Human Physiology

An Ayurvedic View

According to , understanding the three doshas is the basis to healing. The concept of vata - pitta - kapha is unique to and it holds the potential for revolutionizing the healing systems. However, the concept of the three principles and the Sanskrit words, vata-pitta-kapha, are very difficult to translate into Western terms.

Tridosha Concept: – vata, pitta , kapha

The three doshas known as three humors, which control the physio-chemical and physiological activities of the body, are vata (from ether and air), pitta (from fire and an aspect of water), and kapha (from water and earth). The three doshas can be recognized by their attributes

Every dosha has a unique constitution acquired at birth that remains constant through life. When they are in perfect harmony, the hemostasis (the perfect functioning of physical and mental status) is maintained and when they are disturbed by any means, diseased state occurs.

Vata dosha

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; this is called a Tridoshic imbalance and is the most difficult to overcome. Secondly, Vata is the main driver or mover of the body, including the other two doshas, all the tissues (dhatus) and all of the waste products (malas).

Vata has these functions:

• All eliminations like fetus, semen, feces, urine, sweat, and many more.
• It assists with all the various metabolisms in the body
• Controls all of the various movement of body (both physical & mental),
  including such things as respiration, heart beat, motivation and contraction of muscles
• Controls all the vasomotor and other neurological activities.

Pitta dosha

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 has following functions:

• Appetite - the feeling of hunger and thirst by means of digestive fire.
• Comprehension - of information into knowledge, also reasoning and judgment
• Courage, Anger, Youthfulnes & Braveness - to face the situation

• Complexion - gives color and softness to skin Metabolism - at all the various levels
• Metabolism - from digestion of food to transformation of all other material

• Thermogenesis - maintains the proper body temperature
• Vision - converts external images into optic nerve impulses

Kapha dosha

Kapha is the heaviest among all doshas. It provides the structures and the lubrication that the body needs. These qualities help functioning Vata's movement and Pitta's metabolism.

Kapha provides the following functions:

• Strength and power - to perform physical tasks
• Moistness & Lubrication - to prevent excessive friction from occurring between the various parts of the body
• Stability - to add the necessary grounding aspect to both mind and body
• Mass & Structure - to provide fullness to bodily tissues
• Fertility & Virility - to produce healthy offspring
  

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