Hormones are information transferring molecules, which are released from one group of cells and travel via blood stream but regulate activity of cells in the other one or different group of cells
Hormones cause biotransformation activity and its characteristic features are similar to the functions of Tejo Mahabhuta (Fire element).
Endocrine system controls body activities by releasing mediators, which are called hormones. Hormones are information transferring molecules, which are released from one group of cells and travel via blood stream but regulate activity of cells in the other one or different group of cells.
In Ayurveda, Endocrinology is not separately mentioned. According to Ayurveda, the universe is Panchabhutic (comprising five elements: Prithvi- Earth, Ap- Water, Tej - Fire, Vayu - Air, Aakash - Ether/Space, these are the five basic elements which construct the human body) .
It simply means that the universe is made up of five basic elements and whatever exists in this universe, that is represented in the human body.
Hormones and Tejomahabhoot (Fire Element)
Out of these five elements, Tejomahabhoot performs activities in the universe, as well as in the human body. Tejomahabhoot is the source of energy of the universe and Sun being the primary source for bio transformative activities.
Any activity which is related to biotransformation is considered to be due to Tejomahabhoot.
Similar to the Sun's function in the universe, Agni (Tejomahabhoot predominant) and Pitta Dosha (Tejomahabhoot predominant) do the same in living beings.
Hormones cause biotransformation activity and its characteristic features are similar to the functions of Tejo Mahabhuta.
Properties & functions Tejo Mahabhuta and Hormones
One of the principal functions of the endocrine system is to maintain internal homoeostasis. The second principle function is reproduction.
The bio transformative activity is carried out by hormones in humans and this function is carried out by Agni and Pitta Dosha. This phenomenon is called the Parinaman (nourishment ) or Paka (stages of food transformation and metabolism) process. Therefore, the hormone itself has the properties of Tejo Mahabhuta.
As soon as the hormone reaches its target cells, it can affect the intracellular metabolism and modify the cell function.
Similar characteristic features of Tejo Mahabhuta and Hormones
Ushna | Daha
|
Tikshna | Paka |
Sukshma
| Prabha |
Laghu
| Prakasha
|
Ruksha
| Varnakar
|
Vishada
|
Ushna (Hot) : Some hormones increase body heat while circulating through blood. E.g. HCG, Thyroxine.
Tikshna (Penetrating power): Certain hormones, particularly the steroid hormones are able to penetrate the cell membrane due to their smaller size and lipid permeability. As a result, these compounds can modify intra cellular metabolism directly. E.g. Estrogen.
Sukshma (Microscopic): Hormones act in very low concentration. As soon as a hormone reduces its target cell, it can affect the intracellular metabolism to modify the cell function. E.g. Glucagon, Growth hormone, Testosterone, Estrogen, Vasopressin.
Laghu (low molecular weight): Hormones are destroyed and excreted as soon as their functions are over. Some hormones work quickly and are destroyed quickly. E.g. Epinephrine (Adrenaline).
Ruksha (unctuous): Hormones are not ordinarily stored, except in the gland of origin. They do not have any accumulative action. E.g. Thromboxane A2 causes vasoconstriction.
Vishada (detergent like): Some of the prostaglandins are anti lipolytic agents. These hormones inhibit the release of free fatty acids from adipose tissue.
Roopa (structure): The hormones have specific structure. The known hormones include protein with molecular weight of 30,000 or less. The majority of hormones are peptides, proteins, glycoproteins or amino acid derivatives and steroids.
Ushnatva (Hot nature) of Agni is carried out by Pitta Dosha via blood stream. Mechanism of hormones is carried out by blood, so hormones are considered as Tej Mahabhuta substance. Hormones activity is carried out by Agni or Pitta. According to Ayurveda, vitiation of Agni causes disturbances in health issues.
Jatharagni (Digestive fire) plays an important role in digestion. The characteristic feature of Jatharagni is present in Dhatuagni (Agni responsible for metabolism at cellular level).
If the potency of Dhatuagni decreases, respective Dhatu will increase in the mass and if the potency of Dhatuagni increases respective Dhatu will decrease in the mass.
Seven Dhatus (7 Body tissue - Plasma, blood, muscle, fats, bones, bone marrow and reproductive tissue - sperm/ovum)
Some important hormones and their functions
Hormones of Thyroid Gland– Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4), Help in controlling the metabolism of the body, regulating body weight, and determining the energy level and internal temperature.
Insulin – Release from Pancreas (Gland, located in the abdominal cavity), the Main function is controlling the blood sugar level from getting too high (hyperglycemia) or too low (Hypoglycemia).
Estrogen – Female sex hormone release from the ovaries, responsible for reproduction, menstruation, and menopause. Imbalance as the excess of this hormone increased the risk of Breast Cancer, Uterine Cancer, Depression and Moodiness and less level lead to Acne, Skin Lesion and Hair loss, etc.
Progesterone – Produced in ovaries, the placenta, and the adrenal gland while a woman gets pregnant and has an important role in maintaining pregnancy, like regulation of monthly cycle and prepare the body for conception, and when pregnancy doesn’t occur, Progesterone level drop and menstrual cycle occur.
Prolactin – This hormone released from the Pituitary Gland after childbirth for Lactation (Breast Feeding).
Testosterone – Male Sex Hormone, mainly helps in building body muscles, development of Male Reproductive Tissue, Testes and Prostrate and Hair growth, imbalance of these hormones can lead to abnormality including Frailty (Condition of being weak and delicate) and bone loss.
Serotonin – Mood-Boosting effect hormone (also called natures feels good chemical), Regulates the mood (Learning and memory), muscular functions, sleep, and digestion.
Cortisol – Produced by Adrenal Gland, the Main function is controlling the physical and psychological stress, in danger, it increases Heart rate, respiration rate, and Blood pressures. A high level of cortisol leads to Ulcers, High Blood Pressure, High level of Cholesterol, Anxiety and Low Level of these hormones create Alcoholism, a condition responsible for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Adrenaline – Secreted in the medulla in the adrenal gland, Also known as emergency hormones cause its initiate the quick reaction which make the individual to think and respond quickly to the stress, Increase the metabolic rate, dilation of blood vessels going to the heart and the brain, Adrenaline quickly release in bloodstream and send impulse to organs to create specific response.
Growth Hormone – Also known as Somatotropin Hormones or Protein Hormones (has 190 amino acids which is synthesized and secreted by the cells called Somatotrophs in anterior of the pituitary gland), important in human development, cell reproduction, cell regeneration and boosting metabolism.
The Role of the Tridosha: Vata, Pitta & Kapha
There’s no reference to ‘hormones’ specifically in the texts of Ayurveda. Instead, the ancient physicians understood how our organs and body systems - thyroid, pancreas, testes, ovaries, etc., worked together to maintain balance.
Just as your hormones are an interplay of organs and systems, the Doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha all play an integral role in your hormonal health.
Vata Dosha & Hormone health
Vata Dosha is perhaps the most important Dosha to attend to as Vata and the nervous system play an intimate role with the adrenals and your hormones. Everyday stressors such as technology and on-the-go lifestyle aggravate Vata, which in turn, moves the other Doshas out of place. Fight-or-flight is a Vata response to imbalance.
Pitta Dosha & Hormone health
From a chemical standpoint, hormones fall under the domain of Pitta. Just as fire transforms, Pitta is involved in any chemical processes in the body - digestive enzymes, molecular catalysts and hormones.
Anything that aggravates pitta - sour, acidic and heating substances like fermented or spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol and tobacco will affect your hormones via the liver.
Kapha Dosha & Hormone health
Kapha, the elements of earth & water are built by nature. It’s domain includes mucus, muscle, skin and fat. Sedentary lifestyle and heavy diet lead to an accumulation of Kapha - slowing down digestion and eventually blocking the flow of nutrients and wastes.
This heaviness, often pushed by Vata, can lead to slow thyroid, uterine fibroids and bloating, etc.
Largely hormones are responsible for the following functions of the human body
Maintaining the temperature of the body
Development and growth of tissues and cells
Production of energy and its storage and utilization
Reproduction
As mentioned earlier, hormonal balance is important for the healthy functioning of the human mind and body.
This balance can be disturbed due to a number of reasons like Perimenopause or during puberty.
Causes for the imbalance
The hormonal imbalance can be of two types
Hyper conditions - This can be defined as an overproduction of hormones, resulting in excess hormones being present in the body, causing an imbalance.
Hypo conditions - This can be defined as underproduction of hormones, resulting in poor quality or shortage of hormones that are needed by the body, thereby causing an imbalance.
What Causes Hormone Imbalances
Work-life imbalance
Irregular and or unhealthy dietary patterns
Not following the Circadian Rhythms of nature
Lack of Exercise
Excessive exercise
Lack of pause period
Environmental toxins
Gut imbalance
Signs of Hormone Imbalance
With hormones playing a key role in many bodily processes, imbalances can show up in different ways.
Here are some common signs:
Fatigue
Hair loss & thinning
Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
Change in the sensitivity to cold and heat or Dry skin or Skin Rashes
Change in Blood Pressure or Heart Rate or Blood sugar concentration
Brittle or weak Bones with irritability or anxiety or unexplained long-term fatigue
Increased Thirst or Depression and Headache with Bloating.
Puffy face, Blurred vision, in women, Breast tenderness and deepening of the voice
Difficult to fall asleep
Brain fog
Hormonal Imbalance in Men and Women
Men – Natural causes of hormonal imbalance in men is Puberty and Aging, but as per medical condition, Hormonal imbalance in men include Prostate Cancer and Hypogonadism (Low Testosterone Hormone).
Symptom’s as follows:-
Reduced Sex Drive
Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
Low sperm count
Reduced Body hair growth
Overdevelopment of Breast tissue or Breast tenderness
Osteoporosis
Women – Women’s naturally experiences several periods of hormonal imbalances throughout their lifetime during Puberty, Menstruation, Pregnancy, Child Birth, Breast Feeding, and Perimenopause, Menopause, and Post-menopause.
Medical conditions causing irregular hormones imbalance in women as -
PCOS or PCOD (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
Hormones Replacement or Birth Control Medication
Early Menopause or Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)
Ovarian Cancer
Most common symptoms in women for hormonal imbalance are -
Heavy or Irregular or painful periods
Night Sweats
Vaginal dryness
Breast Tenderness
Indigestion
Constipation or Loose stools
Acne just before menstruation
Uterine bleeding not associated with menstruation
Increased hair growth on the face, neck, chest or back
Infertility or weight gain.
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