Concept of Tridosha in Samhitas with Modern Correlates: A Scientific Review
Introduction: Ayurveda describes the Tridosha theory — Vata, Pitta, and Kapha — as the fundamental physiological and pathological principles governing human health and disease. The Samhitas portray these doshas as regulators of bodily and mental functions, whose equilibrium ensures health, while imbalance leads to disease. Despite its ancient origins, the concept has remarkable parallels with modern physiology, neuroendocrine regulation, and immunology. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using classical Ayurvedic texts (Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Hridaya), commentaries, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Studies exploring physiological, biochemical, genetic, and psychosomatic correlates of Tridosha were included. Inclusion criteria comprised review articles, conceptual studies, and clinical research published from 2000–2025. Exclusion criteria included non-peer-reviewed sources and anecdotal reports without textual or experimental backing. Results: Classical texts describe Vata as responsible for movement, communication, and neurological functions; Pitta for metabolism, digestion, and thermoregulation; and Kapha for stability, lubrication, and immunity. Modern research correlates Vata with autonomic nervous system regulation and neurotransmission; Pitta with enzymatic activity, mitochondrial energy metabolism, and hormonal control; and Kapha with anabolic processes, immunity, and fluid balance. Clinical studies suggest that doshic constitution (Prakriti) is associated with genomic, metabolomic, and microbiome variations, supporting the biological plausibility of Tridosha theory. Discussion: The integration of Tridosha with modern biomedical sciences highlights Ayurveda’s systemic and personalized approach to health. However, further interdisciplinary studies are needed to validate doshic assessment tools and correlate them with objective biomarkers.
KEYWORDS: Ayurveda, Dosha theory, Personalized medicine, Samhitas, Tridosha