The 3 Ayurvedic constitutional types or Doshas – vata, pitta, and kapha – are responsible for homeostasis and health. The doshas determine various functions, including sleep. According to the Ayurvedic texts, sleep is caused by increased kapha and insomnia by increased vata or pitta, which may follow physical or mental exertion, or disease.

CLICK HERE TO EVALUATE YOUR DOSHA

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4448595/

Excessive KAPHA – Excessive Sleep

Insomnia – Increased Vata or Pitta or both

High vata– higher vata scores being associated with a longer time to fall asleep and a lesser feeling of being rested in the morning

High Kapha- higher kapha scores being associated with longer day-time naps.

High Vata – If Vata types remain out of balance for an extended period of time, anxiety and nervousness may occur. Leading to lack of quality sleep

High Pitta – Signs of pitta imbalance include diarrhea, burning sensations, skin irritations, odorous sweating, fever, inflammation, and a hypercritical or intense mental outlook

PITTA DOSHA

Pitta’s elemental makeup consists of fire and water. The common translation of pitta is “that which digests things.” According to ayurveda, this is the dosha responsible for our ability to mentally digest our life experiences and biologically digest our food. Pitta is responsible for all of our chemical and metabolic transformations.

QUALITIES OR ATTRIBUTES OF PITTA DOSHA

• Hot

• Sharp or penetrating

• Light

• Liquid

• Spreading

• A little oily or “unctuous” (some ayurvedic texts describe it as moist)

• Sour

CHARACTERISTICS OF PITTA DOSHA

The classic ayurvedic text Charaka Samhita says that when pitta is in balance within any individual, according to their prakruti or constitution, their blood will be healthy and the acid secretions in their intestines and stomach optimal for digestion. Mental digestion, sound judgment, and discernment are functions of balanced pitta. Our ability to clearly perceive what the body senses (sees, hears, smells, etc.) is governed by pitta. Regarding transformation, pitta governs the ability of the body to combust, or digest, the materials needed to bring warmth and color to the body. The body’s ability to maintain warmth and absorb sunlight as well as our ability to mentally digest our thoughts and emotions are governed by pitta dosha. The Charaka says that the “light of awareness” is governed by pitta as well.

Actions of pitta dosha in the body and mind are:

• Intelligence

• Valor

• Understanding

• Color and complexion

• Hunger

• Thirst

• Visual perception

• All digestion

• All heat in the body and mind

• Softness and health of the skin

• Regulation of the liver

• Proper function of the small intestine

CHARACTERISTICS OF PITTA DOMINANCE IN APPEARANCE

• Sharp, almond-shaped eyes (often green or hazel)

• Little body hair or soft, light body hair

• High hairline, with medium amount of soft hair; in aging process thinning hair to male pattern baldness

• Early to grey

• Sharp nose, teeth, and chin

• Freckles (red hair is also pitta quality)

• Medium to small frame

• Flexible yet stable joints

• Symmetry of hips to shoulders

• Red colored tongue

• Rosy cheeks and lips

EXAMPLES OF PITTA DOSHA IN EXCESS OR IN AN IMBALANCED STATE

• Easily sunburns

• Heartburn

• Diarrhea

• Nausea

• Strong anger

• Agitation as a stress response

• Teeth sensitivity

• Burning sensation in eyes, skin, mouth, or with urination

• Yellow, smelly urine, or excess urine

• Excess sweat

• Flushed nose, cheeks, or ears

• Bloodshot eyes or yellow in eyes (and skin)

• Acne or skin rashes

• Nosebleeds or excess bleeding when cut

• Smelly feet, armpits, or a general sour smell to the body

• Overanalyzing

• Tunnel vision with goal-orientated behavior

• Self-critical

• Obsessive or compulsive thinking

• Jealousy

• Hatred

• Desire to seek revenge

• Liver issues

• Blood issues

• Inflammation in general

• Fever

• Heat and agitation with sleep

• Small intestine/digestive acid issues

• Burnout

DIETARY TIPS TO SUPPORT PITTA BALANCE

Foods that are great to balance pitta are, in general, sweet, bitter, and astringent in taste. Ayurveda considers these tastes to be medicine for cooling, drying, and calming excess pitta. Generally, all six tastes (sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent) are recommended for healthy digestion.

VATA DOSHA

Vata’s elemental makeup consists of air and ether. The common translation of vata is “that which moves things.” Vata is often referred to as the vayu (wind) in the body, and it is the primary motivating force of the doshas—without it, the other doshas are unable to move.

According to ayurveda, vata is responsible for our mental and physical adaptability. It is the energizing force of the body and mind, and it governs our nervous system, our bones, and our senses of touch and hearing.

QUALITIES OR ATTRIBUTES OF VATA DOSHA

• Dry

• Light

• Cold

• Rough

• Subtle (as opposed to gross)

• Mobile (agitated movement)

• Clear

CHARACTERISTICS OF VATA DOSHA

When vata is in balance for our prakruti, or constitutional nature, we are coordinated in body and mind and in our response to stimulation. When in balance, vata allows us to seamlessly navigate our thoughts, feelings, and actions. Our ambulation is easy, our sensory integration and mental processes flow, and we feel spacious, creative, and energized. When our vata is in balance, our breath supports our nervous system, and there is homeostasis between tissues and organs. The movement of our life force (prana) is regulated by vata, and this function allows us to “inspire” (inhale) easily and to surrender (exhale) with ease as well.

THE ACTIONS OF VATA DOSHA IN THE BODY AND MIND

• Creativity

• Joy

• Communication

• Hearing

• Touch

• Respiration

• Heart function

• Circulation

• Menstruation; delivery of baby

• Orgasm

• Elimination of wastes (urine, feces, sweat)

• Movement of thoughts and feelings, and the general functioning of our nervous system

• All physical movements

CHARACTERISTICS OF VATA DOMINANCE IN APPEARANCE

• Light-colored eyes, smaller in shape or irregular in shape and/or spacing

• Light frame; either very tall or very short

• Hypermobile joints

• Veins can be easily seen under skin

• Hair is fine in nature

• May have large upper body and small lower body or vice versa; lack of symmetry in frame

• Skin is often dry

• May have irregular hair pattern

• Nose may appear too big or too small in relation to other facial features

• Lips may be irregular or thin

• Delicate features overall

EXAMPLES OF VATA DOSHA IN EXCESS OR IN AN IMBALANCED STATE

• Dry skin

• Irregular appetite; “grazer”

• Cold hands and feet

• Dry cough

• Constipation

• Hoarse throat

• Restless legs

• Tapping fingers, pulling hair, tics

• Hiccups

• Belching

• Stiff muscles and joints

• Anxiety

• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

• Vertigo

• Difficulty remembering

• Trouble staying asleep

• Trouble getting to sleep

• Fearful dreams

• Hyperactivity

• Cracking joints

• Amenorrhea

• Delusions

• Dissociation

• Shortness of breath

• Bone density issues

• Flatulence

• Tremors

• Trouble swallowing

DIETARY TIPS TO SUPPORT VATA BALANCE

Foods that are great for balancing vata are, in general, sweet, sour, and salty in taste. Ayurveda considers these tastes to be medicine to increase qualities of warmth, moisture, and heaviness/groundedness to promote even digestion—which helps to balance vata. Generally, all six tastes (sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent) are recommended for healthy digestion.

KAPHA DOSHA

Kapha’s elemental makeup consists of water and earth. The common translation of kapha is “that which binds things” or “that which holds things together.” According to ayurveda, this is the dosha responsible for the stability, lubrication, substance, and support of our physical body.

Kapha supports our emotional calm, our mental and physical endurance, and it allows us to feel deeply, to empathize, and to be patient and compassionate.

QUALITIES OF KAPHA DOSHA

• Cold

• Wet

• Heavy

• Dull

• Slow

• Sticky

• Smooth/slimy

• Soft or hard (Think of mud—it can be sticky or soft and slimy or hard.)

• Steady or static

• Cloudy

• Liquid

• Dense

• Gross (as opposed to subtle)

CHARACTERISTICS OF KAPHA DOSHA

When kapha within us is in balance, according to our constitution, or prakruti, we feel a sense of support in bodily function. The dense, stable, conserving qualities of kapha support our body heat and protect our organs. There is a firm quality to our joints, which are well-lubricated and support the bones, and there is internal support from mucous membranes and GI lining, as well as the myelin sheath for proper brain function.

Ayurveda says that contentment is one of the benefits that balanced kapha brings to our lives.

Kapha’s ability to love and forgive supports relationships with compassion and patience.

THE ACTIONS OF KAPHA DOSHA IN THE MIND AND BODY

• Contentment

• Forgiveness

• Compassion

• Growth

• Sleep

• Fat regulation

• Strength and stamina

• Stability in body and mind

• Support for bodily functions

• Nourishment of the liquid body tissues; plasma

• Anabolic changes

• Lubrication; mucous

• Nourishment in general

• Repair and regeneration

• Memory

• Quality of saliva (ability to perceive taste)

• Sense of smell

CHARACTERISTICS OF KAPHA DOMINANCE IN APPEARANCE

• Large eyes; especially the white (sclera) of the eye

• Eye color is dark and rich in tone; chocolate brown, deep blue

• Abundance of body hair and/or low hairline

• Lush, thick, sometimes curly quality to hair

• Round features

• Smooth, dense skin (oily)

• Solid frame; may be stocky or large and strong

• Deep-set joints

• Pale tongue

• Large, well-formed teeth

EXAMPLES OF KAPHA DOSHA IN EXCESS OR IN AN IMBALANCED STATE

• Slow or dull digestion

• Stagnation; inertia

• Constipation

• Excess saliva

• Excess mucous

• Greed

• Attachment issues

• Clammy skin

• Wet cough

• Skin tags

• Edema (water retention)

• Excessive napping; difficulty waking

• Hypomobility

• Foggy mind

• Stubborn

• Depression

• Congestion

• Chills

• Lack of appetite

• Difficulty breathing

• Pneumonia

• Cysts

• Feeling heavy or sleepy after eating

• Difficulty initiating (slow starter)

DIETARY TIPS TO SUPPORT KAPHA DOSHA IMBALANCE

Foods that are great for balancing of kapha in general are pungent, bitter, and astringent in taste. Ayurveda considers these tastes to be the medicine for warming, drying, and stimulating digestion for kapha. Generally, all six tastes (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent) are recommended for healthy digestion!