KAPHA DOSHA

Kapha is the last type of dosha in which the bodily principle is formed from two elements

Water and Earth.

Qualities of Kapha dosha

The kapha dosha qualities according to Ashtanga Hridayam are

िनध: शीतो गमद: लणो म ु न: िथर: कफ: ॥ ृ snigdha: śīto gurunanda: ślakṣṇo mṛtsna: sthira: kapha: ||

Snigdha – oily, unctuous,
Sheeta – cold, Guru – heavy,
Manda – mild, viscous,
Shlakshna – smooth, clear
Mrutsna – slimy, jely,
Sthira – stability, immobility

are the qualities of Kapha.

Functions of Kapha in the human body:

Physical functions governed by Kapha:

Kapha basically works as cement in the human body which helps in body building.
It cements the elements in the body which provides material for physical structure.
It also maintains the body's resistance.

Physiological Functions:

As we know Water is the main component of kapha, Water is a vital element for the human body. It provides nourishment to the bodily tissues, It is responsible for biological strength and natural tissue resistance which occur in the body.
Kapha lubricates the joints.
Also works as a moisturizer by Providing moisture to the skin.
It works as an anti-inflammatory by healing wounds.
Kapha fills up the space in the body, provides biological strength, vigor and stability.
It also supports memory retention.
Fat regulation
Kapha maintains immunity by giving energy to the heart and lungs.

Psychological functions aroused by kapha:

Attachment
Greed
Long lasting envy.
Calmness
Forgiveness and love

The chest is the main site of kapha. It is also present in the throat, head, sinuses, nose, mouth, stomach, joints, cytoplasm, plasma, and mucus.

The human body constituion of Kapha dosha:

The human body is a combination of Tridosha, there are certain constitutions for each dosha which will help you to understand if you are a kapha dominant person or not. A person may have a higher amount of Kapha dominant constitution or lower, it is totally dependent on their family background.

Physical aspect of constitution:

Body frame - Thick
Body weight- overweight
Skin - Thick, oily, cool, pale, white
Hair - Thick, oily, wavy, dark or light.
Teeth - strong and white
Eyes - Big, attractive, blue, thick eyelashes

Physiological aspect of constitution:

Appetite- slow but steady
Taste - pungent, bitter and astringent
Elimination- heavy, thick, oily and slow
Thirst - scanty
Physical activity- lethargic
Mind - calm and slow

Psychological aspect of constitution:

Emotional temperament- calm, greedy, attached
Faith - steady
Memory- slow but prolonged
Dreams - watery, rivery, ocean, lake, swimming and romantic
Speech - heavy, prolonged
Financial status - Rich, moneysaver, spends on food
Pulse - broad, slow. Moves like a swan.

How to know if you are a kapha person?

Physical features of kapha people:

Kapha dominance people will have well developed bodies, some of them will be overweight.
Their chests are expanded and broad.
Since kapha people have good development of muscles their veins and tendons are not visible much.
Kapha people's bones are not prominent.
The skin color of kapha may be fair and bright.
The skin is soft, lustrous and oily.
Sometimes it became cold and pale.
The hair of kapha people is dark, thick, soft but wavy.
Their eyes are dense, large and attractive.

Physiological features of kapha people:

Kapha people have regular appetites, the digestion function is slow since there is less intake of food.
They are very slow and tend to move slowly.
They crave a pungent, astringent and bitter taste for foods.
The eliminating stools of Kapha people ate soft and pale in color.
The evacuation is also slow.
Their perspiration (the sweating) is moderate
Kapha people’s sleep is sound and prolonged.
Kapha people are strong and have good stamina.
They are mostly healthy, happy and peaceful just like a teddy bear.

What is the nature of a Kapha person?

Kapha people may have characteristics like:

Slow: Kapha people are very slow in nature. They are not able grasp things easily but, if they once got it they won’t forget easily.
Unhurried: As they are slow, kapha people don’t like to rush into things. They do things steadily as per their convenience. They need time to settle down.
Calm nature: Kapha people are said to be very calm and understanding. If someone lashes out at them, they will ignore and keep quiet. Kapha people will forgive and ignore but once someone crosses the limit they will stay angry, won’t talk to, envy them for a longer period of time.
Reserved and secretive: Kapha people don’t intend to share much. They hate showing off, sharing personal space with someone. Kapha people don’t engage in gossip. They are happy minding their own business.
Prolonged planner: Kapha people are reserved and spend most of the time thinking, organizing their own life. In every little thing they think for long termination, focused. For example, From buying a house or a little plant.
High memory power: They are unable to grasp easily but once they get it, they won’t forget easily. As we know the story of turtle and rabbit. So these people relate to turtles who’s slow and steady but at the end Wins. They are wise and intend to go deep in the subject.
Strong: In life we often face obstacles, misery. Kapha people are said to be the strongest. They have the power to accept everything, and fight for themselves. They are not quitter. They intend to win in any obstacles.
Selfless: Kapha people have patience. They don’t intend to go for shortcuts. For example if a guy is asking to do something wrong to get a promotion. Kapha people will back off and work harder to get a promotion by the right way.
Maintains relationship: Kapha people are very understanding in relationships. They don’t get attached easily but their prolonged nature will lead their relationship to the longest. Patience, steady, focused and prolonged nature helps them maintain any relationship.
Serious :They are very serious, focused, wise people who don’t like having ridiculous waste of time
Sensitive: Kapha people have sensitive hearts even though they have physically strong bodies.
Shy: Kapha people are so shy.. that they even give credit to others rather than accepting the attention. It’s like winning a competition and giving all the credit to the coach.
Conditional help: When it comes to helping others, kapha's are very selective. They only help people who deserve to be helped.

Kapha people are mostly shy, calm, focused and wise that’s why in Ayurveda they are known as “आर्य” which we can say “gentlemen” in modern word. If you or anyone around you have most of the above qualities, then that person is a Kapha dominance person. Note: This information is only for general awareness of various areas of life such as diet and in order to encourage a regimen that will promote good health. Please do not jump to any strong conclusions.

What happens when your Kapha dosha gets imbalanaced?

The balancing of kapha dosha is affected by daily diet, lifestyle changes. If you consume heavy food, sweets it might get imbalanced. The misbalancing of kapha dosha resulting into:

Slow/ dull digestion
Constipation
Excess saliva
Greed
Attachment issues
Clammy skin
Edema
Wet cough
Stubbornness
Chills
Lack of appetite
Feeling heavy or sleepy, and so on.

How to balance kapha dosha?

Kapha dominance people have a slow nature, so try changing your lifestyle. Exercise often, practise yoga asanas.

Try Pranayama like:

Ujjayi
Bhastrika
Pratiloma
Kapalbhati
Nadi shodhana.

Diet: Have a proper diet plan. Visit your nearby Ayurveda physician and scan your body, plan accordingly.

There are total 7 types of prakriti in ayurveda ( the combination of tridosha in the human nature) Vata prakriti, pitta prakriti, kapha prakriti, vata-pitta prakriti, pitta - kapha prakriti, kapha- vata prakriti. Every person will have one of these types of prakriti.

Always remember: A balance among the tridosha is extremely necessary for health. Every person will have these 3 energies but the one will have a higher proportion while the other two will have less. But Tridosha is present in each human body, one higher and two less.

This information is only for general awareness of various areas of life such as diet and in order to encourage a regimen that will promote good health. Please do not jump to any strong conclusions.

REFERENCE:

Ashtanga hridayam

Ayurveda - The science of self healing By Dr. vasant lad.