Auyrveda System for Balance &

Health

Ayurveda - The Science of Life

Ayurveda is a 5,000-year-old system of natural healing that has its origins in the Vedic culture of
India. Derived from the Sanskrit roots of Ayus, meaning life, and vid, meaning knowledge,
Ayurveda literally translates to the knowledge of life. It is more than a system of medical
treatment. It also maintains health by the proper use of dietetics, physical exercise, positive,
unselfish thought, fresh air, heat and sunlight. It offers a body of wisdom designed to help people
stay vital while realizing their full human potential. Ayurveda together with Yoga is integrated
into a complex philosophy system called Smakhya. Ayurveda reminds us that health is the
balanced and dynamic integration between our environment, body, mind, and spirit.
According to Ayurvedic principles, every aspect of life-the physical, emotional, mental and
spiritual-contributes to your overall health. By balancing these elements and addressing the body
as a whole, Ayurveda restores equilibrium when youre ill and keeps your bodys natural defense
system strong when youre healthy.
Ayurveda has been enjoying a major resurgence in both its native land and throughout the world.
Tibetan medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine both have their roots in Ayurveda. Early
Greek medicine also embraced many concepts originally described in the classical ayurvedic
medical texts dating back thousands of years. Another goal of Ayurveda is to achieve "Nirvana"
or liberation from all kinds of "Wants". This is primarily achieved through good health, which is
regarded as the supreme foundation of life.
Ayurveda has defined health not as the mere absence of illness, but as the dynamic and balanced
integration between body, mind and spirit. The original intention of Ayurvedic medicine, was to
free people from the burdens of ill health in order to better fulfil their spiritual potential.
Ayurveda further teaches that good health is really a higher state of consciousness.

Do we need to experience illness?

Ayurvedic medicine shows us that by keeping balance we can prevent and heal from any illness.
The main focus of Ayurvedic medicine is rejuvenation and anti-aging. The Ayurvedic
practitioner considers the whole person, rather than a focus on symptoms.
According to Ayurveda, the human body comprises three basic elements: doshas, dhatus, and
malas. The doshas regulate the physiology and bio-chemical activities of the body and its cells.
The Doshas: regulate the physiology and biochemical activities of the body and its cells.
The Dhatus: are the body tissues and the malas are the substances used by the body and excreted
in modified form as waste products. These three elements must maintain a dynamic equilibrium
between themselves in order to preserve good health.
The universe is classified into the Five Great Elements known as: the Panchamahabhuthas Earth (Prithvi), Water (Jala), Fire (Tejas), Wind (Vayu) and Space (Akasha).These elements
interact and exists in combination, in which one or more elements dominate. These five
elements combine to form the three basic body-mind profiles, called doshas, that govern our
entire physical composition and how each of us is uniquely inclined to react and interact with the
world around us. In Sanskrit, the doshas are called Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
While each dosha plays an individual role in our bodies, overall good health is achieved only
when all three are in balance.
Ayurveda describes three fundamental energies that govern our inner and outer environments:
movement, transformation, and structure. Known in Sanskrit as Vata (Wind), Pitta (Fire), and
Kapha (Earth), these primary forces are responsible for the characteristics of our mind and body.
Each of us has a unique proportion of these three forces that shapes our nature. If Vata is
dominant in our system, we tend to be thin, light, enthusiastic, energetic, and changeable. If Pitta

predominates in our nature, we tend to be intense, intelligent, and goal-oriented and we have a
strong appetite for life. When Kapha prevails, we tend to be easy-going, methodical, and
nurturing. Although each of us has all three forces, most people have one or two elements that
predominate.
For each element, there is a balanced and imbalance expression. When Vata is balanced, a person
is lively and creative, but when there is too much movement in the system, a person tends to
experience anxiety, insomnia, dry skin, constipation, and difficulty focusing. When Pitta is
functioning in a balanced manner, a person is warm, friendly, disciplined, a good leader, and a
good speaker. When Pitta is out of balance, a person tends to be compulsive and irritable and
may suffer from indigestion or an inflammatory condition. When Kapha is balanced, a person is
sweet, supportive, and stable but when Kapha is out of balance, a person may experience
sluggishness, weight gain, and sinus congestion.
An important goal of Ayurveda is to identify a persons ideal state of balance, determine where
they are out of balance, and offer interventions using diet, herbs, aromatherapy, massage
treatments, music, and meditation to reestablish balance.
Each of us is a unique combination of the three doshas, or constitutions called Vata, Pitta, and
Kapha. As an Ayurvedic practitioner, I assess the genetic constitutions and the present state of
balance. Herbs, special food and lifestyle, oil treatments and other modalities help bring harmony
and equilibrium to the life-long imbalances created by changes in seasons, life events, food,
stresses and work.
Dhatus: plasma, and lymph, haemoglobin, muscle tissues, adipose tissues, bone tissue, marrow
and nerves, reproductive tissues. The dhatus transform into each other in strict sequence with the
aid of a nutrient plasma that arises from the digestive process. Thirteen channels of circulation
(srotas) transport the nutrition plasma, the doshas to the organs, tissues and systems to maintain
them. For the organism to function well, these channels must remain open so that the process of
circulation is unimpeded. Faulty circulation leads to an accumulation of substances in the
channels, adverse metabolic reactions and other effects which results in illness. Digestion,
absorption, assimilation, and metabolism are regulated by biological fire (agni). Any imbalance
of the doshas impedes the working of the biological fires in the tissues and cells, impairing
metabolism and bodily resistance and leading to the accumulation of toxic wastes in the body.
All these factors should function in a proper balance for good health. They are inter-related and
are directly or indirectly responsible for maintaining equilibrium of the tridoshas.

How does Ayurveda work?

Ayurveda is based on the principles of three doshas. Doshas are the energies that make up every
individual, which perform different physiological functions in the body:
The How is Ayurveda different from modern medicine?

In Ayurveda, every individual is unique and there is no diet or lifestyle routine that works
for everyone.

Prevention is key. Ayurveda focuses on providing specific advice and guidance on how to
maintain physical and emotional health.

Food and lifestyle routines are considered the most important medicine. If you come to
an Ayurvedic doctor with a complaint, you are more likely to leave with a recipe than with a
prescription for pills.

Balance and Harmony of the Three Doshas

When the three Doshas are well harmonised and function in a balanced manner, it results in good
nourishment and well-being of the individual . But when there is imbalance or disharmony
within or between them, it will result in elemental imbalance , leading to various kinds of
ailments.
The Ayurvedic concept of physical health revolves round these three Doshas and its primary
purpose is to help maintain them in a balanced state and thus to prevent disease.This humoral
theory is not unique to the ancient Indian Medicine : The Yin and Yang theory in chinese
medicine and the Hippocratic theory of four humours in Greek medicine are also very
similar.

Explanation of three Doshas:

Ayurveda Concepts
According to Ayurvedic theory, everything in the universe -- living or not -- is connected. Good
health is achieved when your mind, body, and spirit are in harmony with the universe. A
disruption of this harmony can lead to poor health and sickness.
For followers of Ayurveda, anything that affects your physical, spiritual, or emotional well-being
can cause you to be out of balance with the universe. Some things that can cause a disruption
include:

genetic or birth defects

injuries

climate and seasonal changes

age

emotions

How your body works to keep you healthy and your unique physical and psychological
characteristics combine to form your body's constitution, or prakriti. Your prakriti is believed to
stay the same for your entire life. However, how you digest food and eliminate waste can
influence it.
Concept of Tri-Dosha
In Ayurvedic philosophy, the five elements combine in pairs to form three dynamic
forces or interactions called doshas. Dosha means "that which changes." It is a word
derived from the root dus, which is equivalent to the English prefix 'dys', such as in
dysfunction, dystrophy, etc. In this sense, dosha can be regarded as a fault, mistake, error,
or a transgression against the cosmic rhythm. The doshas are constantly moving in
dynamic balance, one with the others. Doshas are required for the life to happen. In
Ayurveda, dosha is also known as the governing principles as every living thing in nature
is characterized by the dosha.
Every person is made of a combination of five basic elements found in the universe:

space

air

fire

water

earth

These elements combine in the human body to form three life forces or energies, called
doshas. They control how your body works. The three doshas are:

The three active doshas are called Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Dosha

Related Elements

Vata

Air and Ether

Pitta

Fire and Water

Kapha

Water and Earth

Everyone inherits a unique mix of the three doshas. One dosha is usually more dominant. Each
dosha controls a different body function. It is believed that your chances of getting sick are
linked to the balance of your doshas.
1- Vata Dosha
Vata is a force conceptually made up of elements ether and air. The proportions of ether
and air determine how active Vata is. The amount of ether (space) affects the ability of
the air to gain momentum. If unrestricted, as in ocean, air can gain momentum and
become forceful such as a hurricane.
Vata means "wind, to move, flow, direct the processes of, or command." Vata enables the
other two doshas to be expressive. The actions of Vata are drying, cooling, light,
agitating, and moving.
Vata governs breathing, blinking of the eyelids, movements in the muscles and tissues,
pulsations in the heart, all expansion and contraction, the movements of cytoplasm and
the cell membranes, and the movement of the single impulses in nerve cells. Vata also
governs such feelings and emotions as freshness, nervousness, fear, anxiety, pain,
tremors, and spasms. The primary seat or location of the Vata in the body is the colon. It
also resides in the hips, thighs, ears, bones, large intestine, pelvic cavity, and skin. It is
related to the touch sensation. If the body develops an excess of vata, it will accumulate
in these areas.

Vata dosha (space and air) is thought to be the most powerful of all three doshas. It controls very
basic body functions, such as how cells divide. It also controls bodily functions associated with
motion:

mind

breathing

blood flow

heart function -heartbeat

ability to get rid of body waste through the intestines

blinking

Characteristics for Vata predominant types: are marked with dry skin and hair, thin small
boned frames. They are, restless, active, creative; Quick to learn and grasp new knowledge, but
also quick to forget, highly imaginative, Slender; Tall and a fast-walker; Tendency toward cold
hands and feet, discomfort in cold climates; Excitable, lively, fun personality; Changeable
moods; Irregular daily routine; High energy in short bursts; Tendency to tire easily and to
overexert; Full of joy and enthusiasm when in balance; Responds to stress with fear, worry, and
anxiety, especially when out of balance; Tendency to act on impulse; Often have racing,
disjointed thoughts; Generally have dry skin and dry hair and don't perspire much. Although
intelligent and intellectually inclined, their thought is abstract rather than practical. Their energy
occurs in the upper body portion, they are inclined to poor circulation to the lower regions. They
tend to suffer from arthritis and lung and nerve diseases, Sexually easily excitable but quickly
satiated, Talk and walk quickly,
Typical health problems include headaches, hypertension, dry coughs, sore throats, earaches,
anxiety, irregular heart rhythms, muscle spasms, lower back pain, constipation, abdominal gas,
diarrhea, nervous stomach, menstrual cramps, premature ejaculation and other sexual
dysfunctions, arthritis. Most neurological disorders are related to Vata imbalance.
. Physical Features
People of vata constitution are generally physically underdeveloped. Their chests are flat and
their veins and muscle tendons are visible. The complexion is brown, the skin is cold, rough, dry
and cracked. Vata people generally are either too tall or too short, with thin frames which reveal
prominent joints and bone-ends because of poor muscle development. The hair is curly and
scanty, the eyelashes are thin and the eyes lusterless. The eyes may be sunken, small, dry, and
active. The nails are rough and brittle. The shape of the nose is bent and turned-up.
Physiologically, the appetite and digestion are variable. Vata people loves sweet, sour and salty
tastes and like hot drinks. The production of urine is scanty and the feces are dry, hard and small
in quantity. They have a tendency to perspire less than other constitutional types. Their sleep may
be disturbed and they will sleep less than the other types. Their hands and feet are often cold.
Psychologically, they are characterized by short memory but quick mental understanding. They
will understand something immediately, but will soon forget it. They have little willpower, tend

toward mental instability and possess little tolerance, confidence or boldness. Their reasoning
power is weak and these people are nervous, fearful and afflicted by much anxiety.
Vata people tend to earn money quickly and also to spend it quickly. Thus, they tend to remain
poor.
Things that can disrupt this dosha are:

eating dry fruit

eating too soon after a previous meal

fear

grief

staying up too late

When in balance, vata promotes creativity and flexibility.

Signs of Vata Dosha Imbalance:
There are a number of tell tale signs of dosha imbalance. Some persons will get very angry.
Some get depressed, etc. Here is a summary of the signs of vata imbalance:
Worried, anxiety, fear
Tired, yet can't relax, Fatigue, poor stamina

Nervous, Can't concentrate

Anxious, fearful

Agitated mind

Impatient, Antsy or hyperactive

Spaced out

Self-defeating

Shy, insecure, Restless

Cannot make decisions

Weight loss, under weight

Insomnia; wake up at night and can't go back to sleep

Generalized aches, sharp pains, Arthritis, stiff and painful joints

Agitated movement

Very sensitive to cold

Nail biting

Rough, flaky skin, Chapped lips, skin problems

Fainting spells

Heart palpitations

Constipation, Intestinal bloating, gas, Belching, hiccups

Dry, sore throat, Dry eyes

Physical ailments connected to the air element, such as emphysema, pneumonia and
arthritis, are predominant, Asthma

heart disease

nervous system disorders

rheumatoid arthritis

The general guidelines for balancing vata include: keeping warm and maintaining calmness,
avoiding raw, cold foods, staying out of cold weather and keeping a regular routine..
.

2-Pitta Dosha

Pitta is a force created by the dynamic interplay of water and fire. These forces represent
transformation. They cannot change into each other, but they modulate or control each other and
are vitally required for the life processes to occur. (For example, too much fire and too little
water will result in the boiling away of the water. Too much water will result in the fire being put
out.)
Pitta governs digestion, absorption, assimilation, nutrition, metabolism, body temperature, skin
coloration, the luster of the eyes, intelligence, and understanding. Psychologically, pitta arouses
anger, hate, and jealousy. The small intestine, stomach, sweat glands, blood, fat, eyes, and skin
are the seats of Pitta.
Characteristics for Pitta Predominant Types: Medium physique, strong, well-built; Sharp
mind, good concentration powers; Orderly, focused; Assertive, energetic, aggressive, , ambitious,
hard working, intelligent, self-confident, and entrepreneurial at their best; Aggressive,
demanding, pushy when out of balance; Competitive, enjoy challenges; Passionate and romantic;
Strong digestion, strong appetite, get irritated if they have to miss or wait for a meal; When under
stress, Pittas become irritated and angry; Skin fair or reddish, often with freckles; sunburns
easily; Uncomfortable in sun or hot weather, heat makes them very tired; Perspire a lot; Good
public speakers; Generally good management and leadership ability, but can become
authoritarian; Subject to temper tantrums, impatience, and anger; Typical physical problems
include rashes or inflammations of the skin, acne, boils, skin cancer, ulcers, heartburn, acid
stomach, insomnia, dry or burning eyes.
.
The pitta dosha (fire and water) controls:

digestion

ability to break down foods (metabolism)

certain hormones linked to appetite

Things that can disrupt this dosha are:

eating sour foods

eating spicy foods

fatigue

spending too much time in the sun

If pitta dosha is your main life force, you are more likely to develop:
Anger and negative emotions
Crohn's disease
Heart disease
Heartburn a few hours after eating
High blood pressure
Infections
Physical Features

These people are of medium height, are slender and body frame may be delicate. Their
chests are not as flat as those of vata people and they show a medium prominence of veins
and muscle tendons. The bones are not as prominent as in the vata individual. Muscle
development is moderate.

The pitta complexion may be coppery, yellowish, reddish or fair. The skin is soft, warm
and less wrinkled than vata skin. The hair is thin, silky, red or brownish and there is a
tendency toward premature graying of hair and hair loss. The eyes may be gray, green or
cooper-brown and sharp: the eyeballs will be of medium prominence. The nails are soft. The
shape of the nose is sharp and the tip tends to be reddish.

Physiologically, these people have a strong metabolism, good digestion and resulting
strong appetites. The person of pitta constitution usually takes large quantities of food and
liquid. Pitta types have a natural craving for sweet, bitter and astringent tastes and enjoy cold
drinks. Their sleep is of medium duration but uninterrupted. They produce a large volume of
urine and the feces are yellowish, liquid, soft and plentiful. There is a tendency toward
excessive perspiring. The body temperature may run slightly high and hands and feet will
tend to be warm. Pitta people do not tolerate sunlight, heat or hard work well.

Psychologically, pitta people have a good power of comprehension; they are very
intelligent and sharp and tend to be good orators. They have emotional tendencies toward
hate, anger and jealousy.

They are ambitious people who generally like to be leaders. Pitta people appreciate
material prosperity and they tend to be moderately well-off financially. They enjoy exhibiting
their wealth and luxurious possessions.

Sharp mind with good concentration powers

Dislikes hot weather

When in balance, pitta promotes intelligence and understanding.

Out of balance:

Angry, Irritable
Hostile, Enraged, Destructive
Impatient
Critical of self and others
Argumentative, Aggressive
Bossy, controlling
Frustrated, Willful, Reckless
Acidity, heartburn, Stomach ulcer
Fitful sleep, Disturbing dreams
Diarrhea, Food allergies
Bad breath, Sour body odor
Very sensitive to heat, Hot flashes
Skin rashes
Boils
Bloodshot eyes
Acne
Weakness due to low blood sugar

 Fevers, Night sweats

Elements: fire and water.

3-Kapha Dosha

Kapha is the conceptual equilibrium of water and earth. Kapha is structure and lubrication. One
can visualize the Kapha force as the stirring force to keep the water and earth from separating.
For example, if we take a pot, fill it to the half with water and then add sand to it, the sand will
gradually sink to the bottom of the pot. (It separates from the water). The only way to keep the
sand in equilibrium with the water is by stirring the mixture continuously. The Kapha force can
be visualized as this stirring force in our body.
Kapha cements the elements in the body, providing the material for physical structure. This
dosha maintains body resistance. Water is the main constituent of kapha, and this bodily water is
responsible physiologically for biological strength and natural tissue resistance in the body.
Kapha lubricates the joints; provides moisture to the skin; helps to heal wounds; fills the spaces
in the body; gives biological strength, vigor and stability; supports memory retention; gives
energy to the heart and lungs, and maintains immunity. 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. Psychologically, kapha is responsible for the emotions of attachment, greed,
and long-standing envy. It is also expressed in tendencies toward calmness, forgiveness, and
love. The chest is the seat of kapha.
Physical features:

Larger build, sturdy, physically strong

Oily, moist and pale skin

Thick amounts of hair

May have white teeth

Reflective and deliberate thought pattern; calm

Dislikes damp, cold weather

Benefits from going to bed early and rising early

Kapha Dosha -- Energy that controls growth in the body. It supplies water to all body parts,
moisturizes the skin, and maintains the immune system.
Characteristics for Kapha Predominant Types: Easygoing, good humoured, emotionally
stable, relaxed, slow-paced; Affectionate and loving; Forgiving, compassionate, nonjudgmental
nature; Stable and reliable; faithful; Physically strong and with a sturdy, heavier build; Have the
most energy of all constitutions, but it is steady and enduring; Slow speech, reflecting a
deliberate thought process; Slower to learn, but outstanding long-term memory; Soft hair and
skin; tendency to have large "soft" eyes and a low, soft voice; Tend toward being overweight;
may also suffer from sluggish digestion; Prone to depression; More self-sufficient; Gentle, and
essentially undemanding approach to life; Excellent health, good immune system; Very calm;
strive to maintain harmony and peace in their surroundings; Not easily upset and can be a point
of stability for others; Tend to be possessive and hold on to things. Don't like cold, damp
weather; Physical problems include colds and congestion, sinus headaches, respiratory problems
including asthma, allergies, and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
Diseases of the gall-bladder and osteoarthritis and gastrointestinal diseases. Tall thin individuals
are victims of valvular heart diseases caused by rheumatic fever and other infectious diseases
while other forms of heart diseases are associated with the athletic, mesomorphic body.
Pancreatic diabetes predominately affects stocky, well-padded people.

Elements: water and earth.

Signs of Kapha Aggravation or imbalance

Sluggish thinking, Dull thinking-

Groggy all day

Apathetic, no desire

Depressed, Sad, Sentimental

Slow to comprehend, Slow to react

Procrastinating, Lethargy

Clingy, hanging on to people and ideas

Greedy, Possessive, Materialistic

Sleeping too much

Very tired in the morning, hard to get out of bed

Drowsy or groggy during the day

Weight gain, obesity

Mucus and congestion in the chest or throat

Mucus and congestion in the nose or sinuses

Nausea

Diabetes

Hay fever

Pale, cool, clammy skin

Edema, water retention, Bloated feeling

Sluggish digestion, food "just sits" in the stomach

High cholesterol

Aching joints or heavy limbs

flu, sinus congestion and excess mucous, are predominant

When you experience symptoms such as nausea, lethargy, a feeling of heaviness, chills,
looseness of the limbs, coughing, mucus discharges, breathing difficulties, and a tendency to
sleep too much, you may be suffering from Kapha imbalance. Other symptoms can be inertia,
congestion, stagnation, and circulation problems. There may be a tendency toward obesity.
Boredom, laziness, and mental dullness may be present.
Indications of balanced kapha influences are physical strength, a strong immune
system, serenity, mental resolve, rational thinking, ability to conserve and use personal
resources, endurance, and adaptability. Promotes love, calmness and forgiveness.
The general guidelines for balancing kapha include: staying active and getting plenty of
exercise, avoiding heavy, oily foods, dairy and iced drinks and varying your routine.

Factors responsible for increasing Kapha

Eating sweet, salty and sour tastes in excess, fats, oily and fried foods , ice creams,
mears, dairy products, and nuts.

Too much sleep, specially during day time.

Not doing much physical activity.

Some of the symptoms caused by excess Kapha in the body are asthma, cold, congestion in
the chest, anorexia and obesity.

Ayurveda in balancing the three doshas

We can relate every aspect of our life with these three doshas. If we have proper knowledge, we
can maintain a balance of these three doshas and avoid many serious problems and can thus
stay healthy. The treatment according to Ayurveda is to balance the tridosha. While making a
diagnosis the Ayurvedic physician finds out which dosha is out of balance and tries to make the
balance by prescribing some natural medicines, diet and life style.

We are all made up of unique proportions of Vata,Pitta and Kapha. These ratios of the Doshas vary
in each individual and because of this Ayurveda sees each person as a special mixture that accounts
for our diversity.
Each person has all three Doshas, but usually one or two dominate. Various Dosha proportions
determine one's physiological and personality traits, as well as general likes and dislikes. For
example Vata types will prefer hot weather to cold and Kapha types are more likely to crave spicy
foods than other types. Generally these are considered to be characteristics of each mind/body type:
Ayurveda gives us a model to look at each individual as a unique makeup of the three doshas and to
thereby design treatment protocols that specifically address a persons health challenges. When any
of the doshas become accumulated, Ayurveda will suggest specific lifestyle and nutritional
guidelines to assist the individual in reducing the dosha that has become excessive. Also herbal
medicines will be suggested , to cure the imbalance and the disease.

Understanding this main principle of Ayurveda , offers us an explanation as to why one person
responds differently to a treatment or diet than another and why persons with the same disease
might yet require different treatments and medications.

The Qualities of the Three Doshas

The three Doshas possess qualities and their increase or decrease in the system depends
upon the similar or antagonistic qualities of everything ingested.
Vata is : dry, cold, light, mobile, clear, rough, subtle
Pitta is : slightly oily, hot, intense, light, fluid,free flowing, foul smelling.
Kapha is: oily, cold, heavy, stable, viscid, smooth, soft
Both Vata and Pitta are light and only Kapha is heavy.
Both Vata and Kapha are cold and only Pitta is hot.
Both Pitta and Kapha are moist and oily and only Vata is dry.

Vata
Basic

Function Governs bodily

functions concerned
with movement.
Qualities Moving quick, light ,
cold, minutes, rough
dry, leads the order

Pitta
Governs bodily functions concerned with heat,
metabolism, and energy production

Hot, sharp, light, acidic, slightly, oily.

Kapha
Governs bodily functions
concerned with physical
structure , and fluid balance.
Heavy, oily, slow, cold, steady,
solid, dull.

The Qualities of the Three Doshas

The three Doshas possess qualities and their increase or decrease in the system depends
upon the similar or antagonistic qualities of everything ingested.
Vata is : dry, cold, light, mobile, clear, rough, subtle
Pitta is : slightly oily, hot, intense, light, fluid,free flowing, foul smelling.
Kapha is: oily, cold, heavy, stable, viscid, smooth, soft
Both Vata and Pitta are light and only Kapha is heavy.
Both Vata and Kapha are cold and only Pitta is hot.
Both Pitta and Kapha are moist and oily and only Vata is dry.
doshas.
Mental alertness

Results of
Balance

Muscular strength

Proper formation of

Normal heat and thirst mechanism

Strong immunity

body tissues

Strong digestion

Affection, generosity, courage,

Normal alimentation

Sharp intellect

dignity

Strong immunity

Lustrous complexion

Healthy, Normal, Joints

Sound sleep

contentment

Vitality and stamina

Sense of exhilaration

Stability of mind

Results of Dry or Rough Skin

Rashes, skin inflammations

Imbalance Constipation

Heartburn

Oily skin

Common fatigue ( non- Premature graying, baldness

Sinus congestion

specific cause )

Obesity

Hostility, irritability

The Qualities of the Three Doshas

The three Doshas possess qualities and their increase or decrease in the system depends
upon the similar or antagonistic qualities of everything ingested.
Vata is : dry, cold, light, mobile, clear, rough, subtle
Pitta is : slightly oily, hot, intense, light, fluid,free flowing, foul smelling.
Kapha is: oily, cold, heavy, stable, viscid, smooth, soft
Both Vata and Pitta are light and only Kapha is heavy.
Both Vata and Kapha are cold and only Pitta is hot.
Both Pitta and Kapha are moist and oily and only Vata is dry.
Tension headaches
Underweight
Insomnia
Intolerance of cold
Anxiety, worry

Visual problems
Excessive body heat

Slow digestion
Nasal allergies
Lethargy, dullness

The basic principles of Ayurvedic Treatment

The essence of treatment is the removal of the cause and avoidance of causative factors.
Ayurvedic treatment does not mean suppressing the main symptoms and creating some
new ones as side effects of the main treatment. It is to remove the root cause and give
permanent relief. The medicines for the treatment mainly comprises of powders, tablets,
decoctions, medicated oils etc. prepared from natural herbs, plants and minerals. Because
the medicines are from natural sources and not synthetic, they are accepted and assimilated
in the body without creating any side effects and on the other hand, there may be some side
benefits.
Along with medicine, proper diet and living style is also advised. This is equally important.
If we are taking a medicine to remove the root cause and at the same time we are taking
some food or following a life style which is increasing the cause of disease, then we may not
get well or will be getting less relief. Panch Karma therapy is also used as a treatment in
many diseases.
Most of us have many levels of toxins accumulated over a lifetime of indiscretions, all of
which cannot be released at once otherwise they will overhelm the excretory organs and
ravage the mind. Your mind and body have become habituated to these poisons, which
have become part of your equilibrium equation . Removing them all at once would
seriously imbalance your physical body and confuse your mind so that you no longer felt
like 'yourself' .Purifying the system is a long, slow process, requiring many cycles to
expunge the many layers of dirt.