Ayurvedic medicine is based upon constitutional analysis and evaluation of disease according to the three humors (tridosha) and the seven vital tissues of the body (dhatus). The individual constitution is treated by its predominate Dosha. The three-humor system recognises five elements, earth, water, fire, air and ether. These humors, or doshas, describe three constitutional body types based upon qualities of these elements.

 

Kapha (Annamaya) is made up of two elements water and earth. Both water and earth are heavy elements which can be classified as cold (sheetoha), soft (mridu), offering lubrication (snigdha), sweet (madhura), stability, offering immunity (sthira), and slippery (tikshila). People with more kapha in their constitutions tend to be of larger proportions, with a robust frame and padded joints, thick smooth skin that may tend towards oiliness, and rich wavy hair. They are stable and calm in thought, speech and action, and are easy-going and supportive in relationships. They are heavy sleepers, dislike uncomfortable damp, clammy environments and have a calm and sweet disposition. Tastes that treat Kapha are pungent, bitter and astringent, drying and lightening.

 

Pitta (Manomaya) is mainly consists of the element fire. The Pitta dosha is (sahasnehamushnam), sharp, burning (tikshnam), liquid and acidic (dravamlam), pungent and sharp (katuhu). People with more Pitta in their constitutions tend to be of medium proportions, with a frame that is neither petite nor heavy, warm skin that is very fair or ruddy and may be sensitive, with fine hair that tends towards premature greying or thinning. They are sharp and determined in thought, speech and action. There is an element of purpose in their step, being highly ambitious. They are moderate sleepers and gravitate towards cooler environments. A balanced Pitta exudes confidence and an entrepreneurial spirit. Being primarily hot in attribute, Pitta is treated with a colling or heat-dispelling therapy. Tastes that treat Pitta are sweet, astringent and bitter which are all cooling in nature.

 

Vata (Pranamaya) mainly consists of the element air. The characteristics of the Vata dosha are dry and rough (rookshaha), cool (sheetoha), light, lacking weight (laghuhu), very tiny, penetrating molecules (sookhshmaha), always moving (chalota), and broad, unlimited, unbounded (vishadaha). People with more Vata in their constitutions tend to be thin, with a slender frame and prominent joints, delicate skin that is naturally dry, and dry voluminous hair. They are quick and lively in thought, speech and action, and make friends easily. Vata are usually light sleepers and gravitate towards warm environments. They are creative and enthusiastic people. Vata are best treated by a therapy which is warming, moistening and promotes weight. Tastes that decrease Vata are sweet, sour and salty as they are all moistening and nutritive in action.

 

In Ayurveda the properties of herbs are related systematically according to their taste (rasa), elements, heating and cooling effects, effect after digestion (vipaka) and other special potencies they may possess (prabhava). In this article we will be focusing on the heating and cooling effects of herbs on the body.

 

Virya  is the energy of herbs and is classified as either heating or cooling in Ayurveda, meaning the substances contain the energies of fire or water (agni or soma), respectively. Herbs and foods have an energetic effect on the body based on their taste which will either heat the body or cool it. Hot peppers, chillies and ginger, not surprisingly have a heating effect on the body due to their pungent taste. Sour, acid, fermented or salty foods such as citrus, vinegar, wine, yogurt and salt are also heating. Sweet taste is cooling as sugar counteracts burning sensations in the body. Bitter tasting herbs including gentian and golden seal are also cooling to the body which will reduce fever and inflammation. Astringent herbs such as witch hazel and oak bark have a cooling effect on the body.

 

Heating herbs promote warmth, circulation, digestion and motivation. Too much heat can cause burning sensations, sweating, thirst, irritation, dizziness and exhaustion. Herbs that are heating increase pitta (fire) and decrease vata (air) and kapha (water).

 

Cooling herbs, on the other hand, bring about a feeling of refreshment, a lifting of feelings of oppression, helping detoxify the body and promoting mental clarity. Such herbs help to clear pitta (fire), increase vata (air) and kapha (water). An excess of cooling substances can bring about an unfavourable feeling of coldness, hypoenervation, sadness, nervousness and poor memory.