Ayurveda explains the formation of nature ( including living and nonliving ) with five basic elements called Panch mahabhoot. Due to interaction of these five elements, three forces come into existence. These forces are vata Pitta kapha altogether known as tridosha. Imbalance of these forces creates around hundred forty types of diseases in human body.
What is the kapha
The kapha is evolved due interaction of water and earth elements. As both elements are heavy and more physical, the resultant force will also exhibits similar properties. The nature of the kapha is as like sticky muddy fluids. When the kapha dosha gets imbalanced, there are possibilities of generation of around twenty type diseases in the body.
Importance of kapha
Kapha is responsible for joining things together. If kapha force is not there then everything will fall apart. It is also responsible for lubrication of mouth, eyes, brain and stomach lining. It governs sense of taste and lubrication of joints.
Kapha regulates the structure of the body. It is also responsible for strength, immunity, stability and growth of the body.
Characteristics of kapha
Aacharya Sushrut define kapha as heavy cold, sweet, lubricant, stable, slow, calm, patience, dense and sticky.
So these are the characteristics of kapha in a body.
Kapha body type and personality
The kapha body type can be explained as follows.
- Heavy and strong body.
- High physical strength.
- Slow in motion and activities.
- Speak softly and calmly. Good voice.
- Lazy, lethargic and sleep lover.
- Live long age.
- Inner peace
- most stable
Symptoms of aggravated kapha dosha
- Increased weight and obesity.
- Low appetite.
- More sleep.
- Heaviness and sticky skin.
- Laziness.
- Slow digestion.
Reasons of aggravated kapha dosha
- Consumption of sweet and heavy food
- Carbonated water and other cold drinks.
- Fried and junk foods.
- Preserved, processed and cold food.
- Eating more than required.
- Less or no rigorous exercises/ Physical activities.
- Excessive sleep duration.
- Comfortable life style.
Types of kapha dosha
As per Ayurveda, kapha dosha is subdivided into five different types. These five subtypes represent five different parts of the body
- Avalambaka kapha- situated in chest.
- Kledaka kapha- situated in stomach.
- Bodhaka kapha- situated at tongue.
- Tarpaka kapha- situated in the head.
- Shleshaka Kapha - situated in bone joints.
Diseases due to increased kapha
Ayurveda depicts that the imbalance of kapha gives birth to twenty types of diseases in body. Few of them are:-
- Sinus congestion
- Poor sense of smell
- Poor sense of tastes
- Improper digestion
- Low appetite
- Low absorption
- Lethargic attitude
- Lower back pain w
- Weight gain
- Oily and sticky skin
- Painful joints
Remedies to pacify aggravated kapha dosha
(A) Right food consumption
Ayurveda does not give any calorific calculation about food consumption. Neither it gives importance to diet system based on carbohydrates, protein etc. Howerever it emphasis on the importance of six types of juices or flavours that food contains. These six juices ( Rasa) combine in different ways to create variety of tastes. These are:
- Sweet ( Madhura)
- Sour ( amla)
- Salty ( lavana)
- Pungent ( Katu)
- Bitter ( Tikta)
- Astringent ( Kasaya)
We need to include food in our diet that is dry, light, warm, easy to digest and it should flavour pungent, bitter and astringent.
(B) Right daily routine
- Early to bed and early to rise.
- Reduce sleep duration. Night awakening is also beneficial to pacify increased Kapha.
- Regular physical activities and rigorous exercises. One may include jogging, long running, cycling, trekking and swimming in daily routine.
- Wearing warm clothing and avoid cold and inactive work area.
( C) Yoga to pacify Kapha
- Suryasana
- Ardha chandrasna
- Trikonasana
- Dhanurasana
- Shirsasna
Summary
Understanding the aggravated dosha is very important and it is covered in a easy way in Ayurveda. There is an old saying in India that "pehla Sukh nirogi Kaya". It emphasis on the importance of healthy body and Ayurveda is that tool which empower us to be healthy to live life at the fullest.
Relevant articles
Tridosha theory in Ayurveda. Read here
Pancha Mahabhoota. Elements of life. Read here
