Koshtha – GI tract/alimentary canal

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A Person Touching Her Belly

Koshta is a unique concept in Ayurveda. It is defined as nature of digestive tract, which represents motility of the intestines and movement of food and fecal matter in the alimentary canal and elimination of the stool.

Kostha TypeSymptoms
Krura (Hard bowels)• Elimination predominantly affected by Vata (leading to dryness)
• Results in dry, hard stools that are expelled with difficulty or strain
• Elimination does not occur regularly or daily
Mrdu (Soft bowels)• Elimination predominantly affected by Pitta (creating heat and moistness)
• Results in soft, semi-solid or liquid stools that are easy or quick to expel
• Elimination occurs more than once a day
Madhyama (Moderate bowels)• Elimination predominantly affected by Kapha (creating heaviness and moistness)
• Results in well-formed stools (neither too dry, nor too soft) that are moderately easy to expel
• Elimination is regular and occurs daily

Krura (Hard) Koshta

Krura Koshta means Vata is more dominant in the alimentary canal, which reduces liquid content in the stool and resulting in elimination of hard stools. It causes difficulty in elimination and may also dry the stool.

Laghu (Light) and Ruksha (Dry) qualities of Vata reduces softness, stickiness, and oiliness of the stool. However, these qualities are also required in harmony with others for proper elimination of the fecal matter and preventing the loose stools, but in KRURA KOSHTA, these qualities are more than the usual, which may result in:

Difficulty in defecation
Hard and dry Stool
Constipation commonly occurs

Mrdu (Soft) KOSHTA

Mrdu Koshta means Pitta is predominant in the alimentary canal, which slightly increases the liquid content due to its Drava (liquid) quality in the fecal matter resulting in semi-solid discharge of fecal matter.

People with Mrdu Kostha are more prone to following health conditions:

Loose stools or semi-solid stools
Increased frequency of defecation
Diarrhea can commonly occur

Madhyama (Moderate) KOSHTA

Madhyama Koshta means Kapha is more predominant in the alimentary canal resulting in passage soft and solid stool, which is desirable and ideal. The optimum level of Kapha keeps the Vata and PItta under control and prevents loose and hard stools.
When Kapha is excess in the alimentary canal, mucus content is observed in the stool. It is more common problem in people with MADHYA KOSHTA.

When the Doshas are balanced, it creates moderate bowels. Thus, Madhyama Kostha (moderate bowels) is the ideal and does not lead to disease.

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