Prakriti - Ayurvedic Concept of Constitution

In Ayurveda, ‘Prakriti’ means every individual’s unique constitution and identity. This constitution is determined at birth. Once this constitution is set, it is permanent for that individual. Prakriti has prime significance in managing diet and lifestyle of both diseased and healthy individuals. By understanding the overall Prakriti of a person, the physician prescribes a particular medicine and recommends a certain dietary regimen and exercises.

In Ayurvedic philosophy, three Doshas- Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, of the body are believed to determine the unique combination of physical, physiological, and psychological features of an individual. The Prakriti of a person is a consequence of the relative proportions of the three Doshas. The Dosha-Prakriti of a person is believed to be established even before birth. Factors which determine dosha are

• diet and lifestyle of mother during pregnancy

• quality of sperm and ova

• health of uterus

• time of conception

• environment and location

For example, at the time of birth if vata dosha becomes predominant as compared to pitta and kapha, then the individual may have vata prakriti. Predominant vata dosha affects the physical, mental state and immunity of that person. External features are seen according to properties & functions of vata dosha.

Prakriti and Disease

When there is a change in Prakriti because of certain mental or physical hardships or imbalance in the Doshas, disease occurs. For example, a person with pitta prakriti is more prone to stomach ulcers, high blood pressure and skin diseases. A vata prakriti person is prone to backache, joint pain and crackling of joints; while person with kapha prakriti is prone to obesity, diabetes and heart disease.The classical texts of Ayurveda provide detailed parameters by which the trained Ayurvedic practitioner identifies the Prakriti of the person and correspondingly defines the treatment regime.