What is Vata Dosha in Ayurveda? Speaking of treatment of Vata Dosha in Ayurveda, one must know Vata Dosha symptoms and the best diet for Vata Dosha type as prescribed in Ayurveda.
Ayurveda Vata Dosha
Vata or Vatta is characterized by the properties of dry, cold, light, minute, and movement. All movement in the body is due to properties of Vata. Pain is the characteristic feature of deranged Vata. Some of the diseases connected to unbalanced Vata are flatulence, gout, rheumatism, etc. Vata is not to be interpreted as air.
Vata governs all movement in the mind and body. It controls blood flow, elimination of wastes, breathing and the movement of thoughts across the mind.
Since Pitta and Kapha cannot move without it, Vata is considered the leader of the three Ayurvedic Principles in the body. It’s very important to keep Vata in good balance.
Doshas are the forces that create the physical body. They determine conditions of growth, aging, health and disease. Typically, one of the three Doshas predominates and determines one’s constitution or mind-body type.
There are clear indications when there exists an excess of a Dosha, throwing the system off balance. For example, with excess Vata, there can be mental, nervous and digestive disorders, including low energy and weakening of all body tissues.
5 Types Of Vata Dosha
- Prana Vata – Governs inhalation, perception through the senses and governs the mind. Located in the brain, head, throat, heart and respiratory organs.
- Udana Vata – Governs speech, self-expression, effort, enthusiasm, strength and vitality. Located in the navel, lungs and throat.
- Samana Vata – Governs peristaltic movement of the digestive system. Located in the stomach and small intestines.
- Apana Vata – Governs all downward impulses (urination, elimination, menstruation, sexual discharges etc.) Located between the navel and the anus.
- Vyana Vata – Governs circulation, heart rhythm, locomotion. Centred in the heart and permeates through the whole body.
Vata Rules
- Prana Vata: The senses, creative thinking, reasoning, enthusiasm, leader of all 15 categories of Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
- Udana Vata: Quality of voice, memory, movements of thought.
- Samana Vata: Movement of food through digestive tract.
- Apana Vata: Elimination of wastes, sexual function, menstrual cycle.
- Vyana Vata: Blood flow, heart rhythm, perspiration, sense of touch.
Vata Imbalance
- Prana Vata: Worries, overactive mind, sleep problems, difficulty breathing.
- Udana Vata: Dry coughs, sore throats, earaches, general fatigue.
- Samana Vata: Slow or rapid digestion, gas, intestinal cramps, poor assimilation, weak tissues.
- Apana Vata: Intestinal cramps, menstrual problems, lower back pain, irregularity, diarrhea, constipation, gas.
- Vyana Vata: Dry or rough skin, nervousness, shakiness, poor blood flow, stress-related problems.
Vata dosha symptoms
When Vata is out of balance in the body, one must suffer from joint problems and body pain. An imbalanced Vata results in hypertension, insomnia, cramps in the body or muscles and issues with digestive system.
Gradually, a person’s personality also changes and emotionally, the person becomes restless and is always agitated. With disturbed sleep, the mind is always irritated and not at peace.
Below are some of the known symptoms of Vata Dosha:
- Nervousness and anxiety
- Panic, fear and restlessness
- Dry skin
- Constipation, gas, and all kinds of digestive-system realted disorders
- Low body weight
- Irritation for loud noises
- Interrupted or disturbed sleep
- Unwanted and excess thinking
Vata Dosha Diet
People with Vata can easily forget to eat at scheduled time, which can affect their digestive system even more. Which may further induce sleep disorders.
The most important rule to pacify Vata Dosha is to eat hot food at regular intervals. In Ayurveda, Vata Dosha is balanced by freshly cooked meals which are consumed while it is warm.
Vata Dosha – Fruits To Eat:
- 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
Vata Dosha – Fruits To Avoid:
- Apples (raw)
- Cranberries
- Dates (dry)
- Figs (dry)
- Pears
- Pomegranate
- Raisins (dry)
- Prunes (dry)
- Watermelon
Vata Dosha – Vegetables To Eat:
- Asparagus
- Beets
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Cilantro
- Cucumber
- Radish
- Fennel
- Garlic
- Green beans
- Green chilies
- Leafy greens
- Leeks
- Lettuce
- Mustard greens
- Okra
- Olives, black
- Onions (cooked)
- Parsley
- Parsnip
- Peas (cooked)
- Potatoes, sweet
- Pumpkin
- Radishes (cooked)
- Rutabaga
- Spaghetti squash
- Spinach
Vata Dosha – Vegetables To Avoid:
- Artichoke
- Beet greens
- Bitter melon
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Burdock root
- Cabbage (raw)
- Cauliflower (raw)
- Celery
- Corn (fresh)
- Dandelion greens
- Eggplant
- Kale
- Kohlrabi
- Green Olives
- Onions, raw
- Peppers
- Potatoes
- Pear fruit
- Radish (raw)
- Tomatoes (cooked)
- Turnips
- Wheat grass sprouts
People having Vata Dosha must eat Ghee. Ghee for Vata Dosha is an excellent remedy. Ghee with Himalayan Rock Salt is the best remedy for Vata Dosha.
They must also eat Wheat, all kinds of Rice, Barley, Corn, Millet, and Buckwheat. For Pulses, they can eat mung beans, split whole mung beans, red lentils, yellow mung daal.
They must also include all kinds of dairy products in their diet – Cheese, Paneer and Ghee.
However, they must avoid foods with honey cooked in them and peanuts.