Dosha is the Sanskrit term for “that what vitiates.” Thus, doshas are the humors that imminently make up the body and yet they are very easy to be vitiated.
Ayurveda believes that as and when the three humors are in the state of natural equilibrium, these tend to sustain natural wellbeing. And on the contrary, when the doshas fall out of balance, then these are reason enough to make the body ailing.
Vatta, or the air, is responsible for eighty types of ailments. The pitta, or fire, humor accounts for forty types. The third, kapha, or the phlegm body humor, results in production of twenty types of maladies.
Natural Disposition of Doshas
The three doshas vatta, pitta, and kapha get easily influenced by our everyday diet and lifestyle, wherein the doshas lose their equilibrium. They tend to either decrease or increase in the body and this makes them to result in forming of a disease.
Vatta dosha is comparable to the atmospheric air, both in character as well as functioning. Similarly, the pitta dosha corresponds to the sun, and kapha dosha relates to the moon respectively.
This may be more simply verified by the fact that vatta dosha is erratic and mobile like the air. The pitta dosha is responsible for the processes of absorption, assimilation and digestion as the sun makes the water to evaporate. The kapha humor accounts for solidifying the body and the formation of unctuous matter in the body as the moon would accomplish in the universe.
Location of Doshas in Human Body
Ayurveda proclaims that vatta, pitta, and kapha actually relate to every aspect of our very existence.
Within the body, vatta is believed to occupy mainly the area beneath the umbilicus. This indicates the body region of the intestines and the lower extremities.
The pitta dosha resides largely in the body area between the heart on the upper side and umbilicus on the lower side. This area is also the chief abode of the stomach.
The kapha dosha is present principally in the head and neck region, demarcated as the body area above the heart.
Relativity of Doshas and Age
There is natural manifestation of the three doshas in accordance to the age groups. Vatta dosha is naturally on the rise in the old age. This accounts for the nervous system limitations and joint pains that are generally more obvious at this period of the age.
Pitta dosha manifests in the middle age which makes it understandable to be intrigued with digestion afflictions and acidity during youth.
As in childhood there are more instances of respiratory infections and more mucous production. This authenticates for the natural expression of kapha dosha in the childhood.
Relation of Doshas with Meals
Vatta dosha relates to the period of finishing of the meal. This is termed as Pakvavastha.
Pitta is naturally evident during the time the food is being eaten. This is the Vidagdhavastha.
Kapha dosha is more apparent at the beginning of the meal, and this is Aamavastha in Ayurveda terminology.
Time Affects Doshas
According to Ayurveda science, the three doshas vatta, pitta and kapha show natural demonstration at varied times of both day and night. Vatta dosha manifests between 2:00 to 6:00 am and pm, whereas, pitta dosha is apparent in the middle part of both day and night—between 10:00 to 2:00 am and pm. Kapha relates to early timings of 6:00 to 10:00 am and pm.
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Dr. Sonica Krishan is an Ayurveda and Natural Lifestyle Consultant, freelance health writer, and book author based in Chandigarh, India. She has authored the natural home cure books Herbal Healers and Home Remedies, and is presently writing for national and international publications. She may be contacted at drsonica@herboveda.co.in or visit www.herboveda.co.in.
