Diarrhoea and Digestive Health: Balancing Your Doshas with Ayurveda

Connecting the Dots Between Doshas and Digestive Health

The principle of Tridosha in Ayurveda explains that the three doshas- vata, pitta and kapha- are the primary energy/ vital forms of energy responsible for every process in our body.

Each dosha has its essential functions, where pitta is the principal dosha responsible for digestion and the associated energy utilisation by the body. It is also important to note that weakened Agni/ lowered digestive fire is the root cause of the disease. Pitta dosha is connected to Agni, the key to unlocking good health.

Let's explore how these three doshas are interlinked to balance your gut health!

Vata Dosha and Digestion: Identifying Apana Vayu, The Silent Culprit

All three doshas-vata, pitta and kapha, are essential to maintaining digestive health.

So why is vata still considered the culprit in forming loose stools when pitta is the dosha mainly involved in digestion and metabolism?

Among the subtypes of Vata Dosha/ the energy of movement, Apana vayu is responsible for carrying out all types of downward movement, especially the elimination of stools.

But how is vata / Apana vayu related to your digestion? 

Apana vata/Apana vayu is a sub-type of vata dosha located in the lower abdominal and pelvic area. Apana vayu is responsible for carrying out functions like:

• Defecation
• Urination
• Menstruation
• Ovulation
• Ejaculation
• Childbirth

So what happens when apana vayu is imbalanced? When apana vata is balanced, you experience a regular healthy elimination pattern- be that of stool, urine, and menstrual blood. But when the apana vayu gets out of balance, you start to experience various abdominal discomforts like:

• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Gas troubles
• Irregular bowel movements
• Bloating
• Abdominal fullness
• Abdominal cramps

Balancing Your Vata for Better Digestion: Know How to Get it Done with Ayurveda.

Balancing vata dosha involves adapting diet and lifestyle modifications that act opposite to the properties of vata dosha. 

While adopting strategies for a balanced vata dosha, the fundamental principle of intake of food and lifestyle practices with the same quality as a dosha will tend to aggravate that. 

• This happens when a vata (dry) person indulges in a vata aggravating diet (dry); that person's tissues will become even more dehydrated. 
   
• Opposite qualities tend to be balanced, just like a person with a pitta (hot) dominant psychosomatic constitution indulges in diet and lifestyle practices that cool down their body. 

This fundamental principle can help you select foods that balance your unique constitution. An imbalance of apana vayu causes a condition called grahani - characterised by the formation of loose stools, leaving your body tired and undernourished.

• Therefore, choosing a diet for balancing vata involves unctuous, nourishing and hydrating foods. 
   
• A nutritious diet does not mean it should be fatty but should have enough healthy fats with carbohydrates, proteins and other essential nutrients in moderation.

Discovering the Ayurvedic Digestive Health Supporters

To maintain a balanced vata dosha in your body, the first and foremost step to be adopted is to avoid indulging in trigger foods of vata. Vata-trigger foods mainly involve foods that are cold, dry and dehydrating.

Well-known vata pacifying Ayurveda herbs include herbs like:

• Ashwagandha 
• Brahmi 
• Shatavari 
• Licorice 
• Amala 
• Haritaki

Apart from these herbs, preparing herbal teas by blending them can help you pacify your vata instantly.

Tulsi-Cardamom Tea 

It can instantly pacify the aggravated vata by relieving abdominal discomforts.

Recipe: Boil 3-4 cardamom pods, ¾ teaspoon of grated ginger and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon powder cinnamon in 1.5 cups of water for 8-10 minutes. Add one tablespoon of tulsiand, turn off the heat, and let it sit for 1-2 mins. Serve it hot.

Ginger-Lemon Tea 

It can provide instant relief from diarrhoea attacks and associated dehydration.

Recipe: Boil ¾ grated ginger in one cup of water. Add ½ tablespoon of tea powder and boil it for 1-2 minutes. Please turn off the fire and serve it hot with a dash of lemon.

Fix Your Diet and Lifestyle Practices with Ayurveda

Know What You Eat

Choosing a vata-friendly diet involves hot, buttery, nourishing, hydrating and nutrient-rich foods.

• Fruits like ripe bananas, berries, cherries, grapes, lemons and kiwi.
   
• Vegetables like avocado, beet, carrots, cooked cucumber, garlic and green beans.
   
• Grains like oats, cooked pancakes, quinoa, rice (all types), seitan, sprouted grains, and wheat.
   
• Dairy products like butter, buttermilk, cheese, cottage cheese, cow's milk, almond milk, rice milk, and oat milk (if you are lactose tolerant).
   
• Seeds like pumpkin seeds, peanuts, walnuts, pistachios, and sunflower seeds.

Live Your Life the Way That Makes Your Gut Happy!

Lifestyle practices that contribute to improved digestion include incorporating routines like:

• Stress reduction
• Exercises like yoga and meditation
• Mindful eating

Stress reduction practices include yoga, meditation and practising mindfulness. Stress can affect your gut health as it adversely affects the gut-brain connection. Therefore, stress reduction and management have an essential role to play in improving digestive health. In addition, mindful eating helps you to make healthy food choices and enhance eating practices.

The Ayurvedic Approach to Unlocking a Healthy Gut

Ayurveda addresses digestive disorders through a personalised approach. The basic principle involved in using herbal remedies, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle changes to address loose stools and other digestive issues is analysing the psychosomatic constitution of an individual and assessing the level of Dosha involvement in balancing their digestive health. Ayurveda does not encourage a one-for-all approach. Instead, management strategies are planned precisely by taking a look into an individual's dosha constitution.

Conclusion

Ayurveda emphasises the importance of balancing doshas for optimal digestive health, as balanced dosha is the foundation for developing a happy and healthy gut. 

Exploring Ayurvedic practices as a way of living can help you build a healthier and flexible lifestyle. Get connected to our Nirva health experts now for personalised guidance.