DOSHA IN BODY STRUCTURES
VATA
- FRAME
- WEIGHT
- COMPLEXION
- SKIN TEXTURE
- HAIR QUALITY
- HEAD
- FOREHEAD
- FACE
- NECK
- EYEBROWS
- EYELASHES
- EYES
- NOSE
- LIPS
- TEETH & GUMS
- SHOULDERS
- CHEST
- ARMS
- HANDS
- THIGHS
- LEGS
- CALVES
- FEET
- JOINTS
- NAILS
- URINE
- FECES
- SWEAT / BODY ODOR
- APPETITE
- BALANCE TASTE
- CIRCULATION
VATA
- Thin physique, unusually tall or short, possibly extreme
- Light weight, difficulty holding weight, prominent bones and veins, variable weight gain and weight loss
- Darkish, dull tinge, lack lustre
- Dry, thin, rough, cracked, prominent veins, wrinkles
- Course, dry, darker, slightly wavy, scanty, may have dandruff
- Small, long, thin, unsteady, tend toward stiff neck, rigidity of head or excess mobility, erratic movements
- Small, wrinkled
- Thin, small, long, wrinkled, dusky, dull, gaunt, weathered
- Thin, long, may develop neck problems with loose tendons, may crane or bend the neck
- Small, thin, unsteady
- Small, dry, firm
- Small, dry, thin, brown, dull, unsteady, blinking, possible tremors, excessive eye movements, difficult to concentrate eyes on one point for long duration
- Thin, small, long, dry, crooked, narrow, pointed
- Thin, small, darkish, dry, unsteady, tend to thin lips, may bite lips, frequently chapped
- Thin, dry, small, rough, crooked, receding gums, may have space between teeth
- Thin, small, flat, hunched, tend to tight muscles
- Thin, small, narrow, slight development, narrow epigastric angle
- Thin, overly small or long, slight development, may have pronounced elbows
- Small, thin, dry, cold, rough, fissured, unsteady, tend toward narrow hands with many lines and pronounced knuckles, or irregularity in shape of fingers, prominent veins
- Thin, narrow
- Thin, excessively long or short, prominent knees, may suffer lack of coordination
- Small, hard, tight
- Small, thin, long, dry, rough, fissured, unsteady, needs to be oiled regularly
- Small, dry, thin, unsteady, cracking, prominent joints
- Small, thin, dry, rough, fissured, cracked, darkish
- Scanty, difficult, colorless, bubbly or frothy, may be difficult to discharge
- Scanty, dry, hard, difficult or painful, gas, tends towards constipation especially in the elderly
- Scanty, no smell, seldom sweat, spontaneous sweat may occur in emotional distress
- Variable, erratic, extremes of appetite, when very hungry may get lightheaded or fearful
- Prefers sweet, sour, salty, cooked with oil and spice
- Poor, variable, erratic, may be prone to palpitations, cold dry extremities and abdomen,
PITTA
- Medium build, moderately developed physique
- Strong medium muscles, tend toward even weight
- Reddish, ruddy, flushed
- Warm, moist, pink with freckles, moles, acne/rashes, sunburn easy
- Fine, soft, moderate, early gray or bald, ruddy head sensitive to sun
- Angular, moderate
- With folds
- Moderate, ruddy, sharp contours, penetrating look
- Medium
- Moderate, fine
- Small, thin, fine
- Medium, thin, red – inflamed easily, green, piercing and penetrating, sensitive to light
- Medium, sharp or pointed
- Medium, soft, red, ruddy lips and face,
- Medium, soft, pink, gums bleed easily, may suffer inflammatory diseases of the mouth
- Medium
- Medium, medium epigastric angle
- Medium, wiry arms
- Medium, warm even in cold weather, pink
- Medium
- Medium
- Loose, soft
- Medium, soft, pink, good skin tone and circulation
- Medium, soft, loose
- Medium, soft, pink
- Profuse, yellow, red, burning, tend toward urinary tract infection
- Abundant, loose, sometimes yellowish, tends toward diarrhea, may have burning sensation, may get constipated during fevers
- Profuse, hot, strong smell
- Strong, sharp, often can digest anything, can eat large amounts of food without gaining weight, strong appetite and possible anger when hungry
- Prefers sweet, bitter or astringent food, raw, lightly cooked without oil or spices
- Good, warm, excellent circulation, may be prone to flushed red face
KAPHA
- Larger build, stout, stocky, well developed physique, hold weight
- Heavy, tends towards weight gain, easily accumulate fat and water
- Light, pale, pearly
- Thick, pale, moist, cool, damp, soggy, soft smooth
- Thick, abundant, oily, very wavy, full of luster, may have excessive body hair
- Large, stocky, steady, round, square, least head movements
- Large, broad
- Large, round, fate, white or pale, soft contours, moon-like face,
- Large, thick, square, not very long
- Thick, bushy, many hairs
- Large, thick, oily, firm
- Wide, prominent, thick, oily, white, pearly, attractive, tear easily, may have mucous discharge, movements steady not sharp
- Thick, big, firm, oily, wide nostrils
- Thick, large, oily, smooth, firm, big, attractive
- Large, thick, soft, pink, oily, white
- Broad, thick, firm, oily
- Broad, large, well or overly developed, broad epigastric angle
- Large, thick, round, well developed, fleshy arms and forearms
- Large, thick, oily, cool, firm, big square or round without many lines
- Well-developed, round, plump
- Large, stocky, able to stand for long periods of time
- Shapely, firm
- Large, thick skin on soles, hard, firm
- Large, thick, well built
- Large, thick, smooth, white, firm, oily
- Moderate, whitish, milky, thick urine may have mucus in it
- Moderate, solid, sometimes pale in color, mucus in stool, abundant, soft
- Moderate, cold, pleasant smell, sweat profusely during exercise
- Constant, low
- Prefers pungent, bitter or astringent food, cooked with spices but not a lot of oil
- Slow, steady, consistent circulation, may have poor peripheral circulation with cold limbs yet abdomen tends to stay warm
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
VATA
- ACTIVITY
- STRENGTH / EXERTION
- SEXUAL NATURE
- RESISTANCE TO DISEASE
- DISEASE TENDANCY
- REACTION TO MEDICATIONS
- PULSE
VATA
- Quick, fast, unsteady, erratic, hyperactive, generally exhibit some extremes of activity – hyperactivity may bring exhaustion or withdrawal, or extreme mental activity may cause outer activity to be reduced
- Low, poor endurance, starts and stops quickly, often good runners, can develop a great deal of physical adaptability, poor at lifting / carrying weight, tire easily
- Variable, erratic, deviant, strong desire bu low energy, may have few children
- Fear of cold, wind, sensitive to dryness, have the greatest sensitivity to the elements and must protect themselves properly from them
- Nervous system diseases, pain, arthritis, mental disorders, may suffer from pain and are very sensitive to it, diseases of the bones and nerve mainly through the large intestine
- Quick, low dosage needed, unexpected side effects or nervous reactions, tend to be hypertensive, erratic reactions to herbs or drugs may be extreme
- Thready, rapid, erratic, superficial, irregular, weak, like a snake
PITTA
- Medium, motivated, purposeful, goal seeking, active towards a particular aim, focused but not necessarily broad in what they attempt
- Medium, intolerant of heat, enjoy demonstrating strength and power but may not have the endurance they would like
- Moderate, passionate, quarrelsome, dominating
- Fear of heat, dislike of sun, fire, most tolerant of cold
- Febrile diseases, infections, inflammatory diseases, burning sensation, diseases of blood and liver
- Medium
- Wiry, bounding, moderate, like a frog
KAPHA
- Slow, steady, stately, not always adaptable in action and may get caught in patterns of not wanting to act much or often
- Strong, good endurance, but slow in starting, not necessarily high performance
- Low but constant sexual desire, good sexual energy, devoted, may have many children
- Fear of cold and damp, likes wind and sun, do well outdoors, prefer to sunbathe or relax than work or exercise
- Respiratory system diseases, mucus, edema, susceptible to congestive disorders, particularly diseases of the lung
- Slow, high dosage required, effects sow to manifest, may need strong dosages to notice any effect
- Deep, slow, steady, rolling, slippery, like a swan
MENTAL FACTORS AND EXPRESSION
VATA
- VOICE
- SPEECH
- MENTAL NATURE
- MEMORY
- EMOTIONAL TENDENCIES
- NEUROTIC TENDENCIES
- FAITH
- SLEEP
- DREAMS
- HABITS
VATA
- Low, weak, hoarse, may be monotonous with not much strength to voice
- Quick, inconsistent, erratic, talkative, may ramble on and on, may at times be silent but talking in mind
- Quick, adaptable, indecisive, emotions change easily with fluctuating moods, better at information or abstract thought
- Poor, notices things easily but easily forgets, remember ideas, information, trivia, sensitive to personal remarks
- Fearful, anxious, nervous, ungrounded, may show shifting reactions
- Hysteria, trembling, anxiety attacks, extreme emotional expressions, may have loss of sensory or motor control to the extreme of tremors or convulsions, emotions generally transient and superficial
- Erratic, changeable, rebel, unsteady and may go contrary to their faith which may be constantly changing, may have faith in many different things
- Light, tends toward insomnia, tend to sleep less than 4 hours at a time
- Flying, moving, restless, nightmares, frequent dreaming that may be erratic or disturbed
- Likes moving, traveling, parks, plays, jokes, stories, artistic activities, dancing, diverse and curious in their habits, sometimes eccentric
PITTA
- High pitch, sharp, may be good orators and strong singers
- Moderate, argumentative, convincing, tend to talk ‘at’ rather than with, generally trying to prove a point
- Intelligent, penetrating, critical, questioning nature, may have a scientific or probing mind, better at ascertaining goals or values
- Sharp, clear, remember hurts and insults, but also victories and achievements, memory colored by their will
- Angry, irritable, contentious, strong display of emotions
- Extreme temper, rage, tantrums, anger attacks
- Determined, fanatic, leader, may apply faith in a strong manner and become aggressive
- Moderate, may wake up but will fall asleep again, may have dream-disturbed sleep, tend to sleep 4-7 hours at at time
- Colorful, passionate, conflict, may have dramatic dreams that may disturb sleep especially when violent
- Likes competitive sports, politics, debates, hunting, purposeful, competitive, seek results and achievements
KAPHA
- Pleasant, deel good tone, may have beautiful singing voice
- Slow, definite, not talkative, like to draw out the state of communication, enjoy being with people without necessarily saying much
- Slow, steady, dull, good with broad principals, strong sentiments, much consistency, may be poor at details, dominated by feelings
- Slow to take notice but will not forget, remembers personal feelings, love, sentiments, intimate human interchanges, memory is colored by emotion
- Calm, content, attached, sentimental
- Depression, unresponsive, sorrow, lethargic
- Constant, loyal, conservative, like to stick to faith, unquestioned sense of loyalty, can be attached to the status quo
- Heavy, difficulty in waking up, sleep easily, may tend to sleep during the day, tend to sleep for 8-10 hours
- Romantic, sentimental, watery, few dreams, least able to remember dreams, may have a vague sense of pleasure from dreams
- Likes water, sailing, flowers, cooking, enjoy luxuriating and relaxing, or to be lazy