What is Kapha Dosha?

What is Kapha Dosha?

"Kapha Dosha" is one of the three Doshas or constitutions of Ayurvedic medicine.  Most likely first explained in the The Charaka Samhita, an Ayurvedic text written around 400-200 BCE, Kapha Dosha, is used to describe Earthy type people.  It is considered to be "Earth with a little bit of water".  Kapha can also be translated as "phelm" or "that which holds things together", and holding things, and people together, are two of the things Kapha is best at. 


Kapha in Balance

Kapha Dosha people tend to be of larger, heavy builds, and have dark, or oily skin.  They often have thick dark, brown or black hair, and large eyes.  When Kapah Dosha is in balance, they tend to be strong and stable, with excellent long term memories and are difficult to provoke.  They also have an unsettling ability to sleep through just about everything.  People with Kapha Dosha excel in jobs and situations that require logical analysis, provided they are allowed, and able to take the time to gather all the necessary facts they require to make their decisions. 

Kapha Out of Balance

Kapha Dosha is perhaps the easiest Dosha to spot an imbalance in.  When Kapha Dosha can't sleep, or is easily irritated and starts snapping at people, a Vata (or air) Imbalance is most likely to blame.  Lots of mental space, uninterrupted sleep, and a good dinner of meat and potatoes, or what's also known as "comfort foods", will often fix the problem.

When Kapha's stability and slow steady steps turn to in inability to get up in the morning, lethargy or dullness of mind, a Pitta (or fire) Imbalance is usually the culprit.  Lots of spice in their food, sunlight, and warmth will go a long way towards fixing the problem.