Ayurvedic medicine and health care follows the tenet that three qualities called doshas help to perform the normal action and function of organs and body systems. The three doshas: vata, pitta and kapha, are made up of basic combinations of elements such as air, fire, space, earth and water. The doshas maintain a specific relationship to body functions, and upsetting any of the doshas may cause a variety of health problems.
Pitta Dosha
In Ayurvedic practice, the pitta dosha is a combination of water and fire. Pitta controls the digestive system, release and regulation of hormones and hormone production, nutritional balance, metabolism and even a person's body temperature, according to Holistic Online. Mentally, a pitta dosha personality may be intelligent but prone to bursts of anger or jealousy.
Disturbances to the pitta dosha balance may create hormonal imbalances, ulcers or skin conditions like acne. Imbalances in the pitta dosha may also cause irritability, difficulty sleeping and obsession. Stomach upset, heartburn and feeling excessively thirsty are also signs that the pitta dosha is out of balance, according to AyurBalance.com
Vata Dosha
The vata dosha is responsible for muscle movement, including heart rhythm, as well as transmission of nerve signals and impulses. Vata dosha comprises air and ether and is expressed as wind or flow of movement--hence its importance to circulation and movement of nerve impulses and blood through the body. The vata dosha is believed to originate in the colon, according to Holistic Online.
Imbalances in the vata dosha may cause anxiety, rough skin, heart palpitations and digestive issues like bloating, constipation and gas. Vata dosha types are encouraged to maintain regular habits and rhythms, according to Dosha Balance, in order to avoid upsetting their balance and disturbing the routine of body functions and nervous system health and wellness.
Kapha Dosha
The kapha dosha is made up of water and earth, responsible for lubrication of organs and joints as well as for structure in the human body. The kapha dosha offers body stability and strength as well as resistance to illness and disease.
The kapha dosha is present throughout the body in the form of plasma and mucus in body cells, tissues and organs, but is believed to reside mainly in the chest cavity. Mentally, a kapha dosha personality is loving and forgiving, but may also be prone to possessiveness and envy, according to Holistic Online. Kapha dosha is also responsible for pH balances in the body, according to Dosha Balance.
