KAPHA DOSHA: HOW TO KEEP IT BALANCED & ENERGIZED

SEE ALL REVIEWS & COMMENTSback

CATABOLIC (VATA)
METABOLIC (PITTA)
ANABOLIC (KAPHA)

Are you Anabolic (Kapha Dosha)?

Tell your friends your Ayurvedic body type. Help them discover you and your unique personality by sharing your Ayurvedic constitution on one of these sites below.

What is Kapha (Anabolic Body Type)?

Kapha dosha is characterized by growth of tissue. Hence it is anabolic. Kapha people tend to produce more mucus and fat, and retain more fluids. Kapha body type is the stable, relaxed dosha defined by Oily, Cold, Heavy, Dull, Gooey, Soft, and Stable biocharacteristics. Kapha dosha tends to consolidate, solidify, and is dense in nature. Kapha is composed of mostly water and earth element. Kapha signs tend to be more white in color have a heightened sense of taste and smell. Kapha body type tends towards square features and a denser build accompanying bright, big eyes and thick, luscious hair.

What is Kapha Like?

When Kapha dosha is in balance, a person is loving, dependable, nurturing, and loyal. Kapha folks provide stability and affection in relationships. They make great listeners and great homemakers. Of all the doshas, they have the greatest stamina and immunity. Their bodies are as solid as their wills. A Kapha imbalance can cause a person to become stubborn, depressed, tired, and possessive. They easily tend toward weight gain, stagnation, and congestion. They also need to be mindful to move daily and to challenge what is comfortable by being a little more adventurous. Kapha does best on a diet of lighter foods like green vegetables and legumes. They should avoid sweets, oversleeping, and withdrawing from the world.

How to Balance Kapha

Avoid These Foods

Avoid Food With These Qualities

Favor this Lifestyle Wake up early and exercise Avoid sleeping during the day Massage yourself daily with Kapha oil More About Kapha Lifestyle Favor this Diet Avoid meat, wheat, and dairy after sundown Avoid salty and sweet taste Avoid fatty, fried foods View Kapha Pacifying Ingredients View Kapha Pacifying Recipes More About Kapha Diet More About Kapha Digestion

Favor these Herbs Triphala - Keeps the colon clean Cumin, Coriander & Fennel - Reduce Water Weight Trikatu - Stimulate Digestion Holy Basil - Improve Circulation Garcinia - Lose Weight Gymnema - Destroy Food Cravings Brahmi - Improve mental ability Punarnava - General Kapha Tonic All Kapha Pacifying Products

Kapha Times of Day

According to the Ayurvedic clock, Kapha happens in the beginning of life, the year, the day, the night, and digestion. Kapha is thus naturally increased during the following times:

Childhood - Children are renowned for colds, congestion, and mucus. Children love to sleep late and eat sweet, heavy foods. They love to play and hate to work. They are loving and innocent.

Late winter and spring - During winter, Kapha fat rises to protect the body from coldness, driving the heat of the body inward. As the sun heats the air in late winter, the body sheds the layer of protective fat, releasing Kapha into the bloodstream. Melting Kapha is the Ayurvedic cause of hay fever congestion.

After sunrise and sunset - For the two hours after sunrise and sunset, Kapha feels relaxed. Kapha people will enjoy staying in bed past sunrise and feel after dinner laziness. If Kapha is high, there will be congestion during these times.

First two hours after a meal - After eating, the body feels calm and content due to rising blood sugar levels, which is Kapha. Congestion also increases immediately after eating unless the food is spicy.

Kapha Sites

Stomach - Mucus buildup in the stomach from slow digestion is the root of increased Kapha throughout the body.

Mouth - Many Kapha individuals experience strong food cravings. Kapha people lack the metabolism to process strong emotions and tend to suppress emotions and agitation with food.

Lymph - Kapha people have high blood sugar and cholesterol levels in the blood, leading to the slimy and oily quality clogging the blood vessels. Poor circulation deprives extremities of oxygen, leading to cold hands and feet. Slimy and oily quality manifest topically on the skin.

Lungs, Throat, Sinsuses, and Nose - Excess water and hyperglycemia lead to a thick layer of mucus in the lungs and GI tract. The result is congestion and improper circulation of lymph. Thick mucus reduces absorption of oxygen in the lungs. To compensate, the body lowers metabolism (low thyroid) and Kapha becomes psychologically overwhelmed and depressed. To balance, dry the body and avoid heavy guna and sweet taste. Favor bitter and pungent.

Breasts - Kapha in the lymphatic system leads to larger breasts and stagnation of lymph in mastic tissue. The breasts may be lumpy.

Pancreas - The combination of hyperglycemia and anoxia lead to insulin resistance in the cells, eventually wearing out the pancreas and causing diabetes.

Mind - Sugary blood and and good absorption makes Kapha content and peaceful. When the blood is too thick, circulation is affected and the mind becomes dull and depressed.