Plantar Fascitis and its Ayurveda Management

Plantar Fasciitis and Its Ayurvedic Management (Vatakandaka)

Originally published in June 2013. Last updated on July 5, 2025

By Dr. Rimin Razak

🌿 Introduction

Plantar Fasciitis is a painful inflammatory condition of the plantar fascia — the thick connective tissue that runs across the sole of the foot, connecting the heel bone (calcaneus) to the toes. It supports the arch of the foot and absorbs impact while walking or standing.

Excess strain on this fascia leads to inflammation, weakening, swelling, or even microtears, causing intense heel pain, especially in the anterior portion of the heel. This condition is common among middle-aged individuals, athletes, or anyone who spends extended time on their feet. It’s also referred to as “Policeman’s Heel.”

Treatments in Ayurveda: A Holistic Approach to Healing

Originally published in June 2013. Last updated on July 5, 2025.

By Dr. Rimin Razak

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner before starting any therapy.

Ayurveda is not just a system of medicine to treat disease—it is a vast science that teaches the meaning of nature, life, and harmonious living. Known as the "Science of Life" or "Science of Nature," Ayurveda emphasizes living in tune with nature to maintain balance and well-being.

In Ayurveda, treatment is primarily categorized into two types:

• Shodhana Chikitsa (Purification therapy)
• Samana Chikitsa (Pacifying therapy)

Core Concepts of Ayurvedic Treatment

Ayurvedic treatments serve both preventive and therapeutic purposes. The central aim is to:

• Preserve health in the Swastha (healthy individuals)
• Cure disease in the Atura (ill individuals)

Treatments are rooted in fundamental principles such as:

• Pancha Mahabhuta Theory (Five Elements)
• Tridosha Theory (Vata, Pitta, Kapha)

Ayurveda is one of the few medical systems that emphasizes prevention over cure. A key treatment philosophy is that removing the root cause of disease and preventing its manifestation is itself a form of healing.

Related Post: Tridosha concept in Ayurveda

Categories of Ayurvedic Treatment

Since many diseases exist, Ayurveda offers various approaches. However, all treatments are broadly classified into:

• Preventive Medicine
• Curative Medicine (Shodhana and Samana therapies)
• Rejuvenation Therapy (Rasayana and Vajikarana)

1. Preventive Medicine

This approach focuses on physical, mental, and spiritual well-being through:

• Lifestyle modifications
• Seasonal routines (Ritucharya)
• Personalized diets based on Prakriti (body constitution)

Because the seasons influence our bodily balance, Ayurveda recommends practices like seasonal detoxification (Shodhana), yoga, and other regimens to strengthen the immune system and prevent illness. These therapies cleanse the body and help maintain long-term health.

2. Curative Therapy

This includes both:

• Samana Chikitsa – Pacifying imbalances
• Shodhana Chikitsa – Expelling accumulated doshas

➤ Samana Chikitsa (Pacification Therapy)

Used when the dosha imbalance is mild to moderate. It involves:

• Herbal medicines
• Diet regulation
• Simple procedures

This method is ideal for:

• Weak, elderly, children, or psychologically unwell patients
• Those unable to follow strict protocols required for Panchakarma

Although symptoms are relieved, recurrence is more likely without dosha elimination.

➤ Shodhana Chikitsa (Purification Therapy)

Used when doshas are severely aggravated and the patient is strong enough for deep detox. It involves Panchakarma, a set of five procedures:

1. Vamana – Induced vomiting to eliminate excess Kapha
2. Virechana – Purgation to cleanse aggravated Pitta
3. Basti – Medicated enema to treat Vata disorders
4. Nasya – Nasal medication for conditions above the neck
5. Raktamokshana – Bloodletting for blood detoxification

Panchakarma includes:

• Poorva Karma (pre-operative procedures)
• Paschat Karma (post-operative care)

It requires strict adherence to diet and lifestyle protocols before and after treatment to ensure safety and effectiveness. Done correctly, it provides rapid, lasting relief. Done incorrectly, it may cause harm.

3. Rejuvenation Treatments (Rasayana & Vajikarana)

These therapies aim to:

• Restore strength after disease or detoxification
• Rejuvenate the body and mind
• Improve vitality and fertility

Indicated for:

• Weak patients
• Post-illness recovery
• Mental well-being

➤ Rasayana

Promotes longevity, immunity, and youthfulness.

➤ Vajikarana

Improves reproductive health and enhances vitality.

Other Types of Ayurvedic Treatments

• Santarpana and Apatarpana Chikitsa – Nourishing vs. depleting therapies
• Daiva Vyapashraya Chikitsa – Spiritual or faith-based healing
• Yukti Vyapashraya Chikitsa – Rational, logic-based therapy
• Satvavajaya Chikitsa – Psychotherapy to strengthen the mind

Conclusion

Ayurvedic treatments are deeply personalized and designed to address not just symptoms, but the root cause of illness. Whether through purification, pacification, or rejuvenation, the goal is to establish lasting harmony in the body, mind, and spirit.

KAPHA DOSHA ACCORDING TO TRI-DOSHA CONCEPTS IN AYURVEDA

Kapha Dosha According to Tri Dosha Theory in Ayurveda

Originally published in June 2013. Last updated on July 5, 2025.

Kapha Dosha is one of the three fundamental bodily humors (doshas) described in the ancient Ayurvedic system of medicine. It represents the elements of water and earth, providing structure, lubrication, and stability to the body and mind.

What Is Kapha Dosha?

Kapha is responsible for:

• Growth and development of body tissues
• Lubrication of joints
• Maintaining immunity and strength
• Emotional calmness and stability

It governs the anabolic processes of the body—supporting repair, regeneration, and nourishment.

Qualities (Gunas) of Kapha:

• Heavy (Guru)
• Slow (Manda)
• Cool (Shita)
• Oily (Snigdha)
• Smooth (Shlakshna)
• Dense (Sandra)
• Stable (Sthira)

Physical Properties of Kapha:

• Colour: Whitish and transparent
• Taste: Sweet (Madhura) when well-formed; sour (Lavana) when not
• Touch: Soft, unctuous (Snigdha)
• Consistency: Dense (Sandra), Stable (Sthira)
• Others: Heavy (Guru), Slow (Manda)

Primary Location (Sthana) of Kapha in the Body:

• Chest (Uras) - main seat of Kapha. Governs lung function, lubrication, and emotional calm.
• Throat (Kantha) - Support Voice quality, swallowing and immunity.
• Head (Shira) - Stabilizes mind, support memory and thought clarity.
• Joints (Sandhi)- Structural support and lubrication of joints.
• Stomach (Amasaya – upper part)- Assist in moistening and digesting food.
• Plasma (Rasa Dhatu)- nourishment and transportation of nutrients.
• Nose (Nasa)- Produces mucus to protect nasal passages and air breathing.
• Heart (Hridaya), Tongue (Jihwa), Mamsa, Medas, Majja, Shukra Dhatus

🧬 Normal Functions of Kapha Dosha

✅ Physiological Functions:

• Imparts softness and lubrication to the body
• Binds and holds structures, including joints and jiva paramanus
• Provides stability, firmness, and resistance
• Confers sexual stamina, fertility, and tissue growth
• Promotes healing, regeneration, and tissue building

🧠 Psychological Functions:

• Enhances memory and mental stability
• Improves intelligence (Buddhi)
• Promotes enthusiasm and motivation (Utsaha)

🧬 Types of Kapha (Subtypes)

1. Avalambaka Kapha – Location: Chest
   Supports thoracic spine (Trika), heart (Hridaya), and distributes nutrients via Anna Rasa and Ambu Rasa.
2. Kledaka Kapha – Location: Amasaya (Stomach)
   Helps digest food, cools excess Pitta, and protects the stomach.
3. Bodhaka Kapha – Location: Tongue (Jihwa) & Throat (Kanda)
   Assists in taste perception and lubricates oral cavity.
4. Tarpaka Kapha – Location: Head
   Nourishes the sense organs and maintains brain moisture and clarity.
5. Sleshaka Kapha – Location: Joints
   Lubricates joints and maintains their strength and cohesion.

🧘 Balanced vs. Imbalanced Kapha

Balanced Kapha	Imbalanced Kapha
Strong immunity	Excessive mucus
Calm and loving nature	Lethargy
Well-nourished tissues	Weight gain
Good memory	Depression

🚫 Common Causes of Kapha Imbalance:

• Overeating heavy, cold, sweet foods
• Lack of physical activity
• Daytime sleeping
• Cold and damp climate

💡 How to Balance Kapha:

• Adopt a light, warm, and dry diet
• Exercise regularly
• Avoid dairy and oily foods
• Use warming herbs: ginger, black pepper, turmeric

❌ Abnormal Functions of Kapha Dosha

• Excess whiteness, coldness, and heaviness
• Itching, stiffness, oiliness, numbness
• Sensation of sweetness in the mouth
• Laziness, dullness, and excessive sleep

🦠 Pathophysiology of Kaphaja Diseases:

In Kaphaja diseases, the inherent qualities of Kapha—unctuousness, coldness, whiteness, heaviness, sweetness, steadiness—manifest abnormally. Symptoms may include:

• Whitish discharges and secretions
• Sticky excreta (Upadeha)
• Channel blockage and sluggish metabolism
• Numbness (also seen in Vata disorders)

🩺 General Principles of Kapha Treatment:

Treatment aims to eliminate excess Kapha using therapies with opposite qualities.

🌿 Ideal Drug Qualities:

• Pungent (Katu)
• Bitter (Tikta)
• Astringent (Kashaya)
• Sharp (Teekshna)
• Hot (Ushna)
• Light (Laghu)

⚕️ Therapies:

• Swedana (fomentation)
• Vamana (therapeutic emesis) – most effective
• Nasya (nasal detox)
• Shirovirechana (head cleansing)
• Regular exercise, fasting, and seasonal detox

Vamana is the prime therapy, acting at the root of Kapha disorders by clearing the stomach—resulting in systemic Kapha reduction.

📚 Reference: Charaka Samhita

🌿 Kapha Prakriti (Kapha-Dominant Constitution)

1. General Disposition:

• Calm, patient, peace-loving, slow to anger
• Reliable, loving, forgiving, compassionate

2. Mental & Cognitive Traits:

• Slow learners but excellent memory retention
• Soft, low voice; steady speech and action

3. Digestive & Metabolic Profile:

• Low digestive fire (Manda Agni), poor appetite
• Prone to weight gain and fluid retention
• Crave pungent, bitter, and astringent foods

4. Physical Characteristics:

• Sturdy build, broad chest, well-developed body
• Bright, oily, and lustrous skin
• Thick, soft hair; dense black or blue eyes
• Large, rounded, attractive nose and solid neck

5. Health & Lifestyle Tips:

• Engage in active, dynamic routines and mental stimulation
• Favor warm, spicy, light foods
• Avoid dairy, sugar, and day sleep

✅ Conclusion

Kapha Dosha plays a vital role in maintaining structural integrity, immunity, and mental stability. Balanced Kapha ensures strength, endurance, and emotional well-being. Awareness of its signs, subtypes, and tendencies helps promote long-term health through Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle adjustments.

📚 Related Posts:

• 🔥 Pitta Dosha – The Energy of Transformation
• 💨 Vata Dosha – The Force of Movement

📜 Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified Ayurvedic physician before beginning any treatment.

✍️ About the Author

Dr. Rimin Abdul Razak, BAMS. Ayurvedic physician and experienced medical insurance specialist. Founder of Vaidyaveekshan, an Ayurvedic knowledge blog aimed at spreading holistic wellness based on classical wisdom.

📧 contact me