To stay healthy, Ayurveda says our body needs a balance of three energies or doshas, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. When even one of these becomes too much or too little, it can lead to health problems. In today’s fast-paced life and changing food habits, many people are facing imbalances in these doshas. For example, eating too much oily and spicy food can worsen the Pitta dosha. Similarly, Vata and Kapha can also become imbalanced due to poor lifestyle choices.
Among the three doshas, Vata is considered the most powerful because it controls movement and communication in the body. It is made of two elements, sky and air. If Vata increases in the body, it can lead to several health issues like dry skin, joint pain, or constipation.
While many people know about Pitta and Kapha, not everyone understands how Vata increases or how to reduce it. For this, guidance can be found in Patanjali’s Ayurveda book, “The Science of Ayurveda”, written by Acharya Balkrishna. This book explains in detail what Vata dosha is, why it gets disturbed, and what can be done to bring it back to balance.
What is vata dosha?
Vata is mainly found in the stomach and intestines. It has a unique ability to mix with other doshas. For example, if it mixes with Pitta, it can cause heat-related problems, while mixing with Kapha can bring coldness. Vata is also responsible for all movement in the body, including breathing, blood circulation, digestion, and even brain activity.
There are five types of Vata in the body:
- Prana Vata – Controls the brain, lungs, and heart.
- Udana Vata – Manages breathing and speaking.
- Samana Vata – Supports digestion and absorption of nutrients.
- Apana Vata – Controls bowel movements, reproductive health, and the lower body.
- Vyana Vata – Regulates blood flow, muscle movement, and the nervous system.
Symptoms of high vata dosha
When Vata increases too much in the body, it shows up in different ways depending on its nature. Common signs include:
- Dry skin, dry hair, and dryness in the mouth and hands.
- Feeling cold all the time, joint pain, or shivering.
- Trouble sleeping, feeling anxious or irritated quickly.
- Loss of appetite, constipation, weak nails, and dull skin.
- Quick thinking but also forgetfulness.
- Feeling of heaviness in the voice or stumbling while walking fast.
- Restlessness, depression, and poor concentration.
Why Vata increases in body
There are several reasons why Vata increases. Some of the most common causes include:
- Old age – Vata tends to increase naturally with age.
- Mental stress – Worry, fear, and overthinking can disturb Vata.
- Irregular eating habits – Eating too soon after a meal, eating too much dry or cold food, or skipping meals.
- Too much work or lack of sleep – Working beyond your capacity or poor sleep habits increase Vata.
- Seasonal changes – The rainy season can also lead to higher Vata in the body.
- Suppressing natural urges – Like avoiding urination or sneezing.
Home remedies to balance vata dosha
Patanjali’s book gives several useful tips and remedies to control Vata dosha. Here are some easy and practical methods:
- Eat warm, oily, and slightly heavy foods like wheat, ghee, sesame seeds, ginger, garlic, and jaggery.
- Avoid dry fruits, raw bananas, cold food, cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli.
- Massage your body with warm oils like sesame, almond, or olive oil.
- Take hot water baths and use Vata-reducing herbal decoctions.
- Try to sweat mildly through steam or herbal methods to release toxins.
- Get enough rest and sleep. Avoid overworking yourself.
- Avoid tea, coffee, alcohol, and smoking.
- Practice calming exercises like yoga and meditation daily.
- If symptoms like anxiety or depression occur, seek help from a mental health expert.
