Ayurveda bases its theory on the existence of five elements – basic principles or building blocks, which are the basis of life of the whole universe (the macrocosm), as well as our body (the microcosm), and are known as the five great elements: space\/ether (\u0101k\u0101\u015ba); air\/wind (v\u0101yu); fire (tejas); water (jala); earth (p\u1e5bthv\u012b).<\/p>\n
Without them, life is not possible. Everything that exists occupies a space; wind is identified with the movement, ie. pulse \u2013 a basic feature of life; fire, heat or the sun are an indispensable prerequisites for life, like water and earth, also. The entire material universe; that surrounds us is made by combining these elements in different proportions.<\/p>\n
Ayurvedic sages condensed these five principles into 3 constitutional types \u2013 doshas, which are called: vata (a combination of the elements of space and air); pitta (a combination of fire and water) and kapha (a combination of water and earth). These principles govern our entire physiology.<\/p>\n
Parallels with this approach are found in modern medicine. Vata principle (wind) operates communication and movement of the body \u2013 it deals with the nervous system; with joints \u2013 where the movement takes place; with the elimination of waste and so on. Its main seat is the colon. Pitta (fire) relates to the metabolic processes in the body. Using the vocabulary of allopathic medicine, it is responsible for the endocrine system (hormones) and digestive system (enzymes). The main organs of pitta are the small intestine, liver and duodenum, while kapha (earth) is related to the structure of the body \u2013 7 bodily tissues, bones and muscles.<\/p>\n