Vata Dosha Symptoms of Imbalance

by Julie Wardwell June 08, 2023

Vata dosha governs all our bodily functions and movements and is responsible for life itself. There are two universal elements space and air that combine to form vata dosha. And there are five universal elements that make up all that exists, space, air, fire, water and earth. The two elements that combine to form vata dosha came into existence first, then fire, water, and earth existed. This is why the vata dosha is responsible for life itself.

Since vata dosha is the energy that initiates life and regulates bodily movement and function it is imperative to maintain a healthy balanced vata dosha for enjoying a healthy long life.  

Primary Functions of Vata Dosha

• Sustains and regulates all movement of the body
• Controls the mind and is the cause for pleasure and determination
• Stimulates and directs all sensory and motor organs
• Induces speech and is the factor for sound and touch sensation
• Stimulates digestive power and dries up the excessive moisture
• Inhalation and exhalation
• Excretion of waste products
• Responsible for proper building of organs, tissues and cells

How Vata Dosha Becomes Imbalanced

Ayurveda recognizes there are two types of health disorders based on the origin. The exogenous type is caused by forces outside of us, for example infectious disease, insect or reptile bite. The other type is endogenous which is caused by forces within us, which include improper diet and lifestyle, exercise or sleep habits. There are three types of endogenous, they are vataja (disturbed by vata dosha), pittaja (disturbed by pitta dosha), and kaphaja (disturbed by kapha dosha).

It is interesting that the only common symptom of all types is pain. However, exogenous disorders begin with pain and the dosha becomes disturbed later. Whereas the opposite happens with endogenous disorders that begin with a disturbed dosha and later the pain develops.  

Ayurveda recognizes eighty different symptoms caused by an imbalanced or vitiated vata dosha. These symptoms are recognized solely as a vata dosha imbalance and require a vata pacifying protocol that heals and brings it back into balance or its normal state.

Eighty Symptoms of Vata Dosha Imbalance

1. Cracked nails
2. Cracked soles of the feet
3. Foot pain
4. Foot drop or dropsy
5. Numbness in the feet
6. Pain in the ankle region
7. Stiffness in the ankle region
8. Cramps in the calf muscles
9. Sciatica nerve pain
10. Tearing pain in the knee
11. Dislocation in the knee joint
12. Stiffness in the thigh region
13. Loss of movement in the thigh
14. Paralysis of the legs and lower body
15. Prolapse of the rectum
16. Pain in the anus
17. Pain in scrotum
18. Stiffness in the penis
19. Sprain in the groin region
20. Pain in the pelvis girdle
21. Diarrhea
22. Constipation 
23. Limping
24. Curvature of the spine
25. Dwarfism
26. Stiffness in sacral region
27. Stiffness in back
28. Compression or stiffness in the sides
29. Twisting pain in the abdominal area
30. Cardiac dysfunction
31. Tachycardia or arrhythmia
32. Rubbing pain in the chest
33. Constriction in the chest
34. Pricking pain in chest
35. Wasting or weak arms
36. Stiffness in the neck
37. Torticollis or twisted neck
38. Hoarseness of the voice
39. Cracking or piercing pain in the jaw
40. Cracked dry wrinkled lips
41. Cracking or piercing pain in eyes
42. Cracking or piercing pain in a tooth
43. Loose teeth
44. Loss of speech
45. Stammering speech
46. Astringent taste in mouth
47. Dryness in the mouth
48. Loss of taste sensation
49. Loss of smell sensation
50. Earache
51. Ringing of the ears
52. Loss of hearing or deafness
53. Stiffness in the eyelids
54. Eye lid turns outward
55. Loss of vision
56. Pain in the eyes
57. Squinting eyes
58. Twisting shape of eyebrows
59. Sharp pain in temporal region of the head
60. Sharp pain in frontal region of head
61. Headache
62. Dry cracking scalp
63. Paralysis of the face
64. Paralysis of a limb
65. Paralysis of all four limbs
66. Paralysis of one side of the body
67. Convulsion or involuntary jerking movement
68. Convulsions that cause stiff body
69. Feeling of darkness in front of eye or fainting
70. Feeling things are spinning or giddiness
71. Tremor or involuntary shaking
72. Excessive yawning
73. Hiccups
74. Uncontrolled shaking, twitching or cramping
75. Delirium
76. Excessive roughness (skin)
77. Excessive coarseness (hair)
78. Blackish reddish undertone of skin color
79. Insomnia
80. Unstable mind

When there are multiple signs of vata dosha imbalance it is important to adopt an Ayurvedic protocol that supports returning the dosha back to its normal state. A vata balancing protocol includes foods and herbs that are primarily sweet, sour or salty tasting. Along with various warm and/or oily therapeutic procedures such as herbal oil massage with steam bath, warm cooked foods with sesame oil or ghee, oily and non-oily enemas. The herbal enema formula should have vata pacifying properties which are administered at the appropriate dose and time.  

Among the mentioned procedures the oily and non-oily enemas are regarded as the most effective for quickly balancing vata dosha. An herbal enema balances vata at its root location in the colon and is capable of alleviating the eighty symptoms caused by vata dosha. In the next article we will explain the function and symptoms of pitta dosha.  

Basic Products for Balancing Vata Dosha 

• Ashwagandha Arishtam balances vata dosha, supports men's health, nourishes the muscles, nerves and bones, improves stamina and strength of the body. The main herb Aswagandha and is a well-known nervine tonic and helps calm the mind.
• Aswagandha Churnam balances vata dosha and supports sleep, brain activity, and the nervous system. Its antioxidant qualities support the immune system and help to balance the stress hormones.
• Brahmi Oil supports and nourishes vata dosha, the main herb brahmi helps ease head pain and supports cognitive thinking and memory.
• Dhanwantaram Oil balances and nourishes vata dosha, supports vata related disorders of the muscles, bones, nerves, and joints.
• Gandharvahastadi Oil balances vata dosha, the main herb is castor and is useful for many vata disorders and helps the elimination of ama and stool.

Kottakkal is committed to offering the highest quality Ayurvedic Healthcare. We offer two types of consultations, the first one is a Free 15-minute Consultation for when you need a product recommendation for a basic health problem. The second one is an In-depth Consultation with our Ayurvedic doctor. If your condition is chronic or you have multiple symptoms, we highly recommend the In-depth consultation.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Kottakkal Ayurveda products and information are not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. If you have serious, acute, or chronic health problems, please consult a trained health professional. If you are seeking the advice of a trained Ayurvedic professional, call (800) 215-9934 or email us at contact@kottakkal.shop. We will provide you with information to consult with Ayurvedic professionals. Always check with your doctor before taking herbs when pregnant or nursing.

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