The Doshas-Vata, Pitta, Kapha

In Ayurveda the doshas are considered only one aspect of an all encompassing science. A science that takes into account every angle of a persons life including; what time the person goes to bed at night and what time the person gets up in the morning, what season it is, what their job is and what they eat.

What a person eats can affect the being on many levels. Everyone knows the importance of good nutrition, but in Ayurveda good nutrition is not just about eating salads. Many more elements are taken into consideration. Activating the taste buds with the use of spices and adding bitter foods to the diet are well known in Ayurveda to improve health and increase the digestive fire. A good digestion and the bodies ability to absorb protein and nutrients are key components to health in Ayurveda.

The human tongue is equipped with taste buds that enhance the pleasure of eating. The tastes we recognize are; sweet, salty, sour, bitter and astringent and pungent. When each meal incorporates all of these tastes, there will come a quicker natural feeling of satiation. In other words, feeling full with less food.

From psychological stress to nutritional deficiency, allergenic overload to environmental pollutants, from physical overload, electromagnetic pollution to negative thought energies, almost everyone is struggling to maintain a physical, mental, spiritual balance.

There are many ways in our busy world to create a physical imbalance, overeating, smoking, drinking, even staying at the computer too long are some of them. A vaidya (Ayurvedic physician) I once worked with said scary movies could cause an imbalance.

Symptoms of good health; a happy mind, a well functioning body and a love for life, can be nurtured. An unhealthy body can be coaxed back to health.
Knowing what to eat and what types of lifestyle changes to make for your body type are some of the ways of achieving this.

The constitutions referred to as 'doshas' are Vata, Pitta, Kapha. Each dosha is related to elements in nature that also affect our bodies.

Vata/ air -ether
In balance a person with a predominantly Vata dosha is quick witted and mentally alert, has normal bodily functions free of constipation and insomnia.

Pitta/ heat-fire
In balance the Pitta predominant person has a strong digestion, lustrous complexion and a sharp intellect

Kapha/ water-earth
In balance the Kapha predominant person is strong, affectionate, courageous and full of vitality

How does a person find out his or her dosha? The simplest way would be to visit an Ayurvedic specialist. Although much information can be obtained about a person by simple observation. For example, say you just saw someone red in the face angry. Say this person is a man with a balding head and an explosive case of bad skin, without having visited the vaidya it could be said the man was experiencing  Pitta aggravations. Aggravations related to excess heat in the body.
This does not necessarily mean that the man was born with a Pitta constitution. It could mean that through lifestyle extremes and other unwholesome habits the man has created aggravated Pitta symptoms in his body.

A vaidya would be able to tell what the man's birth or core constitution is.

I am not against self diagnosis and I have successfully helped myself  to alleviate many conditions and illnesses with Ayurveda.

Here follows a very brief description of doshas out of balance and a few tips that can help.

Imbalances/ aggravations related to the doshas:

Vata- A Vata type person out of balance needs calming. They are anxious, talkative, unable to sleep.They have dry-rough skin, and are often too thin. Their eyes are quick moving, their speech is fast. The person seems worried, feels cold, has chills and pain. They need warm comfort foods, a regulated schedule, and less mind activity.
 -Favor sweet, sour and salty foods. Warm soups, peaches and cream, hot chocolate, creamy, rich, warm, grounding foods. Clothing should be soft and warm, made of silk, wool or cashmere, also good are thick wool socks.  Enjoy relaxing quiet music, time without the computer or TV on. Avoid loud music, crowds and violence.

Pitta- A Pitta out of balance needs cooling down. They are fiery, easily angered or upset. There could be redness on the body especially the face with skin breakouts of acne or other rashes. The eyes are sharp and seem to bore a hole through you, can be balding, have indigestion, can be irritable or bad tempered, even aggressive and hostile. Sexual frustration, excessive ambition and competitiveness are Pitta related aggravations, has excessive hunger or thirst, heartburn, acidity, seems to be hot all of the time or have burning sensations. Menstrual problems, fibroid and problems with the liver are related to excess heat in the body, Pitta.

To cool the Pitta:
-Pitta aggravation can be brought on by heat in the quality or temperature of the food or environment, skipping meals, stress, deadlines, heated emotions, EMF overload (Electromagnetic Frequency) from Television, computers or microwave.
Too much conflict in childhood could result in adult Pitta aggravation.
-Avoid or decrease sour, salty and spicy foods, drinking alcohol and too much time in the sun. Spend time by the sea and outside when it is cool. Spend time under the light of the moon.
Light cotton and silk clothing are best.
Foods that are astringent and pungent are good for their cooling effects. Pasta, rice, milk, raspberries, pears, cucumbers. Most sweet juicy fruits will have a cooling effect.
Spices like cumin, coriander and cilantro are cooling. Jasmine and mint tea cool Pitta. Avoid coffee and alcohol.

Kapha- A Kapha person out of balance needs stimulation. They can tend to feel unmotivated which can lead to depression.Their eyelids can sometimes seem heavy giving a sleepy appearance, or if the thyroid is affected their eyes will appear too large. A Kapha out of balance tends to be overweight, has congestion, mucus, breathing difficulties, asthma, foul smell, itching, excessive sweating and  fluid retention. Can be lethargic, have oily skin, tend toward diabetes, tumors, joint swelling, may oversleep often and sleep in the daytime.
-Favor spicy, astringent and bitter tasting foods like leafy greens, avoid eating heavy oily foods. Take walks, dance to music with a strong drumbeat, climb the stairs instead of using the elevator.

A few examples of the tastes:
Sweet: bread, milk, pasta, rice, sugar, grains and nuts
Sour: cheese, pickles yogurt, sour cream, citrus fruits
Salty: salt
Pungent: ginger, radishes, spicy food, onions, garlic, chili peppers, cumin
Bitter: turmeric, fenugreek, green leafy vegetables, endive, romaine lettuce
Astringent: apples, pears, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, beans, lentils, potatoes, pomegranate.

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