Healthytalk8 Vata, Pitta, and Kapha in Ayurveda are one of the oldest forms of treating illness and diseases.
Ayurveda originated in India about 5000 years ago. It means in Sanskrit – “The science of life” and is often referred to as the “Mother of all healing“.
It is not only related to medicines.
Rather the knowledge of this enables a person to understand how to balance the body, mind, and consciousness according to their constitution.
What are Ayurveda and Dosha?
Contents
According to Ayurveda, as we all have a unique fingerprint, each person has a different pattern of energy and have a different nature.
It must have been heard a lot that we all have the same body, but Ayurved completely disproves this thing.
NOTE: You can understand it this way – Some of us like spicier while some like sweet food.
Some people like winter, and some like summer. so it is our nature which we call Doshas that determines our likes or dislikes.
Ayurveda say our body and earth are made up of 5 elements these include:
- Fire
- Water
- Earth
- Air
- Space
These 5 elements combine to form the 3 senses of “Vata, Patta, and Kapha” also called Tridoshas, which are the cornerstone of Ayurvedic principles.
In Fact, Ayurveda also believes that all systems on earth whether it is non-living or living things, are made up of these 5 elements in varying degrees.
What Is Vata, Pitta, and Kapha?
NOTE: These are called dosha because they keep happening less and more.
We all have this dosh, but one is the highest, the second is less than that and the third is the least.
The balance of these 3 doshas is called health and disease arises only due to their deterioration.
Vata
Air is the active element in Vata dosha. space (also known as Ether) has a regulatory element.
Vata dosha controls breathing, blinking, heart beating, muscle and tissue movement, and all movements in the body.
- In Balance: Flexibility, creativity, learning quickly, multitasking, kind-hearted, and naturally slim.
- Out of Balance: Disturb all body contact, and lead to dryness, gas, bloating, indigestion, trouble sleeping, body pain, depression, and a fickle mind.
The wind moves slowly and the space expands. if space does not expand or contract, the air will move faster this is the inherent part of this dosha.
What To Eat And Avoid In Vata?
| Eat | Avoid |
| Well-cooked rice and oats are good. | Tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, peppers, and spinach But if the person has stiff, muscles, and aching joints. |
| Mainatin 2 hour gap b/w each meal. | Sesame oil is a warming alarm for the Vata people. |
| They can use more cooking oil than the other 2 Dosha. | Sugar, coffee, and tobacco. |
| Juicy, ripe, and sweet food are good. | Whereas astringent and drying fruits, such as cranberries, pomegranates, and raw apples avoid |
| All nuts and seeds are good but are best used like butter or milk. | Raw vegetables, dried fruit, nuts, and seeds |
People should follow a regular daily diet routine to stay healthy.
Stress should be reduced through meditation and body temp should be maintained by consuming food, and drinks (2).
Pitta
Pitta is based on water and fire. water helps to control fire. It is said to be more sattvic in nature, however, there is a Rajas and Tamas element to it.
It regulates absorption, digestion system, nutrition, metabolism, and body temp.
- In Balance: Healthy skin, and hair, self-determined, strong, quick metabolism, good circulation, and promoting understanding and intelligence.
- Out of Balance: Promote body heat, causes bleeding gums, excessive bleeding during periods, hair fall, acidity, skin rashes, frustration, anger, and jealousy.
What To Eat, And Avoid In Pitta?
Avoid excessive heat and oily food.
| Eat | Avoid |
| Barley, rice, oats, and wheat are good | Tomatoes, chilies, radishes, garlic, and raw onion should be avoided. |
| Sweet, cooling, and bitter foods and tastes food, calm their anger. | Sour, salty, and pungent foods. |
| Light, cold, sweet, and energizing foods (fruits, non-starchy vegetables, oats, eggs) | heavy, spicy, and sour foods (e.g., red meat, potatoes, hot spices) |
| Vegetarian food is good for pitta people. | But, should refrain from eating meat, eggs, alcohol, and excessive salt. |
| Seafood, turkey, chicken, and eggs should be consumed in moderate amounts. | Tomatoes, chillies, radishes, garlic, and raw onion should be avoided. |
Pople should focus on work-life balance for good health and avoid excessive heat (spicy food, summer monsoon)
Kapha
It is based on Water and Earth. Kapha supplies the water for all bodily parts and systems.
Water acts as the controller element for this dosha. when there is more water it moves faster, than when there is more earth.
The speed slows down. it is the interaction b/w these elements.
- In Balance: It lubricates joints, moisturizes the skin, romantic, and maintains immunity, caring, calmness, trust, and forgiveness.
- Out of Balance: Increase in oil body, due to which the problem of congestion in the body organ increases, causes cough, sinus, sneezing, lethargy, and obesity.
Kapha is the energy of lubrication and structure, Vata is the energy of movement, and pitta is the energy of metabolism and digestion.
What To Eat and Avoid In Kapha?
Do plenty of exercise.
| Eat | Avoid |
| Roasted and dry cooked grains | Dairy products and fats of any kind, especially greasy foods or fried. |
| Low-fat, cheese | Ignore sweets, they should use raw honey. |
| Most ground and root green vegetables are good. | Although sweet, juicy, and sour vegetables and fruits should be avoided – Apples, cranberries, mangoes, peaches, and pears (1). |
| Chicken, eggs, seafood, and venison. | Nuts, seeds |
| Eat light, dry food | Avoid Icey foods and drinks. |
| Avoid oily foods |
People should exercise regularly, consume a healthy diet, and maintain body temp for good health (3).
What Type You Are?
Dosha helps you to understand the nature of your body.
Here is some point that indicates your type – if you come across any one of these types most often then you are that type of person.
Vata
- According to Kerala Ayurveda, this type of person’s energy level is high and her body is thin.
- Dry skin, knee joint creaky sound, feeling hungry, gas problem.
- Enthusiastic and brimming ideas.
- These people often like summer, spring, and rainy monsoons. also love adventure.
- Quickly become anxious or restless, speaks with wisdom, and complains more when upset.
Pitta
- This type of person is intense in terms of energy. and there is a possibility of getting pimples, and stains on the skin.
- They have a clear objective and like to achieve achievements.
- Smooth joints, and a quiet appetite. but sometimes they face heartburn.
- They love cold weather and sports.
- Anger comes quickly and becomes aggressive when upset.
- They speak with conviction and walk steadily.
Kapha
- This type of person is well-rounded and has a generally stable energy level.
- Skin is oily and smooth.
- Their appetite remains stable and their digestive system remains good.
- Calm and easygoing by nature and caring for others.
- Love to spend time with family, and friends, and enjoy quality and quantity of sleep.
- Speaks very thoughtfully and gets jealous when disturbed.
The purpose of doing a dosha analysis is to know your nature and to keep your lifestyle in balance.
Down Line
These 5 elements combine to form the 3 senses of “Vata, Patta, and Kapha” also called Tridoshas.
Air is the active element in Vata dosha. space (also known as Ether) has a regulatory element.
Pitta is based on water and fire. water helps to control fire.
Kapha is based on Water and Earth. Kapha supplies the water for all bodily parts and systems.
