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The doshas are themselves combinations of energy we name the Five Elements.
EARTH – the solid state of matter.
WATER – the fluid state of matter.
FIRE – the energy or power to transform matter from one state to another.
AIR – the gaseous state of matter.
ETHER - the space in which matter can exist and is contained. The three doshas are the manifestations of these five states in the body.
Vata is a combination of AIR and ETHER. It is liable for all movements of the body, mind, and senses and the process of abolition.
Pitta is a combination of FIRE and WATER. It is accountable for heat, metabolism, and energy production and digestive functions of the body.
Kapha is a combination of EARTH and WATER. It is in charge for physical stability, proper body structure, and fluid balance.
Each of the doshas has characteristics that patent in the body and mind as scrupulous qualities. These characters are what you might expect from the characteristics of the linked elements.
| VATA |
PITTA |
KAPHA |
| Dry |
oily |
oily |
| cold |
hot |
ciold |
| light |
light |
heavy |
| irregular |
intense |
stable |
| mobile |
fluid |
viscous |
| rarefied |
acidic |
dense |
| rough |
liquid |
smooth |
| quick |
sharp |
dull |
The sole characteristic of Vata is aridness, Pitta heat, and Kapha, bulk. So, we say that whenever there is a lot of dryness in the body, Vata energy in high. This may be dry skin, dry hair, cracked lips, or internal dryness resultant in constipation. When there is surplus heat, Pitta energy is high, as in the case of fevers and inflammations, or hot tempered. When there is tremendous weight, extra Kapha energy is present, making for surplus weight, cellulite, water retention, swelling, or puffiness.
Your prakruti does not change, it remains steady throughout life. The state of the doshas can change. This changed pattern is called vikruti or conditional state, as it does not match the original pattern. It causes disturbance that finally result in some kind of disorder. Let’s inspect a little closer at how this vikruti comes about.
The quality given to Vata, Pitta, and Kapha live all around us. They patent in the climate, living conditions, moving atmosphere, and in the foods we eat. These qualities from our environment act on our bodies carry to it their qualities. The outer elements are straight changing the balance of internal elements.
For example:
Wind, being drying in nature, increases Vata dosha causing the skin to become dry and cracked.
Greasy, spicy foods, being heating and oily in nature, increase pitta dosha which can cause oily or acne skin.
Excessive sleep, being Kapha in nature, increases Kapha dosha. This inertia contributes to weight gain.
This is known as the principle of like growing like. By the same logic, influences of opposite qualities to the dosha will help to preserve balance. These are fundamental principles of healing in Ayurveda, the age old herbal science and the key to making accurate choices to support the health and beauty of the body.
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