Search This Blog

Dr. Vikram Chauhan - MD (Ayurveda)

Thursday, July 23, 2020

Ayurvedic Way of Effective Fasting for Different Body Types (Prakritis)

Ayurveda, a science of life that was established several years ago, is a potent pathy which was in practice in India but with time, it spread Worldwide due to its efficient ways of treating the diseases from its root. This science has given the ways of leading a normal healthy life of an individual as well, which is very clear in its Aim (Aim of Ayurveda) –“ स्वस्थस्य स्वास्थ्य रक्षणं आतुरस्य विकार प्रशमनं च ”. In other words, it clears that it helps to protect the health of a healthy person and treat the diseased one. That’s why this holistic approach to mankind is the reason where people tried to chase this treasure from our ancient Sages and Vaidyas.

In Ayurveda, there are 3 approaches to treat any disease or to stay healthy, they are – Aahar (Diet), Vihaar (Lifestyle) and Aaushadi’s (Medicines). These three are the main sources or ways which can help to treat us. And one of the methods to attain this is Langhana Therapy (Fasting). Fasting is a technique of refrain from the foods for a stipulated time. It plays its key role in managing the digestive health and curbs the morbid materials from our body. It can of any type – a whole day fasting or intermittent fasting. Fasting can be practiced for particular hours of the day, we can abstain from some particular food stuffs, can skip all the foods and just on water for some duration and so on. And there is a great importance given to langhana in Ayurveda – “ लंघनं परम् औषधं ” langhana is considered as the best medicine because of its importance, let's discuss it.

Fasting

IMPORTANCE OF FASTING

In our daily routine, we consume so many processed things and we do overfeeding that is not good for our body and they develop various toxins inside the body. These toxins will give rise to various health issues. So, to increase our digestive fire, maintain the normal metabolism and detoxify the body and fto keep the diseases at bay, we should do fasting. It will help to maintain the healthy functioning of our body.

But as per Ayurveda, Everyone has a particular constitution i.e. Prakruti. But it will be dominated by Vata dosha, Pitta dosha and Kapha dosha. So, Fasting for a period of time also varies from Prakruti to Prakruti i.e. it depends upon particular dosha.

Even fasting is a ritual practice in most of the cultures. Let’s go for particular Dosha dominant prakruti i.e. Vata Prakruti, pitta Prakruti and Kapha Prakruti.

FASTING FOR KAPHA PRAKRUTI

Kapha dosha is composed of Earth and Water elements. This represents the characteristic of an individual like they are strought, well built, sluggish movements and having a strong immunity. So, these prakruti people have more Meda Dhatu (0adipose tissue) and fasting helps to curb it. So fasting is a great choice for this prakruti as fasting brings lightness in their body. These people can fast for the whole day, can stay hydrated with just water, can skip the meals for 3 days or can do fasting once in a week, regularly. That will not hamper and cause any kind of side effect on their body. It will help to bring balance in all the doshas especially Kapha and Vata dosha. Fasting will help to increase their digestive fire hence accelerates their metabolism. This will be a good choice for kaphaj prakruti people.

FASTING FOR PITTA PRAKRUTI

Pitta dosha is composed of fire and water elements. This represents the characteristic of an individual like they are more angry, with moderate body built and moderate immunity. But, these prakruti have a good digestive fire so they need to do the fasting moderately or can do intermittent fasting. They should not skip the complete meals because it will affect their body. Or they can do fasting occasionally. They can consume fruits, juices or have khichadi or light satvik aahar meanwhile. Because they already have a strong Agni, and fasting increases our appetite and it will curb the normal dhatus in their body. They can do this once in 15 days.

FASTING FOR VATA PRAKRUTI

Vata dosha is composed of air and space elements. This represents the characteristic of an individual like they are very lean with less immunity but they are very active. These prakruti people have irregular digestion, sometimes they can digest well and sometimes they feel like bloated. Fasting helps to aggravate Vata and Pitta dosha in our body hence vata prakruti individual’s should not skip the meals. For maintaining health, they can just skip one of the meals of the day or can fast once in a month, Or can do intermittent fasting with light meals, skipping some particular food for stipulated time, or can just stay on khichadi and fruits for the whole day. Vata prakruti people should not fast for a long time because it will further aggravate vata dosha in their body so instead of giving benefits it will raise various health issues. Once in a month they should do this fasting to detox their body.

SOME TIPS FOR FASTING FOR PARTICULAR PRAKRUTI

  • For Kapha Prakruti - Kapha prakruti people can even drink lukewarm water on the day of fasting. You can curb fats for some days.
  • For Pitta Prakruti - Can stay on some fruits and salads for some days.
  • For Vata Prakruti - You can switch to particular light foods for duration along with fruits.

But everyone after fasting should not start immediately the normal and heavy meals. Rather these should gradually be added in our daily routine.

EFFECTS OF FASTING ON OUR BODY

With fasting we can achieve the following things:

  • Feeling of lightness
  • Become active and alert
  • A good digestion
  • Detoxification of our body
  • A fast metabolism
  • Maintain body shape and weight
  • Increases the body’s immunity
  • Enhances the higher mental functions
  • There will be a natural glow and a positive energy in our body

WHEN TO DO FASTING?

If you have poor digestion and have symptoms like indigestion, coated tongue, constipation, bloating, burping and heaviness in the body. Then it’s a time to detox the body by eliminating the morbid materials and you must revitalize your whole body.

CONCLUSION

Fasting, a healthy procedure to detoxify yourself that boosts the function of our body and clears the channels and also it will be a great choice and a simple way to lead a normal healthy life without diseases.

No comments:

Post a Comment