Straining could results from hard, dry stools (Vata). Or, inflammation of the intestines (Pitta) and lack of muscle tone in the terminal colon. Excess mucus could prevent elimination of stool (Kapha). Straining could cause prolapse of the rectum and hemorrhoids. Instead, press the acupressure / marma point halfway between the tip of the tail-bone and the anus. This will facilitate removal of stool stuck in the rectum. Ashwini mudra and mula bandha will also help you strengthen the musculature in this reason. Massage the digestive tract. Additionally, massage behind the pubic bone.

DIET REMEDIES FOR 'STRAINING TO ELIMINATE'

Roots

Beets

How does Beets affect this symptom?
IT FEELS BETTER IT FEELS WORSE IT FEELS THE SAME
We will use this information to better predict food that helps you.

, 

Carrot

How does Carrot affect this symptom?
IT FEELS BETTER IT FEELS WORSE IT FEELS THE SAME
We will use this information to better predict food that helps you.

Beans-Legumes

Black Beans

How does Black Beans affect this symptom?
IT FEELS BETTER IT FEELS WORSE IT FEELS THE SAME
We will use this information to better predict food that helps you.

, 

Mung Bean

How does Mung Bean affect this symptom?
IT FEELS BETTER IT FEELS WORSE IT FEELS THE SAME
We will use this information to better predict food that helps you.

Nuts-Seeds

Chia Seeds

How does Chia Seeds affect this symptom?
IT FEELS BETTER IT FEELS WORSE IT FEELS THE SAME
We will use this information to better predict food that helps you.

, 

Flax Seed

How does Flax Seed affect this symptom?
IT FEELS BETTER IT FEELS WORSE IT FEELS THE SAME
We will use this information to better predict food that helps you.

Fruits

Figs

How does Figs affect this symptom?
IT FEELS BETTER IT FEELS WORSE IT FEELS THE SAME
We will use this information to better predict food that helps you.

, 

Lemon

How does Lemon affect this symptom?
IT FEELS BETTER IT FEELS WORSE IT FEELS THE SAME
We will use this information to better predict food that helps you.

, 

Mango

How does Mango affect this symptom?
IT FEELS BETTER IT FEELS WORSE IT FEELS THE SAME
We will use this information to better predict food that helps you.

, 

Peaches

How does Peaches affect this symptom?
IT FEELS BETTER IT FEELS WORSE IT FEELS THE SAME
We will use this information to better predict food that helps you.

, 

Tamarind

How does Tamarind affect this symptom?
IT FEELS BETTER IT FEELS WORSE IT FEELS THE SAME
We will use this information to better predict food that helps you.

Spices

Salt (Mineral Salt)

How does Salt (Mineral Salt) affect this symptom?
IT FEELS BETTER IT FEELS WORSE IT FEELS THE SAME
We will use this information to better predict food that helps you.

HERBS & PRODUCTS FOR 'STRAINING TO ELIMINATE'

AVOID DIETS, LIFESTYLES & HERBS THAT AGGRAVATE THESE EFFECTS

Symptoms Tell A Story

The first step to healing is learning patterns from your symptoms. Symptoms are clues that reveal underlying imbalances. Symptoms show you where your body is weakened. Ultimately, all disease has a root in tissues too weak to defend itself. Ayurveda describes these patterns of weakness using doshas & qualities. If you notice a quality or dosha appears next to many of your symptoms, it helps you establish a pattern that may be systemic.

V = VATA, P = PITTA, K = KAPHA

GUNA	FOODS TO AVOID	DO YOU HAVE THIS IMBALANCE?
DIFFICULT ABOUT DIFFICULT GUNA Difficult refers to anything that is difficult to digest, or takes a long time to digest. LEARN MORE ABOUT DIFFICULT	AVOID DIFFICULT FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE STRAINING TO ELIMINATE	FIND OUT Status Unknown Take these quizzes to find out if you need to decrease Difficult to digest foods.
DRY ABOUT DRY GUNA Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis. LEARN MORE ABOUT DRY	AVOID DRY FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE STRAINING TO ELIMINATE	FIND OUT Status Unknown Take these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Dry' guna.
HOT ABOUT HOT GUNA Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation. LEARN MORE ABOUT HOT	AVOID HOT FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE STRAINING TO ELIMINATE	FIND OUT Status Unknown Take these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Hot' guna.
ASTRINGENT ABOUT ASTRINGENT GUNA Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying. LEARN MORE ABOUT ASTRINGENT	AVOID ASTRINGENT FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE STRAINING TO ELIMINATE	FIND OUT Status Unknown Take these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Astringent' taste.

To learn more about the symbols above, click on them.

SEE A DIET WHICH REMOVES THESE CAUSES

ADDRESS ISSUES IN STAGE OF DISEASE 1

If you have symptoms in this category, your body is sending you a warning sign. Since digestion is so metabolically intensive and sensitive to stress and emotions, the earliest warning signs of imbalance usually appear in the digestive tract first. You may have gas and bloating, for example, or acid reflux. Ayurveda recommends paying careful, close attention to warning signs. They indicate that an imbalance is starting to accumulate. Correct these warning signs before they accumulate further and weaken your body's resistance. This is usually accomplished by removing diet and lifestyle habits that aggravate your imbalanced doshas and qualities.

REDUCE THESE RELATED SYMPTOMS & HABITS

DO YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR UNIQUE BODY?

What aggravates it? What heals it? Then get your Personal Ayurvedic Body Book! This book, written by founder and director of Joyful Belly, John Immel, is individually formatted for your unique body and will help you confidently choose food that restores your healthy glow to get you feeling like your best self. Just $19.99!

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About the Author

John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda. His approach to Ayurveda exudes a certain ease, which many find enjoyable and insightful. His online course Balance Your Ayurvedic Diet in a Week provides tools for gracefully healing with Ayurveda to thousands. John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda , which specializes in digestive tract pathology & Ayurvedic nutrition. John and his wife Natalie recently published Explore Your Hunger: A Guide to Hunger, Appetite & Food.

John's interest in Ayurveda and digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, including his public service work in South Asia. John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem. His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion. John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing. In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.

John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots, and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church. Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick. That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well.

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