Hiatal hernia is a common cause of acid reflux. It is a medical condition typically diagnosed by a doctor. Development The lower esophageal sphincter (aka LES, also called the cardiac valve) is a one way valve that lets food into the...
What is High Blood Pressure? The concept of blood pressure is simple - it refers to the force of blood pressing against the walls of your arteries. Healthy blood pressure is around 120/80mm Hg. When your blood pressure reaches or...
Insulin resistance is one cause of abnormally high blood sugar levels. A kapha pacifying diet and reducing sweets / high glycemic foods in your diet will help. Exercises, and even breathing exercises (pranayama) can improve insulin uptake by...
Cholesterol functions to repair irritated and inflamed tissues. High cholesterol is often a kapha response to high inflammation. It also strengthens the cell wall....
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...
Past injury, gravitational stress, auto-immune disorders, and candida or other infections lodged in the joints can cause joint pain. Hip pain is a sign of high vata dosha. Generally, Ayurveda treats joint pain with cleansing. Yoga teachers...
Hirsutism is the growth of excessive body hair in places it is usually absent, or very fine, in women. It can be seen in areas typical to male hair growth such as facial hair on the chin and upper lip, or body hair on the chest and back. The hairs tend...
Hives are a sign of allergy and aggravated Pitta, or lymphatic congestion in aggravated Kapha.
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.
Hormonal levels change throughout the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy. When changes in hormone levels aggravate symptoms, Ayurveda generally addresses: Toxins - Toxins may present a high burden to the liver. Or disturb the system...
Burning feet syndrome is characterized by severe burning and aching feet. There may also be pain, elevated skin temperature, and excessive sweating.Burning feet syndrome may be a symptom of another disease, such as hypothyroidism, diabetes,...
Hot flashes are generally a sign of Vata pushing Pitta in Ayurveda, or deficient yin heat in Chinese Medicine. This means that over-exertion or other factors have dried up fluids or nutrients. The circulation becomes stimulated to overcompensate for...
When you feel hot in your torso area, but also have cold extremities, it can indicate poor circulation and overcompensation by the heart. Sweet, thick Kapha blood is the likely culprit.
Postural problems start in the hips. Hips should be back, directly over the ankles. When hips are forward of the ankles, there is a tendency to slouch. Exercise: Put your hands onto a table. Push the butt back. Drop the tailbone by rotating your...
Most people who have acid reflux have hypoacidity, or too little acid. Only a stomach acid test can confirm if you have too much or too little acid. Hyperacidity can result from stress, high Kapha, or high Pitta. Hyperacidity may result from bile or...
Restlessness and hyperactivity are characteristic mobile quality of Vata dosha. Vata people tend to 'give up' their energy too quickly, confidently diving into experimental lifestyles, spontaneous acts of charity, and exciting social activities. These...
Ayurveda traditionally recommended an ojas building diet and regular meal times and sleeping routine to pacify high Vata. Coconut oil specifically nourishes the thyroid and metabolism.
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...
Hypothyroid refers to an underactive thyroid gland that doesn't produce sufficient thyroid hormones. Symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, dry skin, constipation, mood changes, and slow metabolism. Diagnosis typically involves blood...
Our unique gifts should be shared with the community. The best way to share our gifts is with humility, empathy and patience. Self-consciousness makes it impossible to listen and empathize with others around us. Once we stop focusing on our...
Digestion demands alot of blood to function properly. Cold drinks cause blood vessels in the stomach to shrink. A warm drink expands blood vessels in the stomach, much like the cheeks become red and flushed on a hot July afternoon.
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.
Fecal impaction is when a large, hardened mass of stool gets stuck in the rectum or colon and you can't pass it normally. It's more than simple constipation - the stool becomes dry, compacted, and effectively blocked so you can't pass...
Impulsive & extroverted states are considered heart heat in Chinese Medicine. Alcohol and other hot, vasodilating foods can stimulate similar states, as can summer heat. Alcohol should thus be avoided in peak summer months.
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...
Indigestion (Upset Stomach) refers to slow or sluggish digestion after a meal with discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen. It is often accompanied by symptoms like bloating, nausea, excessive burping, heartburn, or a sense of fullness....
Eating indiscriminately feels like living in a cloud; you may be unable to think clearly or find some perspective on your appetite, making it nearly impossibly to avoid the temptation to eat haphazardly. Often indiscriminate eating is marked by a...
Ayurveda affirms the goodness of life and has a strength building fertility. Many practitioners are skilled in this area. In dealing with infertility, Ayurveda recommends both cleansing & balancing the doshas before conception. A stable...
The most common causes of blood vessels inflammation include: Varicose veins Long standing blood stasis Trauma to the vessel
Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate. It may be infectious or non-infectious. Non-infectious prostatitis may be similar to interstitial cystitis, i.e. due to immune hyperactivity. Or, prostatis may be caused by irritation due to the lack of...
Mosquito & Insect Bite A plantain or chickweed spit poultice may help to relieve the sting. About Venom Snake venom contains chemicals that break down the structure of the skin. A mud or charcoal...
Generally, Kapha individuals most frequently report problems with milk supply, especially overweight or diabetic mothers. This may be due to Kapha's naturally lower...
'Cleanliness is a virtue.' Physical cleanliness is an outward sign of vigilance and purity. A cluttered house is a cluttered mind. The minimum of cleanliness is a daily rinse. Use of soap is recommended at least twice a week or when the skin is dirty....
Insulin resistance is one cause of abnormally high blood sugar levels. A kapha pacifying diet and reducing sweets / high glycemic foods in your diet will help. Recent research shows that high cortisol may be linked to insulin resistance. Exercises,...
Perfectionism is the excess focus on one's own excellence. Seeking perfection is a good thing. All things naturally seek their own perfection (Aquinas, Summa Theologiae). However, a perfectionist seeks the outward appearance of excellence...
The emotions we have are the body's natural holistic way of appreciating the meaning of events that happen in our lives. The intensity of our emotions, however, correlates to imbalances in the blood. Kapha people naturally experiences more terror,...
Pain should always be checked by a medical doctor. Intermittent digestive pain may be due to colic or spasm of the intestines, distension from gas or bloating, and inflammation or irritation of the GI tract.
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic inflammatory bladder condition. It can cause recurring discomfort or pain in the bladder and the surrounding pelvic region. The symptoms can mimic a
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?’