flushes or other cleanses at that time. Also avoid having operations, including dental work, on full moon,
as you may suffer complications or infections.
The Waning Moon
During the following 13 days, the moon is gradually overshadowed again. Ancient civilizations knew
that this is a good time to have an operation (if needed), as the healing capacity of the body is at its most
powerful. If possible, book your visit to the dentist during this phase, or on new moon. Pulling a tooth
should only be performed during the waning moon or new moon. In addition, at this time, physical
activity requires less energy and meets with greater success. The digestive system also works more
efficiently, even to the point that eating a little more than usual will not cause weight gain.
Man’s Biological Routine
Ayurveda, which literally means “Science of Life,” claims, “the microcosm is as is the macrocosm.”
Likewise, our body is the mirror of the universe. At every moment, the body undergoes profound changes
by adjusting to the continually changing environment and recurring cyclic patterns. Ayurveda has a
unique understanding of these cycles. It knows of three principal forces, or energies, each of which emits
a powerful influence on the body and mind for a period of four hours, twice in a 24-hour day. These
forces of nature, which conduct all the complex activities in the human body, as well as those that sustain
the universe, are known as the three doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Let us now take a closer look at what
happens in our body during a 24-hour cycle. (See illustration 13.)
The First Kapha Cycle
The first cycle begins with the “birth” of a new day. Let’s assume that sunrise occurs at 6:00 a.m..
Around 4:30-5:00 a.m., nature starts to awaken. It becomes increasingly active as the sun rises to higher
positions. Ayurveda calls the period between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. “Kapha time,” which means that
your body is still a bit slow. This allows the body to gather strength and stamina. Whether or not you
wake with an alarm clock, at around 6:00 a.m. the kidney glands secrete the stress hormones cortisol and
adrenaline to get your body going; this is similar to a battery starting an engine. At this time the sex
hormones in the body also reach their peak levels. And, provided your eyes actually see the natural light
of day, the brain increases its production of the powerful hormone serotonin, which helps you to generate
enough happiness and enthusiasm to experience a stress-free, joyful day. Since Kapha is composed of the
heavier elements of earth and water, we exhibit more of the qualities of “earthiness” and “liquidity” (such
as feeling grounded and easygoing) in our mind and body during the early morning hours than, for
example, during the afternoon.
The First Pitta Cycle
At 10:00 a.m., the heat of the sun begins to increase considerably due to its higher position. The
distribution of sun energy reaches peak levels at noon. Between 10:00 a.m. and noon, we are at our most
alert and cognitive best. The Pitta period lasts from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.. At noontime, AGNI, the
digestive fire, is most efficient. That is, the digestive juices (bile, hydrochloric acid, enzymes, and other
digestive substances) are most plentiful and concentrated. The Pitta cycle follows the serotonin cycle,
which is not surprising since most serotonin is secreted in the digestive system at noontime. Strong
serotonin secretion equals strong AGNI. Low AGNI, on the other hand, goes with poor appetite, a lack of
stamina and depression. Eating only a light meal when the body has prepared itself to digest the largest
meal of the day is like filling a car with 4 gallons of gas for a journey that requires a full tank. The body