Q: Rough, dry patches have begun appearing on my feet, and I never have dry skin. I’m a 43 year-old woman with a constitution of pitta/kapha. I follow an Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle (as prescribed). What could be causing this and what suggestions can you give me, please?
A: It is exactly as the saying goes: ‘As above, so below’. What is happening in Mother Nature happens in our body, too. Vata is dominating right now in the Fall. Leaves are falling, trees are drying. These effects reflect in our bodies. Rough, dry patches on your feet are because of vata aggravation in the body.
These could be the reasons:
- You are 43 – slowly but surely, you are going into vata life cycle, that means vata starts showing some signs.
- Is your work more stressful these days? It may aggravate vata.
- You mentioned that you are pitta/kapha and are following Ayurvedic life style as prescribed. You may be focusing on eating dry, light (kapha balancing) and cold foods (for your pitta in Summer). Remember, Ayurveda is a dynamic balance, not a stationary one. There is one unchanging truth about our life – it is “CHANGE.” Nature changes constantly and we need to change with nature. I think you need some fine tuning in your life style.
Try massaging your body with sesame oil or vata oil, twice or three times a week. Leave the oil on for 15-20 minutes and then take a warm shower. Cut down on some dry and cold foods (kapha and pitta balancing respectively). As a matter of fact if pittas want to eat some spicy foods, fall is the season to do that. Get your revised Ayurvedic prescription for the Fall season and enjoy the Holidays.
Q: Over the last several months I’ve noticed my eyesight has grown worse. I’m 25, female and predominately vata. I do not wear glasses and I do work at a computer most of the day. Are there exercises or treatments which can help remedy this?
A: Prolonged computer work is the culprit. It affects not only your eyes but your mind also. It increases your level of stress.
Try the following:
- First thing – Every two hours, take a break for 3-5 minutes. Look outside the window. Look at the trees, the sky or some flowers. Close your eyes and visualize those objects in front of your closed eyes for few minutes.
- Imagine a clock in the front and move your eyes clockwise – 12 O’clock, 1 O’clock, 2, 3 all the way to 11 O’Clock and go anticlockwise – 11 O’Clock, 10 O’clock, 9, 8, 7 all the way to 1 O’Clock. This exercise will strengthen your eye muscles.
- Massage your feet for a few minutes. At the subtle level our feet are connected to our eyes.
- At home wash your eyes with triphala tea. Boil 1/2 tsp of triphala powder in a cup of water for few minutes. Strain. Let it cool down. Use this tea to wash your eyes with the eye cup.
- Put a drop of triphala ghee in both eyes. Tripahala is excellent for eyes.
- Early in the morning, observe the light of a ghee lamp in the dark for few minutes.
- Place cotton balls soaked in a room temperature milk on your eyes and rest for a few minutes.
- Get netrabasti treatment from an Ayurvedic practitioner.
Most importantly cut down on your computer use.
Q: Even driving short distances (50 miles) and spending the night in a different location is causing constipation. With the holidays approaching along with lots of travel, what can I do to prepare for seemingly inevitable situations? I’m in my mid-forties, pitta/kapha, female.
A: As mentioned in response to the first question, we are into the vata season. You are approaching your vata life stage. Constant travel causes vata aggravation. Being at different places also aggravates vata subtly, the over all effect – dryness – constipation.
Make some adjustments in your daily routine.
- Drink plenty of room temperature or warm water.
- Cut down on eating salads and cold foods. It was meant to be during Summer, not right now. Change to warm soups and steamed root vegetables. More grains and handfuls of nuts, warm herbal teas and oatmeal. Add more sesame oil in your food.
- Drink a glass of warm water with 1 tsp ghee in the morning on empty stomach.
- In the evening do a mini abhyanga (oil massage) with sesame oil for a few minutes.
- Do right nostril pranayama (breathing practice) before going to bed.
- Go to bed early and get up early. Early in the morning, you will get an urge to have a bowel movement.
- Don’t forget to take 1/2 tsp triphala in warm water or two triphala pills at bed time.
Q: I am pitta and vata according to an Ayurvedic Vaidya. I have pain, bloating and irritability before my period. Also during that time, I get nightmares of killings and murders of people in the family and am getting very scared. Normally, this has never been the case. What should I do? I try to meditate and do some simple yoga that I had learned many years ago.
A: Every cycle begins with kapha, followed by pitta and finally by vata. In our menstrual cycle too, premenstrual period is the vata time. You mentioned irritability, nightmares about murders etc (it is scary). These are pitta signs but happen because vata aggravates and causes pitta imbalance, too.
The best remedy is to take triphala (2 parts) with gokshura(1 part) and shatavari(1 part) 8-10 days prior to every period.
Also keep vata happy during this period by vata balancing diet and life style.
As always, consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner before undergoing treatments or starting medications.
