Thirst (Ayurvedic Name – Trishna)

Thirst (Ayurvedic Name – Trishna) — Water is very vital for living beings on this planet among all other four element necessary for life. Two third surface of earth is covered with water , 76% of human body consists of water and thus thirst is the natural process in human body.

As all other ailments, Ayurveda treats thirst according to the body humour (tridosha). In Ayurveda thirst is known as ‘trishna’.

1. Vata dosha is an air element
2. Pitta dosha is the fire element
3. Kapha dosha is combination of earth and water elements

Thirst occurs when vata dosha or pitta dosha imbalance in body. Vata dosha is imbalanced with emotions, physical work, nervous excitement. Heavy food, fasting and any other dietary imbalance increase pitta dosha.

Causes of thirst

• summer or dry weather
• physical work or exercise
• mental stress
• After heavy meal
• Diabetes
• Drugs – anticholinergics, demeclocycline, diuretics, phenothiazines
• Loss of water ( diarrhea, vomiting )

Signs & symptoms

• Increase need to drink water
• Dehydration
• Excessive sweating
• Dry mouth
• Fatigue

Home cure

• Amla juice is useful in excessive thirst
• Essence of sandalwood
• Coconut water
• Milk is the best treatments for excessive thirst
• Watermelon
• Leaves of fruits like mangos and Indian plums (jamuns) are good in thirst
• Lemon juice with honey is also well known to everyone is useful in thirst

Useful herbs

In Ayurveda there are so many useful herb works effectively on the symptoms of trishna. These herbs are.

• Jamun (Indian Plum)
• Aam (leaves) (Mangifera indica)
• Adrak(Ginger)
• Amalaki(Emblica officinalis)
• Haldi( Turmeric)
• Hara dhania (Coriander)
• Imli (Syrup of ripe fruit)

Therapeutic Remedies

• Prawal pishti
• Panakam
• Giloy sattva
• Amalaki rasayana
• Moti pishti