KAPHA DOSHA ACCORDING TO TRI-DOSHA CONCEPTS IN AYURVEDA

KAPHA DOSHA ACCORDING TO TRI-DOSHA CONCEPTS IN AYURVEDA

Kapha dosha is a combination of aap(water) and Prithvi (earth) according to Ayurveda panchamahabhootha concepts.it provides stability,strength and Resistance to diseases.it is the basis for the structural integrity of human body.it has the meaning in Ayurveda like to embrace or to keep together.

Physical Properties:

Colour- whitish and transparent.

Taste- madhura when it is well formed and lavana not well formed.

Touch-soft,Snigdhata or unctuousness etc.

Consistency- sthira and sandra.

other-guru manda etc

Location:

it is present in chest, throat, head, sinuses,joints,cytoplasm,rasa dhathu,mamsa dhathu,medo,majja and sukra dhathu, heart,amasaya,jihwa etc.

Special seat:

Uras/ chest.

amasaya/stomach according to susurtha.

Normal Functions:

Physiological-

confess softness to the body.

binds or keeps together various structures of the body including joins and jiva paramanus. confers stability ,firmness and steadiness through weight and bulk. confess strength to perform weight and resistance to increase and decrease.confers sexual stamina and productivity including growth.promotes healing process and tissue building.

Psychological:

memory,intelligence,interest(utsaha),etc

Types of Kapha dhathu:

they are subdivided into 5-

1. Avalambaka kapha
2. Kledaka kapha
3. Tarpaka kapha
4. Bodhaka kapha
5. Sleshaka kapha

1-Avalambaka Kapha:

Location- chest,
functions-supports Trika by its inherent power supports hrdaya.by its power of anna rasa supports other kapha sthanas/locations by virtue of the ambu rasa.

2-Kledaka kapha:

Location-Amasayaa/ stomach
Functions- Disintegration and liquefaction of food in amasaya.Benefits the remaining kapha sthanas. cooling property countering the heat of pitta dosha,protecting amasaya.

3-Bodhaka kapha:

Location -jihwa(tongue) and kanda (throat)
Functions- taste perception.

4-Tarpaka kapha:

Location-head
Functions-nourishes and smooth ens the sense organs situated in brain.

5-Sleshaka kapha:

Location-in joints
Functions-keep joints firm and lubricated.

Abnormal Functions of Kapha Dosha:

Abnormal functions arise due to derangement of normal functions of kapha by use of mityahara/improper food habits and other activities.
some of they are Whiteness,coldness,itching,heaviness,stiffness,oiliness,hardness,numbness,feeling of being sweetness, laziness etc.

Pathopysiology of Kaphaja Diseases:

in all the kaphaja type of diseases enumerated or implied,the inherent natural qualities and actions of kapha are  quite obviously manifested fully or partially.Unctuousness, coolness,whiteness,heaviness,sweetness,steadiness,etc are the inherent qualities of kapha.the natural actions of kapha moving from one part of the body to the other are whiteness,upadeha(act of being covered with bodily excreta),stickiness etc.
Numbness is described as the both action of kapha and vata..

General principles of treatments for kaphaja diseases:

it should be treated with drugs having pungent,bitter,astringent,sharp,hot and unctuous qualities and by such Ayurveda treatments like fomentation,ememsis,elimination of doshas from the head,nasya,exercise ,etc.which should all contain materials like having anti-kapha properties.this is of course to be done with due regard to the dosage and seasons.of all the therapies stated above ,emetic therapy is treatment par excellence for the cure of diseases due to kapha because immediately after entering the stomach,it strike at every root causes of the vitiation of kapha and when it is overcome in the stomach ,even the entire vitiated kapha dwelling in other parts of the body is automatically alleviated.this can be likened to the withering away of paddy,barley etc. for want of barriers of the cornfield (full of water)being broken.{ref-C.S}

Kapha prakriti people:

according to Ayurveda some the living being are categorized under kapha prakriti people as like vata prakriti and pitta prakriti with some particular characteristics.

kapha predominant people are calm and steady,but once they get angry it will be difficult to calm down.these peoples are considered as relaxed ,slow [laced affectionate and living,forgiving,compassionate,reliable,and faithful and they strive to maintain harmony and peace in their surroundings.they may have soft hair and skin.their voice may be low and soft.the have poor appetite.due to low agni.they have slow learning quality and once they learned something will not forget easily.and will have out standing long term memory.

they have well developed body parts.chests are expanded and broad.the veins tendons of these people are not oblivious.have fair and bright complexion with soft lustrous and oily skin.hair is thick,soft,eyes are dense black or blue in colour.neck is solid type.nose is large and rounded,attractive.they crave for pungent,bitter and astringent foods.

 

by Dr.Rimin Razak
ref:some of Ayurveda ref