Kapha Dosha
EARTH + WATER
HEAVY - SLOW - COOL - OILY - STATIC - DENSE - SOFT
Responsible for Lubrication (Nourishment)
FUNCTIONS OF KAPHA:
brings strength and stability
softness of the body and maintenance of body fluid
lubrication
long-term memory
groundedness & compassion
MANAGING KAPHA
WITHOUT KAPHA THERE WOULD NOTHING HOLDING IT ALL TOGETHER
‘that which binds things’
Kapha is the energy that form’s the body’s structure and provides the ‘glue’ or cohesion that holds the cells together. Kapha supplies the water for all bodily parts and systems. It lubricates joints, moisturises the skin, and maintains immunity.
‘In balance’ Kapha is expressed as love, calmness, and forgiveness, and ‘out of balance’, it leads to attachment, greed, possessiveness, and congestive disorders.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF KAPHA IMBALANCE
Sluggishness, heaviness, dullness
Excess mucous
Excess body weight and or water retention
Thick white coating on the tongue
Slow to wake and get out of the bed in the morning
Tendency to overeat during emotional times or stress
Thick, slow, mucous stools
Stubborn, possessive, freely attached
BALANCING KAPHA
FAVOUR
Favour warm foods both energetically and in temperature
Favour spices ginger, cumin, fennel, coriander, fenugreek, ajwain, cinnamon, chilli
Favour plenty of hot and or room temperature water
Balanced diet of protein, carbohydrate and vegetables with fresh seasonal fruit.
Snack recommendation is a handful of almonds (soaked over night and peeled with a some sultanas)
Routine in your meals and daily routines
Minimal amount of high-quality oils like olive, coconut oil or ghee in your daily diet
Favour bitter, astringent, pungent tastes : click more for info on Ayurvedic Tastes
AVOID
Avoid heavy foods such as cheese, bread, pasta, chips, cakes
Avoid cold or carbonated drinks
Avoid processed or frozen foods
Overeating or eating very heavy meals
Avoid Deep fried foods
Avoid fruits such bananas, watermelon, melons
Avoid vegetables such as avocado, pumpkin, potato, sweet potato, tomato
Avoid sweet, salt, sour tastes : click more for info on Ayurvedic Tastes
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A KAPHA-PACIFYING LIFESTYLE
Start your day with movement: soft yoga or surya namaskara
Daily Abhyanga - applying oil to the body for a minimum of 7 minutes, a maximum of 48 minutes. Click here for more info on Abhyanga
Energetic exercise routine (no stagnation) eg. yoga, hiking, swimming, bike riding
A regular, daily routine with regular times for eating, sleeping, working, etc
Keeping warm and dry, no matter what the season
Daily Nasiya - nasal drops with medicated oil or plain black sesame oil