In This Article
Brain health is a crucial aspect of overall health and well-being. In Ayurveda, the brain is closely linked to the balance of the three doshas, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each dosha has a unique influence on brain function, and understanding how the doshas affect brain health can help to maintain balance and improve overall well-being.
Vata individuals have a quick mind and are highly sensitive. They tend to have a more delicate brain function, which can lead to issues such as anxiety, restlessness, and memory loss. They may also experience dryness in the body, leading to difficulty in maintaining a healthy brain function. To support Vata brain health, it is important to consume warm, cooked foods and to avoid cold, raw, or dry foods. Herbs such as ashwagandha, bacopa monnieri, licorice, and turmeric can also be helpful in stimulating brain function and reducing anxiety.
Pitta individuals have a strong brain function, which can lead to issues such as overheating, irritability, and insomnia with overwork. They may also experience heat in the body, leading to difficulty in maintaining a healthy brain function. To support Pitta brain health, it is important to consume cooling foods such as cucumbers, melons, and mint. Herbs such as neem, brahmi (gotu kola), licorice, coriander, and fennel can also be helpful in reducing heat and promoting brain function.
Kapha individuals tend to have a sluggish brain function, which can lead to issues such as weight gain, fatigue, and slow digestion. They may also experience dampness in the body, leading to difficulty in maintaining a healthy brain function. To support Kapha brain health, it is important to consume light, dry, and warm foods and to avoid heavy, sweet, or cold foods. Herbs such as turmeric, ashwagandha, bacopa monnieri, ginger, cumin, and black pepper can also be helpful in stimulating brain function and reducing fatigue.
Overall, in Ayurveda, maintaining a healthy brain function is seen as crucial for overall health and well-being. It is important to understand the unique brain health needs of each dosha, and to make dietary and lifestyle choices that support optimal brain function. Regular use of herbs can also be beneficial in supporting brain health and reducing anxiety.
Herbal Supplementation
Herbs play a crucial role in Ayurvedic medicine, as they possess unique healing properties that can be used to address a wide range of health issues and bring balance to the doshas. Each dosha has unique needs when it comes to supporting brain function, and certain herbs can be more beneficial for each one.
Vata individuals often experience fluctuations in their brain function and may benefit from herbs that balance their nervous system and stabilize their mental energy.
- Ashwagandha: balances vata and kapha while supporting moods, focus, energy, and memory
- Tulsi Holy Basil: balances vata and kapha as a nervous system tonic for memory, focus, and stress.
- Happy Caps: a combination of Ayurvedic adaptogenic herbs that combat stress while supporting mood, memory, and the experience of joy.
Pitta individuals tend to have a sharp mind but may benefit from cooling herbs that regulate their internal heat and calm their fiery nature.
- Amalaki: a cooling herb that supports the body’s natural free radical scavengers while protecting the brain from oxidative stress.
- Bacopa Boost: a brain derived neurotrophic factor that supports cognitive function, mood, memory, and mental focus.
- Brahmi-Brain: a cooling herb that boosts cognitive function, mood, memory, and brain lymph detoxification.
Kapha individuals often struggle with slow, sluggish brain function and may benefit from warming, invigorating herbs that stimulate their metabolism and improve mental energy.
- Turmeric Plus: helps to thin mucus and detoxify the liver, lymph, and brain lymphatics.
- Ashwagandha: balances vata and kapha and supports moods, focus, energy, and memory
- Tulsi Holy Basil: balances vata and kapha as a nervous system tonic for memory, focus, and stress.
- Happy Caps: a combination of Ayurvedic adaptogenic herbs that combat stress while supporting mood, memory, and the experience of joy.
If you are new to taking Ayurvedic herbs or supplements, we highly recommend downloading this short free ebook to set you out on the right track from the get-go:
Dinacharya (Ayurvedic Daily Routine)
Dinacharya, or daily routine, is an important aspect of Ayurvedic medicine for brain health. Some practices that can support brain health include:
- Waking up early: Rising early and starting the day with a sense of freshness can help regulate sleep cycles and improve cognitive function.
- Jihwa Prakshalana (tongue scraping): Scraping the tongue can remove bacteria and toxins from the tongue, which can promote overall brain health.
- Drinking warm water: Drinking warm water first thing in the morning can hydrate the brain and improve mental clarity. Option: add juice of ¼ lemon.
- Gandusha (oil pulling): In the shower, swish oil around the mouth for 10-15 minutes to support a healthy mouth microbiome and protect against undesirable bacteria and gum issues. We recommend using LifeSpa’s Swish Oil Pulling Therapy.
- Nasya (nose oiling) and Karna Purana (ear oiling): In the shower, add a few drops of LifeSpa’s Nasya Oil in the nose and ears. This is an easy way to keep the sinuses, eustachian tube, and cervical lymph lubricated, clear, healthy, and functional.
- Abhyanga (self-massage): Applying warm oil to the body while showering or before bathing can calm Vata, fight stress, improve circulation, and support brain function. We recommend using LifeSpa’s Tri-doshic Massage Oil or Lymphatic Massage Oil.
- Grounding practices: Practicing yoga, pranayama (breathing), meditation, or other forms of exercise in the morning before starting your day can improve blood flow to the brain and boost cognitive function. Practice my One Minute Meditation up to ten times per day to help cope with stress, anxiety and depression.
- Eating at regular intervals: Eating at regular intervals can help regulate the digestive system and prevent overeating or undereating. Make breakfast and lunch the main meals of the day.
- Eating a balanced diet: Eating a diet that is balanced in terms of the six tastes (sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent) can help ensure that all the necessary nutrients are being consumed and provided to the brain.
- Avoiding eating late at night: Eating late at night can disrupt the body’s natural rhythms and negatively impact sleep patterns and brain health.
- Avoiding eating in front of the TV or computer: Eating while distracted can lead to overeating and poor digestion, affecting brain function.
- Get to bed early: Settle into bed early around 9:30 PM so you are asleep by 10 PM.
In Ayurveda, the daily routine, known as Dinacharya, is considered a crucial aspect for leading a fulfilling life, which is why I created the 28-Day Ayurveda Challenge. Each day in this eCourse, you will learn a new challenge to incorporate into your daily routine that relieves stress, promotes health, and quiets the mind. By the end of the Ayurveda Challenge, you will have effortlessly incorporated a daily routine that lasts for 20-30 minutes, and it will be simple, enjoyable, and impactful. You will soon experience feelings of calmness, focus, and increased energy. This daily routine will not be seen as a chore, but rather a means of reward, as the benefits far outweigh the small time investment.
Nutrition
According to Ayurveda, each dosha has specific dietary needs and practices that support brain function.
For Vata dosha individuals, it is important to consume warm, cooked foods that are easy to digest, such as soups and stews. Spicy, cold and dry foods should be avoided, as they can aggravate Vata. It is also beneficial to include foods that are high in healthy fats, such as cultured ghee olive oil and avocado, to help lubricate the digestive tract. It is recommended to eat at regular times and to chew food well. Although it is important for everyone to eat seasonally all the time, it is especially important for Vata individuals to eat seasonally during the Fall and Winter seasons when Vata individuals are at greater risk of accumulating an excess of Vata that can lead to fatigue, weak immunity, and poor sleep.
We recommend downloading our Winter Grocery List for examples of what to eat as a Vata during this season. For Vata body types during the winter months, it is especially important they follow these Vata-balancing dietary rules:
- Reduce foods that are pungent, bitter, and astringent or have a cold, dry, and light quality.
- Increase foods that are sweet, sour, and salty or have a heavy, oily, and hot quality.
For Pitta dosha individuals, it is important to consume cooling foods such as fruits and vegetables. Spicy and sour foods should be avoided, as they can aggravate Pitta. It is also beneficial to include foods that are high in healthy fats, such as cultured ghee, coconut oil and flaxseeds, to help cool the digestive fire. It is recommended to eat at regular times and to chew food well. Although it is important for everyone to eat seasonally all the time, it is especially important for Pitta individuals to eat seasonally during the Summer when Pitta individuals are at greater risk of accumulating an excess of Pitta that can lead to indigestion, irritability, and skin concerns.
We recommend downloading our Summer Grocery List for examples of what to eat as a Pitta during this season. For Pitta body types during the summer months, it is especially important they follow these Pitta-balancing dietary rules:
- Reduce foods that are pungent, sour, and salty or have hot, dry, and light quality.
- Increase foods that are sweet, bitter, and astringent or have a heavy, oily, and cold quality.
For Kapha dosha individuals, it is important to consume warm, light and dry foods such as salads and steamed vegetables. Heavy and oily foods should be avoided, as they can aggravate Kapha. It is also beneficial to include foods that are high in fiber, such as fruits and vegetables, to help keep the digestive tract moving. It is recommended to eat at regular times and to chew food well. Although it is important for everyone to eat seasonally all the time, it is especially important for Kapha individuals to eat seasonally during the Spring when Kapha individuals are at greater risk of accumulating an excess of Kapha that can lead to fatigue, sadness, congestion, and heaviness.
We recommend downloading our Spring Grocery List for examples of what to eat as a Kapha during this season. For Kapha body types during the spring months, it is especially important they follow these Kapha-balancing dietary rules:
- Reduce foods that are sweet, sour, and salty or have heavy, oily, and cold quality.
- Increase foods that are pungent, bitter, and astringent or have a light, dry, and hot quality.
It is important to note that these are general recommendations and it is always best to consult with an Ayurvedic practitioner to determine the best dietary plan for your individual needs.
As humans have advanced, we have grown more and more disconnected from the natural cycles and circadian rhythms which leaves many of us scratching our heads when we’re asked to eat seasonally. To help us reconnect with these rhythms, I created a free program that delivers seasonal guidance and recipes every month directly to your inbox. I call it the 3 Season Diet Guide, I highly encourage you to check it out. New research suggests that our gut microbes are meant to change seasonally with the foods we eat. Seasonal microbes optimize digestion, mood, and immunity, the way nature intended!
Cleansing
Cleansing plays a crucial role in Ayurveda as it is aimed at purifying the body and restoring balance to its natural systems. At times, the imbalances in our doshas can become so severe that regular dietary changes, herbal remedies, and lifestyle practices are not sufficient to bring us back into balance. In such cases, a more comprehensive detoxification program, known as a cleanse, may be necessary. Cleansing can correct doshic imbalances that are negatively affecting our physical and emotional health, thereby enhancing our overall well-being. These cleanses can be performed seasonally, in Spring and Fall, or as needed to support the body’s natural cleansing processes. LifeSpa offers a wide variety of cleansing options to fit your unique needs, discover the perfect cleanse for you here.
Further Education
Expand your knowledge by exploring these comprehensive ebooks and engaging online courses related to brain health:
- The Miracle of Lymph: How and Why to Detox Your Lymphatic System (free eBook)
- Short Home Cleanse (free eBook)
Getting Started
Your Brain on Ashwagandha: 10 Reasons Your Mind and Mood Will Benefit
Mood, Memory + Brain Fog: Cleanse Your Brain’s Glymphatic System with Ayurveda
Support Mood + Memory with Ayurvedic Herbs Brahmi + Bacopa
Is the Wrong Diet Shrinking Your brain? 4 Nootropic Supplements to Boost BDNF Naturally
Ayurveda and Brain Fog: Fight Forgetfulness and Fogginess with Bacopa
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