| A characteristic feature of Ayurvedic
medicinal systems is that they consider
the individual as a whole, rather than
just the disease. Diet and Treatment is
fine-tuned, taking into consideration
the individual’s Prakruti(constitution),
susceptibility to the disease, mental
make-up, lifestyle and other factors.
This has been refined to a very high degree
in Ayurveda, with its powerful concept
of ‘Prakruti’.
The word ‘Prakruti’ means
‘nature’ or natural form
of the build and constitution of the
human body. ‘Pra’ means
the ‘beginning’, ‘commencement’
of the human body. The term constitution
is broadly named as ‘Prakruti’,
and we can interpret this term with
different meanings, viz: inherent property,
temperament or constitution.
According to Ayurveda, from the moment
of conception, the person attains an
individual prakruti (constitution).
Some are equilibrated as regards the
three doshas, some have predominance
of Vata, some of Pitta and some of Kapha.
This very statement clearly indicates
that human beings fall into four Prakrutis(four
types of constitutions).
Prakruti(constitution) of an individual
can be:
VATA DOSHA
The main seat of Vata is lower abdomen
below the umbilicus. It is responsible
for all movements in the body.
Vata is responsible for enthusiasm,
breathing(inspiration and expiration),
all movements and actions (talking,
walking and body movements, activities
of the sense organs). Vata circulates
throughout the body, and helps in transportation
of its supporting Dhatus(elements) such
as the rasa(fluids), rakta(blood), etc.
Vata creates normal vibration of natural
urges like, excretion of urine, faeces,
hunger, thirst, flatus, sneeze, sleep,
yawn, belch, etc.
PITTA DOSHA
Pitta is situated mainly in the upper
abdomen, above the umbilicus and below
the thorax. It is responsible for digestion
and metabolism.
Pitta gives vision(as opposed to perception
which is due to vata), hunger, thirst,
taste perception, digestion, heat-production,
softness and suppleness of the body,
luster, cheerfulness and intelligence.
KAPHA DOSHA
Kapha's Main seat is chest region(thorax).
Kapha is responsible for strength, stability,
tolerance and immunity.
Kapha maintains integrity and smoothness
of joints, general stability of the
body and build, potency and strength,
forbearance, courage and lack of greed.
BALANCED CONSTITUTION (SAMA PRAKRUTI)
A Person is considered to have equilibrated Dosha.
How do you know your dosha (prakruti)?
Prakruti of an individual can be determined
by a self test filled out by the patient.
You may look at the chart given below
to know your constitution (prakruti).
| Determination
Of Prakruti (Body Constitution) |
| |
Vata Prakruti |
Pitta Prakruti |
Kapha Prakruti |
Your Comment |
| Body |
Thin, lean,
slender, under developed, protruding
bones |
Medium built
, good looking and delicately
shaped |
Short, stout and well formed muscular
body, strong joints. |
|
| |
Dry body |
Dry body |
Greasy and glossy body |
|
| |
Less sweating |
Excessive sweating |
Profuse sweating |
|
| |
Lanky,
tall and loose limbs |
Joints,
muscles and limbs are soft and
loose |
Compact,
firm and full grown limbs |
|
| |
Sluggish and
numb feeling over limbs |
Active and warm
feeling over limbs |
Steady limbs |
|
| |
Weak, unsteady,
asthenic or hypoasthenic. |
Weak,
unsteady, sthenic or asthenic |
Strong,
hyposthenic or sthenic. |
|
| |
Prominent veins
and tendons. |
Less prominent
veins and tendons. |
Well covered
veins and tendons. |
|
| |
Pathetic and
irritable countenance. |
Assertive and
irritable countenance |
Handsome and
calm countenance. |
|
| |
Unstable,
hasty and quick movement, Unstable
gait |
Unstable
movement and agitated gait |
Stable
movement and majestic gait |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Skin (color may differ according
to race or the country of origin) |
1.
Dry, cracked and cold.
2. Grey or earthy color.
3. Wrinkled
4. Lack of body odor
|
1.
Dry and warm.
2. Yellowish or pinkish color.
3. Wrinkled
4. Pungent odor
|
1. Smooth, moist,
oily and cold.
2. Whitish pallor color
3. Non wrinkled or glossy
4. Fragrant odor.
5. Oily skin, congestion and blackheads
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| Head |
Unsteady |
Unsteady |
Steady |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Hair(color
may differ according to race or
the country of origin) |
1.
Thin and semi-bald
2. Dry and rough
3. Dusky
4. Lots of splits and cracked
|
1. Thin and bald
2. Rough
3. Brownish
4. Ruly and straight
|
1. Thick and firm
2. Oily
3. Black
4. Ruly and curly
|
|
| Forehead |
Narrow |
Medium |
Broad |
|
| Nails |
Thin,
dry, brittle and irregularly oblong |
Thin, smooth,
pinkish with streaks of pigmentation
and regularly oblong |
Thick,
smooth, shinny, regular, blunt
and square |
|
| Eyebrows |
Not
regular, either too long or too
short |
Not regular |
Regular |
|
| Eyes |
1.
Unsteady, rolling and dusky.
2. Narrow & slit-like.
3. Dry and gritty
4. very short falling lashes
|
1.
Unsteady & red streaked.
2. Medium
3. burning
4. Short and falling lashes
|
1. Steady and white.
2. Wide
3. Clear and moist.
4. Long lashes
|
|
| Face |
Sharp features and
masked appearance. |
Sharp features and warm looks |
Thick features and
calm looks |
|
Lips |
1.
Black
2. Dry, cracked, thin and flickering.
|
1.
Pink
2. Dry and thin formed.
|
1.
White
2. Moist, thick and well
|
|
Jaws |
Irregular
and unsteady |
Irregular and
unsteady |
Regular
steady and fixed |
|
Teeth
and gums |
1.
Dry, thin, irregular, cracked
teeth.
2. Tingling and blackish gums.
|
1. Yellowish
and irregular teeth.
2. Bleeding and spongy gums.
|
1.
White and regular teeth.
2. Pinkish and healthy gums
|
|
Tongue |
Unsteady,
dry prominent granules. |
Unsteady, coated,
pink and glabrous. |
Steady,
clean, moist and smooth. |
|
Diet
habits and status of digestion |
1. Fond of hot
oily dishes.
2. Irregular diet habits and likes.
3. Capricious appetite and thirst.
4. Likes light, warm, sweet, and
sour drinks.
5. Very poor and slow digestion. |
1. Dislikes
hot and oily food.
2. Irregular diet and habits and
likes.
3. Excessive appetite and thirst.
4. Likes sumptuous, astringent
food and drinks.
5. Quick digestion.
|
1. Not so fond
of hot and oily food.
2. Regular eating habits and likes.
3. Normal appetite and thirst.
4. Likes hot, bitter, sour, astringent
foods and drinks.
5. Low digestive fire. |
|
Excretions |
1.
Constipated bowel.
2. Dry and hard stools.
3. Small amount of sweat.
4. Less amount of urine.
|
1.
Quick motions.
2. Loose stools.
3. Excessive sweating.
4. Excessive urination.
|
1.
Normal steady evacuation.
2. Ordinary bowel movements.
3. Profuse sweating.
4. Excessive urination.
|
|
Performance
of activities |
Quick
with a lot of initiative |
Moderately medium
initiation |
Very
slowly |
|
Excitability |
Quickly |
Very quickly |
Slowly |
|
Power
to grasp |
Very
fast |
Quick |
Slow |
|
Memory |
Very
Short |
Medium |
Long |
|
Digestive
power |
Irregular |
Very
powerful |
Weak |
|
Ability
to bear |
Sometimes
good |
Poor |
Very
good |
|
Hunger |
Sometimes
poor |
|
|
|
Quantity
of food |
Sometimes
large
Sometimes poor
|
Always
large |
Normal |
|
Groups
of tastes desired |
Sweet
Salt
Sour
|
Sweet
Bitter
Astringent
|
Pungent
Astringent
Bitter
|
|
Thirst |
Irregular |
Very often |
Seldom |
|
Foods
desired |
Warm
foods |
Cold foods |
Warm
and dry foods |
|
Bowel
movements |
Irregular |
Loose
stools |
Regular
well formed stools |
|
Perspiration |
Seldom |
Very easily
with foul body odor |
Normal |
|
Sexual
desire/potency |
Less
Lacks sexual desire.
|
Moderate
Not liked by women.
|
Abundant
Potent and romantic.
|
|
Sleep |
Interrupted
and less |
Normal |
Excessive
and deep sleep |
|
Dreams |
Dreams
of Flying, jumping, climbing hills,
storms in the sky, etc. |
Dreams of Bright
and lustrous object (such as fires
and flames), Violence, fights,
struggle |
Dreams
of earth and water (Water birds
and flora sighted) Clouds, romance,
etc. |
|
Attitude
to problems or difficulties |
Lot
of worrying
Instability
|
Angry, over-awed,
easily provoked and highly irritable |
Peaceful,
slow, steady |
|
Talk |
Very
fast, missing words |
Sharp, provocative
and clear cut |
Slow,
resonant, clear |
|
VOICE
& SPEECH |
1.
Stammering.
2. Husky.
3. Low toned.
4. Chattering.
|
Medium.
Harsh.
High pitched.
Self-conscious.
|
1.
Sweet.
2. Pleasant.
3. Tone eloquent.
4. Moderate.
|
|
Walk |
Very
quick with swift movements |
Normal |
Slow
and steady gait |
|
Associated
movements
of body while working |
Unfocused
movements, Nail biting, cracks
the knuckles, and you will usually
see them moving their hands and
feet about in a nervous or quick
manner. |
Normal |
Steady
with no associated movements |
|
Mind |
Fickle
mind |
Impatient mind |
Steady
and patient mind |
|
|
