Dosha – you might have heard that word when you visited a local Ayurvedic practitioner, or at the yoga class, or in some holistic medicine conference. Ayurveda has long since proposed the three dosha theory: based on several factors like season, time of day, lifestyle, diet, and in some cases, genetics, doshas can literally be translated to “flaws” or “faults”. These are essentially imbalances or overproduction of three components in the human body: breath or vata (which equates to air as the element), bile or pitta (acid, which equates to fire), and fluid content or kapha (which equates to water).
Ayurveda argues that when there is an imbalance in these three elements, or these elements are in imbalance with their outer counterparts, the body is not in a healthy state. Internal imbalances of these governing factors or bioelements results in a state of “dis-ease”, as it were, manifesting in accordance to the outer environment which can cause or exacerbate the imbalance in the human body. Typically, these doshas govern your constitution or mind-body makeup. Let us consider these doshas or dosha types one by one:
VataDosha: Governs the respiratory system, the faculty of thought, digestive system, heart, and sexual organs. This dosha primarily manifests as respiratory conditions, skin allergies, digestive disorders, cardiac conditions, sexual dysfunction, and socio-emotional disorders like lack of self esteem and self-expression. This relates to air or breath, so along with a diet that guards against congestion and inflammation in the body, daily practice of pranayama and meditation is recommended.
PittaDosha: Governs the lower digestive system, kidneys, circulatory system, skin, sight, and a broader range of emotions. Pitta dosha is usually to blame for liver and gall bladder conditions, vascular and circulation issues, skin ailments like lack of lustre and elasticity in skin, vision issues, gastro-enteric issues like GERD and acid reflux, depression, anxiety and panic attacks, etc. This relates to bile, so a primarily alkalizing diet is recommended, so as to keep the production of bile to a minimum in the human body. Increase in water consumption is recommended for pitta dosha, along with a regular exercise regimen to help peristalsis.
Kapha Dosha: Primarily deals with the lubrication of internal organs and balancing the water content in the body. This is a holistic dosha that can cause issues in any organ because of inflammation and water retention in the body. Illnesses include asthma and bronchitis, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, fatty liver disease, arthritis, musculoskeletal disorders, cerebrospinal conditions, salivary issues, sinusitis, etc. Dietary recommendations include a host of anti-inflammatory foods, lowered salt intake, fewer carbs, avoidance of sugar and refined carbs, and increase in dietary fiber and some clean protein.
Additionally, Ayurveda, which recommends food as medicine, has long proposed a three-way communication with the body.
- What is the environment outside? That is to say, what is the season? Choose foods that help alleviate any illness or malaise caused by season or environmental factors like the flu, hay fever, common cold, respiratory issues, digestive issues, etc.
- Lifestyle/Diet: Tweak your diet and lifestyle according to the external environment. If the outer environment is cold, ensure that the food you are taking in help keep your body warm: increase your intake of heat-causing or acidic foods in fall/winter so the metabolism can keep you warm from the inside. Spices, condiments, clean carbs, and some good fats fall into this category. And during summer and spring, Ayurveda recommends an alkalizing diet – foods that keep the body cool like summer squashes, cucumbers, coconut water, aloe, avocado. In other words, foods that stem the flow of bile in the body.
- What are you predisposed to? Sometimes, your genetic makeup can also be something to consider when working with your dosha. Not always, of course, but something to consider when you talk to your Ayurvedic practitioner.
In a nutshell, whatever throws you off balance is the dosha type that you may have. Remember though that these are governed by external forces as much as internal, so to correctly identify your dosha type, consult with an Ayurvedic specialist. And also, don’t forget to listen to what your body. Learn to read the signs and messages that your body sends you.
