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{{Short description|Ayurvedic medicine concept}}
{{About|the notion of bioelements in the body according to ayurveda|the type of food|dosa (food)|archaeological site in West Bengal|Dhosa, Jaynagar}}
{{Distinguish|Dasha (astrology)}}
{{italic title}}
[[File:Ayurveda humors.svg|thumb|The three ''dosha''s and the five great elements they are composed from]]
{{Alternative medical systems|traditional}}

'''''Dosha''''' ({{langx|sa|दोषः}}, [[International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration|IAST]]: ''doṣa'') is a central term in [[ayurveda]] originating from [[Sanskrit]], and which refers to three categories or types of substances that are believed to be present conceptually in a person's body and mind. These Dosha are assigned specific qualities and functions. These qualities and functions are affected by external and internal stimuli received by the body.  Beginning with twentieth-century [[Brhat Trayi|ayurvedic literature]], the "three-''dosha'' theory" ({{langx|sa|त्रिदोषोपदेशः}}, {{transliteration|sa|tridoṣa-upadeśaḥ}}) has described how the quantities and qualities of three fundamental types of substances called wind, bile, and phlegm ({{langx|sa|वात}}, {{lang|sa|पित्त}}, {{lang|sa|कफ}}; {{transliteration|sa|vāta}}, {{transliteration|sa|pitta}}, {{transliteration|sa|kapha}}) fluctuate in the body according to the seasons, time of day, process of digestion, and several other factors and thereby determine changing conditions of growth, [[Ageing|aging]], health, and disease.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/englishtranslati01susruoft|title=An English translation of the Sushruta samhita, based on original Sanskrit text. Edited and published by Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna. With a full and comprehensive introduction, translation of different readings, notes, comparative views, an index, glossary and plates|last1=Susruta|last2=Bhishagratna|first2=Kunja Lal|date=1907–1916|publisher=Calcutta|others=Gerstein - University of Toronto}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Wujastyk|first=Dominik|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/38980695|title=The Roots of Ayurveda : selections from Sankskrit medical writings|publisher=Penguin Books|year=1998|isbn=0-14-043680-4|location=New Delhi|pages=4, et passim|oclc=38980695}}</ref>

''Dosha''s are considered to shape the physical body according to a natural constitution established at birth, determined by the constitutions of the parents as well as the time of conception and other factors. This natural constitution represents the healthy norm for a balanced state for a particular individual. The particular ratio of the ''dosha''s in a person's natural constitution is associated with determining their mind-body type including various physiological and psychological characteristics such as physical appearance, physique, and personality.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Shilpa |first1=S |last2=Venkatesha Murthy |first2=Cg |title=Understanding personality from Ayurvedic perspective for psychological assessment: A case |journal=[[AYU (journal)|AYU]] |date=2011 |volume=32 |issue=1 |pages=12–19 |doi=10.4103/0974-8520.85716|pmid=22131752 |pmc=3215408 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

The ayurvedic three-''dosha'' theory is often compared to European [[humorism]] although it is a distinct system with a separate history. The three-''dosha'' theory has also been compared to [[astrology]] and [[physiognomy]] in similarly deriving its tenets from ancient [[philosophy]] and superstitions. As the tenets of ayurvedic medicine have no basis is science, using the concept of dosha to diagnose or treat disease is pseudoscientific.<ref name="skep">{{cite magazine|url=https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/ayurveda-ancient-superstition-not-ancient-wisdom/|title=Ayurveda: Ancient Superstition, Not Ancient Wisdom|first=Harriet|last=Hall|date=21 November 2019|magazine=[[Skeptical Inquirer]]|access-date=31 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.statecraft.co.in/article/what-are-the-dangers-of-legitimizing-ayurveda|title=What Are The Dangers Of Legitimizing Ayurveda?|first=Shravan|last=Raghavan|date=21 November 2019|website=StateCraft|access-date=31 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-golden-state-of-pseudo-science/|title=The Golden State of Pseudo-Science|first=Ben|last=Kavoussi|date=10 September 2009|website=[[Science-Based Medicine]]|access-date=31 August 2020}}</ref>

==Role in disease, Roga==
Doshas are purely imaginary; their existence is not supported by any evidence.<ref name=sn>{{cite web |publisher=Science-Based Medicine |vauthors=Novella S |title=Ayurvedic practitioners push for licensing in Colorado |url=https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/ayurvedic-practitioners-push-licensing-in-colorado/ |date=21 November 2019}}</ref>

The ayurvedic notion of ''dosha''s describes how bad habits, wrong diet, overwork, etc., may cause relative deficiencies or excesses which cause them to become imbalanced in relation to the natural constitution ({{transliteration|sa|[[prakriti]]}}) resulting in a current condition ({{transliteration|sa|vikriti}}) which may potentially lead to disease. For example, an excess of {{transliteration|sa|vata}} is blamed for mental, nervous, and digestive disorders, including low energy and weakening of all body [[Tissue (biology)|tissues]]. Similarly, excess {{transliteration|sa|pitta}} is blamed for blood toxicity, inflammation, and infection. Excess of {{transliteration|sa|kapha}} is blamed for increase in mucus, weight, [[oedema]], and lung disease, etc. The key to managing all ''dosha''s is taking care of {{transliteration|sa|vata}}; it is taught that this will regulate the other two.<ref name="Frawley">David Frawley, Yoga and Ayurveda: Self-Healing and Self-Realization, 1999</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=August 2018}}

==Principles==
{{see also|Mahabhuta|Pancha Bhoota|Prana}}
The ''doshas'' derive their qualities from the five elements ({{langx|sa|पञ्चमहाभूत}}; {{transliteration|sa|pañca-mahābhūta}}) of classical Indian philosophy.

* ''Vāta'' or ''vata'' is characterized by the properties of dry, cold, light, subtle, and mobile. All movement in the body is due to properties of ''vata''. Pain is the characteristic feature of deranged ''vata''. Some of the diseases connected to unbalanced ''vata'' are flatulence, gout, rheumatism, etc.<ref name="Dict">[[Monier-Williams]], Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Oxford, 1899</ref><ref>http://www.ayurvedacollege.com/articles/drhalpern/Vata_Doshas Vata Dosha</ref> Vāta is the normal Sanskrit word meaning "air" or "wind", and was so understood in pre-modern Sanskrit treatises on ayurveda.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sanskrit Dictionary|url=http://sanskritdictionary.com/?iencoding=iast&q=v%C4%81ta&lang=sans&action=Search|access-date=2020-09-09|website=sanskritdictionary.com}}</ref> Some modern interpreters prefer not to translate ''Vata'' as [[Atmosphere of Earth|air]], but rather equate it with a modern metabolic process or substance.<ref name=":0" />
* ''Pitta'' represents metabolism;<ref name=":0" /> It is characterized by heat, moistness, liquidity, sharpness, and sourness. Its chief quality is heat.<ref name="Dict" /> It is the energy principle which uses bile to direct digestion and enhance metabolism. Unbalanced ''pitta'' is primarily characterized by body heat or a burning sensation and redness.  Pitta is the normal Sanskrit word meaning "bile".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sanskrit Dictionary|url=http://sanskritdictionary.com/?iencoding=iast&q=pitta&lang=sans&action=Search|access-date=2020-09-09|website=sanskritdictionary.com}}</ref> It is etymologically related to the Sanskrit word ''pīta'' "yellow".
* ''Kapha'' is the watery element. It is a combination of earth and water. It is characterized by heaviness, coldness, tenderness, softness, slowness, lubrication, and the carrier of nutrients. It is the nourishing element of the body. All soft organs are made by ''kapha'' and it plays an important role in the perception of taste together with nourishment and lubrication.  Kapha (synonym: {{transliteration|sa|śleṣman}}) is the normal Sanskrit word meaning "phlegm".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sanskrit Dictionary|url=http://sanskritdictionary.com/?iencoding=iast&q=kapha&lang=sans&action=Search|access-date=2020-09-09|website=sanskritdictionary.com}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
! width="33%" | 5 types of ''vata dosha''<ref name="Correlates">{{Cite journal|last1=Govindaraj|first1=Periyasamy|last2=Nizamuddin|first2=Sheikh|last3=Sharath|first3=Anugula|last4=Jyothi|first4=Vuskamalla|last5=Rotti|first5=Harish|last6=Raval|first6=Ritu|last7=Nayak|first7=Jayakrishna|last8=Bhat|first8=Balakrishna K.|last9=Prasanna|first9=B. V.|date=2015-10-29|title=Genome-wide analysis correlates Ayurveda Prakriti|journal=Scientific Reports|volume=5|page=15786|doi=10.1038/srep15786|issn=2045-2322|pmc=4625161|pmid=26511157|bibcode=2015NatSR...515786G }}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=August 2018}}
! width = "33%" | 5 types of ''pitta dosha''<ref name="Correlates" />
! width = "33%" | 5 types of ''kapha dosha''<ref name="Correlates" />
|-
|
# ''Prana vata'' – governs inhalation, perception through the senses and governs the mind. Located in the brain, head, throat, heart and respiratory organs.
# ''Udana vata'' – governs speech, self-expression, effort, enthusiasm, strength and vitality. Located in the navel, lungs and throat.
# ''Samana vata'' – governs peristaltic movement of the digestive system. Located in the stomach and small intestines.
# ''Apana vata'' – governs all downward impulses (urination, elimination, menstruation, sexual discharges etc.) Located between the navel and the anus.
# ''Vyana vata'' – governs circulation, heart rhythm, locomotion. Centred in the heart and permeates through the whole body.
|
# ''Pachaka pitta'' – governs digestion of food which is broken down into nutrients and waste. Located in the lower stomach and small intestine.
# ''Ranjaka pitta'' – governs formation of red blood cells. Gives colour to blood and stools. Located in the liver, gallbladder and spleen.
# ''Alochaka pitta'' – governs visual perception. Located in the eyes.
# ''Sadhaka pitta'' – governs emotions such as contentment, memory, intelligence and digestion of thoughts. Located in the heart.
# ''Bharajaka pitta'' – governs lustre and complexion, temperature and pigmentation of the skin. Located in the skin.
|
# ''Kledaka kapha'' – governs moistening and liquefying of the food in the initial stages of digestion. Located in the upper part of the stomach.
# ''Avalambhaka kapha'' – governs lubrication of the heart and lungs. Provides strength to the back, chest and heart. Located in the chest, heart and lungs.
# ''Tarpaka kapha'' – governs calmness, happiness and stability. Nourishment of sense and motor organs. Located in the head, sinuses and cerebra-spinal fluid.
# ''Bodhaka kapha'' – governs perception of taste, lubricating and moistening of food. Located in the tongue, mouth and throat.
# ''Shleshaka kapha'' – governs lubrication of all joints. Located in the joints.
|}

===''Prana'', ''tejas'', and ''ojas''===
Yoga is a set of disciplines, some that aim to balance and transform energies of the psyche. At the roots of {{transliteration|sa|vata}}, {{transliteration|sa|pitta}} and {{transliteration|sa|kapha}} are believed to consist of its subtle counterparts called {{transliteration|sa|prana}}, {{transliteration|sa|tejas}} and {{transliteration|sa|ojas}}. Unlike the ''dosha''s, which in excess create diseases, this is believed to promote health, creativity and well-being.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!{{transliteration|sa|Doṣa}} !! {{transliteration|sa|Bhūta}} Composition || {{transliteration|sa|Mānasa doṣa}} ({{transliteration|sa|guṇa}}) || Characteristic 
|-
|{{transliteration|sa|Vāta}} || ''[[Vayu]]'', ''[[Akasha|Ākāśa]]'' || [[Sattva]] || ''Prana'', the life force and healing energy of ''vata'' (air)
|-
|{{transliteration|sa|Pitta}} || ''[[Agni]]'', ''Jala/[[Ap (water)|Āpas]]'' || [[Rajas]] || ''Tejas'', inner radiance and healing energy of ''pitta'' (fire)
|-
|{{transliteration|sa|Kapha}} || ''[[Prithvi|Pṛthvī]]'', ''Jala/Āpas'' || [[Tamas (Philosophy)|Tamas]] || ''Ojas'', the ultimate energy reserve of the body derived from ''kapha'' (water)
|}

Ultimately, ayurveda seeks to reduce disease, particularly those that are chronic, and increase positive health in the body and mind via these three vital essences that aid in renewal and transformation. Increased {{transliteration|sa|prana}} is associated with enthusiasm, adaptability and creativity, all of which are considered necessary when pursuing a spiritual path in yoga and to enable one to perform. {{transliteration|sa|Tejas}} is claimed to provide courage, fearlessness and insight and to be  important when making decisions. Lastly, {{transliteration|sa|ojas}} is considered to create peace, confidence and patience to maintain consistent development and sustain continued effort. Eventually, the most important element to develop is {{transliteration|sa|ojas}}, believed to engender physical and psychological endurance. Aims to achieve this include ayurvedic diet, tonic herbs, control of the senses, a devotion and most importantly celibacy.<ref name="Frawley" />

== Criticism ==
Writing in the ''[[Skeptical Inquirer]]'', [[Harriet Hall]] likened dosha to [[horoscope]]. She found that different online dosha websites gave different results in personalized quizzes, and summarized that "Ayurveda is basically superstition mixed with a soupçon of practical health advice."<ref name="skep"/> Professional practitioners of ayurveda in the United States are certified by the National Ayurvedic Medical Association Certification Board, which advocates for the safe and effective practice of ayurveda.<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Ayurvedic Medical Association Certification Board |url=https://www.namacb.org/ |access-date=2024-02-10 |website=National Ayurvedic Medical Association Certification Board |language=en-US}}</ref> Alternative medicines used in ayurvedic treatments have been found to contain harmful levels of lead, mercury, and other heavy metals.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ernst |first1=E|date=February 2002 |title=Heavy metals in traditional Indian remedies
 |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11936709/ |journal=European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
 |volume= 57|issue= 12|pages= 891–896|doi=10.1007/s00228-001-0400-y |pmid=11936709|s2cid=1698767|access-date=17 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Breeher |first1=Laura |last2=Mikulski |first2=Marek |date=6 April 2015 |title=A cluster of lead poisoning among consumers of Ayurvedic medicine
 |journal=International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health |volume= 21|issue= 4|pages= 303–307|doi=10.1179/2049396715Y.0000000009 |pmid=25843124 |pmc=4727589 }}</ref> Even some Ayurvedic scholars have expressed reservations about the Tridosha theory, arguing that it should be viewed as a useful framework rather than a definitive, universally applicable concept, and instead be employed as a heuristic tool to inform practice and decision-making. <ref>{{Cite journal |last=Krishna |first=GL |title=COMMENT: Ayurveda awaits a new dawn |url=https://ijme.in/articles/ayurveda-awaits-a-new-dawn/ |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=Indian Journal of Medical Ethics |pmid=35712837 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Krishna |first=GL |date=2019-07-11 |title=The Ayurvedic Dosha Theory : A Deconstruction {{!}} Confluence |url=https://confluence.ias.ac.in/the-ayurvedic-dosha-theory-a-deconstruction/ |access-date=2025-01-13 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Patwardhan |first=Kishor |date=2023 |title=A case for testing and modifying theory in Ayurveda: Author's response |journal=Indian Journal of Medical Ethics |volume=VIII |issue=4 |pages=326–328 |doi=10.20529/IJME.2023.059 |issn=0975-5691 |pmid=38374671|doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Patwardhan |first=Kishor |title=Confessions of an Ayurveda professor |url=https://ijme.in/articles/confessions-of-an-ayurveda-professor/ |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=Indian Journal of Medical Ethics |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
* {{section link|Traditional Tibetan medicine|Three principles of function}}
* [[Dhātu (ayurveda)]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Ayurveda}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Ayurveda]]
[[Category:Tamil culture]]
[[Category:Traditional medicine in India]]
[[Category:Alternative medical systems]]