There can be both joys and challenges in life. The wisdom from Ayurveda can help us navigate through challenges. Based on the concept of Ayurveda, Doshas represent the potential flaws in human beings. Each one of us has these flaws in some or the other way. Ayurveda also provides potential solutions to tackle those issues. Ayurveda defines essential oils as healing and soothing ingredients that can tackle the doshas in us.
In this blog, we’re going to discuss the essential oils that can help us to deal with the doshas and recover with ease.
So, let’s dive in!
What are the Doshas?
According to Ayurveda, the world is made up of five basic elements: Agni( fire), Vayu( air ), Jal( water), Prithvi (earth), and Akash (space). Also, Ayurveda says that a person’s body is composed of three fundamental categories: Doshas, Dhatus and Malas. A person’s health depends on their doshas. It is believed that doshas describe both the mental and physical attributes of a person. Now, there are three types of doshas, and each one of them is composed of the five elements we discussed in the beginning.
The three types of doshas along with their elements are as follows:
- Pitta = Fire + water
- Vata = Air + Space
- Kapha = Earth + Water
Each person has a unique ratio of these doshas, but the composition of these doshas varies with each person.
Each dosha needs a specific diet, lifestyle, and regimen, to be followed to live a fulfilling life.
Why is it necessary to Balance the Doshas?
“Dosha” is a Sanskrit word meaning “fault” or “defect” which means the presence of it is problematic.
An overall balance is necessary for better physical and mental health. An imbalance of doshas can cause diseases or illnesses.
As we grow up, the proportion of doshas does not remain constant. The Dosha imbalance is extremely common and we need to take certain actions to keep it balanced.
Let’s look at what each Dosha can cause:
1. Pitta
The imbalance of Pitta dosha can cause skin problems like rashes and irritation, anger, and over-exhaustion.
The symptoms of Pitta dosha are Impatience, constant mood swings, hungriness, acne issues, inflammation, and irresistibility to hot environments.
People having pitta doshas should avoid hot weather, and spicy food and focus on a better work-life balance.
2. Vata
The imbalance of Vata Dosha can cause issues such as constipation, dry skin, cracked heels, cold hands and feet, insomnia, and anxiety. Due to the presence of air in their constitution, they’re likely to suffer from mood swings, appetite, and low energy.
3. Kapha:
The Kapha’s role is to nourish. If the Kapha dosha is imbalanced it leads to poor immunity.
People with an unbalanced Kapha dosha are more likely to put on weight, have a slow metabolism, be sluggish, sleep excessively, have breathing problems (such as allergies or asthma), have a higher risk of developing heart disease, have mucus buildup, and are more likely to experience depression.
Best oils for Doshas
The major reason why essential oils are used to balance the doshas is that essential oils are said to have a unique ability to balance emotions as well as the physical body.
Let’s look at the best essential oils for each dosha:
- Best essential oils for Pitta dosha
Pitta dosha represent fiery and aggressive characteristics. To balance it, use soothing, calming, flowery, and sweet essential oils. Coconut or sunflower oils are suitable for Pittas with sensitive skin.
Lavender, Vetiver, and peppermint have calming and cooling properties. Rose, honeysuckle, neroli, geranium, and jasmine have flowery and sweet properties. Resinous or woody essential oils, such as sandalwood and myrtle are a few more options.
Citrus essential oils, such as lime, tangerine, jade lemon, and petitgrain, herbaceous essential oils, such as chamomile, tea tree, yarrow, clary sage, fennel, lemongrass, wintergreen, and spearmint can be used as well.
- Best essential oils for Vata dosha
Vata dosha represents coldness, agility, and dryness. To balance it, sweet, soothing, and warm oils should be used.
Citrus essential oils, such as bergamot, lemon, orange, and tangerine, Spicy essential oils, like ginger, clove, cinnamon, cardamom, and coriander, Resinous or woody essential oils, such as frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood, patchouli, and vetiver and herbaceous essential oils, such as basil, clary sage, thyme, chamomile, lemongrass, and eucalyptus can be used to cure Vata doshas.
- Best essential oils for Kapha Dosha
The Kapha represents characteristics such as cold, slow, grounded, heavy, and oily. Choosing oils that are warming, light, and dry can be beneficial.
You should choose a light neutral carrier oil such as flaxseed oil, sunflower oil, or mustard oil. Rosemary, sage, bergamot, and grapefruit can be a source of stimulating and uplifting essential oils.
Black pepper, cedar or pine, eucalyptus, camphor, musk, and patchouli are included in the strong category of essential oils. Herbaceous essential oils such as basil, clary sage, lemongrass, rosemary, marjoram, mountain savory, hyssop, pine, eucalyptus, yarrow, tea tree, sage, wintergreen, bay, and peppermint can also be used.
The soothing, calming, and energizing power of essential oils is enough to get rid of doshas. We hope this blog helps you to choose the right essential oil blends for doshas.