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As a rejuvenating and regenerative herb with antioxidant properties, haritaki is believed to have the potential to improve the health of the skin, hair, and nails.

Skin
According to 2019 research, haritaki may help address a variety of skin ailments classified by Ayurveda.

Devani recommends using it for day-to-day skin health.

“Use it externally by making a paste with some water or rose water,” she says. “If it’s a little drying, add a few drops of oil.”

In a 2014 study, a haritaki paste created with haritaki powder, ghee, and water helped alleviate cracked feet.

Hair
A 2021 study notes that classical Ayurvedic texts include formulations for hair dyes using haritaki powder, noting these formulations have been used for generations with no adverse effects. The research also notes that haritaki not only darkens but softens hair.

Nails
A 2019 study noted that haritaki’s antimicrobial properties may be helpful in alleviating nailbed infection, though more high quality research is needed.

Types of haritaki
Haritaki is available in many forms in the marketplace. In addition to the versatile and popular powdered form, a haritaki paste and a jam-like preparation made with ghee or sugar syrup are also available.

Depending on the ailment, Haritaki may also be prescribed in tablet form or as an herbal oil. Different forms are prescribed based on the individual’s needs.

Powder or churna. The most commonly available form of haritaki.
Paste or Legiyam. Haritaki powder is mixed with water, ghee, or other herbs.
Oil or thylam. Oils can be infused with haritaki and used on the skin, hair, nails, and in food.
Tablet. Tablets are a somewhat modern form of haritaki designed for busy consumers used to getting their medicines in pill-form.
Banyan Botanicals offers high quality powdered haritaki as well as haritaki tablets.ea. It's really easy to share with others. Click here What Are the Ayurveda Doshas? Vata, Kapha, and Pitta Explained
Ayurveda & doshas
The three doshas
Practices & evidence
Bottom line
Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest forms of holistic medicine and still widely used today. Combining physical, psychological, and spiritual health, Ayurveda focuses on whole-body healing and states that a person’s dosha is the dynamic principle that determines their personality and health.

Though Ayurveda translates to “the science of life” in English, many health professionals question the belief of personal doshas due to a lack of scientific proof.

Meanwhile, proponents of Ayurveda claim that adopting dosha-specific health practices leads to balance and well-being (1Trusted Source, 2Trusted Source)....Ayurveda and doshas
Ayurvedic medicine is based on the idea that the world is made up of five elements — aakash (space), jala (water), prithvi (earth), teja (fire), and vayu (air) (2Trusted Source, 3Trusted Source).

A combination of each element results in three humors, or doshas, known as vata, kapha, and pitta. These doshas are believed to be responsible for a person’s physiological, mental, and emotional health (2Trusted Source, 3Trusted Source).

Every person is said to have a unique ratio of each dosha, usually with one standing out more than the others. For example, a person may be mostly pitta while another may be mostly vata. An Ayurvedic practitioner can help you determine your dosha (2Trusted Source, 3Trusted Source).

A person’s unique ratio of vata, kapha, and pitta is said to define their Ayurvedic constitution, a blueprint to achieve optimal health.

Though there’s little evidence to prove the legitimacy of doshas, many proponents of Ayurveda point to a lack of studies and funding on the subject. Rather than discrediting the practice, they believe more research should be done to support its efficacy.

SUMMARY
According to Ayurveda, a person’s health is based on their dosha — a balance of the five elements of the world known as air, earth, space, water, and fire.

What does each dosha look like?
Based on centuries of Ayurvedic practice, an Ayurvedic practitioner can determine one’s dosha based on physical, emotional, mental, and behavioral characteristics. Here’s a general overview of each dosha.

Vata
Vata consists mostly of the two elements air and space (also known as ether) and is generally described as cold, light, dry, rough, flowing, and spacious. Autumn represents vata for its cool, crisp days.

Those with the vata dosha are usually described as slim, energetic, and creative. They’re known for thinking outside the box but can become easily distracted. What’s more, their mood is highly dependent on the weather, people around them, and foods they eat (4Trusted Source, 5Trusted Source).

Strengths: learn quickly, highly creative, multitasker, kind-hearted, flexible, “on the go,” naturally slim

Weaknesses: forgetful, anxious, unstable mood, can get overwhelmed easily, highly sensitive to the cold, has trouble sleeping, irregular appetite and eating patterns, prone to digestive issues and gas, poor circulation (cold hands and feet)

According to Ayurveda, for optimal health, a vata-dominant person should follow a regular daily routine, manage stress through meditation and other calming activities, and maintain a warm body temperature by avoiding cold weather and consuming warm foods and drinks (4Trusted Source, 5Trusted Source).

Kapha
Kapha (pronounced “kuffa”) is based on earth and water. It can be described as steady, stable, heavy, slow, cold, and soft. Spring is known as kapha season, as many parts of the world slowly exit hibernation.

People with this dosha are described as strong, thick-boned, and caring. They’re known for keeping things together and being a support system for others. Kapha-dominant people rarely get upset, think before acting, and go through life in a slow, deliberate manner (4Trusted Source, 5Trusted Source).

Strengths: empathetic, caring, trusting, patient, calm, wise, happy, romantic, strong bones and joints, healthy immune system

Weaknesses: prone to weight gain, slow metabolism, sluggishness, over-sleeping, breathing issues (i.e., asthma, allergies), higher risk of heart disease, mucus buildup, susceptible to depression, needs regular motivation and encouragement

For good health, a kapha-dominant person should focus on regular exercise, a healthy diet, maintain a warm body temperature (e.g., by sitting in a sauna or eating warm food), and establish a regular sleep routine (4Trusted Source, 5Trusted Source).

Pitta
Known for being associated with a tenacious personality, the pitta dosha is based on fire and water. It’s commonly described as hot, light, sharp, oily, liquid, and mobile. Summer is known as pitta season for its sunny, hot days.

People with pitta are said to usually have a muscular build, be very athletic, and serve as strong leaders. They’re highly motivated, goal-oriented, and competitive. Still, their aggressive and tenacious nature can be off-putting to some people, which can lead to conflict (4Trusted Source, 5Trusted Source).

Strengths: intelligent, purposeful, learns quickly, self-determined, masters skills easily, strong desire for success, strong, natural leaders, quick metabolism, good circulation, healthy skin and hair

Weaknesses: impatient, prone to conflict, always hungry, mood swings when hungry, prone to acne and inflammation, sensitive to hot temperatures

Those with a pitta-dominant dosha should focus on work-life balance and avoid extreme heat (e.g., weather, spicy food) (4Trusted Source, 5Trusted Source).

SUMMARY
Though it’s believed that each person has a unique constitution, they generally fall under one of three main dosha types — vata, kapha, and pitta — based on their body type, personality, and sensitivities.Dosha practices and evidence
Despite many self-reported success stories, there’s very little evidence linking a balanced dosha to good health.

Despite this, Ayurvedic medicine believes “like attracts like,” as well as that opposites help a person achieve balance and harmony. For each dosha, there are recommended foods, exercises, and lifestyle practices to achieve balance.

Diet
Though limited evidence supports the idea, following an Ayurvedic diet based on a person’s dosha is believed to help them balance their dosha and achieve optimal health (6Trusted Source, 7Trusted Source):

Dosha Foods to eat Foods to avoid
Vata warm, “moist”, and soft foods (e.g., berries, bananas, peaches, cooked vegetables, oats, brown rice, lean meat, eggs, dairy) bitter, dried, and cold foods (e.g., raw vegetables, cold desserts, dried fruit, nuts, seeds)
Kapha spicy, acidic, and filling foods (e.g., most fruits and vegetables, whole grains, eggs, low fat cheese, unprocessed meats, hot spices) heavy, “fatty” foods (e.g., fats, oils, processed foods, nuts, seeds)
Pitta light, cold, sweet, and energizing foods (e.g., fruits, non-starchy vegetables, oats, eggs) heavy, spicy, and sour foods (e.g., red meat, potatoes, hot spices)
When a person feels unbalanced, it’s recommended they avoid foods that are similar to their dosha. Moreover, a person may need to change their diet based on the seasons, such as by eating warm foods in the winter (6Trusted Source, 7Trusted Source).

Although many people claim they feel better on an Ayurvedic diet, no studies show that it helps balance one’s dosha, nor that digestion changes based on the time of year (7Trusted Source).

Though most foods recommended on the diet are beneficial to health, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and minimally processed foods, it’s important to work with a health professional when making big changes to your diet.

Exercise
Depending on your unique dosha, your Ayurvedic practitioner may recommend specific types of exercise:

Vata. Due to their “on-the-go” nature, those with vata-dominant doshas should focus on activities that involve constant movement, such as cycling, running, walking, yoga, tai chi, etc.
Kapha. Kapha doshas work best with a workout buddy and should focus on a combination of cardio and weight-resistance exercise to stay interested and motivated. Any type of movement is beneficial for this group.
Pitta. Pitta doshas tend to push themselves too hard and should avoid exercising in the heat. Team sports are an excellent way to stay active while satisfying pitta’s natural competitiveness.
Most research on exercise and Ayurveda surrounds slow, gentle movements, such as yoga and tai chi. These exercises have been shown to have numerous health benefits, such as improved quality of life, physical fitness, and stress management (8Trusted Source, 9Trusted Source, 10Trusted Source).

Though choosing certain types of exercise based on your personality and sensitivities may make sense theoretically, no research proves that doing so is effective.

Lifestyle practices
Ayurvedic medicine encourages whole-body healing, which includes physical, mental, and emotional health. This can include practices like yoga, meditation, mindful eating, sleep hygiene, spending time by yourself and with others, and managing your work-life balance (11Trusted Source).

In particular, it’s recommended to have a daily routine that encompasses these healthy lifestyle practices. In Ayurveda, a regular routine is believed to keep you in sync with the elements and promote good health (11Trusted Source).

Interestingly, one study found vata-dominant people were more likely to report poor sleep, while kapha-dominant people were more likely to oversleep and nap (12Trusted Source).

Beyond this, no research supports the Ayurvedic elements and routines. However, daily routines and pre-planning your day are associated with healthier lifestyle habits, such as exercise, healthy eating, and improved sleep (13Trusted Source, 14Trusted Source, 15Trusted Source, 16Trusted Source).

What’s more, incorporating mindfulness and meditation has been shown to lower stress and improve quality of life, creativity, and decision making (17Trusted Source, 18Trusted Source, 19Trusted Source, 20Trusted Source)

While no evidence supports lifestyle habits based on personal doshas, incorporating these healthy habits into your daily routine is still encouraged.

SUMMARY
Despite many claims, little research shows that diet, exercise, or other lifestyle practices will help you balance your dosha. However, many lifestyle habits promoted by Ayurveda can still benefit your health.

The bottom line
Ayurvedic medicine is widely used today for its focus on whole-body healing.

According to Ayurveda, an imbalanced dosha leads to poor health and disease. Therefore, opting for food, exercise, and lifestyle habits based on your dosha is believed to promote optimal health and balance.

Many proponents of Ayurveda claim that good health is based on one’s dosha, yet there’s little evidence to support this.

While research on the Ayurvedic doshas is lacking, incorporating the many healthy lifestyle habits of Ayurveda into your routine is a great way to promote good health.Pitta
Protein: poultry in small amounts, egg whites, tofu
Dairy: milk, ghee, butter
Fruits: sweet, fully ripe fruits like oranges, pears, pineapples, bananas, melons, and mangoes
Vegetables: sweet and bitter veggies, including cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, zucchini, leafy greens, sweet potatoes, carrots, squash, and Brussels sprouts
Legumes: chickpeas, lentils, mung beans, lima beans, black beans, kidney beans
Grains: barley, oats, basmati rice, wheat
Nuts and seeds: small amounts of pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, coconut
Herbs and spices: small amounts of black pepper, cumin, cinnamon, cilantro, dill, turmeric
Vata
Protein: small amounts of poultry, seafood, tofu
Dairy: milk, butter, yogurt, cheese, ghee
Fruits: fully ripe, sweet, and heavy fruits, such as bananas, blueberries, strawberries, grapefruit, mangoes, peaches, and plums
Vegetables: cooked vegetables, including beets, sweet potatoes, onions, radishes, turnips, carrots, and green beans
Legumes: chickpeas, lentils, mung beans
Grains: cooked oats, cooked rice
Nuts and seeds: any, including almonds, walnuts, pistachios, chia seeds, flax seeds, and sunflower seeds
Herbs and spices: cardamom, ginger, cumin, basil, cloves, oregano, thyme, black pepper
Kapha
Protein: poultry in small amounts, seafood, egg whites
Dairy: skim milk, goat milk, soy milk
Fruits: apples, blueberries, pears, pomegranates, cherries, and dried fruit like raisins, figs, and prunes
Vegetables: asparagus, leafy greens, onions, potatoes, mushrooms, radishes, okra
Legumes: any, including black beans, chickpeas, lentils, and navy beans
Grains: oats, rye, buckwheat, barley, corn, millet
Nuts and seeds: small amounts of pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds
Herbs and spices: any, including cumin, black pepper, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, basil, oregano, and thyme
SUMMARY
Depending on your dosha, there are specific guidelines regarding which foods to eat as part of an Ayurvedic diet.

Foods to avoid
Here are some of the foods you should limit or avoid based on your dosha.

Pitta
Proteins: red meat, seafood, egg yolks
Dairy: sour cream, cheese, buttermilk
Fruits: sour or unripe fruits, such as grapes, apricots, papaya, grapefruit, and sour cherries
Vegetables: chili peppers, beets, tomatoes, onions, eggplant
Grains: brown rice, millet, corn, rye
Nuts and seeds: almonds, cashews, peanuts, pine nuts, pistachios, walnuts, sesame seeds
Herbs and spices: any spices not included in the list above
Vata
Proteins: red meat
Fruits: dried, unripe, or light fruits, such as raisins, cranberries, pomegranates, and pears
Vegetables: any raw vegetables, as well as cooked broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, mushrooms, potatoes, and tomatoes
Legumes: beans, such as black beans, kidney beans, and navy beans
Grains: buckwheat, barley, rye, wheat, corn, quinoa, millet
Herbs and spices: bitter or astringent herbs like parsley, thyme, and coriander seed
Kapha
Proteins: red meat, shrimp, egg yolks
Fruits: bananas, coconuts, mangoes, fresh figs
Vegetables: sweet potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers
Legumes: soybeans, kidney beans, miso
Grains: rice, wheat, cooked cereal
Nuts and seeds: cashews, pecans, pine nuts, Brazil nuts, sesame seeds, walnuts
SUMMARY
Based on your dosha, the Ayurvedic diet recommends that you limit or avoid certain foods.