Kapha Dosha
Recognise and pamper
If the qualities of Kapha: cool, heavy, moist, stable, structured, slimy and sluggish are intensified by e.g. too cold, too heavy, too rich food, too little challenges, lack of physical activity, routine and regularity or in the Kapha intensifying times such as late winter and spring, the time after sunrise and after sunset and youth, Kapha can get out of balance and show the following symptoms, among others:
- Feeling of fullness,
- Nausea,
- Mucus,
- Back pain,
- Heartache,
- Lethargy,
- Stiffness,
- Obesity,
- Anorexia,
- Food allergy,
- Joint pain,
- Swelling,
- Stiffness,
- Dulled sensory perception.
Ayurveda offers various suggestions for harmonising Kapha.
Nutrition:
Basics for meals with increased Kapha
Kapha spice blend:
Laurel – stimulates the digestive fire
Ginger – warms and dries
Aniseed – dissolves
Nutmeg – promotes mental agility
Rosemary – stimulating
Thyme – warms and cleanses
Juniper – iniciates flow
Kapha herbal tea:
Ginger, rosemary, quendel, fennel, rosehip, larkspur, blackberry leaves; use cinnamon or ginger honey to sweeten.
Kapha skin care:
Stimulating facial toner: promotes blood circulation, reduces sebum production, leaves the complexion looking healthy and fresh. It has a mild disinfectant effect against impurities and spots.
Ribwort plantain and peppermint are astringent, detoxifying and stimulate circulation. Horsetail firms the connective tissue and stimulates the skin’s metabolism. Mandarin, lemongrass and grapefruit revitalise and promote the cleansing process.
Kapha face cream: In order for Kapha skin to look healthy and radiant, it needs stimulating active ingredients that promote blood circulation and initiate the purification process. The herbal extracts of thyme, peppermint, lime blossom, yarrow and sage have a clarifying and mildly disinfecting effect and promote the purification of the skin. Horsetail and witch hazel firm the tissue and minimise pores. The essential oils rosemary, rosewood, lemongrass and basil stimulate the skin’s circulation and metabolism.
Kapha massage oil:
For the daily massage according to Ayurveda, warm the massage oil for Kapha well in a water bath.
Its ingredients include rosewood, lemon, ginger, cypress and sesame oil.
Kapha fragrance oil blend
with the essential oils: bergamot, lemon, rosewood, ginger and rosemary for the fragrance lamp and for mixing your own massage oil or bath oil on the go.
Kapha needs stimulation, a challenge, warmth and radiant colour to get going and not to suppress Vata – the movement – and Pitta – the fire – but to allow the harmonious interplay of all three doshas.
Source: Birgit Heyn (Die Zeit – Volume 2001)