Ayurveda teaches that improper digestion is the root cause of all disease. Yet, you may wonder, how am I to know if I am not digesting foods properly? Familiar symptoms like bloating, flatulence (gas), constipation, hyperacidity, indigestion, feeling sluggish...
Ayurveda teaches that improper digestion is the root cause of all disease. Yet, you may wonder, how am I to know if I am not digesting foods properly? Familiar symptoms like bloating, flatulence (gas), constipation, hyperacidity, indigestion, feeling sluggish after eating and/or nausea are some of the telltale signs that there is a disturbance in your digestive system, but did you know that the consistency of your bowel movements (BMs) and stool (poop) quality also offer insight into your current state of digestion? Although an often uncomfortable and taboo topic to discuss, the importance of looking at your poop and elimination patterns is necessary to stay aware of your digestive health. For example, Ayurveda shares that everyone should have at least one BM daily for proper detoxification of the body. If you are not, then your body is telling you it is experiencing constipation and that it requires hydration and restored balance for vata dosha.
Today’s blog shares the Ayurvedic approach to assessing your poop. You will learn how to determine the difference between a healthy and unhealthy poo, how each dosha impacts BMs and stool quality and what you can do to achieve optimal daily elimination patterns that support healthy alignment in the body and mind.
The above image is of the Bristol Stool Chart. This chart is a helpful guide for identifying the 7 different types of stool that a person can experience.
All About Vata Poop
Composed of the air and ether elements, people predominant in vata dosha or who are experiencing an imbalance in vata dosha are prone to dryness in the colon and, therefore, suffer more frequently from constipation when compared to pitta and kapha doshas. Vata types can also experience bloating, non-smelly gas and some pain during elimination due to the dryness in the colon.
When vata is imbalanced and in excess in the body, the stool will look like Type 1 on the Bristol Stool Chart, which are hard, small, dry pellets that are difficult to pass (think rabbit poop). Gas will be present when trying to have a BM and elimination will feel incomplete. A vata imbalance is also present in Type 2 stools, as the lumpiness of this stool displays a lack of moisture and hydration in the body’s tissues.
When a vata type has healthy poop, it will look dark to medium brown, be passed without gas or pain, no bloating will be present and a BM will happen once daily in the morning. The type of stool to strive for is Type 3 or Type 4 in the Bristol Stool Chart, with a floating Type 4 being the optimal goal.
Balancing Vata Poop
All About Pitta Poop
Containing mostly fire and some water, pitta dosha tends to provoke excess heat in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which manifests in various ways, such as eliminating twice or more each day, feeling an urgent need “to go,” hyperacidity, inflammation and smelly gas.
When pitta is imbalanced and in excess in the body, the stool will look like Type 5, 6, or 7 on the Bristol Stool Chart due to pitta dosha in the digestive tract pushing stool more rapidly through the intestines. The stool can resemble soft serve ice cream (graphic, we know!), soft blobs, fluffy pieces, and even a watery and/or oily liquid. Additionally, pieces of undigested food can be present due to the food moving too quickly through an overheated digestive tract. There can also be burning upon elimination, smelly gas and a sharp odor associated with pitta type stools. Rather than suffering from constipation, pitta types or people experiencing a pitta imbalance are more prone to experiencing diarrhea and elimination several times per day.
When a person predominant in pitta dosha has healthy elimination, they poop 2-3 times daily, usually in the morning and after lunch. It will be yellowish brown and will be mildly odorous. The type of stool to strive for is Type 4 (floating), which is nicely formed and will pass easily.
Balancing Pitta Poop
All About Kapha Poop
Made up of the earth and water elements, people who are predominant in kapha dosha or are experiencing a kapha imbalance are prone to sluggish digestion, nausea and/or tiredness after eating and can incur constipation due to low peristaltic action.
When kapha is imbalanced and in excess in the body, it will look like Type 4 on the Bristol Stool Chart; however, it will not pass easily. Instead, it will be bulky, sticky and slow-moving. The sticky nature of imbalanced kapha poop is due to a build of ama (toxins) within the body and there may also be mucus within the stool.
A healthy kapha type poop is passed once in the morning and is a pale brown. It is well-formed and passes easily through the colon. In short, ideal kapha stools are like Type 4, floating and without any stickiness or congested mucus contained within them. Lastly, this stool can be sweet in odor or non-odorous.
Balancing Kapha Poop
Remember to Observe and Analyze Your Stool
As you can see, your poop can say a lot about you. It is a visible indicator of what is happening within your body and is worth taking a peek at daily. Take note of when you eliminate, how often you go and which qualities seem predominant within your stool. You can even create an elimination journal to help keep track of your defecation patterns, any indigestion you may be experiencing and what foods you are eating so that you may better understand what is happening in your digestive system and which, if any, of the doshas require balancing.
Stool analysis is not taboo within the Ayurvedic community and is one of the many ways Ayurvedic doctors and practitioners can build a holistic understanding of their clients' unique blend of the doshas and their current state of balance. For a more specialized assessment of your Ayurvedic constitution, we invite you to meet with our Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist, Laurel Odom.
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