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AYURVEDA PHARMACOLOGY OF FOOD & HERBS
CLASSIFICATION OF FOOD, HERBS, & LIFESTYLE
GUNAS USED ON JOYFUL BELLY
Natural Law Theory
to match food, herbs, and lifestyle choices to specific imbalances
for effective treatment options and alternative approaches. In Ayurveda, this system is called Dravya Guna Shastra.
This system suggests that different foods have different characteristics,
and consuming the right foods can help to balance the metabolic characteristics (i.e. three doshas Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) of the body.
Dravya-Guna-Shastra forms the foundation of Ayurveda's pharmacology.
The system of Dravya-Guna-Shastra is biocharacteristics based,
sharing many features with Unani Tibb and Greek Medicine.
A theory that things have a true nature or form that they realize imperfectly.
For example, an imperfectly drawn triangle has a true nature to be a perfect triangle.
Imperfections of the human form arise from genetics, poor lifestyle and diet choices, or environment. The imperfections themselves have a nature which corrupts the human nature. Ayurved classifies these imperfections into various biocharacteristics or gunas. Natural Law Theory is a basic view of reality first described by Aristotle and later developed in the Middle Ages. It differences from the modern mechanistic view of reality, which claims that things do not have a nature beyond the sum of their parts. On Joyful Belly, we've integrated this system into the core of the website, to provide tools for modern clinicians. Please click on category below to see how remedies are classified under this system. See all categories CLEARClear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama. Group: Cleanse-and-Detox COLDCold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow. Group: Heart-Circulation-Blood DIFFICULTDifficult refers to anything that is difficult to digest, or takes a long time to digest. Group: Digestion DRYDry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis. Group: Kidney-Bladder-Urinary EASYEasy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly. Group: Digestion GOOEYGooey is identified by anything gelatinous (such as oatmeal), or by mucus congestion. HEAVY (GURU)Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight. Group: Weight-Loss HOTHot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation. Group: Heart-Circulation-Blood LIGHT (LAGHU)Lightness is identified by reduced weight. Group: Weight-Loss LIQUEFIED (DRAVA)Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs. MOBILEMobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity. Group: Energy-Vitality OILYIn Ayurveda, oily refers to anything moistening. More specifically, oily refers to building substances that increases fat, or are themselves fatty. For example, sugar is Oily. TOXIC (AMA)A substance that causes toxicity in the body, or that harms the body. Group: Cleanse-and-Detox |
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