SAVE SYMPTOM
Swollen joints may be a sign of toxicity, an auto-immune disorder, or arthritic degeneration in the joint.
Gum inflammation is often secondary to either toxicity (Vata or Pitta type), or sweet blood (Kapha Type). Sweet blood, or blood high in sugar, is attractive to the organisms that cause tooth decay.
Skin infections may cause the following signs and symptoms Itching or burning sensation Redness or rosy discoloration of the skin Bumps or
Many of the below herbs will be used topically. Bloodroot and Mayapple are dangerous, caustic agents that should be used under expert guidance only.
Strong body odor is a sign of toxicity. The toxicity may come from infection, a proliferation of normal gut bacteria, and other metabolic disorder. When at high levels, toxins in the blood are released through the skin and breath, giving an odor....
Swollen lymph nodes are a sign of infection. In Ayurveda, tissues are most vulnerable to infection when the blood is too sweet and thick (an excess condition), and when there is toxic buildup. Traditional remedies include a light and mildly spicey diet...
The body doesn't make foul odors. As blood sugar levels rise, saliva becomes sweet, feeding bacteria in the mouth. Thus, sweet foods cause bad breath. These bacteria produce waste products that have a foul odor. Bacteria will also feed on a thick...
A thick coating on the tongue is a sign of ama - toxins accumulating in the body. It may be a sign of thick blood and aggravated Kapha, or aggravated Vata with constipation. The coating is formed by action of bacteria on the tongue. The presence...
A gray sclera indicates Vata type ama, which can come from constipation, gas, or bloating.
The body doesn't make foul odors. Odorous stool implies food is rotting and fermenting in the gut. Poop starts to rot when it sits too long in the gut (constipation). When you cannot absorb the nutrients from your food (malabsorption, Vata), the...
Gas is a sign of toxicity in your body. When you eat food and it doesn't digest well, it ferments in you gut. As the food rots it starts to smell. When food is poorly digested, toxins enter your bloodstream. This heavily taxes your liver and kidneys-...
A normal tongue has a very thin white coating in the back, which is a sign that the tongue is adequately nourished. If the tongue coating appears gray in color, it is a sign that ama (toxins) is present. The grayish color specifically indicates toxins...
Gray teeth indicates Vata type toxic buildup. The most common cause of Vata ama is constipation, gas and bloating.
The body doesn't make foul odors. Sweet foods cause a foul taste on the tongue. As blood sugar levels rise, saliva becomes sweet, feeding bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria produce waste products that have a foul odor. Bacteria will also feed on a...
Skin may become lusterless and dull when Circulation to the skin is poor Toxins (ama) in circulation are released through the skin Poor Circulation Poor circulation causes the skin to appear lifeless. Lusterless...
Puffy skin implies lymphatic stagnation, inflammation, and edema, overall a Kapha condition in Ayurveda and dampness in Chinese medicine. Possible causes include poor circulation, an allergen, and toxins. Kapha lymph is naturally thick & gooey. This...
Urine becomes smelly when it ferments due to bacteria in the bladder, or after eating certain foods such as asparagus. Fermentation in the bladder happens due to an infection, inflammation, or because the urine is sitting in the bladder for too...
Ayurveda classifies pain into several types - inflammatory, tension related, and ama related (toxins), although the underlying cause of pain could be virtually any injury, disease or sickness. General aches & pains are often a sign of ama or toxic...
General malaise is a general feeling that you are unwell. You may feel like you are coming down with a cold or a fever. In the absence of an infection, general malaise is usually a sign of toxic buildup. You simply might not feel like yourself anymore....
Coating in the tongue cracks indicates acutely aggravated doshas in the blood, or a wind condition in Chinese medicine. This is an important warning sign to start caring for your body.
Sleep in the eye is a sign of sweet, thick, rich Kapha blood. When the blood plasma is thick and rich, it tends to coagulate in the eyes.
A dilated pupil is often a sign of toxicity or drug use. When pupils are dilated, blood vessels may be dilated as well.
Blurry vision may happens when the iris is dilated due to blood toxicity, or when the muscles that regulate the lens are weakened due to strain, starting a computer screen, etc.
Sour sweat is a sign of a Pitta Kapha condition with ama (damp-heat in Chinese medicine). Circulation may be blocked or stagnant. This condition typically occurs alongside red-puffy skin and well developed muscles.
Olive skin appears healthy and glowing. Sallow skin, on the other hand, looks slightly yellow or brown as it has lost its natural complexion. It appears dull and lifeless, particularly on the face. Olive skin is usually genetic, and tends to be...
Fungi grow easily in warm, damp areas of your body like the groin, armpits, vagina, and colon. They also tend to lodge in areas with poor circulation, including the toes and joints. Often a fungal infection in the foot is a sign of a deeper fungal...
Acne is considered a hot, oily pitta condition in Ayurveda. When oils build up in the skin and clog your pores the small pustules known as pimples appear. Acne represents a small local infection of the skin. Acne due to...
Cystic acne may form in a person with a watery kapha constitution has a clogged pore, their body may form a cysts around the irritant.
A whitehead may also be painful. All painful whiteheads are due to a localized infection. Whiteheads can result from excessively sweet Kapha blood, or blood that is too high in sugar or fat content mixing with fiery Pitta toxins. The fiery toxins...
Herpes are aggravated by stress and other immune depressants.
Bacteria naturally proliferate when the blood is sweet or rich after sweet or rich foods. This is especially true for the gums, which are exposed to the outside air. Toxicity in the blood further irritates tissues, making them vulnerable to infectious...
Bile acids can irritate the intestines. Bile acid concentration is increased with a diet high in fats. Increased bile acid concentration has been observed in those with colon cancer. Dietary fiber aids in excretion of bile acids in stool. Fiber thus...
Unintended loss of weight could indicate a serious condition, including parasites, cancer, etc. Even intended, rapid weight loss could create health problems. The best way to lose weight is slowly and steadily.
Chemotherapy causes cellular division to cease, leading to hair loss, and often severe indigestion.
Topical aloe vera and castor oil compresses may limit damage to fragile lymphatic tissues.
Cancer is a disease characterized by the uncontrollable division of abnormal cells. This division can start in almost any part of the body, and may spread to surrounding areas via the blood (rakta vaha srotas) and lymph (rasa vaha srotas)....
A fever is a condition where internal body temperature rises above 100.4F. A fever usually indicates a bacterial or viral infection is present. In Ayurveda, the root cause of fever is metabolic waste, or digestive toxins known as
Should You Get Tested for a Parasite?A parasite can wreak havoc on your body. Unfortunately, many of the symptoms caused by parasites are common to individuals who don't have parasites as well. That leaves everyone wondering -...
On Joyful Belly, we've created an extensive categorization of food so you can easily match food to your imbalanced biocharacteristics. By eating an optimal diet that balances your biocharacteristics, your whole body is strengthened and the conditions that created the disorder are removed. Once the root causes of the disease are removed, the disease lessens in strength or disappears altogether. Additional remedies - such as herbs and lifestyle practices - focused on the specific disorder, can greatly enhance your healing.
Founder of Joyful Belly Ayurveda, John Immel, answers the question ‘What is Ayurveda?’
