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Constitution and Health

Ayurveda also has some basic beliefs about the body's constitution. "Constitution" refers to a person's general health, how likely he is to become out of balance, and his ability to resist and recover from disease or other health problems. An overview of these beliefs follows.

The constitution is called the prakriti. The prakriti is thought to be a unique combination of physical and psychological characteristics and the way the body functions. It is influenced by such factors as digestion and how the body deals with waste products. The prakriti is believed to be unchanged over a person's lifetime.
Three qualities called doshas form important characteristics of the constitution, and control the activities of the body. Practitioners of Ayurveda call the doshas by their original Sanskrit names: vata, pitta, and kapha. It is also believed that:

Each dosha is made up of one or two of the five basic elements: space, air, fire, water, and earth.
Each dosha has a particular relationship to body functions and can be upset for different reasons.
A person has her own balance of the three doshas, although one dosha usually is prominent. Doshas are constantly being formed and reformed by food, activity, and bodily processes.
Each dosha is associated with a certain body type, a certain personality type, and a greater chance of certain types of health problems.
An imbalance in a dosha will produce symptoms that are related to that dosha and are different from symptoms of an imbalance in another dosha. Imbalances may be caused by an unhealthy lifestyle or diet; too much or too little mental and physical exertion; or not being properly protected from the weather, chemicals, or germs.

In summary, it is believed that a person's chances of developing certain types of diseases are related to the way doshas are balanced, the state of the physical body, and mental or lifestyle factors.

What is each dosha like?

Here are some important beliefs about the three doshas:

The vata dosha is thought to be a combination of the elements space and air. It is considered the most powerful dosha because it controls very basic body processes such as cell division, the heart, breathing, and the mind. Vata can be thrown out of balance by, for example, staying up late at night, eating dry fruit, or eating before the previous meal is digested. People with vata as their main dosha are thought to be especially susceptible to skin, neurological, and mental diseases.
The pitta dosha represents the elements fire and water. Pitta is said to control hormones and the digestive system. When pitta is out of balance, a person may experience negative emotions (such as hostility and jealousy) and have physical symptoms (such as heartburn within 2 or 3 hours of eating). Pitta is upset by, for example, eating spicy or sour food; being angry, tired, or fearful; or spending too much time in the sun. People with a predominantly pitta constitution are thought to be susceptible to heart disease and arthritis.
The kapha dosha combines the elements water and earth. Kapha is thought to help keep up strength and immunity and to control growth. An imbalance in the kapha dosha may cause nausea immediately after eating. Kapha is aggravated by, for example, sleeping during the daytime, eating too many sweet foods, eating after one is full, and eating and drinking foods and beverages with too much salt and water (especially in the springtime). Those with a predominant kapha dosha are thought to be vulnerable to diabetes, gallbladder problems, stomach ulcers, and respiratory illnesses such as asthma.

FEATURS OF AYURVEDA

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To pacify the vitiated Dosha, without disturbing the normal one.
To reverse the pathology and to get back the physiology of body.
To eliminate the Doshas which have exceeded more than a limit?
To bring back the harmony among different body parts after cure of a disease which was lost during the course of a disease.
When we are curing a disease, no other disease should be appearing in the due course of treatment i.e. there should be no side effect of any of the drug!

AYURVEDIC TREATMENTS

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Yuktivyapaashraya Chikitsa- “Yuktivyapaashraya” is a term of Sanskrit language meaning, planning a treatment by using different herbs, food items and different drinks like- Milk, Buttermilk and even water. Trough this type of Chikitsa (Sanskrit term for treatments) Doshas in side the body are controlled through different ways.
Devvyapaashraya Chikitsa- This type of treatment is to treat the problems with the soul parts of the body. In this type Ayurveda asks to do Yajyas (The holy rituals), offerings to the natural powers and reciting the chants.
Satvaavjayaa Chikitsa- Problems with the psyche part are treated through this. This is done by keeping mind away from the bad ideas, objects and thoughts and tending it towards healthy ideas, objects and thoughts. Proper Yoga practice helps in it.

AYURVEDA FOR YOU

What is each dosha like?

FEATURS OF AYURVEDA

AYURVEDIC TREATMENTS