L10 Ayurveda Herbs - Virya and Vipaka Flashcards
What is the thermal effect of herbs in herbal medicine?
The thermal effect of herbs is called ‘Virya’, meaning ‘energy’ or ‘driving force’
Virya refers to the heating or cooling effects that herbs have on the body.
How does the thermal effect of herbs apply?
It applies on physical, mental, and emotional levels
This means that the effects of herbs can influence not only the body but also the mind and emotions.
What must be balanced when creating herbal formulas?
The overall temperature of the treatment must balance a patient’s constitution and presenting imbalance
This ensures that the treatment is appropriate for the individual’s specific needs.
What type of Virya balances Pitta?
A cooling ‘Virya’
Cooling herbs help to counteract the heat associated with Pitta dosha.
What type of Virya balances Vata and Kapha?
A warming ‘Virya’
Warming herbs are used to balance the cool nature of Vata and Kapha doshas.
What is the primary function of heating herbs?
Warm, stimulate and open channels
They balance cold, contracted, hypometabolic sluggish conditions.
What types of conditions do heating herbs help balance?
Cold, contracted, hypometabolic sluggish conditions such as:
* low thyroid
* weak digestion (low Agni)
* poor circulation
* low energy
* depression
* mucus congestion
These conditions are characterized by a lack of energy and metabolic function.
Which taste is considered the most heating?
Pungent
Examples include chilli, black pepper, garlic, and mustard.
What other tastes are warming besides pungent?
Sour and salty
These tastes also contain the fire element.
What doshas are affected by heating herbs?
Reduces Vata and Kapha, increases Pitta (VK- P+)
What are the chemical components that provide heat in heating herbs?
- Volatile oils
- Oleoresins
- Alkaloids
- Mustard glycosides
What conditions do cooling herbs help balance?
Hot, inflamed, and hyperactive conditions such as
* skin diseases
* toxicity
* infections
* GIT inflammation
* acidity
* irritability
* stress
Which taste is considered the most cooling?
Bitter
Name three examples of bitter cooling herbs.
- Neem
- Andrographis
- Golden seal
Which other tastes are also considered cooling?
Sweet and astringent.
What doshas do cooling herbs reduce and increase?
Reduces Pitta, increases Vata and Kapha (P-VK+).
What are the main chemical components of cooling herbs?
- Bitter principles
- Tannins
- Polysaccharides
What is Vipaka?
Post-digestive effect
What happens to sweet and salty tastes during digestion?
They digest into sweet, resulting in anabolic effects such as nourishing, moistening, anti-inflammatory, and mildly laxative. Reduces Pitta, increases Kapha.
What is the effect of sour tastes on the body?
Sour digests into sour, acting as a metabolic stimulant, digestive aid, supports liver function, and is moistening and nervine. Reduces Vata, increases Pitta.
What do pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes digest into?
They digest into pungent, resulting in catabolic effects that are depleting and drying.
Reduces Kapha, increases Vata (K-P+)
How does the effect of taste differ from the effect of Vipaka?
The effect of taste is immediate, while the effect of Vipaka is longer term on tissues and metabolism.
