Kapha

Kapha translates as the “energy of biological particles.” This body principle consists of two elements: water and earth. Kapha is the mood or structural principle, as it gathers the elements in the body, providing the material for the physical structure. This dosha maintains the resistance of the body. Water is the most important component of Kapha. This body water is physiologically responsible for the strength, stamina and natural resistance (Immunity) of the tissues. Kapha lubricates the joints, moisturizes the skin, helps wounds to heal, and fills the spaces of the body; it gives strength, vitality and stability; it supports the persistence of memory; it gives energy to the heart and the lungs and keeps immunity; kapha is present in the chest, head, breasts, nose, mouth, stomach, joints, cytoplasm and the mucous secretions of the body. Psychologically, khapa regulates the emotions of attachment, greed and envy. It is also expressed in the tendency towards calm, forgiveness and love.

An internal balance of the tridosha is necessary for our health. For example the air principle (vata) ignites the body fire (pitta) but it needs water (kapha) to control it, otherwise it would burn the tissues of the body. Vata moves the khapa and the pitta, which are motionless by nature. As a whole, tridosha governs all metabolic activities: the anabolism (kapha), the catabolism (vata) and the metabolism (pitta). When the Vata is out of balance, the metabolism is inevitably disturbed, which results in an excess of catabolism, i.e., a deterioration and degeneration in the organism. When the anabolism predominates over the catabolism, there is acceleration in the growth and healing of the organs and tissues. The excess of pitta disturbs the metabolism, the excess of kapha breaks the balance of the anabolism and the excess of Vata results in organic deterioration.

During the childhood kapha and anabolism prevail, as this is the time of the greatest physical growth. During the adulthood pitta and metabolism predominate, being that in this stage the body is mature and stable. In the later stage of life Vata and catabolism prevail, since the body is in a process of deterioration.

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