The term Ayurveda comprises of two terms ayur means life and Veda denotes science,thus, the word Ayurveda means science of life.According to Ayurveda, our body consists of three doshas namely Vata,Pitta and Kapha.The tridosha theory in Ayurveda comes from three elements theory of the universe. The names of three doshas is equal to vata (wind), pitta (bile), and Kapha (phlegm).
These are the types of fluids in our body but when one liquid becomes predominant in one’s body,it affect our personality as well as our health .Some people have oily skin,some have dry skin while some have combination of both oily and dry skin. The reason behind all these types of skin is our dosha or the liquid present in body. Vata (space and air) for movement, pitta (fire and water) for digestion, and kapha (earth and water) for functioning in the body. The body type is dependent upon the dominant dosha. In this blog we will be talking about type of dosha and their characteristics .In order to live healthy life, we should balance all three doshas and also sharing with you some helpful tips to balance these doshas in your body.
1.Vata
Vata dosha, that means air and space. Vata dosha is responsible for all the physical movements in our body ,for example -moving of arms and legs, blinking of eyes, kicking . Basically it refers to all the movements that we do with our body. Vata dosha leads to multitasker, energetic ,flexible and creative individuals.It is also responsible for movement of thoughts across the brain. If this Vata is imbalance, it can lead to stress and anxiety. Person may feel mood swings that is affected by climate, weather and food. Imbalance of Vata dosha will also lead to dryness,chapped lips and dull skin.A person may suffer bloating, gas or constipation and might feel dizziness and restlessness all day .So to balance this dosha one should eat nourishing foods,avoid cold foods & drinks and go for warmth.Vata people should consume foods that increase kapha qualities, such as stillness, and smoothness. Take fruit like Berries, peaches, mangoes, melons, bananas, avocados, coconuts, and cooked apples,Vegetables like Carrots, beets, squash, lentils, mung beans, sweet potatoes, and green, leafy vegetables and Spices like Ginger, basil, bay, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, parsley, and turmeric.They can also do calming breathing exercises that include Nadi Shodhana, Ujjayi, and Bhramari.
2.Pitta
Pitta means fire and water. It is responsible for digestion, metabolism and emotions. It is through pitta that you become aware of your surroundings.Pitta is related to intelligence, quick learnering, warm skin, determination, leadership skills, clear voices, and strong eyesight. Disbalance of pitta will lead to impatience behaviour, makes you sensitive to hot weather, always hungry, and more prone to skin problems like acne and inflammation.Pitta can be treated by taking a mixture of fresh, cooling and carbohydrate rich foods. For a person who has excess of pitta dosha, prefer cool over warm or hot. Limit too much hot, spicy,salty, oily, fried foods,eliminate consumption of alcohol and caffeine.While balancimg pitta, learn to distinguish between different tastes and choosing sweet fruits over sour ones is always helpful.Fruits and juices are best if taken alone—30 minutes before, and one hour after, any other food. This helps to ensure optimal digestion.Favor vegetables like Avocado,Artichoke,Asparagus,Bell Peppers,Bitter Melon,Broccoli, Sprouts,Cabbage,Carrots (cooked),Cauliflower,Celery and fruits likeApples (sweet),Apricots (sweet),Berries (sweet),Cherries(sweet),Coconut,Dates,Figs,Grapes,Limes,Mangos(ripe),Melons,Oranges,Papaya,Pears,Pineapple ,Plums ,Pomegranates,Prunes,Raisins,Strawberries,Watermelon etc.The best fruits to include in a pitta-balancing diet will generally be sweet and some what astringent. Dried fruits can be taken but in small quantities.
3.Kapha
Kapha is combination of both Earth and water elements. It is responsible for stability ,strength and energy. It is also responsible for development of tissues in your body.People with this dosha are described as strong, thick-boned, and caring.Due to Kapha dosha,body structure is broadly framed with strong bones and muscles.Kapha helps in building physically and mentally strong body. This is responsible for smooth and cool skin.Slow metabolism, over sleeping, respiratory issues, needing constant motivation, depressed attitude are some of the indicators of imbalance of kapha .Some other signs of kapha imbalance include:Excess bodily fluids and mucus,Seasonal allergies,
A thick, white coating on the tongue,Sticky and sluggish bowel movements,Weight gain and difficult losing weight,Brain fog,Feeling overly sentimental, complacent, or stubborn.It can be cured by exercising daily,taking more liquid, meditating and avoid dairy products like milk, cheese ,butter etc.The best fruits and vegetables are those that are astringent, bitter, and pungent. Apples, cherries, cranberries, pear, pomegranate, prunes, celery, cucumber, kale, and cilantro will be best for balancing kapha.Soymilk, Rice milk, Almond milk and Oats milk are good for treating it. Use less amounts of olive oil, ghee, almond oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, mustard oil, or safflower oil.Raw vegetables are appropriate for kapha in the spring and summer seasons.The only vegetables for kapha to avoid are those that are particularly heavy, dense, oily, or watery – like avocado, cucumber, olives.Eat Brussels, Sprouts,Cabbage,Carrots,Cauliflower,Celery,Chilies,Cilantro,Collard Greens,Corn ,Tomatoes (cooked),Turnips,Watercress,Wheat Grass etc.Legumes are generally astringent, which balances kapha. People with Kapha can eat a variety of pulses, but they should be well-cooked to make them more digestible. Tofu, tempeh, and soy milk are appropriate choice and consumable.
Tridoshic is a body type where all the three Doshas are in right balance. A person with tridoshic type has equilibrium of all the three Doshas. Such a person has perfect health.
