Dhatus are the tissues which nourish the body and support it. They protect our body from external encounters and are responsible for our immune mechanism. If dhatus vitiated then the body construction collapses and ultimately life ends.

Dhatus which are of seven different types work in coordination with one another. They are life sap (rasa), blood (rakta), muscles (mansa), fatty tissue (med), bones (asthi), bone marrow and nervous tissue (majja) and semen and reproductive system (shukra). It works in such a way that one tissue or dhatu transforms to the next from the nourishment they get from the digestive sysytem.

So from rasa (life sap) the body develops rakta (blood), from rakta it develops mansa (muscles), from mansa is developed med (fat), from med is developed asthi (bones), from asthi the body develops majja (nervous system) and from majja is generated shukra (semen).Thus according to ayurveda the seven dhatus are responsible for the immune system. These seven dhatus are in turn made of five mahabhutas.When there is a slight disturbance or imbalance in the equilibrium of these dhatus it will result in ailments or diseases of the human body.

Rasa (Plasma)
According to ayurveda rasa is the first dhatu which is the primary constitution of human body is otherwise known as sap or juice. It basically represents the fluids of the extra cellular and intracellular portions of the body and it mainly nourishes and strengthens the blood. Once the food gets digested it is converted into rasa which is further transformed into blood.

Rakta (Blood)
When the rasa dhatu gets refined then it is called as rakta dhatu which mainly nourishes the body by circulating to all cells and tissues of the body through the blood vessels.Rakta Dhatu is said to be constituted from the metabolic refinement of the Rasa Dhatu. The primary function of the Rakta Dhatu is the nourishment of the body. It is also said to be the preserver of life. It also aids in gaseous exchange.

Mamsa (Muscles)
Mamsa is the muscle which makes up the internal organs of the body and is derived from the rasa and rakta dhatu.They constitutes the basic cover of bone and structure of body.

Meda (Fat)
They are the refined part of the muscle dhatu which mainly helps in lubrication of the body organs. Meda dhatu also constitutes the brain, spinal cord and nervous tissue. It also helps in maintaining right internal body temperature.

Asthi (Bone)
The Asthi dhatu are the main tissues responsible for the basic structure to the body. They are the most solid form among all the other dhatus.

Majja (Bone marrow)
The Majja tissues takes the colour of yellow or red. These tissues are said to be found inside the brain and spinal cord. It is the finer essence of the asthi dhatu.

Shukra (Reproductive fluid or Semen)
This is the dhatu which is highly responsible for the reproductive elements of the body.It is the most refined product or essence of all the seven dhatus.

Doshas in Ayurveda represents three different conditions of the body and are responsible for all kind of problems and diseases in the body. Tridoshas are the three life forces or biological humors: Vata, Pitta and Kapha, formed by the combination of the panchabhuta.

The concept of the tridoshas is one of the fundamental principles of Ayurveda, the science of life. The diagnostic and healing processes in Ayurveda depend on this principle.

Every physical characteristic, mental capacity and the emotional tendency of a human being can therefore be explained in terms of the tridoshas.

As long as Tridoshas are in harmony the fellow will be healthy; any disturbance among these will result in a diseased condition. So in Ayurveda the main line of treatment is always aimed towards creating harmony among these three Doshas.

Vata

Vata governs movement in the body, the activities of the nervous system and the process of elimination. Qualities of Vata are Cold, light, dry, irregular, rough, moving, quick, changeable

If Vata dosha predominates, movement and change are characteristic of your nature. You will tend to always be on the go, with an energetic and creative mind. As long as Vata is in balance, you will be lively and enthusiastic, with a lean body.

Pitta

The Pitta dosha controls digestion, metabolism, and energy production. The primary function of this dosha is transformation. Qualities of Pitta are Hot, light, intense, penetrating, pungent, sharp, acidic.

Those with a predominance of the Pitta principle have a fiery nature that manifests in both body and mind. When in balance, Pitta have a lustrous complexion, perfect digestion, abundant energy, and a strong appetite. When out of balance, may suffer from skin rashes, burning sensations, peptic ulcers, excessive body heat, heartburn, and indigestion.

Kapha

Kapha governs the structure of the body. It is the principle that holds the cells together and forms the muscle, fat and bone. The primary function of Kapha is protection. Qualities of Kapha are heavy, slow, steady, solid, cold, soft, oily

Those who are predominantly Kapha sleep soundly and have regular digestion. But when Kapha builds to excess, weight gain, fluid retention, and allergies manifest in the body. When they’re out of balance, Kapha types may become overweight, sleep excessively, and suffer from asthma, diabetes, and depression.

In Ayurveda, Nidan is the process to diagnose any particular disease, its origin and the root cause. It is not always necessary that the root cause is inside the body. Many times the cause may be outside the body. To give permanent relief the root cause has to be removed. When we cure some disease according to Ayurveda, we do not just treat the physical symptoms, The person is treated as a whole.

The causative factors can be the food, life style or other activities. All these factors are affecting one, two or all the three doshas. So if you want to stay healthy, you must know what are these factors which create an imbalance of doshas.

Factors responsible for increasing vata:

• Eating too much cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, sprouts, beans, dry fruits, mushrooms and raw foods.
• Too much travelling by any means of transportation.
• Staying awake till late night or not sleeping at all.
• Eating of junk food, frozen foods and food that has been micro waved.
• Excessive exposure to high noise level or high sounds.
• Watching too much television and over exposure to computers or any other kind of electric gadgets from strong waves are emitted.
• Indulging in too much sexual activities.
• Excessive imagination, overworking or too much sports.
• Taking too much medicinal, recreational and stimulating drugs.

Symptoms:
Symptoms caused by excess of vata in the body are joint pains, constipation, dry skin, Aggravation of vata weakens the nervous system, loss of memory, palpitation, insomnia, stiffness of muscles, weight loss, migraine, vertigo and tremors.

Factors responsible for increasing Pitta:

• Our daily practices which involve lot of competition, habits like drinking too much tea, coffee, alcohol and excessive smoking increase pitta in the body.
• It is also increased by eating hot, spicy foods, Eating too much chillies, tomatoes, egg plant, spinach, onions
• Too much exposure to heat and sun.

Symptoms:
Some of the symptoms caused by excess of pitta in the body are hyperacidity, skin diseases, burning sensation, fever, infections, ulcers and liver disorders.

Factors responsible for increasing Kapha:

• Eating too much sugars, fats, oily and fried foods, ice creams, meats, dairy products and nuts.
• Too much sleep specially during day time and not doing much physical activities.

Symptoms
Some of the symptoms caused by excess of kapha in the body are asthma, cough, cold, congestion in the chest, anorexia and obesity.

So once you know which dosha is aggravated or out of balance, its easy to bring it under balance by using different kinds of therapies.

Ayurveda states that the human body is also made up of the five elements that are: earth, water, fire, air, or space. These five Ayurveda elements or panchabhutas are said to be in balance and the same thing applies to the human beings too. When these things occur within the body, the body suffers from sickness and diseases.

The five elements are seen in the body in the form of three body types known as doshas. The doshas exist in all matter and are composed of different combinations of the five elements. They are: vata, pitta , and kapha. Their influence affects all mechanisms of the body.

Earth
Earth represents the solid state of matter and it indicates stability, permanence, and rigidity. The body parts such as bones, teeth, and tissues are considered as earth element. Earth is considered a stable substance.

Water
Water represents the liquid state of matter and it indicates changes or unstable. Water is vital for the survival of all living things. The blood, lymph and other fluids are considered as water element. Large part of the human body is made up of water element. Water elements bring energy, carry away wastes, regulate body temperature, carry massages between body organs (hormones), and carry nutrients & oxygen.

Fire
Fire represents the form without substance and it has the power to transfer the state of any substance, for instance solids into liquids, to gas, and back again. Fire element is an invisible energy that binds atoms together, converts food to energy or fat (stored energy), and creates nervous reaction, feelings, and even thought processes.

Air
Air represents the gaseous form and it indicates mobility and dynamic. Within the body, air (oxygen) is vital for all energy transfer reactions. Air is a key element needed for fire to burn.

Space
Space represents the space in which everything happens. This is the field which is simultaneously the source of all matter and the space it exists. The main characteristic of space is sound and it represents the entire spectrum of vibration.

Oily skin has the oil producing glands overactive and producing more oil than is needed. Thus the oil oozes and gives the skin a greasy shine. The pores are enlarged and the skin has a coarse look. Following Ayurveda care for oily skin and diet is beneficial to prevent it.

Oily skin could be due to heredity, hormone levels, diet, pregnancy, humidity, or due to the kind of cosmetics used. The excess oil secreted by the sebaceous glands is more during adolescence and decreases with age. But oily skin does not develop wrinkles or does not show signs of aging very early as in dry or normal skin types. With a little care, oily skin can appear naturally beautiful.

Ayurvedic skin care is specifically formulated according to the 3 ‘doshas’ or constitutions – Vata, Pitta and Kapha. People with Kapha type of skin are oily, soft and lubricating. They are large pores with proneness to acne.

Ayurvedic tips for managing oily skin

• Use hot water when washing your face.
• Oily skin needs special cleansing with plenty of hot water and soap to prevent the pores from being clogged
• When cleansing, massage your face well with your fingertips, using an upward and outward motion
• Choose your Ayurvedic cleanser with care. Try an antibacterial cleansing lotion or a lightly medicated soap. After cleansing, apply a natural oil-free moisturizer to keep the skin supple.
• Try using a clay or mud mask. Choose cosmetic and facial care products specifically designed for oily skin.
• Mix equal parts of lemon juice and water. Apply this mixture on the face and rinse it first with warm water and then followed by cold water.
• Exercise regularly

Diet for Oily Skin

• Drink plenty of water to keep the skin hydrated and flush out toxins.
• Do not drink soft drinks or alcoholic beverages. Avoid sugar, chocolate, and junk food.
• Do not cook with oil. Reduce the amount of fat in your diet . Avoid pork and fried and highly seasoned foods
• Even a slight deficiency in vitamin B2 can cause oily skin. Take B2 rich foods like are whole grains, beans, nuts etc……..
• Take plenty of leafy green vegetables and fresh fruits
• Take a diet rich in proteins but restrict sugar rich food
• Include ginger, pepper, and long pepper in your diet.

Ayurveda is the ancient system of health care that developed in India over 5000 years ago. Ayurvedic Approach to Healthy Life is based on preventing and treat illness by maintaining balance in the body, mind, and consciousness through proper drinking, diet, and lifestyle, as well as herbal remedies.

This ancient science takes into account the patient’s entire personality – body, mind and spirit. Its aim is to provide guidance regarding food and lifestyle so that healthy people can stay healthy and those with health challenges can improve their health. The Ayurvedic approach to life involves listening to and addressing the unique needs of your body, recognizing and balancing your mental and emotional states and deepening your connection with your spirit, your essential self.

Ayurveda recognizes three main energies that combine to form all things in the universe. These are recognized as being fundamental to all life and are seen in the processes of growth, maintenance, and decay. Ayurveda names these basic energies Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. In the Ayurvedic approach to life and health, we recognize how these energies are at work at each moment in our bodies and minds. When we recognize this, we can begin to create balance for ourselves by countering the destructive forces with positive actions.

Ayurveda believes that if the body is kept healthy and its strength maintained properly, there is little chance of falling ill even to very contagious diseases. For prevention of disease, Ayurveda stresses maintaining the natural defense mechanisms of the body by observing the appropriate Ayurvedic health regimens. The doshas are always in a state of flux or shifting equilibrium.  If a person follows the prescribed life regimen as described, he can attain full longevity and remain healthy throughout life. Ayurveda advises three important regimens for this purpose

Weather changes during the transition of seasons affect the health of all living beings. In order to achieve the maximum benefits from the good qualities of the atmosphere and protection from its bad effects, Ayurveda prescribes certain rules in regard to diet, behaviour and medicines called seasonal regimen or Ritucharya.

A daily routine is essential for maintaining health and for transforming our body, mind and consciousness to a higher level of functioning. Ayurvedic Dincharya brings regularity in sleeping, waking, eating and eliminating, brings discipline to life and helps maintain the integrity of the doshas (vata, pitta and kapha). It can have positive effects on your mental and physical health. Being in tune with environment also means being in tune with your individual nature, your prakruti. Your food and exercise requirements, how much you need to sleep, and what kind of climate is beneficial, all revolve around your individual nature.

Ayurveda  advises rising at brahma muhurata,  a very early period in the morning. It comes at about 4:30 a.m. Everyone should rise at this time and inhale a lot of fresh air.  At this time  Oxygen in air is higher, so one can feel fresh the whole day.It is said “Early to bed, early to rise ” makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.

Drinking a glass of luke-warm water helps flush out all toxins accumulated overnight in the body. Proper elimination also helping remove the kapha that naturally accumulates overnight.  It will allow the body rest to correct the system before disease sets in. Never suppress the natural physical urges that are called adharniya vegas in Ayurveda like elimination, hunger, thirst, sleep, sneezing, yawning, vomiting, etc…

Gargle twice a day with warm sesame oil. Gargling has been traditionally used to strengthen the teeth, gums and jaw, improve the voice and remove wrinkles from the cheeks.

Do some exercise every day and as a general rule, Ayurveda recommends exercising up to one’s capacity. A good gauge is to exercise until sweat forms on the forehead, under the arms, and along the spinal column. Straining is absolutely not recommended. Follow your oil bath with a warm bath or shower. This is cleansing, refreshing, removes fatigue, brings energy and alertness and promotes long life.

Be conscious of which foods you choose and how much of them you are taking. Before going to bed do some spiritual reading, even if only for a few minutes. And don’t forget to drink a cup of warm milk which fosters sound sleep.

Ayurveda Pareeksha is examining patient to identify the social, physical and mental conditions of a person that seeks treatment. The physician studies the person as a whole; level of emotional stability, lifestyle, etc are the things to look for.

Ayurveda thoroughly analyzes the total condition of a patient’s body to find the underlying symptoms instead of finding methods to suppress the symptoms. Thus to find out the real source of the diseases, Ayurveda follows certain tests and examinations which are must. This is referred as ‘rogi pareeksha’ in Ayurvedic terms. The examination of the patient in three different stages helps in finding out the possible reason for the diseases or the ailment in the patient’s body.

Darsanam
In Darsanam the general characteristics of the patient’s body is thoroughly studied by a keen observation and inspection. During this session factors like age along with the total history of the patient is recorded and only then it is further preceded.

Sparsanam
Sparsanam proceeds with examination is done by the touch method. Pulse diagnosis or Nadi Pareeksha, which involves the physician feeling the pulse of the patient, is one of the best methods to get a clear picture of the body’s present condition.

Prasnam
Here the patient is examined by questioning formally about his ailments and the symptoms or the difficulties he/she is undergoing because of the diseases. This is done mainly to synchronize or to cross verify the conclusion of the doctor with that of the patients.

Dasavidha & Ashtasthana Pareeksha
Apart from Darsanam, Sparsanam and Prasnam the Ayurvedic Pareeksha involves other detailed examination to find the various causes behind the diseases. In the Dasavidha & Ashtasthana Pareeksha there are certain factors which are taken into consideration during the examination and tests carried out with the patients.

Ayurveda is a 5000 year old medical system that evolved in India. It is the science of life or longevity, which helps in the promotion of health, prevention of diseases and in achieving a long life. Based on Ayurveda Concept, body is composed of panchabhootas.

Doshas
Panchabhootas combine with each other to produce three Ayurveda body types which are called Ayurveda Doshas. Dosha’s are bio-physical forces within the human body. Vata is air and space, Pitta is fire and water, and Kapha is water and earth. Combine these Ayurveda body types and they are known as Tridosha which governs not only the physiological but also the psychological and biological aspects of the mind, body, and spirit. These forces also effect how an individual responds to everything around them. The main function of the three doshas is to carry the byproduct of digested foods throughout the body, which helps in building up the body tissues. Any malfunction in these doshas cause disease.

Dhatu
Dhatu can be defined, as one, which supports the body. There are seven tissue systems in the body and provide the basic nutrition to the body. And it helps in the growth and structure of mind. The main tissue Rasa is derived from food and is composed of vata, pitta and kapha molecules. It supplies nourishment to all the tissues

Mala
These are waste products of various dhaatus produced during the course of metabolic changes in the body. Examples of malas are sweatt urine, stool, gases, bile, earwax, nasal discharge, mucous secretions etc. Thus a disease is due to imbalance of doshas, dhaatus and malas

Agni
All kinds of metabolic and digestive activity of the body takes place with the help of the biological fire of the body called Agni. Agni can be termed as the various enzymes present in the elementary canal, liver and the tissue cells.

Panchakarma is a powerful Ayurvedic treatment that eliminates toxicity, restoring the body’s natural balance and health. It is a series of five karmas or actions, which eliminate excess accumulation of doshas. It not only eliminates toxins but also rejuvenates the body tissues. To

Not all the five karmas of Panchakarma are suggested to everyone. Depending on the health, physical conditions and mental conditions, a physician will suggest the appropriate types of karmas. They are Nasya (nasal therapy), Vamana (emesis), Virechana (purging), Vasti (enema) and Rakthamoksha (bloodletting).

There is  Nasya (nasal therapy), Vamana (emesis), Virechana (purging), Vasti (enema) and Rakthamoksha (bloodletting)  (pre-treatment) and paschat karma (post-treatment), before and after the main treatment. Snehan (oil therapy), swedan (sudation) are purva-karma. Diet, rest, and medicines intake are included in paschat karma. Anyone taking Panchakarma treatment must go through all the three stages. Then, the treatment will give results.

The purva karma prepares the body for the main treatment. It includes oil treatment and sudation. Oil treatment is both internal and external. It releases the toxins accumulated at different parts of the body. Sudation or making the body to sweat opens the minute pores in the body, to facilitate expulsion of the toxins released from different parts of the body.

The actual treatment includes aggressive expulsion of the excess doshas (toxins) from the body through the five different karmas.

After the main karma, the physique will become weak. However, the body will also be in a better condition to receive medicines. Paschat Karma involves diet control, taking rest and eating special medicated food items. These will lead to rejuvenation of the tissues in the body. The body is receptive to the medicines.

Raktamoksha  Is a Detoxification of the blood, where blood is removed from an affected skin area either by leeches. It is highly effective in chronic non-healing wounds, Diabetic carbuncles and ulcers.

Ayurvedic physicians suggest Panchakarma as a means of physical treatment. However, this treatment is advantageous to mental power too. The toxins of various types are accumulated within the fine blood vessels and in the nervous tissues. Expelling such toxins can facilitate better thinking process, better decision making capabilities, and more.