In This Article
Heart health is an important aspect of overall well-being and longevity. In Ayurveda, heart health is closely linked to the balance of the three doshas, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each dosha has a unique influence on heart health, and understanding how the doshas affect this health concern can help to maintain balance and improve overall well-being.
Vata individuals tend to have a more sensitive nervous system and a delicate metabolism, which can lead to issues such as high blood pressure and heart problems. They may also experience stress, worry, and dryness in the body, leading to difficulty in maintaining a healthy heart. To support Vata heart health, it is important to consume warm, cooked foods and to avoid cold, raw, or dry foods. Herbs such as amalaki, ginger, turmeric, and fenugreek can also be helpful in regulating blood pressure and reducing inflammation.
Pitta individuals have a strong metabolism, which can lead to issues such as overheating, irritability, and heart problems. They may also experience heat in the body, leading to difficulty in maintaining a healthy heart. To support Pitta heart health, it is important to consume cooling foods such as cucumbers, melons, and mint. Herbs such as brahmi (gotu kola), licorice, coriander, and fennel can also be helpful in reducing heat and promoting heart health.
Kapha individuals tend to have a sluggish metabolism, which can lead to issues such as obesity, high cholesterol, and heart problems. They may also experience dampness in the body, leading to difficulty in maintaining a healthy heart. To support Kapha heart health, it is important to consume light, dry, and warm foods and to avoid heavy, sweet, or cold foods. Herbs such as turmeric, ginger, cumin, and black pepper can also be helpful in stimulating metabolism and reducing inflammation.
Overall, in Ayurveda, maintaining a healthy heart is seen as crucial for overall health and well-being. It is important to understand the unique heart health needs of each dosha, and to make dietary and lifestyle choices that support optimal heart health. Regular use of herbs can also be beneficial in regulating blood pressure and reducing inflammation.
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 heart health, and certain herbs can be more beneficial for each one.
Vata individuals are prone to anxiety and stress, which can negatively impact heart health. They benefit from herbs that help to calm their nervous system and reduce stress levels.
- Amalaki: an antioxidant berry rich in vitamin C that balances all three doshas and is well studied to support heart and cardiovascular health.
- Guggul Lean: an Ayurvedic herbal formula (with guggul, arjuna, turmeric and more) designed to support heart and cardiovascular health.
- Turmeric Plus: supports healthy cardiovascular circulation and a normal inflammation response when stressed.
- Happy Caps: a combination of Ayurvedic adaptogenic herbs that combat fatigue and worry due to stress.
Pitta individuals are prone to overheating and inflammation, which can also negatively impact heart health. They benefit from cooling herbs that help to regulate their internal heat.
- Brahmi-Brain: a cooling herb that supports healthy circulation, lymphatic drainage, and protection against stress.
- Bacopa Boost: a powerful herb that helps the body resist the harmful effects of stress.
- Manjistha: a blend of Ayurveda’s primary lymphatic circulation herbs that also support liver health and blood cleansing.
- Liver Repair: a blend of bitter roots that support liver function and blood detoxification.
- Amalaki: an antioxidant berry rich in vitamin C that balances all three doshas and is well studied to support heart and cardiovascular health.
Kapha individuals are prone to sluggishness and lack of movement, which can lead to weight gain and other heart health issues. They benefit from warming herbs that help to stimulate their metabolism.
- Turmeric Plus: supports healthy cardiovascular circulation and a normal inflammation response when stressed.
- Guggul Lean: an Ayurvedic herbal formula (with guggul, arjuna, turmeric and more) designed to support heart and cardiovascular health.
- Manjistha: a blend of Ayurveda’s primary lymphatic circulation herbs that also support liver health and blood cleansing.
- Liver Repair: a blend of bitter roots that support liver function and blood detoxification.
- Amalaki: an antioxidant berry rich in vitamin C that balances all three doshas and is well studied to support heart and cardiovascular health.
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 and can greatly support heart health. The following practices can help improve overall heart health:
- Waking up early: Rising early and starting the day with a sense of freshness can help regulate the body’s natural rhythm and reduce stress, both of which are important for heart health.
- Jihwa Prakshalana (tongue scraping): Scraping the tongue can remove bacteria and toxins from the tongue, which can improve oral health and heart health.
- Drinking warm water: Drinking warm water first thing in the morning can flush out toxins and improve circulation, which is important for heart health. 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 which in turn promotes optimal heart health. 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 all of which are important for heart health. 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 reduce stress and improve overall health, including heart 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, which is important for heart health. 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 provide all necessary nutrients for the body and improve overall health, including heart health.
- Avoiding eating late at night: Eating late at night can disrupt the body’s natural rhythms and negatively impact digestion, which can be detrimental to heart health.
- Avoiding eating in front of the TV or computer: Eating while distracted can lead to overeating and poor digestion, both of which can negatively impact heart health.
- 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 heart health.
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, frailty, 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, heart stress 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, poor circulation, 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 heart health:
- Perfecting Digestion: Gateway to Emotional Freedom (eCourse)
- Digestive Troubleshooting Guide (free eBook)
- Digestible Guide to Gut Health (free eBook)
- Short Home Cleanse (free eBook)
Getting Started
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Lifestyle of a Healthy Heart: Lower Your Apolipoprotein B
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