Functional perspectives on Tridosha and endocrine regulation: An integrative review

The principles of Vāta, Pitta, and Kapha, collectively termed Tridosha in Āyurveda, represent fundamental regulatory mechanisms governing physiological balance. These concepts offer a systems-based framework for understanding complex biological functions, which may be interpretatively compared with modern endocrine regulation.
Methods: A narrative and interpretative review was conducted using classical Ayurvedic texts, including Bṛhattrayī and Laghutrayī, along with contemporary literature on endocrinology. Relevant descriptions of Doṣha, Agni, and Dhātu were analyzed and compared with established mechanisms of hormonal regulation.
Results: The analysis suggests that Vāta Dosha (governed by movement and rapid change) shows parallels to the HPA axis (CRH -> ACTH -> cortisol) and neurohormonal feedback mechanisms (pulsatile GnRH -> LH/FSH), which mediate rapid stress responses and physiological adaptation. Pitta Dosha (associated with heat and transformation) aligns with the HPT axis and thyroid hormones that regulate basal metabolic rate, thermogenesis, and cellular metabolism, as well as insulin-mediated metabolic control. Kapha Dosha (associated with structure, stability, and fluid balance) corresponds with the GH-IGF-1 axis, which promotes anabolic growth and tissue development, and with fluid homeostasis mechanisms such as ADH-mediated water reabsorption. These associations reflect functional parallels rather than direct anatomical or biochemical equivalence.
Conclusion: Ayurvedic Dosha concepts and endocrine functions appear to share thematic overlaps. Further interdisciplinary research is required to validate these conceptual correlations and explore their application in understanding health and disease.