Ayurveda Shop - Ayurvedic products of controlled quality - AMLA

Your Doshas

Ayurveda recognizes three principles called Doshas that determine the biological, psychological and pathological functions of your body, mind and consciousness. These principles are called the Tridoshas Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Every person has these three Doshas. If your Doshas are in balance, they provide you with health and stability. If they are out of balance, they can contribute to illnesses.

Usually one or two Doshas are dominant in you. Although a slight imbalance of the Doshas does not necessarily produce an illness, Ayurveda always aims for balance. Therefore many Ayurvedic products are designed to balance a specific Dosha that may be dominant in you. We labeled these products in our shop accordingly.

In order for you to make use of all the benefits of ayurvedic products, you should know your Dosha constitution. That is why we provide you with a Dosha check that enables you to easily determine your Dosha constitution.

The following description of the three Doshas and their impact on your body, mind and consciousness can also help you to find out which Doshas you identify with most.

Vata is composed of space and air and governs all movement in the mind and body and must be kept in good balance. Too much vata leads to, "worries, insomnia, cramps and constipation. Vata controls blood flow, elimination of wastes, breathing and the movement of thoughts across the mind." Vata activates the nervous system, hearing and speech; and expresses as enthusiasm and creativity. Vata also controls the other two principles (Pitta and Kapha) and is usually the first cause of disease. Another word for Vata is Vayu - it is the more traditional Sanskrit word for air.

People who are classified as Vata tend to have lighter frames, and are either short or tall and thin. Their skin tends to be dry and cold, light to dark brown. Their hair is dark, thin, sparse and curly. Their nose, hands and feet are often cold to the touch because of the poor circulation characterizing the Vata constitution. They have active, dark brown or dark grey eyes. Movements and speech are quick and sleep is light, interrupted, and fitful. Mentally, they are restless and have lots of ideas. They are creative and imaginative, but are fearful, anxious, and insecure. They are also shy, less bold and have less will-power.

The Vata Doshas' complementary colors are warm and gentle, such as yellow, ochre, or brown. The predominant senses are hearing and touch.

Pitta is composed of fire and water. It governs all heat, metabolism and transformation in the mind and body. It controls how we digest food, how we metabolize our sensory perceptions, and how we discriminate between right and wrong. Pitta must be kept in balance, too. Too much Pitta can lead to anger, criticism, acidity, ulcers, rashes and thinning hair. A balanced Pitta mind makes one a good leader with a warm personality.

Pitta types are generally average physically. Their skin inclines towards redness and sensitivity, sunburns easily. They tend to have fine, soft, red or fair hair; though Pittas have also been known to have darker hair, like golden brown. Eyes tend to be blue, grey, hazel or amber. Their moods change slowly and they are busy people, usually achieving much in their lives. They are more intellectual and their speech is clear, sharp, and precise. They are fiery, angry, judgmental, ambitious and chivalrous.

The Pitta Doshas' complementary colors are cool and calming such as blue, green, or purple. The predominant sense is sight.

Kapha is composed of water and earth. Kapha cements the elements in the body, providing the material for physical structure. This Dosha maintains body resistance. Kapha lubricates the joints, provides moisture to the skin, helps to heal wounds, fills the spaces in the body, gives biological strength, vigor and stability, supports memory retention, gives energy to the heart and lungs and maintains immunity. Kapha is responsible for emotions of attachment, greed and long-standing envy. It is also expressed in tendencies toward calmness, forgiveness and love. Too much Kapha leads to lethargy and weight gain, as well as congestion and allergies.

Kapha body types are sturdier and thicker than the other body types. The skin is thick, lustrous, clear, usually pale or beige, and cool (but not cold) to the touch. Hair is thick and lustrous, usually wavy. Eyes are blue or brown and prominent. They have the best strength and endurance and have a slow, steady pace. Mentally they are calm, steady, and stable. They can be greedy and possessive but are caring and not easily irritated. Kapha-dominant people are more self-sufficient than the rest of the constitutions, but at the same time looking a bit more impassionate due to their incline towards introversion or withdrawal.

Kapha's complementary colors are vibrant such as red, pink, and orange. The predominant senses are smell and taste.