Written by Jen Brown 

In this article I’d like to explain more about the three doshas or constitutions that exist in our bodies, and how to use this information in a practical, everyday use scenario. 

The pitta element is present in our small intestines, stomach, liver, spleen, pancreas, eyes, blood, and sweat. The vata element is present in large intestine, pelvic cavity, pores of the bones, skin, ears and the thighs. The kapha element is present in the upper half of the stomach, chest, head, plasma, and in all of the liquids of the body. 

This information is useful in understanding symptoms you may have when your body gets out of whack. For example, when a person “overheats” from too much pitta in her system, some common symptoms would be bloodshot eyes, red rash on the skin, and heartburn. You can compensate for this by eating more cooling foods that focus on the tastes of sweet, bitter, and astringent.

Ghee, which is also called “clarified butter” in the West is incredibly healing for excess pitta in your system. By using ghee either in your cooking as an oil, on top of bread, or in a sauce, you literally “put out the pitta fire” in your tissues. Some fresh fruits and vegetables that are excellent for pitta types are: berries, apples, nectarines, cucumber, and raw salads if you have a strong digestion and the weather is warm 

Think back to that cold you had last Winter where your chest was congested and you had to blow your nose constantly- that’s kapha! The chief symptom of a kapha imbalance is swelling, but other common symptoms can include weight gain and excessive mucous production. You can compensate for this by eating more foods that are pungent, bitter and astringent.

Try to avoid sweet, salty, and sour tastes as much as possible. Remember that kapha is composed of mucous, so you want to avoid foods that create excess mucous like ice cream, yogurt, and cheese. Foods that will alleviate kapha are: mung beans, split peas, tofu, all dried fruits (they are less sweet than fresh) and most vegetables. For vegetables, try to eat them raw in the summer when the temperature is higher and cooked during the rest of the year. If you are having problems with your digestion, then it’s best to stick to cooked veggies regardless of the season.  

The primary symptom of a vata imbalance is pain, especially in the low back area. However, since vata governs movement, another important symptom of vata disturbance is any abnormal excess of motion, like twitching, rapid breathing, and rapid heart rate. You can compensate for excess vata by eating foods that are more sweet, salty, or sour, rather than bitter or pungent. Some great examples are: cooked vegetables, baked apples, and mung beans.

Remember, vata is primarily cold and dry, so to balance those qualities, you want to focus on warm and moist, which is why it is better to eat cooked vegetables, rather than salad. Ironically, many vata types often crave salad!  

By understanding how to balance the three constitutions, you can make small adjustments in your lifestyle and diet to cure yourself of many common ailments!