Elixir of Health

The theory of the three humours

Every human being has a unique physical and mental disposition। This is called the person’s constitution or Prakriti. At the time of conception, whichever of the three humours is dominant determines one’s nature. Thus one can have a vāta nature, a pitta nature or a kapha nature. The humour, which is predominant in one’s nature, affects all dhātus sense and the mind,. This nature remains unchanged throughout one’s life. Selection one’s food, mode of living and treatment according to one’s nature is essential for a long and healthy life.

Kapha Nature

People with kapha constituency are heavily built, strong and handsome। They have cheerful countenance, large eyes and a resonant, deep voice. They have a bright and wheatish complexion and have dark hairs. These people have a weak appetite and feel thirsty less as compared to the others. They sleep more. They like pungent, beytter, astringent, hot and dry foods. They are thoughtful, patient, tolerant, forgiving and hard-working. They are taciturn, simple, modest and righteous.

They are hard learners but have good memory skills। They are far-sighted, full of vigour, procreative and have a long life। Reduced to one-fourth of its volume, before going to bed in the night, is beneficial in diseases related to kapha.

Pitta Nature

Those with pitta nature are intolerant to hot foods, sun, and heat and summer season। They are fair complexioned and attractive. Their nails, eyes, tongue, lips, palms and soles are of brownish colour. They have good number of moles on their body. They start looking senile comparatively at younger age. Their appetite is frequently. They like sweet, astringent, bitter pitta, they are valiant, intelligent, bright, fearless, and dominant and they get easily irritated and pleased. Their sleepis short but deep; their memory is medium and voice clear. They are low in vigour, procreative ability and medium in strength and longevity. Drinking water which has been boiled and reduced to half its volume, before going to bed at night, is beneficial in pitta related disorders.

Vata Nature

People with a vāta constitution have dry skin, and are thin and small-built। They have coarse voice and are dark complexioned। Because of the movement property of vāta, they talk and walk quickly. They have disturbed sleep. Their digestive power is variable so they have some times good and some times bad appetite. Veins are easily visible through the skin. They are talkative. They are quick to initiate activities. They are quick learners but they forget quickly. They are more prone to develop diseases. They cannot bear cold. They like sweet, sour, salty and hot foods. They are fond of dance music and fun, they lack in self-restrain. They are low in strength, vigor, procreative ability and longevity. Drinking water which has been volume, before going to bed at night, is beneficial in diseases related to vāta.

One should know one’s nature on the basis of these characteristics and select one’s a food and mode one’s food and mode of living accordingly.