TRIDOSHA
IS IT REALLY HARMFUL?
Dosha can be roughly translated as body humors. Doshas are made up of qualities and are necessary for the normal functioning of the body, but at the same time, they are also capable of causing disturbances in the body. Tridosa- Vata, Pitta and Kapha — are the life force systems that cover the entire body. According to Ayurveda, the balance of Tridosa is essential for a perfect body and mind.
The main source of tridosha is food. During digestion, food is broken down into Rasa (the clear essence of the food) and excretion (waste products). These waste products feed Tridosa and other bodily secretions.
Although Tridosha is ubiquitous, each dosha concentrate on certain parts of the body. If we divide the body into three parts, then: from the head to chest is ruled by Kapha, between the chest and umbilicus is the Pitta dominated region and below umbilicus is ruled by Vata. According to Ayurveda, Tridosha body type is equally affected by Vata, Pitta and Kapha and it is the best quality body.
Each Dosha has its own qualities. Major qualities of Vata are: coldness. dryness, lightness, minuteness, movement and roughness. Qualities of Pitta are: slightly oily, lightness, hotness and movement. Qualities of Kapha are: cold, heavy, mild, oily, smooth, stable and immobility.
According to Ayurveda, the dominance of the Tridosha changes throughout the day and night. When we consider the day — night cycle then the first part is dominated by Kapha, the second part by Pitta and the third part by Vata. Similarly, Kapha, Pitta and Vata respectively dominate the first, second, and third parts of eating and digestion.
Tridosha is also influenced by the seasons. Rainy season, autumn and early rains can lead to the accumulation, vitiation and pacification of Pitta, respectively. Likewise, early winter, spring and summer respectively can lead to the accumulation, vitiation and pacification of Kapha. Accumulation, vitiation and pacification of Vata occur in summer, rainy season and autumn respectively.
The important question is how do human action affects Tridosha? Similar qualities reinforce each other and, opposite qualities reduce the related quality. For example, dryness is a quality of Vata, so applying oil can reduce it and exposure to cold and dry weather can increase it.
Rasa (taste) also influences Tridosha. Madhura (sweet), Amla (sour) and Lavana (salt) decrease Vata and increase Kapha. Tikta (bitter), Ushna (pungent) and Kashaya (Astringent) calm Kapha and increase Vata. Astringent, bitter and sweet ease Pitta and sour, salt and pungent taste increase Pitta.
Tridosha affects not only the body but also the mind. The diminution of Vata, Pitta and Kapha reduces its normal activities and increases the opposite actions; while the aggravation of dosha increases their normal functions.
The normal functions of Vata in the body are as follows: movement, normal processing of dhatus^, normal elimination of excreta, initiation of up and down movements, direction and control of the mind, stimulation of digestion etc. Vitiation can be noticed by roughness, coldness, instability, thirst, astringent taste, tastelessness, affects strength and complexion, causes fear, anxiety and confusion etc. Drugs with qualities opposite to Vata, diet, massage, bathing and anointing can reduce the effects of Vata. The advantages of keeping Vata in balance include improved knowledge, strength and complexion as well as longer life-span.
The normal functions of Pitta in the body are as follows: vision, intelligence, clarity, lustre, digestion, warmth, hunger, thirst, etc. Sour, salty and pungent rasa can aggravate Pitta. Symptoms of vitiation include burning, heat, perspiration, inflammation, sour taste etc. Pitta can be pacified by substance that have opposite qualities of Pitta-sweet, bitter and astringent, as well as clarified butter. Purgation, bathing and massaging are effective in reducing Pitta. Ensuring the balance of Pitta means healthy digestive system, clear vision and good ability to comprehend.
Kapha’s main function in the body are: firmness, potency, strength, lack of greed, etc. The symptoms of Kapha’s aggravation include coldness, itching, numbness, immobility and mucus covering, ignorance, confusion and so on. Substances that having opposite qualities of Kapha can reduce it; like pungent, bitter and astringent rasa as well as honey. Kapha can also be calmed by emesis, exercise and sniffing. Kapha in balance means stability of body and mind.
Multiple disorder in the body are influenced by Tridosha. When Tridosha are in right amount they support the right body function and its deficiency as well as excess leads to improper functioning/disease in the body. So, it is very important to take care of the controllable factors like what you eat or how do you shower.
Food Notes
dhatus^- Tissues
Reference: Charaka Samhita
