Dosha Types
Prakruti vs. Dosha
There are three dosha types in Ayurveda: vata, pitta and kapha. The word “dosha” doesn’t have a perfect translation; however, when most people think of what their dosha is, they are thinking of their Prakruti. In Ayurveda, Prakruti refers to your individual inherent nature or constitution that determines your physical, physiological and mental character as well as disease vulnerability. Prakruti is often referred to as your “dosha” or as your “mind/body type.”
Your Prakruti is genetically determined and remains unaltered during our lifetime. Your Prakruti is the unique combination of the 3 doshas of Vata, Pitta and Kapha that were present in your body at the time of your birth. The doshas are the primary life forces in the body and each of us possesses all 3 dosha in our physical and psychological makeup.
Dosha Types
There are 10 different Prakruti combinations or dosha types. Roughly 75% of people are dual-doshic, 20% are mono-doshic, and 5% are tri-doshic.
Vata
Pitta
Kapha
Vata/Pitta
Pitta/Vata
Vata/Kapha
Kapha/Vata
Pitta/Kapha
Kapha/Pitta
Vata/Pitta/Kapha.
Vata
Elements: air & ether (space)
Taste: sweet, salty & sour
Qualities: dry, light, cold, rough, subtle, mobile, clear
Locations: colon, pelvis, thighs, ears, bones, skin, head, throat, and diaphragm
Functions: all physical movement; movement of thoughts, feelings and nerve impulses; communication; respiration; heart function; peristalsis; elimination; hearing; touch; clarity; creativity; enthusiasm
Causes for Provocation: over eating; staying up late at night; talking too much; excessive physical work or exercise; eating too much pungent, bitter, astringent foods; worrying and excess thinking; frequent fasting; eating cold foods; fall/autumn season; suppression of natural urges
Pitta
Elements: fire & water
Taste: sweet, bitter & astringent
Qualities: oily, sharp, hot, light, liquid
Locations: bellybutton, sweat glands, blood, eyes, skin, intestine, liver, gallbladder, spleen, gray matter of brain
Functions: metabolism; digestion, absorption & assimilation; body temperature; appetite; thirst; taste; color and luster of skin, eyes and hair; eyes & visual perception; intelligence; courage; ambition; discrimination and reasoning; sensitivity and reactivity; bravery; transformation; controls digestive and endocrine systems
Causes for Provocation: pungent, acidic/sour & salty foods; hot food; spicy foods; alcohol; tobacco; heat & sun exposure; anger; strenuous work; eating before previous meal is digested; summer and late spring
Kapha
Elements: water & earth
Taste: pungent, bitter & astringent
Qualities: oily, heavy, slow/dull, cold, liquid, slimy/smooth, dense, soft, static
Locations: lungs, stomach, pancreas, white matter of brain, cerebrospinal fluid, nose, tongue, chest, fat tissue
Functions: groundedness; lubrication; nourishment; growth; electrolyte balance; fat regulation; memory retention; strength & stamina; contentment; forgiveness; resilience; support & stability; sleep; repair & regeneration; compassion; taste and olfactory (smell) perception; immunity
Causes for Provocation: sleeping during the day; eating sweet, salty & sour foods, cold, oily, sticky foods; meats & fish; dairy; overeating; winter & early spring
Schedule an Ayurvedic Consultation with us to determine your dosha and receive a comprehensive list of Ayurvedic recommendations.