Concept of Tridosha (Science of three bio- energies)

Overview :-

• What does dosha mean?
• How does dosha form?
• What are the functions of dosha?
• Pathology of tridosha & its Management.
• What is Circadian rhythm of tridosha?

1.Vata dosha

2.Pitta dosha

3.Kapha dosha

Dosha (bio-energies) are structural and functional unit of body.The body is made from five basic  elements that is Panchamahabhuta.

Prithvi-Earth

Aap – Water

Tej- fire

Vayu- Air

Aakash -Ether  which are expressed as tridosha

{Vatta-Air+Ether} ,{Pitta-Water +Fiver }, Kapha{Water+Earth}

This relations  of dosha with Panchamahabhuta(basic elements) gives idea about its nature, qualities .

General functions of tridosha–

Vata: all types of movements taking place in the body.

Pitta: it coordinates digestion, transformation and change.

Kapha: It functions as union, stability strength.

          Dosha is responsible for Creation of physical growth. Dosha are not eliminated out of the body as like waste products. They are in the body since birth of individual takes place.One dosha predominates other. Dosha are responsible to decide body constitution type(Prakriti).

When dosha are in balanced condition they carry out all prominent body functions as well as maintain health.When dosha get disturbed they attack body tissues so, leads disease.The elements which get spoiled due to vitiated dosha called as dushya(victims). Knowledge of Tridosha is very fundamental to study physiology of an individual.    In pathological activity, we consider hyper and hypo state of  dosha. Hypo and hyper state may be at 3 level.

1.by properties .2. by functions. 3.by substances

Based on principle of homologous and heterogeneous pathology of tridosha can be treated.

Tridosha increases or decreases according to age ,day and night, stages of digestion of food and seasons. In this condition it doesn’t cause for any diseases. This is called as Circadian rhythm. In childhood Kapha properties and activities are dominant. Pitta is dominant in middle age Whereas Vata is dominant in old age.

Healthy and unhealthy state of human being depends upon on normal or abnormal condition.  Importance of tridosha is noteworthy, as they are main cause for the formation of prakriti as well as formation disease. No sooner any person consumes diet or follows irregular diet, lifestyle than they get disturbed and spoil the other body tissues.

Kapha dosha is formed as byproduct from metabolism from Rasa dhatu{lymph, lymphatic fluid}. Pitta is byproduct at time of metabolism of Rakta{blood}dhatu. Whereas the energy received from body is Vata dosha.

                      VATA DOSHA

 An element in the body which is responsible for any sort of movement is called as Vata Dosha. Vata has special importance among tridoshas.

In human body , Pitta, Kapha, tissues, and wastes are handicapped for doing their activities independently.Each and every action needs stimulation of vata dosha . We can observe same thing in nature  movement of clouds ,sea waves , shifting of sands, of sands, tree leaves, and even earthquakes are due to principle of propulsion.

Vata dosha is invisible but it can be experienced from the functions. Dry, light, cold ,rough, subtle, mobility,union,clear these are properties of vata.

To keep balance in vata dosha above said properties should remain in balanced state. But if a person follows the diet or activities, similar to properties in excess, then as per the principle of homologous and heterologous, vata dosha provocation can take place, for example if somebody eat too much substances like popcorn toast sandwich, salads. vata dosha gets aggregated. similarly too much mobile activities can disturb mobile and light activities, this type of vata can create symptoms like fatigue, giddiness, weakness.

Hyper state of vata:-

weight loss, black discoloration, desire for warm things,tremor,bulging of abdomen, constipation, improper functioning of organs, delirium or irrelevant talk,giddiness,weak mind.

Hypo state of vata:-  

less desire to talk, lacking in stimulation .

General principle of treatment :-

 In hyper or hypo activity of vata, One should follow diet, behavior, medications opposite to the qualities of  vata properties . It should be antagonists nature to vata properties. Eg: use of milk ghee, oil nourishing food, physical and mental rest, oil applications medicines like Shatavari kalp, medicinal wine prepared from sida Cardiofolia .  

   Union of physical body senses, mind and soul can be maintained due to vata only. therefore maintenance of quality of vata dosha depends on physiological status of vata. Vata is responsible for feeding air, food and water to keeping body strengths.

                    PITTA DOSHA

 After consuming food from universe it should be transformed in to useful form, with the help of metabolic activity, This transformation, suggestion, and metabolism is done by pitta dosha.

Pitta is  substance with specific properties and function.Agni is energy residing in pitta. Properties of pitta are  oily, sharp, penetrating, light, unpleasant smell, liquid.

Common functions of pitta are Digestion or transformation, heat,Vision,hunger,thirst,taste,luster and complexion of skin,. Grasping and understanding capacity, braveness, courage, Normal metabolism. Different glands in the gastrointestinal tract which secrets digestive juice are medium of pitta flow.

Common site of pitta:- Abdominal Part around umbilicus Stomach, serum, blood,Skin,In the eyes.

Hyper state of pitta:–

 yellows colored in in stool,urine,yellow eyes and skin excessive hunger (polyphagia)excessive thirst polydipsia burning sensation, insomnia.

 Hypo state of pitta:- Low digestive fire cold, brightening and glorification function becomes low

 Principle treatment of pitta:-

 One should follow diet ,behaviour,medicines antagonistic to properties of pitta. cooling, soothing measures are expected. Milk, sugar, ghee, mung dal, cold drinks adequate sleep mental rest and medicines like Shatavari, mental rest,  coral and rose petals jam should be given.

Details about subtypes of pitta given in table below:-

                          KAPHA DOSHA

  Protection of all organs against tear and wear nearby maintaining molecular union and to provide stability ,to stimulate growth is function of Kapha. Due to anabolic activity body is preserved from ageing. Kapha is soft, cool, stable nature . Properties of Kapha are oiliness/unctuousness, cold, heavy, slow, slimy, sticky stable,. Common functions of kapha are to give stability to bony joints , oiliness, healing function ,replacement, strength.

Common area of Kapha are chest ,throat, head, pancreas, bony joints fat, nose, tongue.

 Hyper state of Kapha :- Weak digestive , Excess Salivation,Lethargy,heaviness in the body, Whitish color, paleness, laxity, flabbiness breathlessness, cough, excessive sleep

Hypo state of Kapha :-

 Giddiness, hollowness, palpitation

Principle of treatment :-

In hyper state one should follow diet, behaviors and medication, opposite to the  qualities of Kapha.  for example, adequate exercise, no fatty food, noise of ginger, garlic spices, churna, higvashtaka churna, bhallatak, asara,triphala,guvgulu.

The detail about subtypes of Kapha given below:-

 Hence, to maintain health, by keeping balanced condition of tridosha, we must know above details the properties and function of tridosha.

Contributor- Medico Hrishikesh Govind