Dry

Understanding Ruksha (Dryness) in Ayurveda

Ruksha is the Ayurvedic property of dryness primarily associated with the Air element. It increases Vata while decreasing Pitta and Kapha doshas. Dry substances enhance digestion, promote absorption, and reduce fat tissue, making them valuable for treating obesity, edema, and water retention. Typically pungent, bitter, or astringent in taste with pungent post-digestive effect, ruksha substances can slow waste elimination and may increase nervousness when excessive. They possess non-nourishing and movement-stopping properties. Regular oil application helps balance this property in the body.

🌟 Definition

Ruksha is the property responsible for dryness of matter in Ayurvedic science. It neutralizes the snigdha guna (oiliness) present in the body.³

🌬️ Elemental Association³

Ruksha attribute is primarily linked to one element:

• Air (Vayu)

When a substance is described as having dry attribute (ruksha guna), it is understood to contain high quantity of air element.

🔄 Relationship with Dosha¹

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

💩 Effect on Malas (Waste Products)³

Substances with dry attributes:

• Reduces the movement of the malas (waste products) in the body

🌡️ Taste Associations³

• Rasa (Taste): Pungent, Bitter and Astringent
• Vipaka (Post-digestive taste): Pungent Vipaka

✨ Key Properties

• Enhances digestive fire (Agni)
• Increases dryness and absorption capacity in tissues
• May increase nervousness and anxiety
• Can create constipation when excessive
• Requires balance - needs to be controlled through practices like daily oil application (abhyanga)³
• Reduces the strength of body tissues (dhatus)³
• Weight management - helps reduce excess Meda dhatu (fat tissue), making it useful for treating obesity³
• Therapeutic for fluid conditions - helps treat edema, swelling, and water retention
• Ama pacification - assists in digestion of ama³ (undigested toxic substances)
• Helps manage diarrhea, vomiting, and excessive bleeding³

🌿 Examples

• Barley

💊 Pharmacological Properties³

• Avrishya - non-nourishing, reduces libido and reproductive tissue
• Sthambhana - capable of stopping excessive movement or discharge

🩺 Therapeutic Applications²

Dry Foods/Substances Should Be Given To Individuals:

• With Kapha aggravation
• With high body fat
• Suffering from ulcers
• With excessive body moisture

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 403