Tri Doshas
The five basic elements manifest in the human body as three basic principles or humors known as Tri Doshas, governs all the biological, psychological and physio pathological functions of the body, mind and consciousness. They act as body types and protective barriers for the body in its normal physiological condition they are,
- Vata (Air+Space): Responsible for movement, breathing, secretions, excretions, arising of natural urges, fear & anxiety.This means that it has qualities which are similar to these elements. Vata is very much like the wind–it is light, cool, dry and mobile.In the body, those people with a vata nature experience more of these qualities.Their bodies tend to be light, their bones thin, and their skin and hair dry. They often move and speak quickly. When out of balance, they may lose weight, become constipated and have weakness in their immune and nervous systems
- Pitta (Fire+Water): Responsible for body heat, digestion, perception, understanding, hunger, thirst &anger.Fire is more predominant, and those people with a predominant pitta nature have many of the qualities of fire within them. Pitta tends to hot, sharp, and penetrating. It is also somewhat volatile and oily. The oily nature of Pitta is related to the secondary component of water. People with a Pitta nature reflect these qualities. They tend to feel warm and have somewhat oily skin, penetrating eyes, and sharp features. They tend to have moderate weights and good musculature. When out of balance they tend toward diarrhea, infections, skin rashes and weakness in the liver, spleen, and blood.
- Kapha (Water+Earth): Responsible for stability, energy, lubrication, forgiveness, attachment and holding.Like these elements, kapha tends to be cool, moist, stable and heavy. In the body these qualities manifest as dense, heavy bones, lustrous, supple skin, low metabolism, and large, stocky frames. In addition, those with a kapha nature tend to feel cool. When out of balance, kapha individuals are prone to gaining weight and tend to have weaknesses in their lungs and sinuses where there is an accumulation of mucous. Those of kapha nature are also most prone to non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.
Health (Swastha) according to Ayurveda
Health means when the digestive fire(Agni) is in balanced, vata, pitta and kapha are in equilibrium, the three waste products (urine, faeces, and sweat) are produced and excreted in normal levels, the five senses are functioning normally and the body, mind and consciousness are harmoniously working as one. When the balance of any of these systems is disturbed the disease process begins.