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Sheeta is the property responsible for the reduction of temperature of matter in Ayurvedic science.3
Sheeta attribute is primarily linked to two elements:
When a substance is described as having a cooling attribute (sheeta guna), it is understood to contain high quantities of water and air elements.
Substances with cold attributes:
Cold Foods/Substances Should Be Given To Individuals Suffering From:
Primary Source: Acharya Balkrishna's A Practical Approach To The Science of Ayurveda: A Comprehensive Guide for Healthy Living.
Emesis refers to the therapeutic expulsion of malas (waste products) or doshas through the oral route via controlled vomiting. In Ayurvedic detoxification (Panchkarma), emetic substances are used to induce vomiting for cleansing the abdomen of toxins.
Objective: To aggravate and liquefy Kapha in the body
Ingredients:
Method:
Substance Selection Based on Dosha:
Common Emetic Substances:
Dosage of Decoction:
Method:
These signs typically occur in quick succession:
Note: In cases of Kapha aggravation with these conditions, mild emesis may be considered, except in strictly prohibited cases.
In these cases, emesis can be performed without preparatory procedures:
Primary Source: Acharya Balkrishna: A Practical Approach to The Science of Ayurveda - A Comprehensive Guide for Healthy Living - Chapter - Treatment Methods
Mrudu is the property responsible for the softness or fragility of matter in Ayurvedic science. This attribute is often found in substances which also have heavy attribute.1
Mrudu attribute is primarily linked to one element:
When a substance is described as having a soft attribute (mrudu guna), it is understood to contain high quantities of space element.
Substances with soft attributes are:
Primary Source: Acharya Balkrishna's A Practical Approach To The Science of Ayurveda: A Comprehensive Guide for Healthy Living.
Manda is the property which results in slow or delayed action of the matter in Ayurvedic science.2
Manda attribute is primarily linked to two elements:
When a substance is described as having slow attribute (manda guna), it is understood to contain high quantity of water and earth elements - both of which have heavier molecular weight.
Substances with slow attributes:
Primary Source: Acharya Balkrishna's A Practical Approach To The Science of Ayurveda: A Comprehensive Guide for Healthy Living.
Ushna is the property responsible for increasing the temperature of matter in Ayurvedic science.3
Ushna attribute is primarily linked to one element:
When a substance is described as having a hot attribute (ushna guna), it is understood to contain high quantities of the fire element.
Substances with hot attributes:
Hot Foods/Substances Should Be Given To Individuals:
Primary Source: Acharya Balkrishna's A Practical Approach To The Science of Ayurveda: A Comprehensive Guide for Healthy Living.
Sthira is the property responsible for the stability of matter in Ayurvedic science.2
Guru attribute is primarily linked to one element:
When a substance is described as having a stable attribute (sthira guna), it is understood to contain high quantities of earth element.
Substances with stable attributes:
Properties:
Examples: Rejuvenating herbs
Manifestation in Kapha-dominant individuals:
Sources:
Primary Source: Acharya Balkrishna's A Practical Approach To The Science of Ayurveda: A Comprehensive Guide for Healthy Living.
Snigdha is the property responsible for the oiliness or unctuousness of matter in Ayurvedic science. It provides essential lubrication to the body, without which the body cannot function properly.3
Snigdha attribute is primarily linked to one element:
When a substance is described as having oily attribute (snigdha guna), it is understood to contain high quantity of water element.
Substances with oily attributes:
In Pitta-dominant individuals:
In Kapha-dominant individuals:
Oily Foods/Substances Should Be Given To Individuals:
Primary Source: Acharya Balkrishna's A Practical Approach To The Science of Ayurveda: A Comprehensive Guide for Healthy Living.
Unlike other Panchkarma therapies which aim to balance vitiated doshas, bloodletting is specifically performed for purifying the blood when symptoms of blood impurity are observed.
Bloodletting must be preceded by:
Important note: If the patient is undergoing any other Panchkarma procedures, these must be completed first before evaluating the need for bloodletting. Often, other procedures may eliminate the need for bloodletting altogether.
Bloodletting is prescribed for treating:
Bloodletting should NOT be performed in cases of:
Q: Should bloodletting be performed on a completely healthy person?
A: No, bloodletting is a therapeutic procedure intended only for treating specific conditions and is not recommended for individuals without symptoms or conditions that warrant this treatment.
Primary Source: School of Ayurveda and Panchkarma - Lectures and Notes
Laghu (light attribute) is the quality responsible for bringing lightness to the body. It plays a crucial role in weight management and reduction.2
Laghu attribute is primarily linked to three elements:
When a substance is described as having a light attribute (laghu guna), it is understood to contain high quantities of fire, air, and space elements.
Substances with light attributes are mala hara - they decrease both:
Primary Source: Acharya Balkrishna's A Practical Approach To The Science of Ayurveda: A Comprehensive Guide for Healthy Living.
Nasya refers to the therapeutic administration of medicines through the nasal route to expel malas (waste products) or doshas. This is achieved by pouring medicinal substances into the nostrils, effectively removing toxins accumulated throughout the head and neck region.
Treatment duration: Can be performed twice daily for 7 consecutive days
Nasya effectively treats Vata and Kapha-related conditions affecting:
| Type | Dosage | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Marsha Nasya | 6-10 drops per nostril | Large dose with quick results<br>- 6 drops: Heena matra (mild)<br>- 8 drops: Madhyama matra (medium)<br>- 10 drops: Uthama matra (strong) |
| Prati Marsha Nasya | 2 drops per nostril | Small dose<br>- Can be done after meals<br>- Not suitable in extreme cold, high doshic imbalance, or pregnancy |
| Type | Substance Used | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Nasya | Oil-based | Standard oil nasya |
| Avapeedaka Nasya | Plant juice | Ginger root juice |
| Pradhamana Nasya | Medicinal powders | Snuff powder |
| Dhuma Nasya | Medicated smoke | Turmeric smoke |
Nasya should not be performed in cases of:
Primary Source: School of Ayurveda and Panchkarma - Lectures and Notes
Purgation refers to the therapeutic expulsion of malas (waste products) or doshas through the anal route via controlled loose motions. This Ayurvedic cleansing procedure aims to clear the intestines and remove toxins accumulated in the middle part of the alimentary tract.1
Different substances are recommended based on body type (constitution):
Note: Dosage depends on the state of the alimentary tract, determined by recent bowel movement patterns.
Laxative selection is based on dosha dominance indicated by bowel patterns:
| Bowel Type | Dosha | Laxative Strength | Examples of Laxatives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft | Pitta dominant | Mild laxatives, low doses | Milk, water, oil, grapes |
| Moderate | Kapha dominant | Moderate strength | Indian jalap (Nisoth), Indian laburnum (Amaltas) |
| Hard | Vata dominant | Strong laxatives | Common milk hedge, purging nut (Jatropha curcas) |
Purgation should not be performed in cases of:
In these cases, purgation can be performed without preparatory procedures:
Primary Source: Acharya Balkrishna: A Practical Approach to The Science of Ayurveda - A Comprehensive Guide for Healthy Living - Chapter - Treatment Methods
Kathina is the property responsible for the hardness of matter in Ayurvedic science.1
Hard attribute is primarily linked to one element:
When a substance is described as having a hard attribute (kathina guna), it is understood to contain high quantities of earth element.
Substances with hard attributes:
Primary Source: Acharya Balkrishna's A Practical Approach To The Science of Ayurveda: A Comprehensive Guide for Healthy Living.
Sara is the property responsible for the movement of matter in Ayurvedic science.2
Sara attribute is primarily linked to one element:
When a substance is described as having a mobile attribute (sara guna), it is understood to contain high quantities of water element.
Substances with mobile attributes:
Properties:
Examples: Non-satiating substances, most alcohols and poisons have this property
Sources:
Primary Source: Acharya Balkrishna's A Practical Approach To The Science of Ayurveda: A Comprehensive Guide for Healthy Living.
Guru is the property responsible for the heaviness of matter in Ayurvedic science.2
Guru attribute is primarily linked to two elements:
When a substance is described as having a heavy attribute (guru guna), it is understood to contain high quantities of earth and water elements.
Substances with heavy attributes are mala vardhana - they increase both:
Black Gram and similar dense foods
Primary Source: Acharya Balkrishna's A Practical Approach To The Science of Ayurveda: A Comprehensive Guide for Healthy Living.
Ruksha is the property responsible for dryness of matter in Ayurvedic science. It neutralizes the snigdha guna (oiliness) present in the body.3
Ruksha attribute is primarily linked to one element:
When a substance is described as having dry attribute (ruksha guna), it is understood to contain high quantity of air element.
Substances with dry attributes:
Dry Foods/Substances Should Be Given To Individuals:
Primary Source: Acharya Balkrishna's A Practical Approach To The Science of Ayurveda: A Comprehensive Guide for Healthy Living.
Vishada is the property responsible for the clarity of matter in Ayurvedic science.2
Substances with clear attributes are mala shodhana:
Properties:
Examples: Margosa (Neem)
Primary Source: Acharya Balkrishna's A Practical Approach To The Science of Ayurveda: A Comprehensive Guide for Healthy Living.