Ayurveda states that doshas are inner forces that shape our lives by controlling the immune system, weight, muscle growth and our mental well-being. Different people are governed by different doshas which determine their build and health. These doshas can fall out of balance if we have erratic or sedentary life habits, and result in diseases that plague the body and mind.
What Is Kapha Dosha?
One such dosha is kapha dosha, and it controls the muscle mass, weight, immunity, and strength of the body. Moisturisation of skin, healing of wounds, strength to person high-intensity physical labour are all regulated by this dosha. People governed by the kapha dosha are warm-hearted, strong-minded, and slow but steady. A kapha dosha body type has the following features:
- Strong built
- High stamina
- Good digestion
- Sound sleep
As a popular Sanskrit adage goes, ‘excess is always harmful’. Despite this gifted kapha dosha body type, people may suffer physical ailments and mental stress if this dosha exceeds the optimum limit. So now that you know what is kapha dosha, let us look at the symptoms of its aggravation.
Critical Signs & Symptoms Of Kapha Dosha
People governed by kapha dosha have a tendency to be lethargic. If they give in to this tendency on account of increase in kapha in their system, they are quick to gain weight. Imbalance of kapha can be caused by the following poor life habits:
- Laziness
- Sleeping in the day
- Eating food with high salt content
- Poor appetite
Common Symptoms Of Kapha Dosha That You Must Keep An Eye On
Cause of aggravated kapha lead to a multitude of bodily and mental issue, which include:
1. Physical Signs
- Obesity
- Bloating
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- Indigestion
- Excessive sleeping
2. Mental and Emotional Signs
- Disinterest in activities
- Dull mood
- Depression
- Stubbornness towards challenges in life
3. Behavioural Signs
- Possessiveness
- Greed
- Sluggishness
How To Balance Kapha Dosha?
Kapha dosha symptoms have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. They can be dealt with by balancing excessive dosha. To do so, one must:
1. Keep Reinventing
When in excess, kapha makes a person dull as it is a cold and heavy dosha by nature. To counter it, one must seek out and try new things to stimulate the kapha. This stimulation can be physical, through exercise or playing a sport, or mental, in the form of a hobby.
2. Keep Warm
Coldness can be counterproductive when dealing with excess kapha. So layer up, use heating equipment and consume warming foods to soothe yourself. Surrounding yourself with warm colours will also help.
3. Detoxify
Do a juice cleanse or detoxification diet once a week to clear out the gut and remove any negativity congesting the system. High fibre foods will be your friend at this time. An Ayurvedic neti cleanse will assist in decongesting the nasal passage.
4. Declutter
Decongest your mind to put it at ease. Clear out and arrange your working and living space, donate or get rid of excess and make lists to bring order to your cluttered mind space.
9 Effective Home Remedies For Kapha Dosha
Apart from the life changes, you can also try effective home remedies for kapha to balance it out. The effects of excess kapha can be reversed without any synthetic medicines or expensive treatments, by adopting the following home remedies to treat it.
Dietary Changes
1. Liquid Diet
Consider going on a liquid diet or juice cleanse once every week. It should include only fresh fruits and veggies. They can be consumed as juices, smoothies or light soups. Avoid all solid food, heavy or fatty liquids, dairy liquids (like milk or yoghurt). Meditate and have a quiet mind to help you through it.
2. Reduce
Consumption of dairy, sweeteners (other than honey), salt, fatty nuts and seeds, meat, grains like rice, wheat, and oats should be reduced. The ideal diet in this scenario should consist of grains like buckwheat (kuttu), barley and corn, fresh leafy vegetables, and light fruits. They can be cooked in less oil or ghee.
3. Include
You should have beans (except soybeans) and warm ginger tea in your regular diet. As a rule of thumb, prefer foods that have a sharp taste and warm characteristic as they are stimulating.
4. Spices
All kinds of spices, other than salt can be consumed as they provide warmth and calm the kapha. Look for spices with a strong smell and sharp taste. They may be mustard, turmeric, pepper, or any other local spice that fits the bill.
Other Remedies For Kapha Dosha
1. Ubtan
It is a traditional Ayurvedic recipe that is like a paste in consistency and can be made from kitchen ingredients. It is then massaged all over the body. This stimulates circulation and provides warmth to the body, apart from being an excellent exfoliant. Here is how you can make a simple yet effective ubtan at home:
- Take a bowl and mix together besan, a pinch of turmeric (haldi), sandalwood powder (chandan).
- Add milk and rose water to the dry mix, to make a paste. Make sure it is not runny.
- You can apply this paste all over your face and body.
- Wait for it to dry and then gently rub it off or wash with lukewarm water.
2. Gharshan
This is an Ayurvedic technique to stimulate blood flow and warmth in the body. It involves dry-massaging the body either with hands or a wooden massage tool.
3. Induce Sweat
As a method of detoxifying the body, indulge in activities that induce excessive sweating. You can try sunbathing and sauna. Remember to increase hydration proportionately.
4. Strenuous Exercise
Engage in exercises that involve rigorous physical activity. They can be a high-intensity workout, swimming, high speed or long-distance running or brisk walking. You can also take up a sport that interests you. The idea here is to sweat it out while stimulating the body and mind.
5. Stay Active
Lethargy is both a cause and a symptom of excess kapha. So make an active effort to avoid laziness. Don’t sleep in the day and avoid naps. Wake up early and set goals to keep you motivated throughout the day. Involve your friends, family and co-workers to keep you on track, if you can.
Key Takeaways
- Warmth is your friend. Aggravated kapha being cold in nature, can be effectively countered by surrounding oneself with warm objects. Heat-inducing activities and warm foods also help significantly.
- It is important to stay lively and stimulated to fight the gloom brought about by excess kapha. You can do so mentally, by meditation and engaging in creative activities, and through a fresh and light diet.
- To channel the extra kapha out of your system, it is important to detox the mind and body. Unclutter, organise and simplify your routine and diet to achieve this.
People governed by kapha dosha are blessed with energy and steadiness. However, they can forsake these gifts by adopting habits that disbalances their dosha. The good news is that the damage is repairable by getting back to better and balanced life habits. If you are someone having pitta imbalance, these home remedies for pitta dosha can help you balance the dosha.
