Ayurveda Body Types
Determine your Dominant Doshas
Understanding your Mind/Body Nature
Wind, Fire, and Earth
According to Ayurveda, each of us inherits a unique proportion of three mind/body principles which creates our specific mental and physical characteristics. These mind/body principles are called doshas. Most of us have one or two doshas which are most lively in our nature, with the remaining one(s) less significant. The three doshas are known as: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
VATA / Wind:
If we have mostly Vata dosha, we tend to be thin, light and quick in our thoughts and actions. Change is a constant part of our lives. When Vata is balanced, we are creative, enthusiastic and lively. But, if Vata becomes excessive, we may develop anxiety, insomnia, or irregular digestion.
PITTA / Fire:
If Pitta dosha is most lively in our nature, we trend to be muscular, smart and determined. If Pitta is balanced we are warm, intelligent and a good leader. If out of balance, Pitta can make us critical, irritable and aggressive.
KAPHA / Earth (& Water):
If we have mostly Kapha dosha in our nature, we tend to have a heavier frame, think and move more leisurely and are stable. When balanced, Kapha creates calmness, sweetness and loyalty. When excessive, Kapha can cause us to gain weight, be congested and resist healthy changes.
Vata
1. I have a quick mind.
2. I learn new information rapidly.
3. I find that I forget things after a short period of time.
4. I am lively and enthusiastic by nature.
5. I am open to trying out new ideas and having new experiences.
6. I tend to move quickly.
7. I get restless if I’m not constantly on the move.
8. I speak quickly and am a lively conversationalist.
9. I tend to be overly sensitive or emotional.
10. Under stress, I tend to worry and become anxious.
11. I tend to have difficulty falling asleep or awaken easily.
12. I tend to be thin and rarely gain weight.
13. My daily schedule of eating meals, going to sleep or awakening tends to vary from day to day.
14. I find myself forgetting to eat, and I can easily lose weight if I’m not careful.
15. I tend to eat quickly, finishing my meals before others at the table.
16. My digestion tends to be irregular with frequent gas or bloating.
17. My feet and hands tend to be cold.
18. I prefer warmer rather than cooler weather.
19. My skin tends to be dry.
20. My hair tends to be on the dry side or kinky.
Pitta
1. I am intelligent with a precise and discriminating mind.
2. I generally go over new information repeatedly until I am confident that I have mastered it.
3. I do not like to ask for assistance.
4. I tend to be compulsive and have difficulty stopping once I’ve started a project.
5. I take pride in my work and maintain a high standard.
6. I am a perfectionist and am intolerant of errors.
7. When I begin a new task, I see it through to completion.
8. I tend to be strong-willed and somewhat forceful by nature.
9. When pressured, I tend to become irritable and impatient.
10. I can be critical and argumentative.
11. I have a tendency to lose my temper.
12. I have a strong appetite and can eat large quantities of food if I choose.
13. I have a tendency towards indigestion or heartburn.
14. I commonly have two or more bowel movements per day.
15. Under stress, I am more likely to get diarrhea than constipation.
16. I sleep soundly and feel rested with less than eight hours of sleep.
17. My hair shows early thinning or graying, or a tendency toward a reddish color.
18. I tend to perspire easily.
19. I am most comfortable in cooler environments.
20. My skin is sensitive, sunburns, or breaks out easily.
Kapha
1. I tend to be sweet natured and forgiving.
2. I tend to be loyal and devoted in my relationships.
3. I have a tendency to accumulate things; I don’t like to let go of things even if I don’t expect to use them again.
4. I have difficulty leaving a relationship, even after it is no longer nourishing.
5. I am a good listener. I tend to speak only when I feel I have something important to say.
6. I tend to be calm by nature and seldom lose my temper.
7. I tend to deal with conflict by withdrawing.
8. I tend to be steady and methodical with consistent energy and endurance.
9. I tend to perform activities at a steady and comfortable pace.
10. I like to maintain a routine and I have difficulty changing my pace.
11. I tend to absorb new material slowly.
12. Once I’ve learned something, I tend to have good retention.
13. Given a choice, I prefer to watch rather than participate in an athletic activity.
14. I sleep deeply for eight or more hours each night.
15. I tend to have difficulty getting going in the morning.
16. I have a tendency to have chronic sinus congestion, asthma, or excessive phlegm.
17. My skin is usually soft and smooth.
18. My hair tends to be thick, dark, or wavy.
19. I have a slow digestion and tend to feel heavy after eating.
20. I tend to gain weight easily and have difficulty losing extra pounds.
BANYAN BOTANICALS
AYURVEDIC HERBS
Glossary of Indications
Disclaimer: The following information is intended as a convenient guide to the traditional uses of the Ayurvedic herbs used in our herbal tablets. The information has been compiled from published writings on the traditional healing properties and uses of various plants. This information has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended as a substitute for the medical advice of a licensed health care professional. The products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Pregnant and nursing mothers, as well as those under the care of a physician, should consult their health care practitioner before taking herbs.
absentmindedness - state of being deep in thought and heedless of present circumstances or activities; preoccupation (Mental Clarity)
acne - inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles of the skin that is marked by pimples or pustules, esp. on the face (Blood Cleanse, Amalaki, Liver Formula, Neem)
agalactia - absence of or faulty secretion of milk following childbirth (Shatavari, Women's Support)
allergies - abnormally high sensitivities to certain substances, such as pollens or foods. Vata allergies are characterized by wheezing, sneezing, headaches, ringing in the ears, and dryness of the head and throat (Stress Ease). Pitta allergies manifest as itching, inflammations, and skin irritations (Blood Cleanse, Liver Formula). Kapha type allergies tend toward congestion, runny nose, hay fever and respiratory complaints (Immune Support, Lung Formula). All types also benefit from detoxifying the GI tract and maintaining regularity (Triphala).
ama - toxins in the body caused by improper digestion and absorption of foodstuff, causing contraction, clogging, stagnation and weakness of organs, and reducing immunity. For high vata (Haritaki, Hingvastak - Vata Digest), high pitta (Amalaki, Blood Cleanse), high kapha (Trikatu - Kapha Digest, Triphala). For chronic, deep-seated ama (Triphala Guggulu).
amenorrhea - abnormal suppression or absence of menstruation (Women's Support, Shatavari, Blood Cleanse)
anxiety (mild) - state of uneasiness and apprehension (Tranquil Mind, Stress Ease)
apathy - lack of interest or concern especially in matters of general importance; indifference (Mental Clarity, Stress Ease)
arteriosclerosis - thickening, hardening and loss of elasticity of arterial walls, resulting in impaired blood circulation (Heart Formula)
arthritis - inflammation of the joints. Joints with high vata feel cold to the touch, and although not necessarily swollen, they may be dry and painful, especially upon movement (Triphala Guggulu). Joints with high pitta are characterized by redness, heat, inflammation and persistent pain (Kaishore Guggulu). Joints with high kapha are stiff and swollen, may feel cool to the touch, the pain is usually more prominent in the morning and may be relieved by movement (Punarnavadi Guggulu). For symptoms related to rheumatoid arthritis (Simhanad Guggulu).
asthma - chronic respiratory disease marked by sudden recurring attacks of labored breathing, chest constriction, coughing (Lung Formula, Trikatu - Kapha Digest, Triphala). Taken regularly these herbal formulas support proper function of the lungs. They should not be considered for acute relief.
athlete's foot - fungal infection of the foot which invade the dead, outer layers of the skin (Blood Cleanse, Neem)
attention deficit disorder - childhood syndrome characterized by hyperactivity and short attention span (Mental Clarity, Tranquil Mind, Ashwagandha)
belching -expelling stomach gas noisily through the mouth (Haritaki, Hingvastak - Vata Digest)
biliousness - excess of bile; symptom of disorder of the liver causing constipation, headache, loss of appetite, vomiting of bile (Liver Formula, Amalaki, Shatavari)
bladder infection - (Kidney Formula, Shatavari)
boil - painful, circumscribed pus-filled inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (Blood Cleanse, Liver Formula)
brittle nails - (Ashwagandha, Triphala Guggulu)
bronchitis - inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bronchial airways (Lung Formula, Triphala)
burning urination - (Kidney Formula, Shatavari)
bursitis - inflammation of a bursa, usually between a tendon and a bone (Kaishore Guggulu)
candidiasis - infection of the skin with any species of Candida - a genus of yeasts (Para Cleanse)
cardiac disorders - (Heart Formula). For serious heart conditions, always check with your health practitioner before taking herbs.
carpal tunnel syndrome - pain or numbness that affects some part of the median nerve distribution of the hand and may radiate into the arm (Kaishore Guggulu)
chest congestion - (Lung Formula, Trikatu - Kapha Digest)
chills - (Immune Support, Trikatu - Kapha Digest)
cold - viral infection characterized by inflammation of mucous membranes and usually accompanied by fever, chills, coughing, sneezing (Immune Support, Mahasudarshan, Trikatu - Kapha Digest)
colitis - inflammation of the colon (Shatavari)
constipation - decrease in frequency of bowel movements and/or passage of hard, dry stools; difficult digestion, sluggish action of the bowels (Haritaki, Triphala)
convalescence - period needed for returning to health from a recent illness (Stress Ease, Ashwagandha)
cough - (Immune Support, Lung Formula)
cracking joints - (Triphala Guggulu)
cyst - abnormal membranous sac containing fluid, semifluid or solid material (Kanchanar Guggulu, Punarnavadi Guggulu)
degenerative bone loss - deterioration or impairment of bone tissue; may lead to osteoporosis (Shatavari, Ashwagandha)
depression (mild) - condition of feeling sad or despondent (Mental Clarity)
dermatitis - inflammation of skin evidenced by itching, redness and various skin lesions (Blood Cleanse, Neem)
dysmenorrhea - painful menstruation (Blood Cleanse, Women's Support).
ear wax - (Triphala Guggulu)
eczema - acute or chronic skin inflammation with lesions, scales, crusts or scabs alone or in combination; variable amount of itching or burning (Blood Cleanse, Neem)
edema - excessive accumulation of serous fluid in tissue spaces or a body cavity (Chandraprabha, Punarnavadi Guggulu)
emaciation - state of being extremely thin (Ashwagandha, Shatavari, Stress Ease)
enlarged prostate - (Men's Support)
exhaustion - extreme fatigue due to factors such as overexertion, stress and lack of sleep (Ashwagandha, Stress Ease)
eye disorders - (Amalaki, Triphala)
fatigue - physical or mental weariness due to exertion (Ashwagandha, Stress Ease)
fever - abnormal elevation of body temperature (Amalaki, Mahasudarshan)
fibrocystic breasts - fibrous tumors in the breast that have undergone cystic degeneration or have accumulated fluid in the interspaces (Punarnavadi Guggulu)
fibromyalgia - chronic pain in muscles and soft tissues surrounding joints (Kaishore Guggulu)
flatulence - excessive gas in the stomach and intestines (Haritaki, Hingvastak - Vata Digest)
flu - acute, contagious respiratory infection characterized by the sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, myalgia and sometimes prostration (Immune Support, Mahasudarshan)
forgetfulness - state of neglectful or heedless failure to remember (Mental Clarity)
frequent urination - (Men's Support, Kidney Formula)
gallstone - small, hard pathological concretion, composed chiefly of cholesterol, calcium salts, and bile pigments, formed in the gall bladder or in a bile duct (Liver Formula)
gastritis - inflammation of the stomach (Shatavari)
general debility - weakness or lack of strength due to factors such as malnutrition, illness, tissue deficiency, and ama (Ashwagandha, Shatavari, Stress Ease)
giardiasis - infection with Giardia - genus of protazoa - in the intestine causing diarrhea, cramps, nausea, weakness, weight loss, abdominal distention, flatulence, oily stools, belching and vomiting (Para Cleanse)
glycosuria - presence of sugar in the urine (Sweet Ease)
gout - a form of acute arthritis marked by joint inflammation caused by abnormal amount of uric acid in the blood (Gokshuradi Guggulu, Kaishore Guggulu)
grey hair (premature) - (Amalaki)
griping of bowels - acute intermittent cramp-like pain in the abdomen (Digest Ease - Pitta Digest)
heartburn - burning sensation, usually near the sternum, caused by reflux of acidic stomach fluids into the lower end of the esophagus (Shatavari, Digest Ease - Pitta Digest)
hemorrhoids - condition of itching or painful mass of dilated veins in swollen anal tissue hemorrhoids. Ayurveda addresses two types of hemorrhoids: vata type are small, dry, prone to cracking, and hard or rough to the touch (Hingvastak - Vata Digest, Triphala Guggulu). Pitta type are red, irritated, inflamed, and tend to bleed (Neem, Shatavari, Triphala)
herpes - also called cold sore or fever blister; viral disease that results in eruption of vesicles (Blood Cleanse, Neem)
hiccups - spasm of diaphragm resulting in rapid involuntary inhalation stopped by sudden closure of glottis (Haritaki, Hingvastak - Vata Digest)
high cholesterol - (Heart Formula, Triphala Guggulu)
hives - vascular eruption of the skin characterized by a sudden general eruption of pale papules, which are associated with severe itching (Blood Cleanse, Neem)
hot flashes - symptom associated with menopause; sudden brief sensation of heat (Women's Support, Shatavari, Blood Cleanse)
hyperacidity - excess of acid in the stomach (Digest Ease - Pitta Digest, Shatavari)
hyperactivity - excessive muscular activity (Ashwagandha, Tranquil Mind)
hyperglycemia - increased blood sugar; may lead to diabetes (Sweet Ease)
hypertension - abnormally high blood pressure (Heart Formula, Tranquil Mind)
hyperuricemia - abnormal amount of uric acid in the blood; may lead to gout (Kidney Formula, Triphala)
hypotension - abnormally low blood pressure (Ashwagandha)
impotence - inability of a man to achieve or maintain an erection (Ashwagandha, Men's Support)
inability to focus - (Mental Clarity)
incontinence - inability to retain urine or semen due to loss of sphincter control (Chandraprabha, Men's Support)
indigestion - incomplete digestion. Vata indigestion is characterized by flatulence, belching (Hingvastak - Vata Digest). Pitta characterized by heartburn, nausea, hyperacidity (Digest Ease - Pitta Digest). Kapha indigestion manifests as sluggishness and lethargy (Trikatu - Kapha Digest).
infertility - inability or diminished ability to produce offspring. For men (Ashwagandha, Men's Support) for women (Shatavari, Women's Support)
insomnia - prolonged or abnormal inability to sleep (Tranquil Mind during daytime & I Sleep Soundly at night, Ashwagandha)
irregular menses - (Women's Support)
irresolution - state of being unsure how to act; indecisive (Mental Clarity)
kidney disorders - (Kidney Formula) For serious kidney conditions, always check with your health practitioner before taking herbs.
lethargy - state of sluggishness, inactivity, and apathy (Mental Clarity)
leukorrhea - white or yellow mucous discharge from the vagina (Chandraprabha, Women's Support)
liver disorders - (Liver Formula) For serious liver conditions, always check with your health practitioner before taking herbs.
loss of appetite - (Hingvastak - Vata Digest, Trikatu - Kapha Digest)
low metabolism - sluggishness of anabolic and catabolic functions (Hingvastak -Vata Digest, Trikatu - Kapha Digest)
lung disorders - (Lung Formula) For serious lung conditions, always check with your health practitioner before taking herbs.
lymphatic congestion - swollen/tender lymph nodes (Mahasudarshan)
malabsorption - defective or inadequate absorption of nutrients from intestinal tract (Hingvastak - Vata Digest, Triphala)
memory loss - loss of faculty of retaining and recalling past experience (Mental Clarity, Ashwagandha)
menopause - permanent cessation of menstrual activity, usually between ages 35 and 58 (Women's Support)
menorrhagia - excessive bleeding during menstruation (Women's Support, Shatavari)
menstrual cramps - (Tranquil Mind, Women's Support)
mental ama - unresolved thoughts, feelings, emotions in the form of toxins that block normal activity of the mind (Mental Clarity, Triphala)
mental anguish - mental pain, torment, or distress (Tranquil Mind)
mental deficiency - subnormal intellectual development or functioning due to congenital causes, brain injury, or disease and characterized by any of various deficiencies, including impaired learning ability (Mental Clarity)
mental shock - disturbance of function or equilibrium of mental faculties due to trauma (Tranquil Mind, Stress Ease)
mental stress - condition where the mind is disrupted or upset in response to adverse external influences (Mental Clarity, Stress Ease)
muscle ache - Aches due to exercise, overexertion, aging (Ashwagandha, Stress Ease), aches due to injury (Kaishore Guggulu)
muscle atrophy - wasting of muscular tissue (Ashwagandha, Stress Ease)
myositis - inflammation of muscle tissue (Kaishore Guggulu)
nausea - feeling of sickness in the stomach characterized by an urge to vomit; may be caused by excess pitta (Amalaki, Digest Ease - Pitta Digest) or excess kapha (Neem, Trikatu - Kapha Digest). For nausea related to cold or flu (Immune Support, Mahasudarshan)
nervous debility - fatigue of the nerves with resultant physical exhaustion (Ashwagandha, Tranquil Mind)
nervous stomach - cramping and nausea in the stomach due to nervousness (Tranquil Mind)
neuralgia - severe sharp pain occurring along the course of a nerve (Kaishore Guggulu)
nocturia - excessive urination during the night (Kidney Formula, Men's Support)
nocturnal emission - involuntary discharge of semen during sleep (Men's Support)
obesity - increased body weight caused by excessive fat (Trim Support, Triphala)
overeating - (Trim Support, Sweet Ease)
overweight - having more body weight than is considered normal or healthy for one's age or build (Trim Support, Triphala)
palpitations - rapid or violent throbbing or fluttering of the heart (Heart Formula)
parasites - organisms that live within, upon, or at the expense of another organism (Para Cleanse)
PMS - premenstrual syndrome; group of symptoms, including abdominal bloating, breast tenderness, headache, fatigue, irritability and depression, that occur in many women from 2 to 14 days before the start of menstruation (Women's Support, Shatavari)
polyuria - passing an excessive volume of urine (Kidney Formula)
poor circulation - (Heart Formula)
post-partum - after childbirth; many women experience tearfulness, irritability, loss of appetite and difficulty sleeping (Women's Support)
premature ejaculation - ejaculation occurring very shortly after the onset of sexual activity, before copulation, or before the partner's orgasm (Men's Support)
prostatitis - inflammation of the prostate gland (Men's Support)
psoriasis - common, chronic disease of the skin consisting of patches on the skin with distinct borders (Blood Cleanse, Neem)
rash - any eruption of the skin (Blood Cleanse, Neem)
repetitive motion injury - tissue damage caused by repeated trauma, such as with writing, painting, typing, or use of hand tools (Kaishore Guggulu)
restlessness - inability to rest, relax or be still (Tranquil Mind, Ashwagandha)
rheumatism - any of several pathological conditions of the muscles, tendons, joints, bones or nerves, characterized by discomfort and disability (Simhanad Guggulu, Ashwagandha)
rheumatoid arthritis - chronic systemic disorder marked by inflammatory changes in joints and related structures that result in crippling deformities (Simhanad Guggulu, Ashwagandha)
ringworm - skin infection caused by various species of fungi; marked by red-ringed patch of vesicles with itching, pain and scaling (Blood Cleanse, Neem)
runny nose - (Immune Support, Lung Formula)
scabies - highly communicable skin disease caused by an arachnid; manifests as papules, vesicles, pustules and burrows, and causes intense itching resulting in eczema (Blood Cleanse, Neem)
sciatica - severe pain in the leg along the course of the sciatic nerve felt at the back of the thigh and running down the inside of the leg (Kaishore Guggulu)
seminal debility - any abnormal condition of the sperm including low sperm count, malformed or weak sperm (Ashwagandha, Men's Support)
senility - mental and physical deterioration characteristic of old age (Ashwagandha, Mental Clarity, Stress Ease)
sexual debility - inadequate enjoyment or failure to enjoy sexual activity in the areas of desire, arousal, orgasm and/or satisfaction. For men (Ashwagandha, Men's Support), for women (Shatavari, Women's Support)
short attention span - inability to maintain focus on an object or idea without diversion (Mental Clarity)
shortness of breath - (Lung Formula)
sinus congestion - congestion of the sinuses in the head. For acute congestion due to cold, flu, or allergies (Immune Support, Lung Formula), for chronic congestion (Nasya oil, nasal rinse cup)
skin irritations - (Blood Cleanse, Neem)
sneezing - (Immune Support)
sore throat - (Immune Support, Lung Formula)
spasms - involuntary sudden movement or muscular contraction that occurs as a result of some irritant or trauma (Yogaraj Guggulu)
spermatorrhea - abnormally frequent involuntary loss of semen without orgasm (Ashwagandha, Men's Support)
spermaturia - semen discharged with the urine (Men's Support)
sprain - trauma to a joint that causes pain and disability depending on the degree of injury to the ligaments (Kaishore Guggulu)
stiffness - condition of rigidity and inflexibility of joints or muscles (Kaishore Guggulu)
strained muscles - trauma to the muscles from violent contraction or excessive forcible stretch (Kaishore Guggulu)
stye - localized circumscribed inflammatory swelling of one or more of the sebaceous glands of the eyelid (Triphala)
sugar addictions - (Sweet Ease, Trim Support)
swollen joints - (Kaishore Guggulu, Punarnavadi Guggulu)
tendonitis - inflammation of a tendon (Kaishore Guggulu)
tics - spasmodic muscular contractions, involuntary and often repeated (Tranquil Mind)
toxemia - condition in which the blood contains toxins (Blood Cleanse, Triphala)
tremors - involuntary continuous quivering of muscles (Tranquil Mind)
ulcer - lesion of skin or a mucous membrane accompanied by formation of pus and deterioration of surrounding tissue (Shatavari, Amalaki)
urethritis - inflammation of the urethra (Kidney Formula, Shatavari)
urinary stone - calculus formation in any part of the urinary system, incl. bladder, urethra and kidney; marked by frequency of urination, pain, and hematuria (Kidney Formula)
urinary tract disorders - (Kidney Formula) For serious urinary tract conditions, always check with your health practitioner before taking herbs.
vertigo - sensation of dizziness (Ashwagandha, Tranquil Mind)
water retention - (Kidney Formula, Women's Support)
worry - to feel anxious, distressed, or troubled (Tranquil Mind)
