Dosha

Dosha (Sanskrit दोष, doṣa — "that which spoils", "flaw", "a tendency toward imbalance") is the fundamental regulating principle of Ayurveda (#19).

Tridosha. The three doshas (Tridosha, त्रिदोष) govern all physiological and psychological processes in the organism.

The Three Doshas

• Vata (वात, vāta) — from Air and Ether. Governs movement: breathing, circulation, nerve impulses, peristalsis. Qualities: dry, light, cold, mobile.
• Pitta (पित्त, pitta) — from Fire and Water. Governs transformation: digestion, metabolism, sight, intellect. Qualities: hot, sharp, liquid, oily.
• Kapha (कफ, kapha) — from Water and Earth. Governs structure: tissues, joints, immunity, memory. Qualities: heavy, slow, cold, moist.

Prakriti and Vikriti

The innate and the current. The innate ratio of doshas is called Prakriti (प्रकृति); the current one is Vikriti (विकृति). The aim of Ayurvedic therapy is to restore the balance of the doshas.

The Key Principle of Therapy

Like increases like, opposites balance. "Like increases like, opposites balance" (samanya-vishesha-siddhanta). If you have excess heat (Pitta), you need cool qualities; if you have excess cold and dryness (Vata) — warm and nourishing ones.

Etymology of "Dosha"

"Defect" as a principle. The word "dosha" literally means "defect", emphasizing that every biological principle carries within it a tendency to disorder and requires conscious regulation. It is not a "healthy norm" but a "potential for disturbance" that must be balanced.