Port Blair, Oct 21: Prakriti is our body constitution, every person is born with a definite genetic constitution determined by dominant doshas (three vital energies Vata, Pitta and Kapha), genetic & environmental factors, Food and lifestyle of the mother. There are three major types of Prakriti and these reflect predominance of that particular Dosha our body behaves according to the status of Dosha Prakriti.
Prakriti refers to genetically determined anatomical, physiological and psychological constitution of an individual. Prakriti also determines the response of an individual to environmental factors, drugs and susceptibility to disease making it one of the earliest known concepts of preventive and personalized genomic medicine. Opposite to the Prakriti is Vikriti which means diseased state of an individual. Until the normal is not known, abnormally cannot be found, so Prakriti plays an important role in determining Vikriti. Acharya Charaka has mentioned Dashavidha Pariksha in which Prakriti analysis is done first and Vikriti analysis next to understand the nature and severity of disease, reaction of body to the drugs (pharmacogenomics), selection of drugs and their doses, prognosis of the disease and preventive measures such as diet, diurnal and seasonal regimes. So Prakriti emphasizes on the individuality and plays an important role in diagnosis, preventive medicine and therapeutics.
Each constitution offers a distinct physical & mental profile. Characteristic like body frame, body weight, skin, hair, teeth, eyes, nails, nose, lips, chin, neck, chest, hips, joints, appetite, digestion, taste, healthy preferences, thirst, elimination, physical activity, mental activity, emotions, faith, intellect, recollection, dreams, sleep, mental and emotional behavioural pattern. If we know our prakriti then we can avoid health problems by following regimen that suits our prakriti.
Types of prakruti-
- Sama prakruti- balanced condition of tri dosha
- Vata prakruti- predominance of vata dosha
- Pitta prakruti- predominance of pitta dosha
- Kapha prakruti- predominance of kapha dosha
- Vata-Pitta prakruti- predominance of vata-pitta dosha
- Kapha- vata prakruti- predominance of kapha- vata dosha
- Pitta- kapha prakruti- predominance of pitta- kapha dosha
Due to this predominance of Dosha proportion, individuals show psychosomatic expression called ‘DehaPrakruti’. So Dinacharya (Daily regime) and Rutucharya (seasonal routine), Ahara (diet) should be planned as per demands of status of Dhatu, Season & other environmental condition for maintenance of health.
VATAS
- Eat at predictable, regular time to help with digestion.
- Use ghee or healthy fats with each meal.
- Don’t fast or skip meals.
- Drink warm water or Tea.
PITTAS
- Don’t eat too many spicy or sour foods.
- Prefer sweet, bitter and astringent foods.
- Only light spice foods.
- Don’t eat much raw food
KAPHAS
- Eat slowly and mindfully to avoid overeating.
- Avoid eating too much sweet food.
- Avoid eating fatty meals.
- Find balance between hot & cold foods.