Kapha represents the biological elements of water and earth. Kapha has the qualities of heavy, cold, wet, slow, steady, soft, smooth, oily, and sweet. It governs all structure and lubrication in the mind and body. It controls weight, growth, lubrication for the joints and lungs, and formation of all seven tissues in the body.
Characteristics of Kapha Type
-Solid, heavier build
-Great strength and endurance
-Slow, methodical in activity
-Oily, smooth skin
-Tranquil, steady personality
-Slow to grasp new information
-Slow to forget (good memory)
-Sleep is heavy and long
Imbalanced Kapha
Physical
Manifestations
-Congested sinuses, nose, throat
-Cough with mucus
-Sore throat with runny nose
-Frequent colds
-Intolerance to cold and damp
-Allergies, asthma
-Diabetes
-Edema and fluid retention
-Bloating, nausea, indigestion
-Pale and cold skin
-Cysts and other growths
Psychological
Manifestations
-Lethargy
-Dullness
-Mental inertia
-Oversleeping
-Daytime drowsiness
-Depression
-Lack of motivation
-Procrastination
-Over-attachment
-Greed
-Possessiveness
Guidelines for Balancing Kapha
-Stay warm
-Avoid cold and damp (consider using a dry sauna
or doing Bikram yoga)
-Eat a Kapha-reducing diet:
-favor warm, light, dry,
spicy foods
-favor bitter, pungent,
astringent tastes
-reduce oily, cold, heavy
foods
-reduce sweet, salty, and
sour tastes
-it is particularly
important to reduce sweetness (irrespective of
calories, Kaphas will gain
weight and go out of balance when eating sweet foods)
-prepare fresh meals,
avoid leftovers
-avoid eating early in
morning (before 10am) or late at night
(after 7pm)
-it is important not to
overeat if you are a Kapha type
-Learn
the joy of fasting (seasonally or one day per week)
-Use
herbs and spices that are Kapha-reducing
-Heating
spices
-Trikatu (dry ginger, black pepper,
pipilli)
-Triphala (amla, bibhitaki,
haritaki)
-Honey (but no more than 2
tablespoons per day)
-Stimulants: green tea, yerba mate’,
coffee and black tea (all in moderation)
-Drink only warm fluids and warming herbal teas,
in moderation
-Perform a full-body dry massage each morning to
stimulate circulation (using gloves or dry loofah)
-Try right nostril breathing exercises (close your
left nostril with your index and middle fingers, breathe in and out of the
right nostril slowly) (this is heating to the body and raises digestive fire
and increases metabolism)
-Engage in regular and vigorous exercise,
preferably everyday
-Avoid excessive sleeping and napping during the
day
-Break free from old habits, seek variety in life,
and accept motivating challenges
-Healing
Mantra: “move your body”
Kapha reducing tea is available at Riverwalk Natural Health
Clinic & Natural Pharmacy
