Kapha dosha (कफः कफदोषः वा) - Revision history

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Kapha literally translates to “watery froth” or “phlegm”. One of three doshas along with Vata dosha and Pitta dosha 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.(Sush.Sutr.29.6) Even though Kapha is correlated with “phlegm” the functions are broadspectrum 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 or the stomach and Vamana or the therapeutic emesis or induction of vomiting is the prime treatment of Kapha dosha diseases.

== Etymology ==
Sush.sutr.21.5

The word “shleshma” is derived from the root “shlish alingane” which means to adhere, bind or keep it together, embrace.

== Panchamahbhuta ==
(Asht.sutr.21.2) (Sush.sutr.42.5)

Kapha dosha is originated from Jala and Prithvi Mahabhuta. Wherein, Jala is the dominant Mahabhuta in it. Acharya Sushruta opines, the origin is Jala Mahabuta only.

Sites

Asht.hrud.sutr.20.3) (Asht.hrud.sutr.12.3) (Char.sutr.20.9)

Althouh doshas are present all over the body, kapha dosha is generally present in the upper part of the body and more specifically,

Uras(chest region), shiras(head), greeva(neck), Amashaya(stomach precisely), meda(Fat), Kantha (throat), rasa(plasma), ghrana(nose) and jivha(tongue)

Among these sites, Uras or the chest region is the predominant site of Kapha dosha.(Char.sutr.20.9) And also the uppermost region of the amashaya or stomach.(Chakrapani on Char.sutr.20.8)

== Gunas ==
(Char.sutr.1.61) (Char.sutr.20.18) (Asht.hrud.sutr.1.12) (Sush.sutr.2115) (Char.Vima.8.96)

According to different Authors,
{| class="wikitable"
|Acharya Charaka
|Acharya Sushruta
|Acharya Vagbhata
|-
|Guru - heavy
|Guru - heavy
|Guru - heavy
|-
|Sheeta - cold
|Sheeta- cold
|Sheeta- cold
|-
|Mrudu - soft
|Snigdha - unctuous
|Snigdha - unctuous
|-
|Snidgha - unctuous
|Madhura- sweet
|Manda - slow
|-
|Madhura - sweet
|Picchila- slimy
|Slakshna- smooth
|-
|Sthira - stable
|Shweta - white
|Mrutsna - mouldable
|-
|Picchila - slimy
|
|Sthira- stable
|-
|Mrutsna - mouldable
|
|
|-
|Shlaksha- smooth
|
|
|-
|Sara - Fluid/flowy
|
|
|-
|Sandra - compact
|
|
|-
|Sthimita - stillness
|
|
|-
|Accha - clear
|
|
|}

== Function ==
(asht.hrud.sutr. 11.3) (Char.sutr.18.51) (Char.sutr.12.12) (Sush.sutr.15.4)

Kapha dosha has specific functions in our body,

# Snehana - it provides unctuousness to the body
# Bandhana means binding in literal, kapha dosha maintains the integrity of the joints and the tissues of its organ.
# Sthirata - meaning, stability. Kapha dosha brings about steadiness or firmness in our bodies.
# Gauravata - meaning heaviness, it means Kapha dosha provides weight, to various anatomical structures.
# Vrushata - helps regulate the reproductive organs and maintain their health.
# Dhriti - here Dhriti is patience, kapha dosha helps improve the quality of patience in the individual.
# Bala - Bala means strength, and Kapha dosha provides strength to the body.
# Upachaya - kapha dosha is responsible for the growth of body in general.
# Jnyana - it means knowledge.

== Classification ==
(Asht.hrud.sutr.12.15-18) (Sush.sutr.15.4) (sush.sutr.21.12-14) (Asht.sang.sutr.21.8)

Kapha dosha is classified according to the Stahan(location), and Kriya(function), in five types mentioned below,

=== Avalambaka Kapha ===
Sthana- Uras(chest region)

Kriya -- maintains the functions of the heart and other structures through annarasa or the essential nutrients. Supports and maintains other kapha sites as well. Provides trika which is the conjunction between the head and arms.(Sush.sutr.21.12-14, Dalhana teeka)

=== Kledaka Kapha ===
Sthana-Amashaya (stomach)

Kriya- disintegrates food and provides it with adequate moisture or kledana.

=== Bodhaka Kapha ===
Sthana- kantha(throat), Jivha moola(the root of the tongue)

Kriya- responsible for the perception of the taste.

=== Tarpaka Kapha ===
Sthana- Shiras (head)

Kriya - responsible for the nourishment of the sensory organs.

=== Shleshaka Kapha ===
Sthana - Sandhi (joints)

Kriya - responsible for the maintenance of the integrity of the joints.

== 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

(Char.vima.8.96)

# Unctuous body
# Fair complexion
# The compact appearance of body structure
# Pleasant personality
# Digestion is slow
# Physical movements and thinking processes are slow.
# They are intelligent
# Low appetite and thirst.
# Hair quality is thick.
# Obedient to elders and teachers.

== 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 and these are unavoidable.

=== Natural factors (Sush.sutr.21.24) (Asht.hrud.sutr.1.8) (Asht.hrud.sutr.12.24) (asht.hrud.nida.1.17) ===

# Seasonal - Kapha dosha undergoes Chaya or the accumulative stage in Hemant and Shishira rutu which is winter. Undergoes Prakopa or the vitiation stage during the Vasanta rutu or the Spring season. Undergoes Prashama stage or normal stage during the Grishma rutu or the summer season.
# Circadian rhythm - Kapha dosha increases in the morning.
# Age - Kapha dosha is dominant during childhood.
# Stage of digestion - Kapha dosha increases immediately after the intake of food.
# Desha - Kapha dosha is predominant in the Anupa desha (watery or marshy place)

=== External factors (Asht.hrud.nida.1.17,18) ===

# Diet and lifestyle - Madhura(sweet),amla(sour), Lavana(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.
# Divaswapna (sleeping during the day), avyayama(lack of exercise), and intake of water at night. (sush.sutr.21.23)

== Kapha Vriddhi Lakshana | Aggravation of Kapha dosha ==
Kapha dosha when aggravates in our body the below-mentioned symptoms are observed

# Whitish discoloration of the skin.
# Feeling cold.
# Heaviness of the overall body
# Fatigue or exhaustion
# Excessive sleep
# Lassitude
# Instability in the joints
# Decreased digestive capacity
# Laziness
# Excessive salivation
# Weight gain
# Difficulty in breathing
# Blockage in bodily channels.
# And etc.

== Kapha Kshaya Lakshana | Decreased Kapha dosha ==
Kapha dosha when decreases in our body it showcases certain features,

# Overall dryness in the body
# Burning sensation
# Excessive thirst
# Loosening of joints
# Insomnia
# Giddiness
# Back pain
# Over body ache
# Emaciation
# Pricking kind of pain
# Tremors
# Cracking of skiing
# And etc

== Kaphaja Nanatmaja vikara ==
(Char.sutr.20.17)

Kapha dosha can be diagnosed based on certain features like feeling cold, itching, gaurava(heaviness), supti (numbness), upachaya (accumulation) and etc are most common. (char.sutr.20.15)

Kapha dosha when gets imbalaced is expressed primarily in twenty types of diseases mentioned below,
{| class="wikitable"
|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
|}

== General management ==
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 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, Shirivierechana or nasya or errhine therapy.

Exercise is also mentioned for Kapha dosha imbalance.

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:11, 27 March 2023
Line 231:		Line 231:
	== Reference ==		== Reference ==
	<references />		<references />
		+	[[Category:Ayurveda]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 Kapha (कफः) literally translates to “watery froth” or “phlegm”. One of three [[doshas (दोषाः)]] along with [[Vata dosha (वातः वातदोषः वा)|Vata dosha (वातदोषः)]] and [[Pitta dosha (पित्तम् पित्तदोषः वा)|Pitta dosha (पित्तदोषः)]] are fundamentals of Ayurveda. Kapha dosha originates from [[Jala (जलम्)|Jala]] and Prithvi [[Panchamahabhutas (पञ्चमहाभूतानि)|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.<ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 29 Sutra 6)</ref>(Sush.Sutr.29.6) 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 or the stomach and Vamana or the therapeutic emesis or induction of vomiting is the prime treatment of Kapha dosha diseases.
-== Etymology ==
+== निरुक्तिः॥  Etymology ==
 Sush.sutr.21.5
-The word “shleshma” is derived from the root “shlish alingane” which means to adhere, bind or keep it together, embrace.
+The word “shleshma” (श्लेष्मा) is derived from the root “shlish alingane” (श्लिष आलिङ्गने) which means to adhere, bind or keep it together, embrace.
-== Panchamahbhuta ==
+== कफस्य पाञ्चभौतिकत्वम् ॥ Panchamahbhuta ==
 (Asht.sutr.21.2) (Sush.sutr.42.5)
@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
 Among these sites, Uras or the chest region is the predominant site of Kapha dosha.(Char.sutr.20.9) And also the uppermost region of the amashaya or stomach.(Chakrapani on Char.sutr.20.8)
-== Gunas ==
+== कफगुणाः ॥ Gunas ==
 (Char.sutr.1.61) (Char.sutr.20.18) (Asht.hrud.sutr.1.12) (Sush.sutr.2115) (Char.Vima.8.96)
 According to different Authors,
 {| class="wikitable"
-|Acharya Charaka
+|Charaka Samhita
-|Acharya Sushruta
+|Sushruta Samhita
-|Acharya Vagbhata
+|Ashtanga Hrudayam
 |-
 |Guru - heavy
@@ Line 83: / Line 83: @@
 |}
-== Function ==
+== कफकार्याणि ॥ Function ==
 (asht.hrud.sutr. 11.3) (Char.sutr.18.51) (Char.sutr.12.12) (Sush.sutr.15.4)
 Kapha dosha has specific functions in our body,
-# Snehana - it provides unctuousness to the body
+# स्नेहनम् । Snehana - it provides unctuousness, moisture, hydration to the body
-# Bandhana means binding in literal, kapha dosha maintains the integrity of the joints and the tissues of its organ.
+# 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.
-# Sthirata - meaning, stability. Kapha dosha brings about steadiness or firmness in our bodies.
+# स्थिरत्वम् । Sthirata - meaning stability. Kapha dosha brings about steadiness or firmness in our bodies.
-# Gauravata - meaning heaviness, it means Kapha dosha provides weight, to various anatomical structures.
+# गौरवत्वम् । Gauravata - meaning heaviness, it means Kapha dosha provides weight, to various anatomical structures.
-# Vrushata - helps regulate the reproductive organs and maintain their health.
+# वृषता । Vrushata - Helps regulate the reproductive organs and maintain their health.
-# Dhriti -  here Dhriti is patience, kapha dosha helps improve the quality of patience in the individual.
+# धृतिः । Dhriti -  Here Dhriti is patience, kapha dosha helps improve the quality of patience in the individual.
-# Bala - Bala means strength, and Kapha dosha provides strength to the body.
+# बलम् । Bala - [[Balam (बलम्)|Balam]] means strength, and Kapha dosha provides strength to the body.
-# Upachaya - kapha dosha is responsible for the growth of body in general.
+# उपचयम् । Upachaya - kapha dosha is responsible for the growth of body in general.
-# Jnyana - it means knowledge.
+# ज्ञानम् । Jnana - it means knowledge.
-== Classification ==
+== कफभेदाः ॥ Classification ==
 (Asht.hrud.sutr.12.15-18) (Sush.sutr.15.4) (sush.sutr.21.12-14) (Asht.sang.sutr.21.8)
 Kapha dosha is classified according to the Stahan(location), and Kriya(function), in five types mentioned below,
-=== Avalambaka Kapha ===
+=== अवलम्बककफः॥ Avalambaka Kapha ===
-Sthana-  Uras(chest region)
+स्थानम् । Sthana-  Uras(chest region)
-Kriya -- maintains the functions of the heart and other structures through annarasa or the essential nutrients. Supports and maintains other kapha sites as well. Provides trika which is the conjunction between the head and arms.(Sush.sutr.21.12-14, Dalhana teeka)
+कर्म। Kriya -- maintains the functions of the heart and other structures through annarasa or the essential nutrients. Supports and maintains other kapha sites as well. Provides trika which is the conjunction between the head and arms.(Sush.sutr.21.12-14, Dalhana teeka)
-=== Kledaka Kapha ===
+=== क्लेदककफः॥ Kledaka Kapha ===
-Sthana-Amashaya (stomach)
+स्थानम् । Sthana-Amashaya (stomach)
-Kriya-  disintegrates food and provides it with adequate moisture or kledana.
+कर्म। Kriya-  disintegrates food and provides it with adequate moisture or kledana.
-=== Bodhaka Kapha ===
+=== बोधककफः॥ Bodhaka Kapha ===
-Sthana- kantha(throat), Jivha moola(the root of the tongue)
+स्थानम् । Sthana- kantha(throat), Jivha moola(the root of the tongue)
-Kriya- responsible for the perception of the taste.
+कर्म। Kriya- responsible for the perception of the taste.
-=== Tarpaka Kapha ===
+=== तर्पककफः॥ Tarpaka Kapha ===
-Sthana- Shiras (head)
+स्थानम् । Sthana- Shiras (head)
-Kriya - responsible for the nourishment of the sensory organs.
+कर्म। Kriya - responsible for the nourishment of the sensory organs.
-=== Shleshaka Kapha ===
+=== श्लेषककफः॥ Shleshaka Kapha ===
-Sthana - Sandhi (joints)
+स्थानम् । Sthana - Sandhi (joints)
-Kriya - responsible for the maintenance of the integrity of the joints.
+कर्म। Kriya - responsible for the maintenance of the integrity of the joints.
-== Kaphaja Prakriti ==
+== 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
@@ Line 144: / Line 144: @@
 # Obedient to elders and teachers.
-== Responsible factors for imbalance ==
+== 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 and these are unavoidable.
-=== Natural factors (Sush.sutr.21.24) (Asht.hrud.sutr.1.8) (Asht.hrud.sutr.12.24) (asht.hrud.nida.1.17) ===
+=== प्राकृतहेतवः॥ Natural factors (Sush.sutr.21.24) (Asht.hrud.sutr.1.8) (Asht.hrud.sutr.12.24) (asht.hrud.nida.1.17) ===
 # Seasonal - Kapha dosha undergoes Chaya or the accumulative stage in Hemant and Shishira rutu which is winter. Undergoes Prakopa or the vitiation stage during the Vasanta rutu or the Spring season. Undergoes Prashama stage or normal stage during the Grishma rutu or the summer season.
@@ Line 155: / Line 155: @@
 # Desha - Kapha dosha is predominant in the Anupa desha (watery or marshy place)
-=== External factors  (Asht.hrud.nida.1.17,18) ===
+=== आहारादिहेतवः॥ External factors  (Asht.hrud.nida.1.17,18) ===
 # Diet and lifestyle - Madhura(sweet),amla(sour), Lavana(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.
 # Divaswapna (sleeping during the day), avyayama(lack of exercise), and intake of water at night. (sush.sutr.21.23)
-== Kapha Vriddhi Lakshana | Aggravation of Kapha dosha ==
+== कफ दुष्टिलक्षणानि॥  ==
 Kapha dosha when aggravates in our body the below-mentioned symptoms are observed
@@ Line 178: / Line 179: @@
 # And etc.
-== Kapha Kshaya Lakshana | Decreased Kapha dosha ==
+=== कफक्षयलक्षणानि ॥ Decreased Kapha dosha ===
 Kapha dosha when decreases in our body it showcases certain features,
@@ Line 195: / Line 196: @@
 # And etc
-== Kaphaja Nanatmaja vikara ==
+== कफस्य नानात्मजविकाराः॥ Kaphaja Nanatmaja vikara ==
 (Char.sutr.20.17)
@@ Line 228: / Line 229: @@
 |}
-== General management ==
+== कफचिकित्सायाः साधारणाः नियमाः ॥ General management ==
 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.