Ayurveda is a holistic medicine system that derives from ancient India. It emphasizes how important it is to establish and maintain balance in both your body and your mind.
At the heart of Ayurveda is what are known as the three doshas. The Vata, Pitta and Kapha form the fundamental principles of the practice that govern our physical, mental and emotional well-being.
Understanding what these doshas are in general, and what your individual doshas are, are crucial for maintaining a healthy balance and preventing disease. Only when you understand the doshas can you begin to apply some of the practical applications of Ayurvedic medicine, include diet, herbal medicines and treatments such as yoga.
Below, we discuss the doshas at more length, how they apply to our daily life, and what role that dahi plays in an Ayurvedic diet.
Understanding the Vata Dosha
The Vata dosha is associated with the elements of air and space. It’s generally described as being spacious, flowing, rough, dry, light and cold. In the body, it’s responsible for creativity, communication and movement.
Those who have a constitution that is primarily Vata are often imaginative, energetic and slender. Some of their strengths include the ability to learn quickly, multi-task and be creative, while also being flexible and kind. Their weaknesses include being forgetful, having an unstable mood and being easily overwhelmed.
Those with a Vata constitution also might be prone to anxiety, stress and digestive issues. That’s why having a Vata imbalance can lead to problems such as nervous system disorders, insomnia and constipation.
The Role of Dahi in Ayurveda
Dahi, or curd, is an extremely popular dairy product in India. It also plays a big role in the Ayurvedic diet, in that it is rich in nutrients and provides many health benefits.
Dahi is considered to be a tridoshic food. This means that it can help to balance all doshas. At the same time, the effects that it can have on a person depends on each individual’s constitution and how it is consumed.
Those who follow an Ayurvedic diet recommend dahi as a remedy for digestive issues such as diarrhea. It can also help to reduce anxiety and stress, and have a calming effect on people.
Benefits of Eating Curd
It’s been known for a long time now that eating curd can help balance the digestive system, which helps to prevent problems including bloating, diarrhea and constipation.
What’s more, curd is a rich source of probiotics, calcium and protein. This makes it an excellent food as part of any diet for building strong bones and teeth. Since curd can contribute to a healthy balance of the nervous system, it can help to reduce anxiety and stress.
All of these benefits are significant for anybody, regardless of what their constitution is or where their imbalances may lie.
How to Consume Curd for Maximum Benefit
One goal of Ayurveda is to maximize the good things and minimize the bad things for your body, mind and soul. This goes for dahi, too, as people should seek to maximize the benefits that it can provide them.
To this point, it’s very important to consume curd in moderation. That’s because consuming too much can lead to a significant imbalance of the doshas, which can ultimately cause ill effects rather than be a benefit to you.
There are also certain times when you should and should not consume curd, according to Ayurveda. It’s best to consume it during the daytime, when the digestive fire is at its strongest, and likewise avoid eating it at night.
As your metabolism is slower at night, and because it’s harder to digest curd than other foods, it’s best not to eat it late. That could ultimately result in a Kapha imbalance, which could cause problems particularly for people who have allergies or asthma.
You can also enhance the digestive benefits of curd by mixing it with other beneficial foods, including whole grains, herbs and spices.
Ayurvedic Guidelines for Consuming Curd
Ayurveda outlines some specific guidelines when it comes to eating curd. This helps to maximize the benefits of it while also preventing potential imbalances in the doshas.
One of these rules is to avoid eating curd with spicy foods. Doing so can actually exacerbate Pitta imbalances, which could lead to digestive problems.
While curd is often made with whole cow’s milk, Ayurveda says it’s best to avoid consuming curd with whole milk, which could lead to a Kapha imbalance and actually promote weight gain.
It’s recommended not to consume curd warm, since the heating process can actually reduce some of the nutritional properties of the product. And even though it’s popular in Indian culture to marinate meats with curd, Ayurveda says this is a no-no. That’s because the two products are considered incompatible, since they can cause inflammation and could trigger certain skin diseases.
At the same time, Ayurveda recommends consuming curd with rock salt. This can actually help to balance your doshas and promote digestive health in the process.
The Benefits of Boiled Milk in Ayurveda
When it comes to milk, Ayurveda suggests that boiling milk is a much healthier alternative to raw milk. This is because the boiled milk is easier to digest than raw milk, which helps to balance the doshas.
Like other food items, boiled milk then promotes digestive health, works to reduce anxiety and stress, and prevents problems including diarrhea and constipation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Consuming Curd
In addition to the rules listed above, there are some other mistakes you should avoid when consuming curd, according to Ayurveda.
The first is to avoid consuming the product in scorching hot summertime. That’s because dahi is already highly potent, making it unsuitable for your body when the temperature is excessively hot. This can cause an imbalance with the Pitta dosha, which could result in bleeding disorders as well as diseases in the skin and eyes.
In addition to meat, curd is considered incompatible with fruits, because they could trigger certain allergic reactions. Not only that, but it can lead to other problems in your digestive system and throw off the balance of your doshas.
Other incompatible food items with curd include ice cream, raw vegetables and cold drinks.
Ayurveda also recommends never to eat curd after a meal. Instead, consume it two hours before a meal, at least.
Ayurvedic Reference for Curd Consumption
Many respected Ayurvedic texts reference curd prominently. That’s because it’s considered a tridoshic food that can provide balance to all three doshas.
Of course, you will get the maximum benefit from curd — and avoid potential downfalls of it — by following the guidelines that Ayurveda recommends for how to consume it, when to consume it and what to consume it with.
Despite some of the restrictions that Ayurveda places on curd consumption, it is still extremely versatile, as it can be consumed in many forms — including plain, flavored or mixed with other foods to enhance its digestive benefits.
Balance the Body and Mind in Ayurveda By Consuming Curd
Ayurveda emphasizes how important it is to balance your body and mind. To do so, and to maintain a healthy balance in your life, you need to understand the doshas as well as your own individual constitution.
Dahi, or curd, is one a popular dairy product in Ayurveda that has been proven to have many health balances and works to help balance the doshas.
Following the Ayurvedic guidelines listed above for consuming curd and avoiding common consumption mistakes can help individuals reduce stress and anxiety, promote digestive health and, ultimately, achieve and maintain a healthy balance.
