By Chirag Global Hospitals

Did you know that 80% of people prefer holistic treatments like Ayurveda? Ayurveda, an Indian healing system, focuses on nurturing the body, mind, and spirit to treat the root cause of health problems. The increasing burden of health issues makes us chase quick fixes and modern medicines. In this rush, we often overlook the importance of holistic health.
Ayurveda postulates that the physical constitution uniquely differs for everybody because of the dosha balance inside them. You can work on holistic health by learning to balance these doshas. In this blog, we will explore the basic principles of Ayurveda, which are doshas, Agni, and Ama. These core ideas will be the guide in helping you know your body and keep it balanced.
Understanding Doshas in Ayurveda
According to Ayurveda, doshas are basic constituents that control the body’s functions. At birth, your body has a natural constitution influenced by your parents’ body constitution. Many external and internal stimuli impact your body’s dosha, causing changes to the balance of these doshas. The diet you take, your habits, and your lifestyle all cause deficiency or excess of doshas, culminating in various illnesses.
Types of Doshas
The three doshas are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These determine both the physical and mental characteristics of an individual.
What is Vata Dosha?
Its qualities include lightness, dryness, coldness, and mobility. It controls bodily movements, circulations, and nerve functions. An imbalanced Vata brings forth symptoms such as anxiety, dry skin, constipation, joint pains, etc.
What is Pitta Dosha?
It is characterised by heat, sharpness, and oiliness. It governs body temperature, digestion, and metabolism. If there is an imbalance, it leads to digestive problems, inflammation, heartburn, etc.
What is Kapha Dosha?
It is marked with heaviness, coldness, and stability. It is responsible for lubrication of joints, boosting immunity and storing energy in the body. Imbalance of kapha results in obesity, asthma, lethargy, etc.
Prakruthi – Deha Prakruthi (Constitution)
Prakruthi refers to the unique physical and mental constitution of an individual, as defined by Ayurveda. Each individual has a unique constitution. It is formulated on the ratio of three doshas in his body, namely Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. It helps in defining physical characteristics, mental predispositions, and health as a whole.
Deha Prakruthi is the state of a person’s physical constitution, as determined by the balance of the three doshas. Therefore, an individual’s strength, energy, and health vary. With knowledge of Deha Prakruthi, lifestyle decisions such as diet and exercise can be tailored to the individual’s need for maintaining health and addressing predisposition to specific conditions.
In Ayurveda practice, Prakruthi is evaluated to understand the prevailing dosha in a person. This helps in knowing a person’s strengths, weaknesses, and susceptibility toward an imbalance.
Types of Deha Prakruthi
Deha Prakruthi is measured by observing the body’s build, skin type, temperature, hunger, vigour and many other factors. The Ayurvedic practitioner determines which dosha dominates and, hence, will dominate the characteristics and health propensities of the body. Every physical constitution has its strengths and weaknesses, as follows:
Vata Prakruthi
Individuals with Vata Prakruthi tend to be thin, lean, dry-skinned, and energetic. Out of balance, they are more prone to anxiety, restlessness, and digestive disorders. They tend to have arthritis and neurological diseases more frequently.
Pitta Prakruthi
Those with Pitta Prakruthi have a medium build, warm body temperature, and oily skin. They are focused and driven but may experience irritability and digestive issues when Pitta is aggravated. They are more susceptible to conditions like ulcers and skin rashes.
Kapha Prakruthi
Generally, people with Kapha Prakruthi have a solid build, smooth skin, and a calm temperament. They become overweight and lazy and develop respiratory problems if they are out of balance. Kapha Prakruthi individuals tend to become obese and suffer from asthma if proper diet and lifestyle are not followed.
Concept of Agni
Ayurveda calls Agni a crucial entity that transforms food consumed into energy and nutrients. It has the power to regulate digestion, metabolism, and even energy. The concept of Agni starts at the digestive process and extends to processes at the cellular level. Strong Agni helps digest food, maintains stable energy, and properly eliminates waste. So, a well-balanced Agni will help sustain good health. When it gets imbalanced, the consequences are bad digestion and associated diseases.
Factors Affecting Agni
Common factors that affect Agni are:
- Diet: A balanced diet supports Agni while overeating or late meals weaken it.
- Lifestyle: Regular exercise strengthens Agni, while inactivity impairs it.
- Stress: Mental stress disrupts Agni, leading to digestive issues.
- Sleep: Proper rest maintains strong Agni.
Types of Agni
The entire biological process of conversion and usage of energy is symbolised by Agni. There are three types of Agni:
- Jatharagni: It is the gastric and intestinal digestive fire that helps break down food into energy and nutrients. A good jatharagni means efficient and strong digestion, whereas a weak one can cause bloating, indigestion, or fatigue.
- Bhutagni (Elemental Fire): It manages the activities of the human body’s five elements: earth, water, fire, air, and vacuum. It maintains metabolism and dosha equilibrium. An imbalance in bhutagni can cause many problems in the body, like fluid retention.
- Dhatvagni or Tissue Fire: Dhatvagni transforms and nourishes the food into seven tissues in the body. The Agni exists in every tissue, therefore providing nourishment and performing functions. Weak Dhatvagni results in malnourished tissues that would eventually result in fatigue.
Concept of Ama
Ama refers to the toxic by-products created due to weak or incomplete digestion. When Agni is impaired, healthy digestion does not take place. So, it results in undigested food particles, which become ama. These are toxins that circulate throughout the body and settle in different tissues, causing various types of illnesses. So, ama is the result of incomplete digestion.
Impact of Ama on Health
The presence of ama in the body results in different health issues. By causing blockages in tissues, it results in inflammation and chronic diseases. When ama accumulates in the digestive tract, it causes bloating, constipation, and ingestion. As it spreads to other organs, it affects energy levels, immunity, and mental clarity.
Strengthening agni and improving digestion, is a known way to eliminate ama from the body. It can be done through detoxification, herbal remedies, and fasting diets. Healthy practices such as eating at regular intervals, eating a balanced diet, engaging in physical activity, and getting adequate sleep help you maintain a balanced Agni, preventing the formation of ama.
Conclusion
Ayurveda teaches us that life is a journey of balance in which the mind, body, and spirit work in harmony. It will enable you to make choices that help maintain wellness through your dosha and Agni. Ayurveda medicines and therapies lead to better digestion, disease prevention, and long-term health. It gives you the tools to thrive by understanding the transformative forces within the body. Following Ayurveda is about focusing on your body, nourishing it from within, and leading a balanced life so that you can combat health issues more effectively.
You can start following Ayurvedic principles by eating a healthy balanced diet and following an exercise routine. Consult with an Ayurvedic practitioner to learn more about the right Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle for your body for optimal health.
At Chirag Global Hospitals, we’re proud to announce the launch of “Chiraayu” – a pioneering Ayurvedic wing dedicated exclusively to Proctology and digestive issues. This innovative integration of traditional wisdom of Ayurveda and Yoga, with modern allopathic expertise marks a significant milestone in our journey to provide comprehensive and holistic healthcare.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ayurveda
- What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is an ancient Indian healing system that focuses on holistic health by balancing the body, mind, and spirit. It emphasizes prevention and treating the root cause of health issues rather than just symptoms
- What are the three doshas in Ayurveda?
The three doshas in Ayurveda are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each dosha represents different energies and characteristics that influence an individual’s physical and mental constitution.
- How can I determine my dosha type?
To determine your dosha type, you can consult an Ayurvedic practitioner who will assess your physical characteristics, mental tendencies, and overall health. There are also online quizzes available, but a professional consultation is more accurate.
- What is Agni in Ayurveda?
Agni in Ayurveda refers to the digestive fire or metabolic energy that transforms food into energy and nutrients. It plays a crucial role in digestion, metabolism, and overall health.
- How can I incorporate Ayurvedic principles into my daily life?
You can incorporate Ayurvedic principles by eating a balanced diet suitable for your dosha, practising regular exercise, managing stress through meditation or yoga, and following a daily routine and seasonal regimens, that align with natural rhythms.
- Is Ayurveda scientifically proven?
Ayurveda possesses inherent scientific validity based on its holistic understanding of the body and its surroundings. Ongoing research endeavours aim to elucidate and contextualize Ayurveda’s principles and efficacy through modern scientific methodologies, thereby bridging the gap between age-old wisdom, existing for thousands of years, and contemporary evidence-based standards.
- Can Ayurveda be used alongside modern medicine?
Yes, Ayurveda can often be used complementary to modern medicine. However, it’s important to consult with both your physician and an Ayurvedic doctor to ensure there are no conflicts in treatments.
- Are Ayurvedic treatments safe?
When practised by qualified professionals, Ayurvedic treatments are generally safe. However, when some herbal remedies are self-made or taken without proper consultation, they may interact with medications or have side effects. Always consult a qualified Ayurvedic doctor before starting any new treatment.