In Ayurveda, the body is governed by the doshas. Kapha is one of the doshas that governs the structure of the body. It is the principle that holds the cells together which forms the muscle, fat and bones in the body. It is believed that a person governed by Kapha dosha usually has a strong built and strong stamina and are blessed with good digestion.
Kapha dosha is because of certain imbalances in the body. Heaviness, lethargy, laziness, excessive sleep, constipation, poor appetite, nausea, excess salivation, diarrhoea and indigestion are the cause of Kapha Imbalance. One can face the problems of weight gain, fluid retention, allergies and fatigue among others. Kapha imbalance in the body can also cause ailments like diabetes, depression, asthma and excessive sleep.
What we eat can have positive as well as an adverse effect on us and our body. Therefore it is important to eat a healthy diet to both remove excess Kapha from the body as well as balance it. Kapha is easily aggravated by heavy, pungent and oily substances, therefore, when it comes to the question of how to remove Kapha from the body, a Kapha Diet is necessary.
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Kapha Dosha
diet needs to be taken care of. Beginning from the kind of liquids we take. A day of liquid diet per week can help you balance as well as remove excess Kapha from your body. Ingesting fresh fruit and vegetable juices & smoothie and hot beverages like herbal tea & soups are the best examples of a Kapha pacifying diet.
While dairy products are known to aggravate Kapha, at the same time, consuming their low fat and calorie is good. Low-fat milk is a good option. Always boil it before consuming it. You can also add a teaspoon of turmeric or ginger to it as it helps in reducing any Kapha increasing qualities of milk. Also, consuming yoghurt or ghee made of low-fat milk is a good example of a Kapha pacifying diet.
Light fruits like apples, pears, watermelon, pomegranates, apricots and cranberries etc. form an integral part of a Kapha diet. They are any day better than consuming their heavier or sour counterparts like bananas, oranges, pineapples, avocado, coconut and dates among others.
It is advised to stop using salt from your diet. Instead use pungent spices like pepper, mustard seeds, ginger, cloves and cayenne in your diet. These spices will not only stimulate and balance Kapha but also make your digestive system function properly. Kapha Diet suggests the intake of lighter oils like olive oil, almond oil, sunflower oil and pure ghee. Also, favouring pumpkin and sunflower seeds is a better option over heavy nuts like cashews, pistachios and pine nuts among others.
Grains form an integral part of our diet. A Kapha diet should consist of barley, corn, millet rye and buckwheat is suggested. An ideal Kapha diet fills you up with energy and vigour. If you want to know how to balance Kapha dosha, the key lies in eating at designated times, eating healthy and in moderation. You should allow a minimum of three hours of rest to your stomach between each meal and must avoid going to bed immediately post any meal. Include a bit of physical activity in your everyday regime and you will be able to live a healthy and balanced life.
