Dosha

The three doshas and the five great elements they are composed from

A dosha (Bioelements), according to Ayurveda, is one of three bodily Bioelements that make up one's constitution. These teachings are also known as the Tridosha theory. The three bioelements are always fluctuating in the body. They are highly unstable and changes with day and night, and with food.

The central concept of Ayurvedic medicine is the theory that health exists when there is a balance between three fundamental bodily bio-elements or doshas called Vata, Pitta and Kapha.^[1]

• Vāta or Vata (airy element). It is characterised by properties of dry, cold, light, minute, and movement. All movement in the body is due to property of vata. Pain is the characteristic feature of deranged vata. Some of the diseases due to vata is windy humour, flatulence, gout, rheumatism, etc.^[2][3]
• Pitta is the fiery element or bile that secreted between the stomach and bowels and flowing through the liver and permeating spleen, heart, eyes, and skin; It is characterised by hotness, moist, liquid, sharp and sour, its chief quality is heat.^[4] It is the energy principle which uses bile to direct digestion and enhance metabolism. It is primarily characterised by body heat or burning sensation and redness
• Kapha is the watery element, it is characterised by heaviness, cold ,tenderness, softness, slowness, lubrication, and the carrier of nutrients. It is nourishing element of the body. All the soft organs are made by kapha, it plays an important role in taste perception, Joint nourishment and lubrication

5 types of vata dosha	5 types of pitta dosha	5 types of kapha dosha
Prana Vata - Governs inhalation, perception through the senses and governs the mind. Located in the brain, head, throat, heart and respiratory organs. Udana Vata - Governs speech, self expression, effort, enthusiasm, strength and vitality. Located in the navel, lungs and throat. Samana Vata - Governs peristaltic movement of the digestive system. Located in the stomach and small intestines. Apana Vata - Governs all downward impulses (urination, elimination, menstruation, sexual discharges etc.) Located between the navel and the anus. Vyana Vata - Governs circulation, heart rhythm, locomotion. Centred in the heart and permeates through the whole body.	Pachaka Pitta - Governs digestion of food which is broken down into nutrients and waste. Located in the lower stomach and small intestine. Ranjaka Pitta - Governs formation of red blood cells. Gives colour to blood and stools. Located in the liver, gallbladder and spleen. Alochaka Pitta - Governs visual perception. Located in the eyes. Sadhaka Pitta - Governs emotions such as contentment, memory, intelligence and digestion of thoughts. Located in the heart. Bharajaka Pitta - Governs lustre and complexion, temperature and pigmentation of the skin. Located in the skin.	Kledaka Kapha - Governs moistening and liquefying of the food in the initial stages of digestion. Located in the upper part of the stomach. Avalambhaka Kapha - Governs lubrication of the heart and lungs. Provides strength to the back, chest and heart. Located in the chest, heart and lungs. Tarpaka Kapha - Governs calmness, happiness and stability. Nourishment of sense and motor organs. Located in the head, sinuses and cerebrospinal fluid. Bodhaka Kapha - Governs perception of taste, lubricating and moistening of food. Located in the tongue, mouth and throat Shleshaka Kapha - Governs lubrication of all joints. Located in the joints.

Notes and references

1. Hari Ghotra, Ayurveda - The Three Doshas
2. Monier-Williams, Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Oxford, 1899
3. http://www.ayurvedacollege.com/articles/drhalpern/Vata_Doshas Vata Dosha
4. Monier-Williams, Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Oxford, 1899