Traditional Medicine in Asia

Tridosha – Vata, Pitta and Kapha – are
the psychobiological dimensions or
biological rhythms regulating the entire
functioning of the human body. These
doshas are formed by the Panchamahabhutas.
Vata is formed by the combination
of Akash+Vayu and has the
properties of cold, light, coarse and dry,
Pitta by Teja having hot and liquid and
Kapha by Jala+Prithvi with cold, heavy,
solid, smooth and moist properties. Vata,
Pitta and Kapha are of five types having
physiological functions and pathological
manifestations. 7
The five types of Vata include, i) Prana
Vayu, which strengthens the vital capacity,
improves the intellectual power, respiration,
deglutition, and the activities of the sense
organs, etc., with pathological
manifestations like hiccough, flatulence,
breathing troubles, etc.; ii) Udana Vayu,
which regulates strength, encouragement,
colour, knowledge, intelligence, memory,
etc., with pathological manifestations of the
eye, ear, nose and throat; iii) Samana Vayu,
which improves digestion and metabolism,
transformation of nutrients, circulation of
lymph and expulsion of urine, stool, etc.,
with pathological manifestations like
anorexia, diarrhoea and abdominal
tumour; iv) Vyana Vayu, which regulates
blood circulation, sweating, contraction,
taste, ejaculation of sperm, development
of all the tissues, etc., with pathological
manifestations like fever and convulsion;
and v) Apana Vayu, which regulates
expulsion of urine, stool, sperm,
menstruation, etc., with pathological
manifestations of urinary and the uterine
tract and ano-rectal diseases.
The five types of Pitta include, i)
Pachaka Pitta, which regulates digestion
of food, stimulates the digestive enzymes
and separates the waste products with
pathological manifestations of anorexia,
Ayurveda
rise of body temperature, burning
sensation, indigestion, etc.; ii) Ranjaka Pitta,
which has a role in blood formation with
the pathological manifestation of anaemia;
iii) Sadhaka Pitta, which is responsible for
intelligence and memory with pathological
manifestation for lack of concentration,
loss of intelligence, loss of sleep, etc.; iv)
Alochaka Pitta, which is responsible for
vision with pathological manifestations
pertaining to eye and vision; and v)
Bhrajaka Pitta, which regulates body
complexion, body heat regulation, etc., with
pathological manifestations like vitiligo,
discolouration and skin diseases.
The five types of Kapha include,
i) Avalambaka Kapha, which is responsible
for the lubrication of joints, pericardium
with pathological manifestations like
stiffness of the joints and chest pain; ii)
Kledaka Kapha, which disintegrates food,
maintains the fluid, lubrication, etc., with
pathological manifestations like indigestion
and mucoid stool; iii) Bodhaka Kapha,
which is responsible for feeling the taste of
various substances with pathological
manifestations like dryness of mouth and
palate and loss of sensation of different
tastes; iv) Tarpaka Kapha, which provides
nutrition to the sense organs with
pathological manifestations like loss of the
activities of the sense organs; and
v) Shlesaka Kapha, which lubricates all
body joints with pathological manifestations
of the bony joints.
The body and the mind are the two
complementary constituents of a living
being, its dynamic normalcy being
responsible for health and its imbalance
for disease.
The mind exhibits three properties:
� Sattva (intelligence), which is signified
by goodness, virtue, excellence,
wisdom and good sense;
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