How to Balance Kapha Dosha Naturally?

In Ayurvedic ideologies and ancient healing practices, a major emphasis is laid down on paanchbhuta- The Five Fundamental Elements, namely; Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Space.

To balance and govern these 5 elements in the human body, there exist 3 dashes, i.e. Vata, Pitta, and Kapha Dosha. If any of these doshas runs out of balance, the other body gets imbalanced too which eventually leads to a diverse number of health complications both mental and physical.

In this blog, significant insights about shared about the dosha- Kapha which is the governor of Water and Earth elements. Starting from the meaning, causes, and symptoms of the imbalance of Kapha dosha to the natural ways to calm it, we will share everything related to Kapha dosha.

To get information about the rest two equally important doshas, you can go through our blogs: Vata Dosha and Pitta Dosha.

Understanding Kapha Dosha

Kapha dosha meaning can be defined as fundamental energy residing inside the body, the prime function of which is to control the elements- water and earth. It is the balance of kapha dosha that embodies structure and lubrication and ensures stability for the mind and body.

Gunas of Kapha Dosha (Qualities)

Subdoshas of Kapha: It is mainly categorized into 5 sub-doshas, namely; 

1/5. Tarpaka Kapha: Dosha, located in the head is responsible for all the sensory nerves and actions of the brain. By sharing a sync with prana vayu and sadhaka pittaja it rules control over emotional phenomena such as happiness, anger, irritability, sadness, and so on.

2/5. Avalambaka Kapha: Located in the chest region, Avalambaka Kapha is responsible for the functioning of the upper body including the thorax, lungs, and heart muscles. An imbalance of this sub-dosha may lead to serious respiratory or circulatory diseases.

3/5. Kledaka Kapha: Chest in the area of governance of the sub dosha named Kledaka. The harmonious balance of this dosha is necessary for the smooth digestion of the food so consumed.

4/5. Bodhaka Kapha: The dosha or sensory power lies in the tongue and is responsible for taste perception. Saliva regulation, taste differentiation, voice quality, etc are some areas that are impacted by bodhaka kapha.

5/5. Sleshaka Kapha: Sleshaka in the Sanskrit language represents binding or attaching. Located in your joints, sleshaka kapha keeps the joints healthy, strong, and connected via proper lubrication.

Kapha Dosha Characteristics

Physical:

• Large solid body frame
• Good stamina
• Well-developed flesh
• Smooth rounded joints
• Moderate appetite and thirst
• Slow metabolism
• Thick, shiny, and strong nails

Mental:

• Excellent memory
• Stable and calm nature
• Slow digestion
• Tolerant, courageous & generous
• Slow learning
• Soothing speech
• Sleeps deeply

Imbalance of Kapha Dosha

Composed of elements water and earth- Kapha dosha imbalance may arise due to a number of reasons and oppose several health concerns. Although, individuals with Kapha prakriti have a strong immune system and stamina. But if under any circumstances, it runs out of balance, it may result in severe complications and highly impact the other two Ayurveda doshas and paachan agni.

Causes of Kapha Imbalance:

1. Intake of frozen, sour, excessively sweet, or salty foods
2. Following a sedentary lifestyle
3. Being overweight/obese
4. Consuming in excess or having heavy meals
5. Staying in cold environments for prolonged periods
6. Sleeping during the day or late at night
7. Eating Kapha-aggravating items like dairy products & non-vegetarian food

Symptoms of Kapha Imbalance: 

Whenever Kapha dosha runs out of balance in the body, it starts to give a number of indications which may be both cognitive and physical. Imbalanced Kapha dosha symptoms generally are:

1. Lethargicness
2. Sleeping differences
3. Unexplained weight gain
4. Feeling cold 
5. Frequent digestive issues
6. A persistent feeling of sadness
7. Reduced strength
8. Excessive mucus production

Diseases related to Kapha Imbalance:

The controller of water and earth elements inside the body when imbalanced or aggravated can lead to number multiple serious health problems like:

1. Diabetes
2. Cold or Sinusitis
3. Gall stones
4. Asthma
5. Heart failure
6. Cystic fibrosis
7. Varicose veins
8. Constipation
9. Allergies
10. Depression
11. Hypertension
12. Enlarged spleen

Ways to balance Kapha Imbalance:

Ayurveda experts, practitioners, and Acharyas have discovered several natural ways through which one can balance their kapha dosha and attain tridosha equilibrium. It mainly involves:

Usage of Kapha-pacifying herbs

Incorporation of Kapha-vardhak herbs is considered the best possible way through which one can balance the water and earth elements in the body and get a step closer to attaining tridosha stability.

Loaded with incalculable healing traits, the usage of the below-mentioned herbs can be highly beneficial for all patients with imbalanced Kapha:

1. Tulsi: Besides religious purposes, the usage of tulsi (holy basil) can highly help to improve the overall respiratory system and prevent excessive kapha buildup inside your system.

2. Bibhitaki: The herb is known well and used widely in several Ayurvedic healing practices. The wellness traits present inside this amazing herb support your digestive and detoxification processes which further helps to balance kapha dosha.

3. Ashwagandha: Ashwagandha can be one of the best herbs to balance kapha dosha as it is helpful to enhance ojas which is a vital component for immunity, energy, and stamina, all contributing to kapha regulation.

4. Chitrak: Fully filled with pitta-kapha balancing properties, the herb chitrak once gets inside the body, strengthens your digestive fire (Agni), improves gut health, reduces respiratory complications, and prevents toxin buildup or accumulation.

5. Haridra: Valued for its wonderful anti-biotic, anti-bacterial, and counter-inflammatory response, haridra or haldi is a common herb that is highly helpful for balancing all three Ayurveda doshas along with boosting the immune system.

6. Adraka: The ginger, being the common ingredient of our routine meals can be easily found in the kitchen. Patients who are dealing with joint pain, stiffness, or respiratory blockage as a result of aggravated kapha, are often suggested to add this potent herb to their routine.

7. Daalchini: When utilized as per the guidance of the doctor, cinnamon, commonly called daalchini can also prove a marvelous way to pacify kapha dosha. Due to its ushana features, it will stimulate warmth inside the body and prevent it from possible ama (toxin) accumulation.

8. Pippali: Embedded with gunas like katu rasa, laghu, and tikshana, the herb pippali can also show promising results in equalizing pitta dosha and reducing vata and kapha dosha.

9. Trikatu: By ensuring the elimination of excessive mucus from the lungs, the herbal mixture- Trikatu helps to reduce respiratory and digestive tract complications which is necessary for keeping Kapha dosha in balance.

10. Brahmi: The herb is none other than a powerhouse of countless healing virtues and traits. Well, not just the kapha, it is equally helpful for balancing the rest doshas also, namely; Vata and Pitta.

11. Kanchanara guggulu: By improving medha dhatu and balancing kapha dosha, the incorporation of this herb improves blood circulation, reduces obesity, and solves problems related to the thyroid gland.

12. Methidaana: Kapha controlling nature of fenugreek, also called methi-daana is helpful for maintaining body temperature, providing warmth, and reducing other issues related to kapha aggravation.

Kapha Friendly Diet

If we are focused on natural ways to balance kapha dosha, diet becomes a crucial aspect. It is necessary not only for the growth of your body but also for survival. It is the food that you consume that provides strength to your body, boosts your immune system, and keeps all other organs functioning at pace. However, the concept of a wholesome diet may vary both slightly or significantly depending upon the unique body praktriti, dosha-vyaadhi and medical condition. Below is an ideal kapha dosha diet for patients who have imbalanced water and earth element in their body:

Have it:

• All types of legumes are advised.
• Juicy fruits involving apples, figs, pears, papaya, quince, peaches, strawberries, pomegranate, etc.
• Green and fresh vegetables such as spinach, eggplant, kale, bell peppers, radish, asparagus, peas, ladyfingers, carrots, onions, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower.
• Herbal teas which are prepared with ginger, chamomile, rosehip, jasmine, lavender, etc.
• Flaxseeds, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds.

Avoid it:

• Reduce the intake of salt in your routine meals.
• White flour and wheat are not advised for patients with aggravated kapha.
• Completely exclude junk, stale, and frozen foods from the diet.
• Say a big no to all types of non-vegetarian food items.
• Fat-rich dairy items like unfiltered milk, cheese, sweets, ice creams, etc.
• Tea, coffee, wine, beer, soda-based drinks, alcohol, smoking, etc.

NOTE: Most importantly, more than what you are eating, the way you are eating holds more significance. Even a heavy diet becomes light when taken in moderate quantity and a light diet may cause extreme heaviness when consumed in excess. So make sure to listen to your body instead of following the taste of your tongue.

Yoga asanas for Kapha balance

Starting from providing flexibility to your body and improving the overall blood circulation, the benefits of doing yoga are not confined only to the physical aspects. In fact, the routine performance of yoga helps a lot to uplift your mood, boosts your digestive fire, strengthens 7 vital dhatus, eliminates malas, and maintains a proper tridosha balance.

Below are the names of the 5 best yoga asanas that help to balance Kapha dosha in the body. Worry not because not just the names but we have also shared the benefits and way of doing these asanas:

1. Trikonasana (Triangle pose): By improving the flexibility of the spine, supporting digestion, and reducing respiratory complications, the routine performance of this yoga posture helps to pacify kapha dosha in the body and keep your body healthy and disease-free.

How to do it?

• Stand on a mattress with a gap of around 3 to 3.5 feet distance between your feet.
• Now, half turn your right foot in such a way that your right heel and mid part of your left foot are facing each other.
• Uplift your arms in a T-position while your palms are facing the front.
• Now, look at your right palm and travel down to touch your right ankle.
• After that, turn your head and try to look at your left palm. But if you experience any kind of neck pain or discomfort, you can keep your face to the front.
• Stay still for a couple of breaths and after that slowly release the posture.

2. Vrikshasana (Tree pose): That’s a simple yet effective yoga posture through which one can open up the blocked respiratory and heart pathways, improve blood circulation, and promote joint health.

Individuals who have incorporated this yoga posture into their routine said that they started experiencing several positive results within a few days. 

How to do it?

• Start from standing on a mattress while looking at the front.
• With the help of your hand lift your right leg up and place the sole of your right foot to the inner side of your left thigh.
• Now take a deep breath and lift your arms up to join them above your hands (namaskar mudra).
• Exhale deeply for a couple of breaths and then, slowly come back to the normal position.
• Repeat the same process on the alternative leg. 

3. Dhanurasana (Bow pose): Dhanurasana is a wonderful yoga posture that can help individuals in several possible ways. Starting from contributing to your body’s flexibility and digestive strength, its routine performance starts to provide fruitful results within a few days.

Additionally, it also helps to improve the circulation of the blood in your body which in turn ensures proper functioning of your body organs, healthy pumping of the heart, reduced respiratory complications, and a better reproductive system.

How to do it?

• Firstly start from lying down on your stomach. 
• Bend your legs backward and use your hands to grab the ankles.
• Now inhale deeply and lift your chest, head, and thighs above as high as possible. But make sure not to interrupt your body's comfort.
• Join your ankles and look straight.
• Now, you are in a bow position where most of your body weight is on your lower abdomen.
• Hold the posture for the next few breaths and then gently release it.

4. Virabhadrasana (Warrior pose): The experts also suggest individuals with kapha-vyaadhi incorporate Virabhadrasana, also called the warrior pose into their routine.

Toning the joints and muscles, improving balance, increasing physical strength, and alleviating mental concerns are some of the possible benefits that one can expect from this yoga posture.

How to do it?

• Start by standing still and then slowly bend and lift your left leg back.
• Bend your front knee while keeping it aligned over your ankle.
• Now place your hands on the hips and tuck your tailbone a bit down.
• Uplift your arms above the head straight and you will be in a warrior pose.
• Make sure your back leg is straight stretching and pressing into the outer edge of your foot.
•  After holding the posture for a couple of breaths, gently come back to your normal position.

5. Ardha Chandrasana (Half moon pose): Imbalanced kapha is often characterized by excessive buildup of mucus in the lungs and a poor digestive system. This asana works like a miracle that not only provides relief from these discomforting symptoms but also Strengthens joints, improves digestion, and relieves stress.

How to do it?

• Start by placing your legs in the Parsvakonasana position.
• Now, place your left hand on the left side of your hip and right fingertips on the floor followed by bending.
• Lift your left leg up and turn it out so your toes point out.
• Your whole body weight will be on your right leg, try to stay balanced.
• Next, turn your chest up and straighten your right leg.
• Lift your left arm straight up with your fingertips facing the celling.
• Hold the posture for a couple of breaths, and then simply come back to the normal posture.

Panchakarma

Panchakarma is also an ancient healing branch that mainly consists of 5 karmas or called procedures. The major focus of Panchakarma kriyas is to rejuvenate your body and eliminate all the ama (toxins) that are accumulated inside and causing differences in Tridosha balance. The five Panchakarma therapies are:

1. Vamana
2. Virechana
3. Basti
4. Nasya
5. Raktamokshana

Best for Pitta: For Kapha dosha treatment, Vamana karma is considered highly beneficial. With the administration of some herbal medication or drink, vomiting is induced through which excessive kapha in the form of mucus is removed from the body.

The procedure of pitta is generally done in the morning on an empty stomach. Also, it should be done by or under the guidance of an Ayurveda expert or Panchakarma expert only.

Vamana karma can further be classified into 2 main types namely Mridu vamana (mild) and Tikshna vamana (strong). The choice of the type of vamana is decided upon the severity of the condition and the existing medical condition of the patient.

1. Mridu Vamana (Best for conditions like Gulma, Yakshma, Kaphavruttavata, Vatarakta, and Pittavruttavata)

2. Tikshana Vamana (Helpful for diseases like Pandu, Unmada, Murchchha, and Prameha Pidika)

Takeaway

An imbalance of Kapha dosha can lead to multiple adverse health conditions both cognitive and physcial. But not just the kapha dosha, you are supposed to take care of the rest two doshas also, because together the balance of all three doshas Vata, Pitta, and Kapha makes the perfect way to revitalize the soul, body, and mind.