Foundations
Anatomy & Physiology
Ayurvedic anatomy and physiology: agni, the dhatus, the srotas and the classical model of the body, explained one clear concept at a time.
Anatomy & Physiology Adharaniya Vega: Natural Urges Not to Suppress Adharaniya vega, the natural urges Ayurveda says not to suppress: the thirteen bodily reflexes, why holding them back harms, and the urges to restrain. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Agni (Digestive Fire) The principle of transformation in Ayurvedic physiology, the fire by which the body digests food and turns it into living tissue. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Ama (Metabolic Toxins) The residue of incomplete digestion in Ayurvedic physiology, the sticky undigested matter the texts hold to be the beginning of imbalance. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Annavaha Srotas: The Channels of Food Annavaha srotas, the channels that carry food, rooted in the stomach and left side: what they hold, how they are disturbed, and their link to Agni and Ama. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Ashtavidha Pariksha: Eightfold Exam Ashtavidha Pariksha is Ayurveda's eightfold examination. Learn how pulse, urine, stool, tongue, voice, touch, eyes and form are read for the doshas. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Asthi Dhatu Asthi Dhatu is the bone tissue of Ayurvedic physiology, the dry, firm tissue that gives the body its frame, holds it upright and lends support. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Asthivaha Srotas: The Bone Channels Asthivaha srotas, the channels that carry asthi or bone, rooted in the fat and hips: what they hold, how they are disturbed, and their tie to Vata. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Avarana of Vata: When Vata Is Covered Avarana of Vata, the classical idea of covered or obstructed Vata: how another dosha, tissue or waste can block Vata's movement and mimic depletion. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Bhutagni: The Five Elemental Fires Bhutagni, the five elemental fires that digest the five-element nature of food so like nourishes like: what they are, how they work, and why they matter. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Dashavidha Pariksha: Tenfold Examination Dashavidha pariksha, the tenfold Ayurvedic examination of a person: ten measures, from constitution and strength to age, that gauge fitness before care. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Dhatu Poshana: How Tissues Are Fed Dhatu poshana, the nourishment of the tissues in Ayurveda: how digested food feeds the seven dhatus in turn, and the three models that explain it. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Dhatvagni: The Seven Tissue Fires Dhatvagni, the seven tissue fires of Ayurveda: how each dhatu digests the nourishment it receives and passes a refined share to the tissue beyond it. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Dosha and Agni Dosha and Agni together: how Vata, Pitta and Kapha each shape the digestive fire, and why your constitution decides the way you digest food. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Foods That Build Ojas Foods that build Ojas: from milk, ghee and dates to almonds, honey and Amalaki, and why Ayurveda names them Ojovardhana, the increasers of vital essence. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Herbs to Increase Ojas Herbs for Ojas: meet Ashwagandha, Shatavari, Amalaki, Guduchi and Bala, the classical Rasayana plants Ayurveda names for building the vital essence. Read article Anatomy & Physiology How to Increase Ojas Increase Ojas, the vital essence of Ayurveda, through nourishing food, sound sleep, Rasayana herbs and a calm, well-ordered life. A clear classical guide. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Jatharagni: The Central Digestive Fire Jatharagni, the central digestive fire and chief of all the body's fires: what it does, why it governs health, and how the tradition keeps it strong. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Koshtha: The Three Bowel Types Koshtha, the bowel constitution of Ayurveda: the hard, soft and medium gut types, how each handles food and elimination, and why the tradition reads them. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Majja Dhatu Majja Dhatu in Ayurveda: the marrow tissue, seventh of the seven dhatus, tied to what fills the bones and to the nervous and sensory life of the body. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Majjavaha Srotas: The Marrow Channels Majjavaha srotas, the channels that carry majja or marrow, rooted in the bones and joints: what they hold, how they are disturbed, and why they matter. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Mala (Waste Products) The waste products of the body in Ayurvedic physiology, chiefly stool, urine and sweat, read by the tradition as everyday signs of how digestion is faring. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Mala: The Bodily Wastes in Ayurveda Mala, the bodily wastes of Ayurveda: faeces, urine and sweat, why the tradition counts them among the three roots of the body and what they reveal. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Mamsa Dhatu Mamsa Dhatu, the muscle tissue of Ayurvedic physiology: the fifth of the seven dhatus that covers the frame, gives strength and shields the parts within. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Mamsavaha Srotas: The Muscle Channels Mamsavaha srotas, the muscle channels rooted in the ligaments and skin: what they carry, how they are disturbed, and their close tie to Kapha. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Manasika Doshas: Sattva, Rajas, Tamas Manasika doshas, the mental qualities of Ayurveda: Sattva, Rajas and Tamas, why Rajas and Tamas are the doshas of the mind, and how they shape temperament. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Meda Dhatu The fat tissue of Ayurvedic physiology, the sixth of the seven dhatus, whose work is to lubricate, cushion and steady the body. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Medovaha Srotas: The Fat Channels Medovaha srotas, the channels that carry meda or fat, rooted in the kidneys: what they hold, how they are disturbed, and their close tie to Kapha. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Mutravaha Srotas: The Urine Channels Mutravaha srotas, the channels that carry mutra or urine, rooted in the bladder: what they hold, how they are disturbed, and their place among the wastes. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Nadi Pariksha: Pulse Diagnosis Nadi Pariksha, the Ayurvedic pulse reading: how three fingers at the wrist sense Vata, Pitta and Kapha, and the honest limits of the method. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Nidana Panchaka: Five Tools of Diagnosis Nidana panchaka, the five tools of Ayurvedic diagnosis: cause, early signs, manifest signs, therapeutic test and pathogenesis, woven into one picture. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Ojas (Vital Essence) The vital essence of Ayurvedic physiology, the most refined product of digestion, held to sustain strength, resilience and the glow of good health. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Ojas and Immunity Ojas and immunity in Ayurveda: how the vital essence links to Vyadhikshamatva, the capacity to withstand illness, and why it seats natural resistance. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Ojas and Sleep Ojas and sleep in Ayurveda: why sound rest is a pillar of health and the nightly means by which the vital essence is nourished and restored. A clear guide. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Ojas in the Classical Texts Ojas in the classical texts of Charaka, Sushruta and Vagbhata: the vital essence held to sustain strength, immunity and the glow of good health. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Ojas, Tejas and Prana Explained Ojas Tejas and Prana explained: the three subtle essences of Ayurveda, refined from Kapha, Pitta and Vata, that govern vitality, transformation and life. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Pancha Mahabhuta (The Five Elements) The five great elements of Ayurvedic theory, ether, air, fire, water and earth, from which the body and everything in nature are said to be composed. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Panchamahabhuta: Five Elements, Doshas Panchamahabhuta explained: what earth, water, fire, air and space mean in Ayurveda, and how their pairings form Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Para and Apara Ojas: the Two Kinds of Ojas Para and apara ojas: the two measures of the vital essence, the supreme essence held in the heart and the working essence that rises and falls with life. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Pranavaha Srotas: Channels of Breath Pranavaha srotas, the channels that carry breath and prana, rooted in the heart and the gut: what they hold, how they are disturbed, and why they matter. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Purishavaha Srotas: The Stool Channels Purishavaha srotas, the channels that carry purisha or stool, rooted in the colon: what they hold, how they are disturbed, and their close tie to Vata. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Rakta Dhatu The blood tissue of Ayurveda, the second of the seven dhatus, which the texts read as the carrier of colour, warmth and vitality through the body. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Raktavaha Srotas: The Blood Channels Raktavaha srotas, the channels that carry rakta or blood, rooted in the liver and spleen: what they hold, how they fail, and their tie to Pitta. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Rasa Dhatu Rasa dhatu, the first of the seven tissues: the nourishing fluid drawn from digestion that feeds every tissue after it and sets the quality of the chain. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Rasavaha Srotas: The Plasma Channels Rasavaha srotas, the channels that carry rasa or plasma, rooted in the heart: what they hold, how they are disturbed, and their place in nourishment. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Sama and Nirama: With and Without Ama Sama and nirama, the Ayurvedic states of being mixed with ama or free of it: how the same dosha, tissue or waste changes character with digestion. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Samprapti: How Disease Arises Samprapti, the Ayurvedic account of pathogenesis: the chain by which a cause disturbs the doshas and unfolds, stage by stage, into a formed disorder. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Sapta Dhatu (Seven Tissues) The seven tissues of the body in Ayurvedic physiology, formed one from the next in a fixed order, from plasma through to the reproductive essence. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Satmya and Okasatmya: What Suits You Satmya, the Ayurvedic idea of what suits a person: the wholesome and the agreeable, and how okasatmya, suitability by long habit, shapes diet and change. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Sattva Rajas Tamas: Mind Qualities Sattva Rajas Tamas: the three Gunas of the mind in Ayurveda. See what clarity, movement and inertia mean, how they shape you, and how to build Sattva. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Shatkriyakala: Six Stages of Imbalance Shatkriyakala, Sushruta's six-stage model of how a dosha imbalance unfolds: from quiet accumulation through spread to full expression, and when to act. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Shukra Dhatu The seventh and finest of the body tissues in Ayurveda, the reproductive essence that the tradition treats as the body's most refined product. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Shukravaha Srotas: The Reproductive Channels Shukravaha srotas, the channels that carry shukra, the reproductive essence: what they hold, how they are disturbed, and their close tie to Ojas. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Signs of Low Ojas (Ojakshaya) Low Ojas signs, called Ojakshaya: from fatigue and low resistance to dull skin and an anxious mind, and how Ayurveda reads the vital essence declining. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Srotas The body's channels in Ayurveda, the network of pathways through which everything in the body flows, and a central idea in how the tradition reads disease. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Srotodushti: Four Channel Disorders Srotodushti, the vitiation of the body's channels in Ayurveda: the four ways a srotas goes wrong, excess flow, blockage, nodulation and misdirected flow. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Swedavaha Srotas: The Sweat Channels Swedavaha srotas, the channels that carry sweda or sweat, rooted in the fat: what they hold, how they are disturbed, and their place among the wastes. Read article Anatomy & Physiology The Dosha Clock: Vata, Pitta, Kapha Hours The dosha clock in Ayurveda: how Vata, Pitta and Kapha each govern set hours of day and night, and why the classical daily routine follows their rhythm. Read article Anatomy & Physiology The Doshas and Life Stages The doshas and life stages: learn why childhood is ruled by Kapha, midlife by Pitta and old age by Vata, and what Ayurveda advises for each phase. Read article Anatomy & Physiology The Four Types of Agni in Ayurveda The types of Agni in Ayurveda: Samagni the balanced, Vishamagni the irregular, Tikshnagni the sharp and Mandagni the slow, and how each ties to the doshas. Read article Anatomy & Physiology The Twenty Gunas The twenty Gunas of Ayurveda: the ten pairs of opposite qualities, from heavy and light to hot and cold, that define the doshas and guide balancing. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Tongue Diagnosis in Ayurveda Tongue diagnosis (Jihva Pariksha): learn to read the colour, coating, texture and marks of the tongue for Vata, Pitta and Kapha, with its honest limits. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Tridosha Theory Tridosha theory is the idea at the centre of Ayurveda, that the body is run by three working principles: Vata, Pitta and Kapha in balance. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Trividha Pariksha: Threefold Examination Trividha pariksha, the threefold examination of Ayurveda: inspection, touch and questioning, and the parallel threefold means by which a disorder is known. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Udakavaha Srotas: The Water Channels Udakavaha srotas, the channels that carry water and govern thirst, rooted in the palate: what they hold, how they are disturbed, and why they matter. Read article Anatomy & Physiology Upadhatu: The Secondary Tissues Upadhatu, the secondary tissues of Ayurveda: supportive by-products such as breast milk, menstrual blood, skin and tendons formed alongside the dhatus. Read article Anatomy & Physiology What Depletes Ojas What depletes Ojas in Ayurveda: from overwork, poor food and broken sleep to grief, worry and aggravated Vata, the classical causes of Ojakshaya. Read article Anatomy & Physiology What Is Alochaka Pitta? Alochaka Pitta is the form of Pitta seated in the eyes that governs sight and the perception of colour. Learn its seat, functions and classical signs. Read article Anatomy & Physiology What Is Apana Vata? Apana Vata is the downward moving subtype of Vata that governs elimination in the lower body. Learn its seat, functions and classical signs of balance. Read article Anatomy & Physiology What Is Avalambaka Kapha? Avalambaka Kapha is the supporting form of Kapha, seated in the chest, that cushions the heart and lungs and strengthens the body. Its role explained. Read article Anatomy & Physiology What Is Bhrajaka Pitta? Bhrajaka Pitta is the form of Pitta seated in the skin that governs complexion, lustre and the absorption of applied oils. Learn its seat and functions. Read article Anatomy & Physiology What Is Bodhaka Kapha? Bodhaka Kapha is the form of Kapha seated in the tongue that governs the perception of taste. Learn its seat, functions and classical signs of balance. Read article Anatomy & Physiology What Is Kledaka Kapha? Kledaka Kapha is the moistening form of Kapha, seated in the stomach, that wets and softens food for digestion. Learn its seat, functions and signs. Read article Anatomy & Physiology What Is Pachaka Pitta? Pachaka Pitta is the digestive form of Pitta, the fire that cooks food and separates nourishment from waste. Learn its seat, functions and signs. Read article Anatomy & Physiology What Is Prana Vata? Prana Vata is the inward moving subtype of Vata, governing breath, the senses and the steadiness of the mind. Its seat, functions and signs explained. Read article Anatomy & Physiology What Is Ranjaka Pitta? Ranjaka Pitta is the colouring form of Pitta that turns nutrient plasma into red blood. Learn its seat in the liver, its functions and classical signs. Read article Anatomy & Physiology What Is Sadhaka Pitta? Sadhaka Pitta is the form of Pitta seated in the heart that governs the mind, understanding and drive. Learn its seat, functions and classical traits. Read article Anatomy & Physiology What Is Samana Vata? Samana Vata is the balancing subtype of Vata that fans the digestive fire and moves food through the gut. Learn its seat, functions and classical signs. Read article Anatomy & Physiology What Is Sleshaka Kapha? Sleshaka Kapha is the form of Kapha seated in the joints that lubricates and binds them. Learn its seat, functions and classical signs of balance. Read article Anatomy & Physiology What Is Tarpaka Kapha? Tarpaka Kapha is the form of Kapha seated in the head that nourishes the senses, cushions the brain and steadies the mind. Learn its seat and functions. Read article Anatomy & Physiology What Is Udana Vata? Udana Vata is the upward moving subtype of Vata that governs speech, effort, strength and complexion. Learn its seat, functions and signs of balance. Read article Anatomy & Physiology What Is Vyana Vata? Vyana Vata is the pervading subtype of Vata that drives circulation and movement through the whole body. Learn its seat, functions and classical signs. Read article