HOARSE VOICE

SAVE SYMPTOM

A hoarse voice could be a sign of acid reflux, smoking, stuffed nose, dry air, dry palate, overuse of the voice, and upper respiratory infection. The vagus nerve also affects the muscles and tension in the vocal chords.

YELLOW MUCUS

SAVE SYMPTOM

When mucus is a yellow or green color, generally this means there is an excess of Pitta in the lungs and a possible sign of infection (Pitta is responsible for infection). The quality of this mucus is hot, sharp and penetrating. You will feel this...

STINGING EYES

SAVE SYMPTOM

The eyes generally sting one hour after a meal, during the sour phase of digestion. In this phase, acid production in the stomach cause an 'alkaline tide' in the blood. Stinging eyes are a sign of these changes in blood chemistry. The eyes may also...

LOW BLOOD PRESSURE

SAVE SYMPTOM

Low blood pressure could imply dehydration (Vata type) or low thyroid function (Kapha type).

ANIMAL/DANDER ALLERGY

SAVE SYMPTOM

Allergies may be a consequence of chronic underlying inflammation (of the skin, lungs, or digestive tract) that exposes the immune system to allergens. For example, a respiratory infection can cause the immune system to overreact to dust or other...

SAVE SYMPTOM

Isolation can make it difficult to maintain a balanced perspective on life and reality. Good friends keep us tethered to reality, and inspire us to make better choices The best cure for isolation is charity work. Charity work forces a shift in...

SLOW HEARTBEAT (BRADYCARDIA)

SAVE SYMPTOM

A slow heartbeat is typical of athletes and people with a regular exercise routine. A slow heartbeat is also a sign of a cold condition. The heart's electrical system may have a problem. The vagus nerve may be overstimulated. Spices such as ginger and...

SENSITIVE TO POISON IVY

SAVE SYMPTOM

Sensitivity to poison ivy runs in my family genes including hospitalizations! But over the past several years I healed my allergies to poison ivy and can even pick up a leaf without blisters or itching. I now view poison ivy as 'sister ivy', a powerful...

TAKING 3+ SUPPLEMENTS

SAVE SYMPTOM

Supplements include herbs, extracts, vitamins, minerals, and any other item you ingest as an addition to your everyday meal. Occasional use of supplements may be beneficial - during a busy week, when you are pregnant or having so other short term,...

MULTIPLE WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAMS

SAVE SYMPTOM

Yo-yo dieting and excess weight A crash diet is a famine to the body. When the food supply is too low, our bodies become scared and adapts to help us survive. At first, there is a feeling of lightness and potentially even weight...

NARROW STOOL / STRINGY POOP - THIN, PENCIL STOOL (RIBBON)

SAVE SYMPTOM

Narrow Stools (Stringy poop, Pencil stool) can indicate inflammation or growths in the colon causing a stricture (narrowing of the inside of the tube). The inflammation can obstruct the movement of stools. It can also be a simple sign of loose stools...

BULIMIA, PAST OR CURRENT

SAVE SYMPTOM

It's not about food Often with bulimia, we get caught in thinking that food is the problem; we think that if cookies, chips, and other junky "binge" foods didn't exist, we wouldn't have a problem. But, food is merely a silk-screen...

GRAY COATING TONGUE

SAVE SYMPTOM

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...

WHITE MUCUS

SAVE SYMPTOM

Mucus is generally a sign of "sweet blood". Blood that is high in sugar, fats, or proteins is sweet blood. Sweet blood is thicker than dry blood and causes mucus. Sweet blood causes thick mucus while toxicity generally creates thin, clear mucus.

THIN LIPS

SAVE SYMPTOM

Thin lips are constitutionally natural for Vata. Since light Vata constitutions tend to have thin skin, they often frequently have thin lips. However, thin lips may also be a sign of deficient ojas (nourishment), especially if your constitution is...

FINE, STRAIGHT, LIGHT OR REDDISH HAIR

SAVE SYMPTOM

Fine, straight, or reddish hair tends to be thin and light in texture. It can be fair in color, like a strawberry blonde, or a bright, vibrant red. This hair type is characteristic of a

HIGH TRIGLYCERIDES

SAVE SYMPTOM

High triglycerides indicate high fat content of the blood. Often, the best way to deal with fatty foods cravings is to find a satisfying substitute. Sweet potatoes, beans and sunflower seeds provide heaviness but won't aggravate triglyceride levels as...

IRON DEFICIENCY

SAVE SYMPTOM

See Anemia and Iron foods and supplements.

RARELY COOK

SAVE SYMPTOM

Cooking your own food is the first step towards knowing the relationship between food and your body. Cooking is an essential first step in Ayurveda.

FAT ON BUTTOCKS

SAVE SYMPTOM

If fat on your buttocks is proportional to weight gain in other areas of your body, you do need to give special consideration to fat in this area. If you gain weight disproportionately on the buttocks, it may indicate that circulation in this region is...

HYPOGLYCEMIC

SAVE SYMPTOM

Often, hypoglycemia means your body isn?t used to experiencing hunger. Instead of regulating your metabolism or metabolizing fat, your body wants you to eat more. The pattern of constant 'grazing' is a modern one. Fasting between meals is important to...

INCOMPLETE CHEWING

SAVE SYMPTOM

Chewing & Your Health 50% of digestion begins in the mouth. So if you have digestive problems, you can usually fix it with your teeth! The most powerful tools you have to digest and absorb nutrients well are your teeth. Your teeth...

SWEAT RARELY (ANHIDROSIS)

SAVE SYMPTOM

Sweating rarely may indicate chronic dehydration, electrolyte imbalance such as magnesium deficiency, or other factors. Drinking inadequate amounts of water, urinating or passing too much liquid in the feces will reduce the amount of sweating. The...

PAIN LEFT LOWER ABDOMEN

SAVE SYMPTOM

When you have abdominal pain, the specific region will tell you a lot. Pain located in the lower left side of your abdomen frequently has to do with the sigmoid colon, which lies in the lower left quadrant. The sigmoid colon is the section after your...

PNEUMONIA

SAVE SYMPTOM

Pneumonia is a lung infection causing inflammation of the deepest lung tissue (lower bronchial tubes and airsacs). Common respiratory infections typically affect the upper branches of the lung only and does not descend into the air sacs (alveoli) of...

WHEEZING (SIBILANT RHONCHI)

SAVE SYMPTOM

Wheezing is the sound that happens when air in your lungs moves through constricted or obstructed air passages. Wheezing usually comes from the bronchioles - smaller tubes deeper in the lungs. Wheezing on the exhalation points to bronchiolar disease....

CYSTS

SAVE SYMPTOM

Cysts are a sign of aggravated Kapha. When Kapha is aggravated, the body has trouble detoxifying irritants. Instead, Kapha surrounds the irritant with fluid to neutralize it.

BLOODSHOT EYES

SAVE SYMPTOM

The eyes may be bloodshot from a lack of sleep (Vata), irritation from contact lenses or debris (Vata), allergies (Pitta), a heat condition and even blood stagnation. Cucumbers on the eyes, cleansing the blood, and soothing the liver may help.

YELLOWISH SKIN

SAVE SYMPTOM

Yellowish skin can be a sign of liver distress and excess bilirubin in the blood. This may come from Vata deficiency, or an infectious process (Pitta). If the skin becomes very yellow, it is a sign of jaundice and should be treated immediately.

MOLES NUMEROUS

SAVE SYMPTOM

Numerous moles may be a sign of liver stress. Where moles are associated with heat, oiliness and sourness, liver spots are associated with liver bitterness and dryness.

SKIN PROBLEMS ON EYELIDS

SAVE SYMPTOM

The eyes are a very bloody organ, and are easily affected when Pitta is aggravated.

SKIN RED AFTER MILD ABRASION (DERMATOGRAPHIA)

SAVE SYMPTOM

Dermatographism, the ability to 'draw' on the skin, is a sign of capillary vasodilation due to Pitta type toxicity. It may indicate lymphatic stagnation as well.

ILLEGAL DRUGS (MARIJUANA, COCAINE, ETC)

SAVE SYMPTOM

The constituents of some plants are used for their psyco-tropic qualities. Ultimately, these powerful herbs leave toxicity in their wake, particularly affecting liver function.

UNEASY WHEN FOOD UNAVAILABLE

SAVE SYMPTOM

Food creates an illusion of security. An abundance of food can represent opulence, wealth, and well-being, while a scarcity of food can mean poverty, instability, and unsatisfied hunger. A history of yo-yo dieting, eating nutrient deficient foods,...

PAIN RIGHT LOWER ABDOMEN

SAVE SYMPTOM

The cecum or 'second stomach' marks the beginning of the colon in the lower right abdomen. Pain in this area is usually due to stagnant digestion. The cecum may feel bloated or full. Eventually, a painful cecum could lead to appendicitis. This area...

PAIN ABOVE BELLY BUTTON

SAVE SYMPTOM

Pain should be checked by a medical doctor. Pain above the abdomen involves upper GI organs such as the stomach, duodenum, pancreas and liver. It can point to an ulcer, H. pylori infestation, or other upper GI issues. If stomach, pancreatic, or liver...

SLEEP DEEP & LONG, TROUBLE WAKING UP

SAVE SYMPTOM

After eating late at night, especially heavy foods, many people report difficulty waking up early the next day. This heaviness is due to blood stagnation.

SPICY FOOD

SAVE SYMPTOM

Spicy food stimulates digestion, blood flow and sweat. Spicey food liquefies mucus in the digestive tract, lungs, and anywhere mucus is found. Spices can irritate the digestive tract.

PANCREATITIS

SAVE SYMPTOM

Pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, creates terrible, sharp pain just below ribs. Pancreatitis happens digestive enzymes released by the pancrease are activated too soon, and auto-digest the pancreas, damaging the tissues. This is a...