Doshas Pt. 2: Kapha

Last week we covered the concept of Ayurveda and what a Vata should do to stay balanced.
Today we’re back with tips for the Kapha: the Dosha of Air and Water.
Kaphas are known to be compassionate, empathetic, forgiving, and grounded. However, improper nutrition and environmental stressors can throw off their elements of Air and Water, making them apathetic and “clingy” to relationships, as well as suffer from “clammy” skin and skin tags. Here are some ways Kaphas can restore their well-being.

GO EASY ON YOUR STOMACH

Because Kaphas have sensitive stomachs, heavy foods, such as dairy, can weigh them down and make them lethargic and cause allergies. Chewing on a few fennel seeds after the meal, as well as drinking ginger tea between meals, are two great way to boost digestion.
Fruit and vegetables are your friend: opt for lighter, less sugary fruits, such as apples, pears, pomegranates, and cranberries and reduce heavier fruits and vegetables including bananas, avocados, pineapples, dates, tomatoes and sweet potatoes.
It’s equally important to consume your largest meals between 10am and 2pm, and to avoid meals three hours before bedtime.

BALANCE YOUR HAIR & SKIN

Kaphas tend to have soft, smooth skin and their hair is thick and often curly. However, when out of balance, the appearance of Kapha’s skin and hair can go from supple and lustrous, to oily and bleak.
To combat oily skin, use the Multani Mitti Face Mask as often as every other day to pull excess oils and deep cleanse your pores of black heads and white heads. For added results, mix the mask with Rose Water Toner to restore the pH balance of your skin.
As for hair, try a Sulfate-Free Shampoo. Sulfates are harsh cleansers that are used in car wash products – when used on your hair, they strip your scalp of natural oils, causing your scalp to start producing oil more actively, which is a downfall especially for a Kapha in imbalance.
Reshma Beauty® Henna Shampoo and Conditioner are free of Sulfates, Parabens and Silicones, which will help provide a more natural and gentle wash. With the addition of natural regenerating ingredients, such as Henna, Rosemary, and White Oak bark, the Henna Shampoo and Conditioner line will help balance and deep cleanse your scalp and balance oil secretion.

WARM YOUR BODY THROUGHT

Kaphas are particularly susceptible to cold and damp conditions. Make sure to stay warm, and if you’re feeling congested – apply dry heat topically.
To add to your self-care routine, use warm, stimulating aromas such as cloves or cinnamon. The Reshma Beauty® Oil for Normal Hair & Skin is enriched with both of these warming oils and is versatile in use: rub it into your wrists and next to your temples as aromatherapy, or use it all over your body for a relaxing massage to warm and at the same time release the tension in your muscles and tissues.

Tune in next week we’ll be back with our final installment in this blog series to share tips for the Pitta Dosha.
Are you a Kapha? Do you recognize any of these characteristics or are you already following any of these tips? Let us know in the comments below!