Kapha dosha (कफः कफदोषः वा)

Kapha (कफः) literally translates to “watery froth” or “phlegm”. One of three doshas (दोषाः) along with Vata dosha (वातदोषः) and Pitta dosha (पित्तदोषः) are fundamentals of Ayurveda. Kapha dosha originates from Jala and Prithvi Mahabhuta. Thus, Kapha dosha is represented in the body as Jala and Prithvi Mahabhuta. Similarly, the moon which is responsible for nourishment is represented as Kapha in the Universe. Even though Kapha is correlated with “phlegm” the functions are broad spectrum like providing strength to the body, maintaining anatomical integrity of organ entities, and even psychological like improving patience. The primary site of Kapha dosha is Amashaya (आमाशयः) or the stomach and Vamana or the therapeutic emesis or induction of vomiting is the prime treatment of Kapha dosha diseases.

निरुक्तिः॥ Etymology

The word 'Kapha' is explained as follows in Samskrit,

केन जलेन फलति इति कफः ।

Meaning: The one which originates and grows from water element is known as Kapha.

Kapha is also called as Shleshma in Ayurveda. The word “shleshma” (श्लेष्मा) is derived from the root “shlish alingane” (श्लिष आलिङ्गने) which means to adhere, bind or keep it together, embrace.

कफस्य पाञ्चभौतिकत्वम् ॥ Panchamahbhuta

Kapha dosha is originated from Jala (जलम्) and Prithvi (पृथ्विः) Mahabhuta (Water and earth element). Wherein, Jala is the dominant Mahabhuta in it. Acharya Sushruta opines, the origin is Jala Mahabuta only.

कफस्थानि॥ Sites

Although doshas are present all over the body, kapha dosha is generally present in the upper part of the body and more specifically, Uras(उरः। chest region), shiras(शिरः। head), greeva(ग्रीवा। neck), Amashaya(आमाशयः। stomach precisely), meda(मेदः। Fat), Kantha (कण्ठः। throat), rasa(रसः। plasma), ghrana(घ्राणम्। nose) and jivha(जिव्हा। tongue).

Among these sites, Uras or the chest region is the predominant site of Kapha dosha. And also the uppermost region of the amashaya or stomach.

कफगुणाः ॥ Gunas

Kapha or Shleshma performs various functions in the body by the means of its specific properties. These are known as gunas (गुणाः) of Kapha and those are as follows as per various authors of Ayurveda treatises.

According to different Authors,

Charaka Samhita (चरक संहिता)	Sushruta Samhita (सुश्रुत संहिता)	Ashtanga Hrudayam (अष्टाङ्ग हृदयम्)
(गुरुः) Guru - heavy	Guru - heavy	Guru - heavy
(शीतः)Sheeta - cold	Sheeta- cold	Sheeta- cold
(मृदुः) Mrudu - soft	Snigdha - unctuous	Snigdha - unctuous
(स्निग्धः) Snidgha - unctuous	Madhura- sweet	Manda - slow
(मधुरः) Madhura - sweet	Picchila- slimy	Slakshna- smooth
(स्थिरः) Sthira - stable	Shweta - white	Mrutsna - mouldable
(पिच्छिलः) Picchila - slimy		Sthira- stable
(मृत्स्नः) Mrutsna - mouldable
(श्लक्ष्णः) Shlaksha- smooth
(सरः) Sara - Fluid/flowy
(सान्द्रः) Sandra - compact
(स्तिमितः) Sthimita - stillness
(अच्छः) Accha - clear

कफकार्याणि ॥ Function

Kapha dosha which is one of the 3 doshas or bio-energies in our body, performs various important functions in the body. By its integral property of stickiness performs the essential function of binding or joining 2 things together, to remove friction and facilitate smooth movement of body elements etc. The functions of Kapha listed by Ayurveda acharyas in treatises are described below,

Kapha dosha has specific functions in our body,

1. स्नेहनम् । Snehana - it provides unctuousness, moisture, hydration to the body
2. बंधनम् । Bandhana- means binding in literal, kapha dosha maintains the integrity of the joints and the tissues of its organ. Basically it performs an integral function of joining and keeping the joint in any 2 parts of the body including cells intact.
3. स्थिरत्वम् । Sthirata - meaning stability. Kapha dosha brings about steadiness or firmness in our bodies.
4. गौरवत्वम् । Gauravata - meaning heaviness, it means Kapha dosha provides weight, to various anatomical structures.
5. वृषता । Vrushata - Helps regulate the reproductive organs and maintain their health.
6. धृतिः । Dhriti -  Here Dhriti is patience, kapha dosha helps improve the quality of patience in the individual.
7. बलम् । Bala - Balam (बलम्) means strength, and Kapha dosha provides strength to the body.
8. उपचयम् । Upachaya - kapha dosha is responsible for the growth of body in general.
9. ज्ञानम् । Jnana - it means knowledge.

कफभेदाः ॥ Classification

Although Kapha dosha is only a single entity in the whole body, on the basis of its distribution and specific function, the kapha in certain sites has been named differently and these are known as the types of Kapha. There are 5 such types of Kapha and those are described briefly in the table below,

अवलम्बककफः॥ Avalambaka Kapha

• स्थानम् । Sthana-  Uras (उरः। chest region)
• कर्म। Kriya -- Supports the function of heart by various means like nourishing the tissues and provide smoothness in the constant movements of circulation occuring at the level of the heart. Supports and maintains other kapha sites as well. Provides support to trika (त्रिक) which is the conjunction between the head and arms.

क्लेदककफः॥ Kledaka Kapha

• स्थानम् । Sthana-Amashaya (आमाशयः । stomach)
• कर्म। Kriya-  disintegrates food and provides it with adequate moisture or kledana (क्लेदनम्).

बोधककफः॥ Bodhaka Kapha

• स्थानम् । Sthana- kantha(कण्ठः। throat), Jivha moola(जिव्हामूलम्। the root of the tongue)
• कर्म। Kriya- responsible for the perception of the taste.

तर्पककफः॥ Tarpaka Kapha

• स्थानम् । Sthana- Shiras (शिरस् / शिरः । head)
• कर्म। Kriya - responsible for the nourishment of the sensory organs.

श्लेषककफः॥ Shleshaka Kapha

• स्थानम् । Sthana - Sandhi (सन्धि । joints)
• कर्म। Kriya - responsible for the maintenance of the integrity of the joints.

कफप्रकृतिलक्षणानि॥ Kaphaja Prakriti

An individual has one or two dominant doshas which are associated with certain features which are displayed in that individual. Kapha dosha dominant Prakriti individual will have features like,

1. Unctuous/ soft and moisturized body
2. Fair complexion
3. The compact appearance of body structure
4. Pleasant personality
5. Digestion is slow
6. Physical movements and thinking processes are slow.
7. They are intelligent
8. Low appetite and thirst.
9. Hair quality is thick.
10. Obedient to elders and teachers.

कफदुष्टिहेतवः लक्षणानि च॥ Responsible factors for imbalance

There are a few factors that are responsible for the kapha dosha imbalance, some of which are natural and some are external. The natural factors that are unavoidable and invariably increase Kapha dosha are called as Prakrut hetu and then there are other external factors that increase kapha but can be avoided which are mentioned under the external factors below,

प्राकृतहेतवः॥ Natural factors

1. Seasonal - Kapha dosha undergoes Chaya or the accumulative stage in Hemant (हेमन्तऋतुः) and Shishira rutu (शिशिरऋतुः) which is winter. Undergoes Prakopa or the vitiation stage during the Vasanta rutu (वसन्तऋतुः) or the Spring season. Undergoes Prashama stage or normal stage during the Grishma rutu (ग्रीष्मऋतुः) or the summer season.
2. Circadian rhythm - Kapha dosha increases in the morning and also in Pradosha kala (प्रदोषकालः) which is the late evening time.
3. Age - Kapha dosha is dominant during childhood.
4. Stage of digestion - Kapha dosha increases immediately after the intake of food.
5. Desha - Kapha dosha is predominant in the Anupa desha (आनूपदेशः। watery or marshy place)

आहारादिहेतवः॥ External factors 

1. Diet and lifestyle - Madhura(मधुरः। sweet),amla(अम्लः। sour), Lavana(लवणः । salty) are responsible for aggravation of Kapha dosha. Along with excessive intake of food items that are heavy to digest, and unctuous. Excessive intake of water also caused aggravation of Kapha dosha.
2. Divaswapna (दिवास्वपनम् । sleeping during the day), avyayama (अव्यायामम्। lack of vyayama or exercise), and intake of water at night.

कफ दुष्टिलक्षणानि॥

When the levels of kapha dosha in fluctuate in body from normal they can lead to development of several abnormal signs and symptoms. When the kapha level increases beyond normal then it is called as Kaphavruddhi and when kapha level goes down below normal it is known as Kaphakshaya. The clinical features seen in these states of kapha imbalance are listed below,

कफवृद्धिलक्षणानि॥ Aggravation of Kapha dosha

Kapha dosha when aggravates in our body the below-mentioned symptoms are observed

1. Whitish discoloration of the skin.
2. Feeling cold.
3. Heaviness of the overall body
4. Fatigue or exhaustion
5. Excessive sleep
6. Lassitude
7. Instability in the joints
8. Decreased digestive capacity
9. Laziness
10. Excessive salivation
11. Weight gain
12. Difficulty in breathing
13. Blockage in bodily channels.
14. And etc.

कफक्षयलक्षणानि ॥ Decreased Kapha dosha

Kapha dosha when decreases in our body it showcases certain features,

1. Overall dryness in the body
2. Burning sensation
3. Excessive thirst
4. Loosening of joints
5. Insomnia
6. Giddiness
7. Back pain
8. Over body ache
9. Emaciation
10. Pricking kind of pain
11. Tremors
12. Cracking of skiing
13. And etc

कफस्य नानात्मजविकाराः॥ Kaphaja Nanatmaja vikara

Kapha dosha can be diagnosed based on certain features like feeling cold, itching, gaurava(गौरवम् । heaviness), supti (सुप्तिः। numbness), upachaya (उपचयम्। accumulation) and etc are most common.

Kapha dosha when gets imbalanced is expressed primarily in twenty types of diseases mentioned below,

तृप्ति - contentment	आलस्यं - laziness	बलासकश्च - loss of strength	गलगण्ड - goiter
तन्द्रा - lethargy	मुखमाधुर्यं - sweet taste in the mouth	अपक्ति -indigestion	अतिस्थौल्यं - obesity
निद्राधिक्यं - excess sleep	मुखस्रावश्च - salivation	हृदयोपलेप - layer of waste around heart	शीताग्निता - decrease in agni
स्तैमित्यं - rigidity	श्लेष्मोद्गिरणं - mucous discharge	कण्ठोपलेप - layer of waste around throat	उदर्द - urticaria
गुरुगात्रता - heaviness in the body	मलस्याधिक्यं - excessive waste products	धमनीप्रति - layer of waste products around blood vessels	श्वेतावभासता - paleness

कफचिकित्सायाः साधारणाः नियमाः ॥ General management principles for Kapha

Kapha dosha imbalance must be treated with dravyas or drugs which are dominant in Pungent, astringent and bitter in taste. These drugs must be Teekshna(sharp), ushna(hot), and Ruksha(dry) in properties.

These dravyas are administered at the appropriate time and in the correct dosage.

Vamana karma (वमनम्) or Therapeutic emesis is considered the prime treatment in the management of Kapha dosha imbalance as it acts on the seat of Kapha dosha. thus, disorders afflicting other organs, are also managed.

Also, swedana or fomentation, Shirovirechana (शिरोविरेचनम्) or nasya (नस्यम्) or errhine therapy.

Exercise is also mentioned for Kapha dosha imbalance.