Ayurveda is an ancient medical practice of India that is thousands of years old. This science is recognized worldwide as the knowledge of life and the comprehensive healthcare system. Dosha, the biological force represents the elements that are present in the universe in harmony with the human body. Ayurveda practice is based on the principle that body, mind, and spirit are interconnected doshas and they promote harmony inside and outside the body. To ensure the perfect harmony of these doshas the individual has to follow the food regimen and habits based on his Ayurvedic body type known as Prakruthi.
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The discipline of Ayurveda is based on the principle that the human body contains the same elements that exist in the outer universe. The life energies are called ‘Doshas’. Doshas play a vital role in promoting the health and well-being of the individual. This knowledge is important to knowing Ayurvedic doshas.
The concept of Pancha Maha Doshas and Tridosha is used in the process of diagnosis and treatment in Ayurveda. The third doshas are known as Vatha, Pittha and Kapha. Their components are the Pancha Maha Boothas in Sanskrit. The five elements that constitute the whole universe are earth, air, space, fire, and water. Air and space affect the air in the world and the Vatha of the body. Fire affects the Sun in the universe and the Pittha of the body. Likewise, water and earth affect the moon in the universe and kapha of the human body.
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The three doshas maintain and control the body functions and any disturbance in their normal functioning can cause illnesses. The physician can easily diagnose the disease from the symptoms such as Vridhi which denotes increase, Kshayam denoting decrease, and Prakopam represents the vitiation of doshas. Any imbalance in the three doshas causes disease and pain. Ayurveda is all about balancing these three doshas to maintain a healthy life. Ayurveda helps to keep the doshas balanced in an ideal way to build a high level of immunity and to restore the various systems of the body to normalcy. Knowing Ayurvedic doshas well is essential to diagnose the treat illnesses effectively.
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Vata is related to the body movements such as walking, running, and excretion. Pittha is related to digesting food, hunger and thirst, eye function, and the color of the body. Kapha relates to the strength of the muscles, joints, and body weight. The individual should take the right food in keeping with the body constitution or Prakruthi. Prakruthi is determined at birth and will remain unchanged all through the individual’s life. The six basic tastes are known as Shadruchis and they are sweet, salty, sour, astringent, spicy, and bitter.
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Basically, Ayurveda is the knowledge about the taste of each food and which dosha it controls. The remedy is then prescribed for the cure of that particular ailment through balancing the dosha. This is the main reason why knowing Ayurvedic doshas is of prime importance to diagnose and treat diseases. Ayurveda is the holistic way to promote the harmony between the external universe and the internal health of human beings by knowing the Ayurvedic doshas.