Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient medical science, that finds its roots in Indian culture. The approach of this science, in treating the patient, is very distant from what we are used to in western culture. Indeed it does not concentrate solely on the individual and the disease afflicting them, focusing more on the patient’s lifestyle, diet, and the context that makes up their reality.
Indeed, according to Ayurveda, the functioning of the human body is regulated by three principal factors, called Dosha, on which the physiological and metabolic balance of the whole human being depends.
VATA, PITTA and KAPHA
The dosha arise from five elements: ether, air, fire, water, and earth. Ether and air from the Vata principle. Fire is represented by Pitta and water and earth form the Kapha principle.
It is energy that pervades the individual and defines their actions, behaviour, tendencies, and emotions. When an imbalance occurs between the elements in an individual, to return to the original alignment, one works by increasing the opposite qualities through changes in lifestyle: diet, use of spices, oils, massage[1], colours, stone and the practice of yoga. Still, in each of us, there is a predominant dosha, which determines (according to ancient ayurvedic wisdom), 10 different physiological or personality constitutions.
VATA
It is the expression of movement, activity, and communication. For its dynamic nature, it is that which gives the body internal movement.
All physiological needs are controlled by the Vata, but not only these, since it is also able to control emotions and sensations, so that people in which it is dominant are generally known as very sensitive and receptive.
[1] Link with Ayurvedic massage