The three doshas are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. They represent our genetic blueprint and fashion how we respond, both psychologically and physically to our environment. The constitutional type, Vata is a combination of Air and Ether. Pitta is the combination of Fire and Water; Kapha is water and Earth. These elements are the foundation of all life.

An understanding of the tridosha system helps us know a person’s constitutional predisposition, assisting the herbalist in creating a therapeutic herbal program that integrates all aspects of that individual’s life. The principles and qualities that follow are what an herbalist looks for in determining an individual’s constitution.

Vata: governs all movement, respiration, and the nervous system. Its qualities are described as being dry, cold, light, mobile, subtle, rough, hard, erratic, dispersing and clear.
In a deranged condition, it will cause coldness, dryness, tremors, abdominal distention, constipation, weakness, insomnia numerous other neurological complaints, and lack of stamina.
Herbs that reduce excess Vata are nutritive tonics, demulcent with a pleasant sweet, salty, and sour taste and warming qualities. Herbs that aggravate Vata are bitter, astringent, and pungent.

Pitta: governs all transforming processes, metabolism, chemical reactions, digestion, and circulation. Its qualities are described as hot, sharp, fluid, light, oily, soft, and mobile.
In a deranged condition, it will cause a jaundiced appearance or a yellowish tone to the skin, eyes, urine, and feces. This may be accompanied by increased hunger and dryness, burning symptoms, and inflammations.
Herbs that reduce excess Pitta are drying and cooling, with bitter, astringent, and sweet flavors. Herbs that aggravate Pitta have a warm moist nature with pungent, sour, or salty tastes.

Kapha: governs all cohesion, liquidation, growth, body stability, and strength. Its attributes are cold, wet, heavy, slow, dull, smooth, and cloudy.
A deranged condition will cause a diminution of digestive function, excessive phlegm and mucus, heaviness of the body, coldness, and a great desire for sleep.
Herbs that reduce excess Kapha are drying, warm, and eliminative with pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes. Herbs that aggravate Kapha are sweet, salty, and sour.
One of the unique aspects of Ayurveda Herbalism is that once you know the dosha-constitution of an individual you then know which herbs to prescribe. For instance, herbs are classified according to which dosha they increase and decrease.

Everything in the universe is composed of the five elements. These combine into the three doshas or bio-energetic forces that govern our health and determine our physical constitution.

In the stressful environments in which many of us now live, toxins gradually accumulate in the body causing disease. The treatment is designed to restore the body’s natural balance while eliminating toxins and strengthening the immune system. Panchakarma in the Ashram is a unique opportunity to cleanse in a yogic environment, connect with the body, mind and soul while benefiting from the Ashram daily programme of yoga classes, meditation sessions and more. There are special treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, back pain, neck pain, disc problems including slipped disc, degenerative diseases, anxiety and other mood disorders.

The treatments are designed to meet individual needs with personal check-ups from our Ayurvedic physicians. Dietary, medicinal and massage requirements are modified as required. This treatment is available all year-round.