Have you read our bit about Naturopathic Medicine yet? If you have, you can almost leave this page now, as the two of them are (in my humble opinion) almost identical. The terminology and place of origin varies, but both approach healing with the same belief.

Both believe the approach to any condition requires understanding the entire patient first, then finding and treating the origin of the symptom, not the symptom itself.

Where a Naturopath learns about the patients physical, emotional, spiritual and social attributes before beginning any process, the Ayurvedic practitioner determines the patient’s metabolic body type, sorted into Vata, Pitta and Kapha (called doshas).

These represent body types like thin, muscular or fat, but also a great deal more. Each (according to Dr. Chopra) represents a particular blueprint that outlines the innate tendencies built into a person’s system. We all have all three, but each of us leans more heavily toward one than the other. Finding what percentage you lean toward each dosha helps the Ayurvedic practitioner determine the most beneficial approach to use with you.

The following is a direct copy from the book ‘Alternative Medicine’ by the Burton Goldberg Group. It defines the predominant characteristics of each type. See how close you’d find yourself to one or the other . . . it can be kinda fin :o) Note however, that most of us are a mixture of more than one dosha, and just lean most heavily toward one or the other.

The Vata Body Type
According to DR. Chopra, the primary characteristic of the vata metabolic type is changability. Unpredictability and Variability – in size, shape mood, and action – is the vata trademark. Vatas tend to be slender, with prominent features, joints and veins, with cool, dry skin. Moody, enthusiastic, imaginative, and impulsive, the vata type is quick to grasp ideas and is good at initiating things, but poor at finishing them. Vatas eat and sleep erratically, and are prone to anxiety, insomnia, premenstrual syndrome, and constipation. Vata energy fluctuates, with jagged peaks and valleys

The Pitta Body Type
The pitta metabolic body type is relatively predictable. The pitta person is of medium build, strength and endurance. He or she is well proportioned and easily maintains a stable weight. Often fair, the pitta type will frequently have red or blond hair, freckles and a ruddy completion. Pittas have a quick, articulate, biting intelligence, and can be critical or passionate with short, explosive tempers. Efficient and moderate in daily habits, the pitta type eats and sleeps regularly, eating three meals a day and sleeping 8 hours at night. Pitta types tend to perspire heavily and are warm and often thirsty. They suffer from acne, ulcers, hemorrhoids, and stomach ailments.

The Kapha Body Type
The basic theme of the Kapha metabolic type is relaxed, says Dr. Chopra. The Kapha body type is solid, heavy and strong. With a tendency to be overweight, kaphas have slow digestion and somewhat oily hair, and cool, damp, pale skin. Everything kapha is slow-kapha types are slow to anger, slow to eat, slow to act. They sleep long and heavily. Kaphas tend to procrastinate and be obstinate. A kapha body type will be prone to high cholesterol, obesity, allergies and sinus problems.

Diagnosis of your overall condition is often possible for an Ayurvedic practitioner – even if you don’t tell him/her what your problem is! Their main diagnostic measuring or examining tools include your pulse (they can find 6 pulses on each wrist, and determine by comparing each of the 12 against your various organs, the weakness or strength of that organ), your tongue (the coloration or sensitivity of particular areas on your tongue give the practitioner insight into the condition of different body organs) and urine, as various colors and smells tell much about various dysfunctions.

W.H.O., the World Health Organization recognizes Ayurvedic medicine and supports it’s research and integration into the modern medical system. This is certainly an alternative approach worth a little investigation.

John

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