Hormones & Ayurveda: Understanding the Human Body

What Modern Science Explains and What Ayurveda Teaches Us

In my work as an Ayurvedic practitioner from India, I have always been interested in understanding the human body—not only its physical structure, but also the way its different functions work together.

People often notice changes in their bodies as they grow older. They may experience changes in sleep, energy, mood, digestion, body temperature, muscle strength, or joint comfort. Women may notice significant changes during perimenopause and menopause. Men also experience hormonal changes as they age.

One important part of understanding these changes is learning about hormones.

But what exactly are hormones? How do they work? And how does Ayurveda understand the body's natural processes?

Let us explore these questions through the perspectives of modern science and traditional Ayurveda.

What Are Hormones?

Hormones are chemical messengers produced by different glands and tissues in the body. They travel through the bloodstream and communicate with cells and organs, helping coordinate many essential functions.

Think of hormones as part of the body's communication system. They help regulate how we use energy, how we sleep, how we respond to stress, how we grow, and how our reproductive systems function.

Some hormones influence blood sugar. Others help regulate metabolism, reproduction, bone health, and the body's response to stressful situations.

The body depends on a delicate balance of many interacting systems. Hormones are an important part of that balance, although they are not the only factor determining our health.

Where Do Hormones Come From?

The body has a network of hormone-producing glands known as the endocrine system.

The thyroid gland helps regulate metabolism. The adrenal glands produce hormones involved in the body's response to stress. The pancreas produces insulin, which helps regulate blood sugar. The ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone, while the testes produce testosterone.

The brain also plays an important role. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland help coordinate communication between the brain and several other hormone-producing glands.

These systems work together. When one part of the system changes, other functions may also be affected.

This is one reason it is important to look at the body as an interconnected whole rather than thinking about every symptom in isolation.

Hormones Change Throughout Our Lives

Our bodies are not the same at every stage of life. We grow, develop, mature, and age. Hormones change along the way.

During puberty, hormones guide physical development. During pregnancy, they support the many changes taking place in the mother's body. Throughout adulthood, hormones continue to influence energy, metabolism, reproductive health, and other functions.

As women approach perimenopause and menopause, changes in ovarian hormone production can lead to hot flashes, night sweats, changes in menstrual patterns, sleep disturbances, and other experiences. Some women also notice changes in muscle and joint comfort.

Men experience age-related hormonal changes too, although the pattern is different.

Not every change in the body is caused by hormones. Stress, sleep, nutrition, activity, medications, and other health conditions can also influence how we feel. Understanding the possible causes is an important first step toward appropriate care.

How Does Ayurveda Understand the Body?

Ayurveda has its own traditional way of understanding the body, its functions, and the factors that influence well-being.

In the classical Ayurvedic tradition, we study the three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. We also learn about the dhatus, agni, srotas, and the relationship between the body and mind.

These concepts are not the same as modern hormones or endocrine glands. They belong to a different system of understanding human physiology. Nevertheless, they offer a traditional framework for considering how different bodily functions interact.

Vata: Movement and Communication

Vata is traditionally associated with movement, circulation, sensory activity, communication, and elimination.

In Ayurvedic practice, we consider Vata when thinking about patterns such as dryness, irregularity, restlessness, and changes in movement. These are traditional Ayurvedic associations, not a way to diagnose a hormonal disorder.

Pitta: Transformation and Metabolism

Pitta is associated with transformation, digestion, metabolism, and heat.

When considering a person's constitution and current condition, Ayurvedic practitioners pay attention to patterns involving warmth, digestion, and the body's capacity for transformation.

Pitta is not the thyroid gland or any single hormone. It is a broader Ayurvedic principle.

Kapha: Structure and Stability

Kapha is traditionally associated with structure, stability, cohesion, and lubrication.

Ayurvedic thinking considers these qualities when understanding a person's constitution and physical patterns. Again, Kapha is not a hormone or a direct equivalent of any one bodily system.

The three doshas provide a traditional framework for individualized Ayurvedic assessment. They should not replace medical testing or be used alone to determine whether a person has a hormone imbalance.

What Are the Seven Dhatus in Ayurveda?

Classical Ayurveda also describes seven dhatus, or bodily tissue constituents:

• Rasa

• Rakta

• Mamsa

• Meda

• Asthi

• Majja

• Shukra

These are traditional concepts used to explain nourishment, bodily tissues, and reproductive functions. Their meanings are rooted in Ayurvedic theory and do not correspond exactly to the categories used in modern anatomy.

I find it valuable to study these concepts in their original context rather than trying to assign a modern scientific name to every Ayurvedic term.

Ayurveda has its own history, language, and way of describing the body. Modern medicine has developed detailed tools for studying hormones, cells, glands, and chemical messengers. We can learn from both perspectives while being clear about their differences.

Why Do Women Experience Changes During Menopause?

This is a question many women ask as they move through midlife.

During perimenopause, ovarian hormone production becomes more variable. As menopause approaches and occurs, estrogen levels generally decline.

These changes may be associated with hot flashes, night sweats, disrupted sleep, changes in mood, and vaginal or urinary symptoms. Some women also experience muscle aches, joint discomfort, or changes in physical comfort.

The experience is different for every woman. Menopause is a natural stage of life, but that does not mean a woman must ignore symptoms that interfere with her well-being.

From a modern medical perspective, a healthcare professional can help assess symptoms and discuss appropriate options.

From an Ayurvedic perspective, a practitioner may consider the individual's constitution, daily routine, digestion, sleep, and other aspects of well-being when discussing personalized lifestyle practices and bodywork.

These approaches should not be confused: Ayurvedic assessment cannot establish a medical hormone diagnosis, and massage should not be presented as a way to restore estrogen or correct a hormone imbalance.

What Is the Role of Therapeutic Ayurvedic Bodywork?

In my practice at Therapeutic Ayurveda Center, I work with people who come for many different reasons. Some want to relax after demanding days. Others seek focused attention for muscular tension, stiffness, or the physical strain of daily activities.

I consider the person as an individual and adapt my approach to the session. Depending on the person's needs and preferences, this may involve traditional Ayurvedic oil massage, Abhyanga, head massage, or other forms of therapeutic bodywork.

Warm oil, attentive touch, and a quiet environment can provide an opportunity to slow down and relax. Massage may help with relaxation and some forms of muscular discomfort, but it is not a treatment for endocrine disease.

If you are experiencing persistent fatigue, significant changes in weight, unusual sensitivity to heat or cold, ongoing joint pain, or other concerning symptoms, please seek appropriate medical evaluation. These symptoms can have many causes, and it is important not to assume that hormones are responsible without assessment.

Learning From Both Ayurveda and Modern Science

My interest in Ayurveda comes from a tradition that has explored human well-being for thousands of years. Modern science gives us additional ways to investigate the body, including the discovery and measurement of hormones and the study of endocrine function.

I believe it is important to approach both traditions with respect, curiosity, and honesty.

We do not need to claim that ancient Ayurvedic texts described modern hormones in order to appreciate their traditional teachings. Nor should we dismiss modern medical knowledge when trying to understand changes in the body.

The more we learn, the better questions we can ask about our health and the more thoughtfully we can care for ourselves.

At Therapeutic Ayurveda Center in Boulder, Colorado, my approach combines traditional Ayurvedic knowledge with individualized therapeutic bodywork, with the aim of supporting relaxation, comfort, and a greater sense of well-being.

If you would like to learn more about Ayurvedic massage and bodywork, I welcome you to get in touch.

Daddu Pal
Therapeutic Ayurveda Center
Boulder, Colorado
TherapeuticAyurveda.com

This article is for educational purposes. Ayurvedic bodywork is not a substitute for medical evaluation, hormone testing, or treatment prescribed by a qualified healthcare professional.