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What is Kapha?
The dosha of Kapha is an alliance of water and earth
elements. Kapha represents the Energy of Lubrication and
Structure in Ayurveda. Kapha comprises all our cells, tissues
and organs. Kapha molecules act as glue that hold the body
together and provides it the basis for physical structure.
Water is the main constituent of kapha and provides
biological strength and natural tissue resistance in the
body.
Kapha is heavy, slow, cool, oily, liquid, hard, smooth,
dense, soft, static, viscous, and cloudy. It is white in
color and has a sweet and salty taste. These attributes of
kapha can be seen with an individual who has predominant
kapha dosha.
The main centers of kapha in the human
body are chest, throat, head, sinuses, nose, mouth, stomach,
joints, cytoplasm, plasma, and the liquid secretions of the
body such as mucus. The chest is the dominant seat of kapha.
kapha provide body resistance, lubricates the joints,
moisture the skin, heals wounds; fills the spaces in the
body; gives biological strength, vigor and stability;
supports memory retention; gives energy to the heart and
lungs and maintains immunity. Psychologically, it is
responsible for the emotions of attachment, greed, and
long-standing envy, calmness, forgiveness, and love.
In a balanced state kapha individual shows terrific endurance
and physical strength with slow and steady speech and a calm,
loving and forgiving attitude. But excess of Kapha can lead
to lethargy, weight gain, congestion and allergies along with
envy, greedy and possessive behavior.
Kapha can be aggravated by, sleeping during the daytime,
eating excessive sweet foods, overeating, and eating and
drinking foods and beverages with too much salt and water
(especially in the springtime). The main health ailments
associated with kapha dosha include diabetes, gallbladder
problems, stomach ulcers, and respiratory illnesses such as
asthma.
Distinctive Features of Kapha people
Physical
Body Frame –
Kapha prakriti people usually have strong and large body
frame with heavy bones and muscles. Their chests are expanded
and broad. Their veins and tendons are not obvious because of
their thick skin but the muscle development is good. The
bones are not prominent.
Skin & Hair Type
- Kapha people generally have fair and bright complexion with
lustrous, oily and smooth skin that can be cold and pale.
Their hair can be thick, dark, soft, curly or wavy.
Eyes
- Eyes are prominent feature of kapha people. They usually
have large and attractive eyes. The eyes are dense and black
or blue in color and the white of the eye is generally very
white and beautiful.
Teeth
– Kapha people generally have strong and white teeth.
Physiological
When in balance kapha people enjoy excellent health with
strong immune system. Kapha people have the most energy of
all constitutions, but it is steady and enduring, not
explosive.
Kapha people have a tendency to gain weight as they have slow
digestion and metabolism. They also face great difficulty in
shedding weight because they are slow movers. They walks and
talks slowly, have steady appetite and thirst with slow
metabolism and digestion.
Kapha people enjoy sound and prolonged sleep. They feel
cloudy and foggy in the morning and often desire tea/coffee
as a stimulant to start the day.
Their perspiration is moderate.
Kapha people have dislike for cold and damp weather as they
are more prone to colds, congestion and cough problem.
Kapha people are also sluggish and loves sitting, sleeping
and doing nothing.
Such people are usually slow to anger, strive to maintain
harmony and peace in their surroundings. They have soft
pleasing look with attributes such as love, care, compassion,
kindness and forgiveness.
Kapha people have craving for sweets and sweet taste helps
them to stimulate sperm formation and increase the quantity
of semen.
Sexually Kaphas are the slowest to be aroused, but they also
have the most endurance.
Behavioral or
Psychological
Positive
Kapha people hold exceptional long-term memory.
Kapha people have many behavioral virtues like they are
easygoing, relaxed, slow-paced, stable, reliable,
affectionate and loving, forgiving, compassionate, faithful,
gentle and calm.
They usually have calm, steady mind thus do not loss their
temper easily.
Kapha people love to hug and are deeply attached in love and
relationships.
They have a deep melodious voice and a monotonous pattern of
speech.
Kapha people tend to be wealthy as they are good at earning
as well as saving the money.
Negative
Kapha people are slow learner.
They usually have nonjudgmental nature.
They are also slow at comprehension.
If in imbalanced condition kapha people suffer from greed,
attachment, possessiveness, and laziness.
Indications of Balanced Kapha
A balanced Kapha provides:
Physical strength
A strong immune system
Serenity or calmness
Steady mind, rational thinking and mental determination
Endurance and adaptability
Indications of Imbalanced Kapha
Any of the properties of kapha in excess can cause an
imbalance. Kapha can be aggravated by, sleeping during the
daytime, eating excessive sweet foods, overeating, and eating
and drinking foods and beverages with too much salt and
water. It also increases during winter and early spring or
when weather is heavy, wet, cloudy, and cold. Full moon also
aggravates kapha. When kapha is aggravated or imbalanced one
may feel:
Sluggish and Dull in thinking
Lethargic or tired
Depressed, Sad, Sentimental
Slow to comprehend, Slow to react
Clingy, hanging on to people and ideas
Greedy, Possessive, Materialistic
Sleepy or very tired in the morning, hard to get out of bed
Drowsy or groggy during the day
Weight gain, obesity
Mucus and congestion in the chest or throat
Mucus and congestion in the nose or sinuses
Nausea
Diabetes
Hay fever
Pale, cool, clammy skin
Edema, water retention, Bloated feeling
Sluggish digestion, food "just sits" in the stomach
High cholesterol
Aching joints or heavy limbs
Health Problems caused by Imbalanced Kapha
Kapha people have a tendency to have diseases related to the
water principle. When imbalanced the kapha can cause many
minor or major ailments such as the flu, sinus congestion,
respiratory problems (including asthma and wheezing),
gallbladder problem, hay fever, atherosclerosis (hardening of
the arteries), sluggishness, excess weight, diabetes, water
retention, and allergies.
General Tips on Health and Wellness For Kapha Types
When in balanced kapha individual enjoys immense physical
strength, sound health, strong immunity with calm and steady
mind. Out of balance, kapha produces greed and envy and many
health disorders. To keep kapha in balance one need to know
the causes and factors (both positive and negative) that can
influence it.
Kapha prakriti people have more risk to lethargy,
sluggishness, depression, and overweight because their
metabolism is slow. To keep oneself fit and healthy kapha
person need activity and stimulation.
Daily exercise is more important for them than for any other
type. As they are fast to gain weight but slow to reduce,
they need rigorous kind of physical exercises to keep their
body weight under control.
Meditation can be more intensive for kapha constitutions than
for vata or pitta constitutions. They should perform prayer
and meditation everyday.
Kapha people should avoid heavy, oily foods, dairy and iced
drinks; instead they need to include pungent, bitter, and
astringent tastes that decrease kapha influences. Food items
such as spices, green leafy vegetables, chilies, beans etc.
should be included in diet.
Opting foods, mental attitudes, behaviors, exercise routines,
relationships and environmental surroundings, which can be
instrumental in balancing kapha characteristics, help to stay
healthy.
Kapha person should be receptive to useful change and
deliberate to implement life-enhancing actions. Indulging in
new experiences and activities is also beneficial for them.
Kapha people should avoid daytime naps. Going to bed early
and rising early is always beneficial for them.
The corresponding colors of Kapha dosha are bright colors
such as red and orange and the favorable stone is Lapis.
A Food Plan to Balance kapha Dosha
Kapha is mainly water element thus influences the heavy,
moist aspects of the body. To keep kapha under balance warm,
dry, light food cooked with less water and minimum of fat is
needed. One should increase the use of pungent, bitter, and
astringent tastes. Kapha people should consume limited amount
of sugar, oil and salt as well. Lightly cooked vegetables and
raw fruits and vegetables are more beneficial for kaphas.
Kapha people usually have a tendency to overeating that
should be controlled because it lead to weight gain due to
slow digestion.
Any food that is spicy is good for kaphas such as very hot
Mexican or Indian food, especially in winter.
For kapha types, breakfast is optional that means you can
skip it if you like. If you take breakfast it should be very
light. You can have foods such as hot-spiced cider, buckwheat
pancakes with apple butter, corn muffins, and bitter cocoa
made with skim milk and a touch of honey. The main meal
should be at the middle of the day, and only a light, dry
meal in the evening is advisable.
To energize yourself in the morning, you can take honey, hot
water, lemon juice and ginger. Ginger tea can also be taken.
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