Biological Rhythms- An Ayurvedic Perspective
Journal name: Ayushdhara
Original article title: Biological Rhythms- An Ayurvedic Perspective
AYUSHDHARA is an international peer-reviewed journal. It focuses on research in Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy, Allopathy, and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
This page presents a generated summary with additional references; See source (below) for actual content.
Original source:
This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated hence you should visit the source to read the original article which includes the author, publication date, notes and references.
Nishath M Ingalagi
Post Graduate Scholar, Department of PG Studies in Ayurveda Samhita Siddhanta, Shri Vijay Ayurvedic Medical College and PG Research Centre, Ilkal, Karnataka, India
Mahantesh R Sajjanashetty
Professor and HOD, Department of PG Studies in Ayurveda Samhita Siddhanta, Shri Vijay Ayurvedic Medical College and PG Research Centre, Ilkal, Karnataka, India
G N Kannolli
Assistant Professor, Department of PG Studies in Ayurveda Samhita Siddhanta, Shri Vijay Ayurvedic Medical College and PG Research Centre, Ilkal, Karnataka, India
Ayushdhara:
(A peer-reviewed, bi-monthly open-access journal)
Full text available for: Biological Rhythms- An Ayurvedic Perspective
Year: 2022 | Doi: 10.47070/ayushdhara.v9i1.905
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Download the PDF file of the original publication
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Biological rhythms play a critical role in maintaining health, invoking a need for daily routines that align with these natural cycles. The Ayurvedic perspective recognizes three types of biological rhythms: Circadian, Ultradian, and Infradian rhythms, each significant for regulating bodily functions in response to environmental changes. The equilibrium of the Tridoshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—is essential for physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Disruptions in these biological rhythms can lead to health issues termed Circadian rhythm disorders. To counter this, Ayurveda provides structured routines known as Dinacharya (daily routines) and Rutucharya (seasonal routines) to optimize health and harmony.
Circadian Rhythm in Ayurveda
Circadian rhythm refers to the natural cycle of physiological processes that repeat approximately every 24 hours, influenced primarily by daylight and darkness. Ayurveda explains that each of the Tridoshas exhibits diurnal variations: Vata predominates in the early morning and late afternoon; Pitta is dominant during midday; and Kapha influences the early morning and evening. This rhythmicity extends not only to daily activities but also affects digestion, where Vata governs the final phase, Pitta the middle phase, and Kapha the starting phase of digestion. Understanding these variations is essential for maintaining balance and ensuring optimal health.
Ultradian and Infradian Rhythms
Ultradian rhythms occur multiple times within a 24-hour period and are evident in the digestive phases aligned with the Tridoshas throughout the day. In contrast, Infradian rhythms span periods longer than 24 hours, reflecting seasonal changes and bodily functions that evolve it over weeks or months. The Ayurvedic concept of Dosha cycles in relation to seasons is crucial for health, as each Rutu (season) sees variations in Dosha Sanchaya (accumulation), Prakopa (aggravation), and Prashama (pacification). This understanding allows for the adaptation of lifestyle regimens that align with seasonal changes to maintain health.
Conclusion
The integration of biological rhythms into daily life is fundamental for health as expressed in Ayurvedic practices. By recognizing the influence of the Tridoshas on various physiological processes, individuals can adopt routines that align with natural cycles, thus promoting balance and overall well-being. Ayurvedic teachings highlight the importance of aligning one's lifestyle with environmental changes, demonstrating a holistic approach to health that can mitigate the effects of modern lifestyle disorders. Understanding and applying these principles can lead to improved public health outcomes in the context of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What are biological rhythms according to Ayurveda?
Biological rhythms are cyclic fluctuations in organisms that respond to periodic environmental changes. Ayurveda identifies three types of biological rhythms: Circadian (24-hour cycles), Ultradian (multiple occurrences within a day), and Infradian (longer than 24 hours, such as seasonal variations).
How do the Tridoshas relate to biological rhythms?
The Tridoshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—exhibit diurnal variations throughout the day and change with the phases of digestion and age. Maintaining their equilibrium is essential for health, and Ayurveda prescribes routines to align daily activities with these rhythms.
What measures can reset circadian rhythms as per Ayurveda?
Ayurvedic practices include following 'Dinacharya' and 'Rutucharya'—daily and seasonal routines that help maintain the balance of the Doshas. Key practices involve proper sleep, timely meals, and seasonal dietary adjustments to ensure harmonious existence and optimal health.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Biological Rhythms- An Ayurvedic Perspective”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Biological Rhythms- An Ayurvedic Perspective’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Tridosha, Samavastha, Dinacharya, Prajnaparadha, Achararasayana, Swasthya, Daily Routine, Ayurvedic Perspective, Circadian rhythm, Aharavidhi, Rutucharya, Sadvrutta, Biological rhythm, Ultradian rhythm, Infradian rhythm, Zeitgeber.