Everything You Need to Know About Kapha Dosha For Your Well-being!

Abstract 

The Kapha Dosha is one of the three doshas that are responsible for maintaining balance in the body. But any imbalance in the doshas can lead to diseased states in the body. Kapha dosha is responsible for stability in the human body. It is also called Shaleshma and its meaning is to cohere, keep together or to adhere. That’s why it is also known to bring structural integrity to joints, muscles and ligaments. The kapha dosha is also helpful in Ropana (healing process in the body), Purana (Providing nutrition to the whole body) and bala (Providing strength). In this blog, we will discuss the entire details of the kapha dosha and the characteristics of kapha prakriti purusha. 

Introduction 

Kapha dosha is the potential energy and as mentioned above it is responsible for structural integrity in the musculoskeletal system. The kapha is related to bala or strength to perform any task or any type of work. It is a potential source of resistance against diseases and aging. The body growth along with weight is both regulated by kapha. The body fluids, either external or internal are composed of kapha and also serve essential purposes of the body.

Comprehensive Guide to Kapha

Kapha dosha is known to bring stability and heaviness to the body. It is known to control body fluids and maintain the structural cohesion of the organism. The kapha dosha has five subtypes, each with its own sathana (location) and karya (function). Further in this blog, we will discuss the properties of kapha dosha along with factors for its imbalance and characteristics of kapha Prakriti purusha. 

Properties of Kapha Dosha 

स्निग्धः शीतो गुरुर्मन्द श्लक्षणो मृत्स्नः स्थिरः कफः।  (Ashtanga Hridaya)

Types of Kapha Dosha 

The Five types of Kapha dosha are as follows: 

Avlambak Kapha

Kledaka Kapha 

Bodhaka Kapha 

Tarpaka Kapha 

Shleshhaka Kapha 

Locations & Functions of 5 types of Kapha

The location and function of five types of Kapha are mentioned in the table below:  

Factors Responsible for Kapha Imbalance in the Body 

The Factors of Kapha aggravation and pacification are as follows: 

Factors responsible for Aggravation of Kapha Dosha 

The factors that are responsible for the vitiation of Kapha dosha are divided into natural and acquired. The natural factors are as follows: 

Season or ritu: Accumulation of kapha gets vitiated in vasanta (Spring). 

Various Stages of Digestion: It increases in the first stage of easy digestion or immediately after eating food. It is called bhuktamatra.  

Biological Rhythm of Day & night: Kapha increases in the early morning hours. 

Age: In childhood, there is dominance of kapha dosha as compared to other doshas. 

On the other hand the acquired factors responsible for the same are a diet rich in food with sweet, sour and salty tastes. In addition, heavy-to-digest food, cheesy greasy food and excessive water intake aggravate kapha. 

Some mistakes in lifestyle can also contribute to the aggravation of kapha dosha Like Divaswapna (daytime sleep), Avyayama (lack of exercise), Nisha Ambupana (drinking water at night) etc.   

Also Read: Pitta Prakriti: Embracing Pitta Dosha in Body & Mind!

Factors responsible for the Pacification of Kapha 

The factors are as follows: 

• Bringing about a change in your day-to-day life or routine can be of great help. It provides stimulation and excitement. 
• Eating food that is dominant in tastes like pungent, bitter and astringent ones.  
• Physical activity also helps in the pacification of kapha dosha and eliminates harmful toxins from the body by regulating bowel movements. 
• Warmth is also one of the pacification factors as people with kapha dosha are sensitive to cold and damp places. 
• Favor warm substances in your regular diet especially spices like cinnamon, cloves and dried ginger, basil, turmeric etc.  

Signs of Kapha Imbalance in the body

Kapha Imbalance in the body is denoted by the following signs: 

Sahityam (Feeling of coldness)

Sthairyam (Stiffness in the body)

Gauravam (Heaviness of body)

Avasada, Tandra (Depression & Drowsiness)

Sandhivishlesh (Lack of firmness in joints)

Agni Sadhana (Low digestive power)

Sathulaya (Obesity)

Srota Pidana (blockage in microchannels)

Murcha (Syncope)

Hrillasa (Nausea)

Angasada (Flaccidity)

Daurbalya (Weakness)

Udveshtana (Twitching Pain)

Angamardana (Body aches)

Sphotana (cracking or breaking pain)

Hridayarnava (palpitations)

Kapha Prakriti Purusha 

Kapha Prakriti Purusha has following characteristics: (Charaka Samhita Viman sthana  8/96)

तस्यस्नेहाच्छ्लेष्मलाःस्निग्धाङ्गाः  Due to dominance of kapha organs are greasy

श्लक्ष्णत्वाच्छ्लक्ष्णाङ्गाः  Predominance of kapha results in smooth organs 

मृदुत्वाद्दृष्टिसुखसुकुमारावदातगात्राः  Due to smoothness of kapha dosha kapha prakriti purusha has pleasing, delicate and fair organs

माधुर्यात्प्रभूतशुक्रव्यवायापत्याः  Because of sweetness person has abundant semen, libido along with progeny 

सारत्वात्सारसंहतस्थिरशरीराः  Nature of essence contributes to excellent, compact and stable body

मन्दत्वान्मन्दचेष्टाहारव्याहाराः  Slow in activities, diet and speech 

स्तैमित्यादशीघ्रारम्भक्षोभविकाराः  Delay in initiation, irritation and slow change in attitude   

तथाऽच्छत्वात्प्रसन्नदर्शनाननाःप्रसन्नस्निग्धवर्णस्वराश्चभवन्ति : Clear eyes, face along with clear complexion and affectionate vocals

तएवङ्गुणयोगाच्छ्लेष्मलाबलवन्तोवसुमन्तोविद्यावन्तओजस्विनःशान्ताआयुष्मन्तश्चभवन्ति : Due to such qualities such people are strong, wealthy, well learned, brave, calm and lives longer. 

Conclusion 

In the above blog, we have discussed all the aspects and details regarding kapha dosha and a person who has dominance of kapha dosha in his or her body. The dominance of doshas in the body is decided at the time of birth but still, at different stages of life, there is an increase and decrease in dosha. It is according to age and habits as well. So, the perfect way to keep the body dosha in balance is eating a balanced diet, nothing in excess or nothing in less quantities, taking care of our sleep cycles and maintaining discipline in life.