There are three Doshas present in the body i.e. Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Doshas are the basic vital energies that are made up of five basic elements that are earth, air, space, fire and water. These doshas or vital energies control the whole body. Here we are going to discuss Vata dosha which is made up of air and space. Vata dosha regulates various functions like movement and governs the nervous system. Vata dosha is also helpful in the functions of other doshas as it helps in the movement of doshas. Vata dosha possesses characteristics like being dry, light, cold and mobile. Vata dosha is considered the King of doshas as it helps in providing energy to the other two doshas. Basically, Vata dosha is responsible for every action in the body. An imbalance of Vata dosha leads to improper functioning of the body and other dosha as they also depend on Vata dosha. 

Symptoms of Vata imbalance are as follows

  • Roughness mainly appears on the skin
  • Dryness of skin, lips and hairs 
  • Weight loss 
  • Dehydration, constipation, gas and bloating 
  • Restlessness and dizziness 
  • Anxiety 
  • Muscle twitching and palpitations
  • Poor circulation and tightness
  • Pain in the body
  • Muscle spasm

Home Remedies for Balancing Vata Dosha

Here are some of the tips and home remedies by which we can tackle the imbalance of Vata dosha:

  • Wearing warm clothes
  • Massage on the whole body
  • Warms water with ginger powder (Zingiber officinale)
  • Add roasted Hing (Ferula asafoetida) to buttermilk 
  • Add ginger (Zingiber officinale) and garlic (Allium sativum) to food
  • Add jaggery to your daily diet
  • Avoid fasting
  • Taking of regular steam bath
  • Avoid dry, light and cold food 
  • Intake of sweet, sour, salty and warm food
  • Vegetables like pumpkin, beets, carrots, sweet potato etc
  • Fruits like avocados, dates, figs, papaya, grapefruit, grapes etc
  • Species like black pepper, cinnamon, cumin, turmeric, fennel, cardamom etc

Ayurvedic Herbs for Vata Dosha Management

There are many Ayurvedic herbs that are useful in the management of Vata dosha imbalance. Here are some of the herbs that are useful in Vata imbalance are as follows:

  1. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) contains properties like Guru (heaviness) and Snigdha (unctuous) nature (guna), Madhur rasa (sweet taste) and Madhur Vipaka (sweet post-digestive effect). Due to these properties, it is helpful in balancing Vata dosha. It also helps in relieving stress and anxiety. It is also useful in improving sleep.
  2. Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) is a very useful herb that helps in balancing all three doshas i.e. Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Guduchi’s post-digestive effect (Vipaka) is sweet (Madhur) and unctuous (Snidha) which helps in balancing the Vata dosha. It also helps in nourishing the body tissues.
  3. Shankhapushpi (Convolvulus prostratus) helps in reducing anxiety and stress and also helps in increasing memory power. It is a very useful herb which helps in promoting the feeling of calmness. Guggul (Commiphora wightii) is Guru (heavy)and Snigdha (unctuous) in nature and thus helps in balancing the Vata dosha. It also helps in strengthening the immune system of the body.
  4. Triphala which consists of Amla (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) and Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica) is very useful in balancing vata dosha and also provides strength to the immune system. It also helps in improving energy levels in the body.