Herbs have been used to balance the kapha dosha for 5,000 years.
Kapha dosha is one of the three doshas or, life forces, that Ayurvedic medicine revolves around. The other two are Vata and Pitta. Ayurveda is a system of medicine that originated in India 5,000 years ago, and it believes that achieving balance between the body, the mind and the spirit is the key to well-being. Each dosha is primarily made up of two of the five elements of nature: fire, water, earth, air, and ether (space).
The two elements that are prominent in kapha dosha are earth and water. Vata doshas are dominated by ether and air, and pitta doshas are dominated by fire and water. Although each dosha is dominated by two elements, each dosha has some degree of each of the five elements and the key to health in the Ayurvedic system is to keep the two dominant elements from overpowering the other three elements. Using the proper mix of herbs is one of several ways to achieve balance for the kapha dosha. Herbs can be used to make tea, added to food, and they can be added to body oils. Herbs can also be ingested directly with water, honey or oils like olive oil.
Herbs for Improved Digestion
Characteristics of Kapha doshas include having medium to large body types, good skin, thick and wavy hair and slow digestion. When kaphas are out of balance they tend to be lethargic, retain water and gain weight easily. This dosha needs herbs that are astringent and cleansing, like tumeric, dandelion, hops, barberry, bayberry bark, juniper, burdock and milk thistle.
Herbs to Alleviate Respiratory Problems
Although kapha doshas are considered solid body types, when they do get ill, they usually suffer from problems related to their mucous membranes and have respiratory problems, like sinus trouble, asthma and lung problems. Herbs good for helping alleviate respiratory problems are herbs with astringent properties like raspberry leaves, ginger, elecampane, thyme, hyssop, licorice and marshmallow root.
Herbs to Help Ease Depression
To ease depression, kaphas can use herbs that have a soothing, relaxing effect on the body like chamomile, lavender and lemon balm. Each of these herbs offers benefits that are calming to the body both internally and externally. Chamomile tea is a common a relaxation remedy and the scents of lavender and lemon balm are both calming and uplifting. Each of these herbs can be used to make teas or can be used as aromatherapy by adding them to a bowl of warm water. Herbs that generate heat, like ginger and turmeric, are also good for easing depression by forcing kaphas to combat their tendency to be inactive.
Warning
The safest way to use these herbs is to use them to make tea and add them to food. If you have allergies or a compromised immune system due to chronic illness, please see a practitioner who specializes in Ayurvedic medicine before ingesting large amounts of any herbs in their concentrated form.
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