Dry-Oily, Light- Heavy, COLD avoid situations which promote, provoke, increase or

otherwise bring your attention to depression, attachment, worry, fear, anxiety, hopelessness,
insecurity, helplessness; avoid cold food, drink & weather / air conditioning, cold dairy, sweets,
yogurt (and especially in evening), aged cheeses, cucumbers; to promote and increase digestive
function affected by this attribute eat pungent foods and spices such as chilies, black pepper,
ginger, cayenne, cumin, ajvain, hing (asafetida), mustard seeds, drink copper water (water stored
overnight in pure copper container); favor hot / moist saunas, hot, moist living climates; meditate
daily to stimulate mental fire, use mustard oil in cooking or externally for its heating property
(when oil is not contraindicated); wear warm clothing, scarves, hats, to prevent chilling in cool,
windy weather, etc.; despite the above advice to walk barefoot for grounding avoid walking on
cold surfaces Cold Warm, ROUGH avoid eating raw foods, which are rough in their nature;
rough surfaces irritate Vata sensibilities; many cleansers are rough to skin so avoid them by using
gloves, etc.; the feature is implied in uneven sleeping surfaces avoid them; avoid experiencing
sentiments that are harsh, cruel, crass, roughSUBTLE those sensory, mental, emotional
experiences which are strong and create impressions on the person should be avoided; alcohol is
subtle and should be minimized/avoided; stimulants generally should be avoided, MOBILE /
ERRATIC avoid excessive physical or mental activity; avoid physical activity that is stop-
and-go in its quality; avoid vigorous physical activity during the Vata time 2-6 PM; daily routine
should be regular to help control this Vata quality; grounding activities help slow down Vata
walking on the earth in bare feet or working in the soil (gardening) with bare hands; gazing at the
mountains helps ground Vata movement; creating bonds with groups and things helps build roots
e.g. owning pets and joining affinity or support groups; swaying, swinging, agitated
movements of limbs is a sign of deficient/defective rest, which suggests that one should stop the
nervous motion and expand and improve the quantity/quality of rest, CLEAR clear quality
accompanies light and rough things or foods, especially air, alcohol and such; one should reduce
exposure to these; take more oily/heavy food (cloudy foods are opposite to clear these include
milk products); viewing colored materials colored light, colors in nature, etc. in the green, red,
orange, and yellow spectra helps balance this feature of Vata (while other colors are strictly
speaking opposite to clear these are not balancing to Vata); alcohol is clear and should be
avoided, BITTER bitter taste in the mouth is indication of high Vata; avoid or reduce bitter
tasting foods such as mustard, collard greens, etc.; bitterness in emotions produces separation /
isolation--situations which provoke it should be avoided; isolation in life also leads to increased
bitterness and suggest a balance of social interaction for a healthy/happy life, ASTRINGENT
avoid or reduce astringent foods as they are drying these include mainly beans, but also
apples, pears, pomegranates, etc.; wind is drying unless especially humid and should be reduced;
RAJAS this feature of the mind, common to Vata, promotes the active / dynamic aspects of
life, addictive behavior, self-centered behavior these features should be avoided as much as
possible.

1. Balance Vata
Avoid its attributes in food, emotions, thinking, lifestyle
control metabolism and the nervous system with dietary, lifestyle, and activity
changes to promote groundedness, heaviness, and oiliness
 2. Balance / strengthen digestion
Increase fire component in food, lifestyle
Increase sour and salty foods in diet especially when cold is problematic to the
imbalance

3. Eliminate tissue toxicity

Herbal and dietary strategies that help eliminate heavy metals, petro-chemicals etc.
Avoid suppression of urges

4. Rejuvenation of tissues with herbals and behavioral programs as indicated

Doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) - The Three Constitutions of an Individual:

These three doshas are formed from the combination of two elements. The panchamahabhuta
(five elements) Ayurveda discusses are ether, air, fire, water and earth. Vata is formed from the
combination of ether and air, pitta from fire and water, and kapha from water and earth. The five
elements govern the physical structure of the body, while the three doshas govern the functional
aspect of the body.

Vata is responsible for all movement, the physical movement of body parts, mental movement of
the mind in the form of thoughts, feelings and emotions, and the process of respiration. Pitta is
responsible for digestion, absorption and assimilation of nutrients. It also digests thoughts and
feelings and transforms them into understanding, comprehension and perception. Kapha
functions to provide the body with structure, stability, support and strength. It aids in the
retention of memory, lubrication of joints, and repair of body parts.

Each of these doshas has its home site in the gastrointestinal tract: vata in the colon, pitta in the
small intestine and kapha in the stomach. In addition, vata is located in the pelvic cavity, bones,
skin, ears, and thighs. Pitta is also found in the stomach, sweat glands, blood, skin, and eyes.
Kapha also resides in the chest, lungs, joints, and spinal fluid.

Five factors that cause aggravation are: diet, lifestyle, emotions, exercise (including too much,
too little, or the wrong kind), and external influences of the seasons, weather, or trauma.
However, diet is the principal cause of disease, and therefore, one of the primary methods of
treatment.

Deranged vata can result in hyperactivity, restlessness, anxiety, insecurity, fear, doubt,
nervousness, insomnia, spaciness, dizziness or ungroundeness. Physical manifestations are
constipation, bloating, abdominal distension, gases, dehydration and emaciation, to name a few.

Shopping List for Vata

GRAINS: brown rice, sweet brown rice, basmati rice, wild rice, oats (cooked), amaranth, whole
wheat cereals and pastas, udon noodles
LEGUMES: split mung, red lentils, aduki, tofu, soy beverage

ANIMAL PRODUCTS: eggs, chicken, turkey, fresh and salt water fish, shrimp

VEGETABLES : (in season is best) asparagus, acom squash, artichokes, beets, butternut squash,
carrots, cucumber, green beans, hot peppers, leeks, mustard greens, okra, olives, onions,
parsnips, pumpkins, radish, rutabaga, summer squashes, sweet potato

DAIRY: un-homogenized cows milk, goat milk, cottage cheese, buttermilk, soft cheese, hard
cheese, yoghurt, idle cream, sour cream

FRUITS : apricots, avocados, bananas (ripe), berries (sweet), cherries, melons, oranges,
papayas, peaches, pineapple, plum, rhubarb, raisins (soaked)

NUTS and SEEDS: almonds, Brazils, cashews, hazelnuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachio,
pumpkin, sesame, sunflower, walnuts

SWEETENERS : barley malt, brown rice syrup, ghur, jaggery, fruit juice concentrates, honey,
maple syrup, molasses, sucanat, sugar cane juice.

CONDIMENTS and PICKLES : lemon juice, lime juice, gomasio (sesame seed and sea salt
mixture), Japanese ginger pickle, mayonnaise, mis, natural soy sauce, sweet pickles, sweet
chutney, sea vegetables, sesame seeds, and umeboshi plums

OILS and SPICES: asafetida, ajwain, garlic, ginger, mustard oil, sesame oil (All spices are
good if used moderately and cooked properly.

DRINKS : Aloe Vera juice. Fruit and vegetable juices, smoothies, coffee substitutes (Cafix,
Roma, Pero), herbals teas (chamomile, lavender, licorice, fennel, ginger, raspberry), vegetable
broths.

Foods that aggravate vata are dry, dehydrated foods or gas-producing foods such as raw salads,
potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, potato chips, biscuits, crackers, beans (red and kidney), chick
peas, and cold, fizzy drinks. Lifestyle factors include living in a cold, rainy, windy climate and
overexertion from too much work or strenuous sports like weight-lifting, which can cause
extensive wear and tear on the body tissues. Suppression of natural urges, such as urinating or
coughing, and mental factors, such as suppressing or over-expressing emotions, also lead to
imbalance of vata.
Treatments for vata disorders include remedies, diet and lifestyle factors that have the opposite
properties of vata. Some of these are warmth, heat, oily fluids, lubricants such as ghee, and
spices with warming properties like ginger and black pepper.

Key qualities of Vata diet are warm, heavy, moistening, nourishing, nurturing, soothing,
satisfying and grounding. Warm foods are best, especially stews and simple one dish
meals. Avoid a great variety at one meal.
 Use mild spices and a small amount of salt to help prime digestion.

Eating at home is best. Eating fast food is the very worst choice

Beware of allergies. Vata people do not tolerate nightshades (potatoes, tomatoes, peppers,
eggplant) and are often lactose intolerant.

Avoid eating when nervous, anxious, afraid, and deep in thought, or worried or otherwise
distracted.

As Vata digestion is the least strong, pay attention to eating when eating, avoid watching,
television listening to radio, reading, etc.

Eat with people who take pleasure in eating in calm, tidy, clean, and spacious feeling
atmosphere.

Skipping meals is not good, but overeating is worse. Avoid pigging our on anything.
Excess is never good for Vata types.

Vata is increased by age, autumn season, afternoon time, travel, loud noise, cold and
wind. Be chiefly careful with diet at these times or when in these situations.

Qualities of food that balance Vata are: sweet, heavy, sour, salty, oily, and warm. Take
proportionately more of these.

Qualities of food that unbalance Vata are: pungent, bitter, astringent, light, dry cold. Take
less of these and less frequently.

Daily Eating Routine for Vata Types

Eat three to four small meals a day at regular times. Leave at least 2 hours between small
meals or snacks.

Eat a good breakfast. Take a hot milky drink at night to help with sound sleep.

Daily, take 5-6 servings of some whole grain or whole grain product, plus.

1-2 servings of high quality protein

2-3 servings of fresh cooked vegetables

1 serving of fruit

Drink plenty of fluids

 Vata dominance is responsible for an irregular digestive power. Watch out for signs of
poor digestion, like gas, bloating, heaviness in the head and limbs, restlessness, lethargy,
or poor elimination (constipation). If such symptoms arise, eat very lightly until the
digestion is strengthened.

o Fresh ginger root is beneficial and can be used frequently. During the cool weather, sip
ginger tea throughout the day.
o Touch and be touched regularly by the people you love. Get regular massages
treatments
o Favor warm colors in your clothing and environment such as earth colors, pastels,
browns, and warm yellows.
o Favor aromas that are sweet, heavy, and warm. Examples include basil, bay, cinnamon,
citrus, cloves, frankincense, lavender, pine, sage, and vanilla.

o The best tastes to pacify Vata are sweet, salty and sour. Minimize foods that are
pungent, bitter, or astringent.

o Rice and wheat are the best grains for balancing Vata. Reduce the amount of barley,
corn, millet, buckwheat, and rye.
o Favor sweet, heavy fruits such as: bananas, avocados, mangoes, apricots, plums,
berries, coconut, figs, grapefruit, orange, lemon, melons, papaya, peaches, pineapples,
rhubarb, kiwi, dates, nectarines and dried fruits.
o Eat fewer dry or light fruits such as apples, cranberries, pears, and pomegranates. To
ease digestion, fruits are best eaten lightly cooked or sauted or eaten alone.
o Cooked vegetables are best. Raw vegetables should be minimized. Favor Asparagus,
beets, and carrots. Other vegetables may be taken in moderation if cooked in ghee or
extra virgin olive oil, including peas, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, and sweet
potatoes.
o Sprouts and cabbage tend to produce gas and should be minimized.
o Dairy products pacify Vata. For optimal digestion, boil milk before drinking it and
consume it while warm.
o Spices that pacify Vata include cardamom, cumin, ginger, cinnamon, salt, cloves,
mustard seed, basil, asafetida, cilantro, fennel, oregano, sage, tarragon, thyme, and
black pepper.
o All varieties of nuts are recommended.
o Beans can aggravate Vata, so minimize your consumption of them, with the exception
of tofu and mung bean dahl.

o Indications of balanced vata influences are mental alertness and abundance of creative
energy, good elimination of waste matters from the body, sound sleep, a strong immune
system, enthusiasm, emotional balance, and orderly functioning of the body's systems.
o One of the best bulk building combinations is pineapple juice and coconut milk which
has both the sweet and sour tastes well represented.
o A daily self-massage with a Vata pacifying oil is a metabolism calming intervention.
Use a couple tablespoons of oil after your bath or shower and allow it to soak into your
skin, which is probably on the dry side. Snacking on roasted sesame seeds mixed with
pump golden raisins in another Vata pacifying approach.

o Practice at a slow, smooth and steady pace.

o Explore fluidity in your poses. Use gentle movements such as spinal and pelvic
undulation, rotation in the joints, counter-poses, and flexion and extension.

o Stay warm.
o FIVE-SENSES THERAPIESTaste: Emphasize sweet, sour, and salty tastes when
choosing food, herbs, and spices. Sprinkling winter churna on your food every day will
provide these tastes.

o Smell: Sweet, warm aromas, such as lavender, basil, orange, and clove calm vata and
ease fear and anxiety.Sight: Green, yellow, or violet color therapy is also soothing.

o Abhyanga (daily ayurvedic massage with sesame oil)

o Warm temperatures
o Warm, cooked foods (less raw foods)
o Early bedtime, lots of rest
o Favor warm, oily, heavy foods and sweet, sour, and salty tastes
o Reduce light, dry, cold foods and pungent, bitter and astringent tastes
o Regular daily routine
o Avoid stimulants
o Regular, daily elimination
o Stay warm in cold, windy weather

o FRUITS
o Generally most sweet fruits
o Apples
o Applesauce
o Apricots
o Avocados
o Bananas
o Berries
o Cherries
o Coconut
o Dates (fresh)
o Durian* (seasonal)
o Figs (fresh)
o Grapefruit
o Grapes
o Guava*
o Kiwi
o Lemons
o Limes
o Longan* (seasonal)
o Lychees*
o Mangoes
o Melons
o Oranges
o Papaya
o Peaches
o Pineapple
o Plums
o Prunes (cooked)
o Raisins (cooked)
o Rambutan (seasonal)
o Rhubarb
o Strawberries
o VEGETABLES
o In general vegetables should be cooked
o Asparagus
o beets
o cabbage (cooked)*
o carrots
o cauliflower*
o cilantro (coriander)
o cucumber
o daikon radish*
o fennel (anise)
o garlic
o green beans
o green chillies
o jerusalem artichoke*
o leafy greens*
o leeks
o lettuce*
o mustard greens*
o okra
o olives (black)
o onions (cooked)*
o parsley*
o parsnip
o peas (cooked)
o potatoes (sweet)
o pumpkin
o radishes (cooked)*
o rutabaga
o spaghetti squash
o spinach (cooked)*
o spinach (raw)*
o sprouts*
o squash summer and winter
o taro root
o turnip greens*
o watercress
o zucchini
o GRAINS and LEGUMES
o Amaranth
o Durham flour
o Lentils* (red)
o mung beans
o mung dal
o Oats
o oats (cooked)
o pancakes
o quinoa
o rice (all kinds)
o seitan (wheat meat)
o soya cheese*
o soya milk*
o soya sausage*
o sprouted wheat bread
o tofu*
o turdal
o urud dal
o wheat
o DAIRY
o butter
o buttermilk
o cheese (hard)*
o cheese (soft)
o cottage cheese
o cows milk
o ghee
o goats cheese
o goats milk
o ice cream*
o sour cream *
o yoghurt (diluted and spiced)*
o ANIMAL FOOD
o Chicken (dark)
o Chicken (white)*
o Duck
o Eggs
o Fish freshwater or sea
o Lamb (as broth)
o Salmon
o Sardines
o Seafood
o Shrimps
o Tunafish
o Turkey (dark)
o NUTS
o almonds
o black walnuts
o brazil nuts
o cashews
o charole
o coconut
o filberts
o hazelnuts
o macadamia nuts
o peanuts
o pecans
o pine nuts
o pistachios
o walnuts
o CONDIMENTS
o black pepper
o chutney (mango) sweet or spicy
o chilli peppers*
o coriander leaves
o dulse
o gomasio
o Hijiki
o Kelp
o ketchup
o kombu
o lemon
o lime
o lime pickle
o mango pickle
o mayonaise
o mustard
o pickles
o salt
o scallions
o seaweed
o soysauce
o sprouts*
o tamari
o vinegar
o SEEDS
o chia
o flax
o halva
o pumpkin
o sesame
o sunflower
o tahini
o OILS
o For internal and external use (most suitable oils at top of list)
o sesame
o ghee
o olive
o (most other oils external use only)
o coconut
o avocado
o BEVERAGES
o all fruit juices to be freshly made
o Almond milk
o Aloe vera juice
o apricot juice
o berry juice (except cranberry)
o carob*
o carrot juice
o chai (hot spiced milk)
o cherry juice
o grain coffee
o grape juice
o grapefruit juice
o lemonade (freshly made)
o mango juice
o miso broth
o orange juice
o papaya juice
o peach nectar
o pineapple juice
o rice milk
o soya milk (hot and well spiced)
o HERB TEAS
o Ajwan
o bancha
o catnip
o chamomile
o chicory
o chrysanthemum
o clove
o comfrey
o elder flower
o eucalyptus
o fennel
o fenugreek
o ginger (fresh)
o hawthorn
o juniper berry
o kukicha *
o lavender
o lemongrass
o licorice
o marshmallow
o oat straw
o orange peel
o penny royal
o peppermint
o raspberry *
o rosehips
o saffron
o sage
o sarsaparilla
o sassafras
o spearmint
o strawberry*
o wintergreen*
o SPICES
o ajwan
o allspice
o alomd extra t
o anise
o basil
o bay leaf
o black pepper
o cardamom
o cayenne*
o cinnamon
o cloves
o ciruabder
o cumin
o curry leaves
o dill
o fennel
o fenugreek*
o garlic
o ginger
o mace
o marjoram
o mint
o mustard seed
o nutmeg
o orange peel
o oregano
o paprika
o parsley
o peppermint
o pippali
o poppy seeds
o rosemary
o saffron
o salt
o savory
o spearmint
o sart anise
o tarragon
o thyme
o turmeric
o vanilla
 o wintergreen
o SWEETENERS
o barley malt
o fructose
o fruit juice concentrates
o honey raw and not processed
o molasses
o rice syrup
o sucnat
o turbinado
o FOOD SUPPLEMENTS
o aloe vera juice*
o bee pollen
o amino acids
o minerals
o calcium
o copper iron
o magnesium
o zinc
o royal jelly
o spirulina
o blue green algae
o vitamins A and B complex
o B12 C D and E
o * Food items marked with an asterix should be taken occasionally or not at all

VATA AGGRAVATING FOODS:

General : Foods with the vata qualities, such as crackers, frozen desserts, and large amounts of
raw vegetables and salads, will aggravate vata. Also, refined foods such as white flour and sugar,
have light and dry qualities and would be best avoided by people with vata
constitutions.Pungent, bitter, astringent; light, dry, cold foods,stimulants like smoking, alcohol,
junk food, sugar, tea (esp. long leaf teas and green tea), brown rice.
Vegetables : Cabbage, cauliflower, celery, brinjal, leafy green vegetables, mushrooms, peas,
peppers (simla mirch) potatoes, sprouts, tomatoes, zucchini (tori). If you do have these
vegetables cook them in pure desi ghee or unrefined til oil. Tomatoes are best avoided except as
a small addition to salads.
Fruits : Apples, pears, pomegranates.
Spices: Vatas can have almost all spices and herbs in moderation When there is aggravated Vata,
the following are to be taken with caution : coriander seeds (dhaniya powder), fenugreek (methi
seeds), saffron, turmeric, parsley. Avoid too much hot, dry spices such as dried chili, which will
aggravate dryness.

Avoid:
 Foods that are bitter, astringent and pungent.

Foods that are cooling, both energetically and in temperature.

Dry and light foods (e.g. popcorn and crackers).

Too much raw food, especially in the mornings and evenings (salads, carrot sticks, raw
fruit, fresh fruit and vegetable juices, etc.)

Most beans, including cold soy products.

Highly processed foods (like canned or frozen foods, "TV" dinners or pastries).

Cold or carbonated drinks.

Caffeine, nicotine and other stimulants.

Overeating or eating very heavy meals.

Eating fresh fruit or drinking fruit juice within 1/2 hr of any other food.

Foods or drinks that contain refined sugar or corn syrup.

Deep fried foods

Hard alcohol.

Vata Pacifying Lifestyle

Maintain a consistent daily routine
Keep exercise gentle and regulated
Find time for rest, reflection, and nurturing of yourself
Create a calm, safe and comforting environment for yourself
Have regular Ayurvedic massages as this is soothing and grounding
Choose warming foods and minimize intake of raw foods and cold foods and drinks
Avoid very cold and very windy conditions, also very dry climates
Minimize travel and too much movement, avoid loud and noisy places, crowds, too much
talking
Express your creativity in focused and satisfying ways and allocate space and time for
this
Wear soft flowing clothes made of natural fibres of earth tones
Get enough sleep
Keep warm
VATA
 Include foods that are oily or liquid in your daily diet to balance dryness, some heavier
foods to offer grounding and sustained nourishment, foods that are smooth to reduce the
roughness inside and foods that are warm or hot to balance the coolness of Vata.
Here are some dietary tips:
Sweet, sour and salty are the three tastes that help balance Vata. Ensure that these tastes
dominate your daily diet. Eat less of the bitter, pungent and astringent tastes.
Do not follow a fat-free diet if you need to balance Vata. Cook food with a little ghee
(clarified butter) or olive oil, ensure some of these fats are in your diet every day. Avoid
dry food such as rice crackers, crackers, muesli or dry cereal.
Warm cooked foods are ideal for balancing Vata. Soups, warm porridge or cereal and
warm lightly spiced rice pudding are excellent "comfort" foods and help pacify Vata.
Avoid raw foods such as salads and raw vegetables.
Nuts are wonderful for Vata, they pacify the Dosha. Soak ten almonds overnight,
blanch and eat early morning for a healthy burst of energy. They can be blended with
dates and milk for an energizing start to the day.
Carrots, asparagus, tender leafy greens, beets, sweet potatoes and courgette are the
best vegetable choices. They become more digestible when chopped and cooked with
Vata-pacifying spices.
Basmati rice is ideal for balancing Vata. Cooking it with Ayurvedic spices such as
small quantities of turmeric, cumin, coriander; dried ginger, black pepper and saffron is
ideal for vata.
Drink lots of warm water through the day, at least 2 litres
Diet is a very imortant aspect in treatment and in Ayurveda based on the Prakruthi and
Vikruthi the diet recommendation are made. Some of the basics recommendation based on
each dosas are as follow:
PITTA
Include some food that are dry in order to balance the liquid nature of Pitta, some "heavy"
foods will offer substance and sustained nourishment, and cool foods will help balance the
heat and fiery nature of Pitta
Here are some dietary tips:
Sweet, bitter and astringent are the three tastes that help balance Pitta. Ensure that these
tastes dominate your daily diet. Eat less of the pungent, sour and salty tastes.
Use food that will have a cooling effect on your body and mind. Sweet juicy fruits can
cool a fiery Pitta quickly. Milk, sweet rice pudding spiced with cooling herbs, coconut and
coconut juice or milkshakes made with sweet fruits, mangoes, almonds or dates are
examples of soothing Pitta-pacifying foods.
Ghee in moderation will help to balance Pitta as it is cooling for both mind and body
Dry food such as cereal, crackers, cereal bars, and rice cakes make ideal snacks for
Pitta Dosha as they balance the liquid nature of Pitta Dosha, and can be eaten any time
hunger pangs strike.
Carrots, asparagus, bitter leafy greens, fennel, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts
and green beans are good vegetable choices. They become more digestible when chopped
and cooked with Pitta-pacifying spices (see diet list).
Avoid nightshade vegetables (potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and aubergine).
Basmati rice and wheat breads (without yeast such as Pitta bread or chapati) are
excellent for balancing Pitta. Oats are a Pitta balancing grains.
Small quantities of cooling herbs such as turmeric, cumin, coriander, cinnamon,
cardamom and fennel are suitable for Pitta.
Diluted yoghurt whisked with sweetener will aid digestion.
Avoid ice-cold water and drink room temperature water throughout the day to quench
thirst.

KAPHA
Include a few dry food in your daily diet to balance the oily nature of kapha, food that are
nourishing but light to counter the heaviness of Kapha. Warm food with a little spice added
to then to balance the sweet, cold quality of Kapha.
Here are some specific dietary tips:
Avoid too many oily food. However, ghee, in very small quantities, can be used as your
cooking medium Steamed food with spices.
Light, warm food balance Kapha. Soups with beans and vegetables, vegetable stews or
dhal (lentil) with vegetable are suitable especially when combined with the recommended
spices. Stay away from too much salt.
Pungent (spicy), bitter and astringent are the three Ayurvedic tastes that help balance
Kapha. Apples, chickpeas cooked with spices or steamed broccoli or cauliflower with a
light oil and spice mixture make healthy choices. Eat less of the salty, sweet and sour
tastes.
Dry cereal, salt-free crackers and rice cakes balance the liquid nature of Kapha Dosha
and make good snacks. Avoid sugary snacks. Honey in small quantities is the
recommended sweetener.
Carrots, asparagus, okra, bitter leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts
are a good vegetable choice. They become more digestible when chopped and cooked with
the recommended spices. Vegetables can be combined with lighter grains or Mung beans
for satisfying one-dish meals.
Fresh green chilli peppers and fresh ginger root add flavour while balancing Kapha.
Avoid nightshade vegetables (potato, tomato, aubergine and peppers).
Choose lighter whole grains, and eat grains in moderation. Barley, buckwheat, quinoa,
millet and couscous are good choices. Basmati rice is the lightest rice and is easier to
digest.
 Ayurvedic spices such as turmeric, cumin, coriander, cayenne, black pepper, dried
ginger, cloves and fenugreek are warming and wonderful for balancing Kapha.
Drink a blend of 1 part yoghurt with 6 parts water with the froth removed, warming
herbs and spices may be added to aid digestion. Drink plenty of warm water throughout
the days to helps flush toxin from the body.
Diet specific to each individual and based on disease condition are recommended after
consultation with the doctor.

Cause: Vyu is the vital nerve-force that pervades

the entire body. It is considered identical to Divine
eternal energy and is, therefore, self-generating. Vyu
is at the root of all nervous disorders. Causes include
cold, roughness, lightness, little or no food, excessive
sex, talking or staying up late; or excessive release of
toxins and blood. Other causes are leaping, jumping,
traveling, or exercise in excess, wasting of the tissues,
excessive emaciation from anxiety, grief, fear, or
illness. Further causes are uncomfortable beds and
chairs, anger, naps, fear, suppressing natural urges,
ma (toxins), injury, fasting, injuring vital organs, or
accidents. Vyu becomes excessed, filling the body
channels, causing disorders associated with those
body parts.
As tissues become depleted, Vyu fills the chan-
nels with air, or become mixed with the other dohas
that have filled the channels. A second way Vyu
becomes excessed is by increasing the functioning
of the channels. When Vyu is the only cause of vi-
tiation, the result is more severe; when it is mixed
with Pitta or Kapha, it is not as powerful.
Development: Vyu accumulates in its home site, the
colon, causing colic, gas, gurgling, feces obstruction,
urinary stones, herniated scrotum, hemorrhoids, sharp
pain the back and waist, and other difficult diseases
related to the lower body parts.