Slow and steady kapha wins the race

Kapha is the 3rd of the dosha trilogy influenced by the water and earth elements and has a binding energy in the body giving strength, structure, stability and lubrication within us both physically and psychologically. Just like vata and pitta, we have five kapha subdoshas and understanding them will help us to cultivate a subtle rebalance where necessary.

Our subdoshas are taking care of various organs (plasma, blood, fat, muscle, bone, marrow reproductive tissues), actions (weight, growth lung lubrication) and emotions (calm and compassion) and when these get imbalanced they can be responsible for dis-ease and eventually disease, so establishing balance early on can be highly transformative.

This set of doshas by nature are cold, heavy, oily, dense, stable, slow, sweet and moist by nature. Our immunity is founded on the strength of the kapha within us so equally in need on careful nurturing.

Kledaka Kapha

This kapha resides in the upper part of the stomach, moistening and liquefying of the food in the initial stages of digestion, neutralising excess acidity and maintaining a good pH balance. It provides protection the lining of the digestive tract and nourishment for plasma - our first body tissues.

Excess Kledaka will cause sluggish digestion, weak digestive fire and nausea and loose stools. Lack of kledaka can result in acid reflux, hyperacidity or acidic taste in mouth as well as other signs of tiksna agni (increase digestive fire).

Balance: In excess it can be balanced by increased herbs that stimulate the fire such as trikatu, ginger etc. If it is decreased increase fluidity with water, coconut water or even a little aloe vera juice to reduce heat and increase lubrication. Pancha karma treatment of emesis and purgation would bring balance here for the entire digestive system.

Avalambaka Kapha 

The kapha that holds us together in the chest, heart and lungs and gives us structure and lubrication to the heart and lungs allowing the ease to our breath. Avalambaka provides strength to the back, chest and heart.

If this kapha is increased or decreased beyond the normal range that we will see a rise in chest, lung and heart conditions. Too much will crate fluid retention in the chest area and too little will result in dryness.

Balance: Many lung and cardiac supporting herbs can help, including, sitopaladi, talisadi, liquorice, trikatu and more – always consult a practitioner for advice and dosage.

Bodhaka Kapha 

This kapha brings lubrications and moisture to the tongue, mouth and throat. Bodhaka refers to the intelligence found within our perception of taste, lubricating and moistening of food. It is connected to the parietal lobes in the brain that processes taste. It also governs the quality of our voice and responsive to emotions.

If out of balance the initial digestive process becomes disturbed by changes to the enzyme production, the voice quality and speech can be hampered due to increased stress.

Balance: Tongue scraping, oil pulling are brilliant practices to gently cleanse out the toxins and stimulate proper oral health. Herbal teas such as liquorice and stimulating spices such as ginger, black pepper, long pepper (trikatu) can also be helpful as well as throat soothing syrups. Warming stimulating pranayama in the morning time.

Tarpaka Kapha 

The kapha that is located in head, sinuses and cerebrospinal fluid. This is the kapha that is nourishing the brain, senses and nervous system. When in a healthy balance tarpaka kapha governs calmness, happiness, stability and brings nourishment and lubrication to the brain. We could think of this as our cerebrospinal fluid.

If it gets out of balance, then we will see displays of lack of mental clarity, delayed learning, weakened memory, emotional imbalance such as irritability, anger, greed, procrastination, jealousy and sadness.

Balance: Pranayama breathing exercises and meditation and spiritual practices that stimulate the third eye and crown chakras and relax the mind are great to maintain balance. Along with herbs that target the nervous system like ashwagandha, brahmi, vacha, ginger and many more.

Shleshaka Kapha

Found in the joints and this is the synovial fluids that lubricates all of our joints and without this kapha movement would not be possible. If we lack this kapha in the joints we will experience issues in movement and pain, get dryness and cracking and popping in the joint. If we have an excess of shleshaka then we will get swelling and irritations in the joints.

Balance: Massage is a go to option for keeping movement and fluidity in the body and joints along with other local heat treatment treatments such as steam, external basti and picchu. Herbs that support the joints can include, ajwain, boswellia,  shilajit, purnanava, dashamoola, nirgundi and yograg guggulu for joint pain.