Kapha Qualities
Kapha derives from the elements of Earth and Water and translates as “that which sticks.” It is the energy of building and lubrication that provides the body with physical form, structure, and the smooth functioning of all its parts. Kapha can be thought of as the essential cement, glue, and lubrication of the body in one.
Kapha dosha is aggravated and increased in the spring of the year. During this season, eat less and choose drier, fibrous foods.
General Tips on Health and Wellness for Kapha Types:
Kapha people are prone to lethargy, sluggishness, depression, overweight tendencies and they need activity and stimulation. Daily exercise is more important for them than for any other dosha type. Getting out of the house and seeking new experiences is also valuable. Pungent, bitter and astringent tastes decrease kapha influences. Black pepper, ginger, cumin and chilli are some of the spices that provide the pungent taste. Some green leafy vegetables provide bitter and some green vegetables and beans provide the astringent taste.
Qualities of Kapha
The qualities of Kapha are moist, cold, heavy, dull, soft, sticky, and static. A Kapha individual will display physical and mental characteristics that reflect these qualities in both a balanced and imbalanced state.
Main Location of Kapha In the Body
The main locations of Kapha in the body are the chest, throat, lungs, head, lymph, fatty tissue, connective tissue, ligaments, and tendons. Physiologically, Kapha moistens food, gives bulk to our tissues, lubricates joints, stores energy, and relates to cool bodily fluids such as water, mucous, and lymph.
Character of Kapha Type
We all enjoy the lovable nature of Kapha people and having them close to us can be a real pleasure. Nothing seems to get them out of balance, and they always seem patient and understanding. They are ideal managers, who calmly handle several issues simultaneously and can also answer other urgent questions while doing so. They retain what they have learned and can remember the minor details. Kapha types have declared regularity and routine as their life principle, which they do not have to work on. This all sounds positive, but they also have a tendency toward overeating, insufficient exercise, and excessive sleep. Their ability to hold onto things, pounds, and people, coupled with water retention, makes life difficult for them in many respects, but financially, this leads them to wealth and possessions.
Physical Characteristics of the Kapha Type
The Kapha appearance is characterized by an impressive figure, big beautiful eyes, well-shaped mouth, smooth porcelain skin, snow-white teeth, thick hair, and inner peace.
Typical Kapha Disorders
If the Kapha type acts on the tendencies toward overeating, avoiding exercise, and excessive sleep for a long time, the Kapha Dosha is derailed and depressions, obesity, litholysis, and Diabetes mellitus may occur.
Health Tips for Kapha Types
If a Kapha dominated person can exercise regularly, to change profession or place of residence from time to time, and to eat less than is offered, his or her strength and perseverance will be impressive for a lifetime. It is good to avoid naps during the day and to look for exciting situations instead.
Ways to Balance Kapha
Key words to remember: Drying, Stimulating, and Expression
Eat a Kapha-balancing diet.
Eat in a loving environment.
Avoid a luxurious, leisurely lifestyle
Focus on non-attachment in daily life.
Do emotional housekeeping regularly.
Make time for introspective activities, like meditation and writing.
Make a distinction between being nice and being taken advantage of.
Go to bed early and rise early, with no daytime naps.
Ways Kapha Becomes Imbalanced
Eating Kapha-aggravating food
Overeating
Eating to offset emotions (like indulging in sweets when depressed)
Spending too much time in cool, damp climates
Not engaging in physical activity
Spending most of one’s time indoors (especially on the couch watching TV!)
Avoiding intellectual challenges
Fruits
Sour Fruits: Apples Apricots Cherries Dates Figs Mangoes Papaya Peaches pears Pineapples Prunes Pomegranates Citrus: Grapefruit Lemons Limes Berries Blueberries Cranberries Currants Raspberries Blackberries Huckleberries
Dried Fruits: in general, are good for kapha (apricots, figs, prunes, raisins)
Bitter Vegetables
Asparagus Beets Broccoli Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Carrots Cauliflower Celery Eggplant Garlic Leafy Green Vegetables Lettuce Mushrooms Okra Onions Peas Peppers Potatoes (in moderation) Radishes Spinach Sprouts
Nuts, Seeds, Oils
Almonds Chia Seeds Pecans Filberts Hazelnuts Sunflower Oil Olive Oil *Oils in small quantities Seeds: Flax seeds Sesame seeds Sunflower seeds Pumpkin Seeds Poppy Seeds *all are acceptable in small amounts
Sprouted Whole Grains Soaked & Sprouted Whole Grains
Barley Buckwheat Corn (in moderation) Millet Oat Groats Quinoa Spelt Rye Brown Basmati Rice Wild Rice Beans & Legumes All soaked and sprouted legumes and acceptable except kidney beans and tofu, chickpeas in moderation.
Culinary Spices Sweet and/or Warming Herbs and Spices
Anise Asafetida Basil Bay Leaf Black Pepper caraway Cardamom Cilantro (green coriander) Cinnamon Clove Cumin Cress Fennel Ginger Juniper Berries Marjoram Mustard Liquorice Root Mace Nutmeg Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Savory Tarragon Thyme
Herbal Teas Green & Warming Teas
Ajwan Alfalfa Blackberry Borage Burdock Catnip Chamomile Chicory Clove Chrysanthemum Cinnamon Corn Silk Dandelion Elderflower Eucalyptus Fennel Fenugreek Ginger Juniper Berry Oat straw Nettle Orange Peel Raspberry Red Clover Sage Sassafrazra
Exercise 40 to 60 minutes, daily Outdoor Activities Gardening Walking Hiking Running Yoga Biking Tennis