Doshas are the Natural Earth Elements that make up an Individual Body - ether, air. water,
earth and fire.
A characteristic feature of Ayurveda is that it considers the individual as a
whole, rather than just the disease. Treatment is fine-tuned by fine tuning the imbalances
so the original prakriti or natural form is restored to its original form. The
doctor takes into consideration the individual's natural constitution, susceptibility to
diseases, mental make up, lifestyle and other factors.
It all starts
with the ved (doctor) understanding the prakriti (nature) or constitution of
the person. Pakriti means "natural form" or
"original form" or "original source". Disease occurs when there
is a change in this original form at the psychological or physiological level.
Ayurveda
lays emphasis on examining the prakriti or the natural state of an individual first. The
disease vikruthi is examined later. While the expert in modern medicine analyses the
disease, the Ayurvedic expert is also interested in the individual who is suffering from
the disease.
The disease
or the imbalances are corrected by giving the correct doses of not medicine but nutrition
(every food has specific energy and vibrations and complementary foods are recommended),
lifestyle, meditation and if necessary herbs and medicine to correct the imbalance.

Alexandra Ramanova |
~ Vata/Air person
is described as quick, dry, moving, cold -Its natural imbalances are prone to
lead to chills, wind in the colon, cramps, spasms
~ Pitta/Fire person
is described as sharp, fiery, hot, moist - Its natural imbalances are prone to
lead to inflammation, fever, heartburn, hot flashes
~ Kapha/Earth and water person
is described as steady, soft, slow, heavy, sweet natured -Its natural imbalances are
prone to lead to congestion, mucus, heaviness, fluid, retention, oversleeping |
|
Food for Vatas/Air element -
- almonds, coconut, eggs, fish, meat, peanuts, pine nuts. - - -Sesame seeds, pistachio
- beets, sweet potatoes
- figs, mango, honeydew melons cumin, urad beans, kidney - - -beans wheat, rye,
oats, rice
Food
for Pitta/Fire element -
- butter, buttermilk, coconut(fresh), ice-cream, panir, flaxseeds
- bitter melon, cucumber, radishes, spinach, squash, zucchini, pumpkin
- grapefruit, lime, lychee, oranges, peaches, pomegranate,
- wheat, rice oats, millet
Food
for Kapha/Water and Earth element -
- walnuts, dates, honey
- lentils, gram, dried peas,
- Eggplant, fenugreek leaves, kohlrabi, mint, mustard greens, onions
- sour grapefruit, grapes
- black pepper, anise, cinnamon, ginger powder, pickles, red pepper, fenugreek
- barley, corn, millet buckwheat, rye
- salt, tea, coffee
Tri dosha -
cows milk, mung beans, sun ripe tomatoes (not over or under ripe), turnips
© Kavita
Mehta 1995-2002
A book that I
would recommend for learning Ayurveda is Perfect Health :
The Complete Mind/Body Program for Identifying & Soothing the Source of Your Body's
Reaction
by Dr. Deepak Chopra
Perfect Health by
Dr. Deepak Chopra
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