What is Tridosha
Tridosha what is it? Asked rhea who came to my clinic for ayurvedic treatment. She was not aware about tri-dosha and she was curious to know about it. There are many people like rhea who are unaware of basic principle of Ayurveda.
Rhea asked me again doctor can you please explain me more about tri-dosha. So i am writing this article to make people aware about the basic principles of Ayurveda.
The theory of tri-dosha’s forms the foundation of Ayurveda treatment. Tridoshas are the 3 energies which governs our body entire physical structure & functions of the body. These tridoshas are responsible for healthy state or disease state of the body. In Ayurveda these energies are the easiest way of understanding the human body. So by understanding what is tridoshas will not only help you understand yourself in a better way but also Ayurveda in much better way.
Rhea o that’s seem interesting . Can you please tell me more about these tridoshas in the body
Panchmahabhut & Tridosha
Ayurveda believes that this universe as well as the human body is made up of the five elements known as Panchmahabhutas. This five elements are Space(Akash), Air(Vayu), Fire(Agni),Water( Jala) and Earth(Prithivi). The five elements are represented in human body in form of Tridoshas.
Rigid ( hard) part of the body is made up of Prithvi ( earth) Mahabhuta for example Bones, nails.
The fluid in the body consist of Aap ( Water) Mahabhuta for example blood and urine.
Digestion and body tempreture in the body is because of Agni (Fire) Mahabhuta.
The movement such as extension and flexion in the body is done by Vayu ( Air)Mahabhuta.
Empty space in the body is because of Akash ( Space) Mahabhuta for example food pipe, intestines, lungs.
Tridosha : Vata, Pitta, Kapha
When any two elements from mahabhutas combine together they form a energy called dosha.They are three dosha’s namely Vata,Pitta and Kapha. Tridoshas are the three forces of body which bring health when in balance and produces diseases when out of balance. Doshas consist of all the mahabhutas and exert the function of prominent elements ( mahabhutas) for optimum function.
Vata Dosha is energy that holds together Akash ( Ether) & Vayu ( Air).
Pitta Dosha is the energy that holds together Agni (Fire) & Jala ( Water) mahabhutas.
Kapha Dosha is the energy that holds together Prithiv (Earth) & Jala ( Water) mahabhutas.
Vata Dosha Functions
According to Charak samhita chapter 18/49 Vata dosha is energy of movement. It ensures your body movements are normal. This includes movement of food from mouth to stomach and further, movement of air to lungs, movement of ras (plasma), rakth (blood) throughout the body, movement of nutrition to cells, eliminations of toxins out of body, nerve conduction these are all the functions of normal Vata (Vayu) .
However when this Vata energy goes out of balance it creates many diseases like arthritis, nerve disorder anxiety, constipation, weakness of joints.
Vata dosha is located below the umbilicus and in the lower body.
This Vata dosha accumulates in summer season and aggravates in rainy season. Therefore to avoid problems related to vata dosha one should avoid food that increases vata dosha.
List of food items and lifestyle that increases Vata dosha.
Morever Vata dosha is dominant after 50 years of age in persons life cycle. Also vata is dominant during night from 2 am to 6 am and in afternoon betweeen 2pm to 6 pm.
Pitta Dosha
In charak samhita chapter 18/50 it is said that Pitta is energy of metabolism. It ensures that your digestion and metabolism are at optimal level. Regulates the body tempreture, hunger, thirst, intelligence are regulated by the Pitta. When pitta is out of balance these people are inclined to fits of anger, inflammation in the body. High levels of pitta in body may produce diseases like hyperacidity(gastritis),stomach & intestinal ulcers, acne, eczema and other skin diseases.
Pitta dosha is located in between heart and umbelicus and it contains properties off fire and water elements.
This pitta dosha accumulates in rainy season and aggravates during autumn season. Therefore to avoid problems realted to Pitta dosha , avoiding pitta aggravating food during its accumulation phase is good.
Moreover pitta dosha is most dominant in young age between 20 to 50 years of person lifecycle. Along with this it is dominant from morning 10am to 2 pm in afternoon. This is why this time is best time to have heaviest meal of the day. Along with this it is dominant between 10 pm to 2 am in night.
Kapha Dosha
Kapha is energy of strength and nourishment. It contains water and earth elements. Kapha is responsible for solidity and all structures as well as right amount of body fluids.When kapha is out of balance it may lead to diseases like allergy,asthma,obesity, high levels of cholesterol and diabetes mellitus may also occur.
Kapha dosha is located above the chest.
This kapha dosha accumulates in winter season and aggravates during spring season. Therefore to avoid problems realted to Kapha dosha, avoiding Kapha aggravating food during its accumulation phase is good.
Moreover Kapha dosha is most dominant in childhood age between 0 to 20 years of person’s lifecycle. Along with this it is dominant from morning 6am to 10pm. Along with this it is dominant between 10 pm to 2 am in night.
Also read how to balance kapha dosha
Tridosha And relation to Age
- All the 3 dosha remain in the body throughout the life however they have special dominance in each phase of life.
- When in childhood KAPHA DOSHA is dominant.
- In young age PITTA DOSHA is dominant.
- The old age VATA DOSHA become dominant.
- This plays very important part while advising diet & lifestyle and selection of herbs in treatment.
Tridosha And You
The tridosha are responsible for forming bodys constitution which is know as Prakriti in Ayurveda. Prakriti means your true nature. The constitution ( Prakriti) means the status of tridoshas that one acquires at the time of conception. Prarkriti once decided cannot be changed throughout your life. Only the dominant dosha in your Prakriti will express themselves in your physical body and your psyche all through your life. Knowing your Prakriti helps you to plan your life in better way. The factors such as quality of sperm & ovum, health of parents, the season of conception ,the geographical location and diet of mother after conception plays a vital role in deciding Prakriti. In Ayurveda the constitution analysis is done to suggest the diet and lifestyle that is best suited to the individual as per requirement.
Tridosha and relation to Food
As said earlier everything in this universe is made up of five elements. The food we eat is also made up of this five elements. Hence this food has a direct effect on tridoshas. Our food mainly consist of six taste namely sweet (madhur),sour (amla),salty (lavan),pungent(katu),Bitter(Tikth), Astringent (kashay).
The sweets, sour and salty taste helps to decrease vata dosha hence considered good for them. However they increase Kapha dosha so people with Kapha dosha should avoid this taste.
The pungent, bitter and astringent taste helps to decrease Kapha dosha and is considered good for them. On the other hand they increase vata dosha so people with vata dosha should avoid food having this taste.
The sweet, bitter and astringent taste helps to decrease pitta dosha and is considered good for them. But on the other hand sour, salty and pungent taste tend to increases pitta dosha so people with excess pitta dosha should avoid the food having this taste.
Conclusion
The tridoshas are foundation of human body keeping them in balance in very important to stay healthy. These tridoshas are sensitive to food we eat, to our lifestyle, the seasonal changes, geographical location we live. Purpose of Ayurveda is to keep this doshas in balance through diet & lifestyle according to Prakriti and choice of herbs.
Please consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
This Article is written by Dr. Ashutosh Tiwari B.A.M.S, PGDCR Director of Risha’s Health And Ayurvedaa Solutions.He is having more than 20 years of experience in field of Ayurvedic medicine.
