In Ayurveda, there are three doshas (vital energies): Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The Kapha dosha represents lunar energy. It is responsible for cohesion, consolidation in our body.
What is the Kapha dosha ?
Kapha is composed of water (apa) and earth (prthvi). There is more water than earth. The word Kapha means phlegm. It represents mud allowing construction. This is the energy of cohesion, consolidation.
Ayurveda describes everything that exists by referring to different pairs of gunas, qualities. The kapha dosha has qualities of its own that allow us to see that we are in the presence of this dosha. Kapha has 7 main qualities. It is heavy (Guru), sticky (Picchila), slow (Manda), oily (Snigdha), cold (Shita), dense (Sthoula), stable (Shtira) and smooth (Shlakshna).
There is a principle in Ayurveda that “like increases like and opposite diminishes”. The gunas, qualities, are present everywhere. They are in our environment (seasons, weather), in our activities (sport, leisure), our food.
So qualities similar to Kapha increase it. For example : butter (heavy), materialism (dense), pastries (fat).
On the contrary, qualities opposed to Vata diminish it. The opposite of heavy is light : weight loss decreases Kapha. The opposite of dense is subtle (spiritual study). The opposite of fat is dry (honey).
Where is Kapha located in the body ?
Kapha is produced in the upper part of the stomach. It is also found in the upper part of the body : going from the diaphragm to the head. Kapha is in the entire digestive system with the exception of the colon. Kapha is also located in the chest, in the heart, in the lungs, in the nose, the eyes, the tongue. Finally, we can find Kapha in two notions which are specific to Ayurveda : rasa and medas. Rasa is the nourishing liquid and Medas represents the fatty tissue.
If there is an increase in Kapha in the body, signs of imbalance will appear more in the Kapha sites rather than in another part of the body.
What does Kapha do in the body ?
Kapha helps the body perform some of these functions. It is responsible for producing the mucus required to lubricate the body. It holds body parts together through the proper functioning of joints. On a physical level, it provides stability and resistance.
On a psychological level, it is responsible for our ability to forgive. It also brings stability and psychological resistance.
We notice that Kapha is in action in the body when we feel a sensation of coldness in the body. When there is a blockage, obstruction, heaviness but also edema, water retention or excess lymph. In the event of excess mucus or fatty tissue, Kapha is in action. It is also responsible for a sticky or adhesion appearance, particularly adhesions in the intestines. Finally, it is Kapha which generates colors which fade.
You understand now, Kapha is the one which consolidates our body, lubricates it and brings us stability. Try in your daily life to identify when this dosha is in action in your body, do you find that it works correctly ? Is it fulfilling its missions as it should ?
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