If all three doshas are aggravated (the state of sannipata), the pulse movement resembles that of a woodpecker. A healthy person?s pulse is slow steady and regular. A regular pulse beat of thirty times always indicates good prognosis. While examining the pulse some other factors must also be taken into consideration: vayu content in the body increases in the old stage, in the late afternoon, late at night, two hours after eating, during summer or in the beginning of the rainy season. Pitta content goes up during youth and middle age, at noon, at midnight, while digesting food and in autumn and the amount of kapha is more in the morning, in the evening, immediately after eating and in spring. Children have more kapha in their bodies. During pregnancy, which is a bi-cardiac stage,        

2. Examination of physical features: Vayu-dominated patients normally have a rather dry and cracked skin and dry hair. They do not like cold things. Pitta-dominated patients are frequently thirsty and hungry. Their skin is hot to touch and often yellowish. The palms and soles are frequently coppery in colour. They have somewhat less hair. Kapha-dominated patients have compact joints, bones and muscles. They are never excessively thirsty or hungry.   

3. Examination of the eyes: In case of Vayu diseases, the patient will complain of a burning sensation in the eyes. The eyes will also be dry and smoky. Pitta type of diseases will manifest in a yellowish tinge in the whites of the eyes, an aversion to light and a burning sensation. Unctuous and dull eyes and Kapha predominance.          

4. Examination of the tongue: Vayu aggravation is indicated when the tongue is cold, rough and cracked. A red or bluish tinge indicates Pitta aggravation. And a white and slimy tongue indicates Kapha aggravation. The tongue is dark with eruptions when all the doshas are aggravated.        

5. Examination of the skin: A cold skin indicates Vayu aggravation. When the skin is hot to touch, Pitta is aggravated and a moist and wet skin indicates Kapha aggravation.

6. Examination if nails: Cracked and dry nails indicate Vayu aggravation, while red or yellowish nails indicate Pitta aggravation.           

7. Urine examination  

8. Stool examination  

Applying these methods of examination, an experienced physician is able to comprehend a general impression about the client?s individual constitution and which dosha or combination of doshas is affected. The therapy can thus be broadly identified.

Ayurveda looks for food and herbs as having similar effects on the human body. Food and herbs are composed of the same five elements that are found in nature. Therefore, the components of both can be categorized to these five elements. Thus, even if these herbs are continued after the body has regained its normal state, they can provide immunity against disease by strengthening the system in much the same way as a tonic does.