Cold

Understanding Sheeta (Cooling Property) in Ayurveda

Sheeta is the Ayurvedic property of coldness associated with Water and Air elements. It increases Vata and Kapha while decreasing Pitta dosha. Cooling substances slow down bodily fluids, act as diuretics, reduce sweating, and possess hemostatic and anti-inflammatory properties. They provide a calming effect on both mind and body, strengthen tissues, and are therapeutically valuable for heat-related conditions, burning sensations, and excessive bodily movements. Common examples include sandalwood, mint, and vetiver. 

🌟 Definition

Sheeta is the property responsible for the reduction of temperature of matter in Ayurvedic science.³

💧 Elemental Association²

Sheeta attribute is primarily linked to two elements:

• Water (Jal)
• Air (Vayu)

When a substance is described as having a cooling attribute (sheeta guna), it is understood to contain high quantities of water and air elements.

🔄 Relationship with Dosha¹

• Increases: Vata and Kapha doshas ⬆️
• Decreases: Pitta dosha ⬇️

💦 Effect on Malas (Waste Products)³

Substances with cold attributes:

• Are diuretic (increase the urine output of the body)
• Reduce the production of the sweat

🌡️ Taste Associations³

• Rasa (Taste): Sweet, Bitter and Astringent
• Vipaka (Post-digestive taste): Sweet Vipaka
• Veerya (Potency): Cooling potency (sheeta veerya)

✨ Key Properties

• Slows down the movement of bodily fluids (blood, sweat, etc.)³
• Hemostatic - capable of stopping bleeding when applied to wounds
• Creates fear and can cause insensitivity
• Produces cooling sensation throughout the body
• Can create numbness and unconsciousness in extreme cases
• Provides a generally pleasant feeling³
• Anti-inflammatory - helps in managing inflammatory conditions
• Calming - soothes both mind and body (reason why sandalwood paste is applied on the forehead in temples)
• Strengthens dhatus (body tissues)
• Reduces excess movement in the body - useful in conditions like:
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Excessive bleeding

🌿 Examples

• Sandalwood
• Mint
• Vetiver
• Sarsaparilla
• Pinda taila

👤 Manifestation in Kapha-dominant Individuals

• Low appetite
• Reduced thirst
• Low perspiration
• Reduced feeling of heat

🩺 Therapeutic Applications²

Cold Foods/Substances Should Be Given To Individuals Suffering From:

• Heat-related conditions
• Alcoholism
• Burning sensations
• Poisoning
• Epileptic fits
• Sexual excess

References

Primary Source: Acharya Balkrishna's A Practical Approach To The Science of Ayurveda: A Comprehensive Guide for Healthy Living.

1. Ayurveda - The Science of Self-Healing - Dr Vasant D Lad - Pg 50
2. Sushruta Samhita - Pg 402
3. School of Ayurveda and Panchkarma - Lectures and Notes