The Five Element Theory
According to the Five-element theory, the human being is a small model of the universe. What exists in altered form in the universal body. Ayurveda believes that everything is made up of five elements or building blocks: earth, water, fire, air, and ether. Their properties are important in understanding balances and imbalances in the human body.

Earth is a representative of the solid state of matter; it exhibits stability, fixity and rigidity. Our body also manifests this earth, solid-state structure: bones, cells and tissue.

Water characterizes change. Its functions and movements in outer world are the same way as the functions of our body organs. our blood, lymph, and other fluids move between our cells and through our vessels, bringing energy, carrying away wastes, regulating temperature, bringing disease fighters, and carrying hormonal information from one another. Water is considered a substance without stability.

Fire is the power to transform solids to liquids, to gas, and back again. Within our bodies it is fire (energy) that binds the atoms of our molecules together; that converts food to fat (stored energy) and muscle; that turns (burns) food into energy; that creates the impulses of nervous reaction, our feelings, and even our thought processes. Fire is considered form without substance.

Air is the gaseous form of matter, which is mobile and dynamic. Within the body, air (oxygen) is the basis for all energy transfer reactions- oxidation. Clean and pure, it is a key element required for fire to burn. Air is existence without form.

Ether is the space in which everything happens. Like outer space with millions of miles between celestial bodies, or the inner space of our bodies where our very atoms are only .00001 charged particle and .99999 emptiness.

The Three Doshas
In Ayurvedic philosophy, the five elements combine in pairs to form three dynamic forces (interaction) called doshas. Dosha means "that which changes" because doshas are constantly moving in dynamic balance, one with the others. Doshas are primary life forces or biological humors. They are only found in life forms (similar to the concepts of organic chemistry), and their dynamism is what makes life happen.

The five elements combine to form three doshas (forces)

Vata (va-ta) is a force conceptually made up of the elements ether and air. The proportions of ether and air determine how active Vata is. The amount of ether (space) affects the ability of air to gain momentum, as expressed in Vata. In the body, Vata is movement (a dynamism of the combination between ether and air), and manifests itself in living things as the movement of nerve impulses, air, blood, food, waste and thoughts.

Vata has seven characteristics, which are: cold, light, irregular, mobile, rarefied, dry, and rough. These qualities characterize their effect on the body. Too much Vata force can cause nerve irritation, high blood pressure, gas and confusion. Too little Vata, we have nerve loss, congestion, constipation and thoughtfulness.

Pitta (pit-ta) is a force conceptually created by the dynamic interplay of water and fire. These two seemingly opposed forces represent transformation. They cannot change into each other and are vitally necessary to each other in the life processes.

In our bodies Pitta is manifested by the quality of transformation. Pitta is the enzymes, which digest our food, and the hormones, which regulated our metabolism. Too much Pitta can cause ulcers, hormonal imbalance, irritated skin (acne), and consuming emotions (anger). Too little Pitta and we have indigestion, inability to understand, and sluggish metabolism.

The Pitta force can is described according to eight characteristics, which affect the body: hot, light, fluid, subtle, sharp, malodorous, soft and clear.

Kapha (ka-fa) is the conceptual equilibrium of water and earth. Kapha is a structure and lubrication- it draws on the conceptual characteristics of the elements of earth and water. At one level, Kapha is the cells, which make up our organs and the fluids, which nourish and protect them.

In the Ayurvedic organization of cause and effect, too much Kapha force causes mucous buildup in the sinus and nasal passages, the lungs and colon. In the mind it creates rigidity, a fixation of thought, inflexibility. Not enough Kapha force causes the body to experience a dry respiratory tract, burning stomach (due to lack of mucous, which gives protection from excess stomach acids), and inability to concentrate. Kaphas force is expressed according to the following qualities: oily, cold, heavy, stable, dense and smooth.

Changing Forces
These three dynamic forces are constantly changing and balancing each other in all living things. They make life happen. In a plant, Vata is concentrated in the flowers and leaves (which reach the farthest out in into space and air), Kapha is concentrated in the roots (where water is stored in the embrace of earth), and Pitta is found in the plants' essential oil, resins, and sap (especially in spices which stimulate digestion).

Different plants have different concentrations of V-P-K (Vata, Pitta, Kapha). We can use different foods plants, and specific plant parts to alter our body's proportion of V-P-K. Eating root vegetables, milk products, or sedating herbs like valerian, increases our Kapha forces. Drinking herbal flowers like jasmine, or eating dry grains, increases our Vata forces. Eating hot, spicy foods like cayenne, or concentrated protein like bee pollen, increases our Pitta tendencies.

Climatic Influences
The climates we live in and the change of season also adds or subtracts from our V-P-K balance. Hot summers or hot climates increase our Pitta. Dry climates or cold autumn winds increase Vata. Wet winters and damp climates add to Kapha.

Life Stages
The stages of life we are in also affects V-P-K balance. The increase in the substance of the body, which occurs during childhood growth, means that Kapha forces are dominant during this cycle of life. The hormone changes, which transform us into adults, indicate that our early and middle years are under Pitta influences. As we age, we can shrink and dry out, indicating an increase of Vata forces.

Changing Forcesv These three dynamic forces are constantly changing and balancing each other in all living things. They make life happen. In a plant, Vata is concentrated in the flowers and leaves (which reach the farthest out in into space and air), Kapha is concentrated in the roots (where water is stored in the embrace of earth), and Pitta is found in the plants' essential oil, resins, and sap (especially in spices which stimulate digestion).

Different plants have different concentrations of V-P-K (Vata, Pitta, Kapha). We can use different foods plants, and specific plant parts to alter our body's proportion of V-P-K. Eating root vegetables, milk products, or sedating herbs like valerian, increases our Kapha forces. Drinking herbal flowers like jasmine, or eating dry grains, increases our Vata forces. Eating hot, spicy foods like cayenne, or concentrated protein like bee pollen, increases our Pitta tendencies.

Climatic Influences
The climates we live in and the change of season also adds or subtracts from our V-P-K balance. Hot summers or hot climates increase our Pitta. Dry climates or cold autumn winds increase Vata. Wet winters and damp climates add to Kapha.

Life Stages
The stages of life we are in also affects V-P-K balance. The increase in the substance of the body, which occurs during childhood growth, means that Kapha forces are dominant during this cycle of life. The hormone changes, which transform us into adults, indicate that our early and middle years are under Pitta influences. As we age, we can shrink and dry out, indicating an increase of Vata forces.