The three doshas
Vata governs movement: breathing, circulation, nerve signalling, elimination. When dominant it brings creativity, quickness and a light build; when aggravated, anxiety, poor sleep, dry skin, bloating and irregular digestion. Pitta governs transformation: digestion, metabolism, body heat, sharp thinking. In balance it brings focus and strong digestion; aggravated, it shows as irritability, acid reflux, inflammation, skin rashes and overheating. Kapha governs structure and lubrication: strength, immunity, stability. In balance it brings calm and endurance; aggravated, it shows as sluggishness, weight gain, congestion and low motivation.
Constitution and imbalance
Your prakriti is the proportion of doshas you were born with, and it does not change. Your vikriti is your current state, which shifts with diet, season, age, stress and illness. Ayurvedic treatment aims to bring the vikriti back towards the prakriti. This is why two people with the same symptom may be given different advice.
Is it real?
The dosha framework is a clinical model for grouping tendencies and tailoring advice, not a validated biological measurement. Used that way it is practical and often insightful. Used to make grand claims it overreaches. Online quizzes give a rough idea; a proper assessment by an Ayurvedic doctor, including pulse and history, is more reliable.
How it guides treatment
Each dosha is balanced by its opposite qualities. Vata by warmth, routine, oil and grounding food. Pitta by cooling, calm and reducing heat and intensity. Kapha by stimulation, lightness, movement and warmth. Diet, daily routine, herbs and therapies are chosen on that basis.
At Omnia
Our Ayurvedic doctors in Chiswick assess your constitution at the first consultation and build your plan around it.