http://www.planetayurveda.com In Ayurveda, Prakriti or Nature of people are classified according to their physical appearances and structures and their mental attributes. Prakriti analysis guides the physician to help the patient lead a healthier and holistic lifestyle. The Doshas – Vata, Pitta and Kapha make the physical constitution & perform various metabolic/physiological functions in the body. The state of their balance is state of health and their imbalance causes diseases. Knowing the Dosha type (Physical characteristics) and Guna types (Mental characteristics) one can understand and determine one’s nature. We can say that if an expert is able to make out patient’s Prakriti, he can DIAGNOSIS the case properly and person suffering would be able to make perfect DIET MODIFICATION, LIFESTYLE MODIFICATION with APPROPRIATE HERBS AND TREATMENT.
2. Prakriti means “Nature”
When referring to humans, Prakriti is
the unique physical and psychological
nature
WHAT IS PRAKRITI ?
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3. Prakriti can be Physical and Mental.
In Ayurveda, people are classified
according to their physical
appearances and structures and their
mental attributes.
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Ayurvedic doctors can diagnose
NATURE ( PRAKRITI ) through
PULSE DIAGNOSIS and by asking a
set of questions.
Prakriti analysis guides the physician to
help the patient lead a healthier and
holistic lifestyle.
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Prakriti is genetic in nature.
It is determined at the time
of conception.
It depends upon the many
prenatal, antenatal and
postnatal factors.
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These 5 elements are Earth, Water, Fire,
Air and Ether.
These 5 elements are represented in our
bodies by 3 physical energies, known as
“Doshas” in Ayurveda -
Our bodies are made up of 5 elements
+ Soul
1. Vata Dosha ( Air and Space )
2. Pitta Dosha ( Fire and Water )
3. Kapha Dosha ( Earth and Water )
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The ratio and proportion of various
elements determine the nature of an
individual
For example, various types of people
can be like Earth, Fire, Water, Air,
Ether and their combinations with
each other.
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1. Vata type
2. Pitta type
3. Kapha type
4. Vata-Pitta type
5. Vata-Kapha type
6. Kapha-Pitta type
7. Vata-Pitta-Kapha type
Physical constitution can be of 7 types
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There are 3 doshas known as TRIDOSHA – Vata,
Pitta and Kapha.
They are the physical manifestations of 5 elements.
They represent the physical as well as the functional
aspects of the 5 elements.
Vata Dosha = Air + Space
Pitta Dosha = Fire
Kapha Dosha = Earth + Water
WHAT IS DOSHA?
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The Doshas make the physical
constitution & perform various
metabolic/physiological functions in
the body.
The state of their balance is state of
health and their imbalance causes
diseases.
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Vata type people are lean and thin.
Their thoughts are moving as the air is
responsible for movement in the universe.
Their hands are moving.
They keep shaking their legs, they keep
making sounds with the knuckles and
mainly seen biting their nails.
THE BODY TYPES – VATA TYPE PRAKRITI
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Light, Dry, Cold, Minute, Mobile, Clear, Transparent, Rough
The characteristics of Air element are
People with Vata body type are usually thin.
They have difficulty in gaining weight.
Their skin is dry.
Their hair are dry.
They have very low strength.
The eyes can be little sunken and face is not
so broad.
15. The joints and veins are more prominent.
The nose is protruding.
They are good communicators as they keep telling their thoughts to
others.
They start 1 work at a time and then another 3-4 more works at a time.
They are full of energy and enthusiasm but tire easily.
They are creative in nature and can create anything out of nothing.
They are innovative.
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16. They love dance, art, nature and philosophy.
The memorize things easily and quickly and also forget
quickly.
They are fast and hasty in life.
They make decisions quickly.
They observe, calculate and come to a conclusion quickly.
They have fast metabolism.
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17. Their skin is dry, rough and thin with visible veins.
Their sleep is not sound sleep.
Their appetite is variable, usually eat very less.
Sometimes they eat too much and sometimes less.
The sexual desires are also variable and extreme.
They sleep lightly, are easily disturbed and prone to insomnia.
They are good speakers and attention grabbers.
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Their pulse is fast, weak and irregular.
They dislike cold, windy or dry environments and feel chilled
quickly or shiver easily.
Their hands and feet are often cold, or become cold easily.
They open up quickly and express their emotions immediately.
They may sound rude.
They are quick money spenders and impulsive buyers.
19. They are highly sensitive and too much caring.
They are so caring that sometimes they can be interpreted as too
much interfering.
Vata type people are usually restless, impatient and flexible,
adaptable to change.
They feel anxious and worried.
They don’t like cold weather, noisy environments.
They walk very fast and make joint cracking sound.
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DIET FOR VATA TYPE PEOPLE
GENERAL RULE
Recommended - Hot, Fresh, Warm, Rich, Sweet,
Sour, Salty, Spicy, Heavy, Vegetable Soups
Eat in Moderation - Take Bitters and Astringent
foods in moderation. Salads, Fruits at night, Ice
creams, Cold, Dry, Light food without oil is not
good for Vata types
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VEGETABLES
Recommended - Avocados, Asparagus, Potatoes,
Asparagus, Carrots, Olives, Pumpkin, Radish,
Sweet Potato, Spinach, Mushrooms
Eat in Moderation - Raw Salads, Peas, Cabbage,
Cauliflower, Lettuce, Green Leaves Raw, Juices,
Cucumbers, Frozen and Packaged food, Citrus
Juices
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BEANS
Recommended - Mung bean, Masoor bean
Eat in Moderation - Most beans and lentils
like kidney beans, black beans, black grams,
chick peas, split beans
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HERBS & SPICES
Recommended - Ginger, Garlic, Cloves,
Cumin, Fennel Cinnamon, Coriander,
nutmeg, Fenugreek is excellent. Turmeric,
peppers, all types of peppers and all other
spices are fine
Eat in Moderation - Coriander leaves
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OILS
Recommended - Most oils are ok.
Oil massage is also recommended.
Consume Ghee (Butter oil )
Eat in Moderation - Corn oil and
other light, refined oils, Butter in all
forms, Margarine
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BEVERAGES
Recommended - Vegetable Soups, Warm Soups,
Veg- Non-Veg soups, Warm spice teas, warm milk.
Herbal teas, Fresh fruit juices with black pepper or
some spice. Buttermilk (Lassi ) with cumin seeds
Eat in Moderation - Ice tea, packaged Vegetable
juices, Beer, Carbonated drinks, cold or iced drinks,
coffee, tea, Alcohol
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Vata is the driving force in the body
hence it may alone or in combination
with the other two doshas lead to the
development of many diseases
Diseases which Vata people are
prone to
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All types of paralytic conditions like
hemiplegia, quadriplegia, facial paralysis,
convulsions, schizophrenias and similar states
Conditions affecting the neurosensory system
like deafness, vertigo altered smell sensations,
Tingling and loss of sensation in a part or
whole of the limbs or body etc
DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
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All kinds of painful conditions in the
body are due to vata, be it the numerous
varieties of headaches, body ache, skeletal
deformities, joint pains, back pains etc.
Tendonitis, lameness, difficulty in
walking, loose joints, Sciatica etc.
34. CONSTIPATION
DIARRHEA
VOMITTING
PAIN IN ABDOMEN
GAS, LOSS OF APPETITE
OBSTRUCTION IN INTESTINES
ABDOMINAL TUMORS
DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
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MEDIUM STRONG BUILD, FAIR
COMPLEXION
HAIR LOSS & PREMATURE
GRAYING OF HAIR
PREMATURE AGING,
WRINKLES
RED EYES, WARM TO TOUCH
PITTA TYPE PEOPLE
39. They do not tolerate heat and sweat a lot
They are very romantic at heart and have
strong sexual drive more than vata but less
than kapha people.
Anger and lack of patience is their weakness.
They have a good digestion and strong
metabolism and enjoy large quantities of food
and liquids.
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40. CHARACTERISTICS OF PITTA BODY TYPE
People having Nature and Characteristics
of Owl, Monkey, Cat, Tiger, Bear,
Mongoose are known to have Pitta
Prakriti.
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People with a Pitta dosha have more FIRE
ELEMENT
They are of medium build, with greater
muscular development than Vata type
Their skin is soft and warm, and they have a
lot of body heat and often perspire
excessively.
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Their hair is thin and often reddish or blond,
and they may experience premature graying,
baldness or excessive hair loss.
Their skin flushes easily and they often have
many freckles and moles.
Their skin develops acne, rashes, bruises or
sunburn easily.
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GENERAL RULE
Recommended - Sweet, bitter, astringents,
cool foods and liquids.
Eat in Moderation - Sour, salty, pungent
and fermented foods are to be avoided. All
sweeteners also to be taken in moderation.
DIET FOR PITTA TYPE PEOPLE
55. RASHES, SKIN INFLAMMATION,
PEPTIC ULCERS, BOILS, HEART
BURN
YELLOW EYES, BITTER TASTE IN
MOUTH, LIVER DISORDERS
HYPERTHYROID, BP, PROSTATE
AND CANCERS OF ALL TYPES
DISEASES WHICH PITTA PEOPLE ARE PRONE TO
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57. HUGE BUILD , BRAOD FACE AND
FOREHEAD
THICK HAIR , STURDY BODY
GAIN WEIGHT EASILY
SLOW TO MOVE , GOOD STAMINA
DIFFICULT TO MOTIVATE
STRONG BONES AND TEETH
KAPHA TYPE
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58. LOVE TO SLEEP
MOIST SKIN, FAIR, BIG BRIGHT
EYES, THICK HAIR, PLEASANT
PERSONALITY
SLOW LEARNERS
GOOD LONG TERM MEMORY
SENSIBLE SPENDERS OF MONEY
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60. People having Nature and Characteristics
of Lion, Elephant, Cow, Eagle, Bull,
Swan are known to have Kapha Prakriti.
CHARACTERISTICS OF KAPHA BODY TYPE
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DIET FOR KAPHA TYPE PEOPLE
Recommended - Light, Dry, Warm Food,
Spicy, Bitter, Astringent – Tastes
Eat in Moderation - Large, Heavy, Cold
Food, Sour, Salty, Sweet - Tastes
GENERAL RULE
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BEVERAGES
Recommended - Warm Drinks, Herbal And
Spice Teas, Fruit And Vegetable Juice
Drink in Moderation - Carbonated Drinks,
Cold Or Iced Drinks, Coffee, Tea, Alcohol
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NON-VEG
Recommended – Non-Veg is not recommended for
Kapha People.
Eat in Moderation - Some Non-Veg soups of light
weight birds and animals, especially living in deserts
can be given, in state of disease.
72. OBESITY, THICK SKIN ERUPTIONS,
EXCESSIVE SLEEP
CORNS
LIPOMAS
COUGH, COLD,
RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS, ASTHMA
DIABETES
HIGH CHOLESTEROL, BLOCKED ARTERIES
DISEASES WHICH KAPHA PEOPLE ARE PRONE TO
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These people have mixed traits of both the prakritis vata
and Pitta in different proportions.
4. VATA-PITTA TYPE
Have traits of vata and kapha prakritis. The diet regimen for
the same should also be according to the instructions
tabulated above.
5. VATA-KAPHA TYPE
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Have traits of both Pitta and kapha prakriti.
Pittaja and kaphaja prakriti diet charts may be keeping in
mind things that are useful in such patients.
6. PITTA-KAPHA TYPE
All three doshas are found in different proportions in these prakritis.
Diet regimen would include individual assessment of each individual and
accordingly the diet would be prescribed on the basis of the basic vata,
pitta, kapha diets.
5. VATA-PITTA-KAPHA TYPE
75. MANASA PRAKRITI – MENTAL CONSTITUTION
There are three types of Manasa doshas
namely SATVA, RAJA, TAMA
According to which three types of
Prakritis are there, SATVIK
PRAKRITI, RAJSIK PRAKRITI AND
TAMASIK PRAKRITI
Which are again subdivided into a total
of 16 Manas Prakritis as described in
SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.
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76. 3 mental aspects of Prakriti
1. Sattva = ( pra ) = White, Purity, Knowledge,
Happiness, Bliss, Power, Peace, Love
2. Rajas = ( kri ) Red, Painful, Mobile,
3. Tamas = ( ti ) Dark, Inertia, Confusion,
Resistant, Slow and Dullness
The word Prakriti is made up of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas.
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1. Sattvic Prakriti ( Mainly Space
dominated with elements of Fire +
Space + Water )
2. Rajasik Prakriti ( Mainly Vata
dominated i.e. Air + Ether )
3. Tamasik Prakriti ( Mainly Kapha
dominated i.e. Earth + Water )
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Knowing the Dosha type ( Physical characteristics ) and
Guna types ( Mental characteristics ) one can understand and
determine one’s nature.
Ascertaining the nature is very important tool to diagnose and
treat in Ayurveda.
It helps a physician to make a personal diet chart, life style
plans, and exercise schedules as per individual personality.
That’s why Ayurveda is called “Holistic medicine”
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Every individual has unique doshas,
unique characteristics, and unique
nutritional requirements.
Knowing these can help in a great
deal to treat a disease and maintain
health.
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CHARECTERISTIC FEATURES OF THE INDIVIDUAL MANASA PRAKRITIS
SATVIKA KAYA (SATVIK MENTAL CONSTITUTION) (7)
1. BRAHMAKAYA
The features of Brahmakaya are as follows–
• Cleanliness
• Worshipping
• Belief in God
• Indulging in fire sacrifices
• Scriptures
• Purity, love for truth
• Regular practice of vedas
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2. MAHENDRA KAYA
Features of Mahendra kaya are as follows–
• Glory
• Courage
• Commanding
• Having knowledge of sciences
• Kindness towards serpents
3. VARUNA KAYA
Features of Varuna kaya are as follows–
• Desire for cold
• Forbearance
• Color of the body, eyes and hairs are
brownish in color
• Speaks affectionately
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4. KUBERA KAYA
Features of Kubera kaya are as follows–
• Adoptance of middle path in all activities
• Capacity to withstand difficulties
• Acquisition of wealth
• Capacity to produce many offsprings.
5. GANDHARVA KAYA
Features of Gandharva kaya are as follows–
• Fondness towards perfumes and
garlands
• Desirous of dance and playing
musical instruments
• Likes to visit various picnic spots.
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6. YAMYA SATVA KAYA
Features of Yamya Satva kaya are as follows–
• Performance of right actions with strong
determination
• Full of courage
• Excellent memory
• Cleanliness
• Devoid of passion
• Delusion
• Infatuation and hatredness
7. RISI SATVA KAYA
Features of Risi Satva kaya are as follows–
• Involving in constant meditation
• Vows
• Celibacy
• Fire sacrifice
• Study of scriptures
• Possessed with general and special knowledge.
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RAJASA MANAS PRAKRITI (RAJASIKA MENTAL CONSTITUTION) (6)
1. ASURA KAYA
The features of Asura kaya are as follows–
• Full of wealth
• Terrifying look
• Courageous
• Angry
• Jealous
• Likes to take food in loneliness
• Consumes large quantity of food
2. SARPA KAYA
Features of Sarpa kaya are as follows–
• Quick in actions
• Gets tired quickly
• Fearful
• Angry
• Deceiving
• Unsteady
• Desirous of recreation
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3. SHAKUNA KAYA
The features of Shakuna Kaya are as follows–
• Indulging in sexual pleasures in excess
• Consumes food without break
• Impatient
• Roaming around constantly
4. RAKSASA KAYA
The features of Rakasaka Kaya are as follows–
• Understands things without others support .
• Terrifying look
• Jealous
• Violating the stipulated norm
• Flattering himself greatly
89. 5. PISHACA KAYA
The features of Pishaca Kaya are as follows–
• Intake of food which has
been discarded by others
• Cruelty
• Fond of adventures
• Desirous of women
• Lack of shyness
6. PRETA KAYA
The features of Preta kaya are as follows–
• Doesn’t share anything with others
• Lazyness
• Always full of grief
• Jealous
• Sensuous
• Doesn’t give anything to others
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90. TAMASA PRAKRITI
1. PASHU KAYA – Animal type
• Bad thinking
• Sluggish activities
• Dreams everyday as indulging
in copulation
• Denies everything
2. MATSYA KAYA – Fish type
• Unsteadiness
• Idiotism
• Desire for water
• Fighting with one another
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3. VANASPATYA KAYA
• Always likes to sit in one
particular place
• Consumes food often
• Doesn’t follow truthfulness
and righteousness
• Devoid of lust and wealth