DOSHA PRAKRITI [BODY CONSTITUTION]

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1 DOSHA PRAKRITI [BODY CONSTITUTION] Doshaja prakriti is useful in understanding the entire makeup of an individual, what their strengths and weaknesses are, how they respond to different foods or environments, and how best to treat them. Prakriti stands for the prototype representing the basic formative distinction in each manifestation. It denotes a collection of unique attributes and, taking into account the surroundings, geographical location, etc. National Library of Ayurveda Medicine NLAM Education 1

2 TYPES OF PRAKRITI These can be classified as One-dosha combinations: VATA PITTA KAPHA Two-dosha combinations: VATA - PITTA PITTA - KAPHA VATA - KAPHA Three-dosha combination: VATA - PITTA - KAPHA (or Sama doshaja prakriti) Totaling 7 basic Doshaj Prakriti types. Doshaj prakriti has been described in detail in the Ayurveda literature of Charak, Sushrut and Vagbhat. We will evaluate the particulars of each Dosha on Physical and Mental levels to get a proper understanding of each Dosha. National Library of Ayurveda Medicine NLAM Education 2

3 PHYSICAL APPEARANCE TRAIT VATA PITTA KAPHA FACE / FOREHEAD Small, irregular Medium Large Attractive BODY WEIGHT Lean Average Hefty BODY STRUCTURE Tall Medium Short / Stocky SKIN Rough Tendency to darken Smooth, Copper colored, Acne/pimples Bright Smooth Attractive EYES Small Protruding, Scanty eyelashes Colored iris, Sharp eyelashes Large Attractive Eyes Thick Eyebrows NAILS Rough Dry Cracked Glossy Copper colored Long White Strong Smooth Thick TEETH Cracked Dull white Moderate, Yellow Plaque Large White Wtrong LIPS Dry Thin Discolored Dark tone Glossy Medium Copper colored Thick Full Glossy Smooth National Library of Ayurveda Medicine NLAM Education 3

4 HANDS Short Medium Long BODYHAIR Scanty Moderate Faint colored Plenty Thick Strong tone SCALP HAIR Rough Dry Breaking Scanty, baldness, Plenty greying Thick Glossy JOINTS Prominent Cracking noise Flabby Strong Well defined Compact ABDOMEN Thin Medium Large Obese CHEST Thin Ribs prominent Medium Muscular Strong TONGUE Dry Dark spots Thin Copper colored Clean Thick National Library of Ayurveda Medicine NLAM Education 4

5 PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS TRAIT VATA PITTA KAPHA BODY STRENGTH Weak Moderate Strong BLOOD VESSELS Prominent Reticulated Less prominent Greenish Deep seated Not visible easily BODY TEMPERATURE Cold Hot Less than normal Above normal Normal PULSE Quick Fast Volume is less Slow Voluminous BODY ODOR NONE Foul smell Oily VOICE Fast Irritating Sharp Commanding Soft Sweet Resonating PERSPIRATION Seldom Excessive Foul odor WALK Very quick Normal Swirling moves Normal Slow Steady PERFORMANCE OF ACTIVITY Quick acting Moderate Stagnant National Library of Ayurveda Medicine NLAM Education 5

6 METABOLISM TRAIT VATA PITTA KAPHA DIGESTIVE POWER Powerful Weak ABILITY TO BEAR HUNGER Poor Very good THIRST Very often Seldom QUANTITY OF FOOD Large / Small Heavy Normal GROUP OF TASTES DESIRED Sweet Sour Salty Sweet Bitter Astringent Pungent Astringent Bitter BOWEL MOVEMENTS Loose Regular Semi-solid stools Well formed National Library of Ayurveda Medicine NLAM Education 6

7 MENTAL CHARACTERISTICS TRAIT VAATA PITTA KAPHA POWER TO GRASP Very fast Quick Slow MEMORY Powerful Short term -Excellent Long term -Weak weak Long term -Good EMOTIONS Wavering Extreme Happiness or Sadness Angry Calm Attached SLEEP Interrupted Less Normal Excessive Deep DREAMS Flying Climbing Motion Violence Bodies of water Romance SEXUAL DESIRE Wavering Moderate Excessive Deep TALK SPEECH PATTERN Very fast, Stammering Missing words Sharp Provocative Slow Resonant Clear EXCITABILITY TEMPERAMENT Quick initiative Moderate Very slow Lethargic National Library of Ayurveda Medicine NLAM Education 7

8 ATTITUDE TO PROBLEMS / DIFFICULTIES Worrying Instability Angry Peaceful Provoked easilyslow Steady FOOD DESIRED Warm Cold Moderate HABITS / INTERESTS Travel Sports Politics Relaxing Bodies of water Flowers Nature BELIEFS MIND Radical Changing Quick Adaptable Goal oriented Leaders Fanatics Penetrating Critical Loyal Constant Followers Slow Lethargic National Library of Ayurveda Medicine NLAM Education 8

9 Most people will find that they have characterisitics from a couple of these categories. It is very rare to find an Eka prakrti a person with a predominance of only one dosha, like only Vata prakrti. Most individuals are a combination of two doshas i.e. Dwandvaja prakriti. They possess characteristics of two doshas, with different percentages in the combinations. A balanced constitution is ideal (and extremely rare), where the balanced state of all the three doshas neutralize the bad or unwanted qualities in each other and support and bring out the good qualities of the others. A person with all the three doshas in equal proportion is called Samadosha or Tridoshaja prakrti. The evaluation of an individual s Prakruti is very useful in helping him make correct choices with respect to food and lifestyle. Also, the Ayurveda practitioner can provide a more personalized health care solution to improve the individual s quality of life. National Library of Ayurveda Medicine NLAM Education 9