AYURVEDA
Ayurveda means “The Science of Life”. It is one of the world’s oldest holistic healing system originated in India more than 5,000 years ago. It is based on the balance between the mind, body and spirit on which health and wellness depends and this balance is achieved by the three body humors i.e Vata, Pitta & Kapha. All people have qualities of vata, pitta & kapha but one will be primary, one will be secondary and third is usually least prominent. This unique combination decides the Prakriti (basic constitution) of the individual.
These body humors (Vata, Pitta & Kapha)in combination is known as “Tridosha” which are constituted from Panch Mahabhuta i.e. Jala (water), Vayu (air), Agni (fire), Aakash (space or ether) and Prithvi (earth). Tridosha governs the entire physiological and psychological processes. They help in creation, maintenance and destruction of the body tissues. Imbalance of tridosha is the causative factor of various disease and disorders in the body. So, Ayurveda employs balancing of tridosha for maintenance & restoration of health by the mean of various herbs and minerals. Instead of just providing symptomatic relief Ayurveda believes to eliminate the root cause of the disease by reconstituting or maintaining the inner balance of the body.
TRIDOSHA
Vata Dosha
Vata Dosha consists of air and space. The properties of Vatadosha are similar to constituted mahabhuta i.e. air and space. They are light, cool, dry and mobile. It controls blood flow, elimination of wastes, breathing and the movement of thoughts across the mind. The people with prominent Vata constitution are lean, have dry skin and hair. Their rate of metabolism is moderate whereas, movement and speaking is very fast. They are talkative, creative, flexible and energetic in nature.
They are generally fearful and unpredictable. When Vata dosh get imbalanced in their body they become constipated and their nervous system also become weak. They feel stressed, overwhelmed and confused. Their decision making ability get slow down and their sleeping pattern get disturbed.
Pitta Dosha
Pitta Dosha consists of Fire and water. The properties of Pittadosha are similar to constituted mahabhuta i.e. Fire and water. Fire mahabhuta is predominant in pitta dosh. It is hot, sharp and penetrating. The small intestine, stomach, sweat glands, blood, fat, eyes and skin are the seats of pitta. Pitta governs digestion, absorption, assimilation, nutrition, metabolism, body temperature and skin coloration.
The persons with Pitta dosh tends to have soft skin & sharp features. They have moderate weight and their metabolism is fast. They are highly focused, courageous and energetic with clear communication but they are aggressive and impatient in nature. People with imbalance Pitta dosha can suffer from diarrhea, sweating, fever and weakness in liver & spleen etc.
Kapha Dosha
Kapha Dosha consists of water and earth. It holds characteristics of both water and earth such as cool, moist, heavy and stable. Kapha is present in the chest, throat, head, sinuses, nose, mouth, stomach, joints, cytoplasm, plasma and in the liquid secretions of the body, such as mucus. The people with dominant Kapha dosh have dense & heavy bones. Kapha lubricates the joints, provides moisture to the skin, fills the spaces in the body and gives biological strength, vigor and stability.
Their skin is lustrous. They have stable personality and can handle stress with an ease. They are usually conservative in nature and they don’t like changes in their life. Kapha prakriti people are the comfort seekers & prone to gaining weight with low metabolism. When there is imbalance in the Kapha dosha these people may suffer from congestion or other respiratory problems due to accumulation of mucus. At the time of Kapha imbalance they can be under depression and may also feel lethargic.