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.