Ayurveda Dosha- Kapha, Pitta, Vata

The contribution of ancient Ayurvedic science is immense in Indian history. It is built with the fundamental concept of the Pancha Bhuta or Pancha Tattva or 5 Universal Elements.

Everything that we see or perceive with all our senses are a composition of these 5 elements- Prithvi (Earth), Apas (Water), Vayu (Air), Agni (Fire) and Akasa (Ether). The human body and mind is not an exception here. The science of Ayurveda has delved into this aspect of our existence and categorized our overall characteristics into different Doshas.

What is Dosha?

Dosha is a combination of the 5 Universal Elements wherein there are usually dominance of some elements which tend to overshadow the others. These doshas govern the internal systems of a human body and mind. Thereby increasingly it becomes very crucial for every individual to know their doshas in order to align their lifestyle according to their dosha.

So What does it mean for us?

The 5 Universal Elements have their own characteristics and the dominance of some elements mean that our own characteristics resonate with them. The functions of all the internal organs and the mind are guided by these dominant elements and thus we experience difference in the functionality of the essential organs in our body and also in mind patterns of individuals exposed to same environment.

Types of Ayurveda Dosha

Different Types of Dosha

There are 3 types of Doshas defined as per Ayurveda depending on dominance of a pair of elements.

1. Kapha Dosha- This is composed of Earth & Water.

2. Pitta Dosha- This is composed of Fire & Earth.

3. Vata Dosha- This is composed of Air & Ether.

Let's look at each of them now!

Each Dosha has their own set of primary characteristics depending on the dominant element. Here's an elaborate table describing the characteristics of the doshas.

Characteristics	Kapha Dosha	Pitta Dosha	Vata Dosha
Elements	Water, Earth	Earth, Fire	Air, Ether
Physical Traits	Well-built with smooth skin & lustrous hair	Medium-built, prone to acne & inflammation & strong hair	Thin-built with rough skin & thin hair
Personality Traits	Nurturing & Caring	Quick Learners, Determined, Lacks Patience	Creative & Joyful
Digestion	Sluggish Metabolism	Always Hungry	Prone to Bloating & Gastritis
Nature of Activity	Calm, composed but can be stubborn	Competitive & Lacks Patience	Can Multitask & Full of Energy

Although the table above can serve as a reference for understanding our own characteristics, it is necessary to conduct a thorough analysis to pinpoint the dosha.

Furthermore, it is crucial to bear in mind that we may have dominance in more than one dosha. Nevertheless, the objective should be to familiarize ourselves with the primary dosha and adjust our lifestyle accordingly.