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Ayurveda, which means the science of life, is a comprehensive medical system that has been the traditional system of healthcare in India for more than five-thousand years.

It is also considered by many to be the origin of medicine.

Ayur means life and Veda means science. The principal focus of Ayurveda is maintaining good health and adopting a healthy way of living. It uses a holistic approach to health, which means that not only is the body treated as a single unit, but other aspects of our lives are taken into consideration, such as our social, cultural as well as our spiritual environment.

Most importantly, individual differences are taken into account when providing treatment and care for diseases.

One of the most fundamental concepts in Ayurveda is the concept of the five elements (bhutas) which are: space, air, fire, water and earth. According to Ayurveda:

Every human being is a microcosm of nature or the universe, and therefore all things that are present in nature are also a part of human beings.

The Doshas

Every human being also inherits a unique mix of three mind/body principles which create our specific mental and physical characteristics. These three principles – or bioenergetic forces – that govern our internal and external environment, are called doshas. The five elements combine to form these three doshas, each of which are present, to some extent, in everyone.

Space and air constitute Vata, fire and water constitute Pitta, while water and earth combine to form Kapha. Each individual has a different constitution or Prakriti (constitution determined at the time of birth) depending on the predominance of one or more of these doshas.

Each one of these doshas is associated with a particular pattern of energy and personality, which includes physical, mental and emotional characteristics. The state of harmony among the body doshas of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, constitutes health; when unbalanced or in a state of disharmony, they result in chaos and disease.

This state of disharmony or imbalance manifests itself through specific physical signs and symptoms, including a build-up of ama (toxins). An imbalance in a dosha could be attributed to a number of causes, such as an unhealthy diet or lifestyle, weather, chemicals, germs or stress.

Vata's air
Photo: Adam Pniak

Vata – the energy of movement, action and transportation which govern breathing, blinking, heart beat, blood circulation as well as thoughts.

A Vata dominant person is usually thin, light, with bony joints, dry skin and thin hair.

When Vata is balanced, this person is energetic, creative and intuitive. An out of balance Vata can become anxious, nervous and fearful.

Pitta's Fire
Photo: cat segovia

Pitta – this is the energy of metabolism and chemical transformation in the body which controls functions including digestion and heat production.

A person whose primary dosha is Pitta, is usually of light or medium frame, has distinct eyes, soft oily skin, strong appetite, and a forceful way of speaking. A balanced Pitta is sharp, focused, orderly and tidy. When Pitta is out of balance the result is usually anger, jealousy, and irritability.

Kapha's Earthiness
Photo: Julien Harneis

Kapha – the energy of construction, lubrication and nourishment. It supplies all of the fluid needs of the body and is the binding energy in the body (lubrication of joints, forming of mucus).

A person whose predominant dosha is Kapha is usually well built/full-bodied, with round features, large eyes, smooth skin and thick hair. A balanced Kapha is loving, nurturing, and caring. An out of balance Kapha can be greedy, possessive and lazy.

The management of illness entails restoring a balance among the doshas through lifestyle interventions, treatment with proper nutrition, or herb-mineral formulas based on one’s mental and bodily constitution. Also included are yoga and meditation, or any combination of these. Ayurveda emphasizes the use of body, mind, and spirit for disease prevention, as well as for the treatment of all diseases.

So what does this mean for you? You can start by determining your constitution. There are several advantages to knowing your constitution, such as a better understanding of your strengths, weaknesses, physiological tendencies, and maintaining good health by balancing your doshas. There are a few online quizzes, found here and here, that you can take to give you an idea of what your individual make up is. Or, it can be accurately determined by a physician trained in Ayurvedic diagnosis.

Several treatment modalities can be used to remove the cause of disease or imbalance, strengthen the body’s ability to remove toxins and to restore balance. Undergoing a Panchakarma program–a five-action internal cleaning process to remove ama–with an experienced Ayurvedic practitioner is one of the most widely known ones in the West.

No matter what aspect you choose, Ayurveda can help to restore balance physically, emotionally, and spiritually.