Dosha in Ayurveda means ‘disturbances’. Vata, Pitta and Kapha are mistakenly always called dosha by mainstream Ayurveda, because they are not always disturbing the body. They have their functions to perform and they can do it to help sustain the body too. Only when they get out of balance do they become a dosha.
In the physical body, there can be a vata, pitta or kapha dosha. It is said that the majority of diseases are vata-related. Actually, there is a record of 80 vata diseases, 40 pitta diseases and 20 kapha diseases.
In the mind, there can be 2 other doshas: rajas and tamas.
Vata (air/wind + ether/space)
Vata is associated with the elements of air and space. It is responsible for movement and governs bodily functions such as breathing, the activities of the nervous system (including communication) and elimination. It is vata that moves the other two principles, and vata is the one that can most easily go out of balance.
Things that can lead to a vata aggravation are things that promote unstability, such as lack of a routine, lack of rhythm.
Vata imbalances generally can be associated with loss of body fat or loss of rasa. Signs of vata imbalance can be thinning of hair or hair fall, brownish colors appearing in the body (such as the coating of the tongue, menstrual blood…), gas, constipation, abdominal pain, erratic appetite, muscle weakness, dry eyes, dry vagina, dry throat, dry skin and hair. The joints may crack easily and the body may be more rigid or stiff. Other signs are: forgetfulness, lack of focus, starting things but not finishing them, sensitivity to noise and smells, panic attacks.Emotionally, they have a tendency towards anxiety, physical insecurity, nervousness, because physiologically their metabolism tends towards agitation and instability. That can lead to a vata type of insomnia for some people, while for others it can manifest as compulsiveness towards food (to soothe the anxiety).
Pitta (fire + water)
Pitta is associated with the elements of fire and water. It is responsible for metabolism and governs bodily functions such as digestion, transformation, absorption, and temperature regulation.
Things that can lead to a pitta aggravation tend to be things such as excess heat (being near sources of fire for prolonged periods of time), excess contest/contention, excess friction.
Pitta signs of imbalances could be: body parts tend to become red and warmer (face, eyes…), bleeding, eruptions, mouth ulcers, burning sensation, liver disorders, pancreatic disorders, high blood pressure, blood related disorders, graying of the hair.Emotionally, if they are out of balance, they have a tendency towards irritability, lack of patience and anger and may become unnecessarily competitive and judgmental.
Kapha (earth + water)
Kapha is associated with the elements of earth and water. It is responsible for structure, stability, nourishment, and lubrication, and governs bodily functions such as immunity, strength, and growth.
Things that can lead to a kapha aggravation can be things such as: a slow routine, where there is a lack of stimulation.
Signs of a kapha imbalance can be: itching, whiteness in body part (such as coating of the tongue), swellings, edema, feeling of heaviness. If they are out of balance, they have a tendency towards lethargy, procrastination, feeling like a victim, greed, attachment, or depression, and can become quite emotionally needy. They might also seek comfort in food and end up developing eating disorders (to compensate for the lack of affection). They can also struggle with motivation or be resistant to change.