Qualities of Vata, Pitta and Kapha

Qualities

Vata	Pitta	Kapha
Light Dry Cold Rough Subtle Moving Clear Dispersing Minute Vata Combination: Vayu (Air) + Jala (Water)	Hot Sharp Penetrating Bad smelling Flowing Liquid Unctuous Pitta Combination: Agni (Fire) + Jala (Water)	Unctuous Cold Heavy Slow Smooth Shining Stable Kapha Combination: Jala (Water) + Prithvi (Earth)

Functions

Vata	Pitta	Kapha
Enthusiasm Normal Respiration Movements All actions Normal vibration of natural urges like - excretion of urine, faces, hunger, thirst, flatus, sneeze, sleep, yawn, belch etc. Normalcy of Dhatus (Structural Units) Activity of sense organs Vata - Responsible for all movements in the body. Placed in lower abdomen below umbilicus	Normal digestion Normal temperature Vision Hunger Thirst Taste Perception Luster Intelligence Brilliance Valour Softness of body parts Pitta - Responsible for digestion and metabolism. Placed in upper abdomen above umbilicus	Stability Unctuousness Unity of Joints Tolerance Strength Kapha - Responsible for strength and immunity. Placed in chest region

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Imbalanced State

The doshas that sustain the body when normal create diseases, when imbalanced. This imbalance could be in two ways:

1. Increased State
2. Decreased State

Symptoms-Increase

Vata	Pitta	Kapha
Weight Loss Black discoloration Desire towards heat tremors Distention of abdomen due to gas Constipation Loss of Strength Insomnia Weakness of Senses Restlessness Giddiness Disgraceful State	Yellow discoloration of Stools Yellow discoloration of Urine Yellow discoloration of Skin Excessive Hunger Excessive Thirst Insomnia	White Coloration of Skin Coldness Flabbiness of the Body Difficulty in Breathing Excessive Sleep

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Effects

Vata	Pitta	Kapha
Sagging Spreading out Leaving pain Breaking pain Pricking pain Cutting pain Lack of sensation Tiredness Pain Blockage Contraction Curvatures Tingling sensations Tremors Coarseness Feeling of Emptiness Dryness Pulsations Tightness Stiffness Astringent taste in mouth Black discoloration of skin nail Reddish discoloration of skin nail	Burning sensations Redness of the skin Inflammation Rise in temperature Suppuration Excessive sweating Moisture Exudations Fainting Intoxication Pungent and sour taste of the mouth Yellow, Green, blackish discoloration's of the body, eyes, nails, stools etc.	Excessive unctuousness Firmness Itching Heaviness Obstructions Coating of tongue, skin etc. Feeling of wet cloth upon the body Edema Poor digestion Excessive sleep Sweet and salty tasty in the mouth White and Pale discoloration

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Symptoms-Decrease

Vata	Pitta	Kapha
Weakness of the body Less speech Confusion	Loss of appetite Poor digestion Lack of luster in the body	Feeling of emptiness of heart and chest Palpitations Looseness of Joints

The decreased dosha produces only some deficiency symptoms and it is not capable to produce diseases. So only some symptoms are mentioned here since it doesn't produce effects on the body.

Author: Dr. Gayatri Ganesh B.A.M.S

Editor: Dr. Reeja Tharu