Kapha

Kapha Doşa or slesma : The theme of structure (stability) and lubrication (cohesion)

Kapha is derived from Sanskrit. ‘Kena jalena phalati nispadhyate iti Kaphaḥ’ means ‘that which originates from water’ while śleṣmā ‘slişhyati iti śleṣmā’ means ‘that which joins together and brings about cohesion.’ Often Kapha is translated as mucus or phlegm, which is an important part of Kapha, particularly in disease, but Kapha is much more than that. It represents the source of potential energy in the body. Kapha doșa provides nourishment to all parts of the body and regulates the other two dosas, Pitta and Väta. Kapha provides moistness, oiliness and smoothness to the body organs. It lubricates and connects the joints and bones, increases libido, strength, enthusiasm, heals wounds, improves immunity, provides energy for mental and physical labor, and regulates patience, knowledge, wisdom and mental balance. Kapha is also the primary cause for sleep, lethargy and inertia (tamas). When there is an increase in heat due to Pitta or dryness due to Vāta, then Kapha, by increasing the secretion of oily and smooth fluids, protects the tissues from damage. There is a corresponding increase in opposing doșas, Pitta and Vata, if Kapha decreases. This results in damage to the dhātus (tissues) by the heat of Pitta, and accumulation of Vata causes dryness and lightness in the dhātus, joints, heart and other body parts. However, in normal conditions when Kapha is in balance, it nourishes all the cells and bodily constituents, strengthens them and does not provide space for the flow of Vata. The five types of Kapha according to their locations and functions are:

1. Kledaka – that which moistens the food in the stomach to break it up.
2. Avalambaka – that which maintains body fluids and physical stamina; protects and fortifies the heart.
3. Bodhaka – that which controls the taste and sharpens taste perception.
4. Tarpaka – that which ensures the well-being of sense organs.
5. Śleṣaka– that which connects and lubricates the joints of the body and aids in all movements.

To keep these five types of Kapha in their right function is important for managing the Kapha doșa. There are twenty types of Kapha diseases, the fewest of all the doṣas. In order of importance, sequentially Kapha is placed last. Following is the description of its various aspects.

Natural attributes of Kapha

Kapha is heavy, cold, soft, oily, sweet, firm and viscous in its natural attributes() Besides it is dull, stable, moist and white in qualities. People with dominant Kapha doşa have a Kapha-type body makeup. The following effects of Kapha manifest in a Kapha- type constitution. People with Kapha constitution usually have an abundance of strength, material wealth, knowledge, power and peace. They most commonly have a long life-span. However, this depends upon them managing their weight. Obesity can neutralize all the good qualities of Kapha doșa and make them more susceptible to disease and reduces longevity. Their qualities are mentioned in Table.

Types of Kapha – Locations and Functions

Attributes	Physiological Manifestations
Heaviness	Firm and steady gait; heavy digestion.
Coolness	Low appetite and reduced thirst, low perspiration and reduced feeling of heat.
Softness	Pleasing appearance, soft skin and hair, soft manners, soft look in the eyes; cheerful, beautiful; tenderness and clarity of complexion
Smoothness	Smoothness in body organs and tissues
Sweetness	Increase in quantity of semen
Stability or Steadiness	initiation of actions, slow manifestation of serious illnesses
Viscousness or Stickiness	Firmness, stability and lubrication in tissues and joints; well-built and beautiful.
Firmness	Compactness, strength and firmness in the body
Denseness	Plumpness and tendency towards obesity; well- built body and sturdy muscles
Dullness or Slowness	Slow in action, lack of physical activities; deliberate thinking
Oiliness	Oiliness in body organs and tissues.

Reasons for Kapha aggravation

Kapha is the slowest and steadiest of all the doșas. In Kapha imbalance the following conditions are likely to be responsible for aggravation.

1. Dietetics: Overeating sweet, sour (acidic), heavy, oily, moist foods and liquids; food preparations from mutton (flesh), fish and sesame; excess intake of sugarcane, milk, salt and watery substances; carbonated drinks (soft drinks), cold refrigerated water;  Eating before the digstion of previous meal and  overeating are some causes of Kaphy aggravation. Some other food substances that increase Kapha are yogurt, milk, sesame and black gram gruel (khicarī), rice pudding, sea food, animal flesh (mutton), lotus stem, fat of all types, water chestnut, coconut, bottle gourd, pumpkin and other heavy vegetables.
2. Habits: Noon siesta, lethargy and laziness, lack of exercise and physical activity increase Kapha doșa in the body.
3. Season: Kapha doșa has a tendency to increase naturally during spring and winter when the weather is cold, damp and snows.
4. Natural tendency: Kapha is aggravated naturally in the morning, during the first part of the night, after meals, during infancy and childhood.
5. Heredity: If diabetes, obesity or allergies run in your family you are more likely to be affected. Depression from gaining weight also causes aggravation of Kapha dosa.

Symptoms of aggravated Kapha

1. Physical indications: Laxity in the body organs, sweet taste in the mouth, pale skin, coolness, smoothness, itching, heaviness, stickiness in the malas (body wastes – fecal matter, urine, sweat), a feeling of being wrapped in a wet cloth, to feel as if the affected part is being plastered with some substances, swelling, congestion, sinus, cold, increased mucus secretion from the nose and eyes, slow sensory responses, bronchial asthma, sore throat, cough, diabetes and fluid retention in the tissues.
2. Mental indications: Dullness, feeling of lifelessness, disinterest in any work and depression, over attachment.
3. Behavioral indications: Lethargy, over sleeping, drowsiness, possessiveness, slow movements, greed, inability to accept changes.

Remedies for balancing Kapha

Kapha is balanced by “Stimulation.” With precautions and knowing the above-listed reasons helps to pacify and keep Kapha in balance. The following remedies can be used to restore Kapha to its normal state.

1. Using pungent, astringent and hot herbal preparations to induce vomiting and as laxatives
2. Intake of Kapha pacifying foods that are bitter, pungent, astringent, dry and hot because they have attributes that balance the characteristics of Kapha doșa.
3. Intake of foods that have Kapha reducing virya (potency), vipāka (post-digestive effect) and prabhava (action).
4. Intake of old honey and old, pungent fermented substances like Ayurvedic herbal āsava and arista.
5. Smoking of medicinal anti-kapha herbs and fasting to reduce weight.
6. Staying warm (dry heat is best), different kinds of fomentation therapies and sudation so as to induce sweating, sun bath, powder (dry) massage, ubaṭana (smearing herbal pastes on the body).
7. Rigorous exercise, brisk walking, running, sit-ups, high and long jumps, wrestling, swimming and so on.
8. Wearing warm clothes and staying awake till late in the night.
9. Nasya (inhalation of medicines administered nasally).
10. Staying active and keeping away from lethargy and laziness.
11. Anxiety, worry and grief reduce Kapha but they lead to several other ailments and psychological disorders.

Therapeutic vomiting (Vamana) is the best remedy to balance increased Kapha because it clears the vitiated Kapha from the stomach and the chest regions, the primary Kapha sites in the body. However, the medicines used for this process (vamana) must be prepared from pungent and hot substances.

Symptoms of low level of Kapha and its treatment

When the level of Kapha is low, the body displays the contrary symptoms of dryness, a persistent burning sensation, a feeling of lacuna (emptiness) in the Kapha locations (lungs, heart, joints and especially head), looseness and laxity in joints, excessive thirst, weakness and lack of sleep. Low Kapha affects the normal functioning of Kapha doșa leading to a reduction in its actions and properties

Sama and Nirāma Kapha

When Kapha gets corrupted with ama (Sāma Kapha), it becomes turbid, dense, th sticky and unpleasant to smell. This prevents belching and reduces hunger. In contrast, Nirāma Kapha (without ama) is foamy, condensed, light, odorless and settled. It does not stick in the throat and keeps the mouth clean and fresh.

Kapha and its divisions

The five types of Kapha, on the basis of location and function are listed in Table

Types of Kapha – Locations and Functions

Types	Locations	Functions	Ailments due to vitiation
Kledaka	Stomach	Moistens food and helps indigestion	Weak and impaired digestion, feeling of heaviness, common cold, nauseous feeling
Avalambaka	Chest	Energizes limbs, lungs and  heart	Lethargy
Bodhaka	Tongue and throat	Perception of taste	Impaired taste buds and salivary glands
Tarpaka	Head	Protects and nourishes the sense organs	Loss of memory and retardation of sensory activities, general dullness of senses.
Śleṣaka	Bones and  joints	Connect bones to joints and lubricate joints to protect, nourish and smoothen their movements	Pain in the joints and slowing down of their functions