Tridosha Theory of Ayurveda
Ayurveda ( Sanskrit for "knowledge of life" or "knowledge of longevity" ) is a comprehensive ,holistic, traditional health cares system of India.
There are several aspects to Ayurveda that are quite unique:
The most fundamental and characteristic principle of Ayurveda is called "Tridosha" Or the Three Humors.
All matter is thought to he composed of five basic elements ( panchamahabhutas ) which exhibit the properties of earth (prithvi), water (jala), fire (tejas), wind (vayu) and space (akasha).
The structural aspect of our body is made up of five elements, but the functional
aspect of the body is governed by three biological humors. Ether and air together
constitute VATA; fire and water,PITTA; and water and earth, KAPHA.
They govern psycho-biological changes in the body and physio-pathological changes too.
Vata-pitta-kapha are present in every cell, tissue and organ.
In every person they differ in permutations and combinations.
The sperm is the male seed, and the ovum is the female egg. They also contain vata-pitta-kapha (VPK). Bodily vata-pitta-kapha changes according to diet, life style and emotions. The father's lifestyle, diet, influences the sperm and emotions, and the ovum by the mother's. At the time of fertilization, when a single sperm enters a single ovum, individual constitution is determined.
Every individual has a unique combination of these three doshas. To understand individuality is the foundation of healing according to Ayurveda, "The Science of Life".
Doshas are to be seen as all pervasive, subtle entities, Vata regulates movement and is
represented by the nervous system. Pitta is the principle of biotransformation and is the
cause of all metabolic processes in the body. Kapha is the principle of cohesion and
functions through the body fluids. In every person these three doshas differ in permutations
and combinations and thereby determine the physiologic constitution(Prakriti) of an
individual.Vata, pitta and kapha are distinctly present in every individual and express in
each human being differently according to predominance of their different qualities (gunas).
"What is Vata ? How to balance it "
VATA -- The Air or Nerve System Humor
vata is dry, light, cold, mobile, active, clear, astringent, and it is dispersing.Vata season
is autumn, time of day is afternoon and early morning.
Vata Personality--
vata is dry, light, cold, mobile, active, clear, astringent, and it is dispersing.
All of these qualities can manifest in an individual. For example, if a person
has excess vata in his or her constitution, because of the dry quality, he or
she will have dry hair, dry skin, dry colon and a tendency towards constipation.
Because of the light quality, which is opposite of heavy, the vata person will
have a light body frame, light muscles, and light fat, and so will be thin and
underweight, or "skinny-minny". Because of the cold quality, the vata person
will have cold hands, cold feet and poor circulation. They hate the cold season
and love summer. Because of the mobile quality, vata people are very active.
They like jogging and jumping and don't like sitting in one place. Vata is subtle,
and this subtle quality is responsible for the emotions of fear, anxiety, insecurity
and nervousness. Vata is clear, therefore vata people can be clairvoyant; they
have clear understanding and perception. They understand things immediately,
but forget things immediately. Vata is astringent, which is a drying and choking
quality of taste, therefore the vata person, while eating feels a drying choking
sensation in the throat.
Types of Vata
Prana Vata - Governs the senses, creative thinking, reasoning, enthusiasm, leader of all 15 categories of Vata, Pitta and Kapha
Udana Vata - Governs quality of voice, memory, movements of thought
Samana Vata - Governs movement of food through digestive tract
Apana Vata - Elimination of wastes, sexual function, menstrual cycle
Vyana Vata - Governs blood flow, heart rhythm, perspiration, sense of touch
Symptoms of Vata Imbalance
Prana Vata - Worries, overactive mind, sleep problems, difficulty breathing
Udana Vata - Dry coughs, sore throats, earaches, general fatigue
Samana Vata - Slow or rapid digestion, gas, intestinal cramps, poor assimilation, weak tissues
Apana Vata - Intestinal cramps, menstrual problems, lower back pain, irregularity, diarrhea, constipation, gas
Vyana Vata - Dry or rough skin, nervousness, shakiness, poor blood flow, stress-related problems
Tips to Balance Vata
- Abhyanga (daily ayurvedic massage with sesame oil)
- Warm temperatures. Stay warm in cold, windy weather
- Warm, cooked foods (less raw foods)
- Early bedtime, lots of rest and sleep
- Favor warm, oily, heavy, sweet, sour, and salty tastes
- Reduce light, dry, cold, pungent, bitter and astringent foods
- Avoid raw foods, juices, fasting
- Avoid stimulants
- Refrain from excessive aerobic activity
"What is Pitta ? How to balance it "
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PITTA - The Fire Humour
Pitta has hot, sharp, light, liquid, sour, oily and spreading qualities. Pitta has a strong smell, like a fleshy smell, and has a sour or bitter taste.
Pitta Personality
If an individual has excess pitta in the body,because of it's hot quality,
the person has a strong appetite and warm skin. The body temperature
is a little higher than the vata person. If hungry, he has to eat otherwise he
will become irritable and hypoglycemic.
The second quality of pitta is sharp, therefore the pitta person has a sharp
nose, teeth, eyes, mind and while talking uses sharp words. They also have
very sharp memory. Because of the oily quality, they have soft warm oily skin,
straight oily hair, and the feces are oily and liquid. Because of the hot, sharp,
and oily qualities, pitta people have a tendency to grey prematurely, a sign of
early maturity. Pitta girls get earlier menstruation and reach puberty earlier.
Pitta people are moderate in body frame, and they do not like bright light.
They like to read before they go to bed, and sometimes the pitta person
sleeps with a book on the chest. Because of too much heat in the body,
pitta person can get a receding hair line, or a big, beautiful, bald head.
The next quality of pitta is strong smell. When the pitta person perspires,
under the arm pit there is a typical sulphur smell, and if he doesn't wash his socks,
they will have a strong smell. That's why a pitta person loves perfumes.
Pitta people are lovers of knowledge and have a great capacity of organization
and leadership. They are often wise, brilliant people, but can have a controlling,
dominating personality. Pitta people have a tendency towards comparison, competition,
ambition, and they have a quality of aggressiveness, so naturally they criticize.
They are perfectionists.
Types of Pitta
Alochaka Pitta - Governs functioning of the eyes
Bhrajaka Pitta Responsible for healthy glow of the skin Sadhaka Pitta - Controls desire, drive, decisiveness, spirituality
Pachaka Pitta - Responsible for digestion, assimilation, metabolism for healthy nutrients and tissues
Ranjaka Pitta - Responsible for healthy, toxin-free blood
Symptoms of Pitta Imbalance
Alochaka Pitta - Blood shot eyes, poor vision
Bhrajaka Pitta - Skin rashes, acne
Sadhaka Pitta - More demanding, workaholic
Pachaka Pitta - Hyperacidity
Ranjaka Pitta - Early graying of hair, anger, toxins in blood
Tips to Balance Pitta -
- Avoid sesame and mustard oils, fish, buttermilk, whey, mutton, fasting, acidic fruits, alcohol, meat and fatty, oily foods.
- Keep cool. Avoid hot temperatures and food
- Favor cool, heavy, dry, sweet, bitter and astringent foods
- Reduce pungent, sour, salty, warm, oily and light foods
- Moderation in work , don't overwork Allow for leisure time
- Regular mealtimes, especially at noon
"What is Kapha ? How to balance it "
KAPHA -The Water Humour
Heavy, slow, cool, oily, liquid, dense, thick, static and cloudy - These are the important qualities of kapha, and kapha is sweet and salty.
Kapha Personality-
Because of the heavy quality, kapha people have heavy bones, muscles and fat.
They will have a tendency to put on weight. A kapha person may even do a water
fast and will put on weight. Kapha is slow, therefore a kapha person has slow
metabolism and digestion. The kapha person can work without food, while it is
very difficult for a pitta person to concentrate without food. Kapha is cool hence
kapha people have cool, clammy skin. The skin is cool, but within the G.I. tract the
digestive fire is high therefore they have a strong appetite.
Kapha people have other qualities, thick wavy hair, and big, attractive eyes.
They have slow but prolonged, steady memory. Kapha people are forgiving, loving
and compassionate. Because of the slow quality, kapha people walk slowly and
talk slowly. They don't like jogging and jumping. They love eating, sitting and doing nothing.
Types of Kapha
Tarpaka Kapha - Responsible for moisture for nose, mouth, eyes and brain
Bhodaka Kapha - Governs Sense of taste, which is essential for good digestion
Kledaka Kapha - Governs moisture of the stomach lining for good digestion
Avalambaka Kapha - Protects the heart, strong muscles, healthy lungs
Sleshaka Kapha - Lubricates the joints,Keeps skin soft and supple.
Symptoms of Kapha Imbalance
Tarpaka Kapha- Sinus congestion, poor sense of smell
Bhodaka Kapha - Poor sense of taste, food cravings due to lack of fulfillment
Kledaka Kapha - Impaired digestion, poor absorption
Avalambaka Kapha - Lethargy, respiratory problems, lower back pain
Sleshaka Kapha - Weight gain, oily skin, loose or painful joints
Tips to Balance Kapha
- Vigorous regular exercise, a little each day
- Warm temperatures ,Stay warm in cold, damp weather
- Fresh fruits, vegetables and legumes
- Favor pungent, bitter, astringent, light, dry and warm foods
- Reduce heavy, oily, cold, sweet, sour and salty foods
- Early to bed, early to rise
Now that you have understood about the Fundamental principle of Ayurveda "Tridosha" and about Dosha predominance in prakriti, you can understand the Diagnosis and Treatment part of Ayurveda better.
Suppose you have a Kapha (water) dominant constitution then you may have a tendency to overweight, over-emotional nature or suffer congestion in the chest. So you should modify your diet, life style, daily routine and other activities accordingly, for example, avoid sleeping too much in the day or eating too many sweets, to maintain your health and also to cure the diseases .
I hope that you will continue to explore Ayurveda to enhance your health and to gain further insights into this miracle we call life.
Diagnosis
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Vata |
Pitta |
Kapha |
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Body type |
thin; usually short or tall |
medium |
large, tall |
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Weight |
low weight, doesn�t gain weight |
medium weight stay same |
heavy weight |
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Eyes |
small, dark eyes |
Medium sized light eyes easily inflamed |
large eyes with thick eyelashes soft, gentle gaze |
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Skin |
dry, rough, cold cracks easily |
moist, warm, pink prone to acne |
soft, smooth, moist, cool |
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Complexion |
dark |
flushed sunburn easily |
pale |
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Hair |
rough ,dry, wairy |
thin, oily, light colored, grey, bald premature |
thick, wavy, oily |
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Eye brow |
thin ,small |
medium |
thick, bushy |
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Nose |
small, thin |
medium, symmetrical |
wide |
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Teeth |
vary in size, crooked |
medium |
large white |
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Joints |
stiff, tend to crack |
loose, average size |
large ,sturdy |
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Nails |
thin, brittle |
soft, pink |
strong ,thick, white, smooth |
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Muscles |
thin, undeveloped |
average size |
large well developed |
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Urine |
scant, colorless |
profuse, yellow |
moderate, milky |
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Menstrual |
irregular, scanty |
regular, bright colour |
regular, pale colour |
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Stool |
scanty, dry, hard, prone to gas & constipation |
abundant, loose&soft |
moderate dense with mucus |
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Appetite |
variable |
strong |
low |
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Dietary |
likes to snack on dry, crunchy foods |
like cold drinks & snack |
like sweet and creamy |
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Thirst |
low |
high |
moderate |
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Digestion |
prone to gas |
good, strong, fast |
slow, steady |
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Sweat |
hardly sweat |
profuse strong smelling |
moderate |
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Circulation |
poor cold hand &feet |
good hot hand & feet |
moderate temperature cool |
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Weather |
like sun&warmth |
cold weather |
warm & windy |
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Sensitivity |
cold, wind, dryness noise |
heat, sunlight, light & colour |
touch, old & dampness |
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Immunity |
low |
moderate |
strong |
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Physical Endurance |
low |
moderate |
strong |
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Sleep |
light |
moderate |
deep |
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Dreams |
full of movement prone to nightmare |
colorfull, vivid passionate |
rarely or uneventful |
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Movements |
quick |
move with purpose & motivation |
moves slowly & steadily, gracefully |
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Mental Influences |
changes mind quickly easily, indecisive & nervous |
decisive & determine |
changes mind & opinions slowly |
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Thoughts |
creative, visionary lots of ideas |
logically, critically idealistically |
think slowly & methodically |
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Learning Ability |
easily learn & forget easily, poor memory |
easily with clear memory |
learn slowly good long term memory |
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Professionally |
art |
medicine, engineering |
business |
