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Vata Dosha Symptoms of Imbalance

Vata Dosha Symptoms of Imbalance

by Julie Wardwell June 08, 2023

Kottakkal_Ayurveda_USA_Vata_Dosha_Symptoms_of_Imbalance

Vata dosha governs all our bodily functions and movements and is responsible for life itself. There are two universal elements space and air that combine to form vata dosha. And there are five universal elements that make up all that exists, space, air, fire, water and earth. The two elements that combine to form vata dosha came into existence first, then fire, water, and earth existed. This is why the vata dosha is responsible for life itself.

Since vata dosha is the energy that initiates life and regulates bodily movement and function it is imperative to maintain a healthy balanced vata dosha for enjoying a healthy long life.  

Primary Functions of Vata Dosha

  • Sustains and regulates all movement of the body
  • Controls the mind and is the cause for pleasure and determination
  • Stimulates and directs all sensory and motor organs
  • Induces speech and is the factor for sound and touch sensation
  • Stimulates digestive power and dries up the excessive moisture
  • Inhalation and exhalation
  • Excretion of waste products
  • Responsible for proper building of organs, tissues and cells

How Vata Dosha Becomes Imbalanced

Ayurveda recognizes there are two types of health disorders based on the origin. The exogenous type is caused by forces outside of us, for example infectious disease, insect or reptile bite. The other type is endogenous which is caused by forces within us, which include improper diet and lifestyle, exercise or sleep habits. There are three types of endogenous, they are vataja (disturbed by vata dosha), pittaja (disturbed by pitta dosha), and kaphaja (disturbed by kapha dosha).

It is interesting that the only common symptom of all types is pain. However, exogenous disorders begin with pain and the dosha becomes disturbed later. Whereas the opposite happens with endogenous disorders that begin with a disturbed dosha and later the pain develops.  

Ayurveda recognizes eighty different symptoms caused by an imbalanced or vitiated vata dosha. These symptoms are recognized solely as a vata dosha imbalance and require a vata pacifying protocol that heals and brings it back into balance or its normal state.

Eighty Symptoms of Vata Dosha Imbalance

  1. Cracked nails
  2. Cracked soles of the feet
  3. Foot pain
  4. Foot drop or dropsy
  5. Numbness in the feet
  6. Pain in the ankle region
  7. Stiffness in the ankle region
  8. Cramps in the calf muscles
  9. Sciatica nerve pain
  10. Tearing pain in the knee
  11. Dislocation in the knee joint
  12. Stiffness in the thigh region
  13. Loss of movement in the thigh
  14. Paralysis of the legs and lower body
  15. Prolapse of the rectum
  16. Pain in the anus
  17. Pain in scrotum
  18. Stiffness in the penis
  19. Sprain in the groin region
  20. Pain in the pelvis girdle
  21. Diarrhea
  22. Constipation 
  23. Limping
  24. Curvature of the spine
  25. Dwarfism
  26. Stiffness in sacral region
  27. Stiffness in back
  28. Compression or stiffness in the sides
  29. Twisting pain in the abdominal area
  30. Cardiac dysfunction
  31. Tachycardia or arrhythmia
  32. Rubbing pain in the chest
  33. Constriction in the chest
  34. Pricking pain in chest
  35. Wasting or weak arms
  36. Stiffness in the neck
  37. Torticollis or twisted neck
  38. Hoarseness of the voice
  39. Cracking or piercing pain in the jaw
  40. Cracked dry wrinkled lips
  41. Cracking or piercing pain in eyes
  42. Cracking or piercing pain in a tooth
  43. Loose teeth
  44. Loss of speech
  45. Stammering speech
  46. Astringent taste in mouth
  47. Dryness in the mouth
  48. Loss of taste sensation
  49. Loss of smell sensation
  50. Earache
  51. Ringing of the ears
  52. Loss of hearing or deafness
  53. Stiffness in the eyelids
  54. Eye lid turns outward
  55. Loss of vision
  56. Pain in the eyes
  57. Squinting eyes
  58. Twisting shape of eyebrows
  59. Sharp pain in temporal region of the head
  60. Sharp pain in frontal region of head
  61. Headache
  62. Dry cracking scalp
  63. Paralysis of the face
  64. Paralysis of a limb
  65. Paralysis of all four limbs
  66. Paralysis of one side of the body
  67. Convulsion or involuntary jerking movement
  68. Convulsions that cause stiff body
  69. Feeling of darkness in front of eye or fainting
  70. Feeling things are spinning or giddiness
  71. Tremor or involuntary shaking
  72. Excessive yawning
  73. Hiccups
  74. Uncontrolled shaking, twitching or cramping
  75. Delirium
  76. Excessive roughness (skin)
  77. Excessive coarseness (hair)
  78. Blackish reddish undertone of skin color
  79. Insomnia
  80. Unstable mind

When there are multiple signs of vata dosha imbalance it is important to adopt an Ayurvedic protocol that supports returning the dosha back to its normal state. A vata balancing protocol includes foods and herbs that are primarily sweet, sour or salty tasting. Along with various warm and/or oily therapeutic procedures such as herbal oil massage with steam bath, warm cooked foods with sesame oil or ghee, oily and non-oily enemas. The herbal enema formula should have vata pacifying properties which are administered at the appropriate dose and time.  

Among the mentioned procedures the oily and non-oily enemas are regarded as the most effective for quickly balancing vata dosha. An herbal enema balances vata at its root location in the colon and is capable of alleviating the eighty symptoms caused by vata dosha. In the next article we will explain the function and symptoms of pitta dosha.  

Basic Products for Balancing Vata Dosha 

  • Ashwagandha Arishtam balances vata dosha, supports men's health, nourishes the muscles, nerves and bones, improves stamina and strength of the body. The main herb Aswagandha and is a well-known nervine tonic and helps calm the mind.
  • Aswagandha Churnam balances vata dosha and supports sleep, brain activity, and the nervous system. Its antioxidant qualities support the immune system and help to balance the stress hormones.
  • Brahmi Oil supports and nourishes vata dosha, the main herb brahmi helps ease head pain and supports cognitive thinking and memory.
  • Dhanwantaram Oil balances and nourishes vata dosha, supports vata related disorders of the muscles, bones, nerves, and joints.
  • Gandharvahastadi Oil balances vata dosha, the main herb is castor and is useful for many vata disorders and helps the elimination of ama and stool.
Kottakkal is committed to offering the highest quality Ayurvedic Healthcare. We offer two types of consultations, the first one is a Free 15-minute Consultation for when you need a product recommendation for a basic health problem. The second one is an In-depth Consultation with our Ayurvedic doctor. If your condition is chronic or you have multiple symptoms, we highly recommend the In-depth consultation.
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Kottakkal Ayurveda products and information are not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. If you have serious, acute, or chronic health problems, please consult a trained health professional. If you are seeking the advice of a trained Ayurvedic professional, call (800) 215-9934 or email us at contact@kottakkal.shop. We will provide you with information to consult with Ayurvedic professionals. Always check with your doctor before taking herbs when pregnant or nursing.

Author

Julie Wardwell
Julie Wardwell



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