Orientation-
For today’s class, please listen to your animated instructor orient you to the class. We will hold this session at Psyche’s Sanctuary.
Grab a beverage and your notebook and get comfortable on one of the plush chairs. When ready, read through today’s class and listen to the videos.
Ayurveda and Aromatics- Video with Robert Narrating
Essential Oils for Balancing the Ayurvedic Types–
Ancient Ayurvedic medicine did not use steam-distilled oils, so aromatherapy was not practiced as we know it. Aromatic plants are present in many historical preparations and treatments in Ayurveda. However, we will mainly use aromatherapy to discuss modern Ayurvedic treatments, where essential oils are added to carriers.
This brief introduction to Ayurveda mentions the classical Ayurvedic practice but mainly focuses on modern essential oils used with Ayurvedic body classification systems.
The traditional Ayurvedic practices are still used in India, but that is a program unto itself. We encourage you to study more of that if it is your passion.
In more modern use, where the oils are primarily inhaled, they are often considered Tridoshic or related to everyone, all the constitutional types. So, although we will explore the Doshas and aromatherapy, remember that the classifications are not cut and dried. There is significant overlap.
Tara on Ayurvedic Aromatherapy
The 3 Main Doshas and the Sub-Types
Most people are a mix of Doshas but will be dominant in one type—for example, Pitta-Vata. But, you can be a pure dosha type, i.e. Vata. Some individuals have relatively equal amounts of all 3 Dosha properties.
Vata-
The Vata dosha, governed by air and space elements, embodies lightness, movement, and variability. Vata types are often 
creative, lively, and energetic when in balance. However, their inherently quick and fluctuating nature can lead to imbalances manifesting as anxiety, restlessness, and an irregular lifestyle.
Physically, Vatas tend to have a lean build and may struggle to gain weight. They often experience cold hands and feet, and their skin can be dry and prone to early aging if not properly nourished. Their hair might be curly or fine, and their eyes, while expressive, might reflect the dryness and airiness of their constitution.
Vatas are known for their quick thinking and adaptability, which can sometimes lead to inconsistency and a scattered focus. They are natural communicators, often excelling in artistic and creative endeavours. Their sleep patterns can be light and interrupted, leading to a tendency towards fatigue.
Regarding health concerns, Vatas are prone to conditions related to the nervous system and joints, such as arthritis, as well as digestive issues like gas, bloating, and constipation due to their irregular appetite and eating habits. They can be light sleepers and suffer from insomnia.
Dietarily, they are drawn to light and dry foods, which can aggravate their dosha. Therefore, nurturing them with warm, cooked, slightly oily, and grounding foods is essential. Spices that stimulate digestion, such as ginger and cumin, are beneficial, while sweet, sour, and salty tastes help balance their airy nature.
Emotionally, when imbalanced, Vatas can feel overwhelmed and anxious. They benefit immensely from routines that ground them, including regular meal times, a consistent sleep schedule, and practices like meditation and gentle yoga to calm their active minds.
Vata-Kapha Type
Individuals with a Vata-Kapha constitution experience a blend of the airiness of Vata and the earthiness of Kapha. This combination can create a more balanced temperament, where Kapha’s stability grounds the lightness of Vata. These individuals often have a medium build and can fluctuate between feeling energetic and lethargic. Or they may be slim when younger, or in certain parts of their body, often thin arms and legs. There can be a tendency to grow a larger middle in later years. They might struggle with digestive issues and fluid retention. Identifying them involves looking for a combination of Vata’s creativity and variability with Kapha’s calm and steadiness.
Vata-Pitta Type
The Vata-Pitta type combines Vata’s movement with Pitta’s fire. These individuals often exhibit intense energy and creativity but can quickly burn out. They may have a lean, muscular build and can experience digestive issues and inflammatory conditions. To identify a Vata-Pitta individual, look for a blend of Vata’s quick, erratic energy and Pitta’s intensity and drive. They can be like a Pitta for short periods but then get exhausted. They may exhibit more Pitta tendencies during menopause.
Pitta-
Pitta individuals are characterized by intense metabolism, strong appetite, and efficient digestion. They are hot, robust, and sturdy. These qualities reflect not only their physical attributes but also their mental and emotional realms. The Pitta type is often driven and ambitious and possesses a sharp intellect. They are natural leaders who are passionate, competitive, and usually outspoken. However, this intensity can sometimes lead to impatience, irritability, and a short temper.
Physically, Pitta types tend to have a moderate build, with a muscular frame and a well-defined physique. Their skin is sensitive and prone to rashes, acne, and inflammation, often exhibiting a reddish tinge. Their hair may be fine and straight, with a tendency toward premature thinning or graying.
Pitta individuals are warm-bodied, often feeling hot regardless of the weather. Their sleep is moderate but can be disturbed by their active minds. When imbalanced, Pitta types can suffer from disorders related to excessive heat, such as hyperacidity, skin irritations, and inflammatory conditions. They generally digest food quickly but can experience acidic reactions and loose stools. Their physique is often muscular. Their body temperature is naturally high, as is their metabolism.
Diet and lifestyle play a crucial role in maintaining Pitta balance. Cooling and calming foods, such as sweet and bitter fruits and vegetables, are recommended. Overly hot, spicy, or acidic foods should be avoided, as they can aggravate Pitta. Activities promoting relaxation and cooling, like swimming and moonlit walks, benefit Pitta types.
Pitta-Vata Type
Individuals with a Pitta-Vata constitution exhibit characteristics of both Pitta and Vata. They possess Vata’s mental agility and creativity combined with Pitta’s drive and leadership qualities. Physically, they may have a combination of Pitta’s moderate build and Vata’s thin frame. Their skin may be sensitive like Pitta’s but also prone to dryness like Vata’s. Digestively, they may experience irregularities, fluctuating between Pitta’s digestive solid fire and Vata’s tendency for irregular digestion. Balancing Pitta’s heat and Vata’s dryness and irregularity is key in diet and lifestyle choices.
Pitta-Kapha Type
Pitta-Kapha individuals blend Kapha’s robust, stable nature with Pitta’s intensity. This combination produces a muscular, enduring physique and a calm yet focused mind. These individuals often have a good balance of physical strength and endurance, with a moderate to solid build. They can be organized and reliable like Kapha, yet when motivated; they display Pitta’s fiery energy and decisiveness. Regarding health, they need to balance Kapha’s tendency for sluggishness and Pitta’s propensity for inflammation. Dietary choices should avoid excessive oiliness and heaviness to balance Kapha, extreme heat, and spiciness to pacify Pitta. Activities that are energizing yet not overly heating, like brisk walking and cycling, are beneficial for maintaining equilibrium in Pitta-Kapha types.
Pitta types should eat lighter, cooler food but prefer hot, spicy, and greasy dishes. Pitta types need relaxing, cooling, and calming habits to counteract their fiery natures.
Kapha-
Kapha individuals embody the elements of earth and water. This manifests in a solid, sturdy physique with a tendency towards weight gain. They are often blessed with thick, lustrous hair, large, expressive eyes, and smooth, well-moisturized skin, which others often envy for its youthfulness.
Kaphas are naturally calm, grounded, and stable. They are often seen as the pillars of strength in their communities, exuding a sense of peace and reliability. Their emotional resilience is notable, providing a comforting presence to those around them. However, when out of balance, Kapha types can become lazy, stubborn, and resistant to change. They may also experience emotional issues like attachment and possessiveness.
The slow and steady nature of Kapha extends to their digestion. They tend to slow metabolism and may suffer from issues like water retention and a feeling of heaviness. Kapha types need regular physical activity and consume a light, warm, and stimulating diet to counteract their sluggishness.
Kapha-Pitta Type
The Kapha-Pitta constitution combines Kapha’s groundedness with Pitta’s fiery nature. This results in generally calm and stable individuals who can be driven and ambitious when required. They often have a muscular, enduring physique, combining Kapha’s robust build and Pitta’s moderate, muscular frame.
In terms of health, the Kapha-Pitta type needs to balance the cool, heavy qualities of Kapha with the hot, intense characteristics of Pitta. They may struggle with issues like inflammation combined with fluid retention. Their diet should include energizing and cooling foods, avoiding extremes of both doshas. Activities that are stimulating yet not overly taxing, like moderate hiking or swimming, can be beneficial for maintaining equilibrium.
Kapha-Vata Type
Individuals with a Kapha-Vata constitution exhibit traits of both Kapha’s stability and Vata’s mobility. This unique combination can manifest as a solid body type yet prone to dryness. They might have the calm demeanour of Kapha but can fluctuate and become anxious and restless due to their Vata sub-type.
Health-wise, Kapha-Vata types may face digestive irregularities, fluctuating between slow Kapha digestion and Vata’s tendency towards constipation. Their skin might be naturally oily yet occasionally dry. Balancing the heavy, moist qualities of Kapha with the dry, light attributes of Vata is critical in their diet and lifestyle choices. They benefit from regular, grounding activities incorporating movement, such as yoga or dance.
In conclusion, understanding one’s constitutional type offers a nuanced view of one’s physical and emotional well-being. This holistic perspective, central to Ayurvedic practice, allows for tailored approaches to diet, lifestyle, and wellness, aiding practitioners and individuals alike in achieving a balanced state of health.
Here is a link for a very good Ayurvedic Quiz from Banyan Botanicals-
Hopefully, it is still valid. You can try it to get a good idea of your Dosha and get some suggestions.
Body Type / Constitutional Analysis.
www.banyanbotanicals.com/info/prakriti-quiz
After you complete their quiz, you will be given some reading from their page about diet, lifestyle practices, etc., to balance your profile. Could you look at the right-hand side of your profile page for this?
Here is Banyan’s Profile Fax Page- which might also be useful.
https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/info/customer-service/ayurvedic-profile-faqs/
Ideas from Ayurveda & Aromatherapy, Miller
Ayurveda is the ancient Hindu whole-body system of medicine and healing.
We will examine essential oils that help the three primary doshas- Kapha, Pitta, and Vata. People can be a mixture of types but will often have a dominant element.
Kapha Excess
Element– Water
Season – Fall
Cool and Wet Type
Oils: for Cool Wet Conditions
Lemongrass, Camphor, Elecampane.
To Balance Kapha—Best Oils
Oils for Hot & Dry Conditions:
Lime, Orange & Juniper, Rose
Kapha Oils For Cold & Dry Conditions:
Yarrow, Chamomile
Oils for Wet & Warm Conditions:
Eucalyptus, Mint, Rose, Black Pepper, Cayenne, Clove, Thyme.
Warming, Balancing Oils (neither wet nor dry)
Basil, Ginger, Cinnamon, Cumin
Oils for Balancing Pitta Excess
Element – Fire
Hot Type
Oils for Hot Conditions:
Rose, Spearmint, Sandalwood, Peppermint, Tea Tree, Fennel, Anise, Dill, Lime
Oils for Cold & Dry Conditions
Those that best balance Pitta
Blue Chamomile & Yarrow
Also Balancing:
Roman Chamomile, Lavender,
Saint John’s Wort, Clary Sage
Labdanum
Oils For Wet, Cold Conditions:
Lemongrass, Hyssop, Angelica, Cumin,
Ylang Ylang
Oils for Balancing
Vata Excess
Element-Air
Cold & Dry Type–
Oils for Cold & Dry Conditions:
Blue Chamomile (in small amounts)
St. John’s Wort.
Lavender
Clary Sage
Roman Chamomile
Oils for Wet & Hot Conditions
Best Oils To Balance the Vata Type
Especially Rose, Cypress, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Rosewood, Sage, Cinnamon, Black Pepper, Oregano, Thyme
Warming Balancing Oils
(neither wet nor dry):
Labdanum, Anise, Ginger, Tarragon, Basil & Savory,
Oils for Dry and Hot Conditions
Pine, Orange, Lemon & Nutmeg.
Oils for Cold & Wet Conditions
Rosemary, Sage, Lemongrass, Citronella, Camphor & Eucalyptus
The Chakras
In Ayurveda, the concept of doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—helps us understand our unique physical and emotional constitution. Each dosha has certain qualities and governs specific bodily functions. Here’s where it gets interesting: these doshas don’t just operate in isolation; they interact with the chakras, our body’s energy centers.
Each chakra corresponds to different aspects of our being and is influenced by the balance of the doshas. For example, the Root Chakra is linked to our sense of security and grounding, which can be deeply influenced by the Kapha dosha, known for its stabilizing properties. On the other hand, the Solar Plexus Chakra, which is all about our power and confidence, might resonate more with the fiery nature of the Pitta dosha.
So, in Ayurvedic practice, understanding the interplay between the chakras and the doshas can be a powerful tool. By identifying which dosha is predominant, we can tailor aromatherapy and other natural remedies to address physical symptoms and balance our energy centers. For instance, if someone’s Vata is out of whack, causing anxiety and restlessness (potentially throwing off the Heart or Crown Chakras), we might use grounding and calming aromas like sandalwood or lavender to soothe both the dosha and the related chakras.
In essence, it’s all about creating harmony: aligning our chakras to support our doshic balance, using the wisdom of Ayurveda to enhance our overall well-being, and selecting therapeutic aromas that resonate with both our physical and energetic needs. It’s a holistic dance of elements, energies, and essences that helps us achieve balance and wellness.
Here is a brief overview of the role of each chakra–
Let’s stroll through the 7 major chakras from the root up:
Root Chakra (Muladhara): Imagine this as your home’s foundation, nestled deep in the earth, providing stability. It’s all about feeling grounded, secure, and connected to the physical world. When it’s balanced, you feel like you’ve got both feet firmly planted on the ground. It is located in the base of the spine, tailbone, feet, and legs, and the colour is red.
Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana): This is your creative and pleasure center, right below your belly button. It’s the spark of creativity, emotion, and sexual energy. When it’s in harmony, life feels vibrant, full of joy and creativity. Colour Orange.
Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura): Picture this as your inner sun glowing brightly in your abdomen. It fuels your confidence, power, and the ability to make things happen. When this chakra is balanced, you feel empowered and ready to take on the world. The colour of this chakra is yellow.
Heart Chakra (Anahata): Nestled in your chest and heart. This chakra bridges the lower and upper chakras, the heart of your emotional world. It governs love, compassion, and connection. A balanced Heart Chakra means giving and receiving love effortlessly and living compassionately. The colours are green and pink.
Throat Chakra (Vishuddha): Located in your throat, this is your voice’s home, your expression hub. It’s all about speaking your truth, clear communication, and authenticity. When it’s open and clear, your words flow truthfully and kindly. The associated colour is blue.
Third Eye Chakra (Ajna): Your intuition and insight center are right between your eyebrows. This chakra is about seeing beyond the physical, tapping into your inner wisdom and vision. When this chakra is balanced, your intuition is your reliable guide. The associated colour is indigo.
Crown Chakra (Sahasrara): At the top of your head is your spiritual connector, your link to the divine or the universe. It’s about consciousness, awareness, and enlightenment. When this chakra is open, you feel a deep sense of unity and higher understanding. The associated colours are white and purple.
Just like a symphony, each chakra has its note, and when they all play in harmony, we experience balance in our lives, resonating with the universe’s rhythm.
Scents of Wonder, Chakra Blends, Developed by Laurie Szott-Rogers
I’ve created the chakra blends below to help with this balance. You can see which essential oils I used to complement or balance each condition.
Warning: Always dilute the essential oil in 95% vegetable oil before applying it to the skin. Please do not take it internally. Do not use it if you have allergies to the oils. Use carefully if you have epilepsy, suffer from asthma, or are pregnant. Do not use with children under the age of 3. You may also use these oils in a diffuser or bath.
Chakra One
Solid Ground—This lush blend helps amplify the feeling of being connected to the earth. Apply it to the soles of your feet and breathe deeply.
Focus your breath on the ground, deep into the earth. Relax into a slow, deep connection. Feel grounded, safe, and secure…know you walk on solid ground. This blend contains oils of patchouli, vetiver, mandarin, cedar, nutmeg, labdanum, cinnamon, and galbanum.
Ausha, the yoga teacher, used a mixture of vetiver, sandalwood, and a few drops of helichrysum to create her blend.
Chakra Two
Lady of The Lake: The watery chakra where desire and
pleasure merge is a point of great creativity and flexibility.
Tap into the joy of following your rhythm as you lovingly apply oils of vanilla, ylang, bergamot, neroli, and nutmeg about 4 inches below your belly button. Take time to breathe into your desires, unravel your patterns and make wise choices. Calm and still…The Lady of the Lake.
Chakra Three
Manifest: What if you supported your dreams as lovingly as you do those of others? What if you took the time to appreciate your wisdom, kindness, and courage? Focus your breath on your belly. Breathe in personal power and confidence as you apply the fiery scents of amyris, tamarack, ginger, clove, pepper, nutmeg, and ambrette. Affirm your presence. Develop your dreams. Have a hearty laugh…isn’t it a gift to be you?
Chakra Four
Bliss: The heart is the gateway from the body to the soul. As you expand your breath, apply oakmoss, palmarosa, geranium, amyris, ylang, patchouli, rose, and jasmine oils to your heart.
Take time to check in on your feelings. Focus on love, forgiveness, and joy. Feel your bliss as you breathe trust, openness, and love into your heart. Breathe out grief, oppression, resentment, and sadness.
Chakra Five
True Resonance: Apply this unique blend of rosewood, amyris, tamarack, cedar, yarrow, juniper, pine, or poplar onto your throat as you focus on making any sound you would like to come out of you. Break up old energy by singing or chanting out vowel sounds. Listen as your voice sings true.
Chakra Six
Intuitive Flash: The sixth chakra aids us in tuning into our dreams, intuition, and a “sense of knowing.” Apply amyris, ylang, frankincense, amber, and spikenard oils to your third eye (between the top of your eyebrows.) Take time to recognize your intuitive flashes and unravel your dreams.
Chakra Seven
Sacred Silence: To know ourselves well, understand our motivation, and create gentle change. These are all attributes of the seventh chakra. At this point, we let our ego dissolve and feel a universal connection. Apply lemongrass, amyris, ylang, rosewood, frankincense, and lotus oils to your crown (top of the head). Go to a deep place within. Silently connect to all that is.
Go to the Practical Potion Download Below to Fill out your Mind-Body Ayurvedic Type Form. See if it matches your Banyan Quiz Results. Choose or meld the categories most representative of your constitution and personality from the various results.