Ayurveda reiterates that all living beings are the permutation and combination of the five basic elements – Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth.

These five elements constitute the three major biological components – the three Doshas – त्रिदोष

Health and Disease are caused by nothing else but the balance and imbalance of these Doshas. Health follows when the Doshas are balanced and disease when they are imbalanced. There are five subtypes of each Dosha. Doshas interact with Agni (digestive fire and metabolic fire), Dhatus (Tissues) and Malas (Metabolic Waste Materials). Grossly speaking, the pulse results from pressure force through arteries that move blood from the heart to all tissues. Rate, rhythm, force and temperature are some common factors that any medical personnel or healthcare worker can feel. Ayurveda takes Pulse Reading to another dimension and helps Vaidya to fetch more information from it.

Assess the “Prakriti” through “Nadi Pariksha” or pulse diagnosis

“नाड़ी परिक्षण द्वारा प्रकृति परिक्षण”

In Ayurveda, the concept of “Prakriti – प्रकृति ” refers to an individual’s unique constitution or inherent nature. It is determined by the balance of the three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, which are the three fundamental energies or bio-energies in the body. Each person has a unique combination of these doshas, which influences their physical, mental, and emotional characteristics.

“Prakriti Parikshan” is the process of determining a person’s Prakriti or constitutional type. It involves assessing various physical and behavioural traits to understand the dominant doshas in an individual. By identifying one’s Prakriti, Ayurvedic practitioners can provide personalized health recommendations, diet plans, lifestyle modifications, and even herbal treatments to maintain or restore balance and well-being.

One of the methods used in Ayurveda to assess an individual’s Prakriti is through “Nadi Pariksha” or pulse diagnosis. Pulse diagnosis involves feeling the pulse at various points on the wrist and interpreting the qualities of the pulse, such as its strength, rhythm, and various other characteristics. Ayurvedic practitioners are trained to recognize specific patterns in the pulse, which correspond to the different doshas.

Another method used for Prakriti Parikshan is a detailed consultation with an experienced Ayurvedic physician. During this consultation, the practitioner will inquire about the person’s physical attributes, personality traits, behaviour, preferences, tendencies, and medical history. By gathering this information, the practitioner can gain insight into the dominant doshas and the overall Prakriti of the individual.

Additionally, Ayurvedic experts may use a combination of other diagnostic techniques, such as visual examination, observation of physical features (e.g., facial features, body build, etc.), and questioning to assess a person’s Prakriti accurately.

It is important to note that Prakriti Parikshan is a fundamental concept in Ayurveda, and determining an individual’s Prakriti helps in tailoring a holistic approach to their health and well-being. However, Ayurveda also considers the influence of various factors like age, diet, lifestyle, and environmental changes, which can impact a person’s dosha balance over time. Therefore, the Ayurvedic treatment approach is dynamic and can be adjusted as needed to promote optimal health and balance for each individual.