Eight fold examination
(Asht bidha pariksha)

(1) Examination of the pulse (Nadi pariksha)
Pulse examination is one of the most important and vital examinations in Ayurvedic diagnosis, it can provide deep insight in to the patient’s history. The most favorable time for the examination of the pulse is in the early morning, with empty stomach. But in case of emergency pulse examination can be carried out at any time.
An experienced Vaidya can assess your body’s pathological state (vikruti), your nature (prakriti), and the status of Doshas, Dhatus and upadhatus through the pulse.

(2) Examination of the tongue (Jivha pariksha)
When the body is suffering from the excess of vatta prakriti the tongue appears dry, rough and cracked.
When pitta is aggravated the tongue is red with a burning sensation.
When kapha is aggravated the tongue is wet and slimy, suggesting the state of the digestive system.

(3) Examination of the voice (Shabd pariksha)
The sound of the voice is healthy and natural when the body Doshas are in perfect balance.
The voice will be heavy when aggravated by kapha.
The voice will sound cracked when pitta aggravation is there.
The voice will sound hoarse and rough when vatta aggravation is there.

(4) Examination of the skin (Sparsh pariksha)
Skin when aggravated by vatta becomes coarse and rough with low temperature.
Skin when aggravated by pitta becomes coarse and rough by high temperature.
Skin when aggravated by kapha becomes cold and wet.

(5) Examination of the eyes (Draka pariksha)
When vatta prakriti is aggravated eyes become sunken, dry and reddish brown in colour.
When pitta prakriti is aggravated eyes become red or yellow and the person suffers from burning sensations.
When kapha is imbalanced or aggravated eyes become wet and watery with heaviness in the eyelids.

(6) Examination of the general appearance (Akriti)
The doshic imbalance reflects on the patient’s general appearance and the face, an experienced physician can gauge the imbalance by studying the general appearance of the body.

(7) Examination of the urine (Mutra pariksha)
The examination of urine in Ayurveda is more leaning towards prognosis. A specialized technique called “TAIL BINDU PARIKSHAN” can guide a physician about the prognosis, the future course of the disease and the treatment. Besides this the flow, colour, smell and quantity of the urine also guides towards the determination of doshic imbalances in the body.

(8) Examination of the stool
When digestion and absorption of food are poor, the stool carries a foul odor and sinks in water.
Vatta aggravated, the stool is hard, dry and grey/ash in colour.
Excess pitta makes it green/yellow in colour and liquid in form.
Excess kapha lines it with mucus.
This examination is mainly intended for digestive power (agni) of the person.

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(Prepared by Divyajyot Ayurvedic Research foundation India. We are conducting research and treatment in Ayurvedic herbal cure of cancer since last 25 years. The data and information contained on this site is based on Ayurvedic herbal wisdom and our research.)