Kapha is a combination of the elements of water and earth. Kapha governs the structure and lubrication of the mind and body. It controls your weight, physical growth, lubrication for the joints and formation of all the seven tissues. This includes nutritive fluids, blood, fat, muscles, bones, marrow and reproductive tissues.
Consider the following questions to see if you might need to balance excess Kapha.
- Do you tend to be overweight?
- Do you often feel lazy, fatigued or lethargic?
- Do you experience sinus problems?
- Do you sleep long hours but still wake up tired?
- Is your skin and hair oily?
- Do you find that you are possessive and over-attached in your relationships and with life?
- Do you feel discomfort in cold, damp weather?
- Do you experience bloating and water retention?
- Do you feel stiff and heavy, especially in the morning?
- Do you experience congestion and constipation?
If you answered yes to most of these questions, you probably need to balance Kapha.
- Vigorous regular exercise four to five times a week
- A daily or twice-daily brisk walk in the morning and evening
- Eat fresh fruits, vegetables and legumes
- Favor pungent, bitter, astringent tastes and light, dry and warm foods
- Reduce heavy, oily, cold foods and sweet, sour and salty tastes in your food
- Seek out variety and new experiences
- Be spontaneous!
- Stay warm in cold, damp weather
- Go to bed early and get up early
Kapha-Pacifying Diet
- Avoid dairy for the most part. Low-fat milk is better if you are going to drink cow's milk. Always boil milk before you drink it, which makes it easier to digest, and drink 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.
- Eat fruit! Lighter fruits, such as apples and pears, are the best. Reduce heavy or sour fruits such as oranges, bananas, pineapples, figs, dates, avocados, coconuts and melons, as these fruits increase Kapha in the body and mind.
- Reduce sweeteners in your diet and avoid refined sugar. Honey is excellent for reducing Kapha however!
- All beans are fine to eat and good to get your digestion moving because of their extractive qualities.
- Eat grains like barley and millet. Do not eat too much wheat or rice, as they increase Kapha.
- Use spices in your cooking! Reduce salt however until Kapha is more in balance.
- Eat a lot of vegetables. However avoid tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet potatoes and zucchini because their qualities increase Kapha.
Kapha In The Body In Balance
Tarpaka Kapha: Moisture for nose, mouth, eyes and the brain
Bhodaka Kapha: Sense of taste (which is essential for good digestion)
Kledaka Kapha: Moisture of the stomach lining
Avalambaka Kapha: Protects the heart and makes strong muscles and healthy lungs
Shleshaka Kapha: Lubrication of the joints and soft and supple skin
Kapha In The Body Out of Balance
Tarpaka Kapha: Sinus congestion and poor sense of smell
Bhodaka Kapha: Poor sense of taste and food cravings due to lack of nutritional fulfillment
Kledaka Kapha: Impaired digestion and poor absorption of nutrients
Avalambaka Kapha: Lethargy, respiratory problems and lower back pain
Shleshaka Kapha: Weight gain, oily skin and loose or painful joints.
Disclaimer
All views and information shared here is only for the sharing of Ayurvedic knowledge. Please do not try or prescribe or take any of the remedies and suggestions here without talking to your regular, qualified doctor. Kottakkal Ayurveda and no other person associated with Kottakkal is responsible for unwanted side-effects or contraindications in your health.