(see	
appendix	4
).
FOR	PITTA	TYPES
The	following	six	remedies	are	especially	helpful	for	pitta	types,	who	are	more	likely	to	find
their	eyes	burning.
TRIPHALA
	
EYEWASH
.	Boil	1	teaspoon	of	
triphala
	in	a	cup	of	water	for	3	minutes.	Cool	the	tea,	and
strain	it	with	double-	or	triple-folded	cheesecloth	or	a	paper	coffee	filter	so	that	no	particle
of	
triphala

of	
triphala
	is	left	in	the	tea.	Then	wash	your	eyes	with	the	tea.

CASTOR	OIL	REMEDY
.	At	bedtime,	put	1	drop	of	pure	castor	oil,	with	no	preservatives,	into	each
eye.	Also	rub	1	teaspoon	of	the	oil	into	the	soles	of	your	feet.	Next	morning	your	eyes	will
feel	really	happy	and	fresh!
TO	SOOTHE	BURNING	EYES
.
	For	a	burning	sensation	in	the	eyes,	put	1	drop	of	lukewarm	liquid	ghee
in	each	eye	at	bedtime.	That	will	lubricate	the	eyelid	and	eyelashes	and	will	also	soothe	and
strengthen	your	eyes.
ROSE	WATER
.	You	can	also	put	3	drops	of	pure	rose	water	into	each	affected	eye.	Rose	water	is
cooling.
A	HEALING	SALVE
.	Collyrium	is	effective	for	soothing	your	eyes.	(It	is	available	in	most	Indian
grocery	stores.	Ask	for	
kajal
.)	It	is	made	of	castor	oil	and	natural	camphor.	It	is	black	and
people	use	it	cosmetically	as	an	eye	liner,	but	it	is	actually	medicinal	and	good	for	the	eyes.
Scoop	out	a	small	amount	of	salve	with	your	little	finger.	Make	sure	the	nail	is	well
trimmed.	With	the	other	hand,	pull	the	lower	eyelid	down	while	looking	in	the	mirror	and

with	your	little	finger	apply	the	salve	sparingly	to	the	inner	edge	of	the	eyelid.
STRESS	REDUCER
.	For	eyestrain,	Ayurveda	also	suggests	taking	a	sterilized	cotton	ball	or	a	piece
of	gauze,	dipping	it	into	cool	goat’s	milk,	and	putting	it	over	your	closed	eyes.	This	will
ease	stress	and	make	your	eyes	feel	better.	(If	goat’s	milk	is	not	available,	you	may	use
cow’s	milk,	but	goat’s	milk	is	preferable.)
ADDITIONAL	SUGGESTIONS
READ	SITTING	UP
.	While	reading,	keep	your	vertebral	column	straight.	Avoid	reading	while	lying
down.
USE	A	NONGLARE	COMPUTER	SCREEN
.	If	you	are	using	a	computer,	be	sure	it	has	a	nonglare	screen,	or
use	a	protecting	filter	to	reduce	glare	so	it	won’t	hurt	your	eyes.
	
Eyestrain
	
See	“
”	and	“
”
	
Increased	vata	dosha,	along	with	excess	pitta	moving	in	the	nervous	system,	cause	fainting

and	dizziness.	There	are	two	types	of	dizziness:
In	the	first	kind,	one	feels	that	external	objects	in	the	environment	are	moving:	“I	am
still,	but	the	room	is	moving	around	me.”	That	is	called	
objective	 dizziness
,	and	it	is
primarily	due	to	aggravated	vata.

The	second	type	is	called	
subjective	dizziness
.	Here,	one	has	the	feeling	of	swinging	or
disequilibrium,	of	being	subjectively	in	motion.	This	type	of	dizziness	is	caused	primarily	by
excess	pitta.	The	difference	between	the	two	is	subtle	and	not	easy	to	pinpoint,	especially
since	vata	and	pitta	are	both	always	involved.	But	it	is	helpful	to	distinguish	between	the
two,	as	some	aspects	of	treatment	will	be	different.
T
IME	TO
	S
EE	THE
	D
OCTOR
The	remedies	in	this	section	are	simple,	effective	means	of	relieving	dizziness.	But	if
dizziness	or	fainting	persists	after	using	them,	it	would	be	wise	to	see	a	neurologist
or	another	medical	expert,	because	the	dizziness	might	be	due	to	some	serious
pathology.
Vertigo,	a	spinning,	merry-go-round	kind	of	feeling,	may	be	related	to	infection	in	the
inner	ear,	head	injury,	or	viral	infection.	It	may	be	due	to	Ménière’s	disease,	a	condition	in
which	increased	pressure	in	the	middle	ear	generates	a	feeling	of	vertigo.	Ménière’s	disease

will	result	in	progressive	hearing	loss	if	it’s	not	treated.	All	these	conditions	have	to	be
suspected	and	ruled	out	before	undertaking	home	treatment	for	dizziness.	However,	the
domestic	remedies	below	will	help	most	cases	of	dizziness.
Dizziness	or	feeling	faint	may	also	occur	when	there	is	insufficient	oxygen	in	the	room.
If	you	feel	dizzy	and	you’re	not	sure	whether	you’re	spinning	or	the	room	is	moving,	focus
on	a	fixed	point,	such	as	a	window	frame.	When	the	eyeball	becomes	steady	by	focusing	on
a	stable	point,	it	sends	a	message	to	the	brain	that	calms	down	the	
rajasic
	quality	of	vata
dosha.	This	works	well	for	objective	dizziness.
The	kind	of	dizziness	known	as	
motion	sickness
	is	often	associated	with	nausea	and
vomiting.	To	help	with	motion	sickness,	before	starting	the	trip,	take	one	00-size	capsule

filled	with	ginger	powder.	Bring	some	more	along	on	the	trip.	You	might	also	bring	some
candied	ginger	and	chew	on	a	piece	of	it	from	time	to	time.	If	you	are	in	a	car	and	you	feel
that	everything	seems	to	be	in	motion,	try	to	look	at	a	fixed	point,	such	as	the	horizon	
or	a
distant	unmoving	object.	This	should	help	to	stop	the	dizziness.
Sometimes	people	feel	dizzy	when	they	stand	up	quickly.	There	are	many	possible	causes
for	this,	including	low	adrenal	energy,	low	blood	pressure,	or	the	use	of	some
antihypertensive	drugs,	especially	beta	blockers,	which	may	weaken	the	adrenals.	If	you
find	yourself	getting	dizzy	upon	standing	up,	simply	get	up	
slowly
.	This	will	help.
Pitta	individuals	with	hypoglycemia	may	experience	sweating	and	dizziness	and	may
even	verge	on	fainting	if	they	go	too	long	without	eating.	This	is	a	form	of	subjective

dizziness.	Hypoglycemics	have	to	eat	on	time,	or	they	may	even	become	unconscious.
Drinking	some	apple	juice	or	any	sweet	fruit	juice	will	be	effective.
QUICK	REMEDY	FOR	FAINTING
.	If	a	person	faints,	collapses,	and	becomes	unconscious,	sprinkle	some
cold	water	on	the	face.
DIZZINESS	 FROM	 EXERCISING
.	Individuals	who	exercise	vigorously	may	become	dehydrated	from
sweating	a	lot,	which	may	bring	on	dizziness.	The	cure	for	this	is	about	as	simple	as	it	gets:
Drink	some	water.	Even	just	one	glass	of	cool	water	will	help	to	reduce	pitta	as	well	as

correct	the	dehydration,	and	the	dizziness	will	subside.
DEEP	BREATHING
.	Another	simple	remedy	for	dizziness	is	breathing	deeply,	as	in	
(see	
chapter	6
)	and	holding	the	breath	behind	the	belly	button.
EAR	PULL
.	Here’s	another	simple	remedy:	Insert	your	index	finger	into	your	ear	and	gently	pull
the	ear	upward,	forward,	and	downward.	This	will	regulate	intracranial	pressure,	which
will	greatly	if	not	entirely	relieve	the	feeling	of	faintness	or	dizziness.
NATURAL	SMELLING	SALTS
.	For	dizziness	or	when	feeling	faint,	slice	or	chop	up	an	onion	and	inhale
the	smell	forcibly	until	tears	come	to	your	eyes.	Onions	contain	a	lot	of	ammonia;	inhaling
them	produces	vasodilation,	which	brings	more	blood	supply	to	the	brain,	and	dizziness	is
automatically	corrected.
HERBAL	FORMULAS
.	If	you	determine	that	the	dizziness	is	primarily	due	to	pitta,	a	wonderful
Ayurvedic	herbal	formula	may	prove	helpful.	Mix	these	herbs:
brahmi	1	part
jatamamsi	1	part
saraswati	¼	part

Take	½	teaspoon	of	the	mixture	2	or	3	times	a	day	with	water	after	meals.
The	following	formula	is	also	helpful	when	dizziness	is	due	to	excess	pitta:
kama	dudha	2	pinches
If	you	take	½	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	a	couple	of	times	a	day	with	warm	water,	it
will	help	take	care	of	your	dizziness.
SANDALWOOD
.	Pitta-type	dizziness	can	also	be	helped	by	the	smell	of	sandalwood	oil	or	incense.
GHEE	NOSE	DROPS
.	Using	ghee	nose	drops	will	also	help.	Warm	up	a	little	bit	of	ghee	until	it	is
liquefied.	When	cool	enough	not	to	injure	delicate	tissue,	put	3	to	5	drops	in	each	nostril,
and	inhale.	This	will	improve	blood	supply	to	the	brain	and	will	relieve	the	dizziness.
COLON	CLEANSING
.	Sometimes	dizzy	spells	are	due	to	chronic	constipation	and	gases.	So	keep	the
colon	clean	with	
triphala
,	½	teaspoon	taken	at	bedtime	in	a	cupful	of	warm	water.
	
triphala
	
Fatigue	is	physical	and	mental	stress.	However,	it	is	not	always	due	to	overwork.	In	fact,

sometimes	people	feel	tired	because	they’re	not	doing	enough,	not	working	hard	enough.
For	such	people,	fatigue	can	be	due	to	boredom	or	lack	of	motivation.
In	such	cases,	I’ve	had	to	ask	patients	to	walk	or	to	do	some	physical	work	in	order	to	get
rid	of	fatigue	and	increase	their	energy	level.	So	the	first	thing	to	determine	is	whether	the
tiredness	is	due	to	too	much	physical	work	or	too	much	idleness!
Fatigue	may	be	due	to	low	gastric	fire,	weakness	of	the	liver,	low	adrenal	energy,	or
anemia.	It	may	be	caused	by	Epstein-Barr	virus,	a	form	of	chronic	fatigue	syndrome	related
to	high	stagnant	pitta	in	the	liver.	People	having	a	history	of	infectious	mononucleosis	can
feel	very	tired.
Here	are	some	treatment	recommendations	for	fatigue	of	various	causes:
FOR	FATIGUE	AFTER	EXERCISE	OR	HARD	PHYSICAL	WORK
.	Drink	a	cup	of	fresh	orange	juice	with	a	pinch	of
rock	salt.	Adding	10	drops	of	fresh	lime	juice	will	help	pacify	pitta.
•	Drinking	1	cup	of	ginseng	or	

	tea	once	or	twice	a	day	will	help.
FOR	 ANEMIA
.	If	the	fatigue	is	due	to	anemia,	treat	the	anemia	with	blood	builders	such	as
pomegranate	juice,	grapes	and/or	grape	juice,	beets	or	beet/carrot	juice,	or	the	herbs	
abrak
bhasma
	and	
loha	bhasma
.	(See	“
Anemia
”	for	many	more	recommendations.)
FOR	EPSTEIN-BARR	VIRUS
.	If	the	fatigue	is	due	to	Epstein-Barr	virus,	treat	it	as	a	pitta	disorder.
•	Follow	the	pitta-pacifying	diet	(see	
chapter	8
).
•	Use	the	following	herbal	formula:
bala	4	parts
vidari	3	parts
kama	dudha	¼	part
Take	½	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	2	or	3	times	a	day	with	1	teaspoon	of	
shatavari
ghee.	This	will	strengthen	the	liver	and	help	to	remedy	chronic	fatigue	syndrome
(see	the	
shatavari
	ghee	recipe	in	
appendix	2
).
TO	STRENGTHEN	GASTRIC	FIRE
When	your	agni	(gastric	fire)	is	low	and	your	digestion	slow,	nourishment	from	the	food

you	eat	will	be	poorly	absorbed	and	assimilated.	If	the	nourishment	you	derive	from	eating
is	insufficient,	naturally	your	energy	will	be	low.
•	One	of	the	best	ways	to	kindle	agni	is	to	use	some	ginger.	Before	each	meal,	chop	or
grate	a	little	fresh	ginger,	add	a	few	drops	of	lime	juice	and	a	pinch	of	salt,	and	chew	it	up.
Or	just	cut	a	thin	slice	of	fresh	ginger,	put	on	a	pinch	of	salt,	and	chew	that.
•	Avoid	cold	and	iced	drinks,	especially	during	or	after	meals.	They	counteract	agni	and
impede	effective	digestion.	Take	small	sips	of	warm	water	during	the	meal.
•	Taking	
chitrak-adivati
,	one	200-mg.	tablet	twice	a	day,	after	lunch	and	dinner,	will	help

kindle	the	fire	and	the	fatigue	will	go.
T
IME	TO
	S
EE	THE
	D
OCTOR
Unusual	exertion,	stress,	lack	of	sleep,	and	a	number	of	other	factors	can	make	you
understandably	tired.	But	if	you	use	the	Ayurvedic	remedies	recommended	for
fatigue	for	a	few	weeks	and	you	still	have	unexplainable	feelings	of	exhaustion	or
continue	to	feel	unusually	listless,	lethargic,	and	drained	of	energy,	your	tiredness
may	be	due	to	a	more	serious	illness.	Fatigue	is	a	symptom	of	many	illnesses,
including	anemia,	lung	disease,	diabetes,	hepatitis,	mononucleosis,	thyroid	disease,
and	cancer.	You	may	also	have	developed	chronic	fatigue	syndrome.	So	please	be
wise	and	consult	a	physician.
•	You	will	find	many	additional	tips	for	strengthening	the	digestive	fire	in	“Indigestion.”
YOGA	POSTURES	AND	
PRANAYAMA
.	Alternate	Nostril	Breathing	and	some	gentle	yoga	stretching	can	be
beneficial	to	kindle	the	gastric	fire.	See	
appendix	4
	and	
chapter	6
	for	help	with	yoga
postures	and	
pranayama

appendix	4
	and	
chapter	6
pranayama
.	In	general,	unless	fatigue	is	due	to	idleness,	Ayurveda	does	not
recommend	much	exercise	for	cases	of	fatigue.	Exercise	will	burn	
ojas
	and	may	increase
rather	than	decrease	the	feelings	of	fatigue.
TO	BUILD	STRENGTH	AND	ENERGY
Use	the	following	food	remedies	for	added	nourishment	and	strength.
DATES
.	Soak	10	fresh	dates	in	a	quart	jar	of	ghee.	Add	1	teaspoon	ginger,	⅛	teaspoon
cardamom,	and	a	pinch	of	saffron.	Cover	and	keep	in	a	warm	place	for	at	least	2	weeks.
Then	eat	1	date	daily,	in	the	early	morning.	Believe	it	or	not,	it	tastes	delicious,	and	it
works	to	remedy	anemia,	sexual	debility,	and	chronic	fatigue.
A	simpler	tonic	using	dates	is	this	date	drink:	Soak	5	fresh	dates	in	a	glass	of	water
overnight.	Next	morning,	liquefy	in	a	blender	and	drink.	It	will	give	you	energy	and
vitality.	(Be	sure	to	remove	the	pits	before	blending!)
MANGOES

MANGOES
.	Eating	one	ripe	mango	daily,	and	an	hour	or	so	later	drinking	1	cup	of	warm	milk
with	1	teaspoon	ghee	added,	is	also	good	for	increasing	vitality.
A	variation	is	to	drink	1	cup	of	fresh	mango	juice,	followed	an	hour	or	so	later	by	½	cup
of	warm	milk	with	a	pinch	of	cardamom,	a	pinch	of	nutmeg,	and	1	teaspoon	of	ghee.
	
Fever
	
Fever	is	a	sign	of	ama	(toxins)	moving	in	the	circulatory	system.	Contrary	to	what	some
people	believe,	fever	is	not	often	a	sign	of	infection.	In	some	cases	there	
is
	infection,	but
most	of	the	time	the	fever	is	due	to	toxicity	in	the	
rasa	dhatu
,	the	body’s	basic	vital	tissue
(see	
this	page
).	When	the	ama	has	been	eliminated,	the	fever	will	subside.

DON’T	 EAT
.	There	is	an	old	saying,	“Feed	a	cold	and	starve	a	fever,”	and	truly	the	first
treatment	recommended	by	Ayurveda	for	a	fever	is	to	observe	a	fast.	For	acute	fever,	a	total
fast	is	recommended	if	the	person	is	strong	enough.	If	the	person	is	debilitated	or	weak,	it	is
better	to	drink	water,	some	kind	of	fruit	juice,	or	one	of	the	herbal	teas	suggested	below,
such	as	holy	basil	(
tulsi
)	or	lemongrass.	
Don’t	drink	milk;
	it	will	worsen	the	fever	and	create
diarrhea.
In	addition	to	fasting,	the	following	recommendations	will	be	helpful.
The	simplest	herbal	remedy	for	fever	is	cilantro	juice.	Put	a	handful	of	cilantro	leaves	in	a
blender	with	about	⅓	cup	water,	and	blend	thoroughly.	Strain	out	the	pulp.	Take	2
teaspoons	of	the	remaining	liquid	3	times	a	day	to	help	lower	the	fever.
•	You	can	make	an	effective	herbal	tea	for	fever	consisting	of
lemongrass	tulsi	(holy	basil)	fennel
in	equal	proportions.	For	each	cup,	use	1	teaspoon	of	the	mixture	and	steep	in

boiling	water	for	10	minutes;	strain	and	drink.	This	is	an	excellent	diaphoretic;	that
is,	it	
makes	you	sweat,	which	brings	down	the	temperature.
T
IME	TO
	S
EE	THE
	D
OCTOR
Fever	is	a	sign	that	your	body	is	fighting	toxins	and/or	infection	and	is	healing	and
purifying	itself.	It	is	usually	self-limiting—that	is,	it	will	disappear	when	the	needed
healing	is	done.	But	there	are	definitely	times	when	fever	requires	the	attention	of	a
medical	professional:
any	fever	in	a	baby	under	4	months	old
fever	above	104	degrees	Fahrenheit	in	an	adult
fever	above	101	degrees	in	a	person	over	age	60
fever	that	lasts	longer	than	3	days
fever	accompanied	by	a	severe	headache	and	a	stiff	neck
any	fever	in	a	person	who	has	a	chronic	illness	such	as	heart	disease,	diabetes,	or
respiratory	disease
If	any	of	these	conditions	are	present,	call	a	doctor	or	seek	immediate	attention.

•	Another	excellent	herbal	remedy	for	reducing	fever	is	a	tea	made	of
coriander	2	parts
Steep	1	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	in	a	cup	of	hot	water	for	10	minutes	before

drinking.	You	can	drink	this	every	few	hours	until	the	fever	breaks.
•	Another	simple	three-ingredient	tea	made	of	household	herbs	is	this	one:
cumin	seeds
coriander	seeds
fennel	seeds
Mix	seeds	in	equal	proportions.	Use	1	teaspoon	of	your	mixture	in	a	cup	of	boiling
water;	steep	for	10	minutes,	strain,	and	drink.
GRAPE	JUICE	WITH	HERBS
.	Grapes	are	cooling.	Into	a	cup	of	grape	juice	add	½	teaspoon	cumin,	½
teaspoon	fennel,	and	½	teaspoon	sandalwood	powder,	and	drink.	This	will	help	to	relieve
fever.
AVOID	 COLD	 DRINKS
.	When	you	have	a	fever,	it’s	best	not	to	drink	anything	cold.	Use	the
lemongrass-tulsi-fennel	tea	mentioned	above,	or	any	of	the	other	herbal	suggestions.	Any
hot	tea	will	help	to	kindle	the	body’s	digestive	fire	(agni)	and	burn	the	ama	
(toxins).	Again,
fever	is	a	sign	of	ama	in	the	system;	once	the	ama	is	burned	out,	the	body’s	temperature
will	come	back	to	normal.
If	the	Fever	Is	High

If	the	temperature	is	high,	prepare	a	bowl	of	cool	water	into	which	you	have	added	1
teaspoon	of	salt.	Fold	two	pieces	of	clean	cloth	(such	as	handkerchiefs),	dip	them	into
the	water,	and	put	one	on	the	forehead	and	one	over	the	belly	button.	Repeat	as
needed.	This	will	bring	down	the	temperature	quickly.
If	you	can	get	
maha	sudarshan	churna
	from	an	Ayurvedic	pharmacy,	take	½	teaspoon
twice	a	day	with	warm	water.	This	formula	will	bring	down	any	kind	of	fever.
If	the	person	with	high	fever	has	a	pitta	constitution,	there	may	be	a	danger	of
febrile	convulsions.	To	help	relieve	this	condition,	make	a	slight	modification	of	the
procedure	described	above.	Grate	an	onion	and	wrap	half	in	one	of	the	damp
handkerchiefs,	the	other	half	in	the	second	handkerchief.	Place	on	the	forehead	and
belly	button,	as	above.
The	belly	is	the	seat	of	pitta,	and	the	onion	will	help	absorb	the	pitta.	Tears	will

come	to	the	eyes,	the	convulsions	will	stop,	and	the	temperature	will	come	down.	If
this	procedure	doesn’t	bring	the	fever	down,	see	a	doctor.

STAY	PUT
.	It	is	not	a	good	idea	to	exercise	or	to	travel	when	you	have	a	fever.	If	you	do	get	a
fever	when	on	a	journey,	follow	any	of	the	above	recommendations	that	you	can;	if
possible,	take	
	(½	teaspoon	with	a	little	warm	water).
FOR	CHRONIC	FEVER
.	Make	a	tea	of	1	teaspoon	holy	basil	(
tulsi
)	steeped	in	1	cup	hot	water.	Add	¼
teaspoon	black	pepper	and	1	teaspoon	honey.	Take	this	2	or	3	times	a	day.
•	Another	excellent	formula	to	bring	down	chronic	fever	is	½	teaspoon	
churna
	mixed	with	1	teaspoon	
	(bitter	ghee).	Take	this	3	times	a	day	on	an	empty
stomach.
	
Fibrocystic	Breast	Disease
	
According	to	Ayurvedic	principles,	fibrocystic	breast	disease	is	a	kapha	disorder.	Excess
kapha	builds	up,	leading	to	congestion,	enlargement	of	the	breasts,	tenderness,	and
development	of	fibrocystic	tissue.
.	To	help	reduce	the	accumulation	of	kapha,	apply	1	teaspoon	of	warm	castor

oil	to	the	breasts,	and	gently	massage	from	inside	to	outside,	that	is,	from	the	breastbone
toward	the	armpits.	Do	this	gentle	massage	before	taking	a	warm	shower.	Or	you	can	do	a
soap	massage	of	the	breasts	during	your	shower,	again	massaging	from	the	center	of	your
chest	outward.
Massaging	the	breasts	in	this	way	will	improve	the	circulation	of	the	mastic	tissue	and
encourage	lymphatic	drainage	into	the	armpits;	in	this	way,	fibrocystic	changes	can	be
minimized.
This	massage	will	also	take	care	of	tenderness	in	the	breasts.	(See	“
”	for	more
suggestions.)
EFFECTIVE	HERBAL	REMEDY
.	To	help	prevent	fibrocystic	breasts,	use	the	following	herbal	formula:
chitrak	2	parts
This	herbal	combination	(½	teaspoon	twice	a	day)	will	help	to	prevent	the
accumulation	of	kapha	in	the	breast	that	leads	to	the	development	of	fibrocystic
tissue.
KAPHA-REDUCING	DIET

tissue.
.	As	fibrocystic	breasts	are	due	to	excess	kapha,	you	will	find	it	helpful	to
follow	the	kapha-reducing	diet.	Avoid	dairy	products,	cold	food	and	drink,	heavy	meats,
wheat,	and	all	sweets	except	honey.	(See	dietary	guidelines	in	
chapter	8
.)
.	Doing	some	yoga	postures	daily	will	be	helpful.	Include	the	Locust,	Bow,	Boat,
Spinal	Twist,	and	Shoulder	Stand	in	your	“routine”	of	postures.	(See	
appendix	4
	for

illustrations.)
	
See	also	“
Allergies
”
To	deal	effectively	with	food	allergies	and	minimize	their	negative	impact	on	your	life,
begin	by	making	a	list	of	foods	you	appear	to	be	allergic	to.	You	will	usually	find,	according
to	Ayurvedic	dietetics,	that	you	have	reactions	to	foods	with	the	same	doshic	quality	as	your
constitution,	particularly	if	you	have	an	excess	of	that	quality	at	the	present	time.
DETERMINING	YOUR	FOOD	ALLERGY	TYPE
The	following	descriptions	should	help	you	determine	the	type	of	food	allergy	you	have.
•	Kapha-type	individuals,	with	excess	kapha	in	their	system,	will	be	allergic	to	kapha
foods,	including	dairy	products	such	as	milk,	yogurt,	and	cheese;	wheat;	cucumber;	and
watermelon.	Their	food	allergies	may	manifest	as	heaviness	in	the	stomach,	slow	digestion,
sleeping	disorders,	colds,	congestion,	cough,	or	water	retention.	In	more	serious	conditions
kapha	food	allergies	may	lead	to	bronchial	congestion	and	kapha-type	asthma.

•	Pitta	individuals,	whose	systemic	pitta	is	unduly	high,	will	show	allergic	reactions	to
such	high-pitta	foods	as	hot,	spicy	dishes;	citrus	fruits;	sour	fruits;	tomatoes;	potatoes;
eggplant;	and	fermented	foods.	Their	symptoms	are	likely	to	include	heartburn,	acid
indigestion,	stomach	upset,	nausea,	and	even	vomiting.	The	person	may	suddenly	get	hot
flashes,	and	may	have	bloodshot	eyes.
•	Vata	individuals,	especially	when	vata	is	in	excess,	are	prone	to	get	allergies	to	raw
foods;	beans	(black	beans,	adzuki	beans,	pinto	beans,	and	so	on)	and	certain	animal
proteins.	Vata	food	allergies	are	likely	to	manifest	as	bloating	of	the	stomach,	burping,	gas,
gurgling	of	the	stomach,	and	vague	abdominal	discomfort	and	pain.	It	may	also	lead	to
insomnia	and	nightmares,	pain	in	the	joint,	sciatica,	muscle	twitching,	and	muscle	spasms.
So	food	allergies	need	to	be	studied	according	to	an	individual’s	
prakruti

prakruti
	(constitution)
and	
vikruti
	(current	status	of	the	doshas).
TREATMENT
The	best	approach	is	simply	to	avoid	the	problematic	food	items	and	to	follow	the	diet
appropriate	for	your	body	type.	For	example,	a	vata	person	having	vata-type	food	allergies
should	avoid	a	vata-provoking	diet	and	should	eat	vata-pacifying	foods.	The	same	is	true	for
pitta	and	kapha.	(See	the	diet	recommendations	in	
chapter	8
.)
Here	are	some	additional	suggestions	for	each	of	the	three	main	types	of	food	allergy.
FOR	VATA-TYPE	FOOD	ALLERGIES
.	An	effective	way	to	help	bring	vata	food	allergies	under	control	is	to
take	a	
dashamoola	basti
	(enema)	twice	a	week,	such	as	on	Sunday	and	Thursday.	Boil	up	1

pint	of	water	with	1	tablespoon	of	
,	and	use	the	resulting	tea	(after	it	cools
down)	for	the	enema.	Try	to	retain	the	liquid	at	least	10	minutes.	(For	more	on	enemas,	see
appendix	3
.)	This	herbal	enema	will	help	to	pacify	vata	and	remove	toxicity	from	the	colon,
and	vata-type	
food	allergies	can	be	minimized.	Continue	taking	the	
	enema
twice	a	week	for	one	month.
Drinking	licorice	tea	made	from	½	teaspoon	licorice	root	powder,	½	teaspoon	honey,	and
1	teaspoon	ghee	can	also	be	helpful.	Sip	a	little	of	the	tea	every	half	hour	to	an	hour
throughout	the	day	until	symptoms	are	relieved.	Don’t	forget	to	add	the	honey	only	after
the	tea	starts	to	cool;	honey	should	never	be	cooked.	
Note:
	People	with	high	blood	pressure
should	not	drink	licorice	tea.	Substitute	½	teaspoon	cinnamon	and	2	to	3	cloves	for	the
licorice,	and	make	the	tea	as	above.
FOR	 PITTA	 FOOD	 ALLERGIES
.	To	control	pitta	food	allergies,	it	is	helpful	to	do	
virechana	chikitsa

(purgation).	Take	1	teaspoon	of	
amalaki
	or	
	(psyllium	husks)	at	night.	Add	the
herbs	to	1	cup	of	hot	water,	let	it	stand	for	10	to	15	minutes,	and	drink.	Stagnation	of	pitta
in	the	small	intestine	is	the	root	cause	of	a	pitta-type	food	allergy.	Purgation	therapy	clears
away	the	pitta	so	that	the	allergy	can	be	brought	under	control.	Continue	with	
virechana
daily	for	a	month,	or	until	the	allergy	subsides.
You	will	also	find	it	helpful	to	eat	cooked	apples.	Peel	and	core	a	couple	of	apples,	cook
them	a	few	minutes	to	soften	them,	and	mash	them	up	with	a	pinch	of	cumin	and	1
teaspoon	ghee.	Eat	about	½	cup	once	or	twice	daily,	at	least	an	hour	before	or	after	meals.
FOR	KAPHA	FOOD	ALLERGIES
.	The	Ayurvedic	purification	known	as	
vamana
	(vomiting)	will	be	helpful.
Every	Sunday	(or	at	least	for	a	couple	of	weeks)	in	the	early	morning,	drink	2	pints	of	salt

water.	Add	2	teaspoons	of	salt	to	2	pints	of	water,	drink	it	down,	and	then	try	to	vomit	it
out.	(Rubbing	the	back	part	of	your	tongue	until	you	get	a	“gag”	reflex	will	help.)	This
purification	process	will	remove	a	lot	of	excess	mucus	from	the	stomach	and	help	to	clear	up
food	allergies.
If	vomiting	doesn’t	take	place,	don’t	worry	about	it;	the	remaining	salty	water	won’t	hurt
you.	It	will	simply	go	through	your	system	and	will	actually	have	some	beneficial	cleansing
effect.
NOTE
:	Many	people	feel	a	lot	of	fear	or	discomfort	with	the	idea	or	the	actuality	of
vomiting.	If	you	feel	this	way,	do	not	force	yourself	to	do	this	purification.	Do
vamana
	only	if	it	is	comfortable	for	you	to	do	so.
Kaphas	should	also	fast	on	Sunday.	The	fasting	is	important;	it	will	help	cleanse	the
system.
Make	a	tea	out	of	½	teaspoon	licorice	root	powder,	¼	teaspoon	cinnamon,	and	½

system.
teaspoon	coriander.	Steep	in	1	cup	of	water	for	10	minutes,	strain,	and	sip	a	little	of	the	tea
throughout	the	day,	about	an	ounce	every	half	hour	to	an	hour.	Again,	people	with	high
blood	pressure	should	not	drink	licorice	tea.	Substitute	½	teaspoon	cinnamon	and	2	to	3
cloves	for	the	licorice.
FOR	ALL	FOOD	ALLERGIES
.	If	you	don’t	know	whether	the	allergy	is	vata,	pitta,	or	kapha,	then	try

this	simple	remedy	that	is	effective	for	all	types:	Roast	some	cumin,	fennel,	and	white
sesame	seeds,	and	eat	a	handful	after	meals.
To	prepare	the	mixture,	take	one	ounce	of	each	kind	of	seed,	and	dry-roast	it	
separately
(one	type	at	a	time)	on	a	heavy	cast-iron	pan.	You	will	have	to	stir	the	seeds	constantly	to
keep	them	from	burning.	The	fennel	takes	a	few	minutes,	the	others	only	about	a	minute	or
two	before	they	become	fragrant	and	slightly	brown.	Put	the	seeds	together,	add	about	½
teaspoon	rock	salt	(don’t	use	sea	salt),	and	mix	it	all	up.	Store	in	a	glass	jar.
Chewing	a	little	of	this	mixture	after	eating	any	food	will	aid	digestion	and	help	prevent
any	kind	of	food	allergy.
	
Frequent	Urination
	
See	“
,”	“
Prostate	Problems
,”	and	“
”
	
Frequent	Urination	During	Pregnancy
	
Frequent	urination	during	pregnancy	is	an	entirely	natural	phenomenon.	When	the	uterus

becomes	enlarged	due	to	the	growth	of	the	fetus	in	the	womb,	it	creates	pressure	on	the
bladder.	The	bladder	hasn’t	got	sufficient	space	to	accumulate	urine	and	expand,	so	just	a
little	accumulation	stimulates	the	desire	for	relief.
If	frequent	urination	disturbs	the	woman’s	sleep,	this	is	not	good,	as	she	needs	her	rest.
Ayurveda	suggests	this	simple	home	remedy:	Eat	a	handful	of	white	sesame	seeds	with
about	½	teaspoon	of	jaggery	or	natural	brown	sugar.	This	mixture	will	pacify	vata	dosha;
by	soothing	vata,	it	prevents	the	excess	stimulation	that	contracts	the	bladder.	In	this	way,
frequent	urination	during	pregnancy	can	be	corrected.
Additional	suggestions:
•	Don’t	drink	anything	for	at	least	2	hours	before	going	to	bed.
•	Don’t	drink	anything	with	caffeine,	such	as	coffee,	tea,	or	cola,	especially	in	the

evening.	Caffeine	is	a	diuretic	(it	promotes	urination)	and	is	exactly	what	you	don’t	need	if
you	want	to	counteract	frequent	urination.
•	For	further	recommendations,	see	“
.”
	
Frigidity
	
See	“
Low	Libido
”

Gallstones
	
Gallstones	are	a	kapha	disorder	associated	with	underactive	thyroid	and	slow	metabolism.
Gallstones	begin	with	stagnation	of	bile	in	the	gallbladder.	The	bile	becomes	thick,
accumulates,	coagulates,	and	slowly	leads	to	stone	formation.
Prevention	of	gallstones,	and	what	to	do	when	gallstones	are	present,	are	two	different
lines	of	treatment.	First	let’s	consider	what	to	do	when	gallstones	have	already	developed.
TO	ALLEVIATE	THE	PAIN
.	In	general,	gallstones	are	not	painful.	They	may	remain	in	the	gallbladder
for	a	long	time	without	causing	any	pain;	indeed,	you	will	not	know	they	are	there.	Pain
occurs	when	the	gallbladder	tries	to	push	the	stones	out	of	the	gallbladder	through	the	bile
duct.
To	reduce	pain,	put	a	warm	castor	oil	pack	on	your	abdomen.	Castor	oil	produces	a	slow,
sustained	heat	that	is	soothing	and	healing.	Warm	up	about	3	tablespoons	of	castor	oil	and
pour	it	onto	a	handkerchief	or	
other	soft	cloth,	spreading	it	equally	on	the	cloth.	Place	this

compress	on	the	abdomen	above	the	gallbladder	(on	the	right	side	of	your	abdomen,	above
the	line	of	your	navel	and	below	the	ribs).	If	you	have	a	hot	water	bottle,	you	may	place	it
on	top	of	the	pack	to	keep	it	warm.	(Electric	heating	pads	are	not	recommended.)
FOR	ACUTE	ATTACK
.	During	an	acute	gallstone	attack,	use	this	herbal	formula:
musta	4	parts
trikatu	3	parts
guduchi	6	parts
Take	¼	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	2	or	3	times	a	day	with	honey.	It	will	reduce	the
pain	and	ease	the	gallbladder	attack.
LIVER	FLUSH	TO	ELIMINATE	THE	GALLSTONE
.	When	the	pain	is	gone,	you	can	do	a	liver	flush	to	wash	out
the	gallstone.	This	liver	flush	should	not	be	done	if	the	stone	is	large,	
so	before	doing	the
treatment	it	is	vital	to	get	an	ultrasound	report	on	the	exact	size	of	the	gallstone	and	consult	with
your	physician	about	using	the	treatment
.	If	it	is	a	small	and	recently	formed	stone,	this

treatment	will	help.	If	it	is	quite	large,	such	as	3	to	4	mm.	in	diameter,	then	the	flushing
treatment	will	not	be	good.
T
IME	TO
	S
EE	THE
	D
OCTOR
IMPORTANT
:	This	liver-flushing	treatment	should	
not
	be	done	without	the	approval	and
guidance	of	your	physician	or	the	direct	supervision	of	an	Ayurvedic	physician.
Otherwise,	you	may	damage	the	gallbladder	and	experience	dangerous
complications.
Combine	8	ounces	olive	oil,	4	ounces	lemon	juice,	a	chopped	fresh	garlic	clove,	and	¼
teaspoon	cayenne	pepper.	Drink	this	entire	mixture	in	the	early	morning	(at	about	six
o’clock)	on	an	empty	stomach.	Don’t	eat	anything	until	at	least	noon.	If	you	feel	thirsty,

drink	hot	water	or	a	little	lime	juice.
The	treatment	is	a	shock	to	the	gallbladder,	which	contracts	and	squeezes	the	gallstone(s)
out	into	the	duodenum.
That	night,	take	½	teaspoon	of	
triphala
	with	warm	water.	The	next	day	you	will	pass
some	green	stuff	in	the	stools.	This	is	thick,	coagulated	bile	containing	the	gallstone
crystals.
PREVENTION	 OF	 GALLSTONES
.	In	order	to	prevent	gallstone	formation,	one	has	to	improve	both
thyroid	function	and	metabolism.	In	general,	the	following	formula	is	effective:
This	mixture	(¼	teaspoon	3	times	a	day	with	honey),	taken	regularly	for	2	to	3
months,	will	help	to	prevent	gallstone	formation.
.	Several	yoga	
asanas
	are	beneficial	for	prevention	of	gallstones.	The	Bow	pose,
Peacock	pose,	Spinal	Twist,	and	Narayan	pose	(lying	on	the	left	side)	will	help	to	empty	the
gallbladder.	(For	illustrations	
of	yoga	postures,	see	
appendix	4

appendix	4
.)	These	postures	will
improve	circulation	in	the	gallbladder,	helping	to	prevent	the	crystallization	process.
DIET
.	Stay	away	from	deep-fried	food,	dairy	products	such	as	yogurt	and	cheese,	and	all	fatty
foods,	especially	animal	fat	and	any	saturated	fat.	These	accelerate	coagulation	of	bile	into
gallstones.
	
Gas	and	Flatulence
	
No	one	under	the	sun	is	exempt	from	flatulence.	Every	person	at	some	time	or	another	gets
gases	and	disturbances	in	the	colon.
We	are	all	vulnerable	to	this	condition	for	several	reasons.	First,	the	colon	is	the	main
seat	of	vata	dosha,	the	dosha	that	is	derived	from	ether	and	air.	If	vata	increases	in	the
colon,	due	to	eating	vata-aggravating	foods,	cold	weather,	anxiety,	insomnia,	and	other
factors,	gases	may	build	up.	Also,	whenever	we	eat	anything,	we	swallow	a	small	amount
of	air,	which	increases	vata.	And	any	food	we	eat	undergoes	slight	fermentation,	which

produces	gases.	These	gases,	in	the	segmented	colon,	create	flatulence,	distension,	and
Here	are	some	effective	ways	to	control	flatulence.
GINGER	REMEDY
.	Grate	some	fresh	ginger	root	until	you	have	about	1	teaspoon	of	pulp,	and	add

1	teaspoon	of	lime	juice.	Take	this	mixture	immediately	after	eating.
LEMON	JUICE	REMEDY
.	Another	simple	method	to	reduce	excess	gas	is	to	stir	1	teaspoon	lemon
juice	and	½	teaspoon	baking	soda	into	1	cup	cool	water.	Drink	it	down	quickly,	right	after
meals,	for	best	results!	(It	forms	carbon	dioxide,	which	facilitates	digestion.)
CUMIN-FENNEL-CELERY	 SEED	 MIXTURE
.	Prepare	a	mixture	of	roasted	cumin,	fennel,	and	
ajwan
	seeds
(Indian	celery	seed)	in	equal	proportions.	(See	
this	page
-
this	page
	for	suggested	method	of
preparation	of	roasted	seeds.)	After	each	meal,	take	about	½	to	1	teaspoon	of	this	mixture,
chew	well,	and	swallow	with	about	⅓	cup	warm	water.
CHARCOAL	TABLETS
.	Another	simple	remedy	is	charcoal	tablets,	which	you	can	buy	in	most	health
food	stores.	Swallow	two	tablets	after	lunch	and	dinner.	The	charcoal	absorbs	gases	and
helps	to	prevent	flatulence.
HERBAL	TABLETS
.	Ayurveda	also	suggests	the	herbs	
shankavati
	and	
lasunadivati
.	These	herbs	are

	and	
useful	for	an	aching	stomach	and	are	helpful	to	reduce	flatulence.	Take	1	tablet	(available
from	most	sources	of	Ayurvedic	herbs)	at	night	for	5	days.
DIETARY	GUIDELINES
.	Flatulence	is	mostly	a	vata	condition,	so	following	a	vata-pacifying	diet	can
help	prevent	it.	Avoid	raw	foods,	cold	food	and	drinks,	and	most	beans.	(See	
chapter	8
	for
guidelines.)	Fermented	foods	also	increase	gases	in	the	colon,	so	it’s	best	to	avoid	them.
IRIPHALA
.
	Finally,	it	is	helpful	to	take	the	herbal	compound	
triphala
.	At	night	before	going	to
bed,	steep	½	to	1	teaspoon	
triphala
	
in	a	cup	of	boiling	hot	water	for	5	to	10	minutes,	then
drink	it.
	
Glaucoma
	
Increasing	intraocular	pressure,	due	to	accumulation	of	kapha	dosha	in	the	vitreous	humor
(the	viscous	fluid	inside	the	eyeball),	is	called	glaucoma.	When	glaucoma	is	occurring	in	an

eye,	palpation	will	show	a	tenseness	in	that	eye.	If	pressure	in	the	eye	becomes	high,
headaches	may	occur.	Glaucoma	may	become	a	serious	condition	and	can	cause	blindness,
so	one	has	to	be	very	watchful.
In	persons	who	lift	heavy	weights	(either	at	work	or	for	exercise),	who	strain	in	exercise,
who	have	high	cholesterol	or	high	triglycerides,	or	who	have	diabetes	or	nicotine	toxicity
due	to	smoking,	intraocular	pressure	has	a	tendency	to	increase	and	may	lead	to	glaucoma.
If	upon	examination	by	an	eye	doctor	it	is	determined	that	you	have	higher	than	normal
intraocular	pressure,	these	remedies	may	be	helpful.
AN	 HERBAL	 REMEDY
.	In	earlier	stages	of	glaucoma,	Ayurveda	treats	this	problem	with	the
following	formula,	which	will	help	to	relieve	the	tension	in	the	eye:

Boil	1	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	in	a	cup	of	water	for	a	few	minutes	to	make	a	tea.
Drink	twice	a	day.
TRIPHALA
	
TEA	EYEWASH
.	To	relieve	the	tension	in	the	eye,	wash	the	eyeball	with	
triphala
	tea,	which
helps	to	regulate	pressure	in	the	eye.	Boil	½	teaspoon	
triphala
	in	1	cup	water	for	2	minutes,
strain	it	thoroughly	(through	cheesecloth	double-folded,	or	through	a	coffee	filter)	so	that	no
particles	of	
triphala
	remain	in	the	tea,	cool	it	down,	and	wash	the	eye.	(For	more	on	
triphala
,
see	
appendix	2
.)
TREAT	THE	SOURCE	OF	THE	PROBLEM
.	In	addition,	one	has	to	determine	and	then	treat	the	root	cause	of
the	glaucoma.	If	the	problem	is	diabetes,	follow	the	instructions	in	the	section	“Diabetes.”	If
high	blood	pressure	is	the	problem,	then	try	to	regulate	the	blood	pressure	(see
“
Hypertension
”).	If	you	have	high	triglycerides	and	high	cholesterol,	then	you	have	to
control	that	(see	“
”).
REDUCE	KAPHA

”).
.	Follow	a	kapha-pacifying	diet.	Especially	avoid	coffee,	white	sugar,	and	dairy
products.
BE	CAREFUL	OF	 EXERCISE
.	Strictly	avoid	heavy	weightlifting	and	similar	straining.	When	you	do
yoga	postures,	avoid	inverted	poses	such	as	Headstand	and	Shoulder	Stand.
	
Gum	Disease
	
See	also	“
”
Gum	disease	includes	receding	gums,	bleeding	gums,	gingivitis,	and	swollen	gums.	From	an
Ayurvedic	perspective,	excess	vata	dosha	leads	to	receding	gums,	while	pitta	dosha	is
responsible	for	bleeding	gums,	gingivitis,	and	swollen	gums.
FOR	GENERAL	CARE
.	For	general	cleaning	of	the	teeth	and	caring	for	the	gums,	Ayurvedic	dentistry
recommends	the	use	of	certain	bitter	and	astringent	herbs,	particularly	
neem
,	which	is
bitter,	and	
,	and	
bilva
,	which	are	all	astringent.	You	can	make	an	excellent
cleanser	for	brushing	your	teeth	by	mixing	the	powdered	form	of	these	herbs.	You	can	use
neem

neem
	plus	any	one	of	the	other	three,	mixed	in	equal	proportions.
Rinsing	your	mouth	with	a	tea	made	from	these	herbs	is	also	beneficial.
You	can	also	buy	any	one	of	several	commercial	toothpastes	with	
neem
	and	other
Ayurvedic	herbs	in	natural	food	stores	or	by	mail	order	(see	
Resources
).
FOR	RECEDING	GUMS
.	Receding	gums	expose	the	roots	of	the	teeth,	and	then	both	the	gums	and
teeth	become	sensitive	to	cold	and	more	susceptible	to	infection.	To	help	with	this	problem,
take	a	mouthful	of	warm	sesame	oil,	and	swish	it	around	in	your	mouth	for	about	3	minutes
before	going	to	bed.	Then	massage	your	gums	with	your	index	finger.	It	is	better	not	to

rinse	with	water	afterward;	leave	the	oil	residue	in	your	mouth.
FOR	BLEEDING	GUMS	AND	GINGIVITIS
.	
Triphala
	tea	is	effective	for	gingivitis	and	bleeding	gums.	
Triphala
has	astringent	qualities,	and	it	is	a	hemostatic—that	is,	it	stops	bleeding.	Gargling	and
swishing	the	mouth	with	
triphala
	tea	are	helpful	for	both	gingivitis	and	bleeding	gums.
•	One	cup	orange	juice	with	½	teaspoon	natural	sugar	and	a	pinch	of	cumin	will	help
•	Drink	the	juice	of	½	lemon	squeezed	into	a	cupful	of	water.
•	Raw	apples	are	also	beneficial.	Eating	a	raw	apple	about	an	hour	after	meals	helps	to
clean	the	teeth	and	heal	the	gums.	Pears	are	also	effective.
•	Eat	some	melon,	chewing	it	slowly.	(Again,	at	least	an	hour	after	meals.)
•	Try	eating	about	10	to	20	raspberries	2	or	3	times	a	day	on	an	empty	stomach.	(Don’t
combine	them	with	any	dairy	products.)
•	Massaging	the	gums	with	coconut	oil	can	also	help	heal	gingivitis	and	bleeding	gums.
FOR	INFECTED	GUMS

.	Tea	tree	oil	is	effective	for	painful	infected	gums,	as	is	clove	oil.	Both	help	to
reduce	pain	and	heal	the	infection.	All	you	need	is	one	drop	of	tea	tree	or	clove	oil	directly
at	the	site	of	the	pain.	A	small	piece	of	natural,	edible	camphor	will	also	take	care	of	pain
in	the	gums.	(Do	not	use	synthetic	camphor;	it	is	poisonous.)
•	Dental	floss	with	tea	tree	oil	will	take	care	of	infected	pockets	in	the	gums	below	the
gumline.	Some	dental	floss	treated	with	tea	tree	oil	is	available	commercially;	otherwise,
just	dip	the	floss	in	the	oil	prior	to	flossing.
	
In	Ayurveda,	hair	(along	with	nails)	is	considered	to	be	a	by-product	of	bone	formation.	The
dhatu
	or	tissue	responsible	for	building	bones	(
asthi
)	also	gives	rise	to	the	
hair.	(For	an
explanation	of	the	
dhatus
,	please	see	
this	page
.)
Thus,	proper	nutrition	of	the	bones	is	necessary	for	healthy	growth	of	your	hair.	If	you

.)
don’t	completely	absorb	calcium	and	magnesium,	for	example,	not	only	will	your	bones	be
adversely	affected,	but	your	hair	may	become	brittle,	develop	split	ends,	break	easily,	and
even	begin	to	fall	out.
It	is	important	to	note	that	if	your	hair	
is
	unhealthy,	it	may	be	an	indication	that	you	are
not	absorbing	these	minerals	effectively;	this	suggests	that	the	health	of	your	bones	will	be
—or	may	already	be—adversely	affected.	So	the	health	of	your	hair	(as	well	as	your	nails)
is	a	good	indicator	of	the	health	of	your	bones.
The	following	Ayurvedic	secrets	of	healthy	hair	will	help	you	keep	your	hair’s	natural
strength	and	luster.
PROPER	DIET
.	Healthy	hair	depends	first	upon	eating	nutritious	food.	Dairy	products	such	as
cheese,	milk,	and	freshly	prepared	yogurt	are	good	for	bones	and	hair,	as	are	white	radish
and	daikon.	Coconut,	cooked	apples,	and	cabbage	are	also	beneficial.

TAKE	A	MINERAL	SUPPLEMENT
.	You	can	improve	the	condition	of	your	hair	(and	also	strengthen	your
bones)	by	taking	supplements	of	calcium,	magnesium,	zinc,	and	other	minerals.	An	effective
formula	will	contain	a	daily	dose	of	about
calcium
1,200	mg.
magnesium
600	mg.
zinc
60	mg.
Oil	Massage	for	Hair	Health	and	Beauty
Rubbing	a	little	oil	on	your	scalp	is	beneficial	for	your	hair.	
Amla
	oil,	
	oil,	and
brahmi
	oil	are	all	cooling,	are	quite	favorable	for	healthy	growth	of	your	hair,	and	help
maintain	the	hair’s	natural	luster.	These	oils	are	fine	for	all	body	types.	(Please	see
instructions	on	how	to	prepare	these	oils	in	
appendix	2
.)
Before	going	to	bed,	rub	2	teaspoons	of	the	oil	onto	your	hair.	Note	that	the	object
here	is	to	apply	the	oil	to	the	
scalp
,	not	the	hair.	Gently	massaging	the	scalp	improves
circulation	at	the	root	of	the	hair	and	thus	increases	the	supply	of	nourishing	minerals
that	support	the	roots.

First	pour	the	oil	into	a	small	dish.	(You	may	wish	to	warm	it	up	a	little.)	Dip	your
fingertips	into	the	oil,	and	then	run	your	fingers	through	your	hair,	with	the	intention
of	getting	the	oil	to	the	scalp,	not	oiling	the	hair.	
Gently
	massage	from	the	center	of
your	scalp	(the	crown	of	your	head)	down	toward	your	ears.	A	rough	or	rapid
application	may	disturb	the	roots	of	your	hair.
SESAME	SEEDS
.	Every	morning,	eat	a	handful	of	white	sesame	seeds.	One	handful	of	sesame
seeds	contains	about	1,200	mg.	of	calcium	and	magnesium	and	promotes	healthy	growth	of
your	hair.
COCONUT	WATER	FOR	CALCIUM
.	Drinking	coconut	water	(the	“juice”	inside	the	fresh	coconut)	also
helps	to	provide	essential	calcium	for	hair	growth.	You	can	have	½	cup	a	day.	Drinking
coconut	milk	(made	from	coconut	“meat”	blended	in	water)	is	also	helpful,	but	is	a	second
choice.
NOTE
:	If	you	have	high	cholesterol,	you	may	not	want	to	use	so	much	coconut,	as

choice.
NOTE
coconut	is	high	in	saturated	fat,	which	increases	cholesterol	in	the	blood.
STIMULATE	YOUR	HAIR	BY	COMBING
.	Gently	combing	your	hair	with	a	comb,	a	little	in	the	opposite
direction	of	its	natural	tendencies,	helps	to	improve	the	circulation	at	the	root	of	the	hair

and	will	make	your	hair	healthier.
Vigorous	brushing	of	the	hair	is	not	recommended.
YOGA	FOR	YOUR	HAIR
.	Several	yoga	postures	are	effective	for	relieving	pressure	and	tension	in	the
neck,	which	will	increase	circulation	to	the	scalp.	These	include	the	Shoulder	Stand;	the
Camel,	Cobra,	and	Cow	poses;	and	the	Spinal	Twist.
NOTE
:	For	strategies	to	combat	hair	loss,	see	“
Baldness
.”
	
Hangover
	
The	effects	of	overconsumption	of	alcohol—headache,	dullness,	inability	to	focus	the	mind
clearly,	nausea,	dizziness,	and	so	on—are	all	symptoms	of	excess	pitta.	Drinking	too	much
alcohol	may	become	toxic	to	the	stomach	and	liver,	which	triggers	pitta	and	can	eventually
lead	to	serious	illness.
The	following	recommendations	will	help	you	get	over	the	effects	of	drinking	too	much
alcohol	the	night	before	and	will	help	restore	normal	functioning.
•	Drink	a	glass	of	water	with	about	1	teaspoon	lime	juice,	½	teaspoon	sugar,	and	a	pinch

of	salt	added.	Just	before	drinking,	add	½	teaspoon	baking	soda.	This	will	immediately	take
care	of	pitta	aggravation,	and	you	will	feel	much	better.
•	A	glass	of	fresh	orange	juice	with	1	teaspoon	lime	juice	and	a	pinch	of	cumin	powder
can	help	with	both	alcohol	and	drug-induced	hangover.
•	If	you	are	feeling	drowsy	and	dull,	with	an	aching	head,	a	burning	stomach	and	no
appetite,	try	a	cup	of	cool	lassi.	Blend	1	tablespoon	of	fresh	yogurt	with	1	cup	of	water	and
a	pinch	of	cumin	powder.	Drink	this	3	or	4	times	in	the	day.	It	will	be	effective	to	prevent
dehydration,	relieve	nausea,	and	soothe	the	burning	in	your	stomach.
•	You	can	also	use	this	herbal	formula:
Take	½	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	2	or	3	times	in	a	day.	Put	it	on	your	tongue,	and
wash	down	with	warm	water.

•	Most	of	the	time,	drinking	coconut	water	(the	natural	liquid	inside	the	coconut)	is
beneficial	for	hangover.
•	Doing	
nasya
	with	
	oil	or	
brahmi
	ghee	may	also	be	effective.	(Instructions	for
preparing	medicated	oils	and	ghee	are	in	
appendix	2
.	To	buy	them	already	prepared,	see
Resources
.	Guidelines	for	
nasya
	appear	in	
appendix	3
.)
•	The	herbal	compound	
tikta
	is	an	effective	antidote	for	alcohol	toxicity.	If	you	take	½
teaspoon	of	the	powder	3	times	during	the	day	that	you	need	it,	washed	down	with	warm

water,	it	should	take	care	of	the	hangover.	If	you	cannot	locate	
tikta
,	you	may	substitute
aloe	vera,	myrrh,	or	
sudharshan
.
	
Headaches
	
Headaches	are	a	very	complex	phenomenon.	Ayurveda	speaks	a	great	deal	about	the
etiological	factors	behind	headaches	and	the	many	ways	headaches	manifest.
Generally,	headaches	are	classified	as	vata	type,	pitta	type,	and	kapha	type.	In	vata
individuals,	fear,	anxiety,	stress,	nervousness,	constipation,	and	physical	overactivity	can
aggravate	systemic	vata,	which	can	go	into	the	skeletal,	muscular,	or	nervous	system	and
cause	headaches.	Vata-caused	headaches	will	tend	to	be	in	the	occipital	area	(the	back	of
the	head)	or	on	the	left	side.
In	pitta	individuals,	acid	indigestion,	hyperacidity,	acidic	pH	of	the	saliva	and	stomach,
excess	pitta	in	the	intestine	and	colon,	and	getting	overheated,	as	well	as	a	diet	high	in
pitta-provoking	food,	can	create	a	headache.	That	headache	will	be	more	in	the	temple	or
temporal	area.

Because	of	a	kapha-producing	diet,	systemic	kapha	in	the	stomach	increases,	enters	into
the	general	circulation,	and	can	lodge	in	the	sinuses	and	create	kapha-type	sinus	headaches.
Kapha	headaches	tend	to	be	more	in	the	frontal	and	nasal	areas	of	the	head.
Headaches	can	also	be	due	to	ear	problems,	eye	problems,	insomnia,	food	allergies,
exposure	to	cold	temperatures,	tension	in	the	neck,	or	working	too	long	(for	instance,	in
front	of	a	computer)	in	a	wrong	position.	Even	using	two	pillows	below	the	head	for
sleeping	can	cause	headaches.
Clearly	the	causes	are	extremely	varied.	Remember	that	in	Ayurveda,	treatment	is
determined	by	the	specifics	of	each	situation.	Thus	in	order	to	successfully	treat	your
headache	you	need	to	know	as	much	as	possible	about	its	cause.
FOR	VATA-TYPE	HEADACHES
These	headaches	are	in	the	back	(occipital)	portion	of	the	head.	They	are	characterized	by
throbbing,	pulsating,	migrating	pain	that	radiates	from	the	back	of	the	head	and	may	go	to

the	front.	A	vata	headache	may	be	associated	with	tension	in	the	neck	and	shoulder
muscles,	back	stiffness,	constipation,	and	sciatica.	This	kind	of	headache	is	aggravated	by
high	altitude.	It	gets	worse	when	you	move	your	body	and	subsides	when	you	rest.
WARM	WATER	ENEMA
.	Vata	headaches	are	often	due	to	toxins	accumulated	in	the	colon.	Ayurveda
recommends	using	a	warm	water	enema	to	relieve	any	constipation	and	taking	
triphala
	(½
teaspoon	at	night	with	½	to	1	cup	warm	water)	over	several	weeks	to	systematically
detoxify	the	colon.
OIL	ENEMA
.	Probably	the	best	way	to	pacify	vata	is	by	oil	
basti
	(enema).	Half	a	cup	of	warm
sesame	oil	injected	into	the	rectum	and	retained	for	at	least	5	to	10	minutes	helps	to	calm
vata.	(Detailed	instructions	for	
basti
	are	in	
appendix	3
.)

OIL	 MASSAGE
.	For	tension	in	the	neck	and	shoulders,	massage	the	tight	muscles	there	with
sesame	oil.	Then	take	a	hot	shower.
GHEE	NASYA
.	Putting	3	to	5	drops	of	warm	ghee	in	each	nostril	will	help	reduce	vata	and	will	be
effective	for	soothing	your	headache	(see	
appendix	3
).
NIGHTTIME	FOOT	AND	SCALP	MASSAGE
.	Before	you	go	to	sleep	at	night,	rub	some	sesame	oil	gently	on
the	top	of	your	head	and	on	the	soles	of	your	feet.	This	is	one	of	the	most	effective	ways	to
keep	vata	under	control.
IN	CASE	OF	DEHYDRATION
.	Vata	headache	is	frequently	associated	with	dehydration,	especially	if
you	have	just	gone	to	a	higher	altitude.	If	dehydration	has	occurred,	make	some	homemade
dextrosaline:	Mix	1	tablespoon	sugar,	¼	teaspoon	salt,	and	about	10	drops	of	lime	juice	in	a
pint	of	water	and	drink	it.	The	moment	the	dehydration	is	corrected,	a	vata	headache	will
disappear	or	at	least	be	greatly	reduced.
A	SOOTHING	PASTE

.	If,	after	this	treatment,	the	headache	does	not	subside,	then	take	¼	teaspoon
nutmeg	powder	in	your	palm,	and	add	sufficient	water	to	make	a	paste	by	rubbing	your
hands	together.	Apply	the	paste	to	your	forehead.	Leave	it	on	for	about	half	an	hour	and
then	wash	it	off.	This	should	help	to	soothe	a	vata-type	headache.
FOLLOW	THE	VATA-BALANCING	DIET
.	Remember	that	if	you	are	prone	to	vata	headaches	and	other	vata-
related	problems	such	as	constipation	and	insomnia,	following	a	vata-pacifying	diet	will
help	a	lot	(see	
chapter	8
).
FOR	PITTA-TYPE	HEADACHES
.	Pitta	headaches	start	in	the	temple	area	and	go	to	the	central	part	of
the	head.	A	pitta	headache	is	characterized	by	shooting,	burning,	piercing,	or	penetrating
pain,	and	it	is	worsened	by	bright	light,	hot	sun,	or	high	temperatures,	or	by	eating	sour
fruits,	pickles,	or	highly	spicy	food.	It	may	be	associated	with	nausea	and/or	burning	of	the

eyes.	The	person	may	also	become	quite	irritable.	A	pitta	headache	is	often	felt	behind	the
eyes	and	may	be	associated	with	dizziness.
These	headaches	are	related	to	the	stomach	and	intestines.
ALOE	VERA
.	If	you	have	a	pitta-type	headache,	take	2	tablespoons	of	aloe	vera	gel,	up	to	3
times	in	a	day.
A	COOLING	TEA
.	Drinking	cumin-coriander	tea	(equal	amounts	of	each,	about	1	teaspoon	of	the
mixture	per	cup)	can	help	to	relieve	a	pitta-type	headache.	Let	the	tea	cool	to	room
temperature	before	you	drink	it.
A	 COOLING	 PASTE
.	This	cooling	paste	may	help	to	quickly	relieve	a	pitta	headache.	Mix	1
teaspoon	sandalwood	powder	with	sufficient	water	to	make	a	paste,	and	apply	it	to	your
forehead	and/or	temples.	Leave	it	on	your	skin	for	about	half	an	hour,	then	wash	it	off.
SOOTHING	GHEE	
NASYA
.	A	few	drops	of	warm	ghee	placed	in	the	nostrils	will	be	beneficial	for

soothing	a	pitta-type	headache.
EAT	SOMETHING	SWEET
.	Sometimes	a	pitta	headache	responds	quickly	if	you	just	have	something
sweet	to	eat.	Try	a	piece	of	sweet	fruit,	or	some	ice	cream.
NIGHTTIME	MINIMASSAGE
.	At	night,	rub	a	little	
	oil	or	
brahmi
	oil	on	the	soles	of	your	feet
and	on	your	scalp.	Take	precautions	not	to	get	oil	on	your	pillow	and	sheets.
COVER	YOUR	HEAD
.	If	you	have	a	pitta-type	headache—or	are	prone	to	getting	them—don’t	walk
or	work	in	the	sun	without	wearing	a	hat.	A	hat	on	your	head	protects	against	aggravating
pitta	and	helps	to	prevent	the	headache.
FOR	KAPHA-TYPE	HEADACHES
If	your	headache	occurs	in	winter	or	spring,	strikes	in	the	morning	or	evening,	and	gets
worse	when	you	bend	down,	it	is	a	kapha	headache.	It	is	often	associated	with	sinus
congestion	and	clogging	of	the	nose,	and	it	often	accompanies	a	cold	or	a	cough.	It	may	go
along	with	hay	fever	and	other	allergies.	The	pain	of	a	kapha	headache	is	usually	dull	and

deep-seated.	It	starts	in	the	upper	frontal	area	of	the	skull,	moves	down	to	the	forehead,
and	sometimes	comes	down	to	the	sinuses.
EUCALYPTUS	STEAM
.	To	immediately	relieve	a	kapha	headache,	put	10	drops	of	eucalyptus	oil	in
boiled	water,	cover	your	head	with	a	towel,	and	inhale	the	steam.	This	helps	to	relieve	the
congestion	and	often	completely	takes	care	of	the	headache.	Ginger	steam—boiling	fresh
ginger	or	dried	ginger	powder	and	then	inhaling	the	steam—is	also	effective.
USE	THIS	WARMING	PASTE
.	A	warming	ginger	paste	can	be	quite	helpful.	Take	1	teaspoon	ginger
powder,	mix	together	with	sufficient	water	to	form	a	paste,	and	apply	it	to	your	forehead.
You	can	also	put	some	of	the	paste	across	the	bridge	of	your	nose	and	over	your
cheekbones.	A	paste	of	
vacha
	powder	(calamus)	is	also	helpful	and	is	preferable	for	pitta

vacha
individuals,	as	the	ginger	powder	may	burn	their	skin.	Leave	the	paste	on	for	about	half	an
hour,	then	wash	it	off.	
Be	careful	when	washing	off	ginger	paste:
	Avoid	getting	any	in	your
eyes.
NOTE
:	Ginger	paste	can	sometimes	create	a	burning	sensation	on	the	skin,	especially
in	pitta	individuals.	It	is	not	dangerous,	but	if	you	begin	to	feel	an	uncomfortable
burning	feeling,	wash	the	ginger	off	with	warm	water.
A	PASTE	FOR	SINUS	HEADACHES
.	For	sinus	headaches	(usually	related	to	kapha),	make	a	paste	out	of	½
teaspoon	cinnamon	and	sufficient	water,	and	apply	it	locally.
SALTWATER	REMEDY
.	For	some	individuals,	a	kapha-type	headache	can	be	quickly	relieved	by	this
simple	remedy:	Mix	1	teaspoon	warm	water	and	at	least	⅛	teaspoon	salt	to	make	a	thick,
concentrated	solution.	Put	3	to	5	drops	of	this	salt	water	in	each	nostril.	This	greatly	helps

to	drain	and	unclog	the	sinuses	and	relieve	the	headache.
T
IME	TO
	S
EE	THE
	D
OCTOR
Generally	headaches	can	be	relieved	using	Ayurvedic	remedies.	However,	if	you
have	a	headache	that	persists	for	more	than	a	couple	of	days;	if	your	headache	is
accompanied	by	a	fever	or	stiff	neck;	if	you	also	experience	neurological	symptoms
such	as	blurred	vision,	difficulty	with	coordination	or	speech,	memory	loss,
numbness,	or	weakness	in	your	arms	or	legs;	if	you	wake	up	at	midnight	with	a
headache;	or	if	you	are	having	headaches	often	that	seem	to	be	becoming	more
severe,	then	please	see	a	doctor.
YOGA	POSTURES	FOR	HEADACHES
Generally,	a	person	having	headaches	should	do	the	Moon	Salutation.	Certain	yoga	postures
are	also	helpful,	such	as	the	Boat	pose,	Hidden	Lotus,	Bow	pose,	Spinal	Twist,	Palm	Tree
pose,	and	Standing	on	the	Toes.	(For	illustrations	of	yoga	poses	see	
appendix	4
.)	Inverted
poses	such	as	Headstand,	Shoulder	Stand,	and	the	Plow	pose	are	not	recommended.
	
Hearing	Loss

Hearing	is	governed	by	an	aspect	of	vata	known	as	
prana
	vata.	In	older	people,	
prana
	vata
tends	to	get	debilitated,	leading	to	what	is	known	as	conductive	or	nerve	deafness:	The
person	doesn’t	hear	properly	because	the	nerves	become	weak.
To	improve	hearing,	try	the	following	natural	remedies:
TAKE	 YOGARAJ	
GUGGULU
.	This	special	compound	of	Ayurvedic	herbs	pacifies	vata	dosha	and
strengthens	weakened	nerves.	Take	200	mg.	of	this	compound	2	or	3	times	a	day	with	warm
water,	after	meals.	
Yogaraj	 guggulu
	can	be	ordered	in	capsules	from	many	sellers	of
Ayurvedic	herbs.	(see	
Resources
	for	addresses.)
DIET
.	Avoid	vatagenic	foods	such	as	popcorn,	corn	chips,	beans,	raw	vegetables,	and	cold
drinks.	(Guidelines	for	the	vata-balancing	diet	maybe	found	in	
chapter	8
.)
KEEP	OUT	OF	COLD	DRAFTS
.
TRY	GARLIC	OIL

chapter	8
.)
.
.	Pour	about	1	tablespoon	of	sesame	oil	into	a	small	pan,	and	into	it	place	1	clove
of	garlic,	well	chopped.	Cook	till	the	garlic	turns	brown,	then	let	it	cool.	While	cooking,
press	the	garlic	into	the	oil.	This	helps	the	healing	properties	of	the	garlic	ooze	out	and
permeate	the	oil.	The	resulting	mixture,	which	has	an	excellent	fragrance,	is	called	garlic
oil.	Place	5	to	10	drops	(of	body-temperature	oil)	into	the	ear.	This	will	improve	the	hearing
capacity	of	the	auditory	nerve.
NOTE
:	Oil	should	be	used	in	the	ear	only	when	there	is	no	infection.

.	The	following	yoga	postures	may	improve	hearing:	Lion,	Camel,	Cobra,	and
Cow	(see	
appendix	4
).	Alternate	Nostril	breathing	may	also	be	effective	(see	
chapter	6
).
T
IME	TO
	S
EE	THE
	D
OCTOR
Ayurveda	offers	several	recommendations	to	restore	hearing	or	retard	hearing	loss.
However,	if	these	treatment	suggestions	don’t	result	in	any	improvement	after	a
couple	of	months,	or	if	your	hearing	loss	seems	to	be	increasing	rather	than
diminishing,	seek	a	doctor’s	advice.
	
Heart—Ayurvedic	Care
	
According	to	Ayurveda,	the	heart	is	the	seat	of	
prana,	ojas
,	and	mind.	It	is	a	most	vital
organ.	In	fact,	a	person	is	as	old	as	his	or	her	heart.	So	we	have	to	take	good	care	of	this
precious	organ.
If	a	person	has	high	blood	pressure,	high	cholesterol,	and	high	triglycerides,	and	in
addition	lives	a	stressful	life,	that	person	runs	a	great	risk	of	heart	problems.	So	to	keep	the
heart	healthy,	it	is	important	to	control	these	factors	as	much	as	possible.

High	blood	pressure	is	discussed	at	length	in	a	separate	section	(“
”),	as	is
high	cholesterol	(“
”).	 Please	 see	 those	 sections	 for	 more	 complete
recommendations.	A	few	suggestions	follow:
DIET
In	order	to	control	cholesterol	and	triglycerides,	it’s	important	not	to	eat	food	with	a	high
fat	content,	such	as	fatty	fried	food,	ice	cream,	heavy	meats,	and	cheese.	Yogurt	is	also	not
helpful.
EXERCISE
To	keep	your	heart	healthy,	you	need	some	daily	exercise,	though	the	quantity	of	exercise
and	the	degree	of	strenuousness	depend	on	your	age,	level	of	fitness,	and	constitutional
type.	Kaphas	need	the	most	vigorous	exercise,	vatas	the	least,	with	pittas	in	the	middle.	(See
this	page
	for	further	guidelines.)
For	most	people,	walking	at	least	two	
miles	a	day	is	very	beneficial.	Some	more	vigorous

aerobic	cardiovascular	exercise	may	also	be	beneficial,	such	as	fast	walking,	gentle	jogging,
or	jogging	in	place	on	a	trampoline.	(You	don’t	need	to	use	the	large	gymnastic	trampoline;
you	can	use	the	small	variety,	usually	about	3	feet	in	diameter.)
Cholesterol-Reducing	Foods

Some	foods	may	actually	help	to	
reduce
	cholesterol.	These	include:
oatmeal
corn
apples
fresh	fruit	juice,	such	as	orange	or	grapefruit
millet
most	fresh	vegetables
Be	sure	to	include	some	of	these	foods	every	day	in	your	diet	if	you	have	high
STRESS	MANAGEMENT
To	keep	stress	levels	low,	here	are	two	important	recommendations.
DO	SOME	QUIET	MEDITATION
.	Meditation	is	one	of	the	best	ways	to	relax,	dissolve	stress,	and	allow
the	body	to	heal.	By	meditating	for	10	to	20	minutes	twice	a	day,	a	person’s	heart	may	be
healed.	Please	see	
chapter	7
	for	guidelines	on	how	to	meditate.
DO	DAILY	PRACTICE	OF	
SAVASANA
.	
Savasana
	is	the	yogic	rest	pose.	While	lying	quietly,	flat	on	your
back	with	your	arms	by	your	sides,	watch	the	flow	of	your	breath.	Inhale	and	exhale,	inhale
and	exhale.…	You’ll	notice	that	after	exhalation	(and	before	inhalation),	there	is	a	brief,
natural	stop.	Similarly	there	is	a	natural	stop	after	inhalation	and	before	exhalation.	In	that

stop,	stay	naturally	quiet,	silent,	for	just	a	few	seconds.	This	practice	brings	tranquillity	and
rest,	which	are	healing	for	the	heart.	Remain	in	
savasana
	practicing	this	quiet	breathing	for
10	to	15	minutes.
In	addition	to	these	recommendations	for	diet,	exercise,	and	stress	management,	several
other	simple	home	remedies	can	help	keep	your	heart	healthy.
GOLD	WATER
.	Gold	is	healing	for	the	heart.	It	is	good	for	the	coronary	artery	and	is	said	to
gradually	reduce	cholesterol.	For	instructions	on	making	gold	water,	see	
appendix	1
.
HERBS	FOR	YOUR	HEART
.	Certain	Ayurvedic	herbs	are	strengthening	and	healing	to	the	heart.
•	First	is	the	herb	
arjuna
.	Take	½	teaspoon	3	times	a	day	with	honey	and	warm	water.
Arjuna
	does	much	the	same	thing	as	gold:	It	is	a	coronary	vasodilator,	it	protects	the	heart,

Arjuna
it	strengthens	circulation,	and	it	helps	to	maintain	the	tone	and	health	of	the	heart	muscle.
•	Ginger	is	also	important	for	a	healthy	heart.	Make	fresh	ginger	tea	by	boiling	a	little
grated	or	sliced	ginger	in	a	cup	or	two	of	water.	Or	grate	a	little	ginger	and	add	it	to	
your
rice	and/or	your	soup.	Eating	a	little	bit	of	ginger	every	day	will	help	to	prevent	heart

attack.
•	The	following	formula	of	four	Ayurvedic	herbs	is	good	for	the	heart:
punarnava	4	parts
gulwel	sattva	¼	part
Steep	½	teaspoon	of	this	herb	mixture	in	a	cup	of	hot	water	to	make	a	tea.	Drinking
that	tea	twice	a	day	after	lunch	and	dinner	will	help	your	heart.
•	Another	simple	domestic	remedy	to	protect	the	heart	and	keep	it	healthy	is	to	include	a
little	garlic	in	your	diet.	Garlic	reduces	cholesterol,	strengthens	the	circulation,	and	acts	as	a
decongestant.
RUDRAKSHA
.	Rudraksha
,	the	“tears	of	Shiva,”	are	the	dried	seeds	from	the	fruit	of	the	
rudraksha
tree.	An	ancient	story	says	that	when	Lord	Shiva	came	out	of	deep	meditation,	a	few	tears
dropped	from	his	eyes	and	fell	to	earth,	from	which	sprang	up	the	
rudraksha
	tree.	The	seeds
are	good	for	the	heart	both	physically	and	spiritually;	they	are	said	to	be	good	for
meditation	and	for	“opening	the	heart	chakra.”
You	can	wear	a	necklace	of	the	beads	externally,	in	front	of	the	heart.	Or	soak	a

rudraksha
	bead	overnight	in	water	and	drink	the	water	in	the	morning.	Drinking	
rudraksha
water	can	reduce	blood	pressure	and	strengthen	the	heart.
.	
Unless	there	are	acute	heart	problems
,	Ayurveda	suggests	daily	performance	
of
the	set	of	yoga	postures	known	as	
surya	namaskar
,	the	Sun	Salutation.	Do	at	least	6	to	12
cycles	a	day.	That	will	help	to	strengthen	the	health	of	the	heart	and	help	to	prevent	heart
attack.
Ancient	Advice	for	a	Healthy	Heart
Charaka,	one	of	the	ancient	sage-physicians	who	wrote	down	the	principles	and
practices	of	Ayurveda	thousands	of	years	ago,	gave	the	following	advice	for	care	of	the
heart:
“One	who	wishes	to	protect	the	heart,	circulatory	system	and	vital	essence	should
avoid,	above	all	else,	those	causes	leading	to	mental	stress	and	instability.	One	should
regularly	adopt	measures	that	support	the	heart	and	vital	essence,	cleanse	the	blood

vessels,	increase	knowledge	and	calm	the	mind.
“The	practice	of	nonviolence	is	the	best	among	life-promoting	practices,
conservation	of	vital	energy	among	the	strength-promoting,	and	acquisition	of
knowledge	among	the	nourishing	practices.	Control	of	the	sensory	organs	is	best	to

achieve	happiness,	and	knowledge	of	reality	for	pleasure.	Among	all	of	these,	celibacy
is	regarded	as	the	best.
“From	the	heart,	as	the	root,	ten	great	vessels	carry	
ojas
	throughout	the	body.	In	its
importance,	the	heart	is	to	be	regarded	as	the	central	supporting	member	of	a	house.”
T
IME	TO
	S
EE	THE
	D
OCTOR
IMPORTANT
:	If	you	have	any	heart	problems,	or	you	are	over	40,	it	is	wise	to	consult	your
physician	before	beginning	any	new	exercise	program.
If	there	are	heart	problems,	the	Sun	Salutation	may	be	too	strenuous.	In	that	case,
substitute	the	following	postures:	Locust,	Lotus,	Bridge,	Cow,	Camel,	Bow,	and	Cobra	poses,
Forward	Bend,	and	Standing	on	One	Leg—the	Palm	Tree	pose.	(Illustrations	of	yoga
postures	appear	in	
appendix	4
.)
.	A	deep	breathing	exercise	such	as	
	will	also	be	helpful	(see
chapter	6
).
	
Heartburn	and	Acid	Stomach
	
Although	there	are	several	rather	strong	medications	on	the	market	for	heartburn	and	acid

stomach,	these	conditions	are	usually	quite	easy	to	control	with	the	following	natural
Ayurvedic	home	remedies:
ALOE	VERA	GEL
.	Take	2	tablespoons	of	aloe	vera	gel	with	a	pinch	of	baking	soda.	This	will	have
an	immediate	soothing	effect.
INSTANT	EFFERVESCENCE
.	You	might	also	try	this	formula.	Into	1	cup	of	water	add
lime	juice	10	drops
organic	sugar	½	teaspoon
baking	soda	¼	teaspoon
Put	the	baking	soda	into	the	cup	last.	When	you	add	it,	an	effervescent	reaction	will
occur.	Immediately	drink	the	mixture	to	neutralize	heartburn	and	acid	stomach.
PAPAYA	 JUICE
.	For	hyperacidity	and	indigestion,	try	drinking	1	cup	papaya	juice	with	1
teaspoon	organic	sugar	and	2	pinches	cardamom.

NOTE
:	Pregnant	women	should	not	eat	papayas,	which	contain	natural	estrogen	and
may	create	the	danger	of	miscarriage.
.	Generally,	acid	stomach	can	be	controlled	by	a	
pitta-pacifying	diet.
Strictly	avoid	all	hot	spicy	food.	No	pickles,	and	no	fermented	food.	Minimize	or	cut	out
citrus	fruit	and	sour	fruit.	And	avoid	overeating.
T
IME	TO
	S
EE	THE
	D
OCTOR
If	your	heartburn	is	not	helped	by	the	remedies	recommended	in	this	section	or	if	it
occurs	often	for	no	apparent	reason,	you	should	consult	a	doctor.	If	you	feel	you
have	heartburn	and	it	is	accompanied	by	vomiting,	dizziness,	chest	pain	radiating
into	your	neck	or	shoulder,	or	shortness	of	breath,	you	need	help	
immediately:
	You
may	be	having	a	heart	attack.
A	SOOTHING	BREATHING	EXERCISE
.	The	breathing	technique	known	as	
It	is	not	only	cooling	(to	combat	the	excess	pitta)	but	also	stimulates	digestion.
	
Hemorrhoids

According	to	Ayurveda,	there	are	two	basic	kinds	of	hemorrhoids,	associated	with	vata	and
pitta	imbalances.
•	Vata	hemorrhoids	are	small,	dry,	and	irregular	in	shape	and	may	be	accompanied	by
fissures	or	cracking	of	the	anus.	They	are	rough	and	hard	to	the	touch	and	look	like	raisins.
Vata	hemorrhoids	may	become	active	when	the	person	takes	antibiotics	or	does	a	lot	of
cycling	or	physical	exercise.
•	Pitta-type	hemorrhoids	tend	to	get	red,	irritated,	and	inflamed	and	to	bleed.	They	may
look	like	purple	grapes	and	are	painful—sometimes	very	painful—to	the	touch.	When	they
burst,	they	bleed	extensively.
There	are	also	kapha	hemorrhoids,	which	look	like	green	grapes.	They	don’t	bleed,	and
people	generally	live	with	them	without	problems,	so	we	won’t	consider	them	in	this
section.
We	can	also	distinguish	between	“internal”	and	“external”	hemorrhoids.	The	internal	kind

section.
are	usually	of	the	kapha	variety	and	are	more	like	polyps.	They	are	not	painful	and	are
generally	not	problematic.
In	most	cases,	hemorrhoids	can	be	completely	healed	by	Ayurvedic	treatment,	but	one
must	first	understand	the	distinction	between	the	two	basic	problematic	types	in	order	to
treat	them	properly.
EFFECTIVE	TREATMENT	FOR	VATA	HEMORRHOIDS
•	A	person	with	vata	hemorrhoids	should	follow	the	vata-pacifying	diet.	Especially,	it	is

vital	to	keep	away	from	the	nightshade	vegetables—potatoes,	tomatoes,	and	eggplant—all
of	which	aggravate	hemorrhoids.
•	Take	
,	1	tablet	3	times	a	day.
•	Another	helpful	herbal	formula	for	vata-type	hemorrhoids	is	a	combination	of	these
herbs:
hingwastak	⅛	part
dashamoola	2	parts
•	It	is	important	to	keep	the	stools	loose	and	soft,	as	hard	stools	irritate	the	hemorrhoids.
Taking	1	teaspoon	of	
	(psyllium	husks)	with	a	glass	of	warm	milk	at	night	is
beneficial	for	vata	hemorrhoids.
•	Another	way	to	help	keep	the	stools	soft	is	to	take	½	to	1	teaspoon	of	
triphala
	powder	at
bedtime	with	warm	water.
•	Prepare	a	warm	castor	oil	or	sesame	oil	pack,	and	sit	on	it	for	a	while.	Both	oils	are
warming;	castor	oil	especially	produces	a	slow,	sustained	heat	that	is	soothing	and	
healing.
Warm	up	about	3	tablespoons	of	oil,	and	pour	it	onto	a	handkerchief	or	other	soft	cloth,

healing.
spreading	it	equally	on	the	cloth	(or	dip	the	cloth	in	the	oil).
EFFECTIVE	TREATMENT	FOR	PITTA	HEMORRHOIDS
•	For	pitta-type	hemorrhoids,	the	first	step	is	to	follow	the	pitta-pacifying	diet,	especially
avoiding	spicy	and	fermented	foods	(see	
chapter	8
).
•	For	hemorrhoids	which	become	active	and	inflamed	and	start	bleeding,	one	should
prepare	an	herbal	mixture	of:
Take	½	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	twice	a	day	with	warm	water.
•	If	you	have	rectal	bleeding	from	the	hemorrhoid,	drink	a	few	ounces	of	cranberry	juice
and	pomegranate	juice	(mixed	half	and	half)	between	meals.	That	juice	will	act	as	a
hemostatic,	to	stop	the	bleeding.
•	Locally,	you	can	apply	coconut	oil,	which	helps	to	control	inflammation	and	irritation
as	well	as	bleeding.
•	As	in	the	case	of	vata	hemorrhoids,	it	is	important	to	keep	the	stool	soft	to	avoid

aggravating	the	condition.	To	accomplish	this,	take	½	to	1	teaspoon	of	
amalaki
	at	night
with	cool	water.	Or	you	can	take	1	teaspoon	of	
	(psyllium	husks)	with	a	glass	of
warm	milk	at	night.
•	Steep	
triphala
	(1	teaspoon)	overnight	in	a	glass	of	water,	and	then	the	next	day,	early	in

the	morning,	after	brushing	your	teeth,	drink	that	tea.
GENERAL	RECOMMENDATIONS
•	All	types	of	hemorrhoids	respond	well	to	aloe	vera	juice.	Drink	½	cupful	of	the	pure
juice	3	times	a	day.
•	Or	you	can	add	a	pinch	of	ginger	to	1	tablespoon	aloe	vera	gel,	and	take	it	twice	a	day.
•	Drink	1	cup	carrot	juice	mixed	with	2	teaspoons	cilantro	juice	twice	a	day	on	an	empty
stomach	for	relief	of	hemorrhoids.
•	Externally,	you	can	also	apply	a	mixture	of	½	teaspoon	turmeric	and	1	teaspoon	ghee
directly	to	the	hemorrhoid	at	bedtime.	(But	remember	that	the	yellow	color	of	the	turmeric
will	stain	whatever	cloth	it	touches.)
•	After	each	bowel	movement,	instead	of	using	dry	toilet	paper,	wash	the	anal	orifice	with
warm	water,	and	then	apply	some	castor	oil	to	the	hemorrhoid.	The	dry	paper	may	irritate
the	delicate	mucous	membrane	and	aggravate	the	hemorrhoid.	It	can	also	spread	some	fecal
matter	to	the	site	of	the	hemorrhoid	and	lead	to	complications.
	
Herpes
	
ORAL	HERPES
Herpes	labialis

Herpes
	
	comes	through	the	oral	contact	of	kissing,	or	drinking	from	the	same	cup	or
glass.	It	is	essentially	a	pitta	disorder	that	comes	from	
rakta	dhatu
	(blood)	and	breaks	out	on
the	skin,	particularly	in	the	corner	of	the	mouth	or	on	the	upper	lip.
Many	people	confuse	herpes	and	canker	
sores,	which	are	somewhat	similar	in
appearance.	With	canker	sores,	however,	only	one	ulcer	appears;	herpes	produces	a	rash
consisting	of	numerous	small	blisters,	possibly	clustered	around	one	central,	larger	bump.
Also,	canker	sores	are	usually	
in
	the	mouth,	while	herpes	sores	are	on	the	outside.
•	Externally,	one	can	apply	
	(bitter	ghee)	directly	onto	the	affected	area.	Aloe
vera	gel	or	ointment	is	also	quite	effective.
•	You	can	also	use	¼	teaspoon	
kama	dudha
,	mixed	into	1	teaspoon	dairy	cream.	Apply	to
the	sore	in	the	morning	and	at	bedtime.
•	Internally,	use	this	Ayurvedic	herbal	mixture:
maha	sudarshan	3	parts

Take	½	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	3	times	a	day,	either	with	1	teaspoon	
,	if
you	have	it,	or	with	warm	water.
•	At	night,	take	½	teaspoon	
triphala
	in	warm	water.	This	will	pacify	systemic	pitta	and

will	help	relieve	the	herpes.
GENITAL	HERPES
Genital	herpes	is	similar	to	oral	herpes.	But	they	are	transmitted	differently;	oral	herpes
through	kissing	or	drinking	glasses,	as	mentioned	above,	and	genital	herpes	through	sexual
contact.
•	For	internal	treatment,	use	the	same	herbs	and	herbal	formulas	recommended	above.
•	Externally,	
	can	also	be	helpful.	Also,	dry	genital	intercourse	can	sometimes
aggravate	the	herpes,	so	apply	some	
	to	the	glans	penis	and/or	labia	minora
before	intercourse.
TO	NEUTRALIZE	STRESS
One	of	the	primary	causes	of	herpes	eruptions	appears	to	be	psychological	stress.	The	virus
lies	locked	in	the	neuromuscular	cleft	and	comes	out	during	times	of	stress.	To	minimize
stress:
TAKE	HERBAL	TEA
.	Make	some	tea	of	chamomile,	
jatamamsi
,	and	brahmi.	Mix	these	herbs	in	equal
proportions	and	use	½	teaspoon	to	make	a	tea;	take	it	twice	a	day.
MEDITATE
.	Meditation	is	also	effective	to	soothe	the	system	and	reduce	stress.	(See	
chapter	7

MEDITATE
chapter	7
for	meditation	suggestions.)
NOTE	TO	MEN
:	If	you	know	you	are	susceptible	to	herpes	outbreaks,	be	careful	shaving
around	your	lips	and	the	corners	of	your	mouth.	The	lips	form	a	delicate	and
sensitive	muco-cutaneous	junction	that	is	easily	injured.	Any	small	cut	or	scratch	can
activate	the	herpes	virus.	To	help	prevent	this	from	happening,	apply	some	
neem
	oil
after	shaving.
	
Hiccups
	
Hiccups	are	caused	by	ischemia,	or	lack	of	blood	supply	to	the	diaphragm.	As	a	result,	the
diaphragm	undergoes	the	spasmodic	periodic	movements	that	we	call	hiccups.
HOLD	YOUR	BREATH
.	The	simplest	remedy	for	hiccups	is	to	hold	your	breath.	Take	a	deep	breath;
hold	the	breath	behind	the	belly	button;	then	gradually	exhale.
BROWN	BAG	REMEDY
.	If	you	find	it	difficult	to	do	this,	take	a	paper	bag,	open	it,	hold	the	edges

near	your	nose,	and	breathe	into	the	bag	(both	exhaling	and	then	inhaling).	This	will	force
you	to	inhale	your	own	carbon	dioxide,	which	naturally	relaxes	the	muscles	of	the
diaphragm.	Continue	for	1	or	2	minutes.	Your	hiccups	should	quickly	be	relieved.

HONEY	AND	CASTOR	OIL
.	If	the	above	procedure	doesn’t	stop	the	hiccupping,	mix	1	teaspoon	honey
with	1	teaspoon	castor	oil.	Every	2	or	3	minutes	dip	your	index	finger	into	the	mixture	and
then	lick	your	finger.
DEEP	BREATHING	EXERCISE
.	Another	simple	‘remedy	is	Alternate	Nostril	
pranayama
,	slightly	modified
as	follows:
1
.	
Inhale	through	the	left	nostril	while	closing	the	right	nostril	with	your	thumb.
2
.	
After	inhaling,	hold	your	breath	for	just	a	moment,	then
3
.	
Swallow
.
4
.	
Exhale	through	your	right	nostril	while	closing	the	left	nostril	with	your	ring	and	little
finger.
5
.	
Repeat	steps	1	to	4,	this	time	starting	by	inhaling	through	the	right	nostril.
You	can	do	this	breathing	exercise	for	5	minutes.
T
IME	TO
	S
EE	THE
	D
OCTOR
There	are	certain	serious	pathological	hiccups,	such	as	cardiac	hiccups,	which	occur
in	persons	having	congestive	heart	failure;	uremic	hiccups,	which	occur	due	to	renal

failure	(when	the	kidneys	do	not	perform	their	function)	and	the	resulting	toxicity
of	uric	acid	in	the	blood;	and	cerebral	hiccups,	due	to	cerebral	pathology.	These
serious	hiccups	require	medical	attention	and	treatment.
If	the	remedies	in	this	section	aren’t	helpful	and	your	hiccups	are	continuing
longer	than	two	days,	see	your	doctor.
CONSTIPATION	MAY	BE	THE	CAUSE
.	Hiccups	can	also	occur	due	to	chronic	constipation,	bloating,	and
gases	in	the	colon.	If	this	appears	to	be	the	situation,	do	
basti
	(enema),	using	1	cup	warm
sesame	oil	for	the	enema.	Try	to	retain	the	oil	for	at	least	2	to	3	minutes,	longer	if	possible.
The	warm	oil	in	the	rectum	will	relax	the	diaphragm	and	internal	muscles	and	help
alleviate	the	hiccups.
•	If	your	hiccups	are	still	continuing	after	another	half	hour,	do	a	regular	warm	water
enema.
	
enema.
	
A	healthy	heart	pumps	the	blood	through	the	veins	and	arteries	with	a	certain	optimum
amount	of	pressure.	But	sometimes,	due	to	various	causes,	the	pressure	increases,	and	when
it	does,	the	person	is	at	greater	risk	for	heart	disease	and	possibly	paralyzing	stroke.
Blood	pressure	will	increase	when	there	is	increased	viscosity	of	the	blood,	increased
velocity,	or	constriction	due	to	decreased	diameter	of	the	blood	vessel.

TYPES	OF	HYPERTENSION
From	the	Ayurvedic	point	of	view,	high	blood	pressure	falls	under	three	categories,
primarily	vata	and	pitta	but	also	kapha.
Vata	is	responsible	for	constriction	of	the	blood	vessels.	This	frequently	happens	in	old
age.	Somewhere	around	65,	the	walls	of	the	blood	vessels	often	become	thicker	and	the
passage	becomes	narrower,	with	the	result	that	many	individuals	develop	a	type	of
hypertension	known	as	essential	hypertension.	It	is	a	vata	condition	and	is	different	from
the	narrowing	of	the	arteries	that	occurs	as	a	result	of	fatty	deposits	on	the	artery	walls,
which	is	a	kapha	condition.
Pitta	is	responsible	for	the	rushing	of	the	blood	with	more	force.	Kapha	is	related	to
increased	blood	viscosity.
Physical	and	emotional	stress,	including	anger	and	anxiety,	constrict	the	blood	vessels
and	can	increase	blood	pressure	for	a	time.	Heavy	responsibilities,	or	stressful	situations
such	as	public	speaking,	may	send	your	blood	pressure	soaring.	There	is	even	a

phenomenon	known	as	“white	coat	syndrome”;	when	a	person	goes	to	the	doctor,	anxiety
and	tension	may	increase,	with	the	result	that	blood	pressure	goes	up.	This	is	all	quite
common	and	quite	physiological,	and	fortunately	it	is	also	usually	temporary.	But	if	blood
pressure	
stays
	high,	it	can	become	dangerous.
T
IME	TO
	S
EE	THE
	D
OCTOR
If	high	blood	pressure	is	temporary	and	related	to	a	stressful	situation,	some	rest
and	relaxation	will	generally	take	care	of	it.	And	even	in	the	long	term,	just	because
pressure	is	high	does	not	necessarily	mean	it	has	to	be	treated	with	medications.
Entirely	natural	means,	such	as	diet,	exercise,	herbs,	meditation,	and	yoga,	which
have	no	negative	side	effects,	may	be	quite	sufficient	to	deal	with	hypertension.
However,	high	blood	pressure	does	require	a	doctor’s	supervision.	Hypertension	is
a	potentially	life-threatening	condition.	I	do	not	recommend	that	you	use	the

following	treatments	in	place	of	standard	medical	care.
Rather,	try	these	Ayurvedic	remedies—preferably	with	your	doctor’s	knowledge
and	approval—as	an	adjunct	to	your	medical	care,	and	ask	your	doctor	to	monitor
your	progress.	If	the	remedies	are	successful,	he	or	she	will	find	less	and	less	need	to
supervise	your	condition	and	keep	you	on	medications.	At	the	least	you	should	be
able	to	gradually	reduce	the	dosage	of	your	medicines.
FOODS	FOR	HYPERTENSION
Several	foods	can	help	you	control	hypertension:
•	Drink	1	cup	mango	juice,	followed	about	an	hour	later	by	½	cup	warm	milk,	with	a
pinch	of	cardamom,	a	pinch	of	nutmeg,	and	1	teaspoon	ghee.	(
Note:
	If	your	cholesterol	level
is	high,	skip	the	ghee.)
•	Mix	orange	juice	and	coconut	water	(the	natural	juice	inside	a	fresh	coconut)	in	a	ratio

of	2	parts	orange	to	1	part	coconut.	Drink	½	to	1	cup	2	or	3	times	a	day.
•	Add	1	teaspoon	coriander	and	1	pinch	cardamom	to	1	cup	freshly	squeezed	(not	canned)
peach	juice.	Drink	this	as	many	as	2	or	3	times	a	day	to	help	with	high	blood	pressure.
•	Eat	some	watermelon	with	a	pinch	of	cardamom	and	a	pinch	of	coriander	added.	This
will	act	as	a	mild	diuretic	and	will	help	to	regulate	blood	pressure.
•	Try	some	cucumber	raita	with	your	meal.	Cucumber	is	a	good	diuretic.	Raita	is	a	yogurt-
based	condiment	often	used	in	Indian	cooking.	(See	the	recipe	in	the	accompanying
sidebar.)
•	Mung	dal	soup,	made	of	mung	dal	with	cilantro,	cumin,	and	a	pinch	of	turmeric,	is	good
for	persons	with	hypertension.
•	Honey	water	can	also	help.	Add	a	teaspoon	of	honey	and	5	to	10	drops	of	apple	cider
vinegar	to	a	cup	of	hot	water,	and	drink	it	in	the	early	morning.	This	drink	helps	to	reduce
cholesterol,	maintains	vasodilation,	and	helps	to	regulate	blood	pressure.
Cucumber	Raita
2	
cucumbers
3

2	
cucumbers
3	
tablespoons	ghee
½	
teaspoon	black	mustard	seeds
½	
teaspoon	cumin	seeds
1	
pinch	hing
4	
curry	leaves
1	
pinch	cayenne	or	½	small	chili,	chopped
1	
small	handful	fresh	cilantro	leaves,	chopped
½	
cup	plain	fresh	yogurt
Skin	and	grate	the	cucumbers.	Pour	off	and	discard	any	excess	juice.
Heat	the	ghee	in	saucepan	over	medium	heat,	and	add	the	mustard,	cumin,	hing,	and
curry	leaves.	Cook	a	moment	until	seeds	pop.
Add	the	cayenne	or	chili	and	the	cilantro,	shake	the	pan,	and	remove	from	heat.
Stir	the	yogurt	and	grated	cucumber	together	in	a	bowl.
Add	the	cooled	spices	to	the	yogurt	mixture,	mix	well,	and	serve.
Serves	4–6	as	side	dish	(1–2	spoonfuls	per	person)
.
NOTE
:	This	recipe	is	from	Vasant	Lad	and	Usha	Lad,	
Ayurvedic	Cooking	for	Self-healing
(Albuquerque:	Ayurvedic	Press,	1994),	
this	page
.

AVOID	PITTA-PROVOKING	FOOD
.	Persons	with	hypertension	should	not	eat	salt,	fatty	fried	foods,	or	hot
spicy	food.
HERBS	FOR	HYPERTENSION
Ayurveda	suggests	the	following	mixture	of	herbs	for	hypertension:
passion	flower	1	part
hawthorn	berry	2	parts
Steep	½	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	in	a	cup	of	hot	water	for	5	to	10	minutes,	and
drink	the	tea	after	lunch	and	dinner.
Another	formula	of	Ayurvedic	herbs	is	also	effective	for	regulating	blood	pressure:
musta	2	parts
tagar	1	part
Use	as	above:	½	teaspoon	steeped	in	a	cup	of	hot	water	for	5	to	10	minutes	as	a	tea,
after	lunch	and	dinner.
KEEP	COOL
.	Working	hard	under	the	hot	sun	should	be	avoided	by	anyone	with	high	blood
pressure,	as	that	may	promote	hemorrhage	in	the	brain.	Be	cautious	about	this.
MAGNETIC	 WATER
.	You	may	be	able	to	keep	your	blood	pressure	under	control	by	drinking
magnetic	water.	Put	a	cupful	of	water	(preferably	in	a	glass	container)	next	to	the	north

pole	of	a	magnet.	Let	it	sit	for	2	hours.	Drink	a	cupful	of	magnetic	water	twice	a	day.
Charging	the	water	in	this	way	increases	its	diuretic	properties	and	thus	helps	bring	down
high	blood	pressure,	in	the	same	way	as	several	widely	used	current	hypertension
medications,	which	are	diuretics.
RUDRAKSHA
.
	Soak	1	or	2	
rudraksha
	beads	in	a	cup	of	water	overnight,	and	the	next	day	drink
that	water.	This	is	beneficial	for	regulating	blood	pressure.
Deep	Relaxation	to	Help	High	Blood	Pressure
Tension	and	stress	increase	high	blood	pressure.	A	wonderful	and	effective	way	to

relax	is	the	yogic	rest	pose,	
savasana
.
Lie	quietly,	flat	on	your	back	with	arms	by	your	sides.	Observe	the	flow	of	your
breath.	You	will	notice	that	after	exhalation	there	is	a	brief,	natural	stop,	and	another
natural	pause	after	inhalation	and	before	the	next	exhalation.	In	that	stop,	stay
naturally	quiet	for	just	a	few	seconds.	This	practice	will	bring	you	deep	relaxation,	a
natural	antidote	for	hypertension.	Remain	in	
savasana
	practicing	this	quiet	breathing
for	10	to	15	minutes.
.	Meditation	is	excellent	for	regulating	blood	pressure.	(See	
chapter	7
	for	guidelines
to	help	you	meditate.)	Several	research	studies,	including	a	study	funded	by	the	National
Institutes	of	Health,	have	shown	that	meditation	can	be	as	effective	as	medications	in
controlling	hypertension,	and	it	produces	none	of	the	negative	side	effects	often	associated
with	hypertensive	drugs.
.	Some	gentle	
	can	help	control	blood	pressure.	Make	a	tube

of	your	tongue,	and	inhale	through	that	tube	into	the	abdomen.	Hold	the	breath	for	a	few
seconds	and	then	breathe	it	out	through	your	nose.
asanas
	for	helping	control	hypertension	include	Yoga	Mudra	and
the	Moon	Salutation.	(See	the	illustrations	in	
appendix	4
.)
EXERCISE	AND	WORK	WITH	CARE
.	No	one	with	elevated	blood	pressure	should	practice	the	Headstand
or	engage	in	weightlifting	or	vigorous	exercise	without	a	physician’s	guidance.
:	As	mentioned	above,	hypertension	may	lead	to	serious	complications.
Although	these	Ayurvedic	recommendations	are	time-tested,	safe,	and	effective,	it
would	be	wise	to	use	them	in	conjunction	with	the	advice	and	care	of	your
physician.
	
Hypoglycemia
	
Hypoglycemia	(low	blood	sugar)	is	a	very	common	condition.	If	you	are	late	to	eat	at	your

regular	mealtime	and	you	feel	light-headed	or	dizzy	while	standing	up,	or	experience
palpitations,	tremor,	nausea,	drowsiness,	sweating,	nervousness,	or	mental	confusion,	all
these	indicate	hypoglycemia.	In	some	serious	cases	of	hypoglycemia,	a	person	can	even
have	convulsions	and	fall	into	coma.
The	brain	uses	blood	sugar	(glucose)	as	its	sole	food,	and	it	depends	on	it	for	the
necessary	energy	for	its	activity.	If	the	brain	doesn’t	receive	sufficient	blood	sugar,	it	goes
into	crisis;	it	will	create	tremors,	headache,	sweating,	nausea,	drowsiness,	and	the	other
symptoms	mentioned	because	it	is	starving	for	blood	sugar.
According	to	Ayurveda,	hypoglycemia	is	common	in	persons	with	pitta	
prakruti
	(a	pitta

constitution)	or	pitta	
vikruti
	(a	present	pitta	imbalance).	Increased	pitta	stimulates	the
secretion	of	insulin,	which	lowers	the	blood	sugar	level	and	creates	hypoglycemia.
Hypoglycemia	in	turn	induces	the	secretion	of	adrenaline,	which	causes	rapid	heartbeat	and
tremors.
An	unduly	large	dose	of	insulin	taken	by	a	diabetic	person	may	lead	to	hypoglycemia.
This	condition	is	also	common	among	alcoholics.
Hypoglycemia	is	a	disorder	that	needs	careful	attention.	To	maintain	their	blood	sugar
level,	pitta	individuals	should	eat	regular	meals—breakfast,	lunch,	and	dinner—and	also
have	some	fruit	or	another	snack	between	meals	or	whenever	they	feel	hypoglycemic
symptoms.	Emphasize	proteins	and	complex	carbohydrates	for	main	meals;	they	digest
more	slowly,	so	the	rises	and	falls	in	blood	sugar	will	be	less	rapid.
T
IME	TO
	S
EE	THE
	D
OCTOR
Reactive	hypoglycemia	may	indicate	a	pancreatic	tumor.	When	a	middle-aged

IME	TO
	S
EE	THE
	D
OCTOR
person	craves	sugar	about	90	minutes	after	a	full	meal,	it	may	mean	that	he	or	she
has,	or	is	going	to	develop,	a	pancreatic	tumor.	This	is	a	serious	health	concern	and
requires	medical	attention.
Hypoglycemia	can	be	classified	into	two	types:	fasting	and	reactive.	Fasting
hypoglycemia	simply	results	from	not	eating,	which	is	why	people	with	a	tendency	toward
low	blood	sugar	need	to	eat	regular	meals.	In	addition,	some	individuals	choose	to	fast,
whether	for	religious	reasons	or	for	cleansing	purposes.	If	they	do	too	much	prolonged
fasting,	hypoglycemia	may	result.
Reactive	hypoglycemia	occurs	when	the	pancreas,	often	in	response	to	a	large	intake	of
sugar,	secretes	too	much	insulin,	which	then	reduces	the	blood	sugar	level.	This	is	also	called
postprandial	(after-eating)	hypoglycemia.	About	90	minutes	after	eating,	the	blood	sugar
level	drops,	and	the	person	craves	something	sweet.

To	deal	with	reactive	hypoglycemia,	one	should	treat	pitta	dosha.
DIET
.	Follow	the	pitta-pacifying	diet	(outlined	in	
chapter	8
).	Stay	away	from	hot	spicy	foods,
fermented	food,	sour	and	citrus	fruits,	and	alcoholic	drinks.	Smoking	cigarettes	should	be
curtailed	or	eliminated,	as	cigarettes	also	aggravate	pitta.
LICORICE	TEA
.	Drink	licorice	tea.	When	you	are	feeling	lightheaded	or	faint	or	have	some	other
hypoglycemic	symptoms,	make	a	cup	of	licorice	(
yashti	madhu
)	tea,	using	1	teaspoon	of
licorice	root	per	cup	of	water.	This	tea	will	safely	increase	your	blood	sugar	level.
(However,	individuals	with	hypertension	should	use	licorice	tea	only	sparingly;	it	increases
water	retention	and	may	raise	blood	pressure.)
.
•	The	best	herbs	to	take	are	
brahmi,	jatamamsi,	shanka	pushpi
,	and	licorice.	These	herbs	are
brain	tonics;	they	nourish	the	brain	and	allow	it	to	function	on	limited	sugar.	Mix	these

herbs	together	in	equal	proportions	and	use	the	mixture	to	make	a	tea.	Steep	½	teaspoon	of

the	herbs	in	1	cup	hot	water,	and	drink	after	lunch	and	dinner.
•	If	the	problem	is	postprandial	hypoglycemia	due	to	gastrojejunostomy,	Ayurveda
suggests	using
guduchi	5	parts
shanka	bhasma	2	parts
kama	dudha	2	parts
Take	½	teaspoon	twice	a	day	(after	lunch	and	dinner)	with	some	water.
•	If	there	is	a	suspicion	that	reactive	hypoglycemia	may	lead	to	pancreatic	tumor	(see
“
Time	to	See	the	Doctor
”),	see	your	doctor.	In	addition,	use	
shilajit
,	a	nervine	tonic	that	is
rejuvenating	for	the	pancreas.	A	good	formula	for	using	
shilajit
	is	the	following:
Take	½	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	after	lunch	and	dinner	with	some	water.	This
formula	will	also	help	to	prevent	adult-onset	diabetes	(diabetes	mellitus).
.	Some	yoga	
asanas
	to	strengthen	the	pancreas	and	help	prevent	hypoglycemia
include	the	Peacock,	Camel,	and	Locust	poses,	and	the	Elevated	Lotus,	as	well	as	
nauli
	(an
abdominal	exercise	explained	in	
appendix	3

nauli
	(an
appendix	3
).	Individuals	susceptible	to	hypoglycemia
should	do	these	yoga	exercises	and	Alternate	Nostril	breathing.
NASYA
.	Brahmi
	ghee	
nasya
,	5	drops	in	each	nostril,	will	quickly	relieve	nausea,	sweating,	and
mental	confusion	(see	
appendix	3
).
FOR	DROWSINESS
.	Drowsiness	can	be	corrected	by	taking	some	sweet	juice,	such	as	pomegranate
or	sweet	orange	juice.
	
Impotence
	
See	also	“
Low	Libido
”,	“
Premature	Ejaculation
”
Impotence,	which	is	a	man’s	inability	to	have	or	to	maintain	an	erection,	may	have	several
causes.	Many	people	think	it	is	always	an	emotional	or	psychological	issue,	but	it	can	also
be	due	to	stress	or	to	certain	physical	problems.
For	example,	when	a	person	has	high	cholesterol,	the	fat	and	plaque	may	get	deposited
on	the	coronary	arteries,	blocking	the	flow	of	blood	to	the	heart	and	triggering	a	heart
attack	due	to	the	insufficient	blood	supply.	Similarly,	the	plaque	may	get	deposited	in	the

blood	vessels	leading	to	the	penis,	resulting	in	a	“penis	attack”—in	which	the	blood	supply
to	the	penis	is	insufficient	to	create	or	sustain	an	erection,	resulting	in	impotence.
MASSAGE	TO	IMPROVE	CIRCULATION
.	A	simple	and	effective	remedy	is	to	massage	the	pubic	area	(the

lower	part	of	your	abdomen)	and	the	root	of	the	penis	with	a	few	drops	of	
	oil.
This	massage	will	improve	the	circulation	and	may	be	sufficient	to	eliminate	the	problem.
APPLY	SOME	HERBALIZED	OIL
.	You	can	also	apply	some	
bala
	oil	or	
	oil	directly	to	the
penis.
MASSAGE	THE	PROSTATE	AREA
.	Massaging	above	the	prostate	gland	(midway	between	the	scrotum
and	the	anus)	with	any	of	the	three	oils	mentioned	above	will	also	be	beneficial.	If	you	do
not	have	these	oils,	you	can	just	use	a	little	plain	ghee.	First	rub	in	a	circular	motion,	then
finish	with	strokes	from	the	anus	toward	the	base	of	the	penis.	Use	a	light	pressure.	Like	the
massage	of	the	pubic	area,	this	will	help	improve	circulation.
STRENGTHENING	 HERBAL	 FORMULA
.	For	internal	use,	make	a	mixture	of	equal	proportions	of	the
following	herbs:
bala
vidari
and	take	1	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	twice	a	day	in	warm	milk,	continuing	for	3

bala
vidari
months.	While	the	milk	is	heating,	add	a	few	pieces	of	chopped	fresh	garlic.	The
garlic	improves	the	blood	supply	and	increases	the	dilation	of	the	blood	vessels.	The
combination	of	the	garlic	with	these	strengthening	herbs	will	help	alleviate	the
problem.
MILD	APHRODISIAC	DRINK
.	Every	night,	drink	a	cup	of	warm	milk	with	a	pinch	of	saffron	added.
Saffron	is	an	aphrodisiac	and	also	increases	sperm	count.
RELAX	WITH	TRANQUILLITY	TEA
.	If	the	cause	of	impotence	is	psychological,	such	as	fear	or	anxiety,
you	may	be	able	to	correct	the	problem	by	drinking	some	Tranquillity	Tea,	an	herbal
compound	that	contains	
jatamamsi,	brahmi
,	and	
	in	equal	proportions.	Make	a
tea	from	½	teaspoon	of	this	mixture,	and	drink	it	about	an	hour	before	going	to	bed.	It	will
definitely	help	with	the	emotional	and	psychological	stress	that	may	be	at	the	root	of	the
problem.

problem.
.	Certain	yoga	exercises	may	also	help.	The	Rooster	pose,	which	involves	sitting
in	such	a	way	that	pressure	is	applied	on	the	prostate	gland,	is	particularly	beneficial.	Also
try	the	Elevated	Lotus,	Vajrasana,	Chakra	Asana,	and	the	Bow	pose.	(For	illustrations,	see
appendix	4
.)
	
Incontinence,	Urinary
	
See	“
”

Indigestion
	
As	discussed	in	
chapter	3
,	the	effectiveness	of	your	digestion	depends	on	the	strength	of
your	digestive	fire	(agni).	If	your	food	intake	is	large	in	quantity	and	heavy,	very	liquid,	or
quite	dense	in	quality,	these	properties	are	antagonistic	to	the	properties	of	gastric	fire	and
can	inhibit	the	normal	function	of	the	agni,	leading	to	indigestion.
Emotional	eating—eating	for	emotional	reasons	when	the	system	is	not	in	need	of	food	or
is	given	too	much	to	comfortably	digest—is	another	potential	cause	of	indigestion.	A	third
major	causative	factor	is	wrong	food	combining.	Eating	bananas	and	milk,	melon	and
grains,	and	other	incompatible	food	combinations	adversely	affects	the	digestive	fire,
leading	to	indigestion.	(See	
chapter	8
	for	a	chart	of	incompatible	food	combinations.)
These	various	factors	promote	excess	secretion	of	acid,	leading	to	acid	indigestion,
heartburn,	nausea,	or	even	diarrhea;	fermentation	of	the	food	in	the	stomach	or	intestines

may	also	occur,	leading	to	gas,	bloating,	and	a	possible	stomachache,	depending	on	the
severity	of	the	cause.
So	one	has	to	deal	with	indigestion	first	by	avoiding	these	causative	factors,	and	second
by	using	the	herbal	treatments	recommended	below.
FOUR	WAYS	TO	INCREASE	YOUR	DIGESTIVE	FIRE
The	first	key	to	prevention	of	indigestion	is	to	enhance	the	digestive	fire.	Here	are	several
suggestions:
GINGER
.	One	of	the	best	herbs	to	kindle	agni	is	ginger.	Before	each	meal,	chop	or	grate	a	little
fresh	ginger,	add	a	few	drops	of	lime	juice	and	a	pinch	of	salt,	and	chew	it	up.
Alternatively,	you	can	simply	cut	a	thin	slice	of	ginger,	put	on	a	pinch	of	salt,	and	chew
that.
GARLIC	AND	
TRIKATU
.	Here	is	another	before-eating	stimulant	for	your	digestion.	Make	a	mixture
of	¼	teaspoon	garlic	powder,	½	teaspoon	
trikatu
,	and	a	pinch	of	rock	salt.	(
Trikatu
	is

trikatu
Trikatu
	is
composed	of	ginger,	black	pepper,	and	Indian	long	pepper	in	equal	proportions.)	Take	it
before	lunch	and	dinner.
HERBAL	MIX
.	A	similar	mixture	is	1	clove	of	fresh	garlic,	chopped	up	with	¼	teaspoon	cumin
powder,	a	pinch	of	rock	salt,	a	pinch	of	
trikatu
,	and	1	teaspoon	lime	juice.	Take	before
meals.
BAY	LEAF
.	Enliven	your	gastric	fire	with	the	common	spice	bay	leaf.	Steep	½	teaspoon	crushed
or	ground-up	bay	leaf	in	a	cup	of	hot	water	for	about	10	minutes	to	make	a	tea.	Add	a
pinch	of	cardamom,	and	drink	after	eating.
FASTING
Fasting	can	be	beneficial	to	dispel	indigestion.	Fasting	not	only	kindles	the	digestive	fire,	it

also	gives	the	digestive	system	a	rest.	When	you	have	indigestion,	you	can	either	observe	a
complete	fast,	or	try	this:	Drink	1	cup	of	sweet	fresh	pineapple	juice	with	a	pinch	of	ginger,
a	pinch	of	black	pepper,	and	½	teaspoon	organic	sugar.	Take	this	3	times	a	day.
WHEN	YOU	HAVE	INDIGESTION
To	relieve	a	case	of	indigestion:
ONION	JUICE
.	Take	¼	cup	of	fresh	onion	juice	with	½	teaspoon	honey	and	½	teaspoon	black
pepper.
GARLIC
.	Or	chop	up	a	clove	of	fresh	garlic,	add	a	pinch	of	salt	and	a	pinch	of	baking	soda,	and
eat	it.
LIME	JUICE
.	For	acute	indigestion,	squeeze	the	juice	from	¼	lime	in	1	cup	warm	water.	Just
before	drinking,	add	½	teaspoon	baking	soda,	and	then	drink	it	down	quickly.
FOR	CHRONIC	INDIGESTION
For	people	with	chronic	poor	digestion	(that	is,	weak	agni),	prepare	this	herbal	mixture:
trikatu	1	part
Take	¼	teaspoon	of	this	effective	formula	before	meals,	with	a	little	honey	and

fresh	ginger	juice.	If	you	don’t	have	fresh	ginger,	just	use	honey.	This	mixture	will
strengthen	the	digestive	fire.
TEN	TIPS	TO	PREVENT	INDIGESTION
•	Don’t	eat	unless	you	are	really	hungry.
•	Don’t	eat	emotionally.	Emotional	eating	can	affect	the	digestive	fire	adversely.
•	Eat	only	two	or	at	most	three	meals	a	day:	breakfast,	lunch,	and	dinner.	Avoid	snacking
between	meals.
•	Avoid	cold	and	iced	drinks,	especially	during	or	after	meals.	They	cool	the	digestive	fire.
For	best	digestion,	take	small	sips	of	warm	water	during	a	meal.
•	Fill	your	stomach	to	one-third	of	its	capacity	with	food	and	one-third	with	liquid,	leaving
one-third	empty.	This	aids	in	proper	digestion	and	promotes	mental	clarity.
•	Chew	your	food	well	to	make	sure	the	saliva	is	well	mixed	in.	Saliva	plays	a	major	role
in	digestion.
•	You	can	finish	your	meal	by	drinking	a	cup	of	lassi.	This	is	made	by	blending	4

teaspoons	of	yogurt	with	2	pinches	each	of	ginger	and	cumin	powder	in	1	cup	of	water.

•	Yoga	postures	that	can	be	helpful	for	improving	digestion	include	Leg	Lifts	and	the
Peacock	pose.	(See	illustrations	in	
appendix	4
.)
•	You	might	also	want	to	try	the	Ayurvedic	procedure	known	as	
nauli
	(see	
appendix	3
).
•	The	
pranayama
	(breathing	exercise)	called	Breath	of	Fire	will	help	to	stoke	your	digestive
fires	(see	
chapter	6
).
	
Ingrown	Toenail
	
See	“
Toenail	Infection
”
	
Insomnia
	
Insomnia	is	an	uncommonly	common	disorder	in	the	modern	world,	caused	primarily	by	an
increase	of	vata	dosha	in	the	mind	or	nervous	system.	Insomnia	is	a	cause	or	a	complicating
factor	in	many	other	problems.	It	may	be	related	to	constipation.	It	may	be	a	result	of	stress
or	being	overtired,	or	it	may	create	fatigue	and	lead	to	greater	stress.	It	may	be	a	symptom
of	depression,	or	it	may	intensify	depression.	So	we	have	to	deal	with	it	effectively.
WARM	MILK
.	It’s	definitely	true	that	drinking	a	cup	of	warm	milk	before	going	to	bed	helps

WARM	MILK
bring	on	a	peaceful	sleep.	You	can	have	it	plain	if	you	prefer,	but	the	following	suggestions
will	make	it	more	delicious	as	well	as	more	effective:
•	Add	a	pinch	(up	to	⅛	teaspoon)	of	nutmeg.
•	Add	some	crushed	almonds	(blanched	is	better),	a	pinch	of	nutmeg,	and	a	pinch	of
cardamom.	You	can	prepare	the	almonds	in	a	nut	grinder	or	coffee	grinder.
•	Try	garlic	milk.	Mix	together	1	cup	milk,	¼	cup	water,	and	1	clove	of	fresh,	chopped
garlic.	Boil	gently	until	1	cup	of	liquid	remains.
TRY	CHERRIES
.	Cherries	are	good	for	mental	fatigue	and	stress,	both	of	which	can	contribute	to
insomnia.	Eating	10	to	20	cherries	daily	may	help	relieve	these	conditions	and	help	you
sleep.
TOMATO	JUICE
.	Here’s	a	use	for	tomato	juice	you	probably	never	thought	of.	Drink	1	cup	with	2
teaspoons	natural	sugar	and	2	pinches	of	nutmeg.	Drink	the	juice	between	four	and	five	in

the	afternoon;	have	dinner	between	six	and	seven.	That	evening	you	should	get	a	sound
sleep.
.	An	effective	herbal	formula	to	help	you	sleep	is:

valerian	root	powder	1	part
Take	¼	teaspoon	of	this	powdered	mixture	with	a	little	warm	water	just	before
going	to	bed.
CHAMOMILE	TEA
.	Justly	famous	around	the	world,	a	cup	of	chamomile	tea	at	bedtime	is	truly
beneficial	for	inducing	sleep.
ADDITIONAL	REMEDIES	AND	RECOMMENDATIONS
WARM	OIL	MASSAGE
.	One	of	the	simplest	and	most	effective	ways	to	induce	sleep	is	to	rub	some	oil
on	the	scalp	and	the	soles	of	the	feet	before	going	to	bed.	Use	sesame	oil,	
brahmi
	oil,	or
jatamamsi
	oil,	and	massage	gently	for	a	few	minutes.	Slightly	warming	the	oil	before
applying	is	helpful.
NUTMEG
.	Using	this	common	spice	can	help	induce	sleep.	A	fine	paste	made	of	nutmeg	powder
mixed	with	an	equal	amount	of	ghee	can	be	applied	around	your	eyes	and	on	your	forehead
before	bed	to	help	you	fall	asleep.
TAKE	A	HOT	BATH
.	A	hot	bath	or	shower	at	bedtime	helps	to	soothe	vata	and	promote	sound	sleep.
TRY	YOGA	MEDITATION

.	Sleep	disturbances	are	often	due	to	worries	and	anxieties	that	keep	the
mind	agitated	at	night.	To	help	dissolve	those	anxieties,	meditate	for	a	while	before	going
to	sleep.	Sit	comfortably	on	your	bed	and	put	your	attention	on	the	“third	eye”	(the	area	on
your	forehead	between	your	eyebrows).	Follow	your	breath	in	and	out,	or	do	the	traditional
So-Hum
	meditation:	Inhale	while	thinking	the	syllable	
“So”
	and	exhale	with	
“Hum.”
	(Further
guidelines	are	in	
chapter	7
.)
Then	lie	on	your	back.	Watch	your	breath,	and	continue	the	
So-Hum
	meditation,	focusing
your	mind	gently	on	the	“third	eye.”	You	will	sleep	like	a	child.
	
Irritable	Bowel	Syndrome
	
According	to	Ayurveda,	irritable	bowel	syndrome	is	due	to	vata	pushing	pitta	into	the	colon.
To	help	correct	the	situation,	combine	the	following	herbs:
arrowroot	2	parts

Take	½	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	a	couple	of	times	a	day	with	a	little	warm	water,
just	after	eating.
•	You	can	also	take	1	teaspoon	of	
	(psyllium	husks)	with	½	cup	of	fresh	yogurt	1
hour	after	dinner.
•	To	create	another	simple	remedy,	boil	1	teaspoon	of	flaxseed	in	a	cupful	of	water	to
make	a	tea,	and	drink	it	at	bedtime.
•	In	certain	chronic	cases	of	irritable	
bowel	syndrome,	Ayurveda	recommends	introducing
½	to	1	cup	of	warm	sesame	oil	into	the	rectum.	If	you	use	this	enema	treatment,	try	to
retain	the	oil	for	5	minutes.	Once	the	colon	is	well	lubricated	with	sesame	oil,	irritable
bowel	syndrome	will	be	controlled.	You	can	do	this	oil	enema	(
basti
)	once	or	twice	a	week,
as	needed.	(For	more	about	
basti
,	see	
appendix	3
.)
	
Jet	Lag
	
Jet	lag	is	essentially	a	condition	of	excess	vata	in	the	body.	Traveling	on	a	jet	at	a
tremendous	speed	induces	a	light,	mobile,	and	spacy	quality	in	the	system,	which

aggravates	vata.	To	prevent	jet	lag,	Ayurveda	suggests	the	following	three-part	strategy:
1
.	
An	hour	before	flying
,	swallow	2	capsules	(00	size)	of	ginger,	with	a	cup	of	water.
2
.	
While	on	the	plane
,	drink	at	least	2	to	3	cups	of	water,	at	intervals	of	1	to	2	hours.
Flying	creates	a	slight	dehydration	of	the	body,	which	can	be	corrected	by	drinking
sufficient	liquid.	Dehydration	increases	vata.	Don’t	drink	coffee	or	any	other
caffeinated	beverage	caffeine	also	provokes	
vata
.
3
.	
When	you	reach	your	destination
,	rub	a	little	warm	sesame	oil	on	your	scalp	and	on	the
soles	of	your	feet.	Also,	drink	1	cup	of	hot	milk	with	a	pinch	each	of	nutmeg	and
ginger.	These	two	simple	actions	will	help	pacify	vata.
If	you	reach	your	destination	before	nightfall,	you	can	drink	a	tea	made	of	equal
proportions	of	chamomile,	mint,	and	
jatamamsi
	(⅓	teaspoon	each),	steeped	in	a	cup	of	hot
water	for	10	minutes.

jatamamsi
If	you	don’t	expect	to	have	herbs	available	where	you	are	going,	you	can	mix	them	at
home	and	take	them	with	you	in	a	small	plastic	sandwich	bag	or	other	convenient
container.
	
Kidney	Problems
	
See	also	“
Kidney	Stones
”
Congestion,	high	pitta,	or	crystal	urea	in	the	kidney,	as	well	as	kidney	stones,	can	all	create
tightness	and	pain	in	the	lower	back	area.	For	these	problems,	Ayurveda	suggests	the
following	simple	remedies.

First,	prepare	a	mixture	of	these	herbs:
gokshura	1	part
fennel	seed	1	part
Take	1	full	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	2	or	3	times	a	day	after	meals,	washing	it	down
with	warm	water.
Another	simple,	natural	treatment	for	kidneys	is	cumin-coriander-fennel	tea.	Prepare	the
tea	by	mixing	equal	amounts	of	these	herbs,	boil	in	water,	and	drink	2	or	3	times	a	day.
(Use	about	¼	teaspoon	of	each	herb	per	cup	of	water.)
For	another	effective	remedy,	combine	about	½	teaspoon	of	the	Ayurvedic	herb	
musta
with	½	teaspoon	fennel,	steep	in	a	cup	of	hot	water	for	10	minutes,	strain,	and	drink.	This
drink	will	strengthen	the	kidneys.
	
There	are	different	types	of	kidney	stones,	corresponding	to	vata,	pitta,	and	kapha	dosha.
•	Calcium	stones	are	kapha	stones.	They	are	generally	soft	and	painless,	though	they	may
become	painful	when	they	start	leaving	the	pelvis	of	the	kidney	and	enter	the	ureter.	An

individual	with	an	underactive	thyroid	or	parathyroid	gland	can	develop	calcium	stones.
•	Phosphate	stones	are	rough;	they	irritate	the	bladder	and	cause	pain	because	of	their
rough	quality.	They	are	primarily	caused	by	increased	phosphates	in	the	system,	due	to
excess	eating	of	nightshade	plants	(potatoes,	eggplant,	tomatoes).
•	Oxalate	stones	are	sharp.	They	are	pitta	stones.	They	irritate,	burn,	and	create	bleeding,
and	they	may	create	a	great	deal	of	pain	from	loin	to	groin.	A	diet	high	in	oxalic	acid
promotes	formation	of	pitta	stones.	Thus	individuals	who	eat	spinach,	potato,	tomato,	and
rhubarb,	which	are	rich	in	oxalic	acid,	have	a	tendency	to	form	stones.	These	food	items
should	be	strictly	avoided	by	anyone	concerned	about	preventing	the	formation	of	kidney
stones.
.	If	you	already	have	a	kidney	stone,	to	decrystallize	the	pelvis	of	the	kidney
Ayurveda	suggests

Ayurveda	suggests	
	and	
gokshuradi	guggulu
.	Take	one	tablet	of	each	twice	a
day	after	lunch	and	dinner.
If	you	have	begun	to	pass	a	kidney	stone	and	are	having	a	great	deal	of	pain,	prepare	the
following	herbal	formula:
mutral	1	part
coriander	1	part
Take	1	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	twice	a	day,	with	a	can	of	beer.	Beer,	which	is

essentially	fermented	barley	soup,	is	a	diuretic.	It	accelerates	the	passing	of	the
kidney	stone	and,	in	combination	with	the	herbs,	effects	a	decrystallization	of	the
kidney.	You	will	pass	the	stone	more	easily,	without	much	pain.	NOTE:	You	can	use
nonalcoholic	beer	if	you	prefer,	or	you	can	heat	up	regular	beer	in	a	saucepan	and
the	alcohol	will	quickly	evaporate.
Another	effective	herbal	remedy	is	this	formula:
mutral	2	parts
shilajit	⅛	part
Taking	½	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	twice	a	day	with	a	can	of	beer	can	help	the
kidney	stone	pass	with	less	discomfort.
Again,	if	you	don’t	like	to	drink	beer,	you	can	substitute	nonalcoholic	beer,	or
drink	barley	tea	or	barley	soup	instead.	All	are	diuretic	and	will	accomplish	the
same	action.
HOT	AND	COLD	APPLICATIONS
.	Another	way	to	ease	the	pain	of	passing	a	kidney	stone	is	to	alternate
hot	and	cold	applications	to	the	kidney	area.	Use	a	hot	water	bottle	or	hot	compress,	and

an	ice	bag	or	a	bag	of	frozen	vegetables.	Alternate	them	every	30	seconds	to	1	minute,	until
the	pain	subsides.
WATERMELON	JUICE
.	Try	drinking	a	cup	of	watermelon	juice	with	¼	teaspoon	coriander	power.
Watermelon	is	a	diuretic	(as	is	coriander),	so	this	mixture	will	give	the	kidneys	a	good
flushing	and	help	to	remove	small	stones	and	crystals.	Use	this	2	to	3	times	a	day.
	
Low	Libido
	
Libido	is	the	desire	for	pleasure	and	satisfaction.	According	to	Ayurveda,	this	desire	derives
from	
,	the	male	reproductive	tissue,	and	
artava	dhatu
,	the	female	reproductive
tissue.	When	there	is	weakness	or	debility	in	the	male	or	female	reproductive	tissue,	libido	is
low.
Low	libido	is	a	symptom	that	many	people	have	in	middle	age	or	even	earlier.	In	addition
to	weakness	in	the	reproductive	tissue,	emotional	factors	and	high	stress	are	the	primary

causes	of	a	reduced	sex	drive.	It	can	be	effectively	treated	with	Ayurvedic	programs	and
remedies	that	reduce	stress	and	strengthen	the	reproductive	system.
But	as	always	in	Ayurveda,	the	question	arises,	What	is	the	total	context	of	the	situation?
Low	libido	can	be	a	problem	that	affects	ones	marriage	or	partnership.	On	the	other	hand,
reduced	sexual	desire	may	sometimes	be	a	healthy	response	by	the	body,	shutting	off	excess
loss	of	the	health-giving	vital	fluid.	From	this	perspective,	low	libido	may	be	seen	as	an
expression	of	the	body’s	intelligence.

Intentional	celibacy	is	quite	different	from	low	libido.	In	celibacy	there	is	incredible
sexual	power,	but	the	person	consciously	controls	that	sexual	energy	and	transforms	it	into
supreme	bliss	or	supreme	intelligence.
In	cases	of	low	libido,	that	energy	is	simply	lacking.	In	this	section	we	will	explore
several	ways	to	increase	it.
FOR	MEN
A	simple	but	effective	technique	is	to	gently	press	the	glans	penis	(the	head	or	tip	of	the
penis)	with	the	top	of	your	index	finger.	Specifically,	press	on	the	groove	about	one	inch
behind	the	tip	of	the	penis.	A	
marma
	point	is	located	at	the	center	of	that	groove.	(See
glossary
	for	a	brief	explanation	of	
marma
	points.)	Gently	press	for	a	minute	or	two,	then
release.	This	technique	will	also	help	remedy	premature	ejaculation.	(See	further
suggestions	under	“
Premature	Ejaculation.
”)
•	You	can	also	gently	massage	the	glans	penis	with	
bala
	oil	or	
shatavari
	ghee.	Or	apply	a
little	castor	oil	or	
brahmi
	ghee.	(See	
appendix	2

bala
	oil	or	
shatavari
brahmi
	ghee.	(See	
appendix	2
	for	guidance	in	preparing	herbalized	oils
and	ghees.)
•	Internally,	taking	the	herb	
	is	effective.	Add	1	teaspoon	
	and	½
teaspoon	
vidari
	to	a	cup	of	warm	milk,	and	drink	it	at	night.	This	formula	is	strengthening
for	men	with	low	libido.	NOTE:	It	is	better	to	cook	the	herbs	in	the	milk	for	a	few	minutes
than	to	just	mix	the	powder	in	the	cup.
FOR	WOMEN
A	similar	herbal	formula	is	helpful	for	women,	but	use	
shatavari
	instead	of	
.	Mix
1	teaspoon	
shatavari
	with	½	teaspoon	
vidari
,	and	take	it	with	a	cup	of	warm	milk	at	night
before	going	to	bed.
•	You	can	also	gently	massage	the	pubic	bone	with	
bala
	oil,	
shatavari
	ghee,	castor	oil,	or
brahmi
	ghee.
FOOD	REMEDIES	FOR	BOTH	MEN	AND	WOMEN
ALMONDS
.	Eat	10	raw	(unroasted)	almonds	for	breakfast.	Soak	them	overnight	in	water,	and
the	next	morning	peel	off	the	skins	before	eating.

•	Make	this	strengthening	almond	drink:	As	above,	soak	10	raw	almonds	in	water
overnight,	and	peel	off	the	skins	the	next	morning.	But	then	put	the	almonds	in	a	blender,
and	add:
warm	milk	1	cup

nutmeg	a	pinch
saffron	a	pinch
Blend	thoroughly.	It	is	yummy,	and	excellent	for	combating	low	libido!
DATES
.	Soak	10	fresh	dates	in	a	quart	jar	of	ghee.	Add:
ginger	1	teaspoon
cardamom	⅛	teaspoon
saffron	1	pinch
Cover,	and	keep	in	a	warm	place	for	at	least	2	weeks.	Then	eat	1	date	daily,	in	the
early	morning.	These	dates	taste	delicious	and	help	to	remedy	low	libido	and	sexual
debility	as	well	as	chronic	fatigue.
APPLE	DESSERT
.	Another	delicious	and	strengthening	concoction	is	the	following	apple	dessert.
Remove	the	skins	and	core	from	5	raw	apples.	Blend	or	mash	them	to	make	a	pulp,	and	mix
thoroughly,	adding	some	honey	according	to	your	taste.	Then	add:
powdered	cardamom	⅛	teaspoon
nutmeg	1	pinch
rose	water	10	drops
Enjoy	½	cup	of	this	dessert	at	least	an	hour	after	meals.
NOTE
:	Avoid	milk,	yogurt,	and	fish	for	at	least	4	hours	before	and	after	eating	this
apple	dessert.
FIGS	AND	HONEY

.	After	breakfast,	eat	3	figs	with	1	teaspoon	honey.	An	hour	later,	take	a	glass	of
lassi.	(See	
this	page
	for	lassi	recipe.)	This	will	help	restore	sexual	energy.
GARLIC	AND	ONIONS
.	Adding	some	more	garlic	and	onions	to	the	diet	is	helpful.	However,	these
foods	are	not	considered	good	for	meditation	as	they	are	somewhat	dulling	to	the	mind,	so
if	that	is	a	concern	of	yours,	you	can	skip	this	and	the	following	two	recommendations.
•	Garlic	milk	is	said	to	have	aphrodisiac	qualities.	Mix	together	1	cup	milk,	¼	cup	water,
and	1	clove	chopped	garlic.	Boil	gently	until	only	1	cup	of	liquid	remains,	and	drink	at
bedtime.
•	Take	1	tablespoon	onion	juice	mixed	with	1	teaspoon	fresh	ginger	juice	twice	a	day.
OTHER	REMEDIES	FOR	MEN	AND	WOMEN
.	Low	libido	can	be	effectively	treated	with	this	herbal	formula:

nutmeg	⅛	part
tagar	½	part
Take	1	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	in	the	morning	and	another	teaspoon	in	the
evening,	with	warm	milk.	Continue	taking	it	twice	a	day	for	1	month.
LOW	LIBIDO	AND	CONSTIPATION
.	These	two	conditions	are	often	found	together.	To	easily	overcome
constipation,	take	
triphala
	daily,	½	teaspoon	at	night	with	warm	water.	Brew	the	
triphala
powder	in	about	a	cup	of	hot	water,	let	it	steep	for	10	minutes,	strain,	and	drink.
FOR	 PSYCHOLOGICAL	 AND	 EMOTIONAL	 ISSUES
.	If	stress	and	psychological	problems	such	as	anxiety	or
hostility	are	contributing	to	your	state	of	low	libido,	it	will	be	helpful	to	meditate	regularly,
practice	yoga	
asanas
,	and	do	breathing	exercises.	Particularly	helpful	
asanas
	include	
Vajra
,
Rooster,	Camel,	and	
Nataraj
.	(Guidelines	for	yoga	postures	are	found	in	
appendix	4
.)
	
Memory	Problems
	
Everyone	has	occasional	episodes	of	forgetfulness.	Forgetting	a	name,	date,	or	other

information	that	seems	to	be	on	the	tip	of	the	tongue	can	make	a	person	frustrated.	One
may	forget	where	one	has	parked	the	car	or	left	one’s	keys.	Such	experiences	are	common
to	everyone.	On	the	other	extreme,	a	severe	form	of	forgetfulness	happens	in	Alzheimer’s
disease,	in	which	one	may	fail	to	recognize	one’s	wife,	husband,	children,	friends,	or	family
members.
Memory	problems	are	often	the	result	of	an	inadequate	supply	of	nutrients	to	the	brain.
Also,	as	age	advances,	memory	frequently	becomes	poorer.	Alcohol	destroys	brain	cells,	so
memory	loss	among	alcoholics	is	quite	common.	Memory	problems	may	also	be	due	to	the
use	of	drugs	such	as	LSD,	marijuana,	and	cocaine,	as	well	as	to	alcohol	abuse.	All	these	can
damage	the	brain	tissue	and	memory	will	be	affected.
According	to	Ayurvedic	principles,	memory	is	recorded	on	the	sensitive	film	of	the	nerve

cells	within	the	brain,	which	are	of	a	kapha	nature;	memory	is	enlivened	and	brought	back
at	a	proper	time	by	means	of	vata.	Most	memory	problems	are	due	either	to	stagnation	of
kapha	or	to	aggravation	of	vata	dosha,	with	its	light,	airy,	even	spacy	qualities.	Thus,	in
order	to	improve	memory,	we	need	to	control	vata	and	kapha.	Pitta,	on	the	other	hand,	is
sharp	and	penetrating	and	supports	good	memory.
The	following	recommendations	will	help	you	improve	your	memory	and	prevent
memory	loss.
MEMORY	FOODS
CARROTS
.	Carrots,	which	contain	carotene,	are	good	for	memory.	Carrots	also	enhance	pitta,

which	brings	sharpness	of	recall.	Drink	
carrot	or	beet	juice,	both	of	which	are	blood	builders
and	will	help	improve	memory.
KITCHARI	FAST
.	Kitchari	is	a	simple,	nourishing	dish	made	essentially	of	50	percent	basmati	rice
and	50	percent	split	yellow	mung	dal,	with	some	spices	usually	added	for	flavor.	A	five-day
kitchari	fast,	using	plain	kitchari	with	just	some	chopped	cilantro	leaves	added,	will	cleanse
the	system	and	help	to	strengthen	memory.	(For	more	delicious	kitchari	recipes,	use	your
imagination	or	consult	a	cookbook	such	as	
	by	Usha	Lad
and	Vasant	Lad;	see	
Bibliography
.)
Simple	Kitchari	Recipe
1	cup	basmati	rice
1	cup	yellow	split	mung	dal
1	small	handful	cilantro	leaves,	chopped
6	cups	water
Wash	the	rice	and	mung	dal	twice,	using	plenty	of	water.	If	you	have	time,	let	the
mung	dal	soak	for	a	few	hours	before	cooking,	to	help	with	digestibility.
Add	rice,	dal,	and	cilantro	to	the	water.

Bring	to	a	boil,	and	boil	5	minutes	uncovered,	stirring	occasionally.
Turn	down	heat	to	low,	and	cover,	leaving	the	lid	slightly	ajar.	Cook	until	tender,
about	25	to	30	minutes.
FRUIT	FAST
.	A	3-	to	5-day	fruit	fast,	with	
triphala
	at	night	(½	teaspoon	steeped	for	5	to	10
minutes	in	a	cup	of	hot	water),	will	sharpen	the	nervous	system	and	make	the	brain	more
capable	of	investigating	deeply	into	the	memory.	
Note
:	A	fruit	fast	should	not	be	attempted
by	anyone	who	tends	to	get	hypoglycemia.
The	following	fruits	are	recommended	for	the	fast:
For	vata
Papayas,	prunes,	mangoes
For	pitta
Grapes,	pomegranates,	apples
For	kapha
Apples,	cranberries,	pomegranates
OTHER	FOODS
.	Additional	foods	that	are	helpful	for	improving	memory	include	sweet	potatoes,
tapioca,	okra	(frequently	used	as	a	brain	tonic),	and	spinach,	which	promotes	pitta	and
stimulates	memory.	
Sattvic
	foods	in	general	are	good	for	memory.	Foods	traditionally
considered	most	
sattvic

Sattvic
sattvic
	include	fresh	fruits	and	vegetables,	almonds,	oranges,	ghee,	and

milk.	One	food	that	is	particularly	bad	for	memory	is	heavy	meat.	This	should	be	strictly
avoided	by	anyone	with	memory	problems.
HERBS	FOR	MEMORY
•	Ginkgo	and	gotu	kola	have	recently	been	touted	as	good	for	improving	memory,	and
indeed	they	are	truly	beneficial.	Both	of	these	herbs	serve	to	dilate	the	cerebral	blood
vessels,	increasing	circulation	to	the	brain,	and	are	good	memory	tonics.
•	In	Ayurveda	there	are	specific	herbs	known	as	
medhya
	herbs.	
Medhya
	means	“that	
which
improves	memory.”	The	first	and	foremost	is	
brahmi
	(which	is	similar	to	gotu	kola).	Also,
jatamamsi,	bhringaraj
,	and	
	are	valuable	for	the	brain	and	memory.	You	can	use
these	herbs	separately,	or	mixed	together	in	equal	proportions	to	make	a	tea.
brahmi
jatamamsi
Steep	1	teaspoon	herbs	in	1	cup	hot	water	for	10	minutes,	and	drink	it	on	an	empty
stomach	in	the	morning	and	evening.	Continue	taking	this	tea	for	1	month	to	help

improve	circulation	to	the	brain	and	eliminate	memory	problems.	If	it	seems	to	be
beneficial,	you	can	continue	using	it	indefinitely.
•	Drink	
brahmi
	milk—½	teaspoon	
brahmi
	boiled	for	a	couple	of	minutes	in	a	cup	of	milk—
at	bedtime.	It	will	improve	your	memory	remarkably.	Add	a	pinch	of	saffron	for	increased
benefit.	You	can	drink	
brahmi
	milk	every	day	for	a	month,	or	continue	indefinitely.
•	A	teaspoon	of	
brahmi
	ghee,	taken	5	to	10	minutes	before	breakfast	and	before	dinner,
also	helps.
•	Aloe	vera	gel	(1	tablespoon)	with	a	pinch	of	black	pepper	and	¼	teaspoon	
powder,	taken	2	or	3	times	a	day,	is	also	beneficial.
PRACTICAL	TIPS	FOR	GOOD	MEMORY
WRITE	IT	DOWN
.	Write	down	important	information	in	order	to	remember	it.	Then	you	can	go
over	it,	and	over	it.	Also,	make	a	list	of	things	you	want	to	do	or	buy.	Then	you	won’t	forget
the	milk	or	bananas!
DEVELOP	A	POETIC	ATTITUDE

.	Think	in	rhymes	and	rhythms.	In	the	oral	traditions	of	India	and	other
countries,	students	memorize	vast	amounts	of	knowledge	that	is	usually	set	in	rhyme	and
rhythm.
ASSOCIATE
.	Use	association	to	aid	memory.	Suppose	somebody	tells	you	his	name.	Try	to
associate	that	name	with	something	familiar.	You	might	even	imagine	a	picture	to	go	along

with	the	sound.
MEDITATION	ON	FORGETFULNESS
.	There	is	an	ancient	Vedic	technique	to	recapture	a	lost	memory:	If
you	forget	something,	just	sit	quietly	and	stay	in	the	forgetfulness.	Breathe	into	the
forgetfulness,	and	try	to	dig	out	the	memory.	Suddenly	it	will	come	back!
EXERCISE
.	Daily	walking,	especially	fast	walking	if	you	are	fit	for	it,	improves	circulation	and
helps	strengthen	memory.	Walk	for	half	an	hour,	5	times	a	week,	Monday	to	Friday.
.	Yoga	postures	are	helpful,	especially	the	inverted	poses	(Shoulder	Stand,
Headstand,	Plow	pose,	and	Camel	pose),	which	help	to	bring	more	blood	to	the	brain.	The
Bow	and	Cobra	poses	are	also	helpful,	as	is	Savasana,	the	yogic	rest	pose.	Also	do	the	Sun
Salutation,	12	cycles	a	day.
.	
Brahmi
	oil	rubbed	on	the	soles	of	the	feet	and	on	the	scalp	stimulates	cerebral
neural	receptors	under	the	skin,	which	send	messages	to	the	brain	cells	and	can	activate
memory.
NASYA
.

memory.
NASYA
.
	The	nose	is	the	doorway	to	the	brain	and	memory.	Nose	drops	of	warmed-up	
brahmi
ghee,	5	drops	in	each	nostril,	can	help	to	improve	memory.	(See	
appendix	2
	for	instructions
on	how	to	make	medicated	oils	and	ghees.)
PRANAYAMA
.
	Alternate	Nostril	Breathing	helps	to	improve	cerebral	circulation	(see
chapter	6
).
MEDITATE	FOR	BETTER	MEMORY
.	Memory	problems	may	be	caused	by	stress,	anxiety,	and	worries.
Regular	meditation	is	beneficial	for	relieving	stress.	Try	the	Empty	Bowl	or	
So-Hum
meditation	explained	in	
chapter	7
.
AVOID	TOXIC	SUBSTANCES
.	A	person	who	has	memory	problems	should	avoid	alcohol	and	marijuana.
Also,	strictly	avoid	drugs	that	will	directly	affect	the	brain,	such	as	LSD.	Smoking	cigarettes
can	also	adversely	affect	memory,	as	nicotine	toxicity	constricts	the	cerebral	blood	vessels,
which	will	damage	the	brain	cells.	Some	research	indicates	that	certain	commonly
prescribed	medications,	such	as	diazepam	(Valium),	may	also	seriously	impair	memory.

These	do’s	and	don’ts	will	be	effective	in	protecting	and	improving	your	memory.
	
Menopause	Problems
	
Menopause	is	a	natural	phenomenon.	The	body	stops	producing	female	hormones,	and
menstruation	ceases.	In	addition	to	their	reproductive	and	other	functions,	female	hormones
are	necessary	for	regulation	of	bone	metabolism.	That	is	why	some	women	may	end	up

with	osteoporosis.	This	is	particularly	true	of	vata	and	pitta	individuals.	(See	“
Osteoporosis
”
for	suggestions	on	preventing	this	condition.)
Some	women	may	experience	menopausal	syndrome,	characterized	by	hot	flashes,
retention	of	water,	and	mood	swings.	Some	may	have	insomnia.	The	following
recommendations	will	help	you	move	through	this	natural	stage	of	your	life	gracefully	and
comfortably.
DIETARY	 GUIDELINES
.	The	main	dietary	recommendation	for	menopause	is	to	follow	the	vata-
pacifying	diet	(see	
chapter	8
).	This	is	true	for	all	constitutions	but	is	especially	crucial	for
vata	types.
ALOE	VERA
.	Taking	fresh	aloe	vera	gel	(1	teaspoon	3	times	a	day)	will	help	prevent	and	relieve
uncomfortable	symptoms.
MINERAL	 SUPPLEMENTS
.	It	is	important	to	take	some	mineral	supplements.	Specifically,	take	a
formula	of	calcium,	magnesium,	and	zinc	that	provides	a	daily	amount	approximately	as
follows:
calcium
1,200	mg.
magnesium
600	mg.
zinc
60	mg.
Natural	Hormone	Sources

follows:
calcium
1,200	mg.
magnesium
600	mg.
zinc
60	mg.
It	has	become	commonplace	for	modern	medicine	to	prescribe	hormone	replacement
therapy	for	menopausal	women.	Ayurveda	has	long	recognized	the	value	of	female
rejuvenating	herbs	at	this	stage	of	life,	to	prevent	and/or	alleviate	menopausal
syndrome.	However,	these	herbs,	rather	than	being	a	synthetic	formula,	provide	your
body	with	natural	food	precursors	of	estrogen	and	progesterone.
The	herbs	
shatavari
	and	wild	yam	(which	is	similar	to	the	Ayurvedic	herb	
vidari
)	are
most	effective.	A	mixture	of	the	two	will	be	strengthening	and	healing	to	your	system.
vidari	or	wild	yam	½	teaspoon
Take	this	formula	twice	a	day	after	lunch	and	dinner	during	the	entire	menopausal
stage,	with	a	few	sips	of	warm	water	or	½	cup	of	aloe	vera	juice.
Take	these	supplements	at	night.	They	should	help	with	menopausal	symptoms	such	as	hot

flashes,	and	they	can	also	help	prevent	osteoporosis.
FOR	HOT	FLASHES
.	Try	drinking	1	cup	of	pomegranate	juice	with	1	teaspoon	rock	candy	powder
or	organic	sugar	and	5	to	10	drops	of	lime	juice.	You	can	drink	this	2	or	3	times	per	day,	as
needed	to	relieve	hot	flashes.
FOR	VAGINAL	DRYNESS
.	To	alleviate	vaginal	dryness,	you	can	pour	some	sesame	oil	on	a	piece	of
sterile	cotton,	mold	it	into	a	tamponlike	shape,	and	insert	it	into	the	vagina	at	night.	Use	a
sanitary	pad	to	catch	any	leakage	of	the	oil.	(Consider	tying	a	clean	thread	or	string	to	the
cotton	to	help	you	remove	it	in	the	morning.)
HELPFUL	 YOGA	 POSTURES
.	Certain	yoga	
asanas
	are	beneficial.	Do	the	Sun	Salutation	at	least	12
cycles	per	day,	as	well	as	postures	that	will	strengthen	the	lower	abdominal	area,	such	as
the	Lotus,	Locust,	Bow,	Boat,	and	Spinal	Twist.	Leg	Lifts	and	the	Chest-Knee	pose	are	also
helpful.	(See	
appendix	4
.)
	
See	also	“
PMS
”
TYPES	OF	DYSMENORRHEA

appendix	4
.)
	
See	also	“
PMS
”
According	to	Ayurvedic	theory,	painful	or	difficult	menstruation	(dysmenorrhea)	can	be
divided	into	three	types:	vata,	pitta,	and	kapha.	It	is	important	to	know	as	specifically	as
possible	what	the	problem	is	(vata,	pitta,	or	kapha)	in	order	to	treat	it	effectively.	Please
note	that	these	difficulties	are	independent	of	one’s	
own
	constitutional	type.	That	is,
somebody	with	a	pitta	constitution	
could	be	having	vata-type	menstrual	problems.	So	read
the	following	descriptions	carefully	and	compare	them	to	your	own	experience.
•	
Vata
.	More	pain	before	the	onset	of	menstruation,	bloating,	lower	abdominal	pain,
lower	back	ache,	constipation,	cramps,	and	insomnia	are	associated	with	vata-type
dysmenorrhea.	Menstrual	flow	tends	to	be	scanty.
•	
Pitta
.	Congestive	dysmenorrhea	is	a	pitta	problem.	Pitta	creates	congestion,

•	
Pitta
inflammation,	and	irritation.	The	breasts	become	tender,	the	bladder	becomes	sensitive,	and
there	can	be	a	burning	sensation	while	passing	urine.	There	may	be	hot	flashes	and
irritability.	It	may	lead	to	profuse	menstrual	flow.
•	
Kapha
.	In	kapha-type	menstrual	difficulties,	there	is	also	congestion,	and	pain	occurs
more	in	the	later	part	of	the	menstrual	period,	associated	with	white	discharge,	bloating,
water	retention,	feelings	of	heaviness,	lethargy,	and	drowsiness.	The	woman	feels	like
sleeping	during	the	daytime.
TREATMENTS	FOR	DYSMENORRHEA

Now	for	some	effective	treatments	for	each	type	of	disorder.
VATA
.	For	vata-type	menstrual	discomfort,	make	an	herbal	compound	of
vidari
tagar
Mix	equal	proportions	of	these	herbs	together,	and	take	1	teaspoon	of	the	mixture
with	warm	water	after	lunch	and	dinner.
Also	effective	for	relieving	vata-type	cramps	and	discomfort	is	applying	castor	oil	on	the
lower	abdomen.
Take	1	tablespoon	of	aloe	vera	gel	with	2	pinches	of	black	pepper	3	times	a	day	until	the
cramps	subside.
PITTA
.	Women	with	pitta-type	symptoms	should	use
shatavari	2	parts
This	formula	is	effective	for	pitta-type	menstrual	pain.	Take	½	teaspoon	of	this
mixture	twice	a	day	with	warm	water,	after	meals.
You	will	also	find	application	of	some	coconut	oil	on	the	lower	abdomen	quite	soothing.
KAPHA
.	Kapha-type	menstrual	problems	can	be	effectively	treated	by	using	a	mixture	of
punarnava	½	part
manjistha	½	part
trikatu	⅛	part

Take	about	½	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	twice	a	day,	after	lunch	and	dinner,	washed
down	with	warm	water.
Application	of	mustard	oil	and	castor	oil	(half	and	half)	to	the	lower	abdomen	will	also
help	with	kapha-type	menstrual	discomfort.
NOTE
:	This	may	be	a	good	time	to	remind	you	of	an	important	Ayurvedic	principle.	If
you	are	finding	that	your	self-treatment	is	not	working	or	even	appears	to	be
making	the	condition	worse,	you	may	have	made	a	mistake	in	your	diagnosis	of	the
problem.
Don’t	give	up!	Remember,	you	are	not	a	trained	Ayurvedic	diagnostician.	Simply

reassess	the	situation	and	try	a	different	line	of	treatment.
FOR	ALL	BODY	TYPES
.	Ayurvedic	medicine	includes	a	series	of	powerful	herbal	compounds	based	on
the	herb	
guggulu
.	In	addition	to	other	healing	qualities,	these	compounds	are	especially	good
for	regulating	menstruation.	For	vata-type	pain,	use	
	or	
.
Pittas	may	use	
.	Kaphas	will	do	best	with	
.	In	each	case,
take	one	tablet	twice	a	day.	These	tablets	are	generally	available	from	sources	of	Ayurvedic
herbs	(see	
Resources
).
•	Another	universal	remedy	that	should	bring	some	relief	from	menstrual	pain	is	to	roast
some	cumin	seeds	in	an	ungreased	pan	until	they	smell	pungent.	(It	will	just	take	a	few
minutes.)	When	they	are	cool,	chew	about	1	teaspoon	slowly,	and	follow	with	one
tablespoon	aloe	vera	juice.
FOR	 EXCESSIVE	 MENSTRUAL	 FLOW
.	A	tea	made	of	raspberry	leaves	and	hibiscus	flowers	(equal

amounts,	1	to	2	teaspoons	of	herbs	per	cup	of	water)	is	often	quite	effective.
•	You	might	also	try	drinking	a	cup	of	coconut	water	(the	natural	juice	inside	a	fresh
coconut)	with	½	teaspoon	rock	candy	powder	or	natural	sugar	added.
•	Eating	about	10	to	20	fresh	raspberries	on	an	empty	stomach,	up	to	2	or	3	times	a	day,
may	be	helpful.
STRATEGY	TO	PREVENT	MENSTRUAL	PROBLEMS
Perhaps	more	important	than	all	these	pain	remedies	is	a	strategy	to	
prevent
	menstrual
problems.	You	can	follow	this	strategy	quite	easily,	effectively,	safely,	and	inexpensively.
.	For	the	entire	week	before	you	expect	your	period	to	start,	take	1	tablespoon	of
aloe	vera	gel,	3	times	a	day.	This	will	help	prevent	all	types	of	menstrual	pain	and
.	Throughout	the	month,	follow	the	dietary	guidelines	for	your	constitutional
type	(see	
chapter	8
).
YOGA	POSITIONS

type	(see	
chapter	8
).
.	Throughout	the	month,	spend	a	few	minutes	every	day	on	the	yoga	postures
recommended	for	your	body	type	(see	
this	page
).	Yoga	
asanas
	are	not	recommended	during
the	menstrual	period.	Just	rest,	read,	and	relax	as	much	as	possible.
If	you	follow	these	recommendations,	your	menstrual	problems	may	soon	be	nothing	but
a	memory.
	
Migraine

See	also	“
Headaches
”
Although	migraine	headaches	can	result	from	a	vata,	pitta,	or	kapha	imbalance,	they	most
frequently	occur	when	systemic	pitta	moves	into	the	cardiovascular	system,	circulates,	and
affects	the	blood	vessels	around	the	brain.	The	hot,	sharp	quality	of	pitta	dilates	the	blood
vessels	and	creates	pressure	on	the	nerves,	causing	this	painful	condition.
.	To	treat	migraine	headaches,	it	is	vital	first	to	take	care	of	pitta
with	a	proper	pitta-soothing	diet.	(See	the	dietary	guidelines	in	
chapter	8
.)	Especially	avoid
hot,	spicy	foods,	fermented	foods,	and	sour	or	citrus	fruits.	Carefully	following	a	pitta-
soothing	diet	is	effective	both	for	migraine	relief	and	as	a	preventive	measure.
PREVENTIVE	BREAKFAST
.	Certain	individuals	get	migraines	at	midday,	which	then	subside	later	in
the	evening.	For	such	individuals,	try	this	preventive	method.	It	may	sound	too	simple,	but

it	is	effective.	First	thing	in	the	morning,	take	1	ripe	banana.	Peel	it,	chop	it	into	pieces,
and	add	1	teaspoon	warm	ghee,	1	teaspoon	date	sugar,	and	a	pinch	of	cardamom	on	top.
This	is	delicious,	and	it	will	help	to	reduce	pitta	and	prevent	a	headache	from	arising.
.	The	following	herbal	compound	will	be	beneficial:
brahmi	4	parts
Prepare	this	mixture,	and	take	½	teaspoon	twice	a	day,	morning	and	evening,	after
breakfast	and	dinner,	with	a	little	lukewarm	water.	This	formula	is	designed	to
pacify	the	aggravated	pitta	and	help	relieve	migraine	headaches.
AVOID	 DIRECT	 SUN
.	Because	migraine	headaches	are	predominantly	a	pitta	disorder,	they	are
affected	by	the	hot	sun.	When	the	sun	rises,	its	hot,	sharp,	penetrating	rays	increase	pitta	in
the	cardiovascular	system	and	cause	the	dilation	of	the	blood	vessels	in	the	brain,	which

results	in	the	painful	headaches.	So	it	is	important	to	avoid	direct	exposure	to	the	sun,	and
if	you	do	go	out	in	the	sun,	wear	a	hat.
SOOTHING	NOSE	DROPS
.	Once	a	headache	has	developed,	putting	about	5	drops	of	warm	
brahmi
ghee	in	each	nostril	will	help	relieve	the	pain.
RECOMMENDED	YOGA	POSTURES
.	Generally,	a	person	having	migraines	should	do	the	Moon	Salutation
(see	
appendix	4
).	Helpful	yoga	postures	include	the	Hidden	Lotus,	Boat	pose,	Bow	pose,
Spinal	Twist,	Palm	Tree	pose,	and	Standing	on	the	Toes.
A	COOLING	
PRANAYAMA
.	You	will	also	find	a	cooling	breathing	exercise	such	as	
shitali
	helpful	(see
chapter	8
).
A	 HEALING	 YAWN
.	When	you	have	a	migraine,	gently	squeeze	your	earlobes,	
pulling	the	ear

down,	and	do	the	act	of	yawning.	That	will	relieve	the	pressure	on	the	blood	vessels	and
help	to	pacify	the	headache.
See	“
Headaches
”	for	a	detailed	analysis	of	vata,	pitta,	and	kapha	headaches	and	their
proper	treatment.
	
Morning	Sickness
	
Early	in	pregnancy,	morning	sickness—nausea	and	vomiting	in	the	early	morning,
immediately	or	soon	after	waking	up—is	quite	common.	This	condition	is	due	to
aggravation	of	pitta	and	is	especially	common	among	pitta	individuals.	It	usually	occurs
from	approximately	the	sixth	to	the	tenth	week	of	pregnancy.
Some	medical	researchers	have	said	that	the	level	of	estrogen	in	the	blood	rises	during
pregnancy.	Estrogen	is	pittagenic.	The	higher	estrogen	level	in	the	blood	triggers	pitta	in
the	stomach	and	increases	acid	secretion,	so	that	the	stomach	becomes	more	acidic.	In	the
early	morning,	when	the	stomach	is	empty	and	acidic,	morning	sickness	can	occur.
Also,	certain	odors	can	trigger	nausea	and	vomiting	at	any	time	of	the	day	or	night,	but

sensitivity	to	smell	is	greatest	in	the	morning.	During	pregnancy,	a	woman’s	sense	of	smell
becomes	unusually	sensitive.	The	reason	is	interesting.	According	to	Ayurveda,	the	earth
element	is	particularly	prominent	during	pregnancy,	because	the	fetus	is	building	and
growing	and	the	earth	element	is	responsible	for	solidity	and	structure.	The	earth	element	is
also	associated	with	the	sense	of	smell.	(In	Ayurveda,	the	senses	are	related	to	the	elements
like	this:	Space	=	touch;	Air	=	hearing,	Fire	=	sight;	Water	=	taste,	Earth	=	smell.)
Ayurvedic	literature	talks	poetically	about	morning	sickness,	saying	that	it	is	common
among	women	whose	babies	will	develop	a	copious	head	of	hair	after	birth.
START	THE	DAY	WITH	A	LITTLE	FOOD
.	Believe	it	or	not,	the	first	thing	to	do	upon	waking	up	in	the
morning	is	to	put	something	in	your	stomach.	Have	a	little	light	food.	You	might	try	some

crackers	with	a	slightly	salty	taste.	Salt	is	generally	pitta-provoking,	but	a	small	quantity	of
salt	stimulates	salivary	secretion	and	helps	to	reduce	pitta.	Fresh	lime	juice	is	also	helpful,
with	a	little	salt	and	sugar.
EAT	OFTEN
.	If	you	are	troubled	by	morning	sickness,	eat	small	frequent	meals,	as	many	as	five
or	six	in	a	day.	An	empty	stomach	has	more	acid	secretion,	and	irritation	and	nausea	easily
follow.
COCONUT	WATER
.	Add	1	teaspoon	of	lemon	juice	to	a	cup	of	coconut	water	(the	natural	juice
inside	a	fresh	coconut),	and	take	a	sip	every	15	minutes	to	settle	your	stomach.
.	The	following	herbal	formula	is	effective	for	settling	morning	sickness:

Take	½	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	with	lime	juice	or	lemon	juice	in	the	early	morning
and	at	bedtime	to	reduce	acid	secretion	in	the	stomach	and	relieve	nausea.
TRY	ALMONDS
.	Soak	10	raw	(unroasted)	almonds	overnight,	and	next	morning	peel	off	the	skin
and	eat	them.	In	addition	to	providing	a	high-quality	protein,	almonds	are	a	good	source	of
calcium.	Pregnant	mothers	need	both.	And	they	settle	the	stomach.
WALK	IT	OFF
.	Sometimes	walking	in	the	fresh	morning	air	helps	with	morning	sickness,	because
fresh	cool	air	reduces	pitta.	It	also	helps	to	relieve	stress.	It	sometimes	happens	that	a	pitta
woman,	working	for	a	demanding	boss	and	coming	home	to	a	criticizing	husband,	develops
some	unresolved	anger.	Stress	builds	up	in	the	solar	plexus	and	manifests	as	morning
sickness.	It	is	important	for	her	to	reduce	her	stress	level	by	doing	some	early	morning
walking	or	other	appropriate	exercise.
MINIMASSAGE
.	In	the	morning,	before	taking	a	shower,	warm	up	3	to	5	ounces	of	sesame	oil	(for

vata	constitutions),	coconut	oil	(for	pittas)	or	sunflower	oil	(for	kaphas),	and	rub	it	over
your	body	for	5	to	10	minutes.	Be	sure	to	get	some	on	your	scalp	and	feet.	Then	take	a	nice
warm	shower.	This	soothing	oil	massage	(called	
abhyanga
)	will	minimize	stress	and	help
with	morning	sickness.
MILK	WITH	ROSE	WATER
.	Buy	some	rose	essence	or	rose	water.	When	you	are	feeling	nauseated,	put
1	drop	in	a	cupful	of	milk,	boil	the	milk,	and	then	drink	it	warm.	(You	can	just	as	well	use	5
fresh	rose	petals	from	your	garden	to	boil	in	the	milk.)	This	will	help	to	eliminate	the
nausea.	As	a	preventive	measure,	taking	a	cup	of	this	rose	milk	with	a	teaspoon	of	ghee	at
bedtime	will	pacify	pitta	and	help	to	control	morning	sickness.
DRINK	 A	 LOT
.	Vomiting	can	lead	to	dehydration,	so	you	need	to	drink	extra	liquid	to

DRINK	 A	 LOT
compensate.	Better	still,	make	some	homemade	dextrosaline	by	adding	2	teaspoons	sugar,
the	juice	of	½	lime,	and	a	pinch	of	salt	to	1	pint	of	water.	Drink	1	cup	every	2	hours	to
eliminate	dehydration	and	help	the	nausea	and	vomiting	subside.
PEACOCK	 FEATHER	 ASH
.	This	remedy	might	sound	strange,	but	it	is	quite	effective.	Ayurvedic
literature	says	that	morning	sickness	can	be	remedied	by	using	peacock	feather	ash.	Burn	a
peacock	feather	in	such	a	way	that	you	can	collect	the	ash.	The	smell	of	the	burning	feather
is	quite	awful,	so	someone	else	should	burn	the	feather,	not	the	pregnant	woman.	Take	just
a	pinch	of	the	powdery	ash	with	a	teaspoon	of	honey.	This	can	immediately	stop	morning
sickness.
EFFECTIVE	 HERBAL	 FORMULA
.	No	matter	what	your	constitutional	type	is,	this	formula	will	be
beneficial	for	you:

moti	bhasma	⅛	part
Take	½	teaspoon	2	or	3	times	a	day	with	ghee.	Or,	if	you	don’t	want	to	use	ghee,
use	warm	water.	Sometimes	during	pregnancy	women	may	not	feel	like	taking
ghee.
	
While	running,	walking,	riding	a	bicycle,	standing	up	for	a	long	time,	doing	yoga	stretches
incorrectly,	or	even	sleeping,	a	person	can	get	muscle	cramps.	Any	muscle—upper	arm,
forearm,	leg,	calf,	or	even	a	toe	or	the	baby	finger—can	undergo	sudden	spasm.
Muscle	cramps	and	spasms	have	numerous	causes.	They	may	be	due	to	insufficient	blood
supply	to	the	muscle	or,	in	some	cases,	to	excess	blood	supply,	as	in	the	case	of	“writer’s
cramp.”	Muscle	spasms	can	be	due	to	lack	of	calcium	in	the	diet	or	malabsorption	of
calcium,	since	calcium	plays	a	significant	role	in	relaxing	the	muscle.	A	related	problem	is
hypoparathyroidism	(underactive	parathyroid),	in	which	the	person	loses	calcium;	this	may
also	cause	the	muscles	to	undergo	spasm.	Exposure	to	cold	and	poor	circulation	may	also	be

responsible.
The	Ayurvedic	understanding	is,	in	simplest	terms,	that	muscle	spasms	are	caused	by	vata
dosha.	Vata,	increased	by	mobile,	cold,	or	rough	qualities,	makes	a	muscle	stiff	and	hard,
and	it	undergoes	spasm.
FOR	IMMEDIATE	RELIEF
.	Whenever	a	muscle	is	under	spasm
•	Grab	hold	of	it.
•	At	the	same	time,	press	your	index	finger	deeply	into	the	“belly”	of	the	muscle	(the
bulging	central	part	of	the	muscle)	for	15	to	20	seconds.	A	
marma
	point	(like	an	acupressure
point)	is	located	in	the	center	of	the	muscle;	pressing	on	it	helps	the	muscle	relax.
•	Take	a	few	deep	breaths.
This	procedure	will	increase	circulation,	and	the	muscle	will	relax.
ANOTHER	PRESSURE	POINT	REMEDY
.	A	
marma
	point	is	located	at	the	midpoint	of	both	the	lips.	If	there	is
a	spasm	in	the	upper	body,	such	as	in	the	arms	or	fingers,	grab	hold	of	your	upper	lip,	in

the	middle,	between	your	thumb	and	index	finger.	If	the	spasm	is	in	the	legs	or	the	lower
part	of	the	body,	grab	the	lower	lip.
These	energy	points	on	the	lips	send	messages	to	the	brain,	which	in	turn	relays	a	signal
to	the	motor	system	to	relax	the	muscles.	Just	grabbing	the	lips	for	30	seconds	should	help
relieve	the	spasm.	Press	fairly	strongly,	but	not	hard	enough	to	be	painful.
CONTRACT	 AND	 RELAX	 THE	 MUSCLE
.	Repeatedly	alternate	contraction	and	relaxation	of	the	muscle.
This	will	improve	circulation	and	help	to	release	lactic	acid,	which	will	relax	the	muscle.
MASSAGE
.	Another	approach	is	to	apply	a	little	oil	to	the	muscle	belly	and	gently	massage.
Mahanarayan
	oil	is	best	if	you	have	it;	otherwise,	some	sesame	oil	or	other	oil	will	do.	Gentle

massage	of	the	painful	cramped	muscle	will	relax	the	muscle	fibers,	improve	the	circulation,
and	pacify	the	vata.	That	will	help	relieve	the	spasm.
After	rubbing	in	the	
	oil,	apply	a	little	heat.	For	best	results,	use	a	hot	water
bottle	(not	an	electric	heating	pad).
Winter,	with	its	dry,	cold	weather,	is	vata	season.	During	winter	season,	when	vata
individuals	get	exposed	to	the	cold,	their	muscles	may	cramp.	Rubbing	the	muscle	with
	oil	(or	sesame	oil)	and	hen	applying	heat	will	be	soothing	and	healing.
SOAK	IT
.	For	a	cramp	in	your	foot,	soak	the	foot	in	a	bucket	of	warm	water	that	contains	salt
(1	or	2	tablespoons).
A	hot	ginger	powder-baking	soda	bath	(2/3	cup	baking	soda	and	¼	cup	ginger	per	tubful
of	water)	is	also	effective	for	muscle	relaxation.
HERBAL	RELAXANTS
.	Make	yourself	a	cup	of	chamomile	tea,	
jatamamsi
	tea,	or	comfrey	tea.	Or,
even	better,	you	can	make	a	tea	using	equal	amounts	of	all	three	of	these	herbs	(⅓

teaspoon	of	each	per	cup).	It	will	help	to	relax	your	muscles.
FOR	PREVENTION
.	As	a	preventive	measure	against	future	cramping,	drink	some	
	tea—
½	teaspoon	of	
	powder	steeped	for	a	few	minutes	in	1	cup	hot	water.	Have	a	cup
or	two	of	
	tea	every	Saturday.
.	Getting	repeated	muscle	cramps	suggests	that	you	either	have	a	calcium
deficiency	or	are	not	absorbing	enough	of	the	calcium	in	your	food.	First,	take	some
supplements	of	calcium,	magnesium,	and	zinc.	Your	formula	should	contain	approximately
1,200	mg.	calcium,	600	mg.	magnesium,	and	60	mg.	zinc.	Take	these	supplements	at
bedtime.
Second,	to	improve	absorption,	take	
triphala
	every	night	or	in	the	very	early	morning.	Use
about	½	teaspoon	
triphala
	powder	per	cup	of	boiling	water.
YOGARAJ	GUGGULU
.	
Yogaraj	guggulu
	tablets	(200	mg.	per	tablet),	taken	2	or	3	times	a	day	for	1

.	
month,	are	effective	for	pacifying	vata	in	the	muscles,	which	is	the	root	cause	of	muscle
cramps.
EFFECTIVE	HOME	TREATMENT	FOR	ABDOMINAL	CRAMPS
.	Muscle	cramps	and	cramps	in	the	stomach	may	be
related.	Muscle	pain	can	happen	anywhere	in	the	body,	in	the	skeletal	muscles	as	well	as	in
the	smooth	muscles	of	the	abdomen.	As	with	spasm	in	the	arm	or	leg,	abdominal	cramps
may	have	many	causes,	such	as	eating	too	big	a	meal,	or	lifting	too	heavy	a	weight,	which
strains	the	abdominal	muscles.	Gases	in	the	stomach,	constipation,	or	acid	indigestion	can
also	create	cramps	in	the	stomach	or	abdomen.
•	For	painful	cramps	in	the	abdominal	muscles,	take	the	herbal	compound	
	(one
200-mg.	tablet	after	dinner).
•	This	antacid	formula	may	also	be	effective:

guduchi	¼	teaspoon
shanka	bhasma	pinch
Take	this	entire	amount	once	or	twice	a	day,	after	meals.
•	Warm	milk	is	helpful	for	abdominal	muscle	cramps.	Its	alkaline	property	helps	pacify
acidity,	and	it	is	also	a	good	source	of	calcium,	
which	helps	muscles	to	relax.	One	cup	of
warm	milk	taken	at	bedtime	will	help	to	dispel	acid	irritation	and	spasm	of	the	stomach.
•	
Lasunadivati
	(garlic	compound)	is	effectively	used	for	smooth	muscle	spasm	as	well	as
skeletal	muscle	spasm.	Take	1	tablet	after	dinner	for	5	days.	You	can	also	buy	odorless
garlic	tablets;	take	them	as	directed	on	the	package.	Garlic	relaxes	the	muscles,	calms	down
vata	dosha,	and	helps	to	take	care	of	muscle	cramps.
•	
Hingwastak	churna
,	¼	teaspoon	taken	twice	a	day	after	lunch	and	dinner,	will	also	help
relieve	abdominal	muscle	pain.	It	may	also	create	some	gas,	however.
•	
Triphala
	is	very	effective	in	relieving	gases,	promoting	proper	elimination,	and

•	
Triphala
facilitating	absorption	of	calcium	and	other	key	minerals.	Take	½	teaspoon	of	
triphala
	daily
at	bedtime	with	warm	water.	It	will	minimize	your	chances	of	getting	muscle	cramps	in	the
stomach.
	
Nasal	Crust
	
Some	individuals,	when	their	systemic	kapha	dosha	becomes	high	(perhaps	due	to	eating
too	many	kapha-increasing	foods),	become	sensitive	to	pollen,	dust,	ragweed,	cat	hair,	dog
hair,	and	other	allergens,	as	well	as	to	cold	temperatures.	As	a	result,	they	may	develop
rhinitis,	with	nasal	congestion	and	nasal	discharge.	Even	in	the	absence	of	infection,
dryness	in	the	atmosphere	may	dry	up	the	mucous	membranes	and	nasal	passage;	to
compensate	for	that,	the	body	will	produce	more	mucus.	Then,	due	to	continuing	dry	heat	in
the	environment,	the	nasal	discharge	becomes	thick,	dry,	and	crusty.	This	is	known	as	nasal
crust.

crust.
People	with	deviated	nasal	septum	can	also	accumulate	nasal	discharge,	and	because	of
dryness	in	the	air	it	may	form	a	crust.	Nasal	crust	can	create	stuffy	nose,	sinus	headache,
and	difficulty	breathing.	It	can	be	one	of	the	causes	of	snoring	and	of	sleep	apnea.
Nosebleeds	may	also	be	due	to	nasal	crust.
Ayurvedic	medicine	offers	a	number	of	effective	remedies:
STEAM	IT
.	The	simplest	remedy	is	to	inhale	steam.	You	can	use	plain	water,	water	with	some
ginger	boiled	in	it,	or	a	tea	of	the	following	ingredients:
ginger
ajwan	(Indian	celery	seed)
turmeric

Put	equal	amounts	of	each	of	these	herbs	in	a	pint	of	water,	and	boil	it	up.	Then
turn	off	the	fire,	put	a	towel	over	your	head,	and	inhale	the	steam.	This	will	ease
out	the	discharge.	The	crust	will	come	out,	and	you	will	breathe	freely.	Though
simple,	this	is	an	effective	remedy.
MENTHOL	 AND	 EUCALYPTUS
.	Rubbing	menthol	on	the	forehead	and	on	the	sinus	area	will	help.
Placing	a	few	drops	of	
mild
	eucalyptus	oil	in	the	nose	will	also	help.
NOTE
:	Do	not	use	pure	eucalyptus	oil.	Dilute	a	few	drops	of	eucalyptus	oil	with
sesame	oil	or	some	other	mild	oil	so	that	it	doesn’t	burn	your	skin	or	the	sensitive
tissue	in	the	nose.
USE	AN	ONION
.	Chop	up	an	onion,	and	sniff	its	fragrance.	Onions	contain	ammonia,	
which	is	a
powerful	decongestant.	It	brings	tears	to	the	eyes	and	promotes	sneezing.	The	tears	from
the	eyes	will	pass	through	the	tear	ducts	and	into	the	nasal	passage,	which	will	lubricate
and	loosen	the	crust;	then	the	sneezing	will	help	the	crust	to	be	eliminated.

LUBRICATE	THE	NOSTRILS
.	Putting	a	few	drops	of	
brahmi
	ghee	or	saline	solution	into	the	nose	will
also	lubricate	the	nasal	passage	and	facilitate	removal	of	the	crust.	You	can	make	an
effective	saline	solution	by	adding	⅛	teaspoon	salt	to	½	cup	water.
BURN	IT	OUT
.	A	meal	of	spicy	food	will	also	help.	For	example,	a	hot	soup	or	vegetables	spiced
with	cayenne	pepper,	curry	powder,	or	chili	pepper	(within	your	limits	of	comfort!)	will
increase	circulation	and	help	to	eliminate	stuffy	nose	and	nasal	crust.
USE	 A	 HUMIDIFIER
.	At	night,	run	a	humidifier	so	that	the	room	will	be	warm	and	moist.	If
possible,	don’t	use	an	ultrasound	humidifier.	A	hot-water	type	is	best.
VITAMINS	AND	HERBS
.	Finally,	take	some	or	all	of	the	following:
•	Vitamin	C—1,000	mg.	(1	gram)	twice	a	day
•	
Amalaki
	(a	good	source	of	vitamin	C)—1	teaspoon	at	bedtime	in	warm	water.	(Don’t	use
it	if	you	are	already	taking	
triphala

triphala
	at	night;	
amalaki
	is	one	of	the	ingredients	of	
triphala
.)
•	Zinc—60	mg.
•	
Sitopaladi	churna
—½	to	1	teaspoon,	with	1	teaspoon	honey	and	1	teaspoon	ghee.
	
Nausea	and	Vomiting
	
See	also	“
”
Nausea	and	vomiting	have	numerous	possible	causes,	including	excess	acid	secretion,	toxins
in	the	liver,	pregnancy,	worms	in	the	colon,	food	poisoning,	and	flu.	(For	suggestions	on
reducing	nausea	and	vomiting	during	pregnancy,	see	“
.”)
In	the	event	of	food	poisoning	or	excess	acid	secretion	in	the	stomach,	vomiting	occurs	as
a	protective	response	of	the	body	to	get	rid	of	toxins.	With	flu	also,	excess	bile	may	build	up

in	the	stomach,	and	vomiting	occurs	to	cast	it	out.	In	such	cases	vomiting	is	a	sign	of	health,
of	the	body	taking	care	of	itself.
But	when	vomiting	becomes	persistent,	it	may	lead	to	dehydration	or	other	problems,	and
it	has	to	be	stopped.	Morning	sickness,	for	example,	may	adversely	affect	the	flow	of
nutrition	going	to	the	fetus.
Ayurveda	recommends	quite	a	few	effective	ways	to	relieve	nausea	and	put	a	stop	to
vomiting.
PACIFY	 PITTA
.	Nausea	and	vomiting	indicate	high	pitta	in	the	stomach,	with	increased	acid
secretion	irritating	the	gastric	mucous	membrane.	Therefore,	it	is	good	to	follow	a	pitta-
soothing	diet,	especially	abstaining	from	hot,	spicy	food	or	fermented	food.
TRY	FASTING
.	Fasting	gives	a	healing	rest	to	the	digestive	system.	Don’t	eat	for	a	day—and
drink	1	cup	of	sweet	fresh	pineapple	juice	with	a	pinch	of	ginger,	a	pinch	of	black	
pepper,
and	½	teaspoon	organic	sugar.	Take	this	3	times	during	the	day.

pepper,
•	Alternatively,	you	can	drink	cranberry	juice	or	pomegranate	juice	on	your	fast.
EIGHT	WAYS	TO	SETTLE	NAUSEA	AND	VOMITING
.	Here	are	eight	simple	and	effective	suggestions	to	help	you
soothe	nausea	and	vomiting:
•	To	1	cup	of	water,	add	10	drops	of	lime	juice	and	½	teaspoon	sugar.	Last,	add	¼
teaspoon	baking	soda.	Stir	and	drink.	This	can	immediately	stop	nausea	and	vomiting.
•	An	effective	remedy	is	to	chew	1	or	2	cardamom	seeds.
•	A	mixture	of	1	teaspoon	ginger	juice	(or	freshly	grated	ginger	pulp)	and	1	teaspoon
onion	juice	will	help	to	settle	nausea	and	vomiting.
•	Make	a	mixture	of	equal	parts	lemon	juice	and	honey.	Dip	your	index	finger	into	the
mixture	and	lick	it,	consuming	the	mixture	slowly.
•	Try	stirring	½	teaspoon	honey	and	2	pinches	of	cardamom	into	half	a	cup	of	plain
yogurt.
•	A	tea	made	from	1	teaspoon	cumin	seeds	and	a	pinch	of	nutmeg	steeped	in	a	cup	of	hot
water	will	be	quite	soothing.

•	Drinking	sugar	cane	juice	can	also	be	helpful,	as	is	cranberry	juice	with	a	little	lime	juice
added.
•	Ayurveda	also	recommends	the	following	herbal	formula	to	quickly	stop	nausea	and
vomiting:
rose	petal	powder	½	teaspoon
sandalwood	powder	¼	teaspoon
rock	candy	powder	½	teaspoon
Take	this	entire	mixture	in	room	temperature	water.

Vomit	for	Healing
Most	people	find	vomiting	a	rather	unpleasant	experience,	but	there	are	times	when
one	might	want	to	induce	vomiting.	When	someone	has	a	flu	or	a	bad	cold,	excess
kapha	may	build	up	and	the	person	suffers	from	persistent	headache,	congestion,	and
coughing.	Mother	Nature	may	bring	on	vomiting	to	remove	the	kapha,	but	if	that
doesn’t	happen,	Ayurveda	suggests	taking	matters	into	your	own	hands.
Drink	a	glass	of	water	with	¼	teaspoon	salt	dissolved	in	it.	The	salty	water	itself	is
emetic	(provokes	vomiting),	but	you	can	also	rub	the	back	of	the	tongue	to	stimulate
the	“gag”	reflex	and	vomit	out	the	water.	The	moment	vomiting	occurs,	fever	will
generally	come	down,	the	headache	will	disappear,	congestion	in	the	chest	will	be
greatly	relieved,	and	you	will	feel	much	better.
FOR	NAUSEA	IN	CHILDREN
.	Try	giving	the	child	some	coconut	water.	Add	1	teaspoon	lemon	juice	to	a
cup	of	coconut	water	(the	
natural	juice	inside	a	fresh	coconut),	and	have	the	child	take	a	sip

every	15	minutes	or	so	to	settle	the	stomach.
FOR	WORMS
.	Nausea	and	vomiting	may	also	be	a	sign	of	worms.	If	a	person	has	a	history	of
passing	worms	in	the	stool	and	gets	repeated	attacks	of	nausea	and	vomiting,	use	the
following	strategy:
•	Take	the	herb	
vidanga
,	about	½	teaspoon	twice	a	day	with	a	little	warm	water.
•	Keep	the	colon	clean	by	taking	½	teaspoon	
triphala
	at	night	for	several	weeks.	Mix	the
triphala
	into	½	cup	of	warm	water,	let	it	steep	for	10	minutes,	then	strain	and	drink.
TO	DETOXIFY	THE	LIVER
.	Nausea	and	vomiting	may	be	a	sign	that	there	are	excess	toxins	in	the
liver.	To	detoxify	the	liver,	the	following	formula	is	effective:
kutki	¼	teaspoon
kama	dudha	pinch
Take	this	mixture	2	or	3	times	a	day	with	water	to	relieve	nausea	and	vomiting.
	
Nightmares

Nightmares	are	quite	common	in	children	up	to	the	age	of	12	but	are	more	rarely	found	in
adults.	The	main	causes	of	nightmares	in	adults	are	(1)	fears,	anxieties,	worries,	and	other
psychological	stresses,	and	(2)	eating	too	much	food	too	late	at	night.	There	may	be	other
physical	causes,	such	as	problems	with	adenoids,	or	sleep	apnea,	or	nasal	crust	that	doesn’t

allow	adequate	breathing.	Whenever	there	is	cerebral	hypoxia—lack	of	oxygen	and	
prana
	to
the	brain—the	person	can	get	nightmares.	This	can	occur	even	due	to	insufficient	fresh	air
in	the	room.
TREATING	NIGHTMARES	IN	CHILDREN
The	main	cause	of	nightmares	in	children	is	psychological—fear	and	anxiety	based	on
frightening	images	they	have	seen	or	scary	stories	they	have	heard.	So	it	is	important	not	to
feed	the	child’s	imagination	with	disturbing	images.	Keep	children	busy	with	creative	play;
don’t	let	them	watch	violent	or	horrifying	television	programs	or	read	frightening	stories.
The	child’s	room	should	be	pleasant	and	filled	with	sweetness,	with	nice	music	and
perhaps	some	tinkling	bells.	Bells	have	a	happy	sound	that	children	like.	You	can	tell	the
child,	“When	there	is	a	bell,	monsters	won’t	come.”	And	they’ll	sleep	peacefully.
Rather	than	watching	frightening	or	violent	movies,	tell	children	positive,	uplifting
stories,	such	as	from	the	
Ramayana

Ramayana
,	about	baby	Krishna,	or	any	other	beautiful,	happy	story.
Give	the	child	a	mini–oil	massage	before	bed.	Rub	some	oil,	especially	
brahmi
	oil	or
	oil,	on	the	soles	of	the	feet	and	on	the	scalp.	This	will	help	relax	the	child.	(See
appendix	2
	for	instructions	on	making	herbalized	oils.)
Sometimes	nightmares	come	as	a	result	of	bedwetting.	To	help	prevent	this,	see	that	the
child	doesn’t	drink	much	for	at	least	two	
hours	before	going	to	sleep.	Some	cumin-coriander-
fennel	tea	(again,	not	just	before	bedtime)	can	help	prevent	bedwetting.
REMEDIES	FOR	ADULTS	AND	CHILDREN
TRANQUILLITY	TEA
.	Make	a	tea	from	equal	proportions	of
jatamamsi
brahmi
ginkgo
yashti	madhu	(licorice	root)
Drinking	a	cup	of	this	tea	(made	from	1	teaspoon	of	the	herbal	mix	steeped	in	1	cup
hot	water)	before	going	to	bed	will	help	create	a	more	peaceful	mind	and	body.	This
tea	is	good	for	children	as	well	as	adults.
•	You	can	also	make	a	similar	tea	of	equal	amounts	of

•	You	can	also	make	a	similar	tea	of	equal	amounts	of	
jatamamsi
	and	
.
HERBS	FOR	ALLERGIES
.	If	allergies	are	the	cause	of	the	nightmares,	you	can	help	remedy	them	with
	and	
.	Mix	them	in	equal	proportions,	and	take	½	teaspoon	of	each
with	honey	twice	a	day.	For	children,	use	¼	teaspoon	of	each.
JATAMAMSI
.
	If	you	sew	an	ounce	or	two	of	the	herb	
jatamamsi
	inside	a	small	silk	bag	and
place	it	under	the	pillow,	its	fragrance	will	help	create	a	tranquil	night.

NASYA
.
	Doing	
nasya
	will	help.	Put	2	to	3	drops	of	warm	ghee	or	any	Ayurvedic	nose	drops
(such	as	
brahmi
	ghee)	in	each	nostril,	
and	inhale	(see	
appendix	3
).	
Nasya
	is	equally	effective
for	children.
Are	Your	Dreams	Vata,	Pitta,	or	Kapha?
To	eliminate	nightmares,	it	can	be	helpful	to	know	if	they	are	the	result	of	a	doshic
imbalance	of	kapha,	pitta,	or	vata,	so	that	the	imbalance	can	be	corrected.	By
analyzing	the	nature	and	content	of	the	dreams,	it	is	usually	possible	to	find	out.
•	Vata	dreams.	Vata	dreams	are	active	and	hyper.	They	are	plentiful,	and	the
dreamer	may	well	forget	them	in	the	morning.	Horror,	fear,	running,	jumping,	flying
high	in	the	sky,	falling	deep	down	into	a	valley,	being	attacked	or	pursued,	being
locked	up—these	are	vata	dreams.
•	Pitta	dreams.	These	dreams	can	be	rather	violent.	In	addition	to	such	themes	as
teaching,	studying,	trying	to	solve	a	problem,	or	failing	at	an	examination,	pitta

dreams	may	involve	fire,	war,	nuclear	weapons,	fighting,	killing,	and	murder.
•	Kapha	dreams.	Kapha	dreams	are	generally	mild	and	romantic.	Water	figures
prominently,	such	as	swimming	in	the	ocean.	Seeing	gardens,	lotus	flowers,	swans,	and
elephants	and	eating	candy	are	all	characteristic	of	kapha	dreams.	Drowning,	or
seeing	oneself	as	dead,	are	“negative”	aspects	of	the	kapha	dream	repertory.
EAT	EARLY
.	Eat	dinner	before	seven	o’clock.	Eating	too	late	at	night	may	create	nightmares.
CUT	DOWN	ON	STRESS
.	Yoga	
asanas
,	regular	exercise,	Alternate	Nostril	
pranayama
,	and	meditation
morning	and	evening	help	to	relax	the	nervous	system	and	reduce	stress.	(You	will	find
instructions	for	
pranayama
	in	
chapter	6
	and	guidelines	for	meditation	in	
chapter	7
.)
CRYSTALS
.	Wearing	crystals,	or	putting	some	amethyst	crystals	on	the	four	corners	of	the	bed,

.)
CRYSTALS
may	also	help.	You	can	tell	your	child,	“Look,	I’ve	put	these	crystals	around	your	bed;	it	will
keep	the	ghosts	and	monsters	away.”	They	will	feel	comfortable	and	will	sleep	well.
The	root	cause	of	nightmares	is	wrong	thinking:	negative	imagination,	loneliness,	isolation,
fear,	disturbed	relationships.	That	is	why	prayer,	positive	thinking,	positive	affirmations,
and	positive	imagination	are	the	best	medications	for	nightmares.
	
Nosebleed
	
Nosebleed	has	many	possible	origins.	Trauma	to	the	nose,	extreme	dryness	of	the	nasal

passage	so	that	the	nasal	mucous	membranes	crack	and	bleed,	allergies,	rhinitis,	a	nasal
polyp,	or	high	blood	pressure	may	all	cause	nosebleed.	Going	to	a	high	altitude	or
consuming	excess	alcohol	are	also	possible	causes.
Usually	we	don’t	have	any	time	to	investigate	the	cause;	we	need	to	treat	it	immediately.
Here	are	several	effective	remedies:
DRINK	COOL	WATER
.	This	alone	will	stop	many	nosebleeds.
USE	A	COLD	COMPRESS
.	Dip	a	handkerchief	or	any	clean	soft	cloth	into	cold	water,	and	place	it	on
the	forehead	and	the	nose.	Then	
gently
	blow	the	nose	so	that	the	clot,	if	there	is	one,	comes
out.	(If	there	is	a	dry	nasal	crust,	it	will	irritate	the	nasal	passage	and	cause	bleeding.)
SNIFF	COLD	WATER
.	Take	a	little	cool	water	in	your	palm,	inhale	it	up	into	the	nose,	and	gently
blow	the	nose.
SQUEEZE	YOUR	NOSE
.	If	the	cold	water	doesn’t	stop	the	bleeding,	then	pinch	the	nose	with	your
thumb	and	index	finger,	as	if	you	were	about	to	dip	under	water.	Hold	for	2	or	3	minutes,

breathing	normally	through	the	mouth.	That	should	stop	the	bleeding.
GHEE	OINTMENT
.	If	the	bleeding	still	doesn’t	stop,	another	simple	remedy	is	to	put	a	couple	of
drops	of	lukewarm	ghee	in	each	nostril.	Dip	a	cotton	swab	into	a	jar	of	ghee,	and	apply	it
to	the	nose.	Ghee	is	hemostatic—that	is,	it	stops	bleeding.
STAND	OR	SIT	UPRIGHT
.	Don’t	lie	down,	which	will	encourage	bleeding.	Also	don’t	do	any	inverted
yoga	postures	such	as	Headstand,	
Shoulder	Stand	or	Plow.	Remaining	upright	will	minimize
bleeding.
HUMIDIFY	YOUR	SURROUNDINGS
.	Many	nosebleeds	are	due	to	a	dry	nose,	caused	by	hot,	dry	air.	So	as
a	preventive	measure	in	dry	climates	or	in	winter	when	heating	the	house	can	create	a	lot
of	dry	air,	be	sure	to	humidify	your	bedroom,	workroom,	or	the	entire	living	space.	It	is
better	not	to	use	an	ultrasound	humidifier;	a	hot	water	unit	is	best.
.	Orally,	take	a	mixture	of:

manjistha	⅓	teaspoon
kama	dudha	⅛	teaspoon
Take	this	mixture	with	a	little	warm	water	twice	a	day.
JUICE	CURE
.	To	stop	or	prevent	nosebleeds,	you	can	drink	cranberry	juice,	pomegranate	juice,
or	a	half-and-half	mixture	of	the	two.
POMEGRANATE	NOSE	DROPS
.	When	making	the	pomegranate	juice,	if	you	pick	up	a	few	drops	of	the
fresh	juice	in	an	eyedropper	and	place	them	in	your	nostrils,	it	should	instantaneously	stop
the	bleeding.

T
IME	TO
	S
EE	THE
	D
OCTOR
If,	after	trying	these	remedies,	your	nose	is	still	bleeding,	or	if	you	have	repeated
nosebleeds	over	a	couple	of	weeks,	see	your	doctor.	You	may	have	a	serious	health
problem.	The	bleeding	may	be	due	to	high	blood	pressure,	which	needs	to	be	cared
for.	Or	it	could	possibly	be	caused	by	leukemia,	a	type	of	blood	cancer.
FOLLOW	 THE	 PITTA-PACIFYING	 DIET
.	According	to	Ayurvedic	principles,	even	though	nosebleed	has
some	vata	symptoms,	such	as	dryness	and	cracking	of	the	nasal	passages,	it	is	essentially	a
pitta	disorder,	in	which	pitta	becomes	hot	and	sharp	and	causes	the	bleeding.	So	when	you
have	a	nosebleed,	don’t	eat	hot	and	spicy	foods,	abstain	from	alcohol	and	cigarettes,	and
don’t	work	under	the	hot	sun.	These	are	all	pitta-provoking.
	
Obesity
	
Obesity	is	a	condition	in	which	an	individual	is	significantly	overweight,	and	an	excessive
amount	of	body	fat	has	accumulated	under	the	chin	and	on	the	breasts,	belly,	buttocks,

and/or	thighs.	Though	it	is	not	a	serious	disease	in	itself,	it	may	shorten	the	span	of	life,	as
well	as	create	diminished	efficiency	and	a	predisposition	to	diabetes,	hypertension,	low
libido,	and	arthritis.	Ultimately,	obesity	reduces	happiness.
To	a	great	extent,	obesity	is	due	to	the	socioeconomic	problems	of	an	affluent	society.	A
prosperous	life,	a	sedentary	job,	and	lack	of	exercise	are	the	major	contributors	to	obesity.
From	an	Ayurvedic	point	of	view,	the	main	causes	of	this	condition	are	eating	too	much,
sitting	too	much,	and	doing	too	little.
Obesity	is	a	kapha	disorder.	In	obese	individuals	the	gastric	fire	is	strong,	but	the	cellular
fire	in	the	tissue	is	relatively	low.	
Whatever	excess	food	or	calories	a	person	consumes	are
not	burned	and	instead	turn	into	adipose	tissue,	leading	to	overweight	and	obesity.

There	are	numerous	other	potential	causes.	Certain	hereditary	factors	of	the	endocrine
system,	such	as	excess	production	of	growth	hormone,	may	contribute	to	the	condition.
When	women	are	pregnant,	they	may	eat	too	much	and	be	unable	to	lose	the	weight
afterward.	Stress	may	induce	repeated	emotional	eating,	leading	to	significant	weight	gain.
Frequent	munching	between	meals	is	also	detrimental	to	maintaining	a	healthy	weight.
Certain	drugs,	including	steroids	and	oral	contraceptives,	can	change	the	metabolism	and
produce	weight	gain,	as	can	insulin.	Addictions,	including	alcohol	and	cigarettes,	are	often
associated	with	obesity.	But	the	main	factor	is	usually	eating	too	much,	along	with
insufficient	exercise.
Habitually	drinking	cold	drinks	and	eating	fatty	fried	foods,	dairy	products	such	as
cheese,	yogurt,	and	ice	cream,	and	consuming	excess	sugar	and	carbohydrates	are	all
causative	factors.

.	In	treating	obesity,	the	first	step	is	to	control	what	you	eat.	Follow	the	kapha-
pacifying	diet	(see	guidelines	in	
chapter	8
).	Avoid	habitually	drinking	cold	drinks	and
eating	fatty	fried	foods.	Minimize	dairy	products	such	as	cheese,	yogurt,	and	ice	cream.	Be
sure	to	include	salad	(without	creamy	dressings)	and	beans	in	your	meals.	Drink	hot	water

instead	of	ice-cold	drinks.	Obese	people	generally	hate	hot	water,	but	they	should	drink	it,
either	plain	or	in	herbal	teas	such	as	ginger,	mint,	or	cinnamon.
If	you	like	to	eat	meat,	you	can	have	some	fish	or	chicken	once	a	month,	but	no	beef,
lamb,	or	pork.
GET	 ADEQUATE	 EXERCISE
.	Do	some	regular	exercise.	A	daily	walk	of	at	least	half	an	hour	is
essential.	And	do	some	aerobic	exercise,	such	as	gentle	jogging.	Obese	people	hate	jogging,
but	they	should	at	least	walk	fast,	carrying	2.5-pound	hand-held	weights.	Swimming	is	also
good	exercise.
Lift	weights	to	reduce	body	weight.	Do	some	gentle	weight	lifting,	using	5-pound	weights
to	get	started.	This	will	help	to	burn	adipose	tissue.	Also,	muscle	tissue	burns	calories	more
quickly	than	fat.
If	you	want	to	lose	weight,	you	must	understand	some	simple	arithmetic.	When	you	take
in	more	calories	than	you	burn	off,	you	will	gain	weight.	In	order	to	lose	weight,	you	
must

must
burn	off	more	calories	than	you	take	in.	In	practical	terms,	this	means	two	things:	reducing
your	caloric	intake,	and	increasing	your	output	in	the	form	of	exercise.	Follow	the	kapha-
reducing	diet,	and	increase	the	amount	of	exercise	you	do	every	day.
YOUR	POSTEXERCISE	PRESCRIPTION
.	Immediately	after	exercise,	kapha	individuals	will	feel	hungry	and
thirsty	and	will	want	to	rush	to	the	restaurant	to	have	a	cold	drink	and	a	bite	to	eat.	But	the
cold	drink	will	slow	down	the	metabolism,	defeating	the	gain	from	the	exercise.	And	we
know	that	the	eating	will	be	counterproductive.	So	after	exercise	heavy	and	obese	people
should	skip	snacks	and	stay	away	from	cold	water	and	other	cold	drinks,	and	choose	hot
drinks	such	as	herbal	teas.
EAT	YOUR	BIGGEST	MEAL	EARLY	IN	THE	DAY
.	According	to	Ayurveda,	the	best	policy	regarding	meals,	if

you	are	overweight,	is	to	skip	breakfast	entirely	(maybe	have	some	hot	herbal	tea),	then
take	your	biggest	meal	at	noon.	Supper	should	be	light.	Don’t	snack	between	the	two	meals.
If	you	can’t	seem	to	skip	breakfast,	take	your	main	meal	then,	early	in	the	day.	Have	a
light	lunch	and	a	lighter	supper;	skip	supper	entirely	if	you	can.
DROP	ALCOHOL	AND	TOBACCO
.	Quit	drinking	alcohol	and	smoking.	These	emotional	habits	unduly
stimulate	
jatar	agni
	(gastric	fire)	and	make	a	person	hungry.
LISTEN	TO	MUSIC
.	While	eating	your	meals,	listen	to	soft	music	and	chew	your	food	more,	so	that
moderate	eating	gradually	becomes	habitual.
LEARN	TO	LOVE	YOURSELF
.	Most	obese	people	do	not	love	themselves.	This	is	significant	because
there	is	a	deep	relationship	between	food	and	love.	Food	is	the	food	of	the	body;	love	is	the

food	of	the	soul.	When	an	individual	is	missing	love	in	a	relationship,	he	or	she	may	try	to
find	love	through	eating,	and	food	will	become	a	substitute	for	love.	When	a	woman	misses
her	husband	or	a	man	misses	his	wife,	they	frequently	begin	to	eat	too	much.
T
IME	TO
	S
EE	THE
	D
OCTOR

If	you	are	very	heavy	and	have	not	exercised	for	a	long	time,	and	especially	if	you
are	over	40,	you	
must
	see	your	doctor	before	you	start	an	exercise	program	more
strenuous	than	walking.
Obese	people	also	hate	how	they	look,	and	they	hate	looking	in	the	mirror	because	they
don’t	like	what	they	see.	When	people	hate	their	body,	they	become	anxious	and	worried;
then	suddenly	they	become	hungry	and	need	to	eat.	This	is	not	real	hunger;	it	is	false,
emotional	hunger.	(See	“
”	and	“
”	for	further	discussion	of
emotional	eating.)
To	help	develop	more	love	for	yourself	just	as	you	are,	try	this	technique.	Go	into	your
bathroom	and	remove	all	your	clothes,	or	wear	some	shorts.	Then	take	a	good	look	at	the
person	you	see	in	the	full-length	mirror.	Look	at	that	image,	starting	at	the	head,	the	eyes,
cheeks,	lips,	and	neck;	look	at	your	chest,	your	belly,	and	so	on.
As	you	look	at	the	image	in	your	mirror,	at	the	same	time	look	within.	Ask	yourself,	do

you	like	those	eyes	of	yours?	Do	you	love	your	nose?	Don’t	you	have	some	affection	toward
your	own	lips,	your	own	chest?
In	this	way,	gradually,	by	looking	outside,	into	the	mirror,	and	at	the	same	time	inside	at
your	own	inner	observer,	two	things	will	happen.	First,	you	will	begin	to	feel	that	you	are
beyond	your	body,	that	you	are	something	higher,	nobler,	greater,	and	more	beautiful,	that
you	are	pure	existence.	Second,	this	process	will	also	bring	greater	acceptance,	and	you	will
start	feeling	more	love	for	yourself.	So	look	at	yourself	in	the	mirror,	and	love	that	person
that	you	see.
A	second	important	factor	in	loving	yourself	
is	to	stop	judging,	comparing,	and	criticizing
yourself.	What	you	are	is	unique,	and	it	is	divine.	Stopping	judgment,	criticism,	and
comparison	is	the	beginning	of	self-love.
These	two	exercises	will	really	help.
DRINK	 HOT	 WATER	 AND	 HONEY

.	Whenever	you	become	hungry,	drink	a	cup	of	hot	water	with	1
teaspoon	honey	and	10	drops	of	lime	juice	added.	This	will	be	a	good	substitute	for	eating
and	will	help	to	melt	the	fat.
HERBAL	HELPERS
.	Here	is	an	herbal	formula	that	will	help	you	lose	weight.
Take	½	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	twice	a	day	with	1	teaspoon	honey,	before	meals.
•	In	addition,	take	1	tablet	of	the	following	herbs	all	together,	with	warm	water,	3	times	a
day	after	meals:	
triphala	guggulu;	chitrak-adhivati;	punarnava	guggulu
.
•	It	will	also	be	helpful	for	you	to	take	
triphala
	every	night.	At	least	1	hour	after	dinner,
pour	1	cup	of	boiling	water	over	½	to	1	teaspoon	
triphala;
	let	it	steep	for	10	minutes,	and

drink.
SNACKS	YOU	CAN	AFFORD	TO	EAT
.	In	between	meals,	if	you	like	to	munch,	eat	raisins,	which	are	a	mild
laxative.	Don’t	eat	corn	chips,	which	are	salty	and	fatty	and	difficult	to	stop	eating;	don’t
eat	popcorn	either.	You	might	also	try	celery	sticks	or	carrot	sticks.
USE	 HOT	 SPICES
.	Use	spices	in	cooking.	The	kapha-pacifying	diet	uses	many	spices,	such	as
cumin,	coriander,	fennel,	cardamom,	ginger,	cinnamon,	and	garam	masala:	These	spices
are	good	for	kindling	the	gastric	fire.	(See	
chapter	8
	for	details	of	the	kapha	diet.)
HAVE	COMPANY	WHEN	YOU	EAT
.	It	is	better	to	eat	with	friends,	particularly	with	skinny	people	and
people	with	good	eating	habits!	You’ll	be	happy	to	be	surrounded	by	them.	But	don’t
compare,	thinking,	“All	my	friends	are	thin,	and	I’m	chubby.”	Be	in	the	company	of	slim
people,	and	be	active	with	them.	That	will	help	to	reduce	your	weight.
HELPFUL	YOGA	POSTURES
.	Certain	gentle	yoga	
asanas
	are	helpful,	including	the	Palm	Tree	pose	and

asanas
the	Triangle	pose.	Also,	while	sitting	on	the	floor,	bend	forward	as	far	as	you	comfortably
can,	with	the	goal	of	eventually	touching	your	head	to	your	knees.	(You’ll	have	to	work	up
to	this	one	gradually.)	The	Fish,	Camel,	Cobra,	and	Cow	poses	are	simple,	helpful	postures
you	can	easily	perform.	Remember,	don’t	try	to	do	them	perfectly	right	away.	(See	the
illustrations	of	yoga	postures	in	
appendix	4
.)
BREATHE	AWAY	FAT
.	
Bhastrika	pranayama
	(Breath	of	Fire)	will	increase	the	rate	at	which	your	body
burns	off	fat.	Right	Nostril	breathing	
(surya	bhedi)
	will	also	be	helpful	(see	
chapter	6
).
DON’T	NAP	IN	THE	DAYTIME
.	Obese	people	frequently	like	to	take	siestas,	but	this	is	not	a	helpful
practice.	Don’t	sleep	during	the	
day.	Daytime	sleep	slows	down	agni	(metabolism)	and
increases	kapha	dosha.	Rather,	do	some	hard	physical	work,	and	watch	less	TV.	Generally	I

find	that	obese	people	get	fixed	to	the	couch,	watch	TV,	and	drink	soda	pop.
If	you	follow	these	suggestions,	you	can	definitely	take	control	of	your	weight	problem.
Don’t	try	to	lose	a	lot	of	weight	all	at	once.	That	almost	never	brings	long-term
improvement.	Kapha	individuals	are	noted	for	their	ability	to	make	steady,	determined,
consistent	progress.	So	be	persistent,	and	over	time	you	will	be	successful.
	
Osteoporosis	is	a	thinning	and	increasing	porosity	of	the	bone	due	to	increased	vata.	Bones
are	normally	porous,	but	because	of	increasing	vata—a	normal	occurrence	as	a	person
grows	older—the	porosity	increases.	Sometimes	the	individual	loses	so	much	bone	that	weak
spots	develop	in	the	skeletal	structure.	Then	the	hips,	forearms,	or	even	the	spine	can
fracture	quite	easily.	The	bones	may	crack	under	the	body’s	own	weight,	or	a	minor	injury
may	be	enough	to	create	a	fracture.

Osteoporosis	is	more	common	in	women	than	men.	Women	lose	bone	rapidly	after

menopause.	This	is	because	the	postmenopausal	body	produces	little	or	no	estrogen,	which
is	necessary	for	maintaining	bone	metabolism	utilizing	calcium,	magnesium,	zinc,	and	other
materials	for	building	the	bone.	So	it	is	during	the	postmenopausal	years	that	women	may
have	a	tendency	toward	osteoporosis.
Men	also	need	estrogen	to	maintain	strong	bones,	but	testosterone	and	prostatic
secretions	also	play	an	important	role.	However,	men	may	lose	bone	mass	due	to	heavy
drinking,	heavy	smoking,	chewing	tobacco,	and	taking	steroids.
Lack	of	exercise	can	also	reduce	bone	mass.	To	some	extent,	people	need	some	stress	to
the	body,	in	the	form	of	exercise.	Research	has	shown	that	if	a	person	is	confined	to	bed	for
several	weeks,	the	bones	become	significantly	weaker.	Once	the	ill	effects	of	lack	of	exercise
became	clear,	exercise	programs	were	designed	even	for	astronauts	in	space.	Exercise	is	a
food	for	the	bones.
For	women,	the	combination	of	increased	vata	simply	from	growing	older	(see

For	women,	the	combination	of	increased	vata	simply	from	growing	older	(see	
chapter	2
,
where	we	talk	about	the	stages	of	life),	plus	the	menopausal	cessation	of	estrogen,	may
have	a	powerfully	deleterious	effect	on	bone	mass.
EXERCISE
.	Gentle,	daily	exercise	for	30	minutes	a	day,	5	days	a	week,	can	help	to	treat
osteoporosis.	Walking	is	excellent	and	quite	sufficient,	but	you	may	do	swimming,	gentle
jogging,	or	whatever	suits	your	constitution	and	level	of	fitness,	and	the	condition	of	your
bones.
Some	people	recommend	weight-bearing	exercise,	even	including	weight	lifting,	for
building	bone.	While	this	is	good	in	general,	for	a	person	with	osteoporosis	it	can	be	quite
dangerous;	as	mentioned	above,	even	a	slight	injury	may	crack	the	fragile	bones	of	a
person	with	osteoporosis.	Therefore	a	good,	
safe	way	to	begin	an	exercise	program	is	to	do
some	underwater	exercise.	As	the	bones	become	stronger,	weight-bearing	exercise,	even

including	some	gentle	weight	lifting,	may	be	acceptable	and	effective.
CALCIUM
.	It	is	important	to	get	a	plentiful	supply	of	calcium	from	natural	food	sources,	such	as
sesame	seeds,	soybeans,	soy	milk,	cow’s	milk,	cheese,	carrots,	and	coconut.	Calcium
supplements,	such	as	from	oyster	shells,	may	also	be	helpful.	Your	daily	dose	should	include
about	1,200	mg.	calcium,	along	with	600	mg.	magnesium	and	60	mg.	zinc	for	maximum
absorption	and	effectiveness.
Almond	milk	also	contains	a	significant	amount	of	calcium.	Soak	ten	almonds	overnight
in	water.	In	the	morning,	peel	them	and	blend	in	the	blender	with	a	cup	of	warm	milk.
(You	can	use	goat’s	milk	or	soy	milk	if	you	prefer	them	to	cow’s	milk.)	Pour	into	a	cup	or
glass,	and	add	a	pinch	each	of	ginger,	cardamom,	and	saffron.	Drink	twice	a	day,	before
breakfast	and	before	bedtime.

Daily	chewing	a	handful	of	white	sesame	seeds	in	the	morning	provides	at	least	1,200	mg.
of	natural	calcium.	These	seeds	won’t	create	clogged	arteries,	as	dependence	upon	calcium
from	dairy	products	may.	This	is	an	effective	way	to	help	prevent	osteoporosis	in
menopausal	women.
However,	merely	taking	calcium	may	not	be	sufficient.	Along	with	it	you	need	to	bring
some	physical	stress	to	the	system	through	exercise.
BE	CAREFUL	WITH	YOGA	POSTURES
.	If	osteoporosis	has	begun	to	develop,	yoga	exercises	should	be	done

gently,	with	great	care,	as	there	is	a	real	danger	of	breaking	a	bone.
.	Certain	herbs	can	help	to	make	up	for	estrogen	in	the	metabolic	cycle.	Try	the
following	formula:
wild	yam	2	parts
These	herbs	are	food	precursors	of	estrogen	and	progesterone.	To	this	formula	you	can	add
⅛	part	each	of	
	(conch	shell	ash)	and	
kama	dudha
	(coral	shell	ash).	They
contain	a	natural	source	of	calcium	bicarbonate,	which	can	help	to	prevent	osteoporosis.
Take	¼	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	twice	a	day	with	warm	milk,	whether	cow’s,	goat’s,	or
soy	milk.	Treat	this	as	a	daily	maintenance	dose,	and	take	it	indefinitely	to	help	prevent
osteoporosis.
	
See	also	“
Obesity
”	and	“
”
Because	of	hard	work,	especially	physical	labor,	some	people	need	to	eat	a	large	amount	of
food	to	replenish	the	body.	In	such	individuals,	overeating	may	occasionally	occur.	But	most

overeating	takes	place	because	of	emotional	factors,	and	that	is	what	we	will	be	considering
here.
Food	nourishes	the	body;	love	nourishes	the	soul.	When	you	are	with	a	loving	friend	or
close	family	members,	you	can	become	so	happy	that	you	forget	to	eat.	You	feel	no	need	for
food	at	that	time	because	you	receive	a	higher	food—love.
But	when	a	person	doesn’t	receive	that	love	or	feel	that	happiness,	he	or	she	becomes
lonely	or	has	a	feeling	of	rejection	or	of	not	being	loved.	Food	may	become	the	substitute
for	love.	So	eating,	in	order	to	suppress	feelings	of	loneliness,	grief,	sadness,	or	depression,
is	the	emotional,	psychological	cause	of	overeating.	Statistically,	overeating	happens	more
in	women	than	in	men.
From	an	Ayurvedic	perspective,	due	to	emotional	factors	and	stress,	
prana
	vata	stimulates

prana
,	the	gastric	fire,	and	this	stimulation	activates	the	stomach.	The	stimulation	is
translated	or	experienced	as	hunger,	and	that	is	the	reason	people	may	eat	more	food.
There	are	many	ways	to	deal	with	the	problem	of	overeating.	With	a	little	care,	it	can	be
overcome.
EXPRESS	YOUR	FEELINGS
.	First,	you	have	to	let	go	of	your	feelings	of	loneliness	and	not	being	loved.
Write	about	your	feelings.	Express	them.	That	way,	the	energy	that	is	blocked	in	the	solar
plexus	starts	releasing,	and	emotional	hunger	will	begin	to	subside.
MEDITATE	AND	BREATHE
.	Whenever	you	feel	emotionally	hungry,	sit	quietly	and	pay	attention	to
your	breath.	Or	do	10	to	15	minutes	of	
So-Hum
	meditation	(see	
chapter	7
).

Shitali	pranayama
	(making	a	tube	of	the	tongue	and	inhaling	through	that	tube	into	the
belly)	will	also	be	quite	helpful.	(See	
chapter	6
.)
•	Or	take	12	deep	breaths,	then	drink	a	cup	of	warm	water.	This	will	help	dissolve	the
emotional	hunger,	and	overeating	can	be	avoided.
YOGA
.	Yoga	exercises	such	as	the	Moon	Salutation,	Camel	pose,	Cobra	pose,	and	Spinal	Twist
will	help	you	control	overeating	due	to	emotional	factors	(see	
appendix	4
).
WALK	OFF	THE	CRAVINGS
.	Whenever	you	have	emotional	cravings	for	food,	take	a	brisk	walk	for	20
minutes	in	the	fresh	air.	That	will	help	reduce	the	cravings.
EAT	LIGHTLY
.	If	you	feel	you	must	eat,	then	eat	some	light	food.	Try	some	light	crackers,	or
some	cereal	or	grains	such	as	millet	or	rye.	Or	drink	some	fruit	juice.	Follow	a	low-fat	diet.
(See	the	guidelines	for	the	kapha	diet	in	
chapter	8
.)	That	way	you	won’t	have	to	deny
yourself	when	you	feel	like	eating,	but	the	light	food	won’t	put	on	weight	or	fat.
TRY	 BANANAS

.	Eating	1	ripe	banana,	chopped	up	with	1	teaspoon	ghee	and	a	pinch	of
cardamom,	is	effective	for	pacifying	emotional,	obsessive	eating	habits.
TEST	YOUR	HUNGER
.	When	you	are	hungry,	here	is	one	way	to	find	out	whether	it	is	an	emotional
craving	or	a	real	biological	need.	Drink	some	licorice	tea,	chamomile	tea,	or	mint	tea.	If	it
was	emotional	hunger,	the	warm	soothing	tea	will	take	care	of	it,	and	you	will	feel	better.
If	you	are	really	hungry	and	need	some	food,	the	tea	won’t	diminish	your	appetite.
FOR	HYPERTHYROIDISM
.	If	your	overeating	is	due	to	hyperthyroidism,	which	is	a	metabolic	
disorder,
Ayurveda	suggests	using	
kaishore	 guggulu
.	This	herbal	compound	helps	to	regulate
metabolism	and	pacifies	overactive	thyroid.
DRINK	
BRAHMI
	MILK
.	When	you	feel	hungry,	drinking	1	cup	of	warm	milk	boiled	with	½	teaspoon
of	
brahmi
	will	help	you	control	overeating.

of	
brahmi
IF	YOU	HAVE	ALREADY	EATEN	TOO	MUCH
.	Roast	1	teaspoon	coriander	seeds	and	1	teaspoon	fennel	seeds
on	a	heavy	iron	pan,	without	any	oil.	(Stir	constantly	to	avoid	burning.)	Add	a	pinch	of
salt,	let	the	mixture	cool,	and	eat	it.	It	will	help	with	indigestion.
Another	aid	to	indigestion	from	overeating	is	to	drink	a	cupful	of	water	into	which	you
have	added	the	juice	of	half	a	lemon;	just	before	drinking,	add	a	pinch	of	baking	soda,	stir,
and	drink	quickly.
	
Overweight
	
See	“
Obesity
”

PMS
	
See	also	“
”
TYPES	OF	PMS
Premenstrual	syndrome	or	PMS	is	classified	in	Ayurveda	in	three	types:	vata,	pitta,	and
kapha.
•	Vata	type	is	characterized	by	low	backache,	lower	abdominal	pain,	distention,	anxiety,
fear,	insomnia,	and	mood	swings.
•	Pitta-type	PMS	symptoms	include	tenderness	in	the	breasts,	urethritis,	hives,	hot	flashes,
irritability,	and	sometimes	a	burning	sensation	when	passing	urine.
•	Kapha-type	PMS	involves	water	retention	(breasts	become	enlarged	and	tender)	and
drowsiness,	so	that	the	woman	loves	to	drink	coffee!
PMS	can	be	cared	for	successfully	using	the	following	Ayurvedic	remedies	and	preventive
measures.
IMPORTANT
:	In	all	cases,	start	the	preventive	program	one	week	before	the	anticipated
start	of	your	period.
FOR	VATA-TYPE	PMS
•	Drink	
	tea	(½	teaspoon	
	steeped	in	a	cup	of	hot	water	for	10
minutes);	you	can	add	a	little	honey	for	taste.	Take	twice	a	day.

•	Eat	about	10	cherries	daily	on	an	empty	stomach	for	a	week	before	the	onset	of
menstruation.
•	Use	
	or	
,	1	tablet	twice	a	day.
•	You	can	also	take	1	tablespoon	aloe	vera	gel	with	a	pinch	of	black	pepper,	3	times	a
day	before	food.
FOR	PITTA-TYPE	PMS
•	Take	the	following	herbal	mixture:
•	Aloe	vera	gel	(1	tablespoon)	taken	with	a	pinch	of	cumin	powder	is	also	effective.

FOR	KAPHA-TYPE	PMS
•	Make	this	herbal	mixture;
Take	½	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	twice	a	day	with	a	little	warm	water.
•	Eat	about	10	cherries	daily	on	an	empty	stomach	for	a	week	before	the	expected	onset
of	your	period.
•	You	can	also	take	1	tablespoon	aloe	vera	gel	along	with	a	pinch	of	
trikatu
	(a	traditional
Ayurvedic	formula	consisting	of	equal	amounts	of	black	pepper,	
pippali
,	and	ginger).
•	Warm	ghee	nose	drops	(5	drops	in	each	nostril)	stimulate	natural	hormones	and	help
regulate	balance	of	the	system.
•	When	there	is	abdominal	bloating	and	cramps,	all	constitutional	types	can	put	a	warm
castor	oil	pack	on	the	lower	abdomen.	One	of	the	qualities	of	castor	oil	is	that	it	produces	a
slow,	sustained	heat	that	is	soothing	and	healing.	Warm	up	about	3	tablespoons	of	castor
oil,	and	pour	it	onto	a	handkerchief	or	other	soft	cloth,	spreading	it	equally	on	the	cloth.

Place	this	compress	on	the	lower	abdomen.	If	you	have	a	hot	water	bottle;	you	may	place	it
on	top	of	the	pack	to	keep	it	warm.	An	electric	heating	pad	is	not	recommended.
NOTE
:	A	warm	castor	oil	pack	will	also	help	relieve	the	congestion	and	discomfort	of
endometriosis.
•	Be	sure	to	get	regular	exercise	during	the	month,	including	half	an	hour	of	walking	or
other	aerobic	exercise	at	least	five	days	a	week.	Yoga	stretching	is	also	helpful.	However,
Ayurveda	recommends	no	exercise	or	yoga	during	the	actual	menstrual	period.	As	much	as
possible,	rest,	read,	and	relax!
•	To	maintain	health	and	balance,	follow	the	dietary	guidelines	for	your	constitutional
type	(see	
chapter	8
).
	
Premature
	
Ejaculation
See	also	“
Impotence
”
For	the	man	who	repeatedly	ejaculates	prematurely,	sex	can	become	a	nightmare.	He	may

run	away	from	his	partner	out	of	fear	that	his	sexual	performance	is	inadequate,	causing
serious	difficulties	in	the	relationship.
Premature	ejaculation	is	primarily	caused	by	aggravated	vata.	Vata,	with	its	qualities	of
quickness	and	heightened	sensitivity	to	the	sense	of	touch	(as	pitta	brings	greater	sensitivity
to	light),	gives	a	predisposition	toward	faster	ejaculation;	in	general,	persons	with	a	vata
constitution	cannot	sustain	sex	for	very	long.	When	vata	is	unduly	increased	in	a	vata
individual,	premature	ejaculation	is	common.
A	psychological,	emotional	factor	of	nervousness,	fear,	or	anxiety	may	also	be	involved,
but	this	too	is	due	largely	to	the	
aggravated	vata	dosha.	Thus	the	main	avenue	of	treatment
is	to	balance	vata	dosha.
Another	possible	cause	is	high	cholesterol	(and	the	related	situation,	high	triglycerides).	In
men	who	have	this	problem,	cholesterol	deposition	takes	place	in	the	blood	vessels	of	the

penis	and	the	entire	reproductive	system.	These	blood	vessels	become	thick	and	narrow
(ischemia),	so	that	the	blood	supply	to	the	muscles	of	the	penis	and	prostate	is	insufficient,
causing	lack	of	sphincter	control	and	leading	to	premature	ejaculation.
Premature	ejaculation	can	be	brought	under	control.	Here	are	some	effective	ways	to	deal
with	it.
MASSAGE	THE	PENIS
.	Do	a	gentle	massage	of	the	penis.	To	1	ounce	of	sesame	oil,	add	5	to	10	drops
of	mustard	oil.	The	diluted	mustard	oil	has	a	heating	effect,	which	will	dilate	the	blood
vessels	and	improve	the	circulation	of	blood	to	the	penis.
IMPORTANT
:	Do	this	massage	about	1	hour	before	intercourse,	and	be	sure	to	wash	the
penis	thoroughly	beforehand,	or	your	partner’s	delicate	skin	may	feel	burned	by	the
hot	mustard	oil.	You	can	also	use	castor	oil,	which	will	improve	the	tone	of	the
sphincter	muscles.
•	Certain	medicated	ghees,	such	as	
brahmi

brahmi
	ghee,	
shatavari
	ghee,	or	
	ghee,	can
also	be	used	for	massaging	the	pubic	bone	and	the	glans	penis	before	making	love.
PRACTICE
.	Practice	stimulating	the	organ	up	to	the	point	of	ejaculation,	but	don’t	ejaculate.
Then	sit	up	straight	(in	a	Lotus	posture,	if	you	can),	and	raise	the	energy	by	doing	Ashwini
Mudra,	pulling	or	sucking	the	anus	inward	in	a	series	of	tense-release	movements.	Do	about
10	repetitions	of	the	Ashwini	Mudra.	This	way	you	train	your	organ	to	be	ready	but	not	to
ejaculate.	To	succeed	at	this,	you	have	to	practice	with	great	care.
Do	this	exercise	about	1	to	2	hours	before	making	love.
IMPORTANT
:	This	is	not	masturbation,	nor	an	endorsement	of	masturbation.
•	You	can	also	learn	to	control	ejaculation	by	contracting	the	muscles	of	the	buttocks.
•	Locate	the	
marma
	point	(an	energy	center	like	an	acupressure	point)	at	the	center	of	the

marma
glans	penis,	on	the	underside.	Gently	press	that	point,	and	at	the	same	time	suck	the	anus
inward	and	hold	for	five	seconds.	Release.	Do	this	10	times.	This	will	improve	the	blood
supply	to	the	penis	and	will	help	to	maintain	the	erection.	Do	this	about	1	hour	before	sex.

.	Helpful	yoga	
asanas
	include	the	Bow,	Fish,	and	Camel	poses,	Elevated	Lotus,
and	Vajrasana.
DIET	SUGGESTIONS
.	As	mentioned,	premature	ejaculation	is	a	vata	disorder,	so	a	man	with	this
problem	should	adhere	to	a	vata-soothing	diet	(see	guidelines	in	
chapter	8
).	If	you	have
high	cholesterol,	follow	a	low-cholesterol	diet.	And	if	you	have	diabetes,	keep	your	sugar
intake	low.	Most	diabetic	men	suffer	from	premature	ejaculation.
EFFECTIVE	HERBS
.	Make	an	herbal	formula,	mixing	equal	amounts	of	the	following	herbs:
bala
vidari
Take	½	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	twice	a	day	with	warm	goat’s	milk.	Cow’s	milk	is
acceptable	if	you	can’t	find	goat’s	milk,	but	goat’s	milk	is	more	effective.
•	Ginseng	is	also	helpful.	It	has	properties	similar	to	the	Ayurvedic	herb	
.
Take	½	teaspoon	after	lunch	and	dinner	with	warm	goat’s	milk.	Again,	cow’s	milk	is
acceptable	if	you	can’t	locate	fresh	goat’s	milk.
ALMOND	MILK

.	Soak	10	almonds	overnight	in	water.	In	the	morning	peel	off	the	skin,	put	the
almonds	in	a	blender,	and	add	1	cup	hot	cow’s	milk	and	a	pinch	each	of	ginger,	cardamom,
and	saffron.	(Saffron	is	a	mild	aphrodisiac.)	Drink	almond	milk	every	morning.	You	can
also	make	a	second	cupful	in	the	evening.
HEAL	 THE	 PROSTATE
.	Premature	ejaculation	often	accompanies	prostate	problems	such	as
prostatitis,	or	it	may	be	a	warning	of	developing	problems.	To	help	with	this,	massage	the
area	of	the	prostate	gland	with	castor	oil.	Apply	a	small	amount	of	the	oil	(sesame	oil	is
also	beneficial)	to	the	perineum,	the	area	in	between	the	anus	and	testicles.	First	rub	in	a
circular	motion,	then	finish	with	strokes	from	the	anus	toward	the	base	of	the	penis.	Don’t
press	hard;	use	light	strokes.
	
In	middle-aged	men,	it	is	uncommonly	common	for	the	prostate	gland	to	become	enlarged,

resulting	in	a	number	of	uncomfortable	symptoms.	For	example,	the	man	may	wake	up
several	times	during	the	night	to	pass	urine.	He	may	have	difficulty	urinating,	so	that	it
may	take	some	moments	for	the	flow	to	start,	or	the	flow	may	be	slow,	or	it	may	“dribble”
at	the	end.	He	may	find	that	the	need	to	urinate	occurs	rather	suddenly,	or	that	he	feels	a
frequent	need	to	go.	This	happens	when	the	bladder	does	not	empty	completely	during
urination;	even	though	there	may	not	be	much	urine	left	in	the	bladder,	the	residual	fluid
creates	the	sensation	of	needing	to	go.
Another	problem	that	sometimes	develops	is	prostatitis	(inflammation	of	the	prostate),

which	has	many	of	the	same	symptoms	described	above	but	also	is	characterized	by	a
burning	sensation	while	passing	urine.
A	number	of	herbal	remedies	are	effective	in	treating	prostate	problems.
•	Make	this	formula	of	Ayurvedic	herbs:
gokshura	2	parts
Take	¼	teaspoon	twice	a	day,	after	meals,	with	a	little	warm	water.	Continue	to
take	it	until	your	symptoms	resolve.
•	You	can	also	use	ginseng,	hibiscus,	or	horsetail	tea,	available	in	packages	or	as	bulk
herbs	in	most	natural	food	stores.	These	teas	can	be	drunk	several	times	daily,	as	desired.
Follow	the	directions	on	the	package,	or	if	
you	use	bulk	herbs,	add	about	1	teaspoon	of
mixture	to	a	cup	of	boiling	hot	water,	steep	5	minutes,	cool,	and	drink.
T
IME	TO
	S
EE	THE
	D
OCTOR
Since	prostate	cancer	is	a	possible	diagnosis	based	on	the	above	symptoms,	you
should	see	a	medical	professional	to	determine	the	source	of	your	problem.	If	the

cause	is	benign,	the	following	remedies	may	be	effectively	used	for	self-treatment.
•	Cumin-coriander-fennel	tea	will	help	relieve	the	burning	sensation	and	other	symptoms
as	well.	Mix	the	herbs	in	equal	amounts,	and	steep	1	teaspoon	of	the	mixture	in	a	cup	of	hot
water	for	5	to	10	minutes.	Drink	2	or	3	times	a	day.
•	Another	Ayurvedic	herbal	compound	that	is	helpful	for	enlarged	prostate	is	
punarnava
guggulu
.	Take	1	tablet	twice	a	day.
•	Make	a	mixture	of	equal	amounts	of	
vidari
	and	
,	and	take	½	teaspoon	2	or	3
times	a	day,	washed	down	with	warm	water.
OTHER	HELPFUL	REMEDIES
.	A	gentle	massage	of	the	prostate	area	is	also	helpful.	Apply	a	small	amount	of
castor	oil	or	sesame	oil	to	the	perineum	(the	area	in	the	middle	between	the	anus	and
testicles).	First	rub	in	a	circular	motion,	then	finish	with	strokes	from	the	anus	toward	the

base	of	the	penis.	Don’t	press	hard;	use	light	strokes.
FROM	THE	YOGA	TRADITION
.	It	will	be	helpful	if	you	perform	what	is	known	in	yoga	as	the	Ashwini
Mudra:	pulling	or	sucking	the	anus	inward	in	a	series	of	tense-release	movements.	Do	about

10	repetitions	of	the	Ashwini	Mudra	morning	and	evening.	They	should	be	done	while	you
are	sitting.
The	Kukutasana,	or	Elevated	Lotus	pose,	is	also	helpful	for	prostate	problems.	(See
appendix	4
.)
	
Rashes	and	Hives
	
Skin	rashes	and	hives	indicate	excess	pitta	or	heat	in	the	body;	the	Ayurvedic	approach	is	to
provide	a	cooling	effect	from	both	the	inside	and	outside.
FOR	 IMMEDIATE	 RELIEF
.	Whatever	the	cause	of	the	rash,	whether	allergies,	an	insect	bite,	or
something	else,	cilantro	juice	will	be	immediately	effective.	Wash	fresh	cilantro,	chop	it	into
pieces,	put	it	into	the	blender,	add	⅓	cup	of	water,	and	blend.	Drink	the	juice,	and	apply
the	pulp	directly	onto	the	skin.
TOPICAL	SOLUTIONS
.	The	following	remedies	applied	directly	to	the	skin	will	help	soothe	and	heal
rashes	and	hives:
•	If	you	have	a	fresh	coconut,	break	it	open	and	apply	the	coconut	water	to	the	rash.
•	Melon	can	also	be	soothing	to	rashes	and	hives.	Eat	some	melon,	and	rub	the	remaining

rind	(not	the	outer	tough	skin)	over	your	skin.	With	watermelon,	eat	the	red	
part	and	rub
the	white	part	of	the	rind	onto	your	skin.
•	For	rashes,	hives,	and	other	high-pitta	conditions	such	as	nausea,	steep	1	teaspoon
coriander,	½	teaspoon	cumin,	and	1	teaspoon	natural	sugar	in	1	cup	hot	milk.	Drink	once
or	twice	a	day.
•	You	can	also	use	a	paste	made	of	sandalwood	and	turmeric	powders	mixed	in	goat’s
milk.	This	paste	is	healing	for	the	skin.	The	formula	is	simple:
sandalwood	powder	2	parts
Mix	up	about	a	teaspoon	of	powder	in	this	proportion,	add	sufficient	goat’s	milk	to
make	a	paste,	and	apply	it	to	the	affected	area.	Cow’s	milk	is	acceptable,	but	goat’s
milk	is	more	effective.	
:	Your	skin	will	look	yellow	for	some	time—up	to	3
or	4	days—after	you	use	the	paste.
FOR	INTERNAL	HEALING
.	Here	is	an	effective	formula	to	help	restore	health	to	your	skin	from	the
inside:

inside:
cumin	1	part
raw	natural	sugar	2	parts
Steep	½	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	in	a	cup	of	hot	milk,	and	drink	it	once	or	twice	a

day	until	the	condition	is	healed.
	
See	also	“
”,	“
”
Numerous	factors	can	give	rise	to	rectal	bleeding.	These	include	hemorrhoids;	inflammation
of	the	rectal	area	due	to	aggravated	pitta;	anal	fissures	or	polyps;	passing	dry,	hard	stools,
which	hurt	the	mucous	membrane	of	the	rectum;	straining	due	to	constipation;	excessive
pressure	on	the	rectal	veins	due	to	liver	cirrhosis;	and	congestive	heart	failure.	In	the	last
stage	of	pregnancy,	prolonged	pushing	of	the	child	during	labor	exerts	pressure	on	the
rectal	blood	vessels	and	leads	to	bleeding.	Rectal	bleeding	is	also	common	among	people
who	eat	refined	foods	containing	little	fiber.	Eating	hot	spicy	food	may	tend	to	produce
constipation	and	rectal	bleeding.
Whatever	the	cause,	the	following	recommendations	will	be	helpful.
WASH	WITH	COOL	WATER
.	After	each	bowel	movement,	wash	the	anal	orifice	with	cool	water.	This

will	help	stop	the	bleeding,	and	if	there	is	irritation,	itching,	and	cracking,	it	will	help	to
minimize	it.
APPLY	GHEE	OR	CASTOR	OIL
.	This	will	help	to	soothe	the	irritation	of	the	blood	vessels.
DRINK	CRANBERRY	JUICE	OR	POMEGRANATE	JUICE
.	These	are	both	hemostatics	(they	stop	
bleeding)	and	will
be	helpful.	Drink	1	cup	twice	a	day.
T
IME	TO
	S
EE	THE
	D
OCTOR
If	these	remedies	do	not	stop	your	rectal	bleeding	in	a	week	to	10	days,	it	would	be
wise	to	see	your	doctor.	If	the	bleeding	is	profuse,	go	sooner.	The	bleeding	could	be
a	symptom	of	a	serious	illness.
AVOID	HOT	SPICY	FOOD
.	Follow	the	pitta-pacifying	diet	(see	
chapter	8
).	Also	avoid	fermented	food,
sour	fruit,	citrus	fruit,	and	alcohol.
KEEP	THE	STOOLS	SOFT
.	This	will	help	to	minimize	irritation	and	bleeding.	Here	are	three	ways	to
keep	stools	soft:

•	Drink	a	cup	of	warm	milk	with	1	teaspoon	plain	ghee	at	bedtime.	(This	is	a	very	mild
laxative.)
•	Take	1	teaspoon	of	
amalaki
	or	½	teaspoon	
triphala
	at	bedtime	in	warm	water.	Steep	the
herb	in	hot	water	for	5	to	10	minutes,	then	when	it	has	cooled	down,	drink	it.
•	Take	1	teaspoon	psyllium	husks	
(sat	isabgol)
	at	night	in	1	cup	of	warm	water.	This	bulk
laxative	will	keep	the	stools	soft	and	avoid	pressure	on	the	rectal	blood	vessels.
USE	 VITAMIN	 K
.	If	the	bleeding	is	serious	(that	is,	profuse	or	repeated),	take	vitamin	K

supplements	according	to	the	dosage	recommended	on	the	package.	Also,	you	can	buy
vitamin	K	cream	at	most	health	food	stores.	Apply	this	cream	to	the	anal	orifice	to	stop	the
bleeding.
.	To	reduce	pitta,	take	vitamin	E	supplements,	and	drink	cranberry	juice	and/or
parsley	juice.
PREVENTIVE	MEASURES
.	To	avoid	rectal	bleeding	in	the	future,	follow	these	recommendations:
•	Strictly	follow	the	pitta-pacifying	diet:	no	sour	fruit,	citrus	fruit,	fermented	food,	or	hot
•	Avoid	hard	physical	labor	if	possible.
•	Do	abdominal	yoga	exercises	such	as	
nauli
	(see	
appendix	3
	for	instructions).
•	The	following	yoga	postures	should	improve	elimination	and	help	to	prevent	rectal
bleeding:	Camel,	Cobra,	Cow,	and	Spinal	Twist.
•	Take	this	herbal	formula:
This	herbal	mixture	(½	teaspoon	with	warm	water),	taken	twice	a	day	for	1	month,
will	help	to	prevent	future	rectal	bleeding.
	
Rectal	Itching

Rectal	itching	has	several	possible	causes.	One	is	worms	and	parasites,	such	as	roundworms
and	pinworms.	Itching	may	also	be	caused	by	hemorrhoids,	inflamed	ulcers,	a	yeast
infection,	or	a	fungal	infection.	Excess	toxicity—ama	in	the	colon—can	also	create	itching
of	the	anus.
FOR	WORMS
.	If	worms	are	the	problem,	you	may	be	able	to	eliminate	them	entirely	with	this
herbal	formula:
vidanga	5	parts
shardunika	2	parts
Use	¼	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	twice	a	day	washed	down	with	warm	water	after
meals.
•	Also,	take	½	teaspoon	
triphala
	every	night	in	a	cup	of	warm	water.	(Steep	5	to	10
minutes	before	drinking.)

FOR	YEAST	INFECTION
.	If	there	is	a	yeast	infection,	apply	a	little	yogurt	to	the	anal	orifice,	then
wash	the	anus	with	water.
FOR	 HEMORRHOIDS
.	If	the	problem	is	hemorrhoids,	take	a	baking	soda	bath,	soaking	the
hemorrhoids	in	warm	water	with	⅓	cup	baking	soda	added.	Then	apply	
neem
	oil	to	the
hemorrhoids.	(See	also	“
.”)
FOR	FUNGAL	INFECTION
.	Mix	a	little	tea	tree	oil	and	
neem
	oil	together,	and	apply	it	directly	to	the
anal	area	to	heal	the	rectal	itch.
PREVENTIVE	DIET
.	Avoid	hot	spicy	foods,	fermented	foods,	and	yeast-containing	bread.	Stay	away
from	alcohol	entirely.
	
Sinus	Problems
	
The	sinuses	are	air-filled	cavities	located	on	either	side	of	the	nose.	There	are	ten	sinus
cavities,	five	on	each	side,	all	connected	to	the	nose.	They	are	covered	with	a	superfine
mucous	membrane.	The	sinuses	drain	constantly	into	the	nose;	their	chief	function	is	to
keep	the	nasal	cavity	moist.	They	also	serve	to	amplify	the	voice	when	we	speak.

Due	to	allergies,	colds,	or	bacterial	infections,	the	sinuses	in	both	adults	and	children
sometimes	get	clogged	or	infected.	This	is	a	condition	of	excess	kapha	that	can	be
aggravated	by	many	factors,	including	cold	drinks,	dairy	products,	and	smoking.
Sinus	problems	can	create	complications	of	various	kinds,	from	sinus	headaches,	snoring,
and	difficulty	breathing	to	bad	breath,	ear	infections,	and	sleep	apnea.	In	serious	cases,
sinus	infections	can	lead	to	brain	infection,	meningitis,	or	osteomyelitis.
HERBAL	DECONGESTANT
.	When	the	sinuses	become	clogged	and	congested,	it	is	important	to	drain
them.	A	mixture	of	fresh	ginger	juice	(or	freshly	grated	ginger	pulp)	with	1	teaspoon	honey
taken	2	or	3	times	a	day	will	be	quite	helpful.
You	can	prepare	this	safe,	effective	decongestant	formula:
sitopaladi	5	parts
mahasudarhan	churna	2	parts

Take	¼	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	2	or	3	times	a	day	with	warm	water	after	meals.
HERBAL	ANTIBIOTICS
.	To	help	prevent	secondary	infection,	mix	equal	amounts	of	the	following
antibacterial	herbs:
goldenseal
osha
turmeric

neem
Fill	some	00-size	capsules	with	the	herbal	mixture,	and	swallow	2	capsules	twice	a
day.
NOSE	DROPS	AND	NASAL	WASH	TO	DRAIN	THE	SINUSES
.	Make	a	mild	saline	solution	by	dissolving	½	teaspoon
salt	into	½	cup	lukewarm	water.	Instill	5	drops	of	the	solution	into	each	nostril	with	a
dropper,	or	take	a	little	in	the	palm	of	your	hand	and	snuff	it	into	
your	nostrils.	Repeat	as
often	as	needed	to	keep	sinuses	clear.	(Several	times	a	day	is	fine.)
Use	Medicated	Steam	to	Clear	up	Your	Sinuses
You	will	be	amazed	at	how	effective	this	simple	method	is	to	help	clear	up	painful,
congested	sinuses.
Heat	up	about	a	cupful	of	water,	and	add	3	to	5	drops	of	eucalyptus	oil.	Turn	off	the
flame,	cover	your	head	with	a	towel,	lean	over	the	pot,	and	inhale	the	steam.
You	can	also	use	ginger	in	the	same	way.	Take	1	inch	of	fresh	ginger,	chop	it	into
pieces,	and	boil	it	in	about	a	cup	of	water.	Then	cover	your	head	and	inhale	the	ginger

steam.	It	will	be	effective	for	draining	the	sinuses.	(You	can	use	powdered	ginger	as	a
backup	if	you	don’t	have	fresh.)
Here	is	a	more	powerful	remedy	that	you	can	use	for	severe	sinus	congestion	and	pain.
You	may	not	enjoy	doing	this,	but	it	works.	Use	a	garlic	press	to	squeeze	out	some	fresh
garlic	juice.	With	an	eye	dropper,	pick	up	some	juice	and	insert	just	a	few	drops	into	each
nostril.	Keep	your	head	tilted	back	for	about	five	minutes	to	let	the	juice	work,	then	sit	up
and	let	it	drain	out	onto	a	tissue.	You	will	be	surprised	at	how	clear	your	sinuses	feel.	Do
this	once	a	day	as	needed;	for	a	severe	sinus	attack,	you	may	do	it	up	to	three	times,	in	the
morning,	afternoon,	and	evening.
FOR	A	SINUS	HEADACHE
.	Try	mixing	½	teaspoon	cinnamon	with	enough	water	to	make	a	paste,	and
apply	locally.
STRATEGIES	FOR	PREVENTION
.	Here	are	several	ways	you	can	help	save	yourself	from	future	sinus

problems.
•	Avoid	dairy	products,	especially	cheese,	yogurt,	and	ice	cream.
•	Avoid	cold	drinks.
•	Avoid	exposure	to	cold	weather.
•	Do	not	smoke	cigarettes.
•	Once	a	day,	instill	a	little	warm	ghee	in	each	nostril	and	sniff.	You	may	use	an	eye-

dropper	or	use	a	clean	finger	dipped	in	ghee.
•	Take	this	herbal	formula	on	a	regular	basis:
mahasudarshan	churna	3	parts
Take	¼	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	3	times	a	day,	after	meals.	Wash	down	with	warm
water.	Take	it	for	3	months.
	
Ayurveda	has	many	wonderful	suggestions	for	maintaining	the	health	and	beauty	of	your
skin.	Some	you	will	find	here.	Others	you	will	find,	along	with	remedies	for	various	skin
problems,	in	the	sections	on	“Acne,”	
“Dandruff,”	“Dry	Skin,”	“Rashes	and	Hives,”	and
others.
The	following	suggestions	will	help	you	keep	your	skin	healthy,	glowing,	and	beautiful.
.	Daily	oil	massage	over	your	whole	body	is	very	effective	for	keeping	your	skin
healthy	and	beautiful.	If	you	are	vata	or	have	a	vata	imbalance,	use	sesame	oil.	If	you	are
pitta	or	have	a	pitta	imbalance,	use	sunflower	oil.	If	you	are	kapha	or	have	a	kapha

imbalance,	use	corn	oil	or	canola	oil.	Gentle	oil	massage	maintains	the	beauty	and	texture
of	the	skin.
TAKE	TURMERIC
.	To	have	beautiful	skin,	take	a	capsule	of	turmeric	daily.	Ayurvedic	tradition
states	that	if	a	pregnant	woman	takes	turmeric	regularly,	her	child	will	have	gorgeous	skin!
GET	ENOUGH	IRON	IN	YOUR	DIET
.	If	your	skin	looks	pale,	it	may	be	a	sign	of	anemia.	Drink	some
carrot	juice,	and	eat	cooked	beets.	This	will	give	you	natural	iron	and	should	improve	skin
color.	(See	further	suggestions	under	“
Anemia
.”)
SOAK	UP	SOME	SUN
.	Apply	the	appropriate	doshic	oil	to	your	skin	(sesame	for	vata	constitutions,
coconut	or	sunflower	for	pitta,	corn	for	kapha),	and	lie	in	the	sun	for	a	little	while—10	to
15	minutes,	or	at	the	most	half	an	hour.	This	will	improve	the	circulation	and	strengthen
skin	tone.
NOTE
:	Sunbathing	should	be	done	either	before	noon	or	in	the	late	afternoon	(after

skin	tone.
NOTE
three	o’clock),	when	the	rays	are	not	as	direct.	Also,	the	danger	of	sunburn	is
greater	at	high	altitudes,	so	take	care	to	limit	your	exposure	when	you’re	in	the
mountains.
USE	HERBALIZED	OILS
.	For	a	wonderful	face	lotion,	apply	some	
neem
	oil	or	
brahmi
	oil	to	your	face.
These	oils	are	acceptable	for	all	constitutions.

SHIKAKAI
	
SHAMPOO
.	For	washing	your	hair,	use	a	shampoo	that	includes	the	herb	
shikakai
.
NEEM
	
SOAP
.	Use	a	
neem
	or	sandalwood	soap	for	bathing.
BE	SPARING	WITH	SOAP
.	As	a	general	rule,	it	is	beneficial	to	use	soap	on	your	skin	only	once	or
twice	a	week,	not	on	a	regular	everyday	basis.	In	a	tropical	climate,	where	people	sweat	a
lot	and	their	sweat	contains	salts	and	minerals	that	lodge	in	the	skin,	they	have	to	take	a
soap	bath	every	day.	But	in	colder	countries,	where	there	is	not	much	sweating,	so	much
soap	bathing	is	usually	not	necessary.
Of	course,	it	depends	on	a	person’s	job.	Someone	who	does	hard	physical	work	and
sweats	a	lot	needs	some	kind	of	soap.	But	to	maintain	softness	and	luster,	it’s	important	not
to	wash	off	the	sebaceous	secretions	that	maintain	the	oiliness	of	the	skin.	If	we	apply	soap
daily,	the	oil	will	be	washed	off	and	the	skin	will	become	dry.
Pitta	constitutional	types	may	need	soap	a	little	more	often,	perhaps	three	times	a	week,

both	because	they	tend	to	perspire	more	and	because	pitta	skin	tends	to	be	more	oily.
MATCH	WATER	TEMPERATURE	TO	YOUR	CONSTITUTION
.	Generally,	washing	in	cool	water	is	recommended	for
pitta,	warm	water	for	kapha,	and	hot	water	for	vata.	Vata	individuals	often	have	poor
circulation,	and	hot	water	will	improve	circulation	and	help	to	keep	skin	healthy	and
beautiful.
GENTLE	TOWEL	MASSAGE
.	After	bathing,	gently	rub	your	towel	over	the	skin	of	your	
face	and	body.
This	improves	cutaneous	circulation,	removes	dead	skin,	and	helps	your	skin	look	young.
Home	Face-lift
You	can	do	your	own	home	facial	massage	and	face-lift	by	applying	gentle	pressure
from	the	chin	to	the	forehead.
Face-lift	Massage

Put	your	two	index	fingers	together,	and	your	two	thumbs.	Place	the	two	index
fingers	between	your	lower	lip	and	your	chin,	and	the	two	thumbs	just	under	the	chin.
Then,	pressing	lightly	with	your	index	fingers,	sweep	along	the	jawbone,	with	your
thumbs	underneath.	When	you	reach	the	ears,	go	up	in	front	of	them,	letting	the	thumb
trail.	Keep	going	up	until	your	thumbs	are	just	behind	the	temple	area,	above	the	ear.
A	
marma
	point	is	located	there.	When	you	reach	this	point	press	lightly,	with	a	lifting
motion,	for	about	30	seconds.	This	procedure	will	stimulate	the	nerves	that	control	the
facial	muscles,	and	it	will	improve	the	tone	of	those	muscles	and	help	remove	wrinkles
from	the	facial	skin.	Repeat	seven	times	once	a	day,	preferably	in	the	morning.
FRESH	CHERRY	MASK
.	Apply	a	pulp	of	fresh	cherries	to	your	face	at	night	as	a	mask,	before	going
to	bed.	Leave	it	on	for	15	minutes.	This	will	relieve	dry	skin	and	give	you	a	beautiful
complexion.
YOUR	SMILE	HELPS	YOUR	SKIN

.	Keeping	a	smile	on	your	face	will	help	maintain	the	tone	of	your
facial	muscles	and	skin;	people	may	say	you	look	ten	years	younger	than	you	are!
	
Sleep	Apnea
	
Apnea	is	a	temporary	suspension	of	breath.	Sleep	apnea	is	a	brief	interruption	in	breathing
during	deep	sleep—sometimes	numerous	interruptions	in	a	single	night—that	is	quite
common	in	young	children	but	also	occurs	in	some	adults.	It	may	also	happen	at	high
altitudes.	Sleep	apnea	is	often	accompanied	by	loud	snoring	and	an	abnormal	breathing
pattern.
Apnea	in	older	children	and	adults	is	less	life-threatening.	But	because	the	person’s	sleep
is	briefly	interrupted	each	time	the	breathing	stops,	sometimes	dozens	of	times	in	a	night,	it
can	be	physically	exhausting.	It	strains	the	cardiovascular	system	and	respiratory	system
and	may	create	excess	carbon	dioxide	in	the	blood.	It	may	lead	to	drowsiness	and	irritability

during	the	wakeful	state	and	an	inability	to	concentrate,	due	to	insufficient	sleep.
In	Ayurvedic	terms,	sleep	apnea	occurs	because	
tarpaka
	kapha	is	blocking	
prana
	vata.	So
treatment	centers	on	controlling	excess	kapha.
TO	CONTROL	KAPHA
.	The	first	remedy	is	
pippali
.	Take	¼	teaspoon	with	1	teaspoon	honey	and	1
teaspoon	ghee	on	an	empty	stomach	in	the	morning	and	evening.
•	Instead	of	
pippali
,	you	can	substitute	
trikatu	churna
	(which	consists	of	equal	amounts	of
pippali
,	black	pepper,	and	ginger).
•	For	an	effective	decongestant,	take	½	teaspoon	
	along	with	¼	teaspoon	
yashti
madhu
	in	1	teaspoon	honey,	twice	a	day.	This	will	help	both	as	a	congestion	remedy	and	as
a	preventive	measure.

Sleep	Apnea	in	Premature	Babies
Premature	infants	sometimes	have	sleep	apnea.	Because	the	respiratory	center	in	the
hypothalamus	has	not	fully	matured	in	these	babies,	from	time	to	time	the	child	may
completely	stop	breathing	and	can	turn	blue	or	purple.
If	this	happens,	don’t	panic,	but	act	quickly:	
If	you	tickle	the	soles	of	the	feet,	or
sprinkle	cool	water	on	the	belly	at	the	diaphragm,	the	baby	will	start	breathing	again
.
This	condition	may	cause	SIDS,	sudden	infant	death	syndrome.	It	is	a	serious
condition	that	needs	prompt	medical	care.	But	when	the	breathing	control	center
becomes	mature,	the	baby’s	sleep	apnea	should	go	away.
NASYA
.	Instill	5	drops	of	warm	
brahmi
	ghee	or	plain	ghee	in	each	nostril	in	the	morning	and
FOR	OBESITY
.	One	of	the	primary	causes	of	sleep	apnea	is	being	significantly	overweight.	If	that
is	the	problem,	you	can	treat	obesity	with	this	herbal	formula:
chitrak	1	part

Take	¼	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	2	or	3	times	a	day	before	breakfast,	lunch,	and
dinner	with	warm	water.
•	Regular	walking	or	other	exercise	will	also	help	the	obese	person	to	breathe	better.	Be
careful	not	to	undertake	exercise	that	might	be	too	much	for	you	if	you	are	very	heavy	and
have	not	exercised	in	some	time.	Stick	to	walking,	or	consult	with	your	doctor	if	you	want
to	do	more.
CHANGE	 YOUR	 SLEEPING	 POSITION
.	Anyone	with	sleep	apnea	would	do	well	to	experiment	with
different	sleeping	positions	to	see	if	the	condition	eases.	In	particular,	obese	people,	who
are	often	in	the	habit	of	sleeping	on	their	chest	or	on	their	back	with	their	hands	on	their
chest,	might	try	sleeping	on	their	left	side.	Just	this	one	shift	could	remedy	or	at	least	reduce
the	problem.
KEEP	THE	HOUSE	HUMIDIFIED
.	Sometimes	dry,	hot	air	creates	a	choking	sensation	in	the	nose	and	can
be	the	cause	of	sleep	apnea.	A	warm,	comfortably	humid	atmosphere	will	be	best.

Preferably,	use	a	hot	water	humidifier;	ultrasound	humidifiers	are	not	recommended.
PANCHAKARMA
.
	Under	the	supervision	of	an	Ayurvedic	physician,	it	would	be	helpful	for	a
person	with	sleep	apnea	to	undergo	
	purification	therapy	(see	
chapter	4
).	This

includes	
abhyanga
	(oil	massage),	
virechana
	(purgation	therapy),	and	
nasya
	(nasal
administration	of	medications)	among	others.	This	procedure	is	cleansing	and	rejuvenating.

Smoking
	
See	also	“
”
Addiction	to	smoking	has	two	main	causes:	nicotine	toxicity	and	stress.	Once	a	person
becomes	a	smoker,	he	or	she	has	to	achieve	just	the	“right”	amount	of	nicotine	toxicity	to
maintain	proper	functioning	of	the	brain	as	well	as	normal	digestion	and	elimination.	Also,
at	times	of	pressure	or	emotional	disturbance,	smokers	habitually	reach	for	a	cigarette.	So
two	parallel	strategies	are	needed:	detoxifying	the	nicotine	toxicity	and	dealing	with	the
stress.
HERBAL	 CIGARETTE
.	To	gradually	wean	yourself	from	smoking,	Ayurveda	suggests	that	you
prepare	the	following	herbal	mixture.	It	will	help	both	with	reducing	your	stress	level	and
with	detoxifying	your	body.	Mix	together	equal	amounts	of:
brahmi
jatamamsi
rose	petal	powder
Remove	⅓	of	the	tobacco	from	a	few	of	your	cigarettes	(at	the	end	you	light)	and
replace	it	with	this	mixture.	When	you	feel	like	smoking,	light	and	smoke	the	herbal

mixture.	When	you	reach	the	tobacco,	stop.	Soon	you	will	see	that	the	desire	to
smoke	begins	to	diminish.
OVERWHELM	YOURSELF
.	Here’s	another	helpful	procedure:	Place	a	few	drops	of	
brahmi
	ghee	directly
on	the	cigarette,	then	light	up.	The	smoke	produced	will	be	so	strong,	it	will	eliminate	your
desire	to	smoke.
EFFECTIVE	HERBAL	TEA
.	At	times	of	stress,	instead	of	smoking	a	cigarette,	prepare	and	drink	a	tea
made	of	equal	proportions	of	
jatamamsi
,	chamomile,	and	
brahmi
.
Steep	1	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	in	a	cup	of	hot	water,	and	drink.	Take	it	slowly,	sip
by	sip,	to	help	relieve	the	desire	to	smoke.
CHEW	INSTEAD	OF	SMOKING
.	Whenever	the	desire	for	a	cigarette	arises,	chew	one	or	two	small	pieces
of	dried	pineapple	instead,	mixed	with	½	teaspoon	honey.
REDUCE	STRESS	BY	MEDITATING
.	For	Stress	management,	spend	some	time	every	day	meditating.	If

you	know	a	practice,	use	it!	Or	try	the	Empty	Bowl	meditation	explained	in	
chapter	7
.	Most
people	find	that	when	stress	is	reduced,	their	desire	to	smoke	spontaneously	decreases.
.	Yoga	postures	are	helpful.	Try	the	Moon	Salutation	sequence,	as	well	as	the

Locust	pose,	Bow,	Shoulder	Stand,	Plow,	and	Palm	Tree.	(Illustrations	of	yoga	
asanas
	are
found	in	
appendix	4
.)
.	The	
pranayama
	(breathing	exercise)	known	as	Breath	of	Fire	will	also	help
you	in	your	effort	to	quit	smoking.	It	is	explained	in	
chapter	6
.
	
Sore	Throat
	
A	sore	throat	is	caused	by	irritation	and	inflammation	of	the	throat.	This	condition	is
generally	quite	easy	to	remedy	using	Ayurvedic	methods.
GARGLE
.	Perhaps	the	simplest	remedy,	and	one	that	is	quite	effective,	is	gargling.	Ayurveda
recommends	using	1	cup	of	hot	water	(not	so	hot	that	it	might	burn	your	throat)	with	½
teaspoon	turmeric	and	½	teaspoon	salt	mixed	in.	Gargle	with	this	mixture	morning	and
evening.
TURMERIC	MILK
.	Drinking	1	cup	of	hot	milk	boiled	with	½	teaspoon	turmeric	is	also	helpful	for
sore	throat.
SOOTHING	 HERBAL	 TEA
.	Another	remedy	that	works	well	is	ginger-cinnamon-licorice	tea	in	the
following	proportions:
licorice	3	parts

Steep	1	teaspoon	of	the	herbal	mixture	in	water	for	5	to	10	minutes,	and	drink	up	to
3	times	a	day.
T
IME	TO
	S
EE	THE
	D
OCTOR
If	your	sore	throat	persists	for	more	than	a	few	days	even	though	you	are	trying
these	remedies,	see	a	medical	professional.
.	When	you	have	a	sore	throat,	it	is	important	not	to	eat	dairy	products	such	as
cheese,	yogurt,	and	ice	cream.	Also	avoid	fermented	foods.
NOTE
:	A	cup	of	warm	turmeric	milk,	as	recommended	above,	is	an	exception.	Do	stay
away	from	
chilled
	dairy	products,	which	are	mucus-forming	and	will	exacerbate	your
.	The	yoga	posture	known	as	the	Lion	pose	is	traditionally	recommended	for	sore
throats.	The	Yoga	Mudra	is	also	effective.	(See	yoga	illustrations	in	
appendix	4
.)

.	You	can	also	practice	
bhramari
	(Humming	Breath),	which	is	described	in
chapter	6
.
	
Spastic	Colon
	
For	help	with	spastic	colon,	you	can	use	the	remedies	suggested	under	“Irritable	Bowel
Syndrome.”	In	addition,	try	the	following	Ayurvedic	herbal	formula:
hingwastak	churna	⅛	part
ajwan	¼	part
Take	about	¼	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	3	times	a	day	with	warm	water,	after	meals.
	
Sprains	and	Strains
	
Stepping	off	the	curb	in	a	wrong	way,	losing	your	balance	when	walking	(especially	easy	to
do	when	you	wear	high-heeled	shoes),	falling	on	an	outstretched	hand—all	of	these	can	lead
to	a	sudden	twisting	of	an	ankle,	wrist,	or	hip	joint,	resulting	in	a	sprain	or	strain.
Although	sprains	and	strains	are	similar,	there	is	a	difference.	A	
sprain
	affects	ligaments
and	is	a	pitta	condition.	It	is	caused	by	excessive	stretching	or	even	tearing	of	the	ligament
and	involves	pain,	swelling,	and	blackish-bluish	discoloration.	A	
strain

strain
	affects	muscle,	is	due
to	vata,	and	does	not	produce	bruise	discoloration,	although	there	is	pain.
WRAP	IT	UP
.	Whenever	there	is	a	strain	or	sprain,	as	soon	as	possible	wrap	the	area	in	an
elastic	bandage.
DRINK	SOME	JUICE
.	Then	drink	some	pineapple	or	pomegranate	juice.	These	juices	contain	an
enzyme	that	acts	as	an	anti-irritant	and	anti-inflammatory.	This	helps	to	pacify	pitta	and
accelerates	the	healing	process.
SOAK	IT
.	For	ankle	sprain,	soak	your	foot	in	a	pot	of	hot	water	with	a	homemade	mustard	seed
tea	bag.	Make	the	bag	by	tying	up	2	teaspoons	of	brown	mustard	seeds	in	a	handkerchief,
some	cheesecloth,	or	other	light	cloth.	Immerse	the	bag	in	the	hot	water.
To	relieve	the	swelling,	soak	the	foot	for	15	minutes	in	hot	water	with	2	tablespoons	of
salt	per	gallon	of	water.
.	Make	a	paste	out	of	½	teaspoon	turmeric	and	½	teaspoon	salt,	with

enough	water	to	form	the	paste.	Use	cool	water.	Applying	it	to	the	injury	will	help	reduce
swelling.
If	it	is	a	strain	rather	than	a	sprain,	use	a	
hot
	paste	of	turmeric	and	salt	to	help	pacify	the

vata.
.	If	you	can’t	tell	whether	it	is	a	strain	or	a	sprain,	take	capsules	of	
kaishore
guggulu
	(200	mg.	twice	a	day);	this	herbal	formula	will	help	heal	both	conditions.
:	If	you	want	to	avoid	sprained	and	strained	ankles,	don’t	wear	high-heeled
shoes.
	
Stomachache
	
See	also	“
”
Stomachache	is	a	very	ambiguous	symptom.	Many	causes	are	possible:	acid	stomach,	acid
indigestion,	constipation,	eating	the	wrong	kind	of	food,	even	toxicity	in	the	liver.	All	these,
and	other	factors,	can	create	abdominal	aches	and	pains.
To	treat	a	stomachache	intelligently	and	effectively,	first	we	have	to	rule	out	the	serious
causes,	such	as	appendicitis,	enteritis,	gastritis,	and	colic.	You	may	need	a	physician’s	help
to	determine	the	cause.	But	for	a	common	tummy	ache,	Ayurveda	offers	numerous	simple,
natural,	and	effective	home	remedies.
•	Mix	together	⅓	teaspoon	cumin	powder,	a	pinch	of	hing	(asafetida),	and	a	pinch	of	rock

salt.	Chew	well;	wash	down	with	warm	water.
•	For	stomachache	associated	with	diarrhea,	rub	a	little	fresh	ginger	juice	on	your
stomach,	around	the	belly	button.
•	Try	the	Ayurvedic	herb	
.	It	ordinarily	comes	in	tablets;	just	take	1	pill	twice	a
day,	morning	and	evening.	It	will	take	care	of	an	aching	stomach.
•	If	you	don’t	find	
,	take	
,	1	tablet	twice	a	day	after	food.
•	Another	helpful	herb	is	
ajwan
	(Indian	celery	seed),	which	you	can	usually	buy	from	an
Indian	grocery	shop.	Mix	½	teaspoon	with	¼	teaspoon	baking	soda,	chew	the	mixture,	and
drink	it	down	with	a	little	warm	water.
•	If	this	doesn’t	relieve	your	stomachache,	mix	together	some	roasted	fennel,	roasted
cumin,	and	roasted	coriander	seed,	and	chew	on	about	½	teaspoon	of	the	mixture.	(Roast
these	seeds	individually—that	is,	one	type	at	a	time—in	a	heavy	cast	iron	pan,	stirring

constantly	so	they	don’t	burn.	Then	mix	them	together.)
•	To	relieve	indigestion,	take	¼	cup	of	fresh	onion	juice	with	½	teaspoon	honey	and	½
teaspoon	black	pepper.
TWO	HERBAL	TEAS
•	Make	some	cumin-coriander-fennel	tea.	Mix	the	three	herbs	in	equal	proportions,	and
use	½	teaspoon	per	cup	of	water.	Drink	2	to	3	times	a	day	to	help	soothe	an	aching
stomach.

•	Another	simple	tea	can	be	made	of	equal	amounts	of	the	common	Western	herbs
angelica,	chamomile,	and	comfrey.	Mix	them	together,	and	steep	about	½	teaspoon	of	the
mix	in	hot	water.
THE	MASTER	KEY	TO	PREVENT	STOMACHACHE
Most	of	the	time,	a	stomachache	is	due	to	indigestion	and	low	agni	(digestive	fire).	Here	are
four	ways	you	can	kindle	agni:
•	One	of	the	best	herbs	to	strengthen	digestive	fire	is	ginger.	Before	each	meal,	chop	or
grate	a	little	fresh	ginger,	add	a	few	drops	of	lime	juice	and	a	pinch	of	salt,	and	eat	the
mixture.	Or	just	cut	a	thin	slice	of	ginger,	put	on	a	pinch	of	salt,	and	chew	that.
•	Ginger	tea	will	also	increase	the	gastric	fire	and	reduce	the	stomachache.	Boil	a	little
fresh	ginger	(grated,	chopped,	or	sliced),	or	use	powdered	ginger	to	make	a	tea,	and	drink
it	2	or	3	times	a	day.
•	
Draksha
	(Ayurvedic	herbal	wine)	before	meals	will	help	to	kindle	the	digestive	fire.	Use	2
to	4	tablespoons	mixed	with	an	equal	amount	of	water.	Or	take	a	few	sips	of	port	or

another	sweet	wine.
•	Another	simple	way	to	enliven	your	gastric	fire	is	to	use	the	common	spice	bay	leaf.
Steep	½	teaspoon	of	crushed	or	ground	bay	leaf	in	a	cup	of	hot	water	for	about	10	minutes
to	make	a	tea.	Add	a	pinch	of	cardamom,	and	drink	after	eating.
.	If	your	stomach	hurts,	avoid	eating	any	heavy	meals,	beans,	meat,	and	heavier
grains	like	wheat.	It	is	better	to	be	on	a	diet	of	kitchari,	a	combination	of	rice	and	dal	that
is	easy	to	digest.	(See	
this	page
	for	a	basic	kitchari	recipe).	Between	meals,	take	some	fruit
juice.
FOR	 CHRONIC	 INDIGESTION
.	For	chronic	poor	digestion	and	frequent	stomachaches,	prepare	this
herbal	mixture:
Take	¼	teaspoon	before	meals,	with	a	little	honey	and	fresh	ginger	juice.	If	you
don’t	have	fresh	ginger,	just	use	honey.	This	mixture	will	help	strengthen	the

digestive	fire.
TAKE	A	BREAK	FROM	EXERCISE
.	When	you	have	an	upset	stomach,	Ayurveda	recommends	that	you	just
rest,	read,	and	relax	as	much	as	you	can	until	the	condition	clears.	Exercise,	including	
yoga
asanas
,	is	not	recommended.

Stress
	
Stress	is	a	psychosomatic	disorder	that	has	many	causes	in	our	day-to-day	life.	We	may	
get
stressed	when	traffic	is	jammed,	when	we	have	to	stand	in	a	long	line,	or	when	we	deal
with	a	difficult	work	situation.	An	all-too-common	cause	of	stress	is	the	feeling	that	we	have
too	much	to	do	and	too	little	time	to	do	it.	Unemployment	is	another	potential	source,	as
are	pollution	and	crime.	Even	watching	crime	stories	day	after	day	on	television	builds	up
stress.	An	unhappy	relationship,	a	dominating	spouse,	faulty	plumbing,	school	exams,	burn-
out	at	work—the	list	of	causes	is	virtually	endless.
Stress,	in	turn,	may	trigger	allergies,	asthma,	herpes,	high	cholesterol,	and	hypertension.
It	may	even	lead	to	a	heart	condition.	It	can	induce	an	imbalance	of	vata,	pitta,	or	kapha,
depending	on	the	individual’s	
prakruti
Generally,	vata	individuals	are	likely	to	develop	vata-aggravated	stress	reactions,	such	as

anxiety	or	fearfulness,	even	phobias	or	anxiety	neurosis.	Pitta	individuals	increase	in	pitta
during	stressful	situations	and	typically	react	to	stress	in	the	form	of	anger.	They	may	also
suffer	from	hypertension,	peptic	ulcer,	ulcerative	colitis,	and	other	pitta	disorders.	Kapha
individuals	under	stress	can	develop	underactive	thyroid	function,	slow	metabolism,	and
even	increased	blood	sugar,	leading	to	a	prediabetic	condition.	They	tend	to	eat	and	eat
and	eat	and	become	chubby.
TAKE	A	RELAXATION	BREAK
.	To	prevent	the	buildup	of	stress,	the	first	line	of	defense	is	to	stay	calm
and	cool	during	potentially	stressful	circumstances.	Take	long,	deep	breaths,	and	breathe
out	your	stress.	Relax.	Have	a	massage,	or	give	yourself	an	oil	massage	by	rubbing	a	few
ounces	of	warm	oil	on	your	body,	from	head	to	toe.	Vata	individuals	should	use	sessame	oil,

pitta	individuals	sunflower	oil,	and	kapha	individuals	corn	oil.	After	your	massage,	take	a
hot	shower	or	a	hot	tub	bath.	Mental	techniques	such	as	positive	imagery,	prayer,	singing
and	chanting,	and	meditation,	as	well	as	regular	yoga	exercises,	are	all	effective	to
minimize	and	remedy	stress.
ANALYZE	YOUR	STRESS
.	Separate	the	things	in	your	life	that	you	find	stressful	into	two	categories:
things	you	can	do	something	about,	and	things	you	can’t.	If	you	can	do	something	about	it,
then	do	it!	If	there’s	nothing	you	can	do,	then	surrender	to	it.	Accept	it.	When	there’s
nothing	I	can	do	about	a	situation,	I	have	to	surrender	to	it,	and	in	accepting	it,	there	is
peace.
MONITOR	 YOUR	 NEGATIVE	 THINKING
.	Stress	is	often	the	result	of	fear	that	is	based	largely	on
imagination.	Look	at	your	negative	thinking,	and	replace	it	with	positive	thinking.	Just

changing	your	thinking	or	your	attitude	can	alleviate	much	stress.
EXAMINE	YOUR	ROLE	AND	YOUR	GOAL
.	Find	the	right	match	between	your	job	and	your	personality.	Job
stress	is	a	terrible	burden	on	many	people	when	work	and	personality	are	not
appropriately	matched.	If	you	love	what	you	are	doing,	there	is	no	stress.	If	you	don’t	love
what	you	are	doing	and	you	still	have	to	do	it,	that	is	very	stressful.	So	you	have	to	discover
your	true	role	and	your	goal.

A	SOOTHING	BATH
.	A	ginger-baking	soda	bath	is	quite	soothing.	Add	⅓	cup	ginger	and	⅓	cup
baking	soda	to	a	hot	bath	for	greater	relaxation	and	healing.
OILS	 FOR	 RELAXATION
.	Rub	a	little	
brahmi
	oil	on	the	soles	of	your	feet	and	on	your	scalp	at
bedtime.
•	Put	one	drop	of	pure	castor	oil	(with	no	preservatives)	into	each	of	your	eyes,	and	rub	a
little	on	the	soles	of	your	feet	for	a	calming,	soothing	effect.
USE	MEDICATED	NOSE	DROPS
.	Do	
nasya
	with	
brahmi
	ghee	or	plain	ghee.	Put	5	drops	of	the	ghee	into
each	nostril.	(Refer	to	the	
nasya
	instructions	in	
appendix	3
.)
STRESS-REDUCING	TEA
.	A	tea	made	from	equal	proportions	of	the	herbs	chamomile,	comfrey,	and
angelica	will	be	relaxing.	So	will	
brahmi
	tea,	which	you	can	make	by	adding	a	cup	of	boiling
water	to	½	teaspoon	
brahmi
.	Or	try	a	tea	made	from	equal	amounts	of	these	herbs:
brahmi
jatamamsi
Steep	½	teaspoon	in	1	cup	of	hot	water	for	10	minutes.	You	can	drink	this	tea	2	or	3

times	a	day	for	stress	management.
YOGA	 STRETCHING
.	Certain	specific	
asanas
	are	effectively	used	for	management	of	stress,
especially	the	Shoulder	Stand,	Plow	pose,	Spinal	Twist,	and	Locust	pose.	The	Lion	pose	is
also	effective	for	relieving	stress.	(
Asana
	illustrations	appear	in	
appendix	4
.)
.	Sit	in	the	Lotus	pose	or	the	Easy	pose	(legs	comfortably	crossed)	facing	east,	and
meditate.	Just	observe	the	inflow	and	outflow	of	your	breath,	or	do	the	
So-Hum
	meditation
chapter	7
).
BREATHE	AWAY	STRESS
.	
	is	deeply	calming	and	helpful	for	relieving	stress.	You	can
do	it	sitting	up,	or	try	lying	on	your	back	in	Savasana	(the	“corpse”	or	rest	pose)	and	doing
this	breathing	exercise.	(See	instructions	in	
chapter	6
.)
LET	YOURSELF	CRY
.	If	you	have	a	lot	of	grief	and	sadness,	it	will	help	to	cry	out	your	stressful

feelings.	Crying	is	an	excellent	release	for	emotions.
LAUGHTER	IS	GOOD	MEDICINE
.	Laughter	is	another	good	way	to	relieve	stress.	Try	it,	even	if	it	is
forced	at	first.	Just	start	laughing!	Soon	real	laughter	will	come	and	with	it	the	release	of
tension	and	stress.
START	YOUR	WEEK	WITH	MEDITATION
.	Many	people	experience	extra	stress	on	Monday.	They	have	to

travel	a	long	distance	to	work	and	start	another	week	at	a	job	they	don’t	enjoy.	It’s	a	fact
that	heart	attacks	are	more	common	on	Mondays.	To	help	you	reduce	stress	at	this	crucial
time,	keep	in	mind	that	Monday	is	the	day	of	the	moon,	and	the	moon	represents	the	mind.
So	begin	Monday	morning—and	your	week—with	15	to	20	minutes	of	meditation	before
going	to	work.	Regular	daily	meditation,	morning	and	
evening,	is	one	of	the	best	things	you
can	do	to	keep	your	stress	level	low.
	
Sunburn
	
Sunburn	is	an	acute	inflammatory	condition	of	the	skin	cells	due	to	overexposure	to
ultraviolet	radiation	from	the	sun	(or	a	solar	lamp).	The	inflammation	may	be	mild	or
serious,	depending	on	the	degree	of	exposure.
Something	more	may	also	be	involved,	however.	Many	people	use	large	amounts	of
chemical	products	on	their	skin,	as	well	as	internally—chemical	deodorants,	chemical	soaps,
chemical	perfumes,	cough	medicines,	and	numerous	other	medications.	These	substances	all

weaken	the	skin.	When	a	person	who	uses	a	large	number	of	these	products	lies	in	the	sun,
he	or	she	is	more	prone	to	burn.
Also,	according	to	Ayurveda,	people	of	pitta	constitution,	who	are	generally	more	fair-
skinned,	are	more	susceptible	to	sunburn.
When	sunburn	is	severe,	the	person	may	have	many	symptoms,	including	dizziness,
nausea,	blisters,	undue	sensitivity	to	light,	and	peeling	of	the	skin.	Repeated	sunburn	may
create	premature	aging	and	wrinkling	of	the	skin,	and	the	person	looks	old,	like	a	roasted
potato!
Ayurveda	has	numerous	recommendations	both	to	prevent	sunburn	and	to	treat	it
effectively	if	it	happens.
TOPICAL	REMEDIES	TO	SOOTHE	SUNBURN
•	Apply	aloe	vera	cream	to	the	site	of	the	burn.	You	can	also	use	some	pure	aloe	vera	gel
(with	no	preservatives	added),	or	if	you	have	access	to	an	aloe	plant,	lightly	rub	a	piece	of
the	plant	on	the	sunburned	area.

•	Coconut	oil	is	also	effective	for	soothing	sunburned	skin.
•	Take	a	gauze	pad,	dip	it	into	cool	milk	(either	cow’s	milk	or	goat’s	milk),	and	apply	it
directly	to	the	sunburn.	If	you	have	no	milk	available,	use	a	cloth	dipped	in	cool	water,	but
milk	is	better.
•	Apply	
	(bitter	ghee)	topically.
•	Pulverize	some	lettuce	and	apply	the	pulp	directly	to	the	sunburn.
•	Place	an	icebag	or	a	bag	of	frozen	food	(like	corn,	peas,	or	beans)	on	the	affected	area
to	cool	the	skin.	But	don’t	leave	ice	touching	your	skin	for	more	than	a	minute	or	two
without	a	break.
•	Apply	a	little	fresh	cream	(from	milk)	directly	on	the	sunburned	skin.
•	Make	a	paste	of	sandalwood	and	turmeric	by	mixing	equal	amounts	of	these	herbs	with
a	little	cool	water.	Apply	gently	to	the	sunburned	area.	It	will	have	a	cooling	effect.	
Note:

This	paste	will	stain	your	skin	yellow	for	at	least	a	couple	of	days	and	will	also	stain	any
clothing	it	touches.
TO	PREVENT	SUNBURN
•	Avoid	or	minimize	exposure	to	sunlight	from	10	
A.M.
	to	3	
P.M.
	Those	are	the	peak	hours	of
the	sun’s	strength.
•	Limit	your	time	in	the	direct	sun	to	no	
more	than	half	an	hour.	At	high	altitudes,	even
this	may	be	too	long.
•	Before	going	into	the	sun,	apply	
neem
	oil	to	the	exposed	parts	of	the	body.	
Neem
	is	a
good	sun	blocker	that	will	help	protect	your	skin.
NOTE
:	As	always	in	this	book,	“
neem
	oil”	does	not	mean	pure	
neem
	extract,	but	a	few
drops	of	
neem
	mixed	with	sesame	oil	or	another	mild	oil.	This	is	the	way	
neem
	oil	is
commercially	sold.
•	Drink	coconut	water	or	coconut	milk.
•	Follow	a	pitta-soothing	program.	Don’t	take	saunas	or	get	overheated.	Eat	pitta-
pacifying	foods,	especially	avoiding	spicy	and	fermented	foods	(see	
chapter	8
).
•	Before	and	after	showering,	apply	
neem
	oil	to	your	skin.	Coconut	oil	is	also	helpful.

).
neem
	
Swelling	(Edema)	During	Pregnancy
	
See	also	“
Edema
”
During	pregnancy,	the	enlarged	uterus	exerts	pressure	on	the	pelvic	blood	vessels	and
constricts	them,	which	leads	to	swelling	of	the	feet.	Swelling	may	also	be	due	to	lack	of
protein,	lack	of	iron,	or	lack	of	exercise.	Or	it	may	be	due	to	high	blood	pressure	or	poor
circulation.	Whatever	the	cause,	it	is	important	to	treat	it.
EFFECTIVE	HERBAL	REMEDIES
DRINK	 CUMIN-CORIANDER-FENNEL	 TEA
.	Mix	equal	proportions	of	these	three	herbs,	and	use	¼	to	½
teaspoon	of	each	herb	per	cup	of	hot	water.	Drink	2	or	3	times	a	day.
USE	A	DIURETIC	TEA
.	If	the	swelling	is	severe,	certain	herbal	teas	made	of	diuretic	herbs	can	help
to	stimulate	the	kidneys.	Make	a	tea	of	
punarnava
	or	
gokshura
,	or	combine	the	two	in	equal
proportions,	using	1	teaspoon	of	the	mixture	steeped	in	a	cup	of	hot	water.	Drink	
2	or	3

2	or	3
times	a	day.	This	tea	will	act	as	a	mild	diuretic	and	will	remove	the	swelling.
T
IME	TO
	S
EE	THE
	D
OCTOR
In	certain	extreme	cases,	during	the	last	stage	of	pregnancy	the	placenta	releases
toxins	and	creates	a	condition	characterized	by	increased	blood	pressure	and

swelling	of	the	extremities;	proteinurea,	convulsions,	and	coma	can	develop.	This
dangerous	condition	is	called	eclampsia	or	pregnancy	toxemia.	It	cannot	be	treated
by	home	remedies;	it	requires	prompt,	expert	medical	supervision	and	care.
However,	the	following	herbal	formula	will	help,	as	an	adjunct	to	treatment,	to
relieve	the	convulsions:
brahmi
jatamamsi
Mix	these	herbs	in	equal	amounts.	Use	½	teaspoon	of	the	mixture	to	make	a	tea,
and	drink	it	twice	a	day.
NOTE
:	If	there	is	ever	a	generalized	swelling	of	the	entire	body	(including,	in	men,	a	swelling
of	the	penis	and	scrotum),	this	is	a	very	serious,	life-threatening	condition	that	requires
immediate	treatment.
FOR	HIGH	BLOOD	PRESSURE
.	Use	these	herbs:
hawthorn	berry
passion	flower
arjuna
Mix	in	equal	proportion,	and	use	1	teaspoon	to	make	a	tea.	Take	twice	a	day	after
meals	until	the	situation	is	normalized.	This	simple	tea	will	effectively	regulate
blood	pressure.	(For	more	suggestions,	see	“
.”)

.”)
IF	THE	PROBLEM	IS	ANEMIA
.	The	swelling	may	be	due	to	anemia.	Folic	acid	anemia	is	common	during
pregnancy,	and	iron	deficiency	anemia	not	uncommon.	You	can	have	tests	to	determine
whether	you	have	these	deficiencies.	If	you	do,	providing	the	missing	ingredients	will	help
reduce	or	eliminate	the	swelling.	See	“
Anemia
”	for	suggestions.
PROTEIN	DEFICIENCY
.	Lack	of	protein	may	also	be	the	culprit.	If	you	determine	that	this	is	the	case,
eat	more	protein	foods,	such	as	soy	products.
ADDITIONAL	RECOMMENDATIONS	TO	RELIEVE	EDEMA
EXERCISE
.	Walking	every	day	for	20	to	30	minutes	will	improve	circulation	and	help	reduce
swelling.
AVOID	SALT
.	Salt	makes	the	body	retain	water	and	promotes	swelling.
RAISE	YOUR	FEET
.	When	lying	down,	put	a	pillow	under	your	feet.	This	will	drain	the	water	and
help	to	gradually	decrease	the	swelling.

According	to	Ayurveda,	teeth	are	a	by-product	of	bone.	Cavities	in	the	teeth,	and	receding
gums,	are	signs	of	aggravation	of	vata	in	the	skeletal	system.
FOR	 MINERAL	 DEFICIENCY
.	Problems	with	teeth	are	often	related	to	a	deficiency	of	calcium,
magnesium,	and	zinc.	To	prevent	future	problems	or	to	alleviate	a	deficiency:
•	Chew	a	handful	of	calcium-rich	white	sesame	seeds	every	morning.	(Then	brush	your
teeth	without	putting	any	toothpaste	on	the	brush,	so	the	residue	of	the	sesame	seeds	can
rub	against	your	teeth,	polishing	and	cleaning	them.)
•	You	can	also	use	a	mineral	supplement	containing	a	daily	dose	of	approximately	these
amounts:	calcium	(1,200	mg.),	magnesium	(600	mg.),	and	zinc	(60	mg.)	per	tablet.
MASSAGE	YOUR	GUMS
.	You	can	make	your	teeth	healthier	and	more	beautiful	by	massaging	your
gums	daily	with	sesame	oil.	Take	a	mouthful	of	warm	sesame	oil	and	swish	it	from	side	to

side	for	2	to	3	minutes.	Don’t	swallow	it.	Spit	out	the	oil,	then	gently	massage	your	gums
with	your	index	finger.	This	is	an	excellent	preventive	measure	
for	receding	gums,	tooth
infection,	and	cavities.
HERBAL	TOOTH	CLEANSER
.	Ayurvedic	dentistry	recommends	the	use	of	bitter	and	astringent	herbs	for
cleaning	the	teeth.	The	main	herbs	used	are	
neem
,	which	is	bitter,	and	
lohdra,	kushta
,	and
bilva
,	which	are	all	astringent.	You	can	make	an	excellent	cleanser	for	brushing	your	teeth
by	mixing	the	powdered	form	of	
neem
	and	an	equal	amount	of	any	of	the	astringent	herbs
and	use	the	mixture	to	brush	your	teeth	as	usual.	You	can	also	buy	commercial	toothpastes
and	powders	containing	these	herbs	in	natural	food	stores	and	from	most	suppliers	of
Ayurvedic	herbs.
•	You	may	also	be	able	to	find	powders	for	the	teeth	made	out	of	finely	ground,	roasted

almond	shells.	These	are	highly	beneficial	for	maintaining	the	good	health	of	the	teeth.
USE	TEA	TREE	OIL	FOR	RECEDING	GUMS	AND	SENSITIVE	TEETH
.	Receding	gums,	and	sensitivity	of	teeth	to	cold
and	hot	temperatures,	indicate	a	bacterial	infection	in	the	roots	of	the	teeth.
•	To	treat	the	infection,	wet	a	clean	toothbrush,	and	put	a	few	drops	of	tea	tree	oil
directly	onto	the	brush.	Brush	your	teeth.	Then	use	a	cotton	swab	to	apply	some	tea	tree	oil
to	the	exposed	part	of	the	gums.	This	treatment	will	help	arrest	further	infection	of	the	teeth
and	will	take	care	of	pain	and	sensitivity	to	hot	and	cold.
•	You	can	also	apply	some	tea	tree	oil	to	your	dental	floss.	This	will	help	you	reach	some
possible	deep	pockets	of	infection	that	the	brush	doesn’t	reach.	(Commercial	floss	treated
with	tea	tree	oil	is	also	available.)
CHEW	WELL

CHEW	WELL
.	Ayurveda	emphasizes	the	importance	of	chewing	food	well.	This	not	only	helps	the
digestive	process,	but	also	stimulates	the	gums.

TRY	FIGS
.	For	strengthening	teeth	and	gums,	try	eating	4	figs	and	chewing	them	well,	once	a
day.
TAP	YOUR	TEETH
.	
Gently
	tap	your	teeth	together	5	or	6	times,	almost	clenching	them—but	gently,
so	that	you	don’t	break	the	crowns!	This	is	said	to	stimulate	the	energy	meridians	related	to
the	teeth.
	
Tendinitis
	
In	strenuous	sports	and	athletic	activities	such	as	running	or	jumping,	a	person	can	pull	a
muscle	and	cause	inflammation	of	the	tendon,	leading	to	tendinitis	or	bursitis.	This
condition	can	also	result	from	a	nonstrenuous	activity	repeated	often	enough	to	become
stressful.	An	example	is	carpal	tunnel	syndrome,	the	result	of	working	for	hours	a	day	at	a
repetitive	task	such	as	typing	at	a	computer	keyboard.
FOR	MILD	CONDITIONS
COLD	COMPRESS
.	At	the	site	of	tendinitis,	apply	a	cold	compress	such	as	an	ice	pack	or	a	bag	of
frozen	vegetables.	That	will	minimize	the	inflammation.
APPLY	A	COOL	PASTE
.	Make	a	paste	of	sandalwood	and	turmeric	powder	in	equal	amounts.	Mix	the

powders	in	enough	cold	water	to	form	a	paste,	and	apply	it	on	the	painful	area.
•	A	paste	of	salt	and	turmeric	will	also	be	effective.
GENTLE	 STRETCHING
.	Careful,	gentle	stretching	of	the	affected	muscles	will	gradually	help	to
improve	circulation	and	heal	the	pain	and	inflammation.
TAKE	ANTI-INFLAMMATORY	HERBS
.	Taking	some	anti-inflammatory	herbs	will	accelerate	healing.	Make
this	formula:
manjistha	2	parts
guduchi	3	parts
FOR	ACUTE	OR	CHRONIC	CONDITIONS
APPLY	HEAT
.	For	both	acute	tendinitis,	where	there	is	much	pain,	and	chronic	tendinitis,	apply
soothing	heat,	such	as	a	liniment	(a	penetrating,	heating	ointment)	or	a	warm	water

compress.	Wet	or	damp	heat	is	effective	to	minimize	the	pain	or	inflammation.
.	Gently	massage	the	affected	area	with	
	oil,	and	then	soak	it	in	warm
water.
	
Tinnitus
	
(Ringing	in	the	Ears)
NOTE
:	The	same	line	of	treatment	used	to	improve	hearing	is	absolutely	good	to
silence	tinnitus,	or	ringing	in	the	ear,	so	please	consult	that	section	(“Hearing	Loss”)
in	addition	to	the	following	recommendations.
.	According	to	Ayurveda,	ringing	in	the	ear	is	a	vata	disorder.	To	alleviate	this
root	cause—aggravation	of	vata	in	the	nervous	system—prepare	a	tea	made	from	equal
amounts	of	comfrey,	cinnamon,	and	chamomile.	Steep	up	to	1	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	per
cup,	and	drink	2	or	3	times	a	day.
•	Also,	you	can	take	
	(200	mg.	2	or	3	times	a	day)	with	warm	water,	after
food.
•	Gently	rubbing	the	mastoid	bone	(behind	your	ear)	with	warm	sesame	oil	may	be
helpful.	Try	it	twice	day,	morning	and	evening,	for	a	week,	and	see	if	it	helps.

•	Garlic	oil	is	often	effective.	Place	3	drops	into	your	ear	at	night	before	going	to	bed.
(See	
appendix	2
	for	how	to	prepare	oils	like	garlic	oil.)
	
When	persons	who	have	thick,	tough	toenails	cut	their	nails	in	a	convex	curve,	as	the	nails
grow	the	edges	may	start	to	penetrate	the	skin	and	cut	the	soft	tissue.	This	may	lead	to
inflammation,	swelling,	pain,	and	
possible	infection.	Generally,	the	nails	of	vata	and	kapha
individuals	grow	stronger,	so	they	are	more	prone	to	toenail	infection.	Shoes	that	are	too
tight	can	create	pressure	on	the	nails,	also	potentially	leading	to	toenail	infection.
The	long-term	solution	is	simply	to	cut	the	nail	straight	across,	or	with	a	slightly	half-
moon	shape	(a	concave	curve).	That	allows	the	nail	to	grow	straight	forward	instead	of	into
the	skin	at	the	sides.

If	the	nails	have	already	begun	to	grow	under	the	skin,	soak	your	foot	in	warm	water	to
soften	the	nails.	When	the	nails	are	soft,	clean	them	and	apply	some	tea	tree	oil	mixed	half
and	half	with	
neem
	oil	under	the	nail.	Then	cut	the	nail	straight	across.
To	prevent	recurrences,	wear	soft	shoes	that	are	not	tight,	and	cut	the	nails	straight
across	or	in	a	shallow	half-moon	shape.
	
Toothache

See	also	“
”,	“
”
Toothache	may	be	caused	by	receding	gums,	cavities,	sensitivity	due	to	hyperacidity,	and/or
infection.
If	high	acidity	is	the	problem,	the	person	will	tend	to	get	heartburn	and	acid	indigestion
in	addition	to	toothache.	You	can	control	the	acidity	by	following	a	pitta-soothing	diet,
particularly	avoiding	spicy	foods,	pickles,	citrus	fruits,	and	fermented	foods	(see	
chapter	8
).
When	the	teeth	have	cavities	or	the	gums	are	receding,	the	roots	of	the	teeth	may	become
exposed.	These	nerve-filled	areas	become	sensitive	to	cold	or	heat.	(Sensitivity	to	cold	is	a
sign	of	receding	gums,	while	sensitivity	to	heat	indicates	infection.)
For	any	toothache,	use	a	cotton	swab	to	apply	a	little	tea	tree	oil	or	clove	oil	at	the	site	of
the	pain.	Or	a	small	piece	of	natural,	edible	camphor	(not	the	synthetic	kind,	which	is
poisonous)	can	be	placed	next	to	the	painful	tooth.	The	saliva	will	mix	with	the	camphor

and	will	relieve	the	toothache.	(See	
appendix	2
	for	directions	on	making	medicated	oils.)
Don’t	just	settle	for	getting	rid	of	the	pain,	however.	If	you	have	a	cavity,	be	sure	to	get	it
taken	care	of.	And	to	avoid	future	problems,	follow	the	recommendations	for	healthy	teeth
and	gums	in	the	section	entitled,	“
Teeth	and	Gums—Ayurvedic	Care.
”
	
Ulcers
	
Ulcers	in	the	gastrointestinal	tract	are	a	pitta	disorder.	Pitta	is	hot,	sharp,	and	penetrating,
and	when	aggravated,	it	can	erode	the	surface	of	internal	organs	or	soft	tissues.	The	mucous
membrane	lining	the	esophagus,	stomach,	duodenum,	or	colon	can	develop	ulceration
because	of	excess	pitta.
Individuals	with	a	pitta	constitution	or	pitta	disorder,	or	whose	blood	type	is	O	and	Rh-
positive,	are	more	prone	to	developing	ulcers.	A	person	with	ulcers	may	experience	pain,
heartburn,	nausea,	vomiting,	midback	ache,	and	shoulder	pain.

THE	MAIN	PRINCIPLE	FOR	TREATMENT:	PACIFY	PITTA
.	Ulcers	can	be	effectively	treated	by	treating	the	high
pitta.	If	you	have	ulcers,	strictly	follow	the	pitta-pacifying	diet:	avoid	hot	spicy	food,
fermented	or	sour	
food,	sour	fruit,	and	citrus	fruit.	(See	
chapter	8
	for	complete	guidelines.)
Stay	away	from	alcohol,	tobacco,	and	coffee.	And	do	not	take	aspirins	or	steroids,	which
can	accelerate	erosion	of	the	gastric	mucosal	membrane.
TWO	HERBAL	FORMULAS
.	An	effective	herbal	treatment	for	ulcers	is	the	following	formula:
yashti	madhu	3	parts
Take	½	teaspoon	of	this	mixture	twice	a	day,	after	lunch	and	dinner,	with	a	little

•	Taking	1	teaspoon	of	
	(psyllium	husks)	at	bedtime	with	a	cup	of	warm	milk
will	also	be	beneficial.
REDUCE	STRESS
.	Stress	is	often	the	cause	of	or	a	complicating	factor	in	ulcers.	To	help	dissolve
stress,	make	yourself	some	Tranquillity	Tea	from	these	herbs:
jatamamsi
brahmi
Combine	the	herbs	in	equal	proportions,	and	use	about	½	teaspoon	of	the	mixture
steeped	in	1	cup	of	boiling	water	to	make	a	tea.	Drink	it	about	an	hour	before	going
to	bed.
.	Yoga	
asanas
	can	help	you	relax	and	relieve	stress,	which	is	beneficial	for	ulcers.
The	following	positions	are	particularly	recommended	for	helping	with	ulcers:	Leg	Lift,
Camel,	Cobra,	Bow,	Bridge,	and	Spinal	Twist.	(See	illustrations	of	yoga	postures	in
appendix	4
.)
.	
,	a	breathing	exercise	that	has	a	cooling,	soothing	effect,
will	be	helpful.	Moon	breathing	(breathing	through	the	left	nostril	only)	for	5	to	10	minutes

has	a	cooling	effect	that	may	also	be	helpful.	Breathing	exercises	are	described	in	
chapter	6
.
EAT	EARLY	IN	THE	EVENING,	AND	EAT	SMALL	MEALS
.	Persons	with	ulcers	should	not	eat	late	at	night.	They
also	do	best	if	they	eat	small,	frequent	meals.	Don’t	keep	the	stomach	empty	for	long.	At
least	have	breakfast,	lunch,	and	dinner,	so	the	acid	secreted	in	the	stomach	can	be	utilized
for	digestion.
AN	EFFECTIVE	HERBAL	ACID	BLOCKER
.	Today	many	people	use	acid-blocking	medications	for	ulcers.	The
best	acid	blocker	in	Ayurveda	is	a	combination	of	the	herbs
brahmi
jatamamsi
in	equal	proportions.	A	tea	made	from	½	teaspoon	of	these	herbs	per	cup	of	water,
taken	after	lunch	and	dinner,	can	help	to	inhibit	acid	secretions	and	prevent
ulceration.
	
Urinary	incontinence	is	primarily	a	vata	disorder,	caused	by	weakness	of	the	muscles	of	
the

the
bladder,	especially	the	bladder	sphincter.	If	that	becomes	weak	and	uncontrolled,	a	person

may	lose	voluntary	control	of	urination	to	a	greater	or	lesser	extent.
Another	cause	of	incontinence,	especially	in	the	West,	seems	to	be	the	frequent	use	of	rest
rooms.	When	some	people	see	a	rest	room,	they	just	use	it,	whether	the	need	is	urgent	or
not.	They	apparently	think	(perhaps	subconsciously),	“Maybe	I	won’t	have	another	chance
for	a	while.”	But	the	bladder	muscles	become	weak	and	lose	the	capacity	to	retain	a	large
amount	of	urine	and	pass	it	out	only	when	really	necessary.
Urinary	incontinence	is	more	common	among	women	than	men,	because	their	urethra	is
quite	short.	When	women	cough,	sneeze,	or	strain,	or	even	when	laughing,	their	bladder
may	leak	a	little	urine.
This	disorder	can	be	controlled	by	certain	herbs,	a	periodic	oil	enema,	and	certain	yoga
exercises.	Let’s	begin	with	the	latter.
YOGA
ASHWINI	 MUDRA
.	This	exercise	involves	using	the	perineal	muscles	to	suck	the	anus	inward,

YOGA
tightening	the	gluteal	muscles.	It	will	also	strengthen	the	bladder	sphincter.	Do	10	to	12
repetitions,	2	or	3	times	a	day	(while	sitting	down).
OTHER	POSTURES
.	Sitting	in	the	Vajrasana	pose	(see	illustration	in	
appendix	4
)	will	help,	as	will
the	Forward	Bend,	Shoulder	Stand,	and	Plow	pose.
HERBS
Prepare	the	following	mixture:
bala	3	parts
vidari	2	parts
Take	½	teaspoon	with	warm	water	twice	a	day,	after	meals.
•	Every	day	eat	a	handful	of	white	sesame	seeds	with	some	jaggery	or	natural	brown
sugar.	This	will	strengthen	the	bladder	and	help	to	correct	the	incontinence.
SESAME	OIL	ENEMA
.	Once	a	week,	do	a	
basti
	(enema)	using	warm	sesame	oil	(see	
appendix	2
).
Insert	about	1	cup	of	oil	into	the	rectum,	and	try	to	retain	it	for	at	least	5	to	10	minutes.	If

).
the	oil	runs	out,	don’t	worry.	Sesame	oil	enema	is	one	of	the	most	effective	ways	to	balance
vata.
AVOID	ALCOHOL	AND	CAFFEINE
.	Caffeine	is	a	diuretic	and	intensifies	the	need	to	urinate.	Therefore,
incontinence	and	urgency	of	urination	are	quite	common	among	coffee	drinkers	or	users	of

other	caffeinated	beverages,	such	as	tea	or	cola.	Alcoholic	beverages	also	promote
incontinence.	So	it	is	better	to	avoid	caffeine	and	alcohol	if	you	have	any	problem	with
urinary	control.
VATA-PACIFYING	DIET
.	Since	urinary	incontinence	is	largely	due	to	excess	vata,	following	
a	vata-
balancing	diet	will	help.	(See	the	dietary	guidelines	in	
chapter	8
.)
	
Yeast	Infections
	
Yeast	infections	are	a	result	of	a	mixed	pitta	and	kapha	disorder.	To	heal	them,	first	one	has
to	follow	a	proper	diet,	which	must	not	increase	either	pitta	or	kapha.	Strictly	avoid	sugar,
fermented	food,	and	yeast-containing	bread.	Ideally,	it	is	best	to	follow	a	diet	that	is	pitta-
soothing,	but	not	kapha-provoking.	The	best	way	to	manage	this	balance	is	to	look	in	the
food	charts	for	each	doshic	type	(see	
chapter	8
)	and	favor	foods	in	the	“yes”	column	for
both	kapha	and	pitta.
.	A	potent	herbal	formula	that	will	help	to	heal	a	yeast	infection	is:
turmeric	¼	teaspoon

licorice	½	teaspoon
shardunika	¼	teaspoon
Take	this	complete	mixture	(1	teaspoon	of	herbs)	twice	a	day	with	warm	water	until
your	symptoms	are	gone.
DOUCHE	 FOR	 VAGINAL	 YEAST	 INFECTION
.	If	the	yeast	infection	is	vaginal,	you	will	find	it	helpful	to
douche	with	licorice	tea.	Boil	1	tablespoon	of	licorice	powder	in	1	pint	of	water	for	5
minutes.	Cool,	strain,	and	use	that	tea	for	the	douche.	You	will	notice	the	healing	effect
quickly.
NOTE
:	If	you	have	a	thick	discharge	from	the	genitals,	along	with	an	itching	and
burning	sensation,	it	will	be	better	to	do	the	douche	with	
triphala
	tea	instead	of
licorice.	Use	the	same	procedure:	take	1	tablespoon	of	
triphala
,	boil	it	in	a	pint	of
water,	cool,	strain,	and	use	the	tea	as	a	douche.

A
Conclusion
Taking	Responsibility	for	Your	Own	Health:	How	to	Integrate
Ayurveda	into	Your	Life
yurveda	is	a	comprehensive	approach	to	health	that	encompasses	all	facets	of	our	life
and	living.	Body,	mind,	and	spirit;	work	and	relationships;	diet	and	the	external
environment;	season	of	the	year	and	daily	routine;	physical	exercise	and	spiritual	practices
—all	these	and	many	additional	factors	are	treated	in	the	classical	Ayurvedic	texts.
From	our	deepest	spiritual	concerns	(Who	am	I?	Where	do	I	come	from?	What	is	the
purpose	of	my	life?)	to	the	most	practical	and	mundane	(How	can	I	heal	a	sore	throat?	How
much	exercise	is	best	for	me?	What	foods	should	I	eat?),	the	five-thousand-year-old	living
tradition	of	Ayurveda	has	answers	that	are	practical	and	meaningful.
As	a	system	of	natural	medicine,	Ayurveda	is	not	about	curing	symptoms,	although	it
certainly	accomplishes	that.	Rather,	it	is	about	building	a	way	of	life	that	creates	health	and

healing.	To	make	the	best	use	of	Ayurveda—and	of	this	book—you	have	to	put	its	principles
into	action.	Just	to	run	to	the	remedies	section	(
Part	III
)	when	you	have	a	health	problem	is
truly	to	miss	the	richness	and	beauty	of	Ayurveda,	which	is	a	complete	science	of	life	that
can	enable	every	individual	to	be	healthy	and	happy.
I	would	not	be	telling	the	truth	if	I	said	that	incorporating	Ayurveda	into	your	life	is
totally	simple.	It	is	not.	You	will	probably	have	to	learn	some	new	principles,	as	well	as
understanding	the	nature	of	your	constitution,	your	mind-body	type.	It	is	likely	that	from
what	you	learn,	you	will	want	to	make	changes	in	your	daily	routine,	such	as	waking	up
earlier	or	changing	the	amount	and	type	of	exercise	that	you	do.	You	may	decide	it	would
be	wise	to	modify	your	diet,	perhaps	dropping	some	favorite	foods	that	may	be

inappropriate	for	you.	Such	changes	in	our	habitual	way	of	living	do	not	happen	overnight.
On	the	other	hand,	I	would	also	not	be	
telling	the	truth	if	I	didn’t	say	that	every	small
step	you	take	toward	an	Ayurvedic	lifestyle	will	have	an	immediate	and	positive	effect	on
your	body,	mind,	and	consciousness.
To	incorporate	Ayurveda	into	your	life,	you	have	to	start	somewhere.	Many	people	find	it
easiest	to	begin	by	following	some	of	the	dietary	guidelines	for	their	body	type.	Then
gradually,	little	by	little,	you	can	adopt	some	of	the	recommendations	for	the	daily	routine,
adjusting	your	daily	schedule	to	be	more	in	tune	with	nature,	or	using	some	of	the	suggested
breathing	exercises	or	meditation	practices.
The	underlying	assumption	of	Ayurveda	is	that	each	individual	has	the	power	to	heal
himself	or	herself.	We	each	have	the	ability	and	the	freedom	to	recover	our	health	if	we

become	ill,	or	to	maintain	vitality	and	joy	of	living.	We	can	do	this	by	understanding	our
body	and	its	needs,	and	by	attending	to	those	needs	as	they	change	in	response	to	the	ever-
changing	outer	environment	and	our	inner	world	of	feelings.	For	this,	consciousness	is	the
key:	moment-to-moment	awareness	of	what	is	happening.
In	this	book,	I	discuss	more	than	a	hundred	health	conditions,	from	acne	to	yeast
infections,	from	headaches	to	athlete’s	foot.	Within	those	major	categories	of	symptoms,	I

describe	literally	hundreds	of	smaller	signs	and	symptoms.	These	signs	and	symptoms	are
nothing	but	the	body’s	language.	By	presenting	us	with	a	headache,	diarrhea,	fever,
toothache,	joint	pain,	insomnia,	emotional	anxiety,	fear,	or	insecurity,	the	body	is	talking
to	us,	letting	us	know	that	something	is	wrong,	something	is	out	of	balance	and	needs	our
attention.	It	is	the	language	of	
tridosha
,	of	vata–pitta–kapha.
Ayurveda	says	that	whatever	symptom	we	experience	is	an	expression	of	doshic
imbalance.	To	restore	good	health,	we	have	to	reestablish	balance	by	juggling	the	three
doshas,	favoring	this	one	or	pacifying	that,	in	order	to	attain	harmony	between	
vikruti
,	the
present	doshic	state,	and	
prakruti
,	the	original	state	of	our	constitution.
Ayurveda	teaches	us	how	to	read	this	language	of	signs	and	symptoms.	When,	for
example,	there	are	signs	of	excess	heat	in	the	body—skin	rash,	heartburn,	a	flaring	temper

—we	know	that	pitta	dosha	is	in	excess	and	needs	to	be	pacified.	Similarly,	out-of-balance
vata	may	speak	to	us	in	terms	of	insomnia,	constipation,	or	anxiety,	while	kapha	imbalance
may	communicate	its	presence	as	lethargy,	overeating,	or	congestion	in	the	lungs,	sinuses,
and	chest.
We	should	never	disregard	this	language	of	
tridosha
.	It	is	the	foundation	of	health	and
happiness,	as	well	as	of	ill	health.
In	this	book	I	have	tried	to	share	with	you	how	to	take	care	of	those	symptoms—not
symptomatically	but	radically,	fundamentally,	basically.	I	have	tried	to	show	you	how	to
use	the	symptoms	as	a	catalyst	to	reestablish	balance	within	the	
tridosha
,	as	well	as	between
body,	mind,	and	consciousness.
By	any	method,	creating	balance	within	body,	mind,	and	consciousness,	and	within	vata–
pitta–kapha,	is	called	healing.	The	purpose	of	this	book	is	to	help	you	in	your	healing

efforts,	so	that	you	can	attain	total	health	in	your	life.
In	health	and	healing,	there	is	an	equal	sharing	of	responsibility	between	the	physician
and	the	patient.	In	this	book,	really,	every	reader	is	taking	on	both	sides	of	that
responsibility.	By	using	your	own	insight,	perception,	observation,	and	judgment,	you	are
becoming	your	own	physician	and	healer.	By	following	the	recommendations	given	in	this
book	in	order	to	bring	healing,	you	are	taking	the	role	of	the	patient.	You	are	the	healer,
and	you	are	the	person	who	receives	healing.
Use	this	knowledge	well	to	bring	health,	harmony,	and	happiness	into	your	life.

Appendix	1
How	to	Use	the	Healing	Properties	of	Metals,	Gemstones,
Colors,	and	Aromas
Ayurveda	teaches	that	everything	in	existence	is	imbued	with	the	energy	and	intelligence	of
Universal	Consciousness.	That	is	because	all	forms	of	matter,	organic	and	inorganic,	are
simply	the	outer	manifestations	of	this	most	subtle	creative	energy.	Matter	is	the	trapped
light	of	consciousness.	The	vital	force	of	life	flows	from	the	universal	source,	the	essence	of
all	matter,	and	manifests	in	the	myriad	forms	and	phenomena	of	nature.
The	classic	texts	of	Ayurveda	make	it	clear	that	all	substances	in	nature	contain	this
cosmic	creative	intelligence,	and	thus	have	a	healing	value	when	used	in	the	proper
manner.	That	is	why,	in	its	quest	to	create	and	maintain	perfect	health,	Ayurvedic	medicine
makes	use	of	almost	everything	in	nature	and	in	daily	life,	including	food,	breathing,
exercise,	meditation,	relationships,	yoga,	and	massage,	as	well	as	regulated	daily	and

seasonal	routines.	It	also	uses	thousands	of	herbs	and	herbal	formulas.
In	addition,	Ayurveda	utilizes	the	healing	properties	of	metals,	gemstones,	colors,	and
aromas.	These	contain	special,	potent	forms	of	energy	which	may	be	drawn	upon	for
healing	purposes.	Most	of	these	methods,	clearly	described	in	the	ancient	textbooks,	have
been	used	safely	and	successfully	for	healing	for	thousands	of	years,	though	they	have	been
scarcely	known	and	little	appreciated	in	the	West	until	very	recently.	This	appendix	will
provide	a	brief	introduction	to	these	healing	modalities.
Metals
For	medicinal	purposes,	metals	are	traditionally	processed	to	be	taken	internally	in	small
doses,	after	undergoing	rigorous	and	extensive	purification	to	negate	any	toxic	effects	upon
the	body’s	vital	organs.	The	following	
recommendations	are	safe,	as	they	do	not	involve
ingestion	of	the	actual	metal.
COPPER

COPPER
Copper	alleviates	excess	kapha	and	reduces	fat.	It	is	a	good	tonic	for	the	liver,	spleen,	and
lymphatic	system	and	helps	in	curing	anemia.	To	treat	obesity	as	well	as	liver	and	spleen
disorders,	thoroughly	wash	some	copper	pennies	and	boil	them	in	a	quart	of	water	(or	boil
a	quart	of	water	in	a	copper	vessel)	until	half	the	water	remains.	Take	2	teaspoons	of	this
copper	water	3	times	a	day	for	a	month.	It	is	also	helpful	to	buy	a	copper	drinking	glass,	fill
it	every	night	with	pure	water,	and	drink	the	water	in	the	morning.
GOLD

Gold	is	strengthening	to	the	nervous	system	and	the	heart,	improves	memory	and
intelligence,	and	increases	stamina.	It	is	also	good	for	weak	lungs.	Gold	can	be	helpful	for
students’	pre-exam	tension,	for	arthritis,	and	for	heart	arrhythmia.
The	energy	of	gold	may	be	harnessed	by	preparing	gold	medicated	water.	Use	pure	gold
(24	karat	is	best),	such	as	a	gold	band.	Place	the	gold	into	2	cups	of	water,	and	boil	until	1
cup	evaporates.	Take	1	teaspoon	of	this	gold	water	2	or	3	times	a	day	to	energize	the	heart,
strengthen	mental	faculties,	and	awaken	pure	awareness.	(This	process	won’t	hurt	your
gold.)
You	can	also	make	golden	rice.	While	cooking	rice,	place	a	piece	of	gold	in	the	rice	pot,
and	cook	as	usual.	When	the	rice	is	finished,	remove	the	gold	before	serving.
NOTE
:	Gold	has	heating	properties	and	should	be	used	sparingly	by	individuals	with	a
pitta	constitution.
SILVER
Silver	has	cooling	properties	and	is	beneficial	for	treating	excess	pitta.	Silver	increases

SILVER
strength	and	stamina	and	is	thus	helpful	for	balancing	vata.	Emaciation,	chronic	fever	and
weakness	after	fever,	heartburn,	inflammatory	conditions	of	the	intestines,	and	profuse
menstrual	bleeding	may	all	be	helped	by	silver.	Silver	is	antiseptic,	antibacterial,	and
disinfectant.	Make	silver	water	following	the	above	directions	for	gold	water,	and	take	1
teaspoon	2	to	3	times	a	day.	Drink	warm	milk	heated	in	a	silver	vessel	to	build	up	strength
and	stamina.
IRON
This	metal	is	beneficial	for	bone	marrow,	bone	tissue,	liver,	and	spleen.	It	increases	the
production	of	red	blood	cells	and	helps	to	cure	anemia.	Iron	also	strengthens	muscle	and
nerve	tissues	and	is	rejuvenating.	For	extra	iron,	try	cooking	in	cast	iron	pots	and	pans.
However,	excess	iron	in	the	system	is	harmful,	so	be	careful	about	using	it.	Although	women

during	their	menstruating	years	may	be	iron-deficient	and	may	benefit	from	additional	iron,
very	few	men	in	Western	society	need	extra	iron.	An	exception	might	be	longtime	strict
vegetarians.
Gems	and	Stones
Gems	and	precious	stones	contain	healing	energies	that	can	be	activated	by	wearing	
them
as	ornaments,	such	as	rings	or	necklaces,	or	by	placing	them	in	water	overnight	and
drinking	the	water	the	following	day.	Gems	enliven	the	vital	energy	centers	in	the	body
(the	chakras)	and	have	a	direct	influence	on	vata,	pitta,	and	kapha.	They	may	be	used	to
pacify	or	activate	specific	organs	of	the	body,	or	to	enhance	or	neutralize	the	effects	of
particular	planets	in	the	person’s	astrological	birth	chart.
Before	we	go	into	the	effects	of	specific	gems	and	stones,	here	are	a	few	important

general	points.
•	Gems	tend	to	absorb	the	qualities	and	energy	vibrations	of	their	owners.	It	is	beneficial
to	purify	any	stone	before	using	it.	Soaking	it	for	two	days	in	saltwater	or	milk	should	be
sufficient.	This	will	not	harm	the	stone.
•	When	you	wear	a	gemstone,	it	should	touch	the	skin	through	a	small	window	in	the
setting,	so	that	the	subtle	energies	of	the	stone	can	interact	directly	with	the	energies	of	the
body.
•	Where	you	wear	the	stone	is	important.	Here	are	some	recommendations:
diamond—ring	finger
pearl—little	finger
red	coral—ring	finger
emerald—little	finger
opal—ring	finger
yellow	sapphire—index	finger
blue	sapphire—middle	finger
Ayurveda	generally	recommends	that	rings	be	worn	on	the	right	hand,	though	in	the	West,
if	someone	wants	to	wear	their	wedding	ring	on	the	left	hand	to	conform	with	tradition,
that	is	all	right.
•	Processed	or	chemically	treated	stones	may	not	have	the	same	healing	energy.	It	is	best

to	get	authentic,	unprocessed,	clean	stones	without	a	flaw	or	crack.	When	you	are
considering	buying	a	stone,	be	sure	to	use	a	magnifying	glass	to	examine	it	for	cracks	or
imperfections.
•	Stones	should	be	3	to	5	karats	if	possible,	but	a	1-karat	diamond	is	large	enough.	A	stone
that	is	too	small	will	not	produce	much	of	an	effect.
•	Unless	you	are	knowledgeable	both	in	stones	and	in	Vedic	astrology	
(jyotish
),	it	is	wise
to	consult	an	expert	before	investing	in	a	stone.	The	wrong	gem	for	you,	or	one	worn	on
the	wrong	part	of	the	body,	can	have	a	negative	influence.
Here	are	some	of	the	characteristics	of	the	main	gems	and	stones.
RUBY
Astrologically,	the	ruby	represents	the	sun.	It	is	a	life-protecting	stone	that	promotes
longevity,	especially	for	vata	and	kapha	individuals,	and	brings	prosperity.	This	gem
strengthens	concentration	and	bestows	mental	power.	It	also	strengthens	the	heart.	Rubies

pacify	vata	and	kapha	but	may	elevate	pitta.	Garnets	have	the	same	vibration	as	rubies;
they	are	the	poor	man’s	ruby.	Wear	both	rubies	and	garnets	either	in	a	ring	on	the	ring
finger,	or	in	a	necklace.

PEARL
As	rubies	represent	the	sun,	pearls	symbolize	the	moon.	They	have	a	cooling	effect	and	a
calming,	healing	vibration.	Pearls	are	balancing	to	all	the	doshas,	though	their	cooling
action	is	particularly	good	for	pitta.	Pearls	confer	mental	peace	and	tranquillity.	Pearl	ash
is	used	internally	to	effectively	treat	many	ailments.	You	can	gain	many	of	the
strengthening	effects	of	pearls	by	making	pearl	water.	Place	4	or	5	pearls	in	a	glass	of
water;	let	it	stand	overnight,	and	drink	the	water	in	the	morning.
YELLOW	SAPPHIRE
This	precious	stone,	which	represents	Jupiter,	brings	groundedness,	stability,	and	wisdom.	It
helps	to	calm	both	vata	and	pitta	and	may	slightly	increase	kapha	qualities.	It	strengthens
the	heart	and	also	builds	lung	and	kidney	energy.	Yellow	sapphire	should	always	be	worn
on	the	index	finger,	the	finger	of	Jupiter.	Yellow	topaz,	the	poor	man’s	sapphire,	has	many
of	the	same	qualities	and	produces	similar	benefits.
BLUE	SAPPHIRE

This	beautiful	precious	stone	represents	Saturn	and	brings	the	benefits	of	that	very	spiritual
planet.	Saturn,	a	deity	of	earth	and	iron,	confers	enlightenment.	Blue	sapphire	calms	vata
and	kapha	and	may	stimulate	pitta.	It	builds	up	muscles	and	the	skeletal	system	and	helps
to	heal	arthritis.	Wear	blue	sapphire	on	the	right	middle	finger,	preferably	in	a	silver
setting.	Do	not	wear	it	with	diamonds;	this	will	create	disharmony.
LAPIS	LAZULI
This	stone,	which	has	Saturn-like	energy,	is	heavenly	and	sacred.	It	gives	strength	to	the
body,	mind,	and	consciousness,	and	it	sensitizes	the	wearer	to	higher	spiritual	vibrations.	It
strengthens	the	eyes,	calms	vata	and	pitta,	and	is	helpful	for	anxiety,	fear,	and	weakness	of
the	heart.	It	is	also	good	for	the	liver	and	for	skin	diseases.	Lapis	should	be	set	in	gold	and
worn	on	the	little	finger,	or	worn	as	a	necklace.
EMERALD

EMERALD
This	powerful	precious	stone	brings	prosperity	and	spiritual	awakening.	It	calms	vata	and
pitta,	settles	the	nervous	system,	and	relieves	nervousness.	Symbolic	of	the	planet	Mercury,
emeralds	improve	writing	skills,	enhance	the	power	of	speech,	and	promote	intelligence.
They	are	best	set	in	gold	and	worn	on	the	little	finger.
DIAMOND

This	very	powerful	gemstone	combats	premature	aging,	enhances	the	span	of	life,	and
strengthens	immunity.	Its	energy	brings	subtle	energy	vibrations	to	the	heart,	brain,	and
deeper	bodily	tissues.	It	is	the	best	stone	for	rejuvenation.	It	brings	prosperity	and	is
spiritually	uplifting.
The	doshic	effects	of	diamonds	vary	according	to	their	color.	Red	diamonds	have	a	fiery
energy	that	stimulates	pitta;	blue	diamonds	are	cooling	and	calm	pitta	while	increasing
kapha.	Clear,	colorless	diamonds	calm	pitta	but	increase	both	vata	and	kapha.
Symbolic	of	the	planet	Venus,	diamonds	actually	do	help	to	create	a	close	bond	in
relationships	and	are	rightfully	associated	
with	marriage.	These	stones	stimulate	
shukra
,	the
body’s	reproductive	tissue.	Art,	music,	romance,	and	sex	all	go	together	with	this	stone.
Wear	your	diamond	set	in	gold,	either	as	a	necklace	or	as	a	ring	on	the	ring	finger.	But
note:	Diamonds	of	low	quality	may	have	negative	effects	upon	the	body.
RED	CORAL

RED	CORAL
This	gemstone	from	the	sea	represents	the	planet	Mars.	It	calms	pitta	and	helps	one	to
control	anger,	hatred,	and	jealousy.	Coral	gives	energy	to	the	liver,	spleen,	and
pericardium.	Wear	your	red	coral	as	a	necklace	or	as	a	ring	set	in	copper	(preferably),
silver,	or	white	gold	and	worn	on	the	ring	finger.	Red	coral	is	strength-giving	and	imparts
gracefulness.
OPAL
This	semiprecious	stone	represents	the	planet	Neptune.	It	strengthens	
majja	dhatu
	(bone
marrow	and	nerves)	as	well	as	
	(reproductive	tissue).	It	improves	vision,
relieves	fever,	calms	pitta,	and	is	good	for	migraine	headaches.	Opals	enhance	spiritual
feelings,	increase	devotion,	and	help	to	unfold	intuition.	This	gem	is	particularly	beneficial
for	individuals	with	Neptune	in	their	third,	fourth,	sixth,	tenth,	or	twelfth	astrological	house.
It	should	be	set	in	gold	or	silver	and	worn	on	the	ring	finger.
CAT’S-EYE

CAT’S-EYE
This	stone	is	good	for	allergies,	repeated	colds	and	congestion,	and	allergic	asthma.	It
pacifies	kapha	and	vata	while	slightly	increasing	pitta.	It	aids	in	healing	kidney
dysfunction.	Cat’s-eye	enhances	awareness	and	helps	a	person	not	get	caught	up	in
emotions.	People	working	in	psychological	healing	should	wear	this	stone	in	a	gold	setting
on	their	ring	or	little	finger;	it	will	help	protect	them	from	negative	influences.
QUARTZ	CRYSTALS
These	stones	have	a	Venus-like	vibratory	energy	that	is	somewhat	like	that	of	diamonds.
They	calm	vata,	improve	the	quality	of	perception,	strengthen	communication,	and	enhance

intuition.	You	can	wear	quartz	crystals	as	a	necklace,	or	set	in	either	silver	or	gold	and
worn	on	the	ring	finger.
ONYX
This	stone	is	excellent	for	vata	disorders.	It	is	good	for	old	age,	debilitating	disorders,	and
neurological	dysfunction,	and	it	helps	with	epilepsy,	Parkinson’s	disease,	and	even
schizophrenia.	It	induces	quiet,	deep	sleep	yet	combats	lethargy.	It	is	good	for	memory	and
promotes	positive	thinking.	Onyx	makes	life	peaceful	and	happy	and	enhances	love	in
relationships.	It	has	energy	vibrations	that	are	Sun-like	and	Jupiter-like.	This	stone	should
be	set	in	silver	and	worn	on	the	ring	finger.	(If	your	Sun	sign	is	in	Sagittarius	or	Gemini,	it
is	better	not	to	wear	this	stone.)
JADE
Jade	is	beneficial	for	longevity.	It	strengthens	kidney	energy	and	is	reputed	to	bestow
success	
upon	its	wearer.	This	stone	is	also	good	for	the	power	of	speech.	It	helps	to	prevent
cataracts	and	is	strengthening	for	the	prostate.	Wear	a	jade	ring	set	in	silver,	on	your	little
finger.

finger.
AMETHYST
Amethyst	is	a	stone	for	the	crown	chakra	and	is	good	for	mental	clarity.	To	bring
prosperity,	it	should	be	set	in	gold.	You	can	also	wear	it	around	the	neck	on	a	gold
necklace.	A	person	with	neuromuscular	weakness	can	be	helped	by	wearing	amethysts	and
by	putting	them	at	the	four	corners	of	the	bed.	Some	amethysts	have	a	darker	color,	which
gives	them	a	Saturn-like	energy	similar	to	blue	sapphire.	Amethysts	bestow	dignity,	love,
compassion,	and	hope.	This	gem	helps	the	individual	to	control	emotions	and	is	good	for
vata	and	pitta	imbalance.
AQUAMARINE
A	substitute	for	emerald,	which	symbolizes	Mercury,	aquamarine	reduces	dullness	of	mind,
promotes	happiness	and	intelligence,	enhances	the	power	of	speech,	and	improves	memory.
This	stone	also	has	Venus-like	qualities;	it	is	good	for	married	couples	to	wear	aquamarine
to	enhance	love	in	their	relationship.	Aquamarine	should	be	set	in	silver	and	worn	on	the
little	finger.

Remember	that	in	all	these	cases,	simply	wearing	the	correct	stone	is	not	enough	to	take
care	of	a	doshic	imbalance;	you	need	to	watch	your	diet,	meditate,	do	appropriate	exercise
and	yoga	postures,	and	consciously	
and	conscientiously	look	after	your	day-to-day	and
moment-to-moment	health.

Four	Inexpensive	Stones	to	Help	Balance	the	Doshas
Though	some	of	the	gemstones	discussed	in	this	appendix	can	be	obtained	for	a
moderate	amount	of	money,	many	may	be	prohibitively	priced	for	you	at	this	time.	If
so,	here	are	four	inexpensive	stones	you	can	use	to	help	create	balance	in	your	mind
and	body.
When	vata	dosha	is	excessive,	you	can	use	
rose	quartz
	to	promote	balance.	The
warming	color	and	energy	of	rose	quartz	can	bring	relief	to	vata	ailments	such	as
nervousness,	dry	skin,	constipation,	intestinal	gas,	and	lower	back	pain.
For	aggravated	pitta,	use	
red	coral
	or	
pearls
.	Their	cooling	energy	will	help	with	pitta
disorders	such	as	angry	emotions,	various	inflammatory	conditions	and	“-itises”	such	as
colitis	and	conjunctivitis,	as	well	as	hyperacidity.
Kapha	dosha	can	be	balanced	by	wearing	
garnets
.	The	deep	red	color	of	this	stone
enlivens	the	energy	in	the	body	and	reduces	the	effects	of	excess	kapha,	such	as	water
retention,	lethargy,	depression,	and	overweight.

More	information	about	these	and	other	gemstones,	and	how	to	wear	them	(settings,
correct	fingers,	and	so	on)	is	provided	in	
chapter	8
	of	my	book	
	(see	the
).
Colors
Ayurvedic	treatments	also	make	use	of	the	healing	properties	inherent	in	colors.	Because	the
basic	colors	of	the	rainbow	are	correlated	with	the	bodily	tissues	
(dhatus)
	and	the	doshas,
the	vibratory	energy	of	the	colors	may	be	used	to	help	establish	balance	in	mind	and	body.
Color	is	nothing	but	light,	and	light	is	radiant	energy	imparted	from	every	atom.	The
source	of	light	and	color	is	the	sun.	In	our	solar	system,	whatever	colors	we	perceive	come
from	sun	rays.	Every	color	has	a	different	wavelength,	frequency,	and	vibration.	When	we
put	a	prism	in	the	sunlight,	the	seven	colors	of	the	rainbow	can	be	separated,	but	the	equal
presence	of	all	seven	gives	white	light.	The	absence	of	any	color	is	black,	darkness.	So	black

is	a	negative	color,	and	white	a	positive	color.
You	can	influence	your	health	and	happiness	by	choosing	appropriate	colors	for	your
clothing	and	surroundings	at	home	and	at	work.	Also,	if	you	place	colored,	translucent
paper	or	plastic	wrap	around	a	jar	or	glass	of	water	and	place	it	in	sunlight	for	four	hours,
the	water	will	become	infused	with	the	vibrations	of	that	color.	Drinking	the	water	will	then
bring	beneficial	results.
RED

Red	is	warming	and	stimulating.	It	relieves	aggravated	vata	and	reduces	excess	kapha.
However,	because	of	its	heating	effect,	overexposure	to	this	color	may	aggravate	pitta	and
result	in	inflammatory	ailments	such	as	conjunctivitis.	Red	is	related	to	our	blood.	It
stimulates	the	formation	of	red	blood	cells	and	improves	circulation.	It	also	helps	to
maintain	color	in	the	skin	and	gives	energy	to	nerve	tissue	and	bone	marrow.	
Pink
	has	a
gentler	effect,	promoting	love	and	calmness,	but	it	may	be	conducive	to	lethargy	in	kapha
individuals.
ORANGE
Like	red,	orange	is	warming	and	has	a	healing	energy.	It	is	a	sexually	stimulating	color	that
gives	energy	and	strength	to	the	sex	organs.	Paradoxically,	in	spiritual	seekers	who	have
chosen	to	be	celibate,	orange	helps	with	renunciation	and	transforming	sexual	energy	into
Supreme	Consciousness.	Orange	is	balancing	to	both	vata	and	kapha	but	may	be
aggravating	to	pitta.	It	has	antibacterial	and	bacteriostatic	properties;	it	hinders	the	growth

of	bacteria.
YELLOW
Yellow	relieves	excess	vata	and	kapha.	It	promotes	understanding	and	intelligence	and
helps	energy	rise	to	the	crown	chakra	for	spiritual	realization.	Yellow	is	a	decongestant	that
helps	to	relieve	kapha	congestion.	It	also	acts	as	an	antibacterial.	Overexposure	to	yellow
causes	excess	bile	to	accumulate	and	increases	pitta	dosha.
GREEN
This	color	has	a	calming	effect	upon	mind	and	body	and	creates	a	feeling	of	freshness.	It	is
soothing	to	the	emotions	and	brings	energy	to	the	heart	chakra	and	feelings	of	happiness	to
the	heart.	Green	is	calming	and	pacifying	to	excess	pitta	and	may	aggravate	vata	and
kapha.	Green	helps	to	heal	ulcers	and	promotes	the	growth	of	granulation	tissue.
BLUE
Blue	is	a	cooling	color	that	relieves	aggravated	pitta.	It	has	a	calming	effect	on	the	body
and	mind	and	helps	to	correct	liver	disorders.	When	a	baby	has	jaundice,	placing	the	baby

under	a	blue	light	will	help	it	heal	faster.	Blue	is	the	color	of	Pure	Consciousness.
Overexposure	to	blue	may	cause	aggravation	of	vata	and	kapha	and	may	provoke
congestion.
PURPLE
This	is	the	color	of	Cosmic	Consciousness	and	brings	an	awakening	of	awareness.	It	creates

lightness	in	the	body	and	helps	to	open	the	doors	of	perception.	Purple	relieves	excess	pitta
and	kapha	but	may	aggravate	vata.
GOLD	AND	SILVER
Gold,	the	color	of	the	sun,	is	a	warming	color	that	is	beneficial	for	vata	and	kapha.
Beneficial	Colors	for	Constitutional	Types
For	each	constitutional	type,	certain	colors	are	soothing	and	balancing	while	others	are
aggravating.	Here	is	a	summary	of	healthful	colors:
•	
Vata:
	Vata	types	should	minimize	the	use	of	dark	and	cooling	colors	such	as	blues,
browns,	and	black.	On	the	other	hand,	very	hot,	vivid	colors	may	be	overstimulating	to
vata,	which	has	a	tendency	toward	being	hyperactive.	So	your	best	bets	are	warm
pastels,	sunny	yellows,	and	green,	with	some	warming	red	and	orange.
•	
Pitta:
	Cool,	soft	colors	are	the	best	for	your	health	and	balance	of	body	and	mind.
Blues	and	purples/violets	are	excellent,	along	with	silver	(including	silver	jewelry)	and
blue-greens.	Watch	out	for	reds	and	oranges,	which	can	inflame	pitta	dosha,	and

minimize	yellow	and	gold.	Avoid	black.
•	
Kapha:
	Bright,	lively,	bold	colors	are	good	to	balance	kapha,	with	its	tendency
toward	lethargy	and	mental	and	physical	heaviness.	Red,	yellow,	orange,	and	gold	are
all	good.	Even	if	you	feel	you	look	good	in	green,	dark	blue,	or	white,	these	are	not	the
best	for	you	from	a	health	standpoint.
Silver,	associated	with	the	moon,	is	cooling	and	soothes	pitta.
Aromas
Every	human	being	has	five	senses,	which	are	associated	with	the	five	elements.	Sound	and
hearing	are	related	to	the	element	of	space,	color	and	sight	to	fire,	taste	to	water,	smell	and
aroma	to	earth,	and	touch	to	air.	These	five	senses	are	the	gateways	of	perception	for	the
human	being,	and	they	can	be	used	for	healing	purposes.
Aromatherapy	uses	incense	and	essential	oils	made	from	flowers,	plants,	trees,	and
grasses	to	relay	fragrances	through	the	olfactory	sense	to	the	brain,	in	order	to	bring

healing	energy	to	mind	and	body.	Ayurveda	teaches	that	smells	are	directly	related	to
doshic	balance	and	imbalance,	and	that	certain	aromas	are	heating,	cooling,	or	neutral.
Deer	musk,	for	example,	and	hina,	are	heating:	they	calm	vata	and	kapha	but	may

provoke	pitta.	Camphor	is	cooling	and	fragrant,	but	its	aftereffect	is	heating;	it	too	calms
and	pacifies	vata	and	kapha	but	may	stimulate	pitta.	The	aroma	of	sandalwood	is	anti-
inflammatory	and	cooling;	it	is	calming	and	soothing	for	pitta	but	may	increase	kapha	or
vata.
Khus	(the	essence	of	khus	grass)	is	grounding,	pleasant,	and	cooling.	It	has	a	sweet	smell
and	pacifies	pitta,	but	it	may	provoke	kapha	and	vata.	Jasmine	too	is	cooling	and	sweet
and	good	for	pitta,	but	it	may	build	up	kapha.
The	effect	of	rose	depends	somewhat	on	the	color	of	the	flower.	Dark	red	roses	are
warming,	while	white-	and	yellow-colored	roses	are	relatively	cooling.	In	general,	the
aroma	of	rose	flowers	is	anti-inflammatory	and	soothing	and	has	an	aphrodisiac	quality.
Rose	aroma	can	be	used	for	cooling	pitta	but	may	provoke	vata	and	kapha.
AROMAS	AND	THE	DOSHAS
•	Vata	can	be	balanced	by	using	sweet,	warming,	grounding	aromas	such	as	musk,	hina,

and	camphor.	Other	good	fragrances	for	vata	include	orange,	clove,	cardamom,	lavender,
pine,	angelica,	and	frankincense.
•	Pitta	is	soothed	by	the	use	of	cooling,	calming,	sweet	aromas	such	as	sandalwood,	khus,
jasmine,	and	rose.	Rose	geranium,	lemongrass,	fennel,	peppermint,	gardenia,	and	mint
may	also	be	beneficial.
•	Kapha	is	pacified	and	balanced	by	using	aromas	with	a	warming,	somewhat	stimulating
effect.	Musk,	hina,	and	camphor	are	helpful.	Some	more	pungent	aromas	are	also	helpful
for	kapha.	Some	of	these	are	eucalyptus,	cinnamon,	myrrh,	thyme,	basil,	rosemary,	and
sage.

Appendix	2
This	appendix	briefly	explains	the	preparation	of	herbs	and	special	remedies	such	as
medicated	oils	and	ghees	and	offers	suggestions	on	their	use.	For	a	complete	description	of
herbs	and	their	uses,	as	well	as	thorough	directions	for	the	preparation	of	herbal	remedies,
please	refer	to	
	by	Dr.	Vasant	Lad	and	Dr.	David	Frawley	(see	
Reading
List
).
Herbal	Mixtures
USE	WHOLE	HERBS	AND	FOODS
Ayurveda	believes	strongly	in	the	use	of	whole	herbs,	foods,	and	plants.	Isolated	active
ingredients	or	chemically	produced	analogues	are	not	equivalent	to	natural	whole	food
sources.	For	sources	of	herbs,	see	
Resources
.
HOW	MUCH	TO	PREPARE
If	you	are	going	to	be	taking	an	herbal	mixture	for	several	days,	weeks,	or	even	months,	to
save	time	you	will	probably	want	to	prepare	a	fairly	large	quantity.	Then	each	time	you	use
it,	take	¼	to	½	teaspoon	unless	otherwise	directed.

In	this	book	formulas	for	herbal	mixtures	are	given	in	“parts”	rather	than	in	milligrams	or
teaspoons.	For	example,	a	formula	may	call	for
herb	1				2	parts
herb	2				3	parts
herb	3				¼	part
Choose	your	own	measure,	according	to	how	much	you	want	to	make.	If,	for	example,	you
are	measuring	in	teaspoons,	you	will	use
2	teaspoons	of	herb	1
3	teaspoons	of	herb	2
¼	teaspoon	of	herb	3
If	you	are	making	a	large	batch	for	long-term	use,	you	can	measure	in	tablespoons.	A	1-
to	2-month	supply	will	require	2.5	to	5.0	ounces	of	herbs,	a	palm-size	quantity.	Again,	when
you	take	the	herb	each	time,	use	only	¼	or	½	teaspoon,	as	recommended.

WHERE	TO	OBTAIN	HERBS
Most	of	the	herbs	mentioned	in	this	book	can	be	obtained	in	bulk	or	capsules	at	a	good
natural	foods	store.	Always	try	to	get	organic,	nonirradiated	herbs.	Special	Ayurvedic	herbs
and	herbal	formulas	are	available	from	The	Ayurvedic	Institute,	the	suppliers	listed	in	the
Resources,	and	some	Indian	groceries.
HOW	TO	TAKE	HERBS
Herbs	are	almost	always	taken	with	a	vehicle	or	medium	(
anupana
)	to	facilitate	absorption
by	the	body	and	to	carry	the	quality	of	the	herbs	to	the	specific	tissue	or	site	of	the	disease.
The	most	common	vehicles	used	in	Ayurveda	are	water,	milk,	honey,	aloe	vera,	and	ghee.
Raw	sugar	may	also	be	used	at	times.	The	vehicle	varies	according	to	the	herb,	the	illness	or
condition	being	treated,	your	constitution,	and	other	factors.	Typically,	you	might	take	your
herbal	dose	with	a	spoonful	of	ghee	or	honey;	mixed	in	a	cup	of	warm	milk;	or	placed	dry
on	your	tongue	and	then	washed	down	with	some	warm	or	room-temperature	water.

Most	of	the	recommendations	in	this	book	suggest	which	vehicle	to	use.	If	none	is
suggested,	use	warm	water.	I	do	not	recommend	using	capsules	because	taste	is	important
(see	
this	page
),	but	if	you	must	use	them,	you	can	buy	some	empty	00-size	vege-capsules
(available	at	most	natural	food	stores)	and	fill	them	with	the	herbal	mixture.	This	is	better
than	not	taking	the	herbs	at	all,	and	may	be	more	convenient	when	you	are	traveling	or	at
work.
USING	TRIPHALA
Triphala
	(“the	three	fruits”)	is	a	wonderful	remedy	consisting	of	three	of	the	most	important
Ayurvedic	herbs:	
,	and	
haritaki.	Amalaki
	works	on	pitta	dosha,	
bibhitaki
	on
kapha	dosha,	and	
haritaki
	on	vata	dosha.	This	compound	is	rejuvenative	and	strengthening
for	all	three	doshas	and	all	seven	
dhatus;
	it	balances	
ojas,	tejas
,	and	
prana
	and	is	also	an
excellent,	mild	laxative.
Take	
triphala

it	balances	
,	and	
prana
Take	
triphala
	in	the	evening,	at	least	1	hour	after	your	evening	meal.	Add	½	to	1	teaspoon
triphala
	powder	to	about	1	cup	boiling	water.	Steep	for	10	minutes	or	until	the	water	is	cool
enough	to	drink.	You	may	strain	out	the	herbs	before	drinking	or	just	leave	them	at	the
bottom	of	your	cup.
You	may	not	like	the	taste	of	
triphala
	at	first—it	may	taste	quite	bitter.	But	if	you	use	it
regularly,	your	health	is	bound	to	improve,	and	you	will	eventually	find	that	the	taste
becomes	less	unpleasant.
Triphala
	can	also	be	taken	in	these	ways:
1
.	
Place	½	to	1	teaspoon	of	dry	
triphala
	powder	on	your	tongue,	and	wash	it	down	with
2
.	
For	some	people,	
triphala
	acts	as	a	mild	diuretic	and	may	disturb	sleep	if	taken	at	night.
If	you	are	one	of	these	people,	drink	the	tea	in	the	morning	and	it	will	act	in	about	one
hour.

3
.	
If	you	really	hate	the	taste,	you	can	mix	the	
triphala
	powder	with	honey	and	take	it	that
way.
Ghee
HOW	TO	MAKE	GHEE
Two	pounds	of	butter	will	make	one	quart	of	ghee.	Put	the	butter	(sweet	and	unsalted,
organic	if	available)	in	a	heavy,	medium-size	pot,	turn	the	heat	to	medium,	and	heat	until
the	butter	melts,	taking	care	not	to	burn	the	butter.
Then	turn	down	the	heat,	cook	until	the	butter	just	boils,	and	continue	to	cook	at	this
temperature.	Do	not	cover	the	pot,	as	it	is	important	to	boil	the	water	out	and	separate	the
solids.	The	butter	will	foam	and	sputter	for	a	while	and	then	begin	to	quiet	down.	Stir	it
occasionally	with	a	stainless	steel	spatula,	scraping	the	bottom	of	the	pan.
In	12	to	15	minutes	your	ghee	will	begin	to	smell	like	popcorn	and	will	turn	a	lovely
golden	color.	Whitish	curds	will	form	and	separate	from	the	clear	ghee.	When	these	whitish
curds	turn	a	light	tan	color	and	the	boiling	quiets	down,	the	ghee	is	ready.	Take	it	off	the

heat	immediately,	for	it	is	most	likely	to	burn	at	this	stage.	The	cooking	time	should	not	be
longer	than	15	to	20	minutes,	depending	on	the	kind	of	pan	and	the	heat	source.
Let	the	ghee	cool	until	it	is	just	warm.	The	solid	curds	will	have	settled	to	the	bottom	of
the	pot.	Decant	the	clear	ghee	into	a	container,	and	discard	the	curds	left	on	the	bottom.
STORING	GHEE
Ghee	can	be	kept	on	the	kitchen	shelf.	It	does	not	need	refrigeration.	Its	medicinal
properties	are	said	to	improve	with	age.	Don’t	ladle	out	the	ghee	with	a	wet	spoon	or	allow
any	water	to	get	into	the	container,	as	this	will	create	the	conditions	for	bacteria	to	grow
and	spoil	the	ghee.
EFFECTS	OF	GHEE
Ghee	increases	digestive	fire	and	improves	absorption	and	assimilation.	It	nourishes	
ojas
,
the	subtle	essence	of	all	the	body’s	tissues,	strengthens	the	brain	and	nervous	system,	and

ojas
,
improves	memory.	It	lubricates	the	connective	tissue	and	makes	the	body	more	flexible.
Ghee	carries	the	medicinal	properties	of	herbs	to	all	seven	
dhatus
.	It	pacifies	pitta	and	vata
and	is	okay	for	kapha	in	moderation.
NOTE
:	People	who	have	high	cholesterol	or	who	suffer	from	obesity	should	be	cautious
about	using	ghee.
HOW	TO	MAKE	MEDICATED	GHEES

Ghee	is	a	highly	effective	
anupana
	(vehicle)	for	carrying	herbs	to	the	deeper	tissues	of	the
body.	Hence	many	remedies	are	made	by	cooking	herbs	into	ghee.	Examples	include
shatavari
	ghee,	
brahmi
	ghee,	
	(bitter	ghee),	
triphala
	ghee,	and	many	others.	The
process	is	quite	lengthy,	and	you	will	probably	prefer	to	purchase	these	medicated	ghees
(and	medicated	oils	as	well).	But	if	you	wish	to	make	it	yourself,	proceed	as	follows:
First,	make	the	ghee,	as	described	above.
Next,	make	a	decoction	of	the	desired	herbs	by	cooking	1	part	dry	herbs	to	16	parts	of
water,	or	about	½	ounce	of	herbs	per	cup	(8	ounces)	of	water.	Boil	the	herbs	
slowly
	over	a
low	flame	until	the	water	is	reduced	to	one-quarter	its	original	amount.	For	example,	4	cups
would	be	reduced	to	1,	or	1	cup	to	¼	cup.	Then	strain	out	the	herbs.	This	process	takes
several	hours.	The	liquid	can	be	used	as	a	prepared	medicinal	decoction,	but	in	this	case,
you	are	going	to	use	it	for	your	medicated	ghee.

Finally,	mix	equal	parts	of	ghee	and	the	herbal	decoction,	and	cook	it	over	a	low	flame
until	all	the	water	evaporates.
Medicated	Oils
Medicated	oils	(
amla
	oil,	
brahmi
	oil,	
	oil,	garlic	oil,	clove	oil,	and	others)	are	made
the	same	way,	except	that	you	use	oil	instead	of	
ghee
	in	the	final	stage.
NEEM	OIL
Neem
	oil	is	an	herbalized	oil	made	from	cooking	
neem
	leaves	in	a	base	of	sesame	(usually)
or	some	other	oil.	It	is	not	pure	
neem
	extract,	which	would	be	too	strong.	
Neem
	oil	is
generally	available	from	suppliers	of	Ayurvedic	products.
How	Long	to	Take	a	Remedy
The	general	rule	is	to	use	remedies	until	your	symptoms	disappear.	This	may	take	from	a
few	days	to	a	few	months,	depending	on	the	severity	of	the	disease	or	condition,	how	long
you	have	had	it,	how	motivated	you	are	to	get	well,	and	other	factors.
In	addition	to	taking	your	remedies,	please	also	look	into	the	underlying	causes	of	your

condition.	You	may	need	to	rethink	your	diet,	daily	routine,	exercise	program,	and	so	on.
Simply	taking	herbal	remedies,	without	making	some	changes	in	your	lifestyle,	will
probably	not	be	sufficient	to	override	the	behavior	patterns	that	caused	your	illness	in	the
first	place.
So	use	your	common	sense.	If	the	condition	is	chronic,	it	is	unrealistic	to	expect	that
something	that	has	persisted	for	years	is	going	to	disappear	in	a	week	or	a	month.	On	the
other	hand,	if	your	condition	is	serious,	and	you	are	diligent	with	your	remedies	and	make
appropriate	lifestyle	changes,	and	still	the	symptoms	persist,	you	need	to	see	your	doctor
for	help.

Appendix	3
This	brief	appendix	offers	guidelines	on	some	of	the	Ayurvedic	procedures	recommended
throughout	
Part	III
.
Basti	(Ayurvedic	Enema)
Ayurvedic	enema	treatment	(
basti
)	introduces	into	the	rectum	medicinals	such	as	sesame	oil,
or	herbal	decoctions	such	as	
,	in	a	liquid	medium.	Medicated	enemas	pacify	vata
and	alleviate	many	vata	disorders,	such	as	constipation,	abdominal	distension,	insomnia,
backache,	neck	pain,	arthritis,	sciatica,	anxiety,	and	various	nervous	disorders.	It	is	said
that	there	are	at	least	eighty	vata-related	disorders,	and	that	
basti
	is	a	complete	treatment
for	80	percent	of	them.	
Basti
	also	is	effective	for	treating	chronic	fever,	sexual	disorders,
kidney	stones,	hyperacidity,	and	numerous	other	conditions.
NOTE
:	Medicated	enemas	are	not	to	be	used	by	anyone	suffering	from	diarrhea,
bleeding	from	the	rectum,	indigestion,	cough,	breathlessness,	ascites,	profuse	edema,

or	active	hemorrhoids.	Individuals	with	diabetes	or	anemia,	the	aged,	and	children
below	the	age	of	seven	should	also	not	receive	medicated	enemas.	Oil	enemas
should	not	be	used	if	there	is	acute	fever,	diarrhea,	cold,	paralysis,	heart	pain,
severe	abdominal	pain,	or	emaciation.
The	best	times	for	
basti
	are	in	the	morning	or	evening.	The	stomach	should	be	empty,	so
wait	at	least	three	hours	after	eating.	Make	sure	the	environment	is	clean,	warm,	and
comfortable:	An	area	where	you	can	lie	down	near	the	toilet	is	best.	You	will	need	an
enema	bag	or	syringe,	a	measuring	cup,	a	hot	plate	or	stove	(this	doesn’t	have	to	be	in	the
bathroom!),	the	oil	and/or	herbal	substance,	and	towels.
The	usual	procedure	for	
basti
	is	first	to	introduce	5	ounces	of	warm	(not	hot)	sesame	oil
into	the	rectum	and	retain	it	for	10	minutes.	Then,	without	expelling	the	oil,	introduce	a

mixture	of	oil	and	herbal	tea	and	retain	it	for	at	least	30	minutes.	The	mixture	should
consist	of	another	5	ounces	of	sesame	oil,	mixed	with	16	ounces	(1	pint)	of	tea	made	from
herbs	steeped	in	hot	water,	then	strained	and	cooled	to	about	body	temperature.	In	this
book,	the	most	frequently	suggested	herbal	formula	is	
,	which	is	particularly
effective	for	balancing	vata.
To	introduce	the	fluid	into	the	rectum,	first	fill	the	enema	bag,	which	should	be	suspended
about	3	feet	above	your	position.	Allow	all	air	to	be	expelled	from	the	tube,	and	close	the
clip	on	the	hose.	Then	lie	on	the	floor	on	your	left	side,	your	left	(bottom)	leg	extended	and
your	right	leg	flexed	at	the	knee.	(For	comfort,	prepare	a	rug	or	a	couple	of	towels	to	lie	on
rather	than	lying	on	a	bare	floor.)	Lubricate	the	tip	of	the	syringe	with	oil	or	ghee.	Make

sure	the	anal	area	is	clean	and	lubricated.	Carefully	and	slowly	insert	the	tip	of	the	syringe

into	the	rectum,	then	release	the	clip	and	allow	all	the	fluid	to	enter.	When	the	enema	bag
is	empty,	remove	the	tip.
Again,	try	to	hold	the	oil	for	10	minutes,	and	then	hold	the	oil/herbal	mixture	for	another
30	minutes	if	you	can.	While	holding	the	fluid	inside,	assume	a	hands-and-knees	position	for
a	while	and	elevate	the	buttocks;	this	relaxes	the	colon.	Periodically	massage	the	colon	area
lightly	with	a	counterclockwise	motion	(as	seen	when	you	look	down	toward	your	navel).
Massage	up	the	left	side	to	the	rib	cage,	across	to	the	right	side,	and	down.	(This	is	opposite
to	the	way	food	journeys	through	and	serves	to	propel	the	enema	fluid	up	into	the	higher
areas	of	the	colon.)
When	the	fluid	has	been	retained	for	the	suggested	time	(or	if	you	find	you	just	can’t	hold
it),	sit	on	the	toilet	and	allow	the	passage	of	the	fluid	and	fecal	matter.
You	may	wish	to	wear	a	sanitary	pad	of	some	kind	in	your	underwear	for	a	few	hours
following	
basti

following	
basti
,	as	there	is	likely	to	be	some	seepage	of	residual	oil.
You	may	note	that	for	some	conditions	discussed	in	this	book,	only	an	oil	enema,	or	only
a	
	enema—and	occasionally	only	a	warm	water	enema—is	recommended.
Follow	the	recommendations	for	that	condition.
For	some	individuals,	the	fluid	does	not	come	back	out.	That	simply	means	that	the	colon
was	very	dry	and	that	all	the	liquid	has	been	absorbed.	This	is	entirely	natural	and	is
nothing	to	worry	about.
Nasya
Nasya
	is	the	nasal	administration	of	herbal	oils,	ghee,	or	fine	powders.	If	you	were	to
receive	
nasya
	in	a	
	treatment	at	an	Ayurvedic	clinic,	you	would	lie	face	up	on	a
table	with	your	head	tilted	back,	nostrils	“facing	the	sky.”	A	small	amount	of	an
appropriate	powder	might	be	placed	into	your	nostrils,	or	3	to	5	drops	of	a	medicated	oil	or
ghee.
When	you	do	
nasya

ghee.
When	you	do	
nasya
	yourself,	simply	dip	your	little	finger	(clean	and	with	the	nail	closely
trimmed)	into	ghee	or	whatever	
herbalized	oil	might	be	recommended,	and	lightly	massage
the	inside	of	your	nostril	with	your	little	finger.	Then	gently	sniff	to	draw	the	oil	upward.
Nauli
Nauli
	is	a	simple	method	of	massaging	the	internal	organs,	particularly	the	colon,	intestines,
liver,	and	spleen.	It	also	maintains	abdominal	fire	and	helps	to	keep	the	colon	clean.
Stand	with	your	feet	about	shoulder-width	apart,	and	slightly	flex	your	knees.	Bend
forward	as	shown	in	the	diagram,	and	put	each	hand	on	its	respective	knee.	Breathe	in,	a
long	deep	breath,	and	gradually	exhale	it.	After	a	complete	exhalation,	hold	your	breath
out.
Contract	your	abdominal	muscles	so	that	you	form	a	ropelike	structure	at	the	abdominal
wall.	Then,	by	alternating	the	pressure	on	your	right	and	left	hand,	you	can	move	the
abdominal	muscles	from	right	to	left	and	left	to	right.	Do	this	seven	times.

Appendix	4
Yoga	Asanas
Throughout	this	book,	I	recommend	specific	yoga	
asanas
	for	vata–pitta–kapha	and	for
various	ailments.	Although	simple	illustrations	of	the	recommended	postures	are	provided
here,	instruction	in	yoga	is	not	intended	and	is	beyond	the	scope	of	this	book.	You	cannot
really	learn	how	to	do	yoga	
asanas
	properly	from	written	instructions	and	some
illustrations.
If	you	have	already	learned	how	to	do	yoga	
asanas
,	these	illustrations	will	serve	to	refresh
your	memory.	To	learn	the	postures	for	the	first	time,	please	see	a	qualified	yoga	instructor.

Glossary
AGNI
.	The	biological	fire	that	provides	energy	for	the	body	to	function.	Agni	regulates	body
heat	and	aids	digestion,	absorption,	and	assimilation	of	food.	It	transforms	food	into	energy
or	consciousness.
AHAMKARA
.	Literally,	the	“I-former”;	the	ego;	sense	of	separate	self;	the	feeling	of	“I	am.”
AMA
.	A	toxic,	morbid	substance	(both	systemic	and	cellular)	produced	by	undigested	food
which	is	the	root	cause	of	many	diseases.
ANUPANA
.	Substance	(such	as	milk,	water,	ghee,	etc.)	that	serves	as	a	medium	for	taking	herbs.
ARTAVA	DHATU
.
	The	female	reproductive	tissue,	one	of	the	seven	
dhatus
	or	bodily	tissues.
ASTHI	 DHATU
.
	One	of	the	seven	
dhatus
	or	bodily	tissues;	specifically,	the	bone	tissue	that
supports	the	body,	giving	protection,	shape,	and	longevity.
AYURVEDA
.	The	science	of	life;	derived	from	the	Sanskrit	words	
ayur
	meaning	life,	and	
veda
,
knowledge	or	science.	The	Vedas	are	the	authentic,	ancient,	spiritual	scriptures	of	India.
BASMATI	RICE

.	A	long-grained	scented	rice	originating	in	the	foothills	of	the	Himalayas	in	India.
Easily	digestible	and	nutritious.
BASTI
.
	One	of	the	five	important	cleansing	measures	of	
,	it	eliminates	excess	vata
dosha	from	the	system	via	medicated	herbal	tea	or	oil	enemas.	Helps	greatly	to	heal	all	vata
disorders.	The	word	
basti
	literally	means	bladder.	In	ancient	times,	the	apparatus	used	for
the	procedure	was	made	out	of	leather.
BHASMA
.
	A	specialized	Ayurvedic	compound	prepared	and	purified	by	being	burned	into	ash;
bhasmas
	have	a	high	potency	and	release	
prana
	into	the	system.
BHASTRIKA
.
	A	breathing	practice	(
pranayama
)	in	which	air	is	passively	drawn	in	and	forcibly
pushed	out,	as	in	a	bellows.	Increases	heat	and	improves	circulation.
BHRAMARI
.
	A	type	of	breathing	practice	(
pranayama
)	in	which	a	soft	humming	sound,	like	a
bee,	is	made	during	exhalation	and/or	inhalation.	Calms	the	mind	and	cools	pitta.
CARDAMOM

CARDAMOM
.	Pungent	spice	from	a	tropical	plant.
CHAI
.	General	word	for	tea;	often	refers	to	a	spiced	black	tea	made	with	milk	and	sugar.
CHAKRAS
.	The	energy	centers	in	the	body,	related	to	nerve	plexus	centers,	which	govern	bodily
functions.	Each	chakra	is	a	reservoir	of	consciousness.
CHICKPEA	FLOUR
.	A	finely	ground	yellow	flour.	Also	called	gram.
CILANTRO
.	Fresh	coriander	leaf.	This	herb	is	used	extensively	in	Indian	cooking	and	valued	for
its	zesty	and	cooling	taste.	Balances	spicy	dishes.
COCONUT	MILK
.	Made	from	grating	the	white	flesh	of	the	coconut	and	mixing	with	a	cup	of
water.
.	The	natural	juice	inside	the	coconut.
DAL
.	Any	type	of	dried	bean,	pea,	or	lentil	is	called	dal.	Most	dal	is	husked	and	split	for	quick
cooking	and	greater	ease	of	digestion.
DHATU
.
	The	structural,	building,	elemental	tissue	of	the	body.	There	are	seven	
dhatus
	defined
in	Ayurveda:	
rasa

dhatus
	defined
rasa
	(plasma);	
rakta
	(blood	tissue);	
mamsa
	(muscle	tissue);	
meda
	(adipose
tissue);	
asthi
	(bone	marrow);	
majja
	(bone	and	nerves);	
shukra
	and	
artava
	(male	and	female
reproductive	tissue).

DOSHA
.	The	three	main	psycho-physiological	functional	principles	of	the	body	(vata,	pitta,
and	kapha).	They	determine	each	individual’s	constitution	and	maintain	the	integrity	of	the
human	body.	The	
doshas
	govern	the	individual’s	response	to	changes.	When	disturbed,	they
can	initiate	the	disease	process.
GHEE
.	Clarified	butter;	made	from	unsalted	butter	that	has	been	gently	cooked	and	the	milk
solids	removed.
GUGGULU
.
	Main	ingredient	in	a	number	of	herbal	preparations	(
yogaraj	 guggulu,	 kaishore
guggulu
,	etc.).	A	resin	from	a	small	tree,	it	has	many	useful	medical	actions,	including
benefits	for	the	nervous	system,	tonification,	and	anti-inflammatory	action	on	muscle
tissues.	Helps	increase	white	blood	count	(good	for	the	immune	system)	and	is	a	nervine,
rejuvenating	tonic.
GUNAS
.
	Three	qualities	influencing	all	creation:	
,	and	
tamas.	Sattvic
	qualities	imply
essence,	reality,	consciousness,	purity,	and	clarity	of	perception.	All	movement	and	activity

are	due	to	
rajas.	Tamas
	brings	darkness,	inertia,	heaviness,	and	materialistic	attitudes.	There
is	a	constant	interplay	among	these	three	
gunas
	in	all	creation.	Also	refers	to	the	qualities
(hard/soft,	hot/cold,	etc.)	of	the	three	doshas,	seven	
dhatus
,	and	three	
malas
.
JAGGERY
.	An	unrefined	sugar	made	from	the	juice	of	crushed	sugarcane	stalks.
KAPHA
.	One	of	the	three	doshas,	combining	the	water	and	earth	elements.	Kapha	is	the	energy
that	forms	the	body’s	structure—bones,	muscles,	tendons—and	provides	the	“glue”	that
holds	the	cells	together.	It	supplies	the	water	for	all	bodily	parts	and	systems,	lubricates
joints,	moisturizes	the	skin,	and	maintains	immunity.	In	balance,	kapha	is	expressed	as
love,	calmness,	and	forgiveness.	Out	of	balance,	it	leads	to	attachment,	greed,	and	envy.
KHAVAIGUNYA
.
	A	weak	or	defective	space	within	an	organ	or	tissue	of	the	body	where	a

.
pathological	condition	is	likely	to	begin.
KITCHARI
.	A	cooked	mixture	of	rice	and	dal	and	spices	that	is	easy	to	digest	and	high	in
protein.	Often	used	as	a	nourishing	food	for	a	mono-fast.
LASSI
.	A	refreshing	drink	made	from	yogurt,	water,	and	spices	and	often	served	at	the	end	of
a	meal	as	a	digestive.	Can	be	sweet	or	salty.
MAHAT
	(or	
MAHAD
).	The	“great	principle,”	intelligence,	the	cosmic	aspect	of	intellect;	also
contains	the	individual	intellect,	called	
Buddhi
.
MAJJA	DHATU
.
dhatus
	or	bodily	tissues;	the	bone	marrow	and	nerve	tissue.	It	is
unctuous	and	soft.	Its	main	function	is	to	oleate	the	body,	to	fill	up	the	bone,	and	to	nourish
the	
.	It	plays	an	important	role	in	communication.
MAMSA	DHATU
.
dhatus
	or	bodily	tissues;	the	muscle	tissue.	Produced	by	
rasa
and	
rakta

.
dhatus
rasa
and	
rakta
,	its	main	functions	are	to	provide	physical	strength,	coordination,	movement,
covering,	form,	and	protection.
MANTRA
.	A	sacred	word	or	phrase	of	spiritual	significance	and	power	that	transcends	the	mind
and	yields	bliss.
MARMA
.
	An	energy	point	on	the	skin	that	has	a	door	receptor	and	is	connected	to	the	inner
pathways	of	healing.
MUNG	DAL
.	A	small	bean	that	has	been	husked	and	split.	Usually	a	medium	yellow	color.	Easy
to	digest.
NASYA
.
	Method	of	administering	medication	through	the	nose;	one	of	the	five	measures	of

.
NIGHTSHADE
.	Common	name	for	a	family	of	plants	including	tomatoes,	potatoes,	eggplant,
tobacco,	petunias,	and	belladonna,	which	have	strong	medicinal	properties.	Frequent	use
may	disturb	the	doshic	equilibrium.
OJAS
.
	The	pure	essence	of	all	the	bodily	tissues	(
dhatus
);	the	superfine	essence	of	kapha;
maintains	immunity,	strength,	and	vitality.	
Ojas
	creates	bliss	and	awareness	in	the	mental
faculties	and	governs	the	body’s	immune	function.	If	it	is	depleted,	it	can	lead	to	death.
.
	Five	measures	for	elimination	of	excess	dosha	and/or	ama	from	the	body.	Used
for	the	purpose	of	internal	purification.	They	are:	vomiting	(
vamana
);	purgation	(
virechana
);
medicated	oil	or	decoction	enema	(
basti
);	bloodletting	(
rakta	 moksha
);	and	nasal
administration	of	specific	medication	(
nasya
).
PIPPALI
.	 Piper	 longum;
	a	close	relative	of	black	pepper,	which	has	many	medicinal
applications,	especially	for	digestion	and	respiration.	A	rejuvenative	tonic	(

rasayana
)	for	the
lungs	and	liver.
PITTA
.	One	of	the	three	doshas;	it	corresponds	to	the	elements	of	fire	and	water.	Sometimes
referred	to	as	the	fire	or	bile	principle,	pitta	governs	digestion,	absorption,	assimilation,
metabolism,	and	body	temperature.	In	balance,	pitta	promotes	understanding	and
intelligence;	out	of	balance	pitta	arouses	anger,	hatred,	jealousy.
PRAKRUTI
.	Prakruti
	(spelled	with	a	capital	
P
)	is	the	Cosmic	Creativity,	the	primordial	matter.
PRAKRUTI
.
	The	inherent	nature	or	psychosomatic,	biological	constitution	of	the	individual,
prakruti
	is	the	fixed	constitution	of	a	
person,	which	reflects	the	proportion	of	the	three
doshas	(vata,	pitta,	and	kapha)	established	at	conception.
PRANA
.
	The	vital	life	energy.	Without	it,	life	cannot	exist.	The	flow	of	cellular	intelligence
from	one	cell	to	another.	Equivalent	to	the	Oriental	
Ch’i
	or	
Ki
.
PRANAYAMA
.

Ch’i
	or	
Ki
.
PRANAYAMA
.
	The	control	of	life	energy	by	various	techniques	which	regulate	and	restrain
breath,	through	which	one	can	control	the	mind	and	improve	one’s	quality	of	awareness
and	perception.	Helpful	with	all	types	of	meditation.
PURUSHA
.
	Choiceless,	passive	awareness;	the	pure	Cosmic	Being.
RAJAS
.
	One	of	the	three	universal	qualities	(
gunas
)	of	
Prakruti
,	Cosmic	Creativity.	
Rajas
	is
active,	mobile,	dynamic.
RAKTA	DHATU
.
	The	second	of	the	seven	tissues	(
dhatus
),	
rakta
	mainly	contains	red	blood	cells,
which	carry	life	energy	(
prana
)	to	all	bodily	tissues.	This	oxygenates,	or	provides	the	life
function,	for	all	the	tissues.
RASA	DHATU
.
	The	first	of	the	seven	
dhatus,	rasa
	(plasma)	is	nourished	from	digested	food,	and
after	absorption,	it	circulates	in	the	entire	body	via	specific	channels.	Its	main	function	is	to
provide	nutrition	to	each	and	every	cell	of	the	body.
RASAYANA
.

RASAYANA
.
	Rejuvenation	therapy	which	brings	about	renewal,	regeneration,	and	restoration
of	bodily	cells,	tissues,	and	organs,	giving	longevity	to	the	cells	and	enhancing	immunity
RISHI
.
	A	seer,	a	Vedic	sage.	The	ancient	
rishis
	perceived	and/or	recorded	the	Vedic	hymns.
These	enlightened	sages	shared	their	knowledge,	medicine,	philosophy,	and	spiritual
teachings.
RUDRAKSHA
.
	The	“tears	of	Shiva”;	the	dried	seeds	from	the	fruit	of	the	rudraksha	tree.	Said	to

be	good	for	the	heart	both	physically	and	spiritually,	helpful	for	meditation	and	for
“opening	the	heart	chakra.”
SAFFRON
.	A	golden	yellow	spice	that	comes	from	the	stigma	of	a	particular	crocus.	The	best
quality	saffron	is	grown	in	Spain	and	Kashmir.
SAMPRAPTI
.
	The	pathogenesis	of	disease;	the	entire	disease	process	from	its	cause	through	its
various	stages	to	the	complete	manifestation	of	the	disease.
SANKHYA
.	One	of	the	schools	of	Indian	philosophy,	Sankhya	denotes	both	“discriminative
knowledge”	and	“enumeration.”	It	gives	a	systematic	account	of	cosmic	evolution	from
Purusha
	(Cosmic	Spirit)	and	
Prakruti
	(Primordial	Matter)	through	the	stages	of	creation:
Mahad
	(Cosmic	Intelligence);	
Ahamkara
	(individuating	principle);	
Mana
	(mind);	
Indriyas
	(the
inner	doors	of	perception);	
Tanmatras
	(the	objects	of	perception);	and	
Mahat	Bhutas
	(five
great	elements).	
Sat
	means	truth	and	
khya
	means	to	realize;	thus	Sankhya	means	to	realize

Sat
khya
the	theory	of	the	creation	of	the	universe	in	order	to	realize	the	ultimate	truth	of	human	life.
Sankhya	reveals	the	journey	of	consciousness	into	matter.
SATTVA
.
	One	of	the	three	
gunas
	of	
Prakruti,	sattva
	denotes	light,	clarity,	purity	of	perception;	it
is	the	essence	of	pure	awareness.
SHITALI
.
	A	practice	of	
pranayama
	(breath	control)	that	cools	the	system.	Inhalation	is	through
the	curled	tongue;	exhalation	is	slow,	steady,	and	complete.
SHUKRA	DHATU
.
	The	seventh	tissue	(
dhatu
);	the	male	reproductive	tissue.
SROTAS
.
	Bodily	channels.
SUCANAT
.	A	granulated	natural	sugar	made	from	pure	sugarcane	juice.
SURYA	NAMASKAR
.
	The	Sun	Salutation,	a	series	of	yoga	postures	done	in	a	flowing	sequence	with
coordinated	breathing.
TAMAS
.
gunas
	of	
Prakruti
	or	Nature;	its	characteristics	are	darkness,	inertia,

.
gunas
	of	
Prakruti
and	ignorance;	it	is	responsible	for	sleep,	drowsiness,	dullness,	unconsciousness.
TEJAS
.
	The	pure	essence	of	the	fire	element;	the	superfine	essence	of	pitta	dosha,	which
governs	the	transformation	of	matter	into	energy	and	of	food,	water,	and	air	into
consciousness.
TIKTA	 GHRITA
.
	“Bitter	ghee,”	a	specific	Ayurvedic	compound	made	of	clarified	butter	with
various	bitter	herbs;	used	for	medicinal	purposes.
TRIDOSHA
.
	The	three	organizations	or	codes	of	intelligence	within	the	body,	mind,	and
consciousness;	the	three	bodily	humors:	air	(vata),	fire/bile	(pitta),	and	water	(kapha).
TRIKATU
.
	An	Ayurvedic	compound	of	ginger,	black	pepper,	and	
pippali	(piper	longum
)	that
burns	ama,	detoxifies	the	body,	and	improves	digestion,	absorption,	and	assimilation.
TRIPHALA
.
	An	important	Ayurvedic	compound	consisting	of	three	herbs:	
,	and
haritaki

.
,	and
haritaki
.	It	is	the	best	laxative	and	bowel	tonic	and	a	balanced	
rasayana
	that	is	good	for	vata,
pitta,	and	kapha.
TULSI
.
	Indian	holy	basil.	The	sacred	plant	of	Krishna,	this	herb	is	said	to	open	the	heart	and
mind,	bestowing	the	energy	of	love	and	devotion.
TURBINADO
.	A	granulated	sugar	made	from	pure	sugarcane.
TURMERIC	ROOT
.	An	underground	rhizome	from	a	perennial	plant	native	to	southern	India	and
Asia.	Comes	in	a	red	and	yellow	form,	but	only	the	yellow	is	eaten.	One	of	the	most

important	herbs	for	both	internal	and	external	use,	it	is	also	essential	in	most	Indian
cooking.
VATA
.	One	of	the	three	doshas,	combining	the	space	and	air	elements;	it	is	the	subtle	energy
associated	with	bodily	movement	and	governs	breathing,	blinking,	muscle	and	tissue
movement,	pulsation	of	the	heart,	and	all	movements	in	the	cytoplasm	and	cell	membranes.
In	balance,	vata	promotes	creativity	and	flexibility;	out	of	balance,	vata	produces	fear	and
anxiety.
VIKRUTI
.
	The	current	state	of	the	individual,	as	opposed	to	the	original	constitution	(
prakruti
)
at	conception.	It	may	also	denote	disorder.
YOGA
.	In	its	deeper	sense,	Yoga	is	union	of	the	lower	self	with	the	higher	self,	of	the	inner
with	the	outer,	mortality	with	immortality.	Yoga	postures	(
asanas
)	promote	health,
flexibility,	and	purity	toward	achieving	the	state	of	Yoga.

Resources
This	list	has	been	provided	courtesy	of	Lotus	Press,	P.O.	Box	325,	Twin	Lakes,	WI	53181,	1-
800-824-6396.
AYURVEDIC	HERBS	AND	SUPPLIES
Auroma	International
P.O.	Box	1008,	Dept.	VL
Silver	Lake,	WI	53170
414-889-8569
The	Ayurvedic	Institute
P.O.	Box	23445
Albuquerque,	NM	87192-1445
505-291-9698
Fax:	505-294-7572
Ayush	Herbs,	Inc.
10025	N.E.	4th	Street
Bellevue,	WA	98004
800-925-1371
Bazaar	of	India	Imports,	Inc.
1810	University	Avenue
Berkeley,	CA	94703
510-548-4110
Bioveda
P.O.	Box	420
Congers,	NY	10920
Dr.	Singha’s	Mustard	Bath	and	More
Attn.:	Anna	Searles
Natural	Therapeutic	Centre
2500	Side	Cove
Austin,	TX	78704
800-856-2862
Herbalvedic	Products
P.O.	Box	6390
Santa	Fe,	NM	87502

Kanak
P.O.	Box	13653
Albuquerque,	NM	87192-3653
Internatural	(retail)
33719	116th	Street,	Dept.	VL
Twin	Lakes,	WI	53181
800-643-4221
www.internatural.com
Lotus	Herbs
1505	42nd	Ave.	Suite	19
Capitola,	CA	95010
408-479-1667
Lotus	Light	(wholesale)
414-889-8501
Yoga	of	Life	Center
2726	Tramway	N.E.
Albuquerque,	NM	87122
505-275-6141
Vinayak	Ayurveda	Center
2509	Virginia	NE,	Suite	D
Albuquerque,	NM	87110
505-296-6522
505-298-2932	(fax)
Maharishi	Ayur-Veda	Products	International	Inc.
417	Bolton	Road
P.O.	Box	54
Lancaster,	Mass	01523
800-All-Veda
508-368-7475	(fax)
New	Moon	Extracts
P.O.	Box	1947
Brattleboro,	VT	05302-1947
NATURAL	INGREDIENTS
Aloe	Farms

Box	125
Los	Fresnos,	TX	78566
800-262-6771
(For	aloe	vera	juice,	gel,	powder,	and	capsules)
Arya	Laya	Skin	Care	Center
Rolling	Hills	Estates,	CA	90274
(For	carrot	oil)
Aubrey	Organics
4419	North	Manhatten	Ave.
Tampa,	FL	33614
(For	rosa	mosquita	oil	and	a	large	variety	of	natural	shampoos	and	cosmetics)
Body	Shop
45	Hosehill	Road
Cedar	Knolls,	NJ	07927-2014
800-541-2535
(Aloe	vera,	nut	and	seed	oils,	cosmetics,	makeup,	brushes,	loofas,	and	much	more)
Culpepper	Ltd.
21	Bruton	Street
London	W1	×	7DA
England
(Variety	of	natural	seed,	nut,	and	kernel	oils,	essential	oils,	herbs,	books,	and	cosmetics)
Desert	Whale	Jojoba	Co.
P.O.	Box	41594
Tucson,	AZ	85717
602-882-4195
(For	jojoba	products	and	many	other	natural	oils,	including	rice	bran,	pecan,	macadamia
nut,	and	apricot	kernel)
Everybody	Ltd.
1738	Pearl	Street
Boulder,	CO	80302
800-748-5675
(Large	variety	of	oils,	oil	blends,	and	cosmetics)
Flora	Inc.
P.O.	Box	950
805	East	Badger	Road
Lynden,	WA	98264
800-446-2110

Flora	Inc.
(For	flaxseed	oil,	herbal	supplements	for	skin,	hair,	nails,	and	cosmetics)

Green	Earth	Farm
P.O.	Box	672
65½	North	8th	Street
Saguache,	CO	81449
(For	calendula,	oil,	cream,	and	herbal	bath)
The	Heritage	Store	Inc.
P.O.	Box	444
Virginia	Beach,	Virginia	23458
804-428-0100
(Castor	oil,	organic	ghee,	cocoa	butter,	massage	oils,	flower	waters,	essential	oils,
cosmetics,	and	natural	home	remedies)
Janca’s	Jojoba	Oil	and	Seed	company
456	E.	Juanita	No.	7
Mesa,	AZ	85204
602-497-9494
(Jojoba	oil,	butter,	wax,	and	seeds.	Also	a	large	variety	of	naturally	pressed	nut	and
grapeseed.	Also	have	clay,	aloe	products,	essential	oils,	and	their	own	line	of	cosmetics.)

CLASSICAL	AYURVEDIC	TEXTS
Caraka	Samhita
.	4	volumes.	Priyavrat	V.	Sharma,	editor-translator.	Chowkhamba	Sanskrit
Series	Office:	Varanasi,	India,	1981–1994.
.	3rd	edition,	3	volumes.	Ram	Karan	Sharma	and	Vaidya	Bhagwan	Dash,
editors-translators.	Chowkhamba	Sanskrit	Series	Office:	Varanasi,	India,	1992.
Sushruta	Samhita
.	4th	edition,	2	volumes.	Kaviraj	Kunjalal	Bhishagratna,	editor-translator.
Chowkhamba	Sanskrit	Series	Office:	Varanasi,	India,	1991.
Vagbhata,	
Ashtanga	Hridayam
.	2	volumes.	K.	R.	Srikantha	Murthy,	translator.	Krishnadas
Academy:	Varanasi,	India,	1991–1992.
GENERAL	READING
Frawley,	David.	
Ayurvedic	Healing
.	Morson	Publishing:	Salt	Lake	City,	1989.
Frawley,	David,	and	Vasant	Lad.	
.	Lotus	Press:	Santa	Fe,	1986.
Lad,	Vasant.	
.	Lotus	Press:	Santa	Fe,	1984.
Morrison,	Judith.	
The	Book	of	Ayurveda:	A	Holistic	Approach	to	Health	and	Longevity
.	New
York:	Simon	and	Schuster,	1995.

.	New
Svoboda,	Robert	E.	
Ayurveda:	Life,	Health,	and	Longevity
.	Penguin:	London,	1992.
—–.	
The	Hidden	Secret	of	Ayurveda
.	Pune,	India,	1980.	Reprint,	The	Ayurvedic	Press:
Albuquerque,	1994.
—–.	
Prakruti:	Your	Ayurvedic	Constitution
.	Geocom	Limited:	Albuquerque,	1989.
SPECIFIC	TOPICS
Lad,	Usha,	and	Dr.	Vasant	Lad.	
.	2nd	edition.	The
Ayurvedic	Press:	Albuquerque,	1997.
Lad,	Dr.	Vasant	Dattatray.	
Secrets	of	the	Pulse:	The	Ancient	Art	of	Ayurvedic	Pulse	Diagnosis
.
The	Ayurvedic	Press:	Albuquerque,	1996.
Morningstar,	Amadea.	
The	Ayurvedic	Cookbook
.	Wilmot:	Lotus	Press,	1990.

The	Ayurvedic	Institute	with	Dr.	Vasant	Lad,	B.A.M.S.,	M.A.Sc.,	Ayurvedic
Physician,	Director
The	Ayurvedic	Institute	was	established	to	promote	the	traditional	knowledge	of	Ayurveda.
In	support	of	this,	the	Institute	also	offers	programs	in	the	sister	disciplines	of
AyurvedaSanskrit,	Yoga,	and	Jyotisha	(Vedic	astrology).	The	Ayurvedic	programs	reflect	the
style	of	sitting	with	a	traditional	Indian	teacher.	The	Vedic	educational	model	is	quite
different	from	the	Western	experience	with	which	most	of	us	are	familiar.	The	knowledge	is
taught	with	the	body,	mind,	and	spiritual	components	intact,	along	with	practical	examples,
ceremonies,	and	stories.
THE	EDUCATIONAL	DEPARTMENT
	offers	the	Ayurvedic	Studies	Program;	the	Ayurvedic	correspondence
course	
Lessons	&	Lectures	on	Ayurveda
	by	Dr.	Robert	E.	Svoboda;	various	introductory,
weekend,	and	intensive	seminars;	
AyurÉYoga;
	and	private	consultations	with	Dr.	Lad,	Dr.
Svoboda,	Hart	deFouw,	and	others.
AYURVEDIC	 STUDIES	 PROGRAM

	consists	of	three	terms:	Introduction	to	Philosophy	and	Theory	of
Ayurveda	{Fall},	Introduction	to	Clinical	Assessment	{Winter},	and	Introduction	to
Management	of	Disorders	{Spring}.	Certificate	of	completion	awarded.
GURUKULA	PROGRAM
	is	continuing	study	with	three	mornings	a	week	of	observation	of	clinical
consultations	and	one	morning	of	advanced	instruction	with	Dr.	Lad.	Certificate	of
completion	awarded.
AYURVEDIC	 CORRESPONDENCE	 COURSE
	by	Dr.	Robert	E.	Svoboda,	B.A.M.S.,	Ayurvedic	Physician,	an
introduction	to	the	fundamentals	of	Ayurveda.
WEEKEND	 AND	 INTENSIVE	 SEMINARS
	on	Ayurvedic	herbology,	pulse	assessment,	psychology,
,	Jyotisha,	Vedic	palmistry,	and	other	topics.
AYURÉYOGA
	is	an	integration	of	Ayurveda	and	Yoga,	recognizing	each	person’s	uniqueness.
Classic	and	restorative	Yoga	postures,	
pranayama
	(breathing	techniques),	and	meditation.
THE	 PANCHAKARMA	 DEPARTMENT

pranayama
	offers	traditional	Ayurvedic	procedures	for	purification	and
rejuvenation	that	include	oil	massage,	herbal	steam	treatment,	
shirodhara
,	cleansing	diet,
herbal	therapy,	lifestyle	education,	and	other	treatments.
THE	 HERB	 DEPARTMENT
	carries	Ayurvedic	and	Western	herbs,	Ayurvedic	products,	oils,	incense,
malas
,	books,	personal-care	products,	audio-	and	videotapes,	and	a	variety	of	other
products.	Some	of	these	are	formulated	by	Dr.	Lad	and	produced	by	the	Institute.
THE	 PUBLISHING	 DEPARTMENT
.	The	Ayurvedic	Press	primarily	publishes	Dr.	Lad’s	new	books	and
articles	but	also	publishes	other	traditional	Ayurvedic	and	Vedic	works.

MEMBERSHIP
	in	the	Ayurvedic	Institute	supports	the	aims	and	objectives	of	the	Institute.
Members	receive	the	quarterly	journal	
Ayurveda	 Today
	and	a	10	percent	discount	on
seminars	and	products	purchased.
505-291-9698;	fax	505-294-7572