Doshas
Ayurveda defines three types of doshas, vatta, pitta, and kapha. A person’s dosha is their unique combination of each of the three, consisting of the relationships between one’s body tissues, metabolism, waste systems, emotional state, sensory perception, and biochemical composition.
An individual may be mainly one type of dosha, or be some combination of the three. If any dosha is imbalanced, you will experience a variety of different psychological and physical symptoms. Your prominent dosha may also change during your lifetime, based on season, diet, relationships and overall lifestyle.
You may use the following guidelines to determine your prominent dosha. The characteristics listed below represent typical imbalances within each dosha. The dosha with the most number of characteristics that match your current personality will reflect your dominant dosha.
VATA - always cold, dry skin, anxiety, panic, easily distracted, forgetful, restless sleep, cracking or aching joints, constipation, cramps, gas, bloating, active, stressful and anxious, underweight
PITTA - hot, sweats easily, acne, anger, irritability, insomnia, inflamed joints, heartburn, ulcers, acid reflux, loose stools, high metabolism, excessive hunger, hemorrhoids, high blood pressure, bloodshot eyes, migraines, hepatitis or gallstones
KAPHA - clammy, oily, large pores, lethargic, prone to depression or inactivity, excessive sleep, sluggish digestions, lonely, overweight, excess mucus (respiratory issues), bloating, fluid retention, fibroids, coronary issues, sinus issues, asthma or bronchitis