Pulse Diagnosis in Ayurveda: Myth or Medical Marvel ?

Pulse Diagnosis /  Nadi Pariksha     Ayurvedic medicine has used a traditional and holistic approach to improve a person’s health and well-being while also considering their mental, physical, and spiritual aspects for centuries.  The practitioners use various diagnostic methods to check the imbalances of mind, body and spirit leading to diseases. One of those diagnostic methods is Nadi Pariksha or pulse diagnosis.    It is widely believed that Nadi Pariksha is one of the mandatory parts of Ayurvedic treatment. But, it is not true. For ages, people have tricked us into believing that nadi pariksha or ayurvedic pulse diagnosis is compulsory for ayurvedic treatment.   The absolute truth behind Nadi Pariksha as a diagnosis tool   None of the ancient Ayurvedic texts – Caraka Samhita, Ashtanga Hridaya or Susruta Samhita has any major reference about pulse diagnosis. Then how can Nadi Pariksha be the mandatory part of diagnosis?   There is no doubt that the most comprehensive, authentic and recognised course to study Ayurvedic Medicine is BAMS. However, in those 6 years I spent studying to become an Ayurvedic doctor, there was not even a single subject on Nadi Pariksha except for a few words here and there. Why is it given little or no importance if it is the most a major diagnostic tool?   I studied Nadi Pariksha from my father while assisting his patients. He had told me that it was just one of the diagnostic tools and not the only tool.     Is Nadi Pariksha’s diagnosis so crucial in the treatment process?   Ayurvedic pulse diagnosis is a recent advancement in Ayurveda and is not based on the 3 original scriptures. It is just ONE of the diagnostic tools, not the only one of the most important.    I don’t do Nadi Pariksha even in my face-to-face consultations. I don’t find it necessary to identify a person’s Prakriti by Nadi Pariksha. With all humility- thanks to the universe and my gurus – within the first few minutes of seeing and talking to a patient,  his Prakriti becomes obvious. It is not a magical power, but it just comes from practice. For years, it has been believed that Nadi Pariksha is a mandatory diagnosis method to understand the disease, but the truth is it is just ONE of the diagnostic tools, not the only one of the most important methods of diagnosis techniques.  Unfortunately, today, people use nadi pariksha more as a marketing tool to attract others to Ayurveda.     Doctor Rekha is a 4th generation Ayurvedic Medicine Doctor (BAMS) and also one of the best ayurvedic doctor in trivandrum city, living in between Dubai and India who has patients from around the globe who believes that the wisdom of Ayurveda can help everyone lead a happy, heathy and disease-free life.   If you are struggling with any health issues, you can either book a consultation with us or send us a message via WhatsApp to +91 79074 89839. We have the best Ayurvedic doctors in Trivandrum who are always glad to help you. If you have any queries, contact us.  You can also visit us at our hospital.

Tongue Assessments in Ayurveda

Tongue is one of the sense organs; it is the organ of taste. But Ayurveda sees it as a far more important tool that can be used for diagnosis. It is considered the window of the inner system and that is why tongue assessment is an important part of Ayurvedic diagnosis. In Ayurveda, a tongue assessment helps to recognize the following conditions: Any Ayurvedic doctor can clearly see the imbalances of the body and hence digestion by looking at it. You can also do a self-assessment.   Regularly checking your tongue helps you identify when toxins are being accumulated in your body, when certain foods you consume are causing negative reactions to your system, or when other indications of disorder arise.     Tongue Assessments     If your tongue is yellowish, cracked and rough, it denotes a Vata imbalance.   Your tongue shows shades of red, blue or black and if you experience a bitter taste often, it denotes a Pitta imbalance.   If you have a white, clear, watery, it implies Kapha imbalance.   Do a self-assessment You may wonder – oh! my tongue always looks a certain way; therefore, how do I figure out if it has any abnormalities?  Just like how you take a BP or do a self-examination of the breast, it is important to check it for a range of days to look for signs of digestion. Tongue analysis is something you can do by yourself.  I advise my patients to take a photo of their tongue every morning before brushing; consequently, they should send it for 15 days. Do this for 15 days. If, however, you notice any abnormalities, it could be an indication of poor gut health.   If you are struggling with any health issues, you can either book a consultation with us or send us a message via WhatsApp to +91 79074 89839. We have the best Ayurvedic doctors in Trivandrum who are always glad to help you. If you have any queries, contact us.  You can also visit us at our hospital.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  … Continue reading Tongue Assessments in Ayurveda