| Ayurveda believes in the Panchabhuta theory of
akasha, vayu, prithivi, jala and, agni. Individuals have five senses- visual, auditory,
smell, olfactory, and touch to perceive the external world. These senses not only perceive
the external object but also absorb it in the body in the form of energy. According to
Ayurveda, Panchabhuta are represented in the human body as three elements - dosha, dhatu
and mala. Outside the body they form the basic ingredients of the drugs and food.
Physico-chemical and physiological activities of the body are governed by dosha. The
dosha have a supporting role to play when they are in adequate proportion. If not in
proper proportion, they upset the equilibrium of the dhatus and cause various diseases.
For this reason they are called dosha or variators of dhatu.
There are seven dhatus that are produced from the food we take. They are: ahara ras
(food juice), rakta (blood), mamsa (flesh), medas (fat), asthi (bones), majja (bone
marrow), and sukra (semen).
Mala are the parts of doshas that are excreted as waste products from the body after
digestion. These waste matter are in the form of sweat, urine and faeces.
Ayurveda is based on theory of tridosha or the three dosha (biological forces). They
are Vata, Pitta and Kapha or air, bile and phlegm. The theory of dosha plays an important
role in Ayurveda. It is the basis for positive health, diagnosis, and treatment of
diseases.
The three dosha pervade all over the body. Vata dominated by vayu and akasha is found
in the urinary bladder, intestines, pelvic region, thighs, legs and bones. Sweat, blood,
lymph and stomach are the seats of pitta that is dominated by agni. While the kapha,
dominated by prithivi and jala, is found in upper portion of the stomach, fat tissues,
head, thorax, neck and joints.
In the digestion process, when food begins to digest, a reaction sets in and foamy
kapha appears. When the food is slightly digested, another reaction takes place. The
digested food passes into the intestine with a liquid substance called pitta. The left
food passes to the large intestine and begins to dry up to be converted into a dry mass.
During this process a third reaction sets in. This reaction is bitter and astringent, and
vata appears.
The three dosha are further divided into five divisions. Each of the divisions
represents five aspects of the same dosha.
The location and functions of the five divisions of vata, pitta and kapha are mentioned
in the table below.
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