Don’t ignore the pain

According to Ayurvedic philosophy, chronic conditions are thought to be caused by long-term imbalances in the body. In Ayurveda medicine, one’s health is determined by three different doshas: vata (air), pitta (fire), and kapha (water). Balancing these doshas helps prevent illness from taking hold of the body.

In general, chronic diseases are often characterized by a lack of energy and exhaustion from the patient’s side. This is called Ama in Ayurveda medicine.

Ama occurs when toxins build up throughout the body because it cannot eliminate them as quickly as they’re building up due to certain lifestyle habits like a poor diet or lack of exercise.

There are several different types of toxins that build up in the body, and these correspond with particular doshas or mind-body types as per Ayurvedic medicine. For example, Kapha dosha is characterized by excess mucus buildup throughout the body.

Kapha generally feels sluggish and heavy, which can be a result of excess mucus in the body that slows down energy flow and movement throughout various organs like the heart, lungs, and kidneys. This is why Ayurveda medicine recommends practices such as yoga to help stimulate certain organ systems with more energy while also helping clear out excess mucus from the body.

Another example is Pitta dosha, which is associated with excess heat and irritation in the body that can lead to inflammation throughout certain organs. The lungs are particularly affected by this excess heat or fire energy, so Ayurvedic practices may recommend cooling foods like cucumbers and watermelon while avoiding spicy ones.

Some ways that Ayurveda can help with chronic conditions include:

• Using foods to create balance in the body and maintain health, especially by balancing vata dosha, which is associated with all movement within the body such as breathing, heart rate, etc. Vata types need a lot of protein and fat or they could get anxious, depressed, or get memory loss.
• Using oils in the body to build tissues and lubricate joints, which is beneficial for all types of conditions but especially arthritis.
• Relaxing mind and body activities including yoga.

This holistic approach prioritizes natural remedies for restoring balance within the body, mind, and spirit. This includes herbal supplements as well as dietary changes that combat the symptoms and progression of chronic illnesses.