Ayurveda

The term Ayurveda comes from Sanskrit and is composed of the words Veda (= knowledge) and Ayus (= life), which in combination gives the meaning "science of long life". Ayurveda is a holistic system concerning the body, the soul and the mind. Ayurveda hides an Indian wisdom and attitude to life. The origin of Ayurveda goes back to the fifth century BC. According to the principle of Ayurveda, it is about a healthy coexistence between microcosm and macrocosm. Thus man represents the microcosm and the universe the macrocosm. According to Hindus, man is the extension of the life of the Creator. Ayurveda is the oldest teaching of health, illness and healing. Healing in Indian teachings means restoring the balance between body, soul and spirit and the universe. Depending on disposition, character, appearance, etc. is lived, fed and cured.

Contents:
Ayurveda
Five elements in Ayurveda
The three types of consitution in Ayurveda
The doshas of Ayurveda
Nutrition in Ayurveda

Five elements in Ayurveda

Ayurveda teaches that everything, both the microcosm and the macrocosm, consists of five primitive elements. These are earth, water, fire, air (wind) and space (ether). The elements are everywhere, as in us humans. Each element has certain properties and effects. Also, each element is assigned a sense organ.

The five elements remind us of physical events in the world. Behind the elements used in the Indian art of healing, however, there is a completely different, much more comprehensive sense. To understand it is important to spend more time with the topic to grasp the deeper meaning of Ayurveda.

In the philosophy of Ayurvedaeverything in the universe consists of the five elements space (ether), air (wind), fire, water, earth. All five elements are contained in all things including our body and each element has special properties.

The element space corresponds to the spaces in our body such as oral cavity, pharynx, abdominal cavity, and blood vessels. Space stands for lightness and softness and is assigned to the organs liver and gallbladder.

Air or wind called, stands for movement. No life without movement. The element air is assigned to the organs lung and large intestine.

Fire is the "hearth" in us, the energy center, the metabolic factory and takes care of the organs heart and small intestine.

There is enough water in every body; the adult person consists of more than 70 percent of this fluid. The element of water deals with the organs kidney and bladder.

Earth refers to all solid structures in us, such as bones, nails, teeth, muscles, cartilage and tendons. The element is assigned to the organs spleen and stomach.

Ayurveda distinguishes three different constitutional types. so-called doshas. Image: Pixelrohkost / fotolia.com

The three types of consitution in Ayurveda

Ayurveda divides the body into three constitutional types called doshas. These are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Vata, Pitta and Kapha are seen as forces in the body that are in balance when man is healthy. Vata and Kapha work in opposition, with Pitta representing the mediating energy between the two others. Vata contains the elements space and air, Pitta contains fire and water and Kapha contains water and earth.

Vata is the driving force, the power of movement, without which no life would be possible. Vata is the motor for the nervous system, muscles, heart, circulation and thoughts. Kapha provides stability, substance, strength and patience. It ensures that the fluids in the body are in balance. Pitta is closely linked to the element of fire and ensures the combustion process in the body, for heat and heat. It is responsible for digestive processes and metabolism. For example, Pitta cares about hunger and thirst, as basic human needs.

Vata would destroy himself without the interplay of the other doshas through his incessant movement and activity. Kapha, as a real contrast, left to himself, lethargic and Pitta, without opponent, would burn. This means that all three doshas need each other, just as there is an up and down, an outside and inside in life. An excessive Vata is braked by Kapha and a too strong Kapha driven by Vata. Pitta is the mediator between the two doshas.

There are seven Dosha types: Vata, Pitta, Kapha, Vata-Pitta, Pitta-Kapha, Vata-Kapha, Vata-Pitta-Kapha. The three Dosha elements determine and regulate all biological, psychological and physiopathological functions of the body. In a healthy body, they are always balanced.

each Dosha is also assigned to the most different times of the day, which means that it is primarily active at certain times. For example, the time before sunrise is the time of Kapha, from 10 am to 2 pm Pitta rules and from 2 pm to sunset Vata is active. Thus, a person who possesses especially Vata characteristics is most active in the time from 14 o'clock to the sunset.

The doshas of Ayurveda

Each person carries his own individual dosha combination. However, this may change over time. For example, the distribution of doshas is different in an adolescent than in an adult, and usually changes with age. However, according to the theory of Ayurveda, many people have a basic tendency to a type of constitution from birth. Disharmonies between the individual doshas, ​​which are present in most people, cause strengths and weaknesses, but also the tendency to certain diseases. Almost no one is completely Vata, Pitta or Kapha. The three doshas mingle with each other and are less present in one and in the other.

Kapha
People who have a Kapha constitution are rather vigorously built. But still sporty and flexible. These individuals are easily prone to obesity.
Kapha devotees move slowly, are calm and generally cheerful nature. They love to eat well and this makes them happy too. Kapha is associated with the organs of the lungs, lymph and the stomach. So kapha people tend to disease of these organs.

Pitta
A Pitta man, however, is usually athletic, muscular and extremely athletic. Pitta stands for intelligence and activity. Pitta people have a very good digestion, a good appetite, are quick in their actions, purposeful and committed. But this can also end in fanaticism. Diseases to which they are prone are diseases of the liver and bile, the blood, the spleen and the small intestine.

Vata
A Vata man is usually constantly on the move. He has a delicate physique, is thin and narrow-shouldered. Often the ribs are visible. Vata people are often nervous, food and drink are secondary to them. They are smart and intellectual, but not always practical but rather abstract. They are prone to diseases that affect the bones, heart, colon and nervous system.

All three Doshas, ​​depending on how they are distributed in terms of quantity, influence the life force, the mood, the digestive fire, the metabolism, in short the interaction of body, soul and spirit.

Nutrition in Ayurveda

Each dosha is made up of certain foods that are good for you or others that can harm the dosha. For example, if a dosha is too abundant in a human, the foods of this dosha should be avoided or at least consumed less often.

Kapha diet
Kapha people should, according to the philosophy of Ayurveda, eat twice a day at intervals of five to six hours. This Dosha is the only one where a breakfast in the form of juice or tea is sufficient. A sumptuous breakfast is not suitable for Kapha people. It should only be eaten if hunger is present. Balancing the Kapha Dosha has properties that are light, bitter and hot. Disturbing the Kapha dosha are foods that are oily, salty, sweet, sour and heavy. An easily digestible food is very important here. So milk products are usually too heavy, oils should be used sparingly and when sweetened is preferable to all sweeteners, the honey.

Pitta diet
Pitta people should give in to their constant appetite. Noon is the time for a hearty meal. Late food is not recommended for Pitta people. Saline, fatty, too spicy or sour foods are to be avoided. Characteristics such as sweet, cool, astringent, bitter and dry balance out the Pitta Dosha. Whereby spicy, hot, sour, salty and oily can lead to disturbances. Pitta people can handle sweets much better than the other two doshas, ​​but should not be exaggerated.

Vata diet
Since for Vata people, the diet is not in the foreground, just here on quality food and regular food must be respected. The characteristics of a Vata diet are warm, heavy, nourishing, soothing, and grounding. A Vata man should prefer warm food. And if this is not possible, then at least a cup of hot tea to eat something remedial. The omission of meals is rarely allowed. Balancing on Vata are sweet, heavy, sour salty, oily and above all warm foods. Properties such as pungent, bitter, astringent, light, dry and cold are not recommended.

In Ayurvedic nutrition, some basic rules also apply to all doshas. So should be eaten in principle only when hungry, snacks to be avoided and at noon, the main meal should be taken. Rest (of the mind) is especially important in food and the food should be fresh food. The six Ayurvedic flavors sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter and astringent (tart) should be included in every meal, albeit to varying degrees.

To describe the effect of the different foods, these are generally divided into three classes, with foods such as fruits, cereals, vegetables and dairy products, as sweet, juicy and oily foods of the food class Sattva-Guna are assigned. According to the theory of Ayurveda, they extend the life span and increase the satisfaction. The bitter, sour, salty, hot, dry and dry foods such as chili, onion and garlic are called Rajo-Guna. According to the Ayurvedic philosophy, they heat the body and the psyche through hyperstimulation and can cause aggression. The third food class Tamo-Guna is assigned overripe to lazy foods as well as stale and reheated food. Regular consumption of alcohol and other drugs also fall into the category. An essential role in the Ayurvedic diet plays the so-called "digestive fire", also called Agni. This is significantly influenced by the quality of the diet and digestive disorders can cause bloating, bloating, heartburn or cravings. (Sw)

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Picture: Günter Hommes