What is Tridosha theory?
How is it applied in Ayurveda?
What are the recent trends in research pertaining to Tridosha?
How is this theory still relevant?
1. Understanding the theory of Tridosha
Kishor Patwardhan
Professor, Department of Kriya Sharir, Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical
Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
2. Tridosha Theory is used in all domains
Ayurveda deals with
Biology
Constitution
Nutrition
Materiamedica
Pathology
Diagnostics
Therapeutics
3. Examples for the role of Tridosha in Biology
Vata is located in Asthi; Pitta is located in Sveda and Rakta
Vata regulates respiratory functions, food intake
Kapha provides immunity
4. Examples for the role of Tridosha in Constitution (Prakriti)
Individual with Vata prakriti looks lean and thin
Individual with Pitta prakriti is prone to get digestive disorders
Individual with Kapha prakriti has good long-term memory
Individual with Vata prakriti has cold intolerance
5. Examples for the role of Tridosha in Nutrition
Black gram is Guru, hence aggravates Kapha
Shashtika Shali alleviates Vata
Individual with Vata prakriti must consume
adequate quantities of milk
6. Examples for the role of Tridosha in Pathology
Kamala results when Vayu takes Pitta from its actual site
to other peripheral sites
Sthaulya results when there is aggravation of Kapha that
leads to accumulation of excess of Meda
7. Examples for the role of Tridosha in Materia-medica
Guggulu is effective in Vata and Kapha disorders
Katuki is effective in Pitta disorders
Haritaki acts on all three Doshas
8. Diagnostics
If there is itching, the role of Kapha must be inferred
If there is pain, the role of Vata must be inferred
If there is inflammation, the involvement of Pitta must be
inferred
9. Examples for the role of Tridosha in Therapeutics
Vammana-Virechana-Basti are the ideal treatment options
for Kapha-Pitta-Vata disorders respectively
Taila-Ghrita-Madhu are the ideal treatment options for
Vata-Pitta-Kapha disorders respectively
10. Life on earth
Kapha = Moon = Stability = Soma
Pitta = Sun = Energy = Surya
Vata = Atmosphere = Movement = Anila
14. Tridosha
• Basically a theory.
• No Dosha can be represented by any single
substance or structure in the body
• Represent different homeostatic mechanisms at
different levels of organization
Examples:
• Blood Pressure Homeostasis
• Blood glucose
20. Example: Single Cell
Nucleus : Vata
• Controller
• Contains genetic material
Mitochondrial / Cytoplasmic Enzymes : Pitta
• Cellular metabolism
• Production of energy and heat
Plasma Membrane / ER / Golgi Apparatus : Kapha
• Protection
• Protein / Lipid synthesis
21. Example: Neuron
Ionic influxes and effluxes : Vata
• Movement of action potential
• Conduction of motor/ sensory impulses
Neurotransmitters and enzymes : Pitta
• Chemical transmission
• Metabolism
Neuronal membranes : Kapha
• Protection
• Support
22. Example: Human Being
Nervous system : Vata
• Movements
• Equilibrium
• Sensation
Endocrine system : Pitta
• Digestion
• Metabolism
Immune system : Kapha
• Protection
• Resistance
23. Tridosha theory and its relevance
Neuro-Immune-Endocrine regulation
Chronobiology
Person-centered medicine
24. Neuro-endocrino-immunology
The recent trend is of recognising the interactions between neuro-
endocrine and immune mechanisms to be vital in the regulation of
homeostasis.
Theory of Tridosha represents the basic ‘homeostatic mechanisms’ as
perceived in biomedicine.
The three Doshas —Vata, Pitta and Kapha—can be paralleled with the
nervous, endocrine, and immune mechanisms respectively.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30. Piyush Kumar Tripathi, Kishor Patwardhan, and Girish Singh, “The Basic Cardiovascular
Responses to Postural Changes, Exercise, and Cold Pressor Test: Do They Vary in
Accordance with the Dual Constitutional Types of Ayurveda?,” Evidence-Based
Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2011, Article ID 251850, 10 pages,
2011. doi:10.1155/2011/251850
31. Chronobiology
Circadian and other biorhythms have been recognised to have
important roles in understanding physiology and in planning
pharmacological interventions.
This approach is highly beneficial in the management of
major chronotherapeutic conditions such as asthma, allergic
rhinitis, cardiovascular disorders, rheumatoid arthritis and
cancer.
46. Person-centered healthcare
Genomic research can now serve as the basis for many
medical decisions in the form of ‘individualised medicine’.
Precise prediction and treatment of certain diseases has
now become possible because of the various genomic tools.