THE DOSHAS IN AYURVEDA

Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest forms of holistic medicine and still widely used today.

Combining physical, psychological, and spiritual health, Ayurveda focuses on whole-body healing and states that a person’s dosha, a type of bodily humor, determines their personality and health.

Panchamahabhutas or five elements — Akasha (space), vayu (air), Agni (Fire), Jala (Water) and Prithvi (Earth) and a combination of each element results in three humors, or doshas, known as Vata, Kapha, and Pitta. These doshas are believed to be responsible for a person’s physiological, mental, and emotional health .Every person is said to have a unique ratio of each dosha, usually with one or two standing out more than the others.

A person’s unique ratio of vata, kapha, and pitta is said to define their Ayurvedic constitution, a blueprint to achieve optimal health.

One can determine one’s dosha based on physical, emotional, mental, and behavioral characteristics.

I. VATA

Vata consists mostly of the two elements air and space (also known as ether) and is generally described as cold, light, dry, rough, flowing, and spacious. 

CHARACTERISTICS OF VATA PERSON

Physical Appearance- Slim, delicate body, hard prominent bones and veins, do not carry much weight, skin tends to be dry and rough, physically very active, frequently suffer from cold hands and feet. Low weight and delicate bone structure, brittle nails, gains and loses weight quickly deep and soft voice, speaks quickly, highly sensitive to cold ,dry lips,  flaky skin. 

Mental Characteristics - Mood highly depends on foods and the weather ,exceptionally creative, Thinks out of the box, communicative and brimming with ideas, learn quickly, highly creative, multitasked, kind-hearted, flexible, “on the go,” at times forgetful, anxious  , can get overwhelmed easily , have trouble sleeping or get disturbed sleep. Learns and acts quickly, good short-term memory, artistic and show musical interests, prone to jealousy and intolerance, forgives quickly,  avoids conflict, has feelings of guilt, will be impulsive.

Appetite and Digestion – Irregular appetite and eating patterns, prone to digestive issues and gas, Love sweet, sour and salty food. May suffer from Flatulence and constipation on a regular basis

What Vata Prakruti people need to regulate their bodily functions -According to Ayurveda, for optimal health, a Vata - dominant person should follow a regular daily routine, manage stress through meditation and other calming activities, and maintain a warm body temperature by avoiding cold weather and consuming warm food and drinks. Warm, oily, slimy, hot, soft foods are suitable for Vata Prakruti people.  

Stay tuned and let us discuss about Pitta and Kapha Prakruti in the next upcoming articles.

Dr. Parvathy Sreeram

Dr. Parvathy Sreeram graduated from Muniyal Institute of Ayurveda Medical Sciences (Rajiv Gandhi University), Bengaluru by pursuing a 5-year degree course in Ayurveda, Bachelors in Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery (BAMS) and then later pursued PG Diploma in Hospital Management from IGMPI, Delhi. She has done her residency at various clinics and hospitals including Muniyal Family Clinics, Govt. Ayurveda Hospital, Ajjarkad .She was under personal training of Dr. Indira B.Sc. B.A.M, Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala Clinic, and has also pursued training from Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala Hospital and Research center, Cochin. Before she carved the stepping stone of her long-term goal and passion of an ayurvedic multispecialty hospital and started Moksh Ayurveda.