Doshas
Doshas (pronunciation: /ˈdoʊʃəz/; etymology: from Sanskrit doṣa, meaning "fault" or "disease") are fundamental concepts in Ayurveda, a system of traditional medicine native to India. The three Doshas — Vata, Pitta, and Kapha — are believed to be the three primary forces that govern the function and structure of the body.
Overview
In Ayurveda, Doshas are seen as the biological energies that derive from the five elements of nature: Ether, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. Each Dosha is a combination of two of these elements and is responsible for specific physiological functions in the body.
- Vata (pronunciation: /ˈvɑːtə/; etymology: from Sanskrit vāta, meaning "wind") is a combination of Ether and Air. It governs movement in the body, including the flow of breath, circulation of blood, and elimination of waste.
- Pitta (pronunciation: /ˈpɪtə/; etymology: from Sanskrit pitta, meaning "bile") is a combination of Fire and Water. It governs digestion and metabolism, including the transformation of food into nutrients and the regulation of body temperature.
- Kapha (pronunciation: /ˈkɑːfə/; etymology: from Sanskrit kapha, meaning "phlegm") is a combination of Water and Earth. It governs structure and stability in the body, including the formation of cells and tissues and the lubrication of joints.
Balance and Imbalance
According to Ayurveda, health is a state of balance among the Doshas, while disease is a state of imbalance. Imbalances can be caused by various factors, including diet, lifestyle, stress, and environmental conditions. Ayurvedic practitioners use a variety of methods, such as dietary changes, herbal remedies, and yoga practices, to restore balance and promote health.
Related Terms
- Prakriti: The inherent constitution of an individual, determined by the predominance of one or more Doshas.
- Vikriti: The current state of the Doshas in an individual, which may be in balance (same as Prakriti) or imbalance (different from Prakriti).
- Agni: The digestive fire, governed by Pitta, that transforms food into nutrients.
- Ama: The toxic residue of undigested food, which can cause disease if not eliminated from the body.
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