KAPAH DOSHA|CHARACTERISTICS, DIET AND HOME REMEDIES
As previously discussed, within the science of Ayurveda we
known that there are three dominant doshas. In the previous blog post we have
discussed about Vata dosha. Today let’s understand the Kapah dosha.
Action of Kapah Dosha on Body
Kapah is composed of earth and water elements. The
qualities of Kapah are slow, cool, sleek, smooth, delicate, thick, stable,
gross and cloudy. Kapah provides structure, robustness, stability and cohesiveness
to the body. It gives cohesiveness to the form and gives robustness to the
body. Kapah provides hydration, lubricates the joint, saturates the skin and
provides immunity by safeguarding the tissues.
Kapah is associated with the energy of water. It is
associated with energy storage and hence is responsible for muscle mass, strength,
endurance, immunity, mental wellbeing. It also controls the weight,
moisturization of skin and healing of wounds.
Kapah is located in the chest area, thorax, throat, lungs,
nose, joints, adipose tissue. Brain functions like memory, forgiveness,
patience and endurance are governed by kapah dosha. Fat and cholesterol are
influenced by kapah dosha. Kapah facilitates the digestion process by
moistening and breaking down the food particles. Further, it protects the inner
lining of stomach and small intestines from acid and digestive enzymes. The nourishing action of circulation of
digestive fluids through out the body is carried by the kapah.
Personality Of Kapah Type
Kapah individuals are warm hearted, thoughtful and strong
minded. Emotionally compassionate, they often keep the need of the others above
their own needs. They are people pleasers. Some of the traits of Kapah are calm
and polite. They are forgiving,
courageous and dedicated.
Kapah body type exhibit stamina and stability. They may
appear slow but have exceptional endurance and strength. They pursue projects
with patience and tenacity until they achieve success. Their inner tranquility,
peace and harmony matters to them a lot. Their approach is the tried and tested
way. They value little things in life like stable partnerships, healthy kids
and loyal friendships. This gives them inner satisfaction, security and
personal happiness.
Characteristics Of Kapah Body
- Heavy body with broad frame.
- Kapah individual gain weight easily and have a low metabolic function.
- They are big boned, extensive thighs, hips, bums and chest.
- They have rounded face and bodies.
- The skin is fair, glowing, cool, feather smooth.
- Kapah types have big eyes that are dark in color.
- They have pleasant and deep voice.
- Their hair are dark in color, thick, lustrous and wavy.
- Their appetite is moderate
- Kapah types are elegant, erotic, sensual and are very fertile.
- They produce secretions like sweat, mucus or milk secretion in moderation.
- Low thirst
- They suffer from sugar craving and a restless sweet tooth.
- Kapah types thrive in dry and warm weather and suffer in cold and damp conditions.
What causes Kapah Imbalance?
- Eating heavy meal at inappropriate times.
- Consuming Kapah aggravating foods. Foods that taste salty, sweet and sour are kapah aggravating. Cold and frozen food or drinks also increase kapah in the body.
- Dairy, fatty and oily food aggravate kapah.
- Exposure to Cold and damp climate for long periods causes kapah imbalance.
- Lack of physical activity and not following a fixed sleep routine.
- Sleeping during the day or oversleeping
- Laziness
Symptoms of kapah imbalance
Laziness and Lethargy
Tendency to procrastinate and may
become inflexible. They may show resistance to change, unless spurred by
physical or emotional circumstances. It is difficult for them to get up early
in the morning. Tend to oversleep.
Depression
They find it hard to move on because they have
the tendency to hold on to the past. When disheartened, highly susceptible to
depression due to overeating and weight gain.
They may isolate emotionally and spiritually from their surroundings. The
desire to be alone and to laze out leads to internal withdrawal. They become
numb to events and refuse any emotional exchange.
Escapism
May show escapism tendencies and move into
fantasy world.
Slow down and lack of motivation
Finding difficult to wake
up in the morning, following exercise routine, loosing productivity during the
day. Heavier qualities of kapah brings stagnation and lack of motivation.
Heaviness
Heavy feeling in stomach.
Increase of oiliness
Oily skin and hair.
Slow Metabolism
Sluggish digestion, Indigestion, diarrhea, Poor bowel movements, sticky stools
White colorations
Thick white coating on tongue.
Retaining water
Signs such as puffiness and swelling due
to water retention. excess urination, excess ear wax,
Psychological state
Stubbornness, possessiveness,
emotional over eating
Respiratory Track
Cold, cough, excessive accumulation of
mucus and runny nose
Sinus
Emotional state
Sadness, hard to forgive, holding on to the past, greed, overly sensitive
Loss in Physical strength
Fatigue, weakness.
Taste
Sweet taste in mouth
If you relate to this characteristic you are Kpaha
body type. If you relate to both vata and Kapah then you may be
predominantly Kapah-Vata.
Home Remedies For Kapah Dosha| How to remove Kapah From The Body
To get the toxins out of the body and to balance kapah
following home remedies needs to be adapted to balance Kapah dosha
Favor warm over cold
Kapah individual are sensitive to
cold and damp weather. It is important to stay warm, use warm clothes and
warming pads.
Consume warm food that is freshly prepared. Use warming
spices like ginger, cinnamon, clove, black or cayenne pepper etc. favor warm
beverages like soups and green tea.
Exercise regularly
Another way to warm up the body is through exercise. This builds the stamina and regulates the bowel movement. It helps in elimination of toxins and keeping the gut clean.
Favor light and rough over heavy
Instead of having one big
meal. Have smaller meals equally spaced throughout the day. Grains are dense and
heavy. Try to minimize them and instead include vegetables and legumes.
Favor Dry over moist
Kapha is aggravated by heavy, pungent
and oily substances. Indulge in dry fruits but in small quantities. Consume fruits that taste astringent and
mildly sweet. Avoid sour, heavy, dense and watery fruits like grapes, oranges,
banana, melon and coconut. Fruits to favor are apples, berries, cherries and
apricot.
Vegetables and grains that are moist, heavy and dense need
to be avoided.
Raw vegetables are difficult to digest during cold and damp
weather. It can be consumed in summer or spring season. Also the noon time is
the right time to consume as the digestive strength is at its peak.
Detoxify
It is important to detox for healthy and clean
gut. Once or twice a week go on a diet consisting of liquid and fruits.
This would remove any kind of congestions in the digestive
system or accumulation of waste in the intestines. Problems of stomach, gas,
acidity and indigestion can be removed.
Taste to Favor
Indulge in bitter, astringent and pungent
tasting food.
Follow Sleep routine
Going to bed and awakening up at similar time each day. avoid oversleeping or sleeping during the day.
Keep yourself engaged to fight the gloom
To stay lively and stimulated and to fight the gloom brought
about by the kapah dosha engage in creative activities, mindful
meditation, enjoying lively music and cheerful company.
Avoid overeating And emotional eating
It is important to
sit in a quiet and peaceful place and
give your complete attention to the process of being nourished.
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