8 Āyurvedic Principles for All Doṣa

1. Prakriti - Natural qualities:

Each food and medicine has their natural, inherent qualities, such as being heavy (Guru) or light (Laghu). For example, black gram is considered heavy, making it harder to digest, while green gram is light and easier to digest. Similarly, pork is heavy, whereas venison is light. Understanding these properties helps in selecting foods based on digestive capacity. Those with strong digestion can handle both heavy and light foods, but if digestion is weak, consuming heavy foods may lead to digestive issues like indigestion and metabolic imbalances.

2 Karana - Method of processing the foods

Some foods are not suitable for direct consumption in their natural state. To make them digestible and beneficial, they must be processed and transformed into a more usable form. This process, known as Karana, alters the inherent properties of food to enhance its suitability for consumption. The transformation is called Samskara or Abhisamskara, which brings about a change in the qualities and characteristics of food (Gunantara Aadhaana).

Different methods are used to process food:

• Water Processing (Toya Sannikarsha): Soaking ingredients in water for a specific period (hours, overnight, or even days) to soften them, improve digestibility, or extract beneficial properties.
• Heat Processing (Agni Sannikarsha): Applying heat through cooking, boiling, or roasting. Proper cooking is essential, as overcooking or undercooking can affect digestibility.
• Cleaning (Shoucha): Washing food before consumption to remove impurities.
• Churning & Grinding (Manthana): Processing food through churning or grinding helps with digestion, but excessive blending breaks down fiber, which is essential for gut health.
• Geographical Influence (Desha): The region where food is grown affects its properties. Moving food to a different climate can alter its characteristics. Locally sourced foods are generally better suited for the individual living in that area.
• Time & Seasonal Influence (Kala): The time of year and storage duration impact food quality and digestibility.
• Flavoring & Preservation (Vasana): Enhancing food with herbs, spices, or preservatives. Examples include using salt to preserve food or adding fragrant herbs to beverages.
• Impregnation & Soaking (Bhavana): Leaving food or medicines in certain liquids can improve their properties, such as soaking beans, lentils, and grains to enhance digestibility.
• Effect of Time (Kala Prakarsha): The passage of time changes food quality; leftovers lose their nutritional value and may not be ideal for consumption.
• Storage & Containers (Bhajana): The material used for storing food—such as glass versus plastic—affects preservation and quality.

These processing methods help modify food to suit individual digestive capacities and enhance overall well-being.

3. Rashi – Quantity of food

The amount of food consumed plays a crucial role in maintaining good health. Each person has an ideal food intake based on their individual needs, and both overeating and undereating can be harmful. Food should be consumed in the right quantity to support digestion and overall well-being.

There are two ways to measure food quantity:

• Total Quantity (Sarvagraha Rashi): The overall amount of all foods consumed in a meal is considered as a whole.
• Portion-Based Quantity (Parigraha Rashi): The quantity of each individual food item is considered separately, allowing for selective consumption.

For example, if a meal consists of eight different foods, eating all of them together follows Sarvagraha, while choosing only a few or focusing on one in greater quantity follows Parigraha. This choice depends on individual needs and digestive capacity.

A key principle for all body types is to avoid overeating. The stomach functions like a blender—if overfilled, it cannot properly process food. The ideal balance for digestion is:

• ½ food

• ¼ liquid

• ¼ empty space

Leaving space allows air to aid digestion and maintain gut health. Understanding and following the right Rashi for your body ensures proper nourishment and energy for daily life.

4. Desha – Place where the food items are grown or cultivated

Understanding the origin of your food—where it is grown, how it is cultivated, and how it adapts to its environment—is essential for making informed dietary choices. The natural habitat of food influences its properties and effects on the body.

For example, foods and medicinal herbs grown in the Himalayas are considered highly potent, while those from desert regions tend to be lighter and drier in nature.

There are three main types of growing regions:

• Arid/Dry Regions (Jangala Desha) – Foods from these areas are light and drying, which may aggravate individuals prone to dryness or digestive issues (Vata imbalance). However, they can be beneficial for those with excess mucus or sluggish digestion (Kapha imbalance).

• Marshy/Wet Regions (Anupa Desha) – Foods from humid areas tend to be heavier and more nourishing, which can support dry or depleted individuals but may not be ideal for those prone to congestion.

• Moderate/Temperate Zones (Sadharana Desha) – Foods from these regions generally have a balanced nature and are suitable for most people.

While certain foods may be more or less suitable based on individual constitution, those who have adapted to a specific region over time often tolerate local foods better. This reinforces the idea that eating locally grown food is beneficial, as it aligns with the body’s natural adaptability and supports overall health.

5. Kala – Time of consumption of food

The timing of meals plays a crucial role in maintaining digestive health and overall well-being. Some people strictly follow a set meal schedule, ensuring they eat at the same time every day. These individuals tend to have strong digestion, steady energy levels, and balanced metabolism. Others follow their natural hunger cues, eating when they feel hungry. Their meal timing may vary slightly, but as long as their digestion is efficient and elimination is regular, they generally remain healthy.

However, those who frequently ignore their hunger signals, delay meals due to other priorities, or eat at irregular times disrupt their body’s natural metabolic rhythms. Over time, this can lead to digestive issues and long-term health concerns.

Two Key Aspects of Meal Timing

1. Daily & Seasonal Rhythms (Nityaga Kala)

• Eating in sync with the body’s daily cycle supports digestion and energy levels. Traditionally, lunch should be the main meal of the day, as digestion is strongest at midday.
• Supper, derived from “soup,” was originally meant to be a light evening meal to avoid digestive strain at night.
• Eating with the seasons is also important. Lighter foods like salads are best in summer, while root vegetables and hearty stews provide warmth and nourishment in winter.
• In Ayurveda, meal frequency is adjusted based on body type:
• Vata types do best with small, frequent meals and snacks to maintain balance.
• Pitta types thrive on three regular meals to support their strong digestion.
• Kapha types benefit from two meals a day, often incorporating intermittent fasting to prevent sluggish digestion.

2. Life Stages & Health Conditions (Avasthika Kala)

• The body’s nutritional needs change with age. Children and young adults (Bala) require more nourishment, while middle-aged individuals (Madhyama) maintain a balanced intake, and older adults (Vardhakya) often benefit from lighter, easily digestible meals.
• Specific foods are recommended during illness or recovery to aid healing. Eating appropriately for one’s health condition helps the body regain balance and recover faster.

By aligning meal timing with both daily rhythms and life circumstances, one can support digestion, enhance energy, and maintain long-term health.

6. Samyoga – Combination of food substances

When two or more substances (foods or medicines) are combined, the resulting mixture can have entirely different properties from the individual ingredients. New qualities may emerge that were not present before, making the combination either highly beneficial or potentially harmful.

It is important to understand both the individual properties of foods and the effects of their combinations. For example, mixing equal parts of honey and ghee or consuming fish with milk can create harmful effects on the body.

*Foods in CAPITALS are the most difficult combinations.

**According to ancient Ayurvedic literature, honey should never be cooked. If cooked, the molecules become a non-homogenized glue that adheres to mucous membranes and clogs subtle channels, producing toxins. Uncooked honey is nectar. Cooked honey is considered poison.

7. Upayoga Samstha – Rules and regulations for consuming food (dietetic rules)

There are essential principles for eating that should be followed to maintain proper digestion and overall well-being. These dietary guidelines are based on recognizing the signs of proper digestion (Jeerna Ahara Lakshanas).

Signs of Proper Digestion (Jeerna Ahara Lakshanas)

1. Clear Belching (Udgara Shuddhi) – No lingering taste or discomfort after burping.
2. Energy & Enthusiasm (Utsaha) – Feeling light and refreshed.
3. Regular Elimination (Vega Utsarga) – Healthy bowel movements, urination, and gas release.
4. Lightness (Laghuta) – No heaviness or bloating after meals.
5. Hunger (Kshut) – Natural hunger signals for the next meal.
6. Thirst (Pipasa) – Balanced hydration needs.

Fundamental Rules for Eating Well

For optimal digestion and health, follow these principles when eating:

1. Eat Warm & Fresh (Ushnam Ashneeyaat) – Consume freshly prepared meals at a warm temperature.
2. Include Healthy Fats (Snigdham Ashneeyaat) – Eat foods with natural oils or ghee for better digestion.
3. Eat in the Right Quantity (Matravad Ashneeyaat) – Avoid overeating; eat in moderation.
4. Eat Only When Hungry (Jeerne Ashneeyaat) – Ensure the previous meal is fully digested before eating again.
5. Choose Compatible Foods (Veerya Aviruddham Ashneeyaat) – Avoid combining foods that create digestive imbalance.
6. Eat in a Pleasant Setting (Ishta Deshe, Ishta Sarva Upakaranam Cha Ashneeyaat) – Enjoy meals in a calm, preferred environment.
7. Avoid Rushing (Na Ati Dhrutam Ashneeyaat) – Chew thoroughly and eat at a moderate pace.
8. Do Not Eat Too Slowly (Na Ati Vilambitam Ashneeyaat) – Eating excessively slowly can reduce digestive fire (Agni).
9. Avoid Distractions (Ajalpan, Ahasan, Tanmanaa Bhunjeeta) – Focus on eating; avoid talking, laughing, or multitasking.
10. Practice Mindful Eating (Aaatmanam Abhisameekshya Bhunjeeta Samyak) – Be aware of how food makes you feel.

Supporting Digestion: Pre-, During, and Post-Meal Rituals

Before the Meal (15 Minutes Prior)

• Boost digestion with a ginger-lemon digestive shot: Blend fresh ginger, a squeeze of lemon, honey, Himalayan salt, and water. Strain and drink before meals.

During the Meal

• Sip small amounts of warm water to aid digestion and prevent dilution of digestive juices.

After the Meal

1. Diluted Yogurt Drink (Takram)– After lunch, drink a probiotic-rich blend of yogurt, roasted cumin powder, and salt in a 1:6 ratio with water. This supports gut health.
2. Left-Side Resting (Vamkuksi) – Lie on your left side for 5-10 minutes to enhance digestion by allowing gravity to stimulate digestive secretions.
3. Avoid Sleeping – Instead, take a short walk (5-10 minutes, ~1,000 steps) to aid digestion and prevent sluggishness.
4. By following these mindful eating habits, you can optimize digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, and support long-term health.

8. Upabhokta / Upayokta – The person who consumes food

The person consuming the food plays a crucial role in maintaining their own health. Since you are responsible for what and how you eat, it is important to establish eating habits that support your well-being (Okasatmya). This means developing a consistent routine—eating at the right times, in appropriate quantities, and choosing nourishing foods that suit your body’s needs.

It is also essential to listen to your body and apply common sense. Ask yourself: Do I truly need this meal, or would it be better to skip it? Pay attention to your hunger cues, energy levels, and overall well-being to make informed decisions about your eating habits.

If you are ready to bring these practices into your daily life with personalized support, I would be happy to work with you through Yoga Therapy.