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Ayurveda

The Three Doshas (Tridosa)

The Ayurvedic concept of physical health revolves round the three doshas. The doshas are a unique combination of each of the five elements (earth, air, fire, water, and ether) within the body. This combination determines our
metabolic constitution, characteristics, and personality traits. The primary purpose of Ayurveda is to help maintain these doshas in a balanced state and thus to prevent disease.

Just as everyone has a unique thumbprint, in Ayurveda each person has a distinct pattern of energy which translates to the unique mix of the three doshas. Usually one or more of the doshas are dominant in each individual. The ratios vary and are what accounts for our uniqueness and diversity. When the three doshas function in harmony, health is the result. But when there is imbalance in the doshas, it will result in elemental imbalance, leading to various kinds of ailments. Many factors can disturb the dosha balance such as stress, an unhealthy diet, the weather, and strained work/family relationships. If not recognized and addressed, such disturbances may eventually be expressed in the body as disease.

Ayurveda looks at the person who has the illness or imbalance and, rather than following the premise that the disease created the illness, follows the premise that an illness is the result of an imbalance of one or more of the three doshas which, in turn, interrupts the natural flow of vital energy (known as "prana"). When the doshas are found to be out of balance (lacking or excessive), an Ayurvedic practitioner will recommend a treatment plan based on an understanding of the individual and their mix of doshas. A specialized treatment plan will be recommended to stimulate rebalance. The concept of the doshas helps to explain why individuals with the same illness may respond differently to a given treatment plan.

A body who maintains the equilibrium of the doshas will not be susceptible to bacteria and viruses, even when surrounded by them. Bacteria and viruses will simply be unable to survive within their body.

The three doshas possess specific qualities.

	Vata (Ether & Air)	Pitta (Fire & Water)	Kapha (Water & Earth)
Constitution	Thin and wiry. Low in weight. Bony. Scant appetite. Active.	Medium height, build and bone strucure. Stong appetite.	Large, stout, and big boned. Strong appetite. Less active.
Skin	Dry, rough skin. Prominent veins close to the skin.	Soft, warm skin. Oily in areas. Burns easily.	Thick, cool, supple skin. Oily.
Area of the Body	Large intestine, pelvis, bones, skin, ears, thighs. Governs the principle of movement and is seen as the force which directs circulation, respiration, the nerve impulses, elimination, and respiration	Cellular organs, tissue metabolism, small intestines, stomach, sweat glands, skin, blood, eyes. Transformation of foods into nutrients that our bodies can assimilate.	Chest, lungs, spinal fluid. Governs the growth of the body and protection of the various bodily systems (e.g. cerebral-spinal fluid to protect both brain and spine, the lining of the stomach, etc.)
General Expression	Creative, imaginitive, artistic, adaptive, quick thinking, restless.	Strong and assertive, competitive edge, sharp mind, good powers of concentration.	Compassionate, loyal, forgiving, highly developed spiritual feelings, reflective, deliberate and unwavering thoughts.
Imbalanced Expression	Constipation, hyperactive and restless mind, extreme moods swings, stress, anxiety, nervousness, light sleepers prone to insomnia, underweight.	Hot tempered, impatient, irritable, disorders of the skin such as acne and rashes, overly aggressive and competitive, jealous, fanatical.	Weight gain and obesity, water retention, lethargy, overly emotional and sentimental
Related System	Nervous system	Endocrine system	Immune system

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