Important diagnostic tests employed by a skilled Ayurvedic practitioner are: pulse diagnosis, tongue diagnosis, facial diagnosis, nail diagnosis, lip diagnosis and eye diagnosis. These techniques determine the current condition of the patient and also give the picture of imbalances in doshas.
Pulse Diagnosis:
Pulse is a very important spot. To a skilled practitioner, taking your pulse is more than counting the beats. The functioning and health of the entire mind body constitution can be determined from the pulse. It can clearly show the imbalance of the doshas, the health of the various organs, potential problems in future etc.
Radial pulse is felt with the first three fingers, the index, middle and ring fingers. Pulse from both wrists is taken. To get an accurate pulse, the patient should be as normal as possible.
Tongue Diagnosis:
The size, shape, contour, surface, margins, and color of the tongue are observed. A pale tongue may indicate an anemic condition or lack of blood in the body. A yellowish tongue may suggest that excess bile present in the gallbladder or a possible liver disorder. A blue tongue is normally an indication of problems with the heart.
Different areas of the tongue correspond to different organs of the body. Hence by correlating the location of the blemishes on the tongue, the Ayurvedic practitioner can determine which organs of the body are out of balance.
Facial Diagnosis:
Face is the mirror of the mind is the principle here. Disorders and diseases can be manifested on the face in the form of lines, wrinkles, etc. Wrinkles on the forehead indicate the presence of deep-seated worries and anxieties. A vertical line between the eyebrows on the right side indicates repressed emotions in the liver. The shape of nose can determine the dosha of a person. Vata persons have crooked nose. Kapha persons have a blunt nose. On the other hand, a sharp nose may denote a person with Pitta dosha.
Nail Diagnosis:
In Ayurveda nails are considered as the waste product of the bones. If the nails are dry, crooked and break easily, it indicates a predominance of the vata constitution. Soft, pink, tender nails that are easily bent are indication of a Pitta constitution. When the nails are thick, strong, soft and very shiny, then Kapha predominates.
Yellow nails indicate a delicate liver or jaundice. Blue nails are manifestation of a weak heart. Undue redness shows an excess of red blood cells.
Lip Diagnosis:
Dry and rough lips indicate dehydration or vata imbalance. Pale lips indicate anemia. Poor digestion is indicated by the presence of multiple pale brown spots on the lips. A person with jaundice will have yellow lips. Blue lips may signal heart problems.
Eye Diagnosis:
Eyes can also show your doshas. Vata eyes are characterized by small, nervous, with drooping eyelids and dry, scanty lashes. Pitta eyes are moderate in size with scanty and oily lashes. They are sharp, lustrous, and sensitive to light. Kapha eyes are large, beautiful and moist. They have long, thick, oily lashes.
Nervousness, anxiety or fear can be seen by excessive blinking of the eye. A drooping upper eyelid indicates a sense of insecurity, fear or lack of confidence. These are all signs of vata imbalance.
