
Do you ever feel like your body is out of sync or constantly unbalanced? Are anxiety and stress weighing you down? Imagine if we could provide the answer to these challenges through the timeless wisdom of holistic health, via personalized health plans.
Ayurveda—an ancient approach to natural healing—believes your bodily health and mental wellness depend on body energies or doshas. An imbalance of these natural energies can lead to health issues and constant feelings of being unwell. The good thing is that Ayurvedic medicine offers solutions as well.
Read on to learn more about doshas, what happens when they go haywire, and how Ayurveda can help balance them out.
In this article:
- What are Doshas?
- How do I identify my dosha?
- What sets Ayurveda medicine apart from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?
- Can I have more than one dominant dosha?
- What happens if my dosha is disturbed?
- How does Ayurveda medicine help balance out doshas?
- Conclusion: Embracing Your Unique Dosha
What Are Doshas?
Ayurveda medicine for health is based on the core concept of three doshas known as Vata, pitta, and Kapha. It is believed that the right balance of these energy chakras is critical for our mental, emotional, and physical health and well-being. And since no two bodies and minds are alike, these doshas might vary from person to person. You might have a different dominant dosha, while your sibling or partner might have another.
Vata is concerned with movement, creativity, and intellect
Pitta is responsible for metabolism, digestion, and transformation
Kapha provides structure, stability, and lubrication.
A study was conducted to classify humans based on their HLA gene and Ayurvedic concepts of doshas. They observed that certain HLA alleles were higher in Vata, Pitta, and Kapha type. The results supported the original hypothesis that humans can be classified based on their doshas, but further studies are needed to validate it.
How do I identify my dosha?
The first step is to identify and understand your dosha. Each dosha is a combination of five different elements, including space, air, fire, water, and earth. To identify your dosha, Ayurveda observes both your mind and body. You can also use modern tools like AI to analyze these traits and find your dominant dosha.
Each dosha is manifested distinctly, here are some characteristics associated with them.

Vata– The combination of Space and Air
People with thin build, dry skin, cold hands/feet, and irregular appetite often have Vata as their dominant dosha. They’re creative, quick thinkers, and prone to anxiety or forgetfulness under stress.

Pitta – The combination of Fire and Water
People with a medium build, warm body temperature, and sensitive skin often have Pitta as their dominant dosha. They’re competitive, focused, quick to anger, and enjoy challenges.

Kapha – The combination of Water and Earth
People with a larger build, oily skin, and slower digestion often have Kapha as their dominant dosha. They’re calm, compassionate, resistant to change, and sluggish.
What sets Ayurveda medicine apart from Traditional Chinese Medicine?
Both TCM and Ayurvedic medicine for women emphasizes the importance of self-awareness in identifying your natural body energy and any imbalances in it. Ayurveda is based on the three doshas, while TCM is based on the balance of yin, yang, and the flow of qi (the life force).
Ayurveda for health focuses on personalized medicine tailored to an individual’s unique dosha and constitution. It’s a holistic approach that integrates diet, yoga, herbal remedies, and meditation to balance your body’s energies. Contrary to this, TCM focuses on medicine and external remedies like Acupuncture to balance your yin and yang. However, the use of similar ingredients in both these approaches represents a historical overlap between the two.
A study was conducted to compare 645 medicinal preparations in Ayurvedic medicine and 1559 in TCM. They found that most of these preparations are used to treat digestive, respiratory, and urogenital system diseases. Surprisingly, Ayurveda and TCM have 163 common medicinal ingredients.
Ayurveda is best suited for people looking for:
- A personalized treatment to get their mind and body in sync
- A holistic treatment plan that incorporates dietary changes, yoga, and mindfulness techniques.
- Ethically sourced, plant-based medicines
- Preventive medicine
Can I have more than one dominant dosha?
Yes, it is normal to be a blend of primary dosha and secondary dosha. For example, you may have Vata-Pitta or Pitta-Kapha doshas. This means your primary dosha determines your general health and personality traits, whereas your secondary dosha will sometimes provide the key to understanding your health and personality.
What happens if my dosha is disturbed?
An imbalance in dosha can result in physical and mental health problems. For instance, an irregular routine can cause tension, leading to digestive ailments, dehydration, or anxiety in the case of Vata types. Pitta types can suffer from anger, inflamed skin, breakouts, or stomach ulcers. Kapahs may experience weight gain, slow digestion, lethargy, or respiratory issues such as congestion. The overstimulation of the dominant dosha qualities, such as heating, cooling, drying, or moistening, can cause your doshas to go haywire.
A unique case study demonstrated the successful treatment of a COVID-19 patient using only Ayurvedic medicines. Despite severe symptoms like high fever and cough, the disease progression was quickly controlled by using Ayurveda. That’s the strength of Ayurveda—it not only tackles your physical ailments but also supports your overall physical and mental well-being. Regular Ayurveda consultations, such as those offered at Ayurveda Encinitas, can help you identify your dominant energy type and understand lifestyle changes to balance it. Our certified experts have helped hundreds of people with tailored treatment plans incorporating Ayurvedic diets, lifestyle changes, and effective herbal treatments.
How does Ayurveda medicine help balance out doshas?
Ayurveda uses a holistic approach to treat humans; it considers your mind and body as one. The right Ayurveda treatment includes making necessary changes in every aspect of your life.
Dietary Changes
Knowing what type of food balances out doshas can help you adjust your dietary habits accordingly.
Vata types should focus on warm foods like soups, stews, and whole grains and avoid cold foods that can further contribute to dryness. Ghee and oils can be beneficial.
If you are a Pitta type, focus on cold foods like cucumber, coconut, and leafy greens. Use foods that can help you counter heat. Avoid spicy, fried, or acidic foods.
Kapha type should avoid sugary or heavy foods. Instead, focus on light spicy foods with warming spices like ginger and turmeric.
Lifestyle Changes
Ayurveda emphasizes that small, consistent changes to your routine can help you keep your doshas balanced. Even if you’re always on the clock, small changes can lead to a better outcome with consistency.
Vatta types should observe a daily routine for meals and sleep. Gentle exercises, like yoga or tai chi, are advisable. These activities settle your energies and soothe your mind. Warm oil massages with sesame or almond oil will relax and nourish your body.
Pitta types should engage in cooling activities like swimming, walking in nature, or gardening. They should avoid competitive sports that can excite and aggravate intensity. Give time to journaling, painting, or mindfulness meditation. Use cooling oils like coconut or sandalwood for massages and avoid too much sun exposure or hot environments.
If you are a Kapha type, engage in activities like jogging, dancing, or cardio workouts. These help combat sluggishness. Try to wake up early. Set an alarm to wake up promptly and avoid oversleeping. Start with a few minutes of deep breathing or sun salutations through yoga.
Integrating Ayurveda with Modern Wellness
Ayurveda and modern wellness could complement each other really well. If you practice modern fitness — that is, cardio or strength training — integrate Ayurveda by choosing activities based on your dosha. For example, Vata types may be okay with restorative yoga, Pitta types have a better time in cooling activities like swimming, and Kapha types do better with more dynamic exercises like running or dancing. You can also combine ayurvedic mindful practices with modern mindful techniques, like mindfulness-based stress reduction. (MBSR).
This is especially important to busy women navigating the demands of modern life. Ayurveda for women highlights the emotional and mental benefits of dosha balance. From bedtime routines for better sleep to seasonal adjustments in diet and exercise, Ayurvedic medicine for women provides actionable steps to restore balance.
Your sign to embrace your Dosha
Feeling overwhelmed by your body’s signals is completely normal. Now that you’re familiar with doshas view this as a call to explore your body energy and tune into your body. Recognizing your dosha is essential for personalized health, promoting both improved well-being and greater self-awareness. Interested in knowing your dosha type or getting personalized consultations tailored to cater to your dosha needs? Schedule an appointment today at Ayurveda Encinitas to achieve mind and body harmony. Book your appointment and find out!