In the blog Discover the hidden truths about yourself! we discussed that the entire universe, including the human body, is formed from the five basic elements. These elements determine an individual’s unique Tridosha, or constitution, as well as the predominant Dosha. The Tridosha and the predominant Dosha influence an individual’s physical, physiological, and psychological characteristics, and this influence is also known as “Dosha Prakriti”. Each of the three Doshas we discussed before has a distinct Prakriti as we will discuss below.
This blog will delve into the details of Kapha Dosha (or simply Kapha) and the Kapha (Dosha) Prakriti. In order to understand this blog better, we recommend reading the Discover the hidden truths about yourself! blog first.
If most of what you read here applies to you, probably Kapha is your predominant Dosha and you have Kapha Prakriti. We have written separately about Vata and Pitta, the other two Doshas. So let us begin.
Which are the main elements of Kapha Dosha?
We discussed before that all matter, organic or inorganic, consists of the five basic elements. These elements combine in unique proportions to determine an individual’s Tridosha, a combination of the three Doshas, and the predominant Dosha among these three. Kapha comprises Water and Earth elements. Hence the Kapha individual is influenced by the elemental qualities of Water and Earth.
Which energy does Kapha manifest as in the body?
All Doshas derive energy from the underlying elements to be able to perform their functions within the body.
Kapha is the energy that forms the structure of the body – the cells, tissues, bones, and organs. Kapha also acts as a “glue” that holds the cells together.
What is Kapha responsible for?
The Earth element of Kapha shapes the body’s tissues, bones, and organs as well as its constitution.
Through its Water element, Kapha nourishes all parts of the body and lubricates joints, moisturizes the skin, and maintains health.
Where does Kapha reside in the body?
Doshas have different functions, so they are located where they are needed.
In the body, Kapha is represented by the cells, tissues, bones, and organs. A high Pitta or Vata level may reduce Kapha and cause emaciation of the body structure. On the contrary, if Kapha increases, it may cause abnormal growth resulting in various types of tumors.
Kapha is also present in body fluids such as saliva, digestive secretions, lymph, blood, semen, muscles, fat, connective tissues, fluid in the lens of the eye, lubrication of joints, and the brain.
How is Kapha characterized?
Dosha Prakriti can be more accurately understood by the qualities or Gunas of the Doshas. In general, an individual experiences the qualities associated with his/her Tridosha, with the predominant Dosha’s qualities being more prominent.
Kapha individuals tend to depict Heavy, Slow or Dull, Cold, Oily, Liquid, Slimy or Smooth, Dense, Soft, Static and Sticky or Cloudy, Hard, and Gross qualities physically, physiologically, and psychologically.
How does Kapha influence the physical and physiological aspects of the Kapha individuals?
The qualities of Kapha govern the physical and physiological attributes of Kapha individuals.
Kapha is responsible for the constitution of the body, hence, they will most likely have a large and well-built body with heavy bones, prominent eyes, and strong muscles. The bone joints are well lubricated. They will have a good amount of endurance and strength. They have oily skin and hair. The dense and smooth qualities cause their skin and hair to be thick and smooth.
The slow or dull quality results in slower digestion and metabolism, while still maintaining a steady appetite and thirst. This results in the individuals being obese and feeling sluggish.
The liquid quality causes excess salivation, mucus, and fat and may lead to fluid retention. They are often susceptible to cold, cough, and congestion, especially during winter. Their skin is generally cold and they suffer from low body temperature.
How do the Kapha individuals usually behave?
Kapha individuals have a calm and gentle temperament due to their smooth and soft Kapha qualities. They are kind, caring, compassionate, forgiving, and loving. They are, however, not very active due to the static or stable quality and idle away their time. Generally, they have a rigid attitude and get deeply involved in relationships.
They can become extremely sluggish and stubborn if Kapha is out of balance. Attachment, greed, or jealousy are some of the symptoms.
What kind of food should Kapha individuals consume?
We discussed the six main tastes in Ayurveda in the blog Eat your way to good health!. Each of the six tastes, like all organic and inorganic matter, contains the five elements, with two predominant elements, just as the Doshas do.
Kapha types are attracted to sweet, sour, and salty foods, but their constitutions are most balanced by bitter, astringent, and pungent tastes.
Sweet taste shares the same elements as Kapha and hence can easily aggravate it if not consumed in moderation. Aggravated Kapha can lead to various disorders such as cold, cough, congestion, obesity, thyroid, and diabetes. The cold quality of the sweet taste can also adversely affect an already weak digestive fire in Kapha.
Sour taste increases salivation while salty taste induces water retention. Both can aggravate an already water-rich Kapha.
As a result, Kapha individuals should limit the intake of these tastes in their diets to avoid aggravating Kapha. The pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes are more pacifying to Kapha individuals. The dry and heating qualities of pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes help pacify Kapha.
What aggravates Kapha?
A major change in the qualities mentioned above may aggravate Kapha, causing an imbalance between the Doshas. This may have a negative effect on the body, mind, and consciousness of the Kapha individual.
These qualities can be aggravated by various things, including lifestyle, climate, thoughts and emotions, and diets containing excess sweet, sour, or salty tastes. Further, the winter season too aggravates Kapha’s qualities.
Hence to keep Kapha “pacified”, it is necessary to understand its qualities and their impact on the body, mind, and consciousness.
If Kapha still becomes aggravated, an Ayurvedic practitioner will usually assess the extent and nature of aggravation and then apply the appropriate qualities to pacify it. This applies to all three Doshas.
Are there any symptoms associated with an imbalance of Kapha?
Different functions of Kapha relate to different locations within the body leading to further subclassification. Accordingly, Kapha has five subtypes as described below.
The Kledaka subtype is responsible for breaking down food in the stomach.
The Avalambaka subtype resides in the heart and lungs and supports them to function optimally. It also supports other Kapha subtypes.
The Bodhaka subtype resides in the oral cavity and is responsible for salivary secretions; recognizing taste; swallowing and speech.
The Tarpaka subtype resides in the brain and is responsible for the smooth functioning of the brain and the sense organs.
The Shleshaka subtype resides in the joints and is responsible for gluing the joints and as well as lubricating them.
Depending upon which subtype is disturbed, an individual may experience disorders specific to that location. Generally, an aggravated Kapha can cause weak digestion, respiratory disorders, excess mucus and congestion in the chest, excess salivation, low body temperature, oily or itchy skin, pain or stiffness in joints and limbs, weight gain, fluid retention, etc.
How can the deviation in the current state of Kapha be understood?
We discussed before that Tridosha or the constitution of an individual is formed at birth. However, as life progresses, the three Doshas may undergo changes and the balance between them may get disturbed due to various factors such as environment, diet, lifestyle, emotions, and stresses of life in general. This is known as “Dosha Vikruti”, the current state of Tridosha, as against the “Dosha Prakruti”, the original and natural state of Tridosha formed at birth.
Ayurveda practitioners assess the Dosha Vikruti and compare the results with the Dosha Prakriti of the individual. Any changes found may be indicative of the individual living outside the parameters of his or her Tridosha formed at birth and may indicate physical or mental illness. It is then possible to prescribe an appropriate treatment to restore the Dosha Prakriti.
The assessment of Kapha Vikruti may take the form of a questionnaire and assesses an individual on various conditions such as skin health, weight, mental and emotional health, and current disorders. A very good self-assessment quiz can be found here.
How is Dosha Prakriti restored in Ayurveda?
A basic rule to understand when dealing with Doshas is that “like increases the like”. If the diet, environment, or lifestyle of an individual has similar qualities as his/her Dosha, it is bound to increase or aggravate the Dosha. For example, Kapha aggravates in winter because it increases the “cold” quality in Kapha.
Hence, to prevent the aggravation of a Dosha, “like to like” qualities must be avoided in the environment. Applying the “opposite quality” may restore the balance of qualities in the Dosha. It might be a good idea to revisit the Kapha qualities previously mentioned to determine which ones should be adopted and which should be avoided to balance Kapha.
Nevertheless, Kapha individuals should eat food with “heating” or “drying” effects. They should avoid oily, fried, heavy, fatty, salty, sour, and sweet foods, as well as cold beverages. Tastes that are bitter, astringent, and pungent balance excess Kapha. Similarly, dairy products have sweet, sour, cooling, and heavy qualities and must be avoided. Baked, roasted, or broiled foods can be substituted for fried foods. Several nuts and seeds are rich in oil and should be consumed in moderation. As sleep causes “heaviness” in the head, daytime naps should be avoided, and an active lifestyle should be adopted. The examples provided are only illustrative; an Ayurveda practitioner can prescribe the best treatment after assessing the patient’s Dosha Prakriti.
How is Kapha related to other Doshas in Ayurveda?
Vata means movement, and the body cannot function without movement. The function of Pitta and Kapha, as well as most body systems and organs, depends on Vata. Hence Vata must be kept in balance for the other two Doshas to function normally.