Doshas

Have you ever wondered why a treatment worked so well for a friend, but did nothing for you? Why some herbs or medications alleviate symptoms for some people, but not for others? Why particular lifestyle changes can be a miracle in certain cases, but cause harm in others? 

Naturally, the answer lies in interindividual variation. We all know that everyone’s genetic makeup, upbringing, diet, lifestyle, and experiences have all been different from each other, so why wouldn’t responses to treatment also vary? In fact, they would, and they do. This is what distinguishes Ayurvedic medicine from many modern forms of medicine. It places great significance on personalization, catering every single aspect of a treatment specifically for each individual. 

In order to accomplish this, Ayurveda relies on an individual’s constitution or unique body type, which is largely determined by genetics. An individual’s constitution is composed of varying proportions of three biological elements – vāta, pitta, and kapha – collectively termed the doshas. The doshas are the three principles in Ayurvedic philosophy that govern both psychophysiological responses and pathological changes in the body. Every person possesses differing ratios of these three entities, and the balance amongst them informs appearance, personality traits, emotional proclivities, and even medical tendencies.