Prakrithi Analysis

PRAKRITHI ANALYSIS

Prakriti has been one most notable basic construct of Ayurvedic health care philosophy. It fundamentally explains the biological specificity operating at cellular and genomic level and is held largely responsible for distinctions among individuals in various arenas of functions and appearance.

Charaka Samhita, an ancient Ayurvedic script (200 BC), describes elaborately about Prakriti including the methods of its examination on objective and subjective basis. It describes vividly about various physical, physiological, and behavioral features specific to Dosha types, whose presence may give a clue to the dominance of some Dosha over the other. An observation of available features thereby indicates the dominance of specific Dosha, eventually helping Prakriti identification in an individual.

Although every individual has the three doshas – Vata, Pitta &Kapha, each of us inherits them in differing proportions.On account of these differences Ayurveda categorize human into 7 basic body types. They are:

On account of these differences Ayurveda categorize human into 7 basic body types. They are:

But as main classification in a brief manner only three Prakruti are taken into account in most of the instances –

For ex:

Trait-Physical & Mental	Vata	Pitta	Kapha
Alfreds Futterkiste	Maria Anders	Germany	Large frame
Centro comercial Moctezuma	Francisco Chang	Mexico	heavy
Skin Color	Dusky	Pinkish	pale

Some of the best Ayurvedic herbs for a VATA constitution include the following

Vidarikand (Pueraria tuberosa)

Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri)

Some of the best Ayurvedic herbs for a PITTA constitution include the following

Bhringraj (Eclipta prostrata)

Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia)

Mint (Mentha)

Some of the best Ayurvedic herbs for a KAPHA constitution include the following

Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica)

Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica)

Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa)

Moringa (Moringa oleifera)

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO EACH PRAKRUTI:

VATA PRAKRUTI

Vata Prakruti people have unpredictable and irregular appetite. So eating quality in sufficient quantity is useful as long as hunger is there. Eat 3-4 meals a day at regular time. Eat a good breakfast. Take a hot milky drink at night.
Diet should contain warm, heavy, moistening, nourishing and soothing foods. Use mild spices and little salt to help digestion avoid pungent, bitter, astringent, dry and cold food as these causes imbalance of Vata. Go for a warm dessert or hot herbal tea at the end of the meal.
Eating fast food is not suggested. While eating avoid watching television, listening radio, reading paper etc is not advisable as it may affect digestion. Eat in a calm, clean and spacious feeling atmosphere.
Skipping meals is not good for vata prakruti people, also avoid over eating
Vata is increased by age, autumn season and afternoon time, travel, in loud noise, cold and wind. One must be careful in these situations

PITTA PRAKRUTI

People with a dominant Pitta Dosha usually have a strong appetite,that needs to be satisfied regularly. They should take cool, slightly dry and little heavy diet, avoid salt. Sweet, astringent and bitter tastes are good for pitta
Eat good size meals at midday. Avoid late night eating. Avoid salty, overly cooked, heavy spiced, sour foods, alcohol and sugar. Eat three meals a day at regular time. Have light breakfast and early lunch.
Pitta is increased in summer, at midday and midnight, intense heat, excessive sunlight. One must be aware of these times

KAPHA PRAKRUTI

For Kapha prakruti person eating less but eating high quality of food is good. Take low salt, high fibre, lightly cooked foods. Pungent, light, dry, bitter, astringent and hot food is good for kapha people. They should avoid sweet, oil, salty, cold, heavy and sour food.
Take a gentle walk after eating. Avoid sleeping after meals as this adds to heaviness in the body. Fast one day a week. Do not use food for emotional support. This will definitely cause weight gain
Kapha increases in early morning, later in the evening and in the spring. So take care of diet during these times.

Application of Prakruti