The vata energy is composed of air and sky.Vata governs all movement in the mind and body.It controls blood flow,elimination of wastes,breathing and the movement of thoughts across the mind.
The five types of vata
Prana vata--- it resides in the mouth,head,ear,tongue,nose and chest
the function is it regulate breathing,sneezing and spitting.
Udana vata--- it resides in the throat and chest.it governs speech,mental attitudes,physical and mental strenght.
Samana vata---it resides in stomach and duodenum.it controls digestion and the
conversion of food in to waste products.
Vyana vata--- it resides every where in body but main seat is in heart.it is the most
powerful
vata in the body and controls the circulation of the blood.
Apana vata---- it resides in the colon,rectum,bladder and genitals organs.it governs
urination,defecation,menstruation.
Creativity, mental quickness |
Highly imaginative |
Quick to learn and grasp new knowledge, but also quick to forget |
Sexually easily excitable but quickly satiated |
Slenderness; lightest of the three body types |
Talk and walk quickly |
Tendency toward cold hands and feet, discomfort in cold climates |
Excitable, lively, fun personality |
Changeable moods |
Irregular daily routine |
Variable appetite and digestive efficiency |
High energy in short bursts; tendency to tire easily and to overexert |
Full of joy and enthusiasm when in balance |
Respond to stress with fear, worry, and anxiety, especially when out of balance |
Tendency to act on impulse |
Often have racing, disjointed thoughts |
Generally have dry skin and dry hair and don't perspire much |
Typical health problems include headaches, hypertension, dry coughs, sore throats, earaches, anxiety, irregular heart rhythms, muscle spasms, lower back pain, constipation, abdominal gas, diarrhea, nervous stomach, menstrual cramps, premature ejaculation and other sexual dys-functions, arthritis. Most neurological disorders are related to Vata imbalance. |
People of vata constitution are generally physically underdeveloped. Their chests are flat and their veins and muscle tendons are visible. The complexion is brown, the skin is cold, rough, dry and cracked.
Vata people generally are either too tall or too short, with thin frames which reveal prominent joints and bone-ends because of poor muscle development. The hair is curly and scanty, the eyelashes are thin and the eyes lusterless. The eyes may be sunken, small, dry, and active. The nails are rough and brittle. The shape of the nose is bent and turned-up.
Physiologically, the appetite and digestion are variable. Vata people loves sweet, sour and salty tastes and like hot drinks. The production of urine is scanty and the feces are dry, hard and small in quantity. They have a tendency to perspire less than other constitutional types. Their sleep may be disturbed and they will sleep less than the other types. Their hands and feet are often cold.
Psychologically, they are characterized by short memory but quick mental understanding. They will understand something immediately, but will soon forget it. They have little willpower, tend toward mental instability and possess little tolerance, confidence or boldness. Their reasoning power is weak and these people are nervous, fearful and afflicted by much anxiety.
Vata people tend to earn money quickly and also to spend it quickly. Thus, they tend to remain poor
Worried
Tired, yet can't relax, Fatigue, poor stamina
Nervous, Can't concentrate
Anxious, fearful
Agitated mind
Impatient, Antsy or hyperactive
Spaced out
Self-defeating
Shy, insecure, Restless
Cannot make decisions
Weight loss, under weight
Insomnia; wake up at night and can't go back to sleep
Generalized aches, sharp pains, Arthritis, stiff and painful joints
Agitated movement
Very sensitive to cold
Nail biting
Rough, flaky skin, Chapped lips
Fainting spells
Heart palpitations
Constipation, Intestinal bloating, gas, Belching, hiccups
Dry, sore throat, Dry eyes
Here are some tips for balancing Vata:
- All Vata products: drink Vata Tea and season meals with Vata Churna , diffuse calming Vata aroma oil in the environment
- Abhyanga (daily ayurvedic massage with sesame oil)
- Warm temperatures
- Warm, cooked foods (less raw foods)
- Early bedtime, lots of rest
- Favor warm, oily, heavy foods and sweet, sour, and salty tastes
- Reduce light, dry, cold foods and pungent, bitter and astringent tastes
- Regular daily routine
- Avoid stimulants
- Regular, daily elimination
- Stay warm in cold, windy weather
Vata-Pacifying Diet
- Eat larger quantities of food, but not more than you can digest easily.
- Dairy. All dairy products pacify Vata. Always boil milk before you drink it, and drink it warm. Don't drink milk with a full meal.
- Sweeteners. All sweeteners are good (in moderation) for pacifying Vata.
- Grains. Rice and wheat are very good. Reduce intake of barley, corn, millet, buckwheat, rye and oats.
- Fruits. Favor sweet, sour, or heavy fruits, such as oranges, bananas, avocados, grapes, cherries, peaches, melons, berries, plums, pineapples, mangos and papayas. Reduce dry or light fruits such as apples, pears, pomegranates, cranberries, and dried fruits.
- Vegetables. Beets, cucumbers, carrots, asparagus and sweet potatoes are good. They should be cooked, not raw. The following vegetables are acceptable in moderate quantities if they are cooked, especially with Ghee or oil and Vata reducing spices: peas, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, zucchini and potatoes. It's better to avoid sprouts and cabbage.
- Spices. Cardamom, cumin, ginger, cinnamon, salt, cloves, mustard seed and small quantities of black pepper are acceptable.
- All nuts are good.
- Beans. Reduce all beans, except for tofu and mung dahl.
Oils. All oils reduce Vata.
VATA pacifying diet chart |
|
FRUITS -- Yes
Generally most sweet fruit |
FRUITS -- No
Generally most dried fruit |
VEGETABLES -- Yes
In general vegetables should be cooked |
VEGETABLES -- No
Generally frozen, raw or dried vegetables |
- apples (cooked)
- applesauce
- apricots
- avocado
- bananas
- berries
- cherries
- coconut
- dates (fresh)
- figs (fresh)
- grapefruit
- grapes
- kiwi
- lemons
- limes
- mangoes
- melons
- oranges
- papaya
- peaches
- pineapple
- plums
- prunes (soaked)
- raisins (soaked)
- rhubarb
- strawberries
- tamarind
|
- apples (raw)
- cranberries
- dates (dry)
- figs (dry)
- pears
- pomegranates
- raisins (dry)
- prunes (dry)
- watermelon
|
- asparagus
- beets
- cabbage (cooked)
- carrots
- cauliflower*
- cilantro
- cucumber
- daikon radish*
- fennel (anise)
- garlic
- green beans
- green chilies
- jerusalem artichoke*
- leafy greens *
- leeks
- lettuce*
- mustard greens*
- okra
- olives, black
- onions (cooked)*
- parsley*
- parsnip
- peas (cooked)
- potatoes, sweet
- pumpkin
- radishes (cooked)*
- rutabaga
- spaghetti squash*
- spinach (cooked)*
- spinach (raw)*
|
- artichoke
- beet greens**
- bitter melon
- broccoli
- brusssels sprouts
- burdock root
- cabbage (raw)
- cauliflower (raw)
- celery
- corn (fresh)**
- dandelion greens
- eggplant
- horseradish**
- kale
- kohlrabi
- olives, green
- onions (raw)
- peppers, sweet & hot
- potatoes, white
- prickly pear (fruit & leaves)
- radish (raw)
- tomatoes (cooked)**
- turnips
- wheat grass spouts
|
LEGUMES -- Yes |
LEGUMES -- No |
DAIRY -- Yes
Most dairy is good |
DAIRY -- No |
- lentils (red)*
- mung beans
- mung dal
- soy cheese*
- soy milk*
- soy sauce*
- soy sausages*
- tofu*
- tur dal
- urad dal
|
- aduki beans
- black beans
- black-eyed peas
- chick peas (garbanzo beans)
- lentils (brown)
- lima beans
- miso**
- navy beans
- peas (dried)
- pinto beans
- soy beans
- soy flour
- soy powder
- spli peas
- tempeh
- white beans
- kidney beans
|
- butter
- buttermilk
- cheese (hard)*
- cheese (soft)
- cottage cheese
- cow's milk
- ghee
- goat's cheese
- goat's milk
- ice cream*
- sour cream*
- yogurt (diluted & spiced)*
|
- cow's milk (powdered)
- goat's milk (powdered)
- yogurt (plain, frozen or with fruit)
|
GRAINS -- Yes
Use suitable grains when "generic" things are listed |
GRAINS -- No |
BEVERAGES -- Yes |
BEVERAGES -- No |
- amaranth*
- durham flour
- oats (cooked)
- pancakes
- quinoa
- rice (all kinds)
- seitan
(wheat meat)
- sprouted
wheat bread
(essene)
- wheat
|
- barley
- bread (with yeast)
- buckwheat
- cereals (cold, dry or puffed)
- corn
- couscous
- crackers
- granola
- millet
- museli
- oat bran
- oats (dry)
- pasta**
- polenta**
- rice cakes**
- rye
- sago
- spelt
- tapioca
- wheat bran
|
- alcohol (beer or wine)*
- almond milk
- aloe vera juice
- apple cider
- apricot juice
- berry juice
(except for cranberry)
- carob*
- carrot juice
- chai (hot spiced milk)
- cherry juice
- grain "coffee"
- grape juice
- grapefruit juice
- lemonade
- mango juice
- miso broth
- orange juice
- papaya juice
- peach nectar
- pineapple juice
- rice milk
- sour juices
- soy milk
(hot & well-spiced)*
Herb Teas:
- ajwan
- bancha
- catnip*
- chamomile
- chicory
- chrysanthemum*
- clove
|
- apple juice
- black tea
- caffeinated beverages
- carbonated drinks
- chocolate milk
- coffee
- cold dairy drinks
- cranberry juice
- iced tea
- icy cold drinks
- mixed veg. juice
- pear juice
- pomegranate juice
- prune juice**
- soy milk (cold)
- tomato juice**
- vegetable bouillon
Herb Teas:
- alfalfa**
- barley**
- basil**
- blackberry
- borage**
- burdock
- cinnamon**
- cornsilk
- dandelion
- ginseng
- hibiscus
- hops**
- jasmine**
- lemon balm**
|
NUTS -- Yes
In moderation |
NUTS -- No |
SEEDS -- Yes |
SEEDS -- No |
- almonds
- black walnuts
- brazil nuts
- cashews
- charole
- coconut
- filberts
- hazelnuts
- macadamia nuts
- peanuts
- pecans
- pine nuts
- pistachios
- walnuts
|
|
- chia
- flax
- halva
- pumpkin
- sesame
- sunflower
- tahini
|
|
OILS -- Yes
For internal & external use:
(most suitable at top of list) |
OILS -- No |
SPICES -- Yes
All spices are good! |
SPICES -- No |
- sesame
- ghee
- olive
- Most other oils
External use only:
|
|
- ajwan
- allspice
- almond extract
- anise
- asafoeida (hing)
- basil
- bay leaf
- black pepper
- cardamom
- cayenne*
- cinnamon
- cloves
- coriander
- cumin
- curry leaves
- dill
- fennel
- fenugreek*
- garlic
- ginger
- mace
- marjoram
- mint
- mustard seeds
- nutmeg
- orange peel
- oregano
- paprika
- parsley
- peppermint
- pippali
- poppy seeds
- rosemary
- saffron
- salt
- savory
- spearmint
- star anise
- tarragon
- thyme
- turmeric
- vanilla
- winter green
|
|
CONDIMENTS -- Yes |
CONDIMENTS -- No |
SWEETENERS -- Yes |
SWEETNERS -- No |
- black pepper*
- chutney, mango
(sweet or spicy)
- chili peppers*
- coriander leaves*
- dulse
- gomasio
- hijiki
- kelp
- ketchup
- kombu
- lemon
- lime
- lime pickle
- mango pickle
- mayonnaise
- mustard
- pickles
- salt
- scallions
- seaweed
- soy sauce
- sprouts*
- tamari
|
|
- barley malt
- fructose
- fruit juice concentrate
- honey (raw & not processed
- jaggary
- molasses
- rice sryup
- sucanat
- turbinado
|
|
FOOD SUPPLEMENTS -- Yes |
FOOD SUPPLEMENTS -- No |
- aloe vera juice*
- bee pollen
- amino acids
- minerals: calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, zinc
- royal jelly
- spirolina
- blue-green algae
- vitamins A, B, B12, C, D & E
|
- barley green
- brewer's yeast
|
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