Inflammation - An Ayurvedic Perspective

Every few decades we are presented with a challenge caused by the collective contributions of our environment- one that is pervasive externally and internally. Inflammation, a topic that continues to garner significant attention, stands as an inexhaustible subject to address in today’s times for the sake of healthy survival.

How did inflammation turn into a problem?

Inflammation functions as the body's natural defense mechanism, responding locally to injuries, viruses or bacteria. The inflammatory response to heal injuries or to trap these bacteria or virus can result in pain, capillary dilation, redness, pain, and soreness. In fact, inflammation is a series of events that persists until affected tissues or organs regain normal appearance and function. However, certain conditions can prevent resolution, leading to chronic inflammation that may endure throughout an individual's lifetime.

How do I recognise early signs of chronic inflammation?

Certain conditions might be irreversible if gripped by chronic inflammation e.g., pancreatitis in the pancreas, hepatitis in the liver or pericarditis, which is inflammation of the heart muscles. These are just a few examples, though there are many more ways that inflammation can present itself in the body.

 It is best to keep a look out for signs of high inflammation such as general weakness, fatigue, recurring fever, aches and pain in joints, unexplained muscle soreness, persistent chest or abdominal pain, skin rashes, digestive problems, mood disorder.

The Ayurvedic perspective of inflammation

As per Ayurveda, disruptions in Srotas (microcirculation responsible for Dosha or bio-energies) due to dietary habits, lifestyle, and environment result in the build up of imbalanced doshas. Consequently, these vitiated doshas affect both the blood and tissues, giving rise to the condition known as shopha or inflammation. Shopha can manifest as a symptom of a disease or as an independent ailment, possibly complicating existing or emerging health issues.

How diet and dosha affect inflammation

During inflammation, the force of pitta (fire and water element) is responsible for the temperature or heat to rise. This in turn allows vata (air and space) to take home in the available space. This further makes way for the vitiated blood and toxins to enter the tissues. What one experiences as a result is swelling.

Ayurveda prescribes a specific diet to help drain the fluid, but the body-mind constitution is a critical factor before prescribing a specific diet. Food which might help drain the extra fluids for one person, might be unsuitable to the prakriti of another person. 

In general, to avoid inflammation Ayurveda advises

• Avoiding over consumption of night shade vegetables such as tomatoes, brinjals or eggplants, white potatoes, bell peppers and other variety of peppers.
• Always eat freshly cooked warm food. Stale, refrigerated, food with hot potency like dairy specially cheese, meat and variety of peppers trigger the microbiome in the gut.
• Late night eating, alcohol and smoking will also lead to complications associated with inflammation.
• Junk and heavy food and sedentary lifestyle are major contributors to inflammation.
• Overeating of even regular healthy food should be avoided
• Langhana or eating in a controlled manner is Ayurveda’s strong advice.

Lifestyle changes that can help reduce inflammation

• Atapasevan – Exposure to sunlight reduces inflammation. Sun effects your agni (fire within) and stabilises your metabolic activities. It nourishes you naturally with the element of fire and helps drain fluid retention.
• If one’s metabolism is optimum and there is no presence of diabetes or other similar problems, then, Upavasana or fasting once a week will reduce inflammation.
• Meditation, adopting the habit of breathing deeply, gentle stretching, adopting a daily rhythm for bedtime and waking up and creating emotional and social boundaries are some ways to stay in an anti-inflammatory state.
• Go for a deep holistic detox- this is one of the best ways to avoid disease manifested by chronic inflammatory disorders.