The Ayurvedic secret of knowing the root cause of your disease
Ayurveda, or the Science of Life, as translated from Sanskrit is an ancient science of health and healing. It believes that everything in the universe consists of the Five Great Elements (Panch Mahabhutas) -Space (Akasha), Air (Vayu), Fire (Agni), Water (Jal) and Earth (Prithvi). Ayurveda works on the principles of these five basic elements. It explains the importance of balancing these elements for a healthy body and mind.
One of the five elements impacts an individual more than the others because of one’s natural constitution or Prakriti. Prakriti is categorized into three doshas:
- Vata dosha – where the air and space elements dominate
- Pitta dosha – where the fire element dominates
- Kapha dosha – where the earth and water elements dominate
Most people’s Prakriti is a combination of two doshas. Doshas affect the body’s shape, bodily tendencies (like food preferences and digestion), mind and emotions. For example, the earth element in people with Kapha dosha is evident in their solid, sturdy body type and emotional steadiness.
An imbalance in any of these doshas causes illnesses. Let us know more about the doshas and the effects of an imbalance in any of the doshas.
Vata Imbalance
The Vata dosha is the most important of the three doshas because a prolonged Vata imbalance can cause the other two doshas (Pitta or Kapha) to become imbalanced.
Symptoms & Effects of Vata Imbalance
Symptoms
Physical:
- Constipation
- Flatulence or distension in the abdomen
- Dehydration
- Dry and rough skin
- Bodyache
- Astringent taste in the mouth
- Loss of strength, fatigue, low vitality
- Disturbed or lack of sleep
- Tremors and twitches
- Dizziness or feeling spaced out
- Sensitivity to cold and a desire for warmth
Behavioural:
- Irrational, Anxious, Nervous, Agitated, Impatient
- Wanting to run away
- Feeling confused, fearful & shaky
- Feeling ungrounded
- Excessive movement or talking
Effects
- Wasting of muscles
- Joint pains
- Stiffness
- Headaches
- Constipation
- Weight loss
- Cramps
- Convulsion, tremors, paralytic attacks
- Colic
- Dryness, scaling
- Phobias
Pitta imbalance
The Pitta dosha is associated with fire or heat. Wherever there is a change, the Pitta Prakriti is at work. Pitta works in the gastrointestinal tract, liver, skin, eyes or brain.
Symptoms & Effects of Pitta Imbalance
Symptoms
Physical:
- Excessive thirst or hunger
- Heartburn and acidity
- Burning sensation in eyes, hands and soles of the feet
- Hot flushes in the body
- Skin rashes, acne, and boils
- Vomiting bile (yellowish water)
- Hypersensitivity to light
- Strong body odour
- Nausea and headache
- Loose Motions
- Bitter taste in the mouth
- Sensitivity to heat and desire for a cool environment
Behavioural:
- Snappy speech and actions
- Judgmental or criticizing tendencies
- Angry, irritable, hostile
- Argumentative, aggressive
- Impatient and restless
- Frustrated
Effects
- Hyperacidity
- Inflammations
- Bleeding
- Hypertension
- Burning sensations
- Excess eliminations
- Skin rashes, pimples, boils
- Obsessiveness
Kapha imbalance
Kapha is the heaviest of the three doshas. It provides structure and lubrication to the body. These qualities help to counterbalance Vata’s movement and Pitta’s metabolism. A big, heavyset football player or wrestler is a person with a predominance of Kapha.
Symptoms & Effects of Kapha Imbalance
Symptoms
Physical:
- Lethargy
- Little or no appetite, nausea
- Water retention
- Congestion, mucous formation
- Secretions in the mouth
- Difficulty in breathing
- Excessive sleep
- Sweetness in the mouth
Behavioural:
- Feeling of heaviness
- Depressed, sad
- Dull, inactive
- Feeling a lack of support or love
- Feeling greedy, entangled, possessive
Effects
- Obesity
- Swelling
- Water retention
- Excess mucus production
- Extra growth
- Depression
Understanding the doshas and the results of their imbalance helps one ascertain the cause of their illnesses. If you witness any of the above-mentioned symptoms and effects, contact an Ayurvedic doctor. He/She will help you restore balance to your doshas through effective Ayurvedic remedies and a suitable diet.
