What is Kapha?

Kapha is the heaviest of the three doshas. It provides the structures and lubrication the body needs.

To Balance Kapha

• During spring, eat more foods from the Spring Grocery list.
• Eat more foods that are Pungent (Spicy), Bitter, Astringent / Light, Dry, Warm: such as flavorful steamed veggies, brothy soups, brown rice.
• Eat less foods that are Sweet, Sour, Salty / Heavy, Cold, Oily: such as fried foods, ice cream, heavy dairy.
• Follow our Short Home Cleanse for a simple but thorough 4-day cleanse.
• For 6 weeks, take 500 mg of Manjistha, Turmeric Plus and Tulsi twice per day to cleanse your lymphatic system, heal your digestion, boost immunity, and nourish your nervous system.
• Tired? Schedule an Ayurvedic Consult to treat the root cause of your fatigue, which is different for each person.

What are Daily Routines (Dinacharya) for Kapha?

• Self-massage with warm Lymphatic Massage Oil or raw sesame oil.
• Three or more times per day, practice Bellows Breath: breathe quickly and with strength in and out through your nose for 30 seconds while expanding and contracting your diaphragm. Sit in silence for 1 minute.
• Exercise in the morning to increase circulation, mood, and immunity.
• Perform Neti by irrigating your nasal passage with warm salt water. Always follow with Nasya.
• Perform Nasya by dipping a q-tip in warm Tri-Doshic Massage Oil or warm sesame oil, swirling it inside your nostrils, and inhaling deeply.

What are Signs of Excess Kapha?

• Cold, cough, allergies, congestion, flu, fatigue, depression, weight gain.
• If you experience some of these signs, schedule a consult with Dr. Douillard and follow the above guidelines.

>>> See the Spring Grocery List “Kapha-Balancing Diet”

Kapha Functions

• Strength and energy.
• Moistness and lubrication.
• Stability to add the necessary grounding aspect to both mind and body.
• Mass and structure to provide fullness to bodily tissues.
• Fertility and virility.

Kapha Body Type Characteristics

• Large frame, heavy, easy to gain weight.
• Thick, straight / wavy, oily hair.
• Oily, moist, pale, white skin.
• Large eyes, whites of eyes are glossy and white.
• Medium to large, white and strong teeth.
• Slow and steady walking pace.
• Excellent strength and endurance.
• Calm, steady disposition, long-term memory, low pitch / resonating voice.
• Steady non-changing moods, slow to get irritated, very understanding, easy-going.
• Can miss a meal easily, digestion can be a little slow; elimination is heavy, slow, thick, and regular.
• Aversion to damp and cold weather.
• Prefers dry food and eats slowly.
• Saves money regularly and accumulates wealth.
• Strong sex drive.
• Sound, heavy and long sleep, dreams of water, clouds, and romance.

Kapha: Cold, Moist (Oily), Heavy

• Elements: Water and Earth
• Season: Winter / Spring
• Times of Day: 6am – 10am and 6pm – 10pm
• Taste/Qualities (+): Sweet Sour, Salty / Heavy, Oily, Cold. To decrease Kapha, use less of these qualities in food, beverage and environment. For instance, eating ice cream (heavy, cold, sweet), will increase Kapha.
• Taste/Qualities (-): Pungent, Bitter, Astringent / Light, Dry, Hot. To increase and balance excess Kapha, use more of these qualities in food, beverage, and environment.
• Best Oils: Sesame, Olive

Don’t know your Ayurvedic body type? Take our Dosha Quiz!