In Ayurveda, illness does not appear out of nowhere: first the balance of the doshas — Vata, Pitta and Kapha — is disturbed. Seasonal and temporary imbalances are normal and natural. Trouble begins when an excited state is not corrected in time.
The three states of the doshas and the change of seasons
In the normal course of events the doshas go through a three-stage cycle: from accumulation to excitation and then to pacification. Pitta is the clear example: it starts to build up and accumulate in late spring, becomes excited during the hot summer months and naturally settles with the cool autumn weather.
If the increased dosha is not pacified on its own — by the change of season or by lifestyle — it goes through further changes, and the result can be disease.
Six stages of disease
The Ayurvedic canons describe six stages in the development of disease. The first is accumulation, and it is the stage covered in this article; stages two and three are in the follow-up.
The first stage: accumulation
At the stage of accumulation, toxins and waste — ama — that arose from impaired digestion collect in the gastrointestinal tract. This state is associated with weak digestive fire (Agni) and with an excess of one of the doshas.
- Ama from excess Kapha accumulates in the stomach.
- Ama from a Pitta imbalance — in the small intestine.
- Ama from Vata dysfunction — in the large intestine.
The presence of ama disturbs the doshas and shows up as minor but still noticeable symptoms. A person almost never reacts to them, because they pass on their own within a few hours.
How to recognise accumulation
An excess of Vata may show as constipation, bloating or gas in the large intestine. A rise of Pitta is felt as heat in the navel area, and can be noticed by a slightly yellowish tint of the sclera or dark yellow urine; it is often accompanied by strong hunger and a craving for sweets. A Kapha excess shows as heaviness, apathy and loss of appetite.
Why this stage is the easiest to correct
This is the earliest stage at which any incipient health problem can be resolved. An experienced Ayurvedic practitioner can feel the imbalance in the pulse — and you may be able to notice it yourself.
At this stage a person is still quite healthy: as a dosha increases, the "cellular intelligence" creates an aversion to the cause and a pull towards the opposite qualities that restore balance. If you have eaten pastries for three days and Kapha has increased, the thought of another sweet is unlikely to appeal — the body will ask for hot and spicy food instead, which counteracts Kapha and "burns" it. Listening to that wisdom of the body, rather than adding to the imbalance, is the whole art.
Ayurveda is a traditional system for assessing the state of health, not a medical diagnosis. Stages and signs of imbalance are best discussed with a practitioner; in acute conditions please see a doctor.
