Chapter 8 and 9: Alternative Medical Systems: Ayurveda and its practices Flashcards
four main principles identified in Ayurveda
1.Principle of inner balance
2.principle of universal cosmos (five elements)
3.Principle of body energies (Doshas)
4.Principle of disease causation
Principle of inner balance
-maintain inner balance by placing major emphasis on maintaining health by preventing disease and illness
-diet, exercise, positive lifestyle and balancing ones life are encouraged
-each person is unique and has different pattern of energy that compromises or makes up that persons constitution
-both external and internal factors responsible
Principle of Universal Cosmos: Five Elements
-every human being is a creation of the cosmos and universal consciousness
-universe consists of five elements (or tattwa) that form the sum and substance of the physical universe as well as serve as the building blocks of nature, and they originate from and are composed of an energy called prana
5 elements
- Earth (Prithvi)
- Water (Apa)
3.Fire (Tejas) - Air (Vayu)
5.ether or space (Akash)
-all five elements are thought to be present cells in all cells of the body
True or false: all five elements are thought to be present in all cells of the body. Every substance in our world is made up of a combination of the tattwa, and all substances can be classified according to their predominant element.
true
The tattwa combine to make the
seven tissues (dhatu) that gice the body its structure-plasma, blood, muscle, lipid, bone and nervous and reproductive systems
True or False: Tattwa also make up the different tastes of sweet, salty, sour pungent, bitter and astringent
true
What is the prime moving force between the body and the universe
Prana
What do the two parts of the word Prana mean
pra means foreword or before and ana means breath.
5 pranic forces that govern the body movement and function
prana, udana, samana, apana, and vyana.
Ether
represents the space or field in which everything happens. At the same time, it is the source of all matter and represents the distance among matter. Sound and nonresistance is a chief characteristic of ether.
Air
is matter in a gaseous form. It is moving and dynamic. All energy transfer reactions require oxygen within the body. Air is also required for fire to burn. Air has no form.
Fire
is powerful because it can change solids into liquids and gases and back again. Energy (fire) within our bodies binds atoms together and changes food that we eat into fat (stored energy) and muscle. Fire also is responsible for our nervous reactions, our feelings, and even our thought processes. Fire has a form but no substance.
Water
is the liquid state and represents change. No living thing can survive without water. The human body is largely composed of water. Bodies contain blood, lymph, and other fluids that circulate throughout the body and in between cells of the body. Those fluids help to carry away waste, regulate body temperature, and carry hormonal information throughout the body. The blood contains our disease protection properties (immune system). Water is seen as a substance but has no stability.
Earth
represents the solid state of matter. Earth is represented in our bodies as the bones, teeth, cells, and tissues. Earth is considered a stable substance. It manifests stability, permanence, and rigidity.
Principle of Body energies (Dosha)
-Ayurveda holds that the five elements make up the body’s constitution, which is identified as dosha.
-There are three mental doshas and three body doshas
Three body Dosha
vata (movement), pitta (transformation), and kapha (structure).
- Each individual is composed of a combination of the three, although different people have different ratios of the three doshas.
-Each person’s combination of doshas (or body constitution) is established at birth.
In males what is energy called
Purusha, choiceless passive awareness.
In females what is energy called
Prakruti, choiceful active consciousness
True or False: Most sources do not distinguish the gender energies and use the term Prakruti for both genderies
true
In indian terminology, what is the imbalance called that causes disease to occur
Vikruti
True or False: Vata, pitta, and kapha can exist in varying combinations, but usually one of the three is predominant.
true
according to Ayurveda how many body types are there
7
what are they
mono (vata, pitta, or kapha predominant), dual (vata-pitta, pitta-kapha, or kapha-vata), and equal (vata, pitta, and kapha in equal proportions)
When all of the types are evenly distributed a person is said to be
Tri-doshic
Tri-doshic individuals
-more likely to remain in balance because the ratio is nearly even
-tend to have a lifelong good health and a good immune system
because they do not have a lead dosha to start with, when they get out of balance, they have to work harder to balance all three doshas
Vata
-Vata is composed of space and air
-Vata is the subtle energy associated with movement and is located in the brain, large intestine, pelvic cavity, bones, skin, ears, and thighs
-Vata governs breathing, blinking muscle and tissue movement, heartbeat, and cellular activity.
-According to Ayurveda, vata is the most important dosha because it leads the other doshas.
- More than half of all illnesses are vata disorders. -If vata is kept in balance, pitta and kapha will stay in balance.
-Attributes of vata types are dry, light, cold, rough, subtle, mobile, clear, and astringent
Vata in balance
promotes creativity and flexibility, vata types have normal sleep patterns
Vata Qualities/manifestations in the body
Dry-skin, hair, lips, tongue ,constipation, hoarse voice
Light-light muscles, bones, thin body frame
Cold-cold hands and feet, poor circulation
Rough-cracked hair, skin, nails, teeth, hands
Subtle-subtle fear, anxiety, and insecurity
Mobile-fast waling and talking, restless, shaky
Clear-clairvoyant, experience void and loneliness
True or False, body type of vata people tend to be thin and follow wester enomorph body shape
true
What should vata types avoid
excessive stimulation like drinking caffeine and watching television.
Common vata disorders
flatulence, tics, twitches, aching joints, dry skin and hair, nerve disorders, constipation, and mental confusion
Pitta
-made up of fire and water
-digestive fire or agni
-located in small intestine, stomach, sweat glands, blood, skin and eyes
True or false: pitta governs digestive functions
true
A person with a dominant pitta type usually looks like and acts..
has a medium build, is strong, has stamina and endurance, and maintains a stable body weight-mesomorph
Qualities of the pitta and manifestations
hot-good digestive fire, body temp higher than average, hates heat
sharp-distinct eyes, sharp teeth, pointed nose, tapering chin, sharp memory
light- light,medium body frame, does not tolerate bright light, bright eyes
sour-sour acid stomach, sensitive teeth, excess salivation
oily- soft oily skin, hair and feces sensitive to deep fried food
spreading-loose liquid stools, soft delicate muscles, excess urine, sweat and thirst
bitter-bitter taste in mouth, nausea, vomiting, repulsion toward bitter taste, cynical
pungent-heartburn, strong feelings of anger and hate
red-red flushed skin eyes cheeks and nose
yellow- yellow eyes, skin, urine, feces jaundice, overproduction of bile
True or False: Pittas are generally very intelligent and quick - witted ,but may be overly critical
true
Pitta in balance
Pitta promotes understanding and intelligence. There is strong and complete digestion, healthy facial tone and coloration, and stimulated and open intellect