Theories of Ayurveda

The entire science of Ayurveda is based on the ‘Five Great Elements’ (Panchmahabhuta) theory. These five elements are earth (prithvi), water (jal), fire (agni or tej), air (vayu) and ether or space (akash). Just as in nature, we too have these five elements in us. When any of these elements are present in the environment, they will in turn have an influence on us. While we are a composite of these five primary elements, certain elements are seen to have an ability to combine to create various physiological functions.

Ether and air combine to form what is known in Ayurveda as the Vata dosha. Vata governs the principle of movement and therefore can be seen as the force that directs nerve impulses, circulation, respiration, and elimination.

Fire and water are the elements that combine to form the Pitta dosha. The Pitta dosha is the process of transformation or metabolism.

Finally, it is predominantly the water and earth elements that combine to form the Kapha dosha. Kapha is what is responsible for growth, adding structure unit by unit. 

Another function of the Kapha dosha is to offer protection. These ratios of the doshas vary in each individual; and because of this, Ayurveda sees each person as a special mixture that accounts for our diversity.

 

Ayurveda gives us a model to look at each individual as a unique makeup of the three doshas and to thereby design treatment protocols that specifically address a persons health challenges.

 

Dosha according to the principle of constitution of the physical body in ayurveda, one of the three vital bioenergies (vata, pitta, kapha) condensed from the five elements, the doshas are responsible for the physical and emotional tendencies in the mind and body and along with the seven dhatus (tissues) and three malas (waste products) make up the human body. The attributes of the doshas and their specific combination with in each individual help determine the individual’s physical and mental characteristics, while imbalance among the doshas is the cause of disease.

 

Vata dosha - Air

 

The Vata dosha is the most important of the three doshas. This is for two reasons. First, if Vata becomes imbalanced for long enough and sufficiently enough, it can also cause the other two doshas (Pitta or Kapha) to become imbalanced. It can even cause both Pitta and Kapha to become imbalanced. Secondly, Vata is the main driver or mover of the body, including the other two doshas, all the tissues and all of the waste products.

Vata provides the following functions:


1. All eliminations: fetus, semen, feces, urine, sweat, and a few others
2. Assists with all the various metabolisms in the body
3. Controls all of the various movement of body (both physical & mental), including such  things as respiration, heart beat, motivation and contraction of muscles, relays all sensory input from the various sense organs to the brain.
 

Pitta dosha – Fire

 

The Pitta dosha is associated with fire or heat. Wherever there is transformation, there is Pitta (doing its job). Whether it is in the GI tract, liver, skin, eyes or brain doesn't matter, for these are all locations where Pitta works.

Pitta provides the following functions: 
1. Metabolism - at all the various levels from digestion of food to transformation of all other material
2. Thermo genesis - maintains the proper body temperature
3. Vision - converts external images into optic nerve impulses
4. Appetite - the feeling of hunger and thirst
5. Comprehension - of information into knowledge, also reasoning and judgment
6. Courage & Braveness - to face the situation
7. Complexion - gives color and softness to skin

 

Kapha dosha – Earth

 

Kapha is the heaviest of the three doshas. It provides the structures and the lubrication that the body needs. These qualities help to counterbalance Vata's movement and Pitta's metabolism. A big, heavyset football play or wrestler is a person with a predominance of Kapha.

Kapha provides the following functions:
1. Strength - to perform physical tasks
2. Moistness & Lubrication - to prevent excessive friction from occurring between the various parts of the body
3. Stability - to add the necessary grounding aspect to both mind and body
4. Mass & Structure - to provide fullness to bodily tissues
5. Fertility & Virility - to produce healthy offspring

 

Benefits of Ayurveda (small list)

 

· ayurveda is not only treatment, it is a way of life

· has no side effects

· gives happy, healthy disease free long life

· makes you Tension Free

· relaxes mind

· provides knowledge about life

· tells about good and bad dietary effects to life

· tells the way for moksha, with keeping good health status

· helps to achieve - dharm, arth, kama, moksha