All matter is thought to he composed of five basic elements ( panchamahabhutas ) which exhibit the properties of earth (prithvi), water (jala), fire (tejas), wind (vayu) and space (akasha). These elements do not exist in isolated forms, but always in a combination, in which one or more elements dominate. According to Ayurveda, the human body is composed of derivatives of these five basic elements, in the form of doshas, tissues (dhatus) and waste products (malas) and constitutional traits (gunas) .

Tridosha

The three doshas

The theory of three doshas is unique to Ayurveda .This is the most fundamental and characterstic principle of ayurveda .Doshas are the physiological factors of the body.They are categorised in to vatta , pitta and kapha .They are considered the basic pillars of our body or our vital energy .

Vatta –
Vatta regulates movement and is represented by the nervous system .

Pitta –
Pitta is responsible for biotransformation and is the cause of all metabolic processes in the body .

Kapha -
Kapha is the principle of union ,cohesio and integration .

These three biological molecules have acquried a specific character from the elements that rule them .These molecules determine the physiologic constitution of an indivisual . Health is described as a balance of all three doshas and diseased is the imbalance of these three doshas .When they balanced ,they sustain our body and our wellbeing. Happiness and health invaribly three doshas being in harmonous.

Dhatu
The tissues are classified into seven categories: Rasa(plasma), Rakta (blood cells),Mansa ( muscular tissue), Meda (adipose tissue), Asthi (bony tissue), Majja (bone marrow) and the Shukra (reproductive tissue).

Mala
Three main waste products are Mutra (urine), Purish (faeces) and Sweda (sweat).

Constitutional traits (Gunas)
According to Ayurveda there exist three attributes (gunas): sattva (equilibrium), rajas (activity), and tamas (inertia).

Sattva
Sattva evolves into the thinking mind, the five senses of perception, and the five senses of action.

Tamas
Tamas evolves into the objects of the cognitive senses-sound, touch, form, taste, and odor-which in turn produce the five great elements.

Rajas
Rajas is the force which brings the senses and their objects together.

The gunas also manifest in the human beings as behavioural and moralistic tendencies.