The 15 Subdoshas: Each of the doshas, (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) have five (5) Subdoshas. Each of these affects and governs the emotional and mental faculties as well as specific organ functions and operations.

Vāta


15 Subdoshas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© Dr. Vasant Lad 

PRĀṆA VĀYU

  • Actions: Drawing in prāṇa
  • Excess/Imbalance: Unhealthy sensory habits
  • Treatment: Openness to the Divine, intake of healthy impressions

Location: Brain – moves down the chest
Movement: Outside to inside

SAMĀNA VĀYU

  • Actions: Absorption of prāṇa, venous circulation, stoking agni, a erent nerve impulses
  • Excess/Imbalance: Irregular bowel movements, malabsorption, emaciation/sensory deficits
  • Treatment: Harmonious routines

Location: Small intestine

Movement: Periphery to center

VYĀNA VĀYU

  • Actions: Arterial circulation of prāṇa and blood, ow of sweat, movement of limbs, efferent nerve impulses
  • Excess/Imbalance: Circulatory disorders, hypertension, dry skin and membranes, coldness, motor nerve disorders
  • Treatment: Cardiovascular exercise, pranayama, surrender

Location: Heart
Movement: Center to periphery

UDĀNA VĀYU

  • Actions: Action/ expression and liberation/ speech and memory
  • Excess/Imbalance: Speech deficiency/ dry cough/ vomiting/ recklessness
  • Treatment: Harmonious action/ mantra/ spiritual aspiration

Location: Chest and throat
Movement: Upward and outward

APĀNA VĀYU

  • Actions: Elimination of waste such as feces, urine, and menses
  • Excess/Imbalance: Abnormal elimination and irregular bms, gas and bloating, menstruation disorders, UTI disorders, swollen prostate
  • Treatment: Cultivation of clarity, triphala

Location: Colon
Movement: Downward and outward


Pitta


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© Dr. Vasant Lad

PĀCAKA PITTA

  • Actions: Digestion of food/ body temperature
  • Excess/Imbalance: Hyper-acidity/ diarrhea/ fever
  • Treatment: Diet and herbs

Location: Small intestine/ lower stomach

RAÑJAKA PITTA

  • Actions: Formation of blood
  • Excess/Imbalance: Liver, gallbladder, spleen, and blood disease of excess heat
  • Treatment: five sense therapies that promote cooling

Location: Liver, spleen, and blood

SĀDHAKA PITTA

  • Actions: Digestion of sensory impressions, ideas, and thoughts (discrimination)
  • Excess/Imbalance: Nerve in ammation, headaches, heart disease, poor retention of information, mental fatigue
  • Treatment: five sense therapies, mental rest, Jñāna yoga

Location: Brain and heart

ĀLOCAKA PITTA

  • Actions: Digestion of visual impressions (seeing the Truth)
  • Excess/Imbalance: Distorted vision, blood-shot eyes
  • Treatment: Self honesty, five sense therapies

Location: Pupil of the eye

BHRĀJAKA PITTA

  • Actions: Digestion of touch, sunlight, and oils
  • Excess/Imbalance: In ammatory skin diseases or cancers
  • Treatment: Avoid extreme heat, five sense therapies

Location: Skin


Kapha


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© Dr. Vasant Lad

KLEDAKA KAPHA

  • Actions: Lubricates and protests the stomach from acids
  • Excess/Imbalance: Sluggish digestion/ nausea/ mucous
  • Treatment: Diet and herbs

Location: Stomach

AVALAMBKA KAPHA

  • Actions: Lubricates and protects the respiratory system/ storehouse of mucous
  • Excess/Imbalance: Moist respiratory conditions/ attachment/ sorrow/ weight gain/ clinging
  • Treatment: letting go of possessions and attachments/ ve sense therapies

Location: Chest (heart and lungs)

TARPAKA KAPHA

  • Actions: Lubricates and protect the nerves, brain, and mind
  • Excess/Imbalance: Dullness/ sluggishness/ depression/ complacency
  • Treatment: Five sense therapies/ avoid excess sleep

Location: Brain and heart

BODHAKA KAPHA

  • Actions: Lubricates and protects the mouth and throat/ provides for taste
  • Excess/Imbalance: Excess salivation/ excess mucous in the mouth and throat
  • Treatment: Diet and herbs

Location: Mouth and tongue

ŚLEṢAKA KAPHA

  • Actions: Lubricates and protects the joints/ provides stability
  • Excess/Imbalance: Swelling/ restricted motion
  • Treatment: Stretching and exercise/ five sense therapies

Location: Joints