Kapha Dosha

What Is Kapha Dosha?

In Ayurveda, Kapha is the structure-forming principle. It is like the glue that holds body cells together and provides structural integrity, cushioning, and stability. It is made up of two elements- water and earth. In a balanced state, it is responsible for lubrication of joints, moisturization of skin, strengthening of the muscles, bones, and immunity. Kapha dosha provides strength, vigour, and stability. It gives clarity to thoughts and is the basis of calmness, loyalty, and forgiveness.

Like Vata and Pitta, Kapha is also present in all body cells. According to Ayurveda, seats of this dosha are the chest, lungs, throat, nose, head, fatty tissues, joints, tongue, and small intestine. 

Kapha Dosha Characteristics:

Heavy, slow, cold, oily, damp, smooth, soft, static, viscous, and sweet are the qualities of this dosha.

An individual with Kapha dominance displays these qualities in various ways:

• The Kapha body type is large, strong, and well build. Strong muscles and large, heavy bones
• Large, white, steady, and pleasant eyes with long, thick lashes and brows
• Thick, smooth, oily, and pale skin. Hairy and have dark black, thick, and oily hair
• Tolerate various weather conditions except for cold or wet conditions
• Steady appetite and thirst. Digestion is slow. Can skip a meal without any trouble
• Love Bitter, pungent, moderately seasoned, astringent foods
• Deep and long sleep, often feel heavy and foggy in the morning
• Gain weight quickly but losing is difficult
• Peaceful, tolerant, easy-going, caring, compassionate, and forgiving.
• Slow to comprehend, excellent long-term memory

What Are Aggravated Kapha Dosha Symptoms?

Excess consumption of sweet, sour, salty, fatty, heavy food, dairy products, and sedentary lifestyle aggravate this dosha. This imbalance produces symptoms related to respiratory, digestive systems, and joints.

Signs Of Kapha Imbalance Include:

• Respiratory ailments like cold, congestion, cough
• Poor appetite
• Indigestion, stomach heaviness
• Water accumulation, swelling or puffiness
• Excess weight gain
• Swelling and stiffness in the joints
• Delayed menses, leucorrhoea
• Excessive sleepiness
• Lethargy, drowsiness, sluggishness

How To Balance Kapha Dosha?

A combination of a healthy diet and an active lifestyle helps to bring Kapha to balance.

Kapha Diet:

Diet plays a role in maintaining dosha balance. Foods having qualities like that of dosha will aggravate it. These include sweet, sour, salty, tasting, oily, and hot foods like peppers, tomatoes, citrus fruits, garlic, vinegar, fermented foods. You ought to consume sweet, bitter, astringent, cooling foods to combat the fire characteristics.

Here Is A Recommended Kapha Diet Chart:

• Whole grains: Include quinoa, millet, barley, and oats. Avoid wheat and white rice.
• Vegetables and beans: Broccoli, cabbage, peppers, lettuce, chicory, peas, fennel, carrots, garlic, radishes, beetroot, celeriac, asparagus, bean sprouts, onions. Avoid sweets and juicy vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and sweet potatoes.
• Spices: Hot spices like pepper, ginger, garlic, turmeric, mustard, cloves, asafoetida cinnamon, cardamom, fenugreek, and nutmeg are helpful to combat coldness. Limit salt intake.
• Fruits and seeds: Apples, apricots, berries, pears, dried fruit, pomegranates, cherries, mangos, peaches, cranberries, raisins. Consume them at least one hour before or after meals. Seeds of chia, flax, pumpkin, and sunflower are beneficial. Avoid banana, dates, melons, coconut.
• Dairy Products: buttermilk. Avoid raw milk, butter, paneer, and cheese. Drink boiled low-fat milk with a pinch of turmeric or ginger.
• Use mustard or sunflower oil in place of butter, coconut oil for cooking. Minimize sugar in the diet. You can use honey as it is an excellent Kapha pacifier. Drink boiled or lukewarm water, herbal teas with cinnamon, ginger.

Foods to Avoid to Balance Kapha

In order to maintain a balanced Kapha dosha, it is important to avoid certain foods that can increase Kapha in the body. These foods include dairy, sugar, wheat, and deep-fried foods. 

Dairy products are heavy and mucus-forming, which can increase Kapha in the body and lead to congestion and weight gain. Sugar is also heavy and sticky, which can aggravate Kapha and cause imbalance. Wheat is a dry grain that can further deplete moisture in the body, while deep-fried foods are difficult to digest and can create toxins in the body. 

How To Take Kapha Dosha Diet?

How you eat also affects your health. As discussed earlier, digestion in the Kapha type is slow, and therefore, avoid overeating. Two main meals are generally sufficient. If not hungry, you can skip or take a light meal to avoid indigestion. Stick to little or no snacking. Eat well-cooked, warm foods prepared with spices and using minimal oils in smaller quantities. Periodic fasting encourages digestive fire and helps digest ‘Ama’ or accumulated toxins.

When it comes to pacifying Kapha dosha, it is important to remember that this dosha is all about being grounded and stable. Therefore, the best way to pacify Kapha is to provide meals that are grounding and stable as well. With that said, here are some suggested meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that should help to pacify Kapha dosha:

• Breakfast: Start your day with a warm cup of water with lemon. This will help to wake up your system and get things moving. For breakfast, try oatmeal with almond milk and a few berries. Oatmeal is a great grounding food that will help to stabilize Kapha energy.
• Lunch: For lunch, try a simple salad with plenty of greens and a light dressing. Greens are very cleansing and will help to reduce any excess Kapha energy. Add in some protein like chicken or fish for added stability.
• Dinner: For dinner, focus on cooked veggies and grains. Again, these foods are very grounding and will help to keep Kapha energy in check. Avoid heavy, rich foods as they can be too much for Kapha energy to handle.

Stay Warm

Stay in a warm place. Take hot steam or water bath as it increases lightness and energy. Wear warm and layered clothing to stay warm in winter. Taking hot water steam also helps to remove excess Kapha. You can add ajwain or eucalyptus oil to reduce nasal congestion if any. Sunbath or walking in a hot and dry wind is a good option.

Yoga For Balancing Kapha Dosha

Yoga helps balance the tridoshas. Practice asanas that bring more heat and lightness into the body during the Kapha dominant times of the day (6:00–10:00 am and 6:00–10:00 pm) in a warm space. Asanas working on the chest and abdominal areas and strengthening the respiratory system are beneficial. Surya Namaskar or Sun Salutation generates heat and mobility to counter coldness and stability. Virabhadrasana (Warrior Pose), Utthita Parsvakonasana (extended side angle), Natarajasana (King dancer), and Shalabhasana (Locust Pose) are some of the excellent asanas for Kapha dominant persons. Practice Bhasrika or Kapalbhati daily for ten to fifteen minutes.

Kapha Dosha Lifestyle

Follow an active lifestyle to maintain Kapha balance. Using warming herbs for dry massage helps balance this dosha, melts excess fat accumulated in the body, and improves skin health. Doing challenging and intense workouts daily combats sluggishness. It makes you active and helps maintain a healthy weight. Use hot oils like sesame oil or mustard oil for foot and body massage. Travelling to warm, dry countries is also a good option. Keep the mind stimulated by engaging in challenging works.

Kapha Sleep Cycles 

When it comes to sleep, kapha types tend to need more of it than other types. They are the most likely to feel tired during the day and may even need to nap. However, they are also the most likely to wake up feeling refreshed and full of energy.  

Kapha types tend to have very regular sleep patterns and often go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. They typically need around 8 hours of sleep per night but can function on as little as 6 hours if necessary. 

During the day, kapha types have a lot of physical energy and are able to stay active for long periods of time. They are also mentally alert and have a sharp memory. However, they can become easily overwhelmed by too much stimulation and may need some down time to relax and rejuvenate. Kapha types tend to do best with a consistent sleep schedule and moderate exercise during the day. Too much or too little of either can lead to imbalances that can disrupt their sleep and energy levels.

Kapha Dosha Treatment In Ayurveda

Ayurveda recommends few treatments like Abhyanga (Oil Massage), Swedana (Sweat Therapy), Vaman (Induced emesis), Virechan (medicated purgation therapy), and Nasya (nasal administration of ghee or medicated oils) to pacify Kapha. Vamana is one of the five Panchakarma therapies of Ayurveda. In this, vomiting is induced with certain medicines to cleanse the toxins. It benefits respiratory, digestive, and skin ailments caused by vitiated Kapha. You can consult an Ayurvedic doctor to know which procedure is beneficial for you.

Ayurvedic Medicine For Kapha Dosha

Warming, light, and aromatic herbs like Black pepper, Turmeric, Ashwagandha, Triphala, spices Ginger, Cinnamon, Nutmeg are useful in pacifying Kapha dosha.

FAQs

What are the characteristics of kapha dosha?

It is said to be made up of the elements earth and water, and its qualities are heavy, slow, cold, oily, smooth, and soft. Kapha types are said to be stable and grounded, but can also be prone to stagnation and inertia. They are typically of a larger body type, with thick hair and skin, and large, round eyes. They tend to have a calm and peaceful demeanour, but can also be sluggish and lethargic. Kapha types should avoid heavy foods and drinks, as well as cold weather (which can aggravate their already cold nature).

What is kapha dosha diet?

Kapha dosha diet is a type of diet that helps to balance the kapha dosha in the body. The kapha dosha is responsible for the body's water metabolism, and this diet helps to regulate it.This diet includes foods that are light, dry, and warm in nature. These qualities help to reduce the kapha dosha in the body. The diet also includes plenty of fluids, which help to flush out toxins from the body.Some of the foods that are included in a kapha dosha diet are: - Fruits such as apples, pears, and berries - Vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, and kale - Grains such as quinoa and millet - Lean proteins such as chicken and fish - Herbs and spices such as ginger, turmeric, and cumin Following a kapha dosha diet can help to improve digestion, reduce congestion and inflammation, and promote weight loss.

What foods should kapha avoid?

A kapha diet should consist of light, dry, warm and spicy foods. Kapha types should avoid heavy, greasy, cold and sweet foods.Some specific examples of food kaphas should avoid include : -Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt -Heavy grains like wheat and oats -Processed sugars like candy and cake -Oily or fried foods -Cold cuts or cured meats -Caffeine