According to the Ayurvedic Institute, Ayurveda is a healing art that has been practiced for over 5,000 years. The idea behind Ayurveda is that everything is part of one whole. The individual is part of the universe and the universe is found within the individual. Ayurvedic medicine originated in India and is currently practiced around the world. Ayurvedic aromatherapy is a healing practice that uses essential oils that correspond with an individual's dosha. Always consult your doctor or a qualified practitioner before using essential oils.
Ayurvedic Types and Features
Ayurveda considers the elements air, ether, fire, water and earth as constituents of an individual's overall make-up. These elements combine to form three doshas, or ayurvedic body types, known as pitta, vata and kapha, according to Holistic Online. Each dosha has a very specific personality type and certain physical characteristics. Pitta is a type that combines the elements water and fire. Pitta types generally have a medium body build, strong metabolism and have assertive personalities. Vata combines the elements ether and air. People with the vata constitution are generally physically too tall or too short, have short memories but are creative and fast learners. Kapha combines water and earth. Kapha types are physically well-developed, easy-going personality types who are slow learners, yet they have an excellent memory.
Significance
According to chiropractor Bryan Miller and doctor of naturopathic medicine Light Miller in their book, "Ayurveda and Aromatherapy," nearly 70 percent of the population of India is treated with Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurvedic medicine focuses on prevention instead of just finding a cure for already-existing ailments. It tries to find a balance among the physical, mental and spiritual parts of the individual, through finding physical balance, emotional release, mental health and spiritual focus. Aromatherapy is one way that Ayurveda uses natural methods of healing to fix imbalances within the individual's constitution.
Pitta Aromatherapy
Pitta can become imbalanced due to too much heat, generally caused by dietary changes. Eating too many spicy foods or skipping meals can cause an imbalance in pitta types. These imbalances manifest in symptoms such as heartburn or acid reflux. According to authors Bryan and Light Miller, pitta imbalances can often be corrected with essential oil applications to the skin or using herbal treatments internally. Some essential oils that are effective for pitta imbalance are the cooling oils of chamomile, lemon balm, spearmint and coriander.
Kapha Aromatherapy
Kapha types tend to become imbalanced because of too much exposure to the cold or over-indulging in fatty, heavy foods. According to Bryan and Light Miller, essential oils for kapha imbalance focus on heat and stimulation. Essential oils that are effective for kapha imbalance are invigorating oils such as cinnamon, lemongrass, clove and oregano.
Vata Aromatherapy
The vata becomes imbalanced due to eating too many dry, raw foods, mental worry, and over-exposure to dry, cold environments, according to Roxana Huebscher and Pamela A. Shuler in their book, "Natural, Alternative & Complementary Health Care Practices." Heating and calming oils that are useful for treating vata imbalance include clove, ginger, oregano and saffron.
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