Ayurveda Food as a Medicine at Veda5

Ayurveda has a unique way of classifying humans, which is used in the clinical management of health and disease. Humans are classified into three fundamental types of constitution or prakriti, called vata, pitta, and kapha based on their anatomical, physiological, and psychological characteristics. According to Ayurveda, prakriti of a person is determined at the time of conception and does not change until death.

Ahara is one of the three pillars of life according to Ayurveda. The other two being sleep and regulated sexual life. The classical texts of Ayurveda include detailed descriptions of food and beverage, food classification based on their taste, therapeutic qualities, different incompatibilities of food based on their tastes, processing, dosage, time, place, etc., prescriptions of consumption, food qualities and intake based on the digestive ability of an individual. Primary classification of food is based on its appropriateness to body and mental constitution based on the five elements and the tridosa theories. Five elements combine and dissociate in the natural transformation of any material, living or non-living.

One of the ways of food classification in Ayurveda is based on rasa. There are six major tastes according to Ayurveda, viz., sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. There are primary and secondary qualities (guna) that increase the properties of a material. This is further augmented by potency (virya), post digestive effect (vipaka), and therapeutic action (karma).

An individual’s prakriti is another important determinant of the effect of food on the system. Prakriti of an individual is characterized by a set of physical, physiological, and psychological attributes. For example, based on taste preference, individuals can be grouped as vata (having affinity for sweet, sour, and salty tastes); pitta (with liking for sweet, bitter, and astringent taste), and kapha (for pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes). Whereas these tastes mitigate any negative effects of the inherited constitution, usage of tastes in the reverse order can cause imbalance in the body. For example, if a vata constitution person continuously consumes pungent, bitter, and astringent tasting materials, it could lead to rapid aging and degeneration of the body.

Every prakriti have their own recommendations of tastes (Rasa) and food choices to maintain their health . At Veda 5 you will get your personalized food according to your prakriti .You will get knowledge what are the eating rules to get optimum physical and psychological health in this modern world and how to have food as a medicine to eliminate diseases causing agents.

Dr Shuchita Singh BAMS, MD

World Class Ayurveda & Yoga Retreats

Veda5 Ayurveda & Yoga retreats are located in Rishikesh and Goa. The wellness retreats are run by highly-experienced doctors and offer authentic treatments and customized care for each guest. Veda5 Yoga and Meditation retreats are led by experts and the sessions range from gentle to vigorous to stretch, strengthen, balance and improve the body and mind.

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