Kapha is made up of the two elements water and earth.

The characteristics of Kapha dosha: heavy--both water and earth are heavy elements: cold, soft, unctuous, offering lubrication, sweet, stability, offering immunity, and slippery .

People with more Kapha in their constitutions tend to be of larger proportions, with a robust frame and padded joints, thick smooth skin that may tend towards oiliness, and rich, wavy hair. They are stable and calm in thought, speech and action, and are easy-going and supportive in relationships. There is an element of steadiness to their step, a quality of serenity in their smile. Loyalty is usually their second name. They are long, heavy sleepers and uncomfortable in damp, clammy environments. Calm and sweetness of disposition are hallmarks of balanced Kapha.

If your prakriti or original constitution has more Kapha in it, you will exhibit many of the characteristics and qualities of Kapha when you are in balance than people who have more Pitta or Vata in their make-up. And that's natural. But if the qualities become extreme, or more pronounced than usual at a given time, then the Kapha in you has in all likelihood become aggravated or imbalanced, and needs to be brought back into balance. And if a predominantly Vata or Pitta person starts exhibiting many Kapha qualities, that indicates a Kapha imbalance in that Vata or Pitta body type. In both cases, it is then time to follow a Kapha-balancing diet and lifestyle to help restore the level of Kapha in the physiology to its normal proportion.

Factors that can cause Kapha dosha to increase in the physiology include a diet that contains too many deep-fried, sweet or heavy foods, over-consumption of ice-cold foods or beverages, exposure to cold and damp, daytime sleep, and lack of exercise.

Kapha dosha governs structure and fluid balance in the body. Answer these questions to see if you need to balance Kapha.

• Do you tend to be overweight?
• Are you often over-settled and lethargic?
• Do you experience sinus problems?
• Do you sleep long hours yet wake up unrefreshed?
• Are your skin and hair oily?
• Do you find that you are possessive and over-attached?
• Do you feel discomfort in cold damp weather?
• Do you feel lazy, complacent?
• Do you experience bloating, water retention?
• Do you feel stiff and heavy, especially in the morning?
• Do you experience congestion

If you answered yes to most of these questions, you need to balance Kapha.

Kapha - Balancing Diet

• Dairy
  Low-fat milk is better. Always boil milk before you drink it -- which makes it easier to digest -- and take it warm. Do not take milk with a full meal or with sour or salty food. You might add one or two pinches or turmeric or ginger to whole milk before boiling it to help reduce any Kapha-increasing qualities in the milk.
• Fruit
  Lighter fruits, such as apples and pears, are better. Reduce heavy or sour fruits, such as oranges, bananas, pineapples, figs, dates, avocados, coconuts and melons, as these fruits increase Kapha.
• Sweeteners
  Honey is excellent for reducing Kapha. Reduce sugar products, as these increase Kapha.
• All beans are fine, except tofu.
• Reduce all nuts.
• Grains
  Most grains are fine, especially barley and millet. Do not take too much wheat or rice, as they increase Kapha.
• Spices
  All are fine, except for salt. It increases Kapha.
• Vegetables
  All are fine, except tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet potatoes and zucchini. They all increase Kapha.