Ayurvedic Prakṛti Analysis for Healthy Volunteers

Abstract

Abstract Prakṛti (innate human constitution) is one of the most fundamental and versatile components of ayurvedic principles and has wide implications for preventive and curative healthcare. Its characteristics were conceived of empirically but have recently been explored in terms of genomics and molecular biology. If proven convincingly, an ayurvedic prakṛti analysis may be of immense value in personalized healthcare from both a curative and a preventive point of view. Despite their extensive application in practice, ayurvedic prakṛti examination methods have unfortunately not yet been standardized, and for this reason the inferences made on the basis of conventional methods are often questionable. Following a pilot test observation of a Prototype Prakṛti Analysis Tool (ppat), a subsequent Modified Prakṛti Analysis Tool (mpat) was developed in order to eliminate the limitations observed in the first test. The mpat was again tested for its interrater reliability for a prakṛti analysis among healthy volunteers. Forty-two healthy volunteers in the age group of young adults participated in the study and completed the prakṛti examination conducted by three independent observers who were institutionally qualified ayurvedic physicians. The result is a statistically significant correlation between independent observations and the scores obtained for vāta, pitta, and kapha (the three doṣas responsible for a prakṛti determination) variables.