What is Vatta Dosha?

THE VATTA COSTITUTION
Vata people have light flexible bodies, so they tend to be slim or underweight. Vatas generally have dry skin tending toward roughness. Their circulation can be poor resulting in cold hands or feet.
Because this dosha is dry, light, and mobile, they do well to add the opposite into their diet and lifestyle. Spring (wet) and summer (hot) are therefore months Vatas tend to do well in.

Vatas have variable appetite and thirst as well as variable digestive strength. Vata can therefore often experience digestive difficulties and problems with absorption of nutrients.
Vata individuals tend to interrupted or restless sleep, or insomnia, especially when Vata is aggravated. Vatas are blessed with quick minds, mental flexibility, and creativity.



When in balance they are joyful and happy. They are easily excited, clear-minded, sometimes clairvoyant, alert and quick to act. These individuals may experience fear, loneliness, anxiety, insecurity, worry and nervousness when out of balance.

Vatas out of balance tend to :
Have constipation, gaseous distention, weakness, arthritis, pneumonia, excessively dry skin, dry lips, hair, cracked nipples, cracked heels, nerve disorders, twitches, ticks, mental confusion, palpitations, breathlessness, muscle tightness, low backache, and sciatica. The mind becomes restless and hyperactive.

How to Aggravate Vata:
Travel, erratic hours, continual stimulation, frequent change, loud noises, drugs, sugar, caffeine, and alcohol also derange Vata, as does exposure to cold weather and foods.

Vata Calming Therapy:
Sticking to a routine is difficult for Vata but is vital if they are to remain healthy. Adequate sleep is important for Vata (minimum 7-8 hours) in order to have reliable energy.
Mild exercise, as well as allowing for periods of reflection during the day are also helpful. The dry cold windy seasons of winter and fall tend to increase and aggravate Vata, so particular attention must be paid at these times so as to stay in balance.
Dressing warmly, staying warm, remaining calm, avoiding extreme cold temperatures, eating warm foods and spices are all helpful for Vata. Taking steam baths, using humidifiers and moisture in general are also helpful for Vata.
Gentle, relaxing, and nurturing massage is essential for those with high Vata. Sesame and almond oil, which are warming and heavy, should also be applied moderately and on a regular basis, accompanying massage or on it’s own. Particularly good if applied to feet, top of head, back, and lower abdomen.
Choose warming, calming essential oils, such as sandalwood, camphor, wintergreen, and cinnamon. Choose calming incense, such as Tara healing incense.

Foods that are helpful for Vata
A person with Vata predominant in their constitution requires a tonifying, strengthening diet with an emphasis on sweet (natural) and sour tastes, and salty in moderation. Food should be warm, heavy and moist and meals must be eaten at regular times each day.
Cold drinks and foods should be avoided, as well as caffeine, refined sugars, and carbonated drinks.
Dried fruits: No to most dried fruits, unless soaked overnight (not enough moisture in body to digest already dry foods).
Fresh fruit: Most sweet fruit ok except things like apples and pears which are cooling in nature (cooked ok).
Vegetables: In general all vegetables should be cooked. Salads are ok in moderation in the spring and summer (more readily digestible with plenty of good quality oil).
Grains: Avoid eating dry breads and crackers; sprouted wheat, oats, rice, and quinoa tend to be the best grains for Vata.
Proteins: Lentils and mung are the best sources of protein; organic dairy, yogurt, almond milk and soft cheese, if digestible.
Nuts: In moderation all nuts are good for Vata. Seeds: In moderation all seeds are good for Vata.
Oils: Sesame and almond (excellent for Vata); generally all good quality oils are helpful for Vata.
Sweeteners: All good except for white sugar and maple syrup (cooling). Sugars create moisture in the body which helps Vata.
Herbs and Spices:
For Digestion: asafoetida, sea salt, ginger, cumin, fennel, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, ajwan.
Elimination: flax seed, triphala, cherry juice. Energy: ashwgandha, shatavari, ginseng, dang gui, marshmallow, saw
palmetto.
Mind: nervine herbs such as calamus, chamomile, valerian, asafoetida, and basil.