prakriti ( complete basic constitution of the body )

PRAKRITI

BASIC CONSTITUTION OF THE BODY & MIND

By - DR. VIKRAM CHAUHANMD (Ayurveda)WWW.PLANETAYURVEDA.COM

Prakriti means “Nature”

When referring to humans, Prakriti is

the unique physical and psychological

nature

WHAT IS PRAKRITI ?

WWW.PLANETAYURVEDA.COM

Prakriti can be Physical and Mental.

In Ayurveda, people are classified

according to their physical

appearances and structures and their

mental attributes.



Ayurvedic doctors can diagnose

NATURE ( PRAKRITI ) through

PULSE DIAGNOSIS and by asking a

set of questions .

Prakriti analysis guides the physician to

help the patient lead a healthier and

holistic lifestyle.


Prakriti is genetic in nature.

It is determined at the time

of conception.

It depends upon the many

prenatal, antenatal and

postnatal factors.


These 5 elements are Earth, Water, Fire,

Air and Ether.

These 5 elements are represented in our

bodies by 3 physical energies, known as

“Doshas” in Ayurveda -

Our bodies are made up of 5 elements

+ Soul

1. Vata Dosha ( Air and Space )

2. Pitta Dosha ( Fire and Water )

3. Kapha Dosha ( Earth and Water )


TYPES OF PRAKRITI

PHYSICAL CONSITUTIONS MENTAL CONSTITUTIONS

Sattvika Rajas Tamas

7 Types

Vata ( AIR ) Pitta ( FIRE ) Kapha ( EARTH + WATER ) Vata-PittaVata-KaphaPitta-KaphaSama-Prakriti

7 Types

BrahmaArshaEndraYamyaVarunKouberGandharva

6 Types

AsurRakshasPaishachSarpaPretaShakun

3 Types

PashuMatsayaVanaspatya


Vata, Pitta and Kapha (The 5 Elements ) are

responsible for PRAKRITI

SHARIR PRAKRITI (PHYSICAL CONSTITUTION)


The ratio and proportion of various

elements determine the nature of an

individual

For example, various types of people

can be like Earth, Fire, Water, Air,

Ether and their combinations with

each other.


1. Vata type

2. Pitta type

3. Kapha type

4. Vata-Pitta type

5. Vata-Kapha type

6. Kapha-Pitta type

7. Vata-Pitta-Kapha type

Physical constitution can be of 7 types


There are 3 doshas known as TRIDOSHA – Vata,

Pitta and Kapha.

They are the physical manifestations of 5 elements.

They represent the physical as well as the functional

aspects of the 5 elements.

Vata Dosha = Air + Space

Pitta Dosha = Fire

Kapha Dosha = Earth + Water

WHAT IS DOSHA?


The Doshas make the physical

constitution & perform various

metabolic/physiological functions in

the body.

The state of their balance is state of

health and their imbalance causes

diseases.


Vata type people are lean and thin.

Their thoughts are moving as the air is

responsible for movement in the universe.

Their hands are moving.

They keep shaking their legs, they keep

making sounds with the knuckles and

mainly seen biting their nails.

THE BODY TYPES – VATA TYPE PRAKRITI


Light, Dry, Cold, Minute, Mobile, Clear, Transparent, Rough

The characteristics of Air element are

People with Vata body type are usually thin.

They have difficulty in gaining weight.

Their skin is dry.

Their hair are dry.

They have very low strength.

The eyes can be little sunken and face is not

so broad.

The joints and veins are more prominent.

The nose is protruding.

They are good communicators as they keep telling their thoughts to

others.

They start 1 work at a time and then another 3-4 more works at a time.

They are full of energy and enthusiasm but tire easily.

They are creative in nature and can create anything out of nothing.

They are innovative.


They love dance, art, nature and philosophy.

The memorize things easily and quickly and also forget

quickly.

They are fast and hasty in life.

They make decisions quickly.

They observe, calculate and come to a conclusion quickly.

They have fast metabolism.


Their skin is dry, rough and thin with visible veins.

Their sleep is not sound sleep.

Their appetite is variable, usually eat very less.

Sometimes they eat too much and sometimes less.

The sexual desires are also variable and extreme.

They sleep lightly, are easily disturbed and prone to insomnia.

They are good speakers and attention grabbers.



Their pulse is fast, weak and irregular.

They dislike cold, windy or dry environments and feel chilled

quickly or shiver easily.

Their hands and feet are often cold, or become cold easily.

They open up quickly and express their emotions immediately.

They may sound rude.

They are quick money spenders and impulsive buyers.

They are highly sensitive and too much caring.

They are so caring that sometimes they can be interpreted as too

much interfering.

Vata type people are usually restless, impatient and flexible,

adaptable to change.

They feel anxious and worried.

They don’t like cold weather, noisy environments.

They walk very fast and make joint cracking sound.



People having Nature and Characteristics of

Vulture, Fox, Camel, Mouse, Crow are

known to have Vata Prakriti.

CHARACTERISTICS OF VATA BODY TYPE


DIET FOR VATA TYPE PEOPLE

GENERAL RULE

Recommended - Hot, Fresh, Warm, Rich, Sweet,

Sour, Salty, Spicy, Heavy, Vegetable Soups

Eat in Moderation - Take Bitters and Astringent

foods in moderation. Salads, Fruits at night, Ice

creams, Cold, Dry, Light food without oil is not

good for Vata types


VEGETABLES

Recommended - Avocados, Asparagus, Potatoes,

Asparagus, Carrots, Olives, Pumpkin, Radish,

Sweet Potato, Spinach, Mushrooms

Eat in Moderation - Raw Salads, Peas, Cabbage,

Cauliflower, Lettuce, Green Leaves Raw, Juices,

Cucumbers, Frozen and Packaged food, Citrus

Juices


FRUITS

Recommended - Mangoes, Bananas, Figs, Dates,

Berries, Melons, Pears, Papaya, apricots, Grapes,

Plums, Coconut water, Coconut, Dragon fruits,

Rambutan, litchis, Berries, Pomegranates

Eat in Moderation - Strawberries, Cherries,

Kiwis and other Sour fruits


GRAINS

Recommended - Rye, Millet, Wheat,

Oats, Rice

Eat in Moderation - Corn, Rice

flakes, Chips of Rice, Packaged

cereals


BEANS

Recommended - Mung bean, Masoor bean

Eat in Moderation - Most beans and lentils

like kidney beans, black beans, black grams,

chick peas, split beans


NUTS & SEEDS

Recommended - Sesame, Sunflower

seeds, Walnuts, Overnight soaked

almonds

Eat in Moderation - Dry roasted or

smoked, salted nuts


DAIRY PRODUCTS

Recommended - Yogurt is ok if it suits your

body. All milk and dairy in moderation

Eat in Moderation - Powdered milk, ice

cream, custards


HERBS & SPICES

Recommended - Ginger, Garlic, Cloves,

Cumin, Fennel Cinnamon, Coriander,

nutmeg, Fenugreek is excellent. Turmeric,

peppers, all types of peppers and all other

spices are fine

Eat in Moderation - Coriander leaves


OILS

Recommended - Most oils are ok.

Oil massage is also recommended.

Consume Ghee (Butter oil )

Eat in Moderation - Corn oil and

other light, refined oils, Butter in all

forms, Margarine


BEVERAGES

Recommended - Vegetable Soups, Warm Soups,

Veg- Non-Veg soups, Warm spice teas, warm milk.

Herbal teas, Fresh fruit juices with black pepper or

some spice. Buttermilk (Lassi ) with cumin seeds

Eat in Moderation - Ice tea, packaged Vegetable

juices, Beer, Carbonated drinks, cold or iced drinks,

coffee, tea, Alcohol


Vata is the driving force in the body

hence it may alone or in combination

with the other two doshas lead to the

development of many diseases

Diseases which Vata people are

prone to


All types of paralytic conditions like

hemiplegia, quadriplegia, facial paralysis,

convulsions, schizophrenias and similar states

Conditions affecting the neurosensory system

like deafness, vertigo altered smell sensations,

Tingling and loss of sensation in a part or

whole of the limbs or body etc

DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM


All kinds of painful conditions in the

body are due to vata, be it the numerous

varieties of headaches, body ache, skeletal

deformities, joint pains, back pains etc.

Tendonitis, lameness, difficulty in

walking, loose joints, Sciatica etc.

CONSTIPATION

DIARRHEA

VOMITTING

PAIN IN ABDOMEN

GAS, LOSS OF APPETITE

OBSTRUCTION IN INTESTINES

ABDOMINAL TUMORS

DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM



ARTERY BLOCKAGES,

VARICOSE VEINS

ARTHRITIS

GOUT

KYPHOSIS, SCOLIOSIS, PAINFUL

JOINTS

DISEASES OF THE CIRCULATORY & SKELETAL

SYSTEM


PAINFUL URINATION

FETAL DEFORMITIES

RENAL BP

PAINFUL MENSTRUATION

INFERTILITY

PREMATURE EJACULATION

DISEASES OF THE GENITO-URINARY SYSTEM


MEDIUM STRONG BUILD, FAIR

COMPLEXION

HAIR LOSS & PREMATURE

GRAYING OF HAIR

PREMATURE AGING,

WRINKLES

RED EYES, WARM TO TOUCH

PITTA TYPE PEOPLE


LEADERSHIP QUALITIES

COMMANDING

STUBBORN, INTELLIGENT

PUSHY – TARGET ORIENTED

AMBITIOUS

LUXURY DESIRES

CAN NOT TAKE CRITICISM

They do not tolerate heat and sweat a lot

They are very romantic at heart and have

strong sexual drive more than vata but less

than kapha people.

Anger and lack of patience is their weakness.

They have a good digestion and strong

metabolism and enjoy large quantities of food

and liquids.


CHARACTERISTICS OF PITTA BODY TYPE

People having Nature and Characteristics

of Owl, Monkey, Cat, Tiger, Bear,

Mongoose are known to have Pitta

Prakriti.


People with a Pitta dosha have more FIRE

ELEMENT

They are of medium build, with greater

muscular development than Vata type

Their skin is soft and warm, and they have a

lot of body heat and often perspire

excessively.


Their hair is thin and often reddish or blond,

and they may experience premature graying,

baldness or excessive hair loss.

Their skin flushes easily and they often have

many freckles and moles.

Their skin develops acne, rashes, bruises or

sunburn easily.


GENERAL RULE

Recommended - Sweet, bitter, astringents,

cool foods and liquids.

Eat in Moderation - Sour, salty, pungent

and fermented foods are to be avoided. All

sweeteners also to be taken in moderation.

DIET FOR PITTA TYPE PEOPLE

VEGETABLES

Recommended - Asparagus, Bell

pepper, Broccoli, Brussel sprouts,

Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Corn,

Cucumber, Mushroom, peas, Potatoes,

Zucchini, Salads

Eat in Moderation - Beets, Carrots,

Chilies, Egg plant, Olives, Onion,

Radish, Spinach, Tomatoes, Turnip



FRUITS

Recommended - Apple, Banana, Dates, Grapes

(red and purple), Lychee, Mangoes (ripe),

Melons, Pomegranate, Papaya (sweet), Figs,

Dates, Pears, Pine apple (sweet), Coconut

Eat in Moderation - Berries, Cherries, Citrus

fruits, Cranberries, Plumbs, Apricots, All unripe

fruits


GRAINS

Recommended - Oats, Barley, Rice, Wheat

Eat in Moderation - Corn, Rye, Millet


DAIRY PRODUCTS

Recommended – Butter, Egg white, Milk,

Ice cream, Cow ghee

Eat in Moderation - Cheese, Egg yolks,

Sour cream, Yogurt, Butter milk (sour)


BEANS

Recommended – Mung daal, Chick peas,

Tofu, Other soya bean products

Eat in Moderation - Lentils


OILS

Recommended – Coconut, Sun flower,

Olive, Soy

Eat in Moderation – Almond, Sesame,

Corn, Mustard


NUTS AND SEEDS

Recommended – Coconut, Sun flower,

seeds, Pumpkin seeds

Eat in Moderation – All others


HERBS & SPICES

Recommended – Cardamom, Coriander,

Cinnamon, Fennel, Mint, Turmeric, Cumin

(small qty.), Black pepper (small qty.)

Eat in Moderation – Mustard, Salt, Vinegar,

Pickles, Sauces


SWEETENERS

Recommended – All are acceptable except

honey and molasses

Eat in Moderation – Honey and Molasses


BEVERAGES

Recommended – Water, Milk, Cool

drinks, Coconut milk, Fruit juices (sweet),

Vegetable juices

Eat in Moderation

Tea, Coffee, Alcohol, Hot drinks

Carbonated drinks


NON-VEG

Eat in Moderation– Chicken, Shrimp,

Sea food, Deer

Not Recommended – Eggs, Red meat

and Packaged meat products

RASHES, SKIN INFLAMMATION,

PEPTIC ULCERS, BOILS, HEART

BURN

YELLOW EYES, BITTER TASTE IN

MOUTH, LIVER DISORDERS

HYPERTHYROID, BP, PROSTATE

AND CANCERS OF ALL TYPES

DISEASES WHICH PITTA PEOPLE ARE PRONE TO



BLEEDING DISORDERS, LOW

PLATELETS, BLOOD CANCERS,

MOLES, FRECKLES, WRINKLES,

AGGRESSION, MANIA, LOSS OF

CONSICIOUSNESS,

PALPITATIONS

HUGE BUILD , BRAOD FACE AND

FOREHEAD

THICK HAIR , STURDY BODY

GAIN WEIGHT EASILY

SLOW TO MOVE , GOOD STAMINA

DIFFICULT TO MOTIVATE

STRONG BONES AND TEETH

KAPHA TYPE


LOVE TO SLEEP

MOIST SKIN, FAIR, BIG BRIGHT

EYES, THICK HAIR, PLEASANT

PERSONALITY

SLOW LEARNERS

GOOD LONG TERM MEMORY

SENSIBLE SPENDERS OF MONEY



TOLERANT, STUBBORN,

HARD TO CONVINCE

MOSTLY CALM AND

COMPOSE

PREFER HOT FOOD &

DRINKS

People having Nature and Characteristics

of Lion, Elephant, Cow, Eagle, Bull,

Swan are known to have Kapha Prakriti.

CHARACTERISTICS OF KAPHA BODY TYPE


DIET FOR KAPHA TYPE PEOPLE

Recommended - Light, Dry, Warm Food,

Spicy, Bitter, Astringent – Tastes

Eat in Moderation - Large, Heavy, Cold

Food, Sour, Salty, Sweet - Tastes

GENERAL RULE


VEGETABLES

Recommended – Asparagus, Beets,

Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot,

Celery, Peas, Egg Plant, Bell Peppers,

Lettuce, Reddish, Spinach, Zucchini

Eat in Moderation – Corn, Cauliflower,

Cucumber, Mushroom, Potatoes, Pumpkin,

Parsnip, Tubers

FRUIT

Recommended - Apple, Pear, Apricot, Berries,

Cherries, Peach, Papaya, Pomegranate, Dried

Fruit

Eat in Moderation - Banana, Dates, Avocado,

Coconut, Figs, Mango, Grapes, Melons,

Pineapple, Plum, Strawberries, Rhubarb



GRAINS

Recommended - Barley, Rye,

Millet, Buckwheat, Oats

Eat in Moderation - New

Wheat and Rice, Pasta


BEANS

Recommended - Mung Beans, Tofu (Small

Quantity), Lentils

Eat in Moderation - Kidney Beans, Chick

Peas


DAIRY PRODUCTS

Recommended - Skim Milk, Goat Milk, Butter Milk, Little amount of Cow’s Ghee

Eat in Moderation - Yogurt, Cream, Butter, Full Cream Milk

Cont…


SWEETENERS

Recommended - Honey

Eat in Moderation - Sugar Cane Products


HERBS & SPICES

Recommended - All except salt

Eat in Moderation - Salt


OILS

Recommended - Sunflower

and other in little quantity

Eat in Moderation -

Almost all oils in little

quantity


BEVERAGES

Recommended - Warm Drinks, Herbal And

Spice Teas, Fruit And Vegetable Juice

Drink in Moderation - Carbonated Drinks,

Cold Or Iced Drinks, Coffee, Tea, Alcohol


NON-VEG

Recommended – Non-Veg is not recommended for

Kapha People.

Eat in Moderation - Some Non-Veg soups of light

weight birds and animals, especially living in deserts

can be given, in state of disease.

OBESITY, THICK SKIN ERUPTIONS,

EXCESSIVE SLEEP

CORNS

LIPOMAS

COUGH, COLD,

RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS, ASTHMA

DIABETES

HIGH CHOLESTEROL, BLOCKED ARTERIES

DISEASES WHICH KAPHA PEOPLE ARE PRONE TO



These people have mixed traits of both the prakritis vata

and Pitta in different proportions.

4. VATA-PITTA TYPE

Have traits of vata and kapha prakritis. The diet regimen for

the same should also be according to the instructions

tabulated above.

5. VATA-KAPHA TYPE


Have traits of both Pitta and kapha prakriti.

Pittaja and kaphaja prakriti diet charts may be keeping in

mind things that are useful in such patients.

6. PITTA-KAPHA TYPE

All three doshas are found in different proportions in these prakritis.

Diet regimen would include individual assessment of each individual and

accordingly the diet would be prescribed on the basis of the basic vata,

pitta, kapha diets.

5. VATA-PITTA-KAPHA TYPE

MANASA PRAKRITI – MENTAL CONSTITUTION

There are three types of Manasa doshas

namely SATVA, RAJA, TAMA

According to which three types of

Prakritis are there, SATVIK

PRAKRITI, RAJSIK PRAKRITI AND

TAMASIK PRAKRITI

Which are again subdivided into a total

of 16 Manas Prakritis as described in

SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.


3 mental aspects of Prakriti

1. Sattva = ( pra ) = White, Purity, Knowledge,

Happiness, Bliss, Power, Peace, Love

2. Rajas = ( kri ) Red, Painful, Mobile,

3. Tamas = ( ti ) Dark, Inertia, Confusion,

Resistant, Slow and Dullness

The word Prakriti is made up of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas.



1. Sattvic Prakriti ( Mainly Space

dominated with elements of Fire +

Space + Water )

2. Rajasik Prakriti ( Mainly Vata

dominated i.e. Air + Ether )

3. Tamasik Prakriti ( Mainly Kapha

dominated i.e. Earth + Water )


Knowing the Dosha type ( Physical characteristics ) and

Guna types ( Mental characteristics ) one can understand and

determine one’s nature.

Ascertaining the nature is very important tool to diagnose and

treat in Ayurveda.

It helps a physician to make a personal diet chart, life style

plans, and exercise schedules as per individual personality.

That’s why Ayurveda is called “Holistic medicine”


Every individual has unique doshas,

unique characteristics, and unique

nutritional requirements.

Knowing these can help in a great

deal to treat a disease and maintain

health.


SATVIKA MENTAL CONSTITUTION – 7 TYPES

1. Brahmakaya

2. Mahendra Kaya

3. Varuna Kaya

4. Kubera Kaya

5. Gandharva Kaya

6. Yamya Satva (Kaya)

7. Risi Satva (Kaya)

SATVIKA KAYA


RAJASIK MENTAL CONSTITUTION - 6 TYPES

1. Asura Kaya

2. Sarpa kaya

3. Shakuna kaya

4. Raksasa kaya

5. Pishacha kaya

6. Preta kaya

RAJASA KAYA


Tamasik mental constitution – 3 types

1. Pashu Kaya ( Like Animal )

2. Matsya ( Like Fishes )

3. Vanaspatya kaya ( Like Plants ) TAMASA KAYA


CHARECTERISTIC FEATURES OF THE INDIVIDUAL MANASA PRAKRITIS

SATVIKA KAYA (SATVIK MENTAL CONSTITUTION) (7)

1. BRAHMAKAYA

The features of Brahmakaya are as follows–

• Cleanliness

• Worshipping

• Belief in God

• Indulging in fire sacrifices

• Scriptures

• Purity, love for truth

• Regular practice of vedas


2. MAHENDRA KAYA

Features of Mahendra kaya are as follows–

• Glory

• Courage

• Commanding

• Having knowledge of sciences

• Kindness towards serpents

3. VARUNA KAYA

Features of Varuna kaya are as follows–

• Desire for cold

• Forbearance

• Color of the body, eyes and hairs are

brownish in color

• Speaks affectionately


4. KUBERA KAYA

Features of Kubera kaya are as follows–

• Adoptance of middle path in all activities

• Capacity to withstand difficulties

• Acquisition of wealth

• Capacity to produce many offsprings.

5. GANDHARVA KAYA

Features of Gandharva kaya are as follows–

• Fondness towards perfumes and

garlands

• Desirous of dance and playing

musical instruments

• Likes to visit various picnic spots.


6. YAMYA SATVA KAYA

Features of Yamya Satva kaya are as follows–

• Performance of right actions with strong

determination

• Full of courage

• Excellent memory

• Cleanliness

• Devoid of passion

• Delusion

• Infatuation and hatredness

7. RISI SATVA KAYA

Features of Risi Satva kaya are as follows–

• Involving in constant meditation

• Vows

• Celibacy

• Fire sacrifice

• Study of scriptures

• Possessed with general and special knowledge.


RAJASA MANAS PRAKRITI (RAJASIKA MENTAL CONSTITUTION) (6)

1. ASURA KAYA

The features of Asura kaya are as follows–

• Full of wealth

• Terrifying look

• Courageous

• Angry

• Jealous

• Likes to take food in loneliness

• Consumes large quantity of food

2. SARPA KAYA

Features of Sarpa kaya are as follows–

• Quick in actions

• Gets tired quickly

• Fearful

• Angry

• Deceiving

• Unsteady

• Desirous of recreation


3. SHAKUNA KAYA

The features of Shakuna Kaya are as follows–

• Indulging in sexual pleasures in excess

• Consumes food without break

• Impatient

• Roaming around constantly

4. RAKSASA KAYA

The features of Rakasaka Kaya are as follows–

• Understands things without others support .

• Terrifying look

• Jealous

• Violating the stipulated norm

• Flattering himself greatly

5. PISHACA KAYA

The features of Pishaca Kaya are as follows–

• Intake of food which has

been discarded by others

• Cruelty

• Fond of adventures

• Desirous of women

• Lack of shyness

6. PRETA KAYA

The features of Preta kaya are as follows–

• Doesn’t share anything with others

• Lazyness

• Always full of grief

• Jealous

• Sensuous

• Doesn’t give anything to others


TAMASA PRAKRITI

1. PASHU KAYA – Animal type

• Bad thinking

• Sluggish activities

• Dreams everyday as indulging

in copulation

• Denies everything

2. MATSYA KAYA – Fish type

• Unsteadiness

• Idiotism

• Desire for water

• Fighting with one another



3. VANASPATYA KAYA

• Always likes to sit in one

particular place

• Consumes food often

• Doesn’t follow truthfulness

and righteousness

• Devoid of lust and wealth


IMPORTANCE OF DETERMINING PRAKRITI OF A PATIENT

DIAGNOSIS

PROGNOSIS

DIET MODIFICATION

LIFESTYLE MODIFICATION

APPROPRIATE HERBS AND

TREATMENT

DR. VIKRAM CHAUHAN


Dr. Meenakshi Chauhan,BAMS - Gold Medalist,MD (Alt. Med.)

Dr. Vaidya Madan Gulati,BAMS - Gold Medalist,MD (AYURVEDA)

Vaidya Anthony Rouse, Graduate in Ayurveda

Dr. Vikram Chauhan,BAMS, MD (AYURVEDA)


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prakriti ( complete basic constitution of the body )

Health & Medicine

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