Ayurveda is an ancient system of disease prevention, health care, and healing. Conservative estimates place the origins of Ayurveda in the Himalayan mountains 5000 years ago. In fact, 3000 year old Ayurvedic texts which comprehensively include everything from advanced surgical techniques to herbalism, and from obstetrics to geriatrics are readily available. This makes Ayurveda the most enduring time-tested and proven healing modality available in the world today. 
In Ayurveda the diagnosis of disease and individual constitutions is in terms of three psycho-physical doshas, or humors, called Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.  The literal meaning of dosha is 'fault' because these three humors are the three ways in which the body tends to move out of balance. Each persons psycho-physical constitution can be described in terms of one or a combination of these doshas.  The following is a short description of the doshas to help you determine which dosha your constitution or an imbalance is so you can decide exactly which remedy is right for you. 

Symbol: Air 
Principle: Movement, transport and kinetic energy in the body-mind. 
Essence: Prana, the Life Force. 
Body Type: Small body frames, average amount of hair which tends to be dry and light brown, dry or rough skin, small eyes. 
Mental Picture: Short term memory is best,  changing moods and thoughts. 
Vata in Balance: Alert and spontaneous 
Vata out of Balance: Worried, mood swings. 
Key words: Light, cold, dry, fast, quick, changing, movement, restlessness. 
Herbs and Formulas: Triphala   Massage Oils  Gotu Kola 
 
For more information see the Introduction to Dosha Siddhanta  or books in the Bookstore 
  or see a qaulified Ayurvedic practitioner

Symbol: Fire 
Principle: Transformation, metabolism, and discrimination in the body-mind. 
Essence: Tejas, Inner Light and Radiance. 
Body Type: Medium size body frames, average amount of hair that tends to be reddish or gray and thinning, soft, slightly oily skin and medium size eyes. 
Mental Picture: Good memory, sharp intellects, sound sleepers, quick tempers. 
Pitta in Balance: Enterprising and joyous. 
Pitta out of Balance: Angry, impatient, frustrated. 
Key words:  Hot, fiery, perceptive, and intense. 
Herbs and Formulas: Triphala   Massage Oils  Gotu Kola 

For more information see the Introduction to Dosha Siddhanta or books in the Bookstore 
  or see a qaulified Ayurvedic practitioner

Symbol: Water. 
Principle: Integration, lubrication, potential energy and stability in the body-mind. 
Essence: Ojas, Primal Vitality. 
Body Type: Large body frames and thick, dark brown or black hair which tends toward oilyness.  Oily, moist skin and large eyes. 
Mental Picture: Calm, steady and stable, good long term memory, heavy sleepers, slow to be irritated. 
Kapha in Balance: Strong and calm. 
Kapha out of Balance: Dull and lethargic. 
Key words: Slow, steady, solid, heavy, accumulation, and regularity. 
Herbs and Formulas: Triphala   Massage Oils   Organic Turmeric 

For more information see the Introduction to Dosha Siddhanta or books in the Bookstore 
  or see a qaulified Ayurvedic practitioner