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Tridosha - Vata,Pitta,Kapha
(THE THREE HUMOURS)

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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
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changes in the body and physio-pathological changes too. Vata-pitta-kapha are present in every cell, tissue and organ.

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).

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 -Types and their Functions:
Vatadosha is further divided into 5 types according to it's seat and the different functions it carries

Prana Vata : Governs the senses, creative thinking, reasoning, enthusiasm,

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

Useful Tips to Balance Vatadosha

DO's:

Abhyanga (ayurvedic massage with sesame oil)

Stay warm in cold, windy weather
Consume warm, cooked foods (less raw foods)
Go to bed early have lot of rest and sleep.
Favor warm, oily, heavy food with sweet, sour, and salty tastes.

DON'Ts:

Avoid light, dry, cold, pungent, bitter and astringent foods

Avoid raw foods, juices, fasting
Avoid stimulants ,smoking ,alcohol
Refrain from excessive aerobic activity

Medication for Vata

Medicines and herbs that are demulcent, emollient, warmly diaphoretic, nervines, antispasmodic, warming and carminative are
appropriate for treating Air imbalances. They are also particularly amenable to the internal and external application of herbal medicated
oils. Castor oil because of its thick viscosity, is considered the strongest oil for treating excess vata conditions. Herbs and substances
that are bitter and astringent such as cascara bark and bayberry bark, increase Air, while those that are sweet and demulcent, such as
slippery elm, marshmallow root and comfrey, ameliorate it. The primary Panchkarma therapy for vata derangement is the use of
medicated oils usually applied externally.

PITTA - The Fire Humor

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 -Types and their Functions

Alochaka Pitta : Controls 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

Useful Tips to Balance Pitta dosha

DO's:

Keep cool. Avoid hot temperatures and hot food

Favor cool, heavy, dry, sweet, bitter and astringent foods
Keep activities in Moderation.
Keep regular mealtimes, especially at noon

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DON'Ts

Avoid sesame and mustard oils, fish, buttermilk, mutton, acidic fruits, alcohol, meat and fatty, oily foods.
Restrict pungent, sour, salty, warm, oily and light foods
Avoid ovr work
Avoid fasting

Medication for Pitta

Medicines and herbs that are cooling, purging, laxative, antipyretic and blood detoxifying, cholagogic (releasing bile) are appropriate for
treating Fire imbalances. Laxative herbs such as cascara bark, rhubarb and senna are used to clear excess Fire. When there is no
constipation, one can use alterative or cholagogic herbs such as red clover, sarsaparilla, oregon grape root, barberry root and
dandelion root. The major Panchkarma therapy for excess Fire is bleeding. Generally such patients who are not predisposed to anemia
should make it a point to regularly donate blood at a local blood bank.

KAPHA -The Water Humor

Heavy, slow, cool, oily, liquid, dense, thick, static and cloudy qualities. These are the important qualities of kapha, and kapha is sweet
and salty.
Kapha - Types and their Functions :

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 : Controls moisture of the stomach and intestinal mucosal lining
Avalambaka Kapha : Protects the heart, strong muscles, healthy lungs
Sleshaka Kapha : Lubricates the joints,Keeps skin soft and supple.

Useful Tips to Balance Kapha

DO's

Do regular exercise, Begin with Sooryanamaskara to warm up your body, which should be followed by a Vigorous activity
Prefer warm temperatures, Stay warm and dry in cold, damp weather
Use Fresh fruits, vegetables and legumes
Favor pungent, bitter, astringent, light, dry and warm foods

DON'Ts

Reduce heavy, oily, cold, sweet, sour and salty foods

Avoid heavy meals.
Sleep promotes Kapha hence avoid excessive sleep,
All frozen desserts are to be avoided.

Medication for Kapha

Medicines and herbs that are diuretic, warming diaphoretic, warming stimulant, expectorant, carminative and aperient (mildly laxative)
are appropriate for treating Kapha imbalances.

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