My dominant dosha is Vata, with a little fiery and focused Pitta in the mix.
I just love the idea of incorporating traditional wellbeing practices into everyday life, and one of my favourites is Ayurveda. The name comes from the Sanskrit words "Ayur" (life) and "Veda" (knowledge), literally meaning the "Science of Life." It's a traditional system of medicine based on ancient Indian knowledge of well-being, and even though it's been around for thousands of years, it's still very relevant today.
According to Ayurveda, we all have a unique balance of three energies, or "doshas," known as Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Most of us have one (or even two) that's dominant, and understanding these can help guide our daily choices and bring the body back into balance.
My dominant dosha is Vata, with a little fiery and focused Pitta in the mix. Vata types love warmth, routine, and feeling grounded, and this makes so much sense to me. If you're wondering what your dominant dosha is, here's a quick guide to the key qualities of each one. It's fascinating how accurate it can be.
The Three Ayurvedic Doshas
Vata (Air and Ether)
Vata types tend to be light, creative, and quick-thinking. They often have a slender frame, dry skin, and a fast, enthusiastic way of talking. They learn quickly and move quickly, but can also feel scattered, anxious, or exhausted when out of balance. Vata types do best with warmth, routine, and grounding practices.
Pitta (Fire and Water)
Pitta types are sharp, driven, and focused. They tend to have a medium build, strong digestion, and an intensity that makes them natural leaders. When out of balance, that fire can show up as irritability, inflammation, or burnout. Pitta types do best with cooling, calming practices and knowing when to slow down.
Kapha (Earth and Water)
Kapha types are steady, nurturing, and loyal. They tend to have a stronger build, smooth skin, and a calm, unhurried way of moving through the world. They are the most grounded of the three, but can tip into sluggishness or resistance to change when out of balance. Kapha types do best with movement, stimulation, and variety.
7 Ways to Bring Ayurveda into Everyday Life
1. Tongue Scraping
Tongue scraping is one of the easiest Ayurvedic practices to add to your morning, and it can make an immediate difference. It removes the film that builds up on the tongue overnight, freshens the mouth, and can even make food taste better. In Ayurveda, the tongue is seen as a clue to what is going on in the body, especially around digestion. From a modern oral care point of view, the tongue can hold bacteria, so cleaning it is a simple way to support fresher breath and a cleaner mouth. I've written about why I've used a tongue scraper every morning for 20 years if you want to know more.
I like the Black Chicken Remedies Copper Tongue Cleaner. It's a traditional U-shaped scraper made from 100% pure copper, which is naturally antibacterial. It's designed to glide gently over the tongue without gagging, making it a very comfortable tool to use. The Dr Tung's Stainless Steel Tongue Cleaner is another excellent option, and the brand's clinical testing shows it removes up to 30% more bacteria from the tongue than a standard toothbrush.
2. Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is a traditional Ayurvedic oral care practice that involves swishing oil around the mouth before tongue scraping and brushing in the morning. In Ayurveda, it's traditionally used to help clear the head and neck area, support digestion, and bring balance to the doshas. The Black Chicken Remedies Oral Swishing Oil is a traditional blend of sesame and coconut oils with myrrh and peppermint to support healthy gums and a clean mouth.
Personally, this is the one practice I find hard to do. If you're like me, the Oh Gigi Oil Pull Minty Wash is a great option. It has a fresh, minty taste and can be used more like a mouthwash, which makes it so much easier to do.
3. Dry Body Brushing
Dry body brushing has deep roots in Ayurveda, where it's known as Garshana and used to stimulate circulation, refresh the skin, and bring energy into the morning. Use a dry brush on the body before you shower, working in light strokes towards the heart. I've written a dedicated guide on why I'll never stop dry body brushing.
The Hydrea Professional Vegan Dry Body Brush is my top pick for this practice. It's made from FSC-certified beechwood with a blend of cactus bristles that have been cut on a curved angle to match the contours of the body.
4. Abhyanga, Self-Massage
Abhyanga is the Ayurvedic practice of massaging the body with warm oil, usually before showering or bathing. Traditionally, Abhyanga is used to calm the nervous system, support circulation, and nourish the skin. It's also a lovely way to slow down and reconnect with the body, which is really what Ayurveda is asking us to do. From a modern point of view, it can be as easy as taking a few minutes to massage in a body oil with a bit more intention.
The LAMAV Ayurvedic Body Oil Nourish is my pick for this practice. It's made with sandalwood, cedarwood, and marjoram in a base of camellia and jojoba seed oils, with LAMAV's Ayurvedic wellness blend of ashwagandha, amla, and holy basil, which is cold-infused over 14 days.
You can also massage your face. LAMAV also has a Kansa Wand, a traditional Ayurvedic tool used to help release facial tension and support lymphatic drainage. You always need a good oil for slip, and the LAMAV Omega 3,6,7 & 9 Antioxidant Oil is a natural pairing, made with macadamia and sweet almond oils, plus sandalwood seed oil.
5. Turmeric Latte
What we now call a turmeric latte is one of Ayurveda's oldest remedies. Known in India as haldi doodh, or turmeric milk, it has been used for centuries as a rasayana, a tonic that nourishes and restores the whole body. The key ingredients are turmeric, black pepper (which helps increase the absorption of curcumin, turmeric's active compound), ginger, and a warming fat like ghee or coconut oil. Together they are traditionally used to support immunity, digestion, and a calmer state of mind, and are considered balancing for all three doshas. I have a great turmeric latte recipe here from Lee Holmes.
6. Sleep and Daily Rhythm
Ayurveda places a lot of value on daily rhythm, especially around sleep. The idea is that the body responds well to consistency, so regular bedtimes, calmer evenings, and a slower start to the morning can all help create a better sense of balance. Things like eating dinner earlier, dimming the lights at night, reducing stimulation before bed, and waking at a similar time each day all fit naturally within that way of thinking.
The LAMAV Ayurvedic Body Oil Unwind is the perfect Ayurvedic oil for massaging the legs and feet before bed. It's blended with lavender, chamomile, and neroli, plus the Ayurvedic wellness blend of ashwagandha, amla, and holy basil, and has a calming scent.
7. Ayurvedic Lip Balm
This is the easiest way to bring Ayurveda into your daily routine. Hurraw! makes three lip balms, one for each dosha. Each one is made with pure essential oils and natural extracts traditionally associated with balancing a specific dosha. They're 100% natural, vegan and certified organic, made in a base of raw coconut oil, cacao butter, and cold-pressed castor oil, so they're all nourishing. Just pick the one that suits your dosha.
The Vata Lip Balm with Almond Cardamom Rose is the one for me. The soothing almond scent with a hint of spicy cardamom and a finish of Turkish rose is so grounding. The Pitta Lip Balm with Coconut Mint Lemongrass is cooling and refreshing, perfect for balancing that fiery Pitta energy, and the Kapha Lip Balm with Grapefruit Ginger Eucalyptus is zesty and energising.
About the Author
Irene Falcone is the founder of Clean Nectarine and co-host of The Lee & Irene Show. She started her first clean beauty business in 2011 with $100 in her garage and grew it to $20m in four years. She has spent over 15 years reading the backs of beauty and wellness labels, is a Telstra Business Women's Awards winner and an EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalist, and has been featured on A Current Affair, The Project, Sunrise, Channel Nine Mornings and Sky News.
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