The Ancient Science of Digestion: Understanding the Causes of Imbalance

Vata individuals tend to have a weaker digestive fire, known as Agni, which can lead to issues such as bloating, gas, and constipation. They may also experience dryness in the digestive tract, leading to difficulty in digesting dry or raw foods. To balance Vata digestion, it is important to consume warm, cooked foods and to avoid cold, raw, or dry foods. Herbs and spices such as ginger, cumin, and turmeric can also be helpful in stimulating Agni and supporting digestion.

Pitta individuals have a strong Agni, which can lead to issues such as acid reflux, heartburn, burping and indigestion. They may also experience heat in the digestive tract, leading to difficulty in digesting spicy or oily foods. To balance Pitta digestion, it is important to consume cooling foods such as cucumbers, melons, and mint. Herbs and spices such as fennel, coriander, and licorice can also be helpful in reducing heat and supporting digestion.

Kapha individuals tend to have a sluggish Agni, which can lead to issues such as weight gain, fatigue, congestion, and slow digestion. They may also experience dampness in the digestive tract, leading to difficulty in digesting sweet or heavy foods. To balance Kapha digestion, it is important to consume light, dry, and warm foods and to avoid heavy, sweet, or cold foods. Herbs and spices such as ginger, cumin, and black pepper can also be helpful in stimulating Agni and supporting digestion.

Overall, in Ayurveda, maintaining a balanced digestion is seen as crucial for overall health and well-being. It is important to understand the unique digestive needs of each dosha, and to make dietary and lifestyle choices that support optimal digestion. Regular use of herbs and spices can also be beneficial in supporting Agni and digestion.

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 digestion, and certain herbs can be more beneficial for each one.

Vata individuals tend to have a weaker digestive fire, known as Agni, and need herbs that stimulate Agni thereby supporting optimal digestion.

Elim 1: a blend of three fruits (amla, haritaki, and bibhitaki) along with slippery elm, licorice and a microdose of psyllium husk. This helps to tone the bowel while combating dryness and sluggish elimination that is commonly seen in Vata imbalances.
Gentle Digest: a blend of five herbs (ginger, cumin, fennel, coriander, and cardamom) that balance Vata and help to relieve gas and bloating and improve digestion.
Slippery Elm Prebiotic Formula: a blend of rough cut vata-balancing soluble fibers (slippery elm, licorice and marshmallow root) to sooth the lining of the entire digestive tract while boosting beneficial gut bacteria.

Pitta individuals tend to have a strong digestive fire, known as Agni, and need herbs that reduce the heat of that Agni in order to support optimal digestion.

Neem Boost: a combination of neem leaves and amalaki that balances pitta in the digestive tract while breaking up unwanted biofilm in the intestinal tract that can lead to abdominal belly fat.
Cool Digest: helps to cool and soothe the digestive tract, reducing pitta-related indigestion and discomfort and bloat.
Leaky Gut Support: helps to improve digestion and relieve pitta-related loose stools and occasional diarrhea.

Kapha individuals tend to have a sluggish digestive fire, known as Agni, and need herbs that stimulate Agni thereby supporting optimal digestion.

Manjistha: helps to reduce Kapha-related congestion by supporting the lymphatic system’s ability to remove waste.
Warm Digest: helps to warm and stimulate the digestive system, reducing congestion and sluggishness.
Turmeric Plus: helps to improve digestion and reduce Kapha-related stagnation in the gut.
Triphala: a blend of three fruits (amla, haritaki, and bibhitaki) that supports complete bowel elimination while cleansing and toning the digestive tract.

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:

Dr John’s Guide to Taking Herbs

Dinacharya (Ayurvedic Daily Routine)

Dinacharya, or daily routine, is an important aspect of Ayurvedic medicine and can greatly support digestion. Some practices that can support digestion include:

Waking up early: Rising early and starting the day with a sense of freshness can help regulate the digestive system and improve appetite.
Jihwa Prakshalana (tongue scraping): Scraping the tongue can remove bacteria and toxins from the tongue, which can improve digestion and taste.
Drinking warm water: Drinking warm water first thing in the morning can help stimulate digestion and flush out toxins. 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 help stimulate immunity and the digestive system. 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 help stimulate digestion and improve overall health. 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 that the digestive system is functioning properly.
Avoiding eating late at night: Eating late at night can disrupt the body’s natural rhythms and negatively impact digestion.
Avoiding eating in front of the TV or computer: Eating while distracted can lead to overeating and poor digestion.
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 digestion.

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 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.