Ayurveda - kapha dosha: tips and diet for balancing kapha from Maharishi Ayurveda Products

Kapha governs all structure and lubrication in the mind and body. It controls weight, growth, lubrication for the joints and lungs, and formation of all the seven tissues -- nutritive fluids, blood, fat, muscles, bones, marrow and reproductive tissues.

Kapha Governs

Tarpaka Kapha
Moisture for nose, mouth, eyes and brain

Bhodaka Kapha
Sense of taste, which is essential for good digestion

Kledaka Kapha
Moisture of the stomach lining for good digestion

Avalambaka Kapha
Protects the heart, strong muscles, healthy lungs

Sleshaka Kapha
Lubrication of the joints, soft and supple skin

Kapha out of Balance

Tarpaka Kapha
Sinus congestion, poor sense of smell

Bhodaka Kapha
Poor sense of taste, food cravings due to lack of fulfillment

Kledaka Kapha
Impaired digestion, poor absorption

Avalambaka Kapha
Lethargy, respiratory problems, lower back pain

Sleshaka Kapha
Weight gain, oily skin, loose or painful joints

Do you need to balance Kapha?

Kapha dosha governs structure and fluid balance in the body. Answer these questions to see if you need to balance Kapha.
  1. Do you tend to be overweight?
  2. Are you often over-settled and lethargic?
  3. Do you experience sinus problems?
  4. Do you sleep long hours yet wake up unrefreshed?
  5. Are your skin and hair oily?
  6. Do you find that you are possessive and over-attached?
  7. Do you feel discomfort in cold damp weather?
  8. Do you feel lazy, complacent?
  9. Do you experience bloating, water retention?
  10. Do you feel stiff and heavy, especially in the morning?
  11. Do you experience congestion?
If you answered yes to most of these questions, you need to balance Kapha.

Here are some tips for balancing Kapha:

  • All Kapha products: drink Kapha Tea and season meals with Kapha Churna, diffuse stimulating Kapha aroma oil. .
  • Vigorous regular exercise, a little each day.
  • Warm temperatures.
  • Fresh fruits, vegetables and legumes.
  • Favor pungent, bitter, astringent tastes and light, dry and warm foods.
  • Reduce heavy, oily, cold foods and sweet, sour and salty tastes.
  • Seek out variety and new experiences.
  • Stay warm in cold, damp weather.
  • Early to bed, early to rise.

Kapha-Pacifying Diet :

  1. Dairy. Low-fat milk is better. Always boil milk before you drink it -- which makes it easier to digest -- and take it warm. Do not take milk with a full meal or with sour or salty food. You might add one or two pinches or turmeric or ginger to whole milk before boiling it to help reduce any Kapha-increasing qualities in the milk.
  2. Fruit. Lighter fruits, such as apples and pears, are better. Reduce heavy or sour fruits, such as oranges, bananas, pineapples, figs, dates, avocados, coconuts and melons, as these fruits increase Kapha.
  3. Sweeteners. Honey is excellent for reducing Kapha. Reduce sugar products, as these increase Kapha.
  4. All beans are fine, except tofu.
  5. Reduce all nuts.
  6. Grains. Most grains are fine, especially barley and millet. Do not take too much wheat or rice, as they increase Kapha.
  7. Spices. All are fine, except for salt. It increases Kapha.
  8. Vegetables. All are fine, except tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet potatoes and zucchini. They all increase Kapha.