Pleeha - #3143
I’ve been reading about Ayurveda for digestive health, and I came across the term pleeha. Can someone explain what pleeha refers to and its role in the body? I’ve been dealing with bloating and low energy, and I’m wondering if this could be related to pleeha imbalance. From what I understand, pleeha in Ayurveda corresponds to the spleen and is linked to digestion and blood health. Does an enlarged or sluggish pleeha lead to these kinds of symptoms? If you’ve had pleeha-related issues, what treatments or remedies worked for you? Are there specific herbs or foods in Ayurveda that are recommended to balance or support pleeha function? I’d also like to know if detox practices like Panchakarma include therapies for pleeha health.
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Doctors’ responses
In Ayurveda, pleeha refers to the spleen, which is considered vital for digestion, blood health, and immunity. It plays a role in filtering blood, maintaining healthy digestive processes, and supporting Agni (digestive fire). Imbalances in pleeha can manifest as bloating, fatigue, anemia, or poor appetite, often due to Kapha or Pitta imbalances affecting its function.
To support pleeha health:
Herbs: Punarnava, Guduchi, and Triphala aid in detoxifying and rejuvenating the spleen. Foods: Warm, light, and easily digestible meals, avoiding cold or heavy foods. Detox: Panchakarma, especially therapies like Virechana, may help cleanse and balance pleeha function. Consult an Ayurvedic practitioner for personalized advice.
Ah, you’ve stumbled into the fascinating world of Ayurvedic anatomy. So, pleeha is indeed linked to the spleen in Ayurveda. It’s considered a vital organ responsible for supporting digestion and production and purification of blood. In a health context, it helps maintain equilibrium in your doshas, especially pitta. So, if you’ve been feeling bloating, low energy, it might just be related.
When pleeha’s not functioning optimally, the usual culprits in Ayurveda to blame are ama (toxins) in the body or an imbalance in related doshas, like what happens when kapha builds up. The symptoms you’re experiencing like bloating might just scream kapha imbalance, slowing down your agni, the digestive fire. This sluggish digestion can lead to heaviness and a feeling of fatigue.
As for treatment, Ayurveda offers a wealth of recommendations. Triphala, a trio of fruits, is pretty much considered a powerhouse for liver and spleen health. Taking half a teaspoon with lukewarm water before bed might help support your digestive health. You could also include foods that are easy to digest—think moong dal khichdi. Ginger, pippali and cinnamon can stimulate agni, boosting digestion, but avoid them if you’ve got pitta issues.
To talk about detox, Panchakarma might include herbs and treatments that suport pleeha but should be personalized and supervised, because its intense. If you’re up for gentler treatment, abhyanga, or self-massage with warm sesame oil, could help detox and revive energy.
One thing to bear in mind: every person’s dosha is different, so it’s probably a good idea to consult an Ayurvedic practitioner before embarking on some serious therapy like Panchakarma. They might suggest a regimen that aligns with your prakriti.
Keep listening to your body, tweak your diet, lifestyle, and try to minimize stress too. Yoga and pranayam can actually be great for managing stress and facilitating energy flow through the spleen area, aiding in its function.

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