Three Doshas in Ayurvedas You Must Know – Vata, Kapha, Pitta

The human body is a fantastic mechanism. Many researchers have spent hundreds of years studying the parts and functioning of the human body. Ayurveda is one such branch of science that deals with the issues related to the human body. The transmission of the medicinal science from Gods to sages and then to today’s world is best achieved by Ayurveda.

It has roots in the Indian subcontinent, with Lord Dhanvantari as the god of Ayurveda. The Indian Medical Centre Council had standardized the qualifications for the Ayurveda’s practitioners. Thus, it doesn’t only claim a theory but is based on best practices. Likewise, all of the Ayurveda teachings are preached across the nations; Ayurveda doshas have a significant impact on each treatment.

What are Doshas?

To understand doshas, it is vital to understand the concept of Ayurveda. Ayurveda believes that the human body is made up of five elements. These elements are:

• Aakash or Space
• Jala or Water
• Prithvi or Earth
• Teja or Fire
• Vayu or Air

These elements combine to form the body humor. This combination of the essential five elements results in three types of doshas. This humor is responsible for the well-being of your body. It includes emotional, mental, and psychological well-being.  Thus, understanding these doshas is crucial in ensuring the around-the-clock fitness of your body and mind. So, these three doshas in Ayurvedas are:

• Vata

Definition:

First on the list is the Vata dosha. It is imperative to imagine the other two doshas without Vata dosh. Vata means the blowing of wind or movement of the wind. It is the combination of the Vayu or Air and the Aakash or Space. Hence, the other two Ayurveda doshas gain mobility from Vata dosh only. It is associated with the autumn season. There are five further different sub-doshas of Vata dosh. These are PranaVayu, SamanaVayu, VyanaVayu, Udana Vayu, and Apana Vayu.

Functions:

Vata doshas’ functions are mainly related to inspiration, maintenance of bodily functions, enthusiasm, initiation, execution, the functioning of sense organs, etc. Coming to its every sub-doshas:

• PranaVayu is related to the easy gulping of food, inspiration, heart functions, intelligence, brain functions, and functioning of the sense organs.
• SamanaVayu is related to the keenness of digestion. It aids in digestion that is important for any body type.
• VyanaVayu is related to blood pressure, blood circulation, and musculoskeletal movements.
• Udana Vayu is related to efforts, strength, intelligence, speech, energy, and skin color.
• Apana Vayu is related to childbirth-related factors like sperms in males, menstruation in females, urine excretion, and feces’ excretion.

Characteristics:

Physical characteristics: The people with Vata dosh are thin and dry. They have a raspy voice, loves to talk and move, and have a light gait. They are lean, sinewy, can’t wake up early, and wiry. These people always play with their fingers or shake their legs continuously. Their hairs are full and thick, while skin is dry and can be recognized with constant moisturization.

Psychological characteristics: The people with Vata dosh are witty, lack patience, good analysts, quick learners, and forget quickly. They are the powerhouse of energy, lacks routine, highly creative, and prone to impulsive habits.

• Kapha

Definition:

Kapha dosha is made up of Jala or Water and Prithvi or Earth. It is associated with the spring season. Like other doshas in Ayurvedas, there are five other different sub-doshas of Kapha dosh. These are Avalambak Kapha, Bodhak Kapha, Kledak Kapha, Shleshak Kapha, and Tarpak Kapha.

Functions:

Kapha dosha’s functions are related to lubrication, forbearance, stability, joints’ compactness, withstanding mental and physical stress, etc. Coming to its every sub-doshas:

• Avalambak Kapha is related to the functions of the heart and lungs. It stays in the chest.
• Bodhak Kapha is related to the perception of taste and its associated places in the brain.
• Kledak Kapha is related to the gastric juices that soften the food, saliva, and mucus.
• Shleshak Kapha is related to the joints’ lubrication.
• Tarpak Kapha is related to cerebrospinal fluid that maintains proper nerve conduction.

Characteristics:

Physical characteristics: The people with Kapha dosh are fatty, and have broad and significant bodies and have moisturized deep-colored hairs and nails. They have a smooth, radiant complexion, love routines, lack hunger or thirst, soft and deep voice.

Psychological characteristics: These people are empathetic, intuitive, excellent managers, highly responsible, long-term investors, but are lazy. They have strong convictions, stable gait, and may suffer procrastination.

• Pitta

Definition:

Next in the Ayurveda doshas is the Pitta dosha, made up of Jala or Water and Teja or Fire. It is associated with the summer season. It is further divided into Alochaka Pitta, Bhrajaka Pitta, Pachaka Pitta, Ranjaka Pitta, and Sadhaka Pitta.

Functions:

Pitta dosha functions are related to digestion, vision, thirst, intelligence, bravery, suppleness, courage, complexion, appetite, and maintaining the body temperature. Coming to its each sub-doshas:

• Alochaka Pitta is related to vision and its associated places in the brain.
• Bhrajaka Pitta is about sebaceous glands, hair color, skin color, sweat, and other accessory tissues.
• Pachaka Pitta is related to the assimilation of indigested food and digestion.
• Ranjaka Pitta is related to blood functions and its color.
• Sadhaka Pitta is related to white blood cells’ intelligence.

Characteristics:

Physical characteristics: The people with Pitta dosh are soft, muscular, put on weight quickly, enjoy moderate sleep, wake up fresh, and have sensitive digestion. They are fair, have thin and light hairs, soft nails and skin, sharp body smell, and suffer wrinkling of the skin, baldness earlier than people with other doshas.

Psychological characteristics: These people love to show off, are intelligent, sharp, and are good at organizing. They have an unmatchable zest for life and are good teachers.

What is your Dosha?

You can check the different characteristics of the Vata, Kapha, and Pitta to get your dosha ‘s insights. However, it is recommended to consult an Ayurveda specialist before concluding.

How does the Imbalance of These Ayurveda Doshas Affect Us?

An Ayurveda practitioner can help you to get insight into the dominant dosha in your body. Your health depends on the ideal ratios of all of these three, i.e., Vata, Kapha, and Pitta. Let us know move our attention to the effects of the imbalance in these doshas in Ayurvedas.

The imbalance of the three doshas affects us in the following forms:

• Vata

Physical imbalance: It causes dryness in joints, lips, hairs, skin, etc. People with Vata imbalance suffer from bloating, constipation, gas issues, weight loss, etc. People feel cold, have poor circulation, aches, etc.

Psychological Imbalance: It causes agitation, anxiety, fidgeting, palpitations, etc.

• Kapha

Physical imbalance: It causes excessive allergies in the body, inflammation, congestion, and excessive mucus production.

Psychological Imbalance: It causes the person to be passive, and thinking capacity reduces, dullness and foggy decisions.

• Pitta

Physical imbalance: It causes nausea, vertigo, diarrhea, indigestion, infections, hot flashes, skin diseases, bleeding disorders, fever, sour taste in the mouth, inflammation, and rashes.

Psychological Imbalance: It causes short temper, jealously, hate, workaholic, photophobia, etc.

How to Balance the Doshas in Ayurvedas?

If you’ve already related yourself to these Ayurveda doshas, it is time to check the best methods to balance these doshas.

• 

  Vata: Go for the combinations of flavors like salty, sour, and sweet, along with oily and fatty foods. Avoid cold, frozen, dried, large beans, etc., in your diet. Go for food with healing benefits. Go for massages, heat treatments that help you to keep yourself warm. Remain calm by practicing meditation that relaxes your mind.

• Kapha: Try to wake up before 6 AM. Avoid nuts, full-fat milk, tofu, excessive sugars, tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, fast foods, desserts, bread, and reduce wheat and rice, etc. You can try occasional fasts, juices before meals to prepare your digestive system. Go for lighter fruits like apples.
• Pitta: Go for breathing pranayamas like Shitali, Chandra Bhedhana, Sitkari, etc. Never skip your meals. Go for a massage of Brahmi and Pitta oils and consume loads of aloe vera juice. Bathing in the moonlight and missing spicy food can be helpful. People suffering from Pitta doshas should avoid conflicts and arguments with others.

Conclusion:

While many may still argue over the existence of these doshas in Ayurvedas, their significance and resemblance to different body issues are commendable. Many people across the world have treated themselves with the help of achieving the balance between these doshas. The whole Ayurveda revolves around these doshas’ concept and creating their perfect balance in the body for the overall development of mind and soul. Starting from combining the elements to their physical and psychological resemblance, you can easily detect these doshas in your body.

Why go for heavy treatments when you can treat your mind and body by balancing these doshas? Hence, awareness with the right guidance of a certified Ayurveda practitioner can works wonders for you. Make Vata, Kapha, and Pitta your best friends. Nourish them with the best diet and routines to say goodbye to physical and mental illness. 

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Anchal Ahuja

I have 7 years of experience and an enthusiastic content writer always ready to give my best in my work, managing day to day SEM/SEO, writing and fully aware of social media.

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