Doshas, Internal Elements, and Your Wellness Journey
As you may know, we are really big on balancing the internal elements. We can balance our life through observation of nature’s cycles. When we are in sync with nature, and ride the waves of the seasons, deep healing can occur almost spontaneously. The balancing act of therapeutic Ayurveda involves the body’s own internal elements as a point of measure when choosing which therapeutic actions to take.
Ayurveda and the elemental theory: All existence is made up of five elements and these elements have qualities that occur differently in each individual. The human body has three main body types called doshas: Vata (made up of the qualities of air and ether), Pitta (fire and water), and Kapha (water and earth). These doshas determine the personality, tendencies, and habits of an individual. Ayurveda says there are as many doshic mixes and as many possible imbalances as there are people. So while Ayurveda is a science of life, it is also a science for each individual, treating each person uniquely.
Exploring Dosha Profiles
VATA PROFILE
Body Structure
Slender Frame
Lightweight Bone Structure Dry, Rough or Dark Skin
Brown / Black Hair Coloring
Large, Crooked or Protruding Teeth
Dull, Dark Eyes
Small Thin Lips and Mouth
Vata Characteristics
Often Constipated
Little Perspiration
Sparse Urine (Although Frequent)
Poor Long -Term Memory
Good Short Term Memory
Anxious, Nervous, Tends to Depression
Sexually Excitable But Quickly Satiated
Talks And Walks Quickly
Dislike Cold Weather
Slight To variable Appetite
Highly Imaginative, Changeable Moods
Responds to Stress With Fear and Anxiety
Often Has Racing, Disjointed Thoughts
High Energy in Short Burst
Typical Health Concerns of a Vata & Herbs to Support
Hypertension, Dry Coughs, Sore Throats, Earaches, Anxiety, Irregular Heart Rhythms
Cayenne, Hawthorne, Cinnamon, Hops, Licorice, Pau d’Arco, Valerian, and Parsley are medicinal herbs that target the Cardiovascular system.
Muscle Spasms, Lower Back Pain, Constipation, Abdominal Gas, Diarrhea, Nervous Stomach, Menstrual Cramps
Celery, Ginger, Kava kava, Licorice, Meadowsweet, Scullcap, Oregano, and Wild Yam are medicinal herbs that target the muscles.
Premature Ejaculation and Other Sexual Dysfunctions
Alfalfa, Ashwagandha, Damiana, Dong Quai, Gotu Kola, Saw Palmetto, and Yohimbe are medicinal herbs that target the reproductive system & sexual hormones/functions.
Arthritis & Most Neurological Disorders are related to Vata Imbalance
Boswelia, Cayenne, Celery, Dandelion, Flax, Garlic, Olive Leaf, Red Raspberry, St. John’s Wort, Sarsaparilla, Oregano, and Yucca are medicinal herbs that target the bones & joints.
PITTA PROFILE
Body Structure
Slender Frame
Medium Height and Build
Fair To Reddish Complexion and Hair Color
Small Yellowish Teeth, Soft Gums
Green / Grayish-eyes
Average Size Mouth
Pitta Characteristics
Sharp Mind, Good Concentration Powers
Light Sleeper, Perspires a Lot
Intelligent, Orderly, Focused
Assertive, Self-Confident, Clear Memory
Competitive, Enjoy Challenges
Ambitious, Likes to Be In Control
Generally good Management, Leadership Ability
But can Become Authoritarian
Sexually Passionate, Romantic
Love Luxury, Possessions
Strong Digestion, Strong Appetite
Craving For Sweet, Bitter and Astringent
Tastes and Enjoys cold Drinks
Under Stress Becomes Irritated and Angry
Good Public Speakers
Uncomfortable in Sun or Hot Weather
Can Be Stubborn, Pushy, Opinionated
Typical Health Concerns of a Pitta & Herbs to Support
Rashes, Or Inflammation of The Skin, Acne, Boils Skin Cancer, Ulcers
Acerola, aloe, borage, calendula, chickweed, cranberry, green tea, Irish moss, lavender, marshmallow, milk thistle, oat straw, primrose, red clover, tea tree, white oak, witch hazel, and yellow dock are medicinal herbs that target the skin.
Heartburn, Acid Stomach, Hot Sensations In the Stomach or Intestines
Black walnut, burdock, cascara sagrada, cayenne, chamomile, clove, dandelion, fennel, ginger, ginseng, goldenseal, lemongrass, olive leaf, papaya, parsley, pau d’Arco, plantain, red clover, rosemary, sage, slippery elm, thyme, turmeric, valerian, wild cherry, wormwood, and yerba mate’ are medicinal herbs that target the gastrointestinal/digestive systems.
Insomnia, Bloodshot or Burning Eyes and Other Vision Problems, Anemia, Jaundice.
Bayberry, Bilberry, carrots, eyebright, goldenseal, mullein, gingko biloba, calendula, fennel, and leafy greens are medicinal herbs that target ocular health.
KAPHA PROFILE
Body Structure
Large Frame
Tends To Be Overweight
Thick and Pale-Colored Oily Skin
Strong White Teeth
Blue Eyes
Full Lips / Large Mouth
Kapha Characteristics
Easygoing, Relaxed, Slow-Paced
Slow Moving and Graceful
Slow Speech, Deliberate Thought Process
Tends Toward being Overweight
Requires Deep Sleep
Steady Appetite, Heavy Sweating
Strong Resistance to Disease
Business Oriented, Good Memory
Not Easily Upset, Brings stability For Others
Slower to Learn, But Never Forgets
Prone To Heavy, Oppressive Depression
Dislikes Cold and Damp Weather
Loves Good Food
Enjoys Familiar Surroundings
Affectionate and Loving
Sexually Slow To Be Aroused, But has Excellent Endurance
Typical Health Concerns of a Kapha & Herbs to Support
Colds Congestion, Sinus Headaches
Astragalus, burdock, cedar, echinacea, elder, garlic, goldenseal, licorice, maca, pau d’Arco, suma, white willow, oregano, and yerba mate’ are medicinal herbs that target the immune system.
Respiratory Problems Including Asthma and Wheezing, Hay Fever, Allergies
Anise, astragalus, boneset, boswelia, catnip, cayenne, elder, eucalyptus, fenugreek, feverfew, horehound, Irish moss, juniper, licorice, mullein, mustard, nettle, parsley, pleurisy, red clover, and yellow dock are medicinal herbs that target the respiratory system.
Atherosclerosis (Hardening of the Arteries)
Cayenne, chickweed, hawthorn berries, garlic, gingko biloba, grapeseed, green tea and alfalfa are medicinal herbs that specifically target arterio/atherosclerosis.
*To learn more about each Internal Element click here.
