Ayurveda is an ancient science of body, mind, and spirit which has stood the test of time for over 5,000 years. It has eight branches. One of these branches is Ayurvedic psychology, also known as graha chikitsa or bhuta vidya.

Ayurvedic psychology addresses mental imbalances and how to treat them with holistic methods so that patients may return to their inborn state of mental equilibrium. The mind is known as manas (phonetically mun-us) in Sanskrit.

Ayurvedic doctors (vaidyas) or practitioners can determine a patient’s current psychological state (manas vikruti) through the eight-fold examination process (ashta vidya pariksha). This includes observing how the patient speaks, taking the pulse, looking at the person’s nails, tongue, etc. Manas vikruti is also felt through the second of the seven levels of pulse in Ayurvedic pulse diagnosis. Manas vikruti can be classified by the three doshas or Ayurvedic body types: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

Vata psychology

People with Vata imbalances in Ayurvedic psychology, they will exhibit symptoms of fear, loneliness, extreme anxiety, nervousness, a very restless mind, and ongoing insomnia. The patient will speak a mile a minute, quickly change topics during a conversation, have restless leg syndrome, and crave ongoing external stimulation. The patient will have very dry skin, rough brittle nails, and a shaky tongue.

Pitta psychology

Those individuals with Pitta imbalances in Ayurvedic psychology will be prone to anger, criticism, judgment, temper tantrums, and never ending analysis. The Pitta person speaks sharply, impatiently and concisely and expects the same in return. The patient will often be balding or prematurely gray, be prone to moles, freckles, and inflammatory conditions.

Kapha psychology

Patients who have Kapha imbalances in Ayurvedic psychology will exhibit a heavy type of depression, greed, attachment, and lethargy. They enjoy routines and are quite caring and nurturing. Kapha patients walk and talk slowly and may be overweight. They may ponder a question for a while before answering or forming an opinion. Once they make up their mind, then it is difficult to alter their mindset.