Vata

Types of vata dosha

There are five types of vata dosha and they are Prana vata, Vyana vata, Udana vata, Samana vata, and Apana vata.

Prana vata: It is in murdha (head), ura (thorax), kantha (throat), jihwa (tongue), asya (mouth), nasika (nose), and its functions are stheevana (spitting out), shwasa (respiration), udgara (belchings), kshavathu (sneezing), etc.
Vyana vata: This resides in the whole body of a person. Gati (movement), Prasarana and Akunchana (extension and flexion movements), Utkshepa and Akshepa (upward and downward movements), Unmesha and nimesha (opening and closure of eyelids), etc.
Udana vata: This type of vata is situated in nabhi (umbilicus), ura (thorax), and kantha (throat). It provides urja (energy), bala (strength), varna (complexion), etc.
Samana vata: This is situated near the digestive system and helps in the functioning of the digestion process.
Apana vata: It is in the basti (urinary bladder), medhra (penis), nabhi (umbilicus) vankshana (inguinal region), guda (rectum and anal canal). Excretion of urine and feces, ejaculation of semen, menstruation, delivery of fetus, etc. are its functions in the body.

Diseases caused due to vata dosha:

Pakshavadha (paraplegia), nidranasha (insomnia), vepathu (tremors), gridhrasi (sciatica), Ardita (facial paralysis), nakhabheda (cracks in the nail), pindikodveshtana (cramps in calf muscles), etc.

Treatment for Vata Dosha

The diet for vata dosha should be of the food possessing sweet, sour, and salt taste. Basti (enema therapy) is the prime treatment modality to treat morbid vata dosha. Abhyanga (oleation therapy), swedana (sudation therapy) are also advisable.Vata dosha is responsible for all the vital functions in the body, the formation of Garbha, regulates the other dosha and dhatu, can circulate through the most minute channels in the body, controls all the mental functions, sensory and motor functions, etc. Five types of vata dosha have different locations and carry out various functions in the body. Eighty number of diseases are caused by vata dosha alone. Varsha rutu is the period during which there is aggravation of vata dosha occurring and hence the regimen should be to pacify the morbidity of vata dosha. Basti is the main therapy to treat the diseases caused by the vata dosha.

Pitta:

 

Types of pitta dosha

Pachaka pitta: This type of pitta is situated between the stomach and large intestine. It provides strength and support to other types of pitta.
Ranjaka pitta: It resides in the liver, spleen, lower part of the stomach, and duodenum.
Sadhaka pitta: It is in the heart and brain. It helps in the perception of tactile, auditory, and olfactory sensations. it is also responsible for intellect and decision-making.
Alochaka pitta: It is present in the eyes and helps in the perception of vision.
Bhrajaka pitta: It is situated in the skin and helps in the complexion and luster of the skin, maintains the body temperature, it helps in the absorption of the medicaments delivered through massage, external applications like pastes, powders, oil, ointments, etc.

Diseases caused due to pitta dosha:

Pitta dosha can cause 40 diseases independently. To mention a few are, Kamala (jaundice), Raktapitta (bleeding disorders), Daha (burning sensation), Asyavipaka (stomatitis), Antardaha (internal burning), Atisweda (excess perspiration), Galapaka (inflammation and ulceration of throat), Gudapaka (inflammation and ulcers in the anal canal), etc.

Pitta Dosha Treatment

The food items possessing sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes are advised, milk, and ghee, staying in cool places, applying pastes of herbs that give a cooling effect on both the body and mind like camphor, sandalwood, etc. visiting the ponds, lakes, rivers also give soothing effect. Virechana (purgation therapy) is the first line of treatment for Pitta dosha. Abhyanga (massage), swedana (sudation) are also administered with the drugs pacifying Pitta dosha.
Pitta dosha is the one responsible for burning sensation, heat production, and acquiring the eight siddhis. Agni mahabhuta constitutes pitta dosha predominantly. A sour taste is present in the improper formed pitta dosha while properly formed pitta dosha has a pungent taste. Eyes, skin, region between the stomach and the large intestine, sweat, blood, and its components are some of the sites where the pitta is located. Pitta dosha is classified into five types namely Pachaka pitta, Ranjaka pitta, Sadhaka pitta, Alochaka pitta, and Bhrajaka pitta. Independently pitta dosha can produce 40 diseases in number. Sharad rutu is the season when pitta dosha is vitiated at its peak. Virechana (purgation therapy) is an important treatment for vitiated pitta dosha, external applications of drugs that produce cooling effects on the body and mind can be advised.

Kapha :

 

Types of kapha dosha

There are five types of kapha dosha explained in Ayurveda. Avalambaka kapha, Tarpaka kapha, Bodhaka kapha, Shleshaka kapha, Kledaka kapha.

Avalambaka: It is situated in the ura pradesha (chest region), trika pradesha (a point where three structures meet, and here it is the midpoint between the two eyebrows), and supports the other types of Kapha by providing nourishment.
Tarpaka kapha: It resides in the shira (head) and regulates the functions of sense organs.
Bodhaka kapha: It is located at the root of the tongue and throat and is helpful in the perception of the taste.
Shleshaka kapha: This is present in the joints, maintains the integrity of the joints, and carries out all the functions.
Kledaka kapha: This type of Kapha is in the amashaya (stomach) and hence aids in the proper mixing of the food and softens the food particles for easy digestion.

Diseases caused due to Kapha dosha:

Kapha dosha gets vitiated by excess intake of Madhura (sweet), Amla (sour), and Lavana (salt) food, oily, deep fried, excess day sleeping, lack of physical activities, etc. It can cause 20 diseases independently. To mention some of them are: Madhurasyata (sweet coating of the mouth), Atisthaulya (obesity), Nidradhikya (excess sleep), Agnisada (impaired digestion), Galaganda (goiter), Mukhasrava (excess salivation), Tandra (stupor), Alasya (laziness), Udarda (urticarial rashes), kanthopalepa (coating in the throat), etc.

Treatment for kapha dosha

A diet that is light for digestion, food that has bitter, pungent, and astringent tastes, hot, physical exercise, and avoiding day sleep are some of the lifestyle modifications to be done. Vaman (emesis therapy) is the best treatment for any kaphaj vyadhi (disease of Kapha dosha). Udwarthana (powder massage with oil), Udgharshana (powder massage without oil), sudation therapy, etc. some of the other treatments advised.
Kapha dosha is responsible for the growth and maintaining stability of the body. The main site of Kapha dosha is the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract. Heaviness, firmness, unctuousness, and sluggishness are some of the qualities. The childhood phase of life is predominant with kapha dosha. The bitter, pungent, and astringent tastes subside the morbid kapha dosha. The five types help in proper digestion, maintaining the integrity of joints, functioning of sense organs, and perceiving the taste of food. Jala and Prithvi are the two Mahabhuta predominant in the Kapha dosha and hence also reside in the tongue and nose in the body. Kapha dosha can cause 20 diseases independently as per the classics of Ayurveda. Vasant rutu is the ideal season for Vaman since the kapha dosha is increased and helps in treating the disorders caused by kapha dosha.