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.
