Tridosha system
The central concept of Ayurvedic medicine is the theory that health exists when there is a balance between three fundamental bodily humours or doshas called Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Vata is the impulse principle necessary to mobilize the function of the nervous system.
Pitta is the energy principle which uses bile to direct digestion and hence metabolism into the venous system.
Kapha is the body fluid principle which relates to mucous, lubrication and the carrier of nutrients into the arterial system.
All Ayurvedic physicians believe that these ancient ideas, based in the knowledge discovered by the sages, exist in harmony with physical reality. These concepts allow physicians to examine the homeostasis of the whole system. People may be of a predominant dosha or constitution, but all doshas have the basic elements within them.
The philosophy of Ayurveda
The emergence of different schools of Sanskrit philosophy like Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Sankhya, Yoga, Vedanta and Mimamsa was another landmark in the history of Indian medicine. The principles expounded in these philosophies facilitated the development within Ayurveda of its theory of humoral pathology which propounds that the human body is composed of Tridoshas, the three humors – Vata, Pitta and Kapha. When these are in equilibrium they are called the Tridhatus.
The body in which these three humors are in a state of equilibrium enjoys perfect health; their disequilibrium causes ill health.
Disease management in Ayurveda
The principles of pharmacology are fundamentally different from those of other systems of medicine, especially evidence-based medicine. Most medicines are prepared form herbs.
Shamana and Shodhana are the two concepts of disease management in Ayurveda. Shamana means alleviation. Shamana methods mitigate the disease and its symptoms. Shodhana means elimination and Shodhana methods aim at the elimination of the basic cause of disease.
Note: Guidelines provided here 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
FRUITS
VATA
o Avoid: Generally most dried fruit, Apples (raw), Cranberries, Dates (dry), Figs (dry), Pears, Persimmons, Pomegranates, Raisins (dry), Prunes (dry), Watermelon
o Favor: Generally most sweet fruit, Apples (cooked), Applesauce, Apricots, Avocado, Bananas, Berries, Cherries, Coconut, Dates (fresh), Figs (fresh), Grapefruit, Grapes, Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes , Melons, Oranges, Papaya, Peaches, Pineapple, Plums, Prunes (soaked), Raisins (soaked), Rhubarb, Strawberries, Tamarind
PITTA
o Avoid: Generally most sour fruit, Apples (sour), Apricots (sour), Bananas, Berries (sour), Cherries (sour), Cranberries, Grapefruit, Grapes (green), Kiwi, Lemons, Mangoes (green), Oranges (sour), Peaches, Persimmons, Pineapple (sour), Plums (sour), Rhubarb, Tamarind
o Favor: Generally most sweet fruit, Apples (sweet), Applesauce, Apricots (sweet), Avocado, Berries (Sweet), Cherries (sweet), Coconut, Dates, Figs, Grapes (red & purple), Limes, Mangoes (ripe), Melons, oranges (sweet), Papaya, Pears, Pineapple (sweet), Plums (sweet), Pomegranates, Prunes, Raisins, Strawberries, Watermelon
KAPHA
o Avoid: Generally most sweet & sour fruit, Avocado, Bananas, Coconut, Dates, Figs (fresh), Grapefruit, Kiwi, Mangos, Melons, Oranges, Papaya, Pineapple, Plums, Rhubarb, Tamarind, Watermelon
o Favor : Generally most astringent fruit, Apples, Applesauce, Apricots, Berries, Cherries, Cranberries, Figs (dry), Grapes, Lemons, Limes, Peaches, Pears, Persimmons, Pomegranates, Prunes, Raisins, Strawberries
VEGETABLES
VATA
o Avoid: Generally frozen, raw or dried vegetables, Artichoke, Beet greens, Bitter melon, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Burdock root, Cabbage (raw), Cauliflower (raw), Celery, Corn (fresh), Dandelion greens, Eggplant, Horseradish, Kale, Kohlrabi, Mushrooms, Olives, green Onions (raw), Peas (raw), Peppers, sweet & hot Potatoes, white Prickly pear (fruit & leaves), Radish (raw), Squash, winter Tomatoes (cooked), Tomatoes (raw), Turnips, Wheat grass, sprouts
o Favor: In general, vegetables should be cooked Asparagus, Beets, Cabbage (cooked), Carrots, Cauliflower, Cilantro, Cucumber, Daikon radish, Fennel, (Anise), Garlic, Green beans, Green chilies, Jerusalem artichoke, Leafy greens, Leeks , Lettuce, Mustard greens, Okra, Olives, black Onions (cooked), Parsley, Parsnip, Peas (cooked), Potatoes, sweet, Pumpkin, Radishes (cooked), Rutabaga, Spaghetti Squash, Spinach (raw), Sprouts, Squash Summer, Taro Root, Turnip greens, Watercress, Zucchini
PITTA
o Avoid: In General pungent vegetables, Beet Greens, Beets (raw), Burdock root, Corn (fresh), Daikon Radish, Eggplant, Garlic, Green Chillies, Horseradish, Kohlrabi, Leeks (raw), Mustard greens, Olives green, Onion (raw), Peppers (hot), Turnip Greens, Watercress, Zucchini Prickly pear fruit, Radishes (raw, Spinach (cooked), Spinach (raw), Tomatoes, Turnip greens, Turnips
o Favor: In general, sweet & bitter vegetable, artichoke, Asparagus, Beets (cooked), Bitter Melon, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots (cooked), Carrots (raw), Cauliflower, Celery, Cilantro, Cucumber, Dandelion greens, Fennel (Anise) Green Beans, Jerusalem, Artichoke, Kala, Leafy Greens, Leeks (cooked), Lettuce, Mushrooms, Okra, Olives black, Onions (cooked), Parsley, Parsnips, Peas, Peppers sweet, Potatoes, sweet & white, Prickly pear (leaves), Pumpkin, Radishes (cooked)Rutabaga, Spaghetti Squash, Sprouts (not spicy), Squash, winter & summer, Taro root, Watercress, Wheat grass, sprouts, Zucchini
KAPHA
o Avoid: In general, Sweet & juicy vegetables, Cucumber, Olives, black or green, Parsnips, Potatoes sweet, Pumpkin, Squash summer, Taro root, Tomatoes (raw), Zucchini
o Favor: In general, most pungent & bitter Vegetables, Artichoke, Asparagus, Beet greens, Beets, Bitter melon, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Burdock root, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Cilantro, Corn, Daikon radish, Dandelion greens, Eggplant, Fennel (Anise), Garlic, Green beans, Green chilies, Horseradish, Jerusalem, artichoke, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leafy greens, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard greens, Okra, Onions, Parseley, Peas, Peppers, sweet & hot, Potatoes, White Prickly pear (fruit & leaves), Radishes, Rutabega, Spaghetti Squash, Spinach, Sprouts, Swaush, winter Tomatoes (cooked) Turnips, Watercress, Wheat grass
GRAINS
VATA
o Avoid: Barley, Bread (with yeast), Buckwheat, Cereals (cold, dry or puffed), Corn, Couscous, Crackers, Granola, Millet, Muesli, Oat bran, Oats (dry), Pasta, Polenta, Rice cakes, Rye, Sago, Spelt, Tapioca, Wheat bran
o Favor: Amaranth, Durham flour, Oats (cooked), Pancakes, Quinoa, Rice (all kinds), Seitan (wheat meat), Sprouted wheat, bread (Essene), Wheat
PITTA
o Avoid: Bread (with yeast), Buckwheat, Corn, Millet, Muesli, Oats (dry), Polenta, Rice (brown), Rye
o Favor: Amaranth, Barley, Cereal, dry, Couscous, Crackers, Durham flour, Granola, Oat bran, Oats (cooked), Pancakes, Pasta, Quinoa, Rice (basmati, white, wild), Rice cakes, Seitan (wheat meat), Spelt, Sprouted wheat, bread (Essene), Tapioca, Wheat, Wheat bran
KAPHA
o Avoid: Bread (with yeast), Oats (cooked), Pancakes, Pasta, Rice (brown, white), Rice cakes, Wheat
o Favor: Amaranth , Barley, Buckwheat, Cereal (cold, dry or puffed), Corn, Couscous, Crackers, Durham flour, Granola, Millet, Muesli, Oat bran, Oats dry), Polenta, Quinoa, Rice (basmati, wild), Rye, Seitan (wheat meat), Spelt, Sprouted , wheat bread (Essene), Tapioca, Wheat bran
LEGUMES
VATA
o Avoid: Aduki beans, Black beans, Black-eyed peas, Chick peas (garbanzo beans), Kidney beans, Lentils (brown), Lima beans , Miso, Navy beans, Peas (dried), Pinto beans, Soy beans, Soy flour, Soy powder, Split peas, Tempeh, White beans
o Favor: Lentils (red), Mung beans, Mung dal, Soy cheese, Soy milk, Soy sauce, Soy sausages, Tofu, Tur dal, Urad dal
PITTA
o Avoid: Miso, Soy sauce, Soy sausages, Tur dal, Urad dal
o Favor: Aduki beans, Black beans, Black-eyed peas, Chick peas (garbanzo beans), Kidney beans, Lentils, brown & red, Lima beans, Mung beans, Mung dal, Navy beans, Peas (dried), Pinto beans, Soy beans, Soy cheese, Soy flour, Soy milk, Soy powder, Split peas, Tempeh, Tofu, White beans
KAPHA
o Avoid: Kidney beans, Soy beans, Soy cheese, Soy flour, Soy powder, Soy sauce, Tofu (cold), Urad dal, Miso
o Favor: Aduki beans, Black beans, Black-eyed peas, Chick peas (garbanzo beans), Lentils (red & brown), Lima beans, Mung beans, Mung dal, Navy beans, Peas (dried), Pinto beans, Soy milk, Soy sausages, Split peas, Tempeh, Tofu (hot), Tur dal, White beans
DAIRY
VATA
o Avoid: Cow’s milk (powdered), Goat’s milk (powdered), Yogurt (plain, frozen or w/ fruit)
o Favor: Most dairy is good!, Butter, Buttermilk, Butter Cheese (hard), Cheese (soft), Cottage cheese, Cow’s milk, Ghee, Goat’s cheese, Goat’s milk, Ice cream, Sour cream, Yogurt (diluted & spiced)
PITTA
o Avoid: Butter (salted), Buttermilk, Cheese (hard), Sour cream, Yogurt (plain, frozen or w/fruit)
o Favor: Butter (unsalted), Cheese (soft, not aged, unsalted), Cottage cheese, Cow’s milk, Ghee, Goat’s milk, Goat’s cheese (soft, unsalted), Ice cream, Yogurt (freshly made & diluted)
KAPHA
o
Avoid: Butter (salted), Butter (unsalted), Cheese (soft & hard), Cow’s milk, Ice cream, Sour cream, Yogurt (plain, frozen or w/fruit)
o Favor: Buttermilk, Cottage cheese (from skimmed goat’s milk), Ghee, Goat’s cheese (unsalted & not aged), Goat’s milk, skim, Yogurt (diluted)
ANIMAL FOODS
VATA
o Avoid: Lamb, Pork, Rabbit, Venison, Turkey (white)
o Favor: Beef, Buffalo, Chicken (dark), Chicken (white), Duck, Eggs, Fish (freshwater or sea), Salmon, Sardines, Seafood, Shrimp, Tuna fish, Turkey (dark)
PITTA
o Avoid: Beef, Chicken (dark), Duck, Eggs (yolk), Fish (sea), Lamb, Pork, Salmon, Sardines, Seafood, Tuna fish, Turkey (dark)
o Favor: Buffalo, Chicken (white), Eggs (albumen or white only), Fish (freshwater), Rabbit, Shrimp, Turkey (white), Venison
KAPHA
o Avoid: Beef, Buffalo, Chicken (dark), Duck, Fish (sea), Lamb, Pork, Salmon, Sardines, Seafood, Tuna fish, Turkey (dark)
o Favor: Chicken (white), Eggs, Fish (freshwater), Rabbit, Shrimp, Turkey (white), Venison
CONDIMENTS
VATA
o Avoid: Chocolate, Horseradish
o Favor: Black pepper, Chutney, mango (sweet or spicy), Chili peppers, Coriander leaves, Dulse, Gomasio, Hijiki, Kelp, Ketchup, Kombu, Lemon, Lime, Lime pickle, Mango pickle, Mayonnaise, Mustard, Pickles, Salt, Scallions, Seaweed, Soy sauce, Sprouts, Tamari, Vinegar
PITTA
o Avoid: Chili pepper, Chocolate, Chutney, mango (spicy), Gomasio, Horseradish, Kelp, Ketchup, Mustard, Lemon, Lime pickle, Mango pickle, Mayonnaise, Pickles, Salt (in excess), Scallions, Soy sauce, Vinegar
o Favor: Black pepper, Chutney, mango, (sweet), Coriander leaves, Dulse, Hijiki, Kombu , Lime, Sprouts, Salt, Seaweed, Tamari
KAPHA
o Avoid: Chocolate, Chutney, mango (sweet), Gomasio, Kelp, Ketchup, Lime, Lime pickle, Mango pickle, Mayonnaise, Pickles, Salt, Soy sauce, Tamari, Vinegar
o Favor: Black pepper, Chili Peppers, Chutney, mango (spicy), Coriander leaves, Dulse, Hijiki, Horseradish, Lemon, Mustard (without vinegar), Scallions, Seaweed, Sprouts
NUTS
VATA
o Avoid: None
o Favor: In moderation: Almonds, Black walnuts, Brazil nuts, Cashews, Charole, Coconut, Filberts, Hazelnuts, Macadamia nuts, Peanuts, Pecans, Pine nuts, Pistachios, Walnuts
PITTA
o Avoid: Black walnuts, Brazil nuts, Cashews, Filberts, Hazelnuts, Macadamia nuts, Peanuts, Pecans, Pine nuts, Pistachios, Walnuts
o Favor: Charole, Coconut
KAPHA
o Avoid: Black walnuts, Brazil nuts, Cashews, Coconut, Filberts, Hazelnuts, Macadamia nuts, Peanuts, Pecans, Pine nuts, Pistachios, Walnuts
o Favor: None
SEEDS
VATA
o Avoid: Popcorn, Psyllium
o Favor: Chia, Flax, Halva, Pumpkin, Sesame, Sunflower, Tahini
PITTA
o Avoid: Chia, Sesame, Tahini
o Favor: Flax, Halva, Popcorn (no salt, buttered), Psyllium, Pumpkin, Sunflower
KAPHA
o Avoid: Halva, Psyllium, Sesame, Tahini
o Favour : Chia, Flax, Popcorn (no salt, no butter), Pumpkin, Sunflower
OILS
VATA
o Avoid: Flax seed
o Favor: For internal & external use: (most suitable at top of list), Sesame, Ghee, Olive, Most other oils
o External use only: Coconut, Avocado
PITTA
o Avoid: Almond, Apricot, Corn , Safflower, Sesame
o Favor: For internal & external use: (most suitable at top of list), Sunflower, Ghee, Canola, Olive, Soy, Flax seed, Primrose, Walnut
o External use only: Avocado, Coconut
KAPHA
o Avoid: Avocado, Apricot, Coconut, Flax seed, Olive, Primrose, Safflower, Sesame (internal), Soy, Walnut
o Favor: For internal & external use in small amounts: (Most suitable at top of list), Corn, Canola, Sesame (external), Sunflower, Ghee, Almond
BEVERAGES
VATA
o Avoid: Alcohol (hard; red wine), Apple juice , Black tea, Caffeinated, beverages, Carbonated drinks, Chocolate milk, Coffee, Cold dairy drinks , Cranberry juice, Iced tea, Icy cold drinks, Pear juice, Pomegranate juice, Prune juice, Soy milk (cold), Tomato juice, V-8 Juice, Herb Teas: Alfalfa, Barley, Basil, Blackberry, Borage, Burdock, Cinnamon, Cornsilk, Dandelion, Ginseng, Hibiscus, Hops, Jasmine, Lemon balm, Mormon tea, Nettle, Passion flower, Red clover, Red Zinger, Violet, Yarrow, Yerba Mate
o Favor: Alcohol (beer; white wine), Almond milk, Aloe vera juice, Apple cider, Apricot juice, Berry juice (except for cranberry), Carob, Carrot juice, Chai (hot spiced milk), Cherry juice, Grain “coffee”, Grape juice, Grapefruit juice, Lemonade, Mango juice, Miso broth, Orange juice, Papaya juice, Peach nectar, Pineapple juice, Rice milk, Sour juices, Soy milk (hot & well-spiced), Vegetable bouillon
o Herb Teas: Ajwan, Bancha, Catnip, Chamomile, Chicory, Chrysanthemum, Clove, Comfrey, Elder Flower, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Fenugreek, Ginger (fresh), Hawthorne, Juniper berry, Kukicha, Lavender, Lemon grass, Licorice, Marshmallow, Oat straw, Orange peel, Pennyroyal, Peppermint, Raspberry, Rosehips, Saffron, Sage, Sarsaparilla, Sassafras, Spearmint, Strawberry, Wintergreen
PITTA
o Avoid: Alcohol (hard; red & sweet wine) , Apple cider, Berry juice (sour), Caffeinated, beverages, Carbonated drinks, Carrot juice, Cherry juice (sour), Chocolate milk, Coffee, Cranberry juice, Grapefruit juice, Iced tea, Icy cold drinks, Lemonade, Papaya juice , Pineapple juice, Tomato juice, V-8 juice, Sour juices
o Herb Teas: Ajwan, Basil, Clove, Eucalyptus, Fenugreek, Ginger (dry), Ginseng, Hawthorne, Juniper berry, Mormon tea, Pennyroyal, Red Zinger , Rosehip, Sage, Sassafras, Yerba Mat
o Favor: Alcohol (beer; dry white wine), Almond milk , Aloe vera juice, Apple juice, Apricot juice, Berry juice (sweet), Black tea , Carob, Chai (hot, spiced milk) , Cherry juice (sweet), Cool dairy drinks, Grain “coffee”, Grape juice, Mango juice, Miso broth, Mixed veg. juice, Orange juice, Peach nectar, Pear juice, Pomegranate juice, Prune juice, Rice milk, Soy milk, Vegetable bouillon
o Herb Teas: Alfalfa, Bancha, Barley, Blackberry, Borage, Burdock, Catnip, Chamomile, Chicory, Comfrey, Dandelion, Fennel, Ginger (fresh), Hibiscus, Hops , Jasmine, Kukicha, Lavender, Lemon balm, Lemon grass, Licorice, Marshmallow, Nettle, Oat Straw, Passion flower, Peppermint, Raspberry, Red clover, Sarsaparilla, Spearmint, Strawberry, Violet, Wintergreen, Yarrow
KAPHA
o Avoid: Alcohol (hard; beer; sweet wine), Almond milk, Caffeinated , beverages, Carbonated drinks, Cherry juice (sour), Chocolate milk, Coffee, Cold dairy drinks, Grapefruit juice, Iced tea, Icy cold drinks, Lemonade, Miso broth, Orange Juice, Papaya juice, Rice milk ,Sour juices, Soy milk (cold), Tomato juice, V-8 Juice
o Herb Teas: Licorice, Marshmallow, Red Zinger, Rosehip, Bancha
o Favor: Alcohol (dry wine, red or white), loe vera juice, Apple cider, Apple juice, Apricot juice, Berry juice, Black tea (spiced), Carob, Carrot juice, Chai (hot, spiced milk), Cherry juice (sweet), Cranberry juice , Grain “coffee”, Grape juice, Mango juice, Peach nectar, Pear juice, Pineapple juice, Pomegranate juice, Prune juice, Soy milk (hot & well-spiced),
o Herb Teas: Alfalfa, Bancha, Barley, Blackberry, Burdock, Chamomile, Chicory, Cinnamon, Clove, Comfrey, Dandelion , Fennel, Fenugreek, Ginger , Ginseng, Hibiscus Jasmine, Juniper berry, Kukicha, Lavender, Lemon balm, Lemon grass, Mormon tea, Nettle, Passion flower, Peppermint, Raspberry, Red clover , Sarsaparilla, Sassafras, Spearmint , Strawberry, Wintergreen, Yarrow, Yerba Mate
SPICES
VATA
o Avoid: None
o Favor: All spices are good Ajwan, Allspice, Almond extract, Anise, Asafoetida (hing), Basil, Bay leaf, Black pepper, Caraway, Cardamom, Cayenne, Cinnamon, Cloves, Coriander, Cumin, Dill, Fennel, Fenugreek, Garlic, Ginger, Marjoram, Mint, Mustard seeds, Nutmeg, Orange peel, Oregano, Paprika, Parsley, Peppermint, Pippali, Poppy seeds, Rosemary, Saffron, Salt, Savory, Spearmint, Star Anise, Tarragon, Thyme, Turmeric, Vanilla, Wintergreen
PITTA
o Avoid: Ajwan, Allspice, Almond extract, Anise, Asafoetida (hing), Basil (dry), Bay leaf, Cayenne, Cloves, Fenugreek, Garlic, Ginger (dry), Mace, Marjoram, Mustard seeds, Nutmeg, Oregano, Paprika, Pippali, Poppy seeds, Rosemary, Sage, Salt, Savory, Star anise, Thyme
o Favor: Basil (fresh), Black pepper, Caraway, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Coriander, Cumin, Dill, Fennel, Ginger (fresh), Mint, Neem leaves, Orange peel, Parsley, Peppermint, Saffron, Spearmint, Tarragon, Turmeric, Vanilla, Wintergreen
KAPHA
o Avoid: Salt
o Favor: All spices are good Ajwan, Allspice, Almond extract, Anise, Asafoetida (hing), Basil, Bay leaf, Black pepper, Caraway, Cardamom, Cayenne, Cinnamon, Cloves, Coriander, Cumin, Dill, Fennel*, Fenugreek, Garlic, Ginger, Marjoram, Mint, Mustard seeds, Neem leaves, Nutmeg, Orange peel, Oregano, Paprika, Parsley, Peppermint, Pippali, Poppy seeds, Rosemary, Saffron, Savory, Spearmint, Star Anise, Tarragon, Thyme, Turmeric, Vanilla, Wintergreen
SWEETENERS
VATA
o Avoid: Maple syrup, White Sugar
o Favor: Barley malt, Fructose, Fruit juice, concentrates, Honey, Jaggary, Molasses, Rice syrup, Dried or fresh sugar cane juice, Turbinado
PITTA
o Avoid: White Sugar, Honey, Jaggary, Molasses
o Favor: Barley malt, Fructose, Fruit juice, concentrates, Maple syrup, Rice syrup, Dried or fresh sugar cane juice, Turbinado
KAPHA
o Avoid: Barley malt, Fructose, Jaggary, Maple syrup, Molasses, Rice syrup, Dried or fresh sugar cane juice, Turbinado, White sugar
o Favor: Fruit juice, concentrates, Honey (raw & not processed)
FOOD SUPPLEMENTS
VATA
o Avoid: Barley green, Brewer’s yeast, Vitamin: K
o Favor: Aloe Vera juice, Bee pollen, Amino acids
o Minerals: Calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, zinc, Royal jelly, Spirolina, Blue-green algae
o Vitamins: A, B1, B2,B6, B12, C, D, E, P and Folic acid
PITTA
o Avoid: Amino acid, Bee pollen, Royal jelly
o Minerals: copper, iron
o Vitamins: B2,B6,C,E, and Folic acid
o Favor: Aloe vera juice, Barley green, Brewer’s yeast
o Minerals: Calcium, Magnesium, zinc, Spirolina, Blue-green algae
o Vitamins: A, B1, B12, D and K
KAPHA
o Avoid:
o Minerals: Potassium
o Vitamins: A, B1, B2, B12, C, D, and E
o Favor: Aloe vera juice, Amino acid, Barley green, Bee pollen, Brewer’s yeast
o Minerals: copper, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, Royal jelly, Spirolina, Blue-green algae
o Vitamins: B6, C, P and Folic Acid
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