Significance of Kapha
Kapha, according to Ayurveda, is one of the three fundamental energies or Doshas, representing water and earth. It governs structure, stability, and lubrication within the body. Imbalances in Kapha can contribute to various health conditions, including respiratory issues, metabolic disorders, and even cancer. It is associated with qualities like heaviness, coolness, and moisture. Certain foods and practices can either aggravate or pacify Kapha, influencing overall health and well-being. Its role extends to maintaining the body's strength, immunity, and emotional balance.
Synonyms: Phlegm, Moisture, Water element, Dosha
In Dutch: Kapha; In German: Kapha; In Finnish: Kapha; In Spanish: Kapha; In Swedish: Kapha; In Malay: Kapha; In French: Kapha; In Portugese: Kapha; In Italian: Kapha; In Polish: Kapha
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Kapha'
In Hinduism, Kapha is an Ayurvedic element embodying structure and stability. It influences physical traits like soft skin and mental qualities, but imbalance can cause disease. Kapha is vital for body homeostasis, treatable through diet and therapies.
From: Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences
(1) This is one of the doshas that, when predominant, can manifest with symptoms like whiteness, coldness, itching, stability and elevation.[1] (2) Kapha is one of the Doshas, and its vitiation, along with Vata, can contribute to Artavakshaya, a condition potentially alleviated by Arkapushpa's Ushna Virya and Vata-Kaphahara properties.[2] (3) Kapha is one of the main physical components of Annavaha Srotas and is present in Mukha and Amashaya.[3] (4) It is a dosha, one of the three fundamental energies in Ayurveda, that can be vitiated by consumption of curd, paneer and cheese.[4] (5) It is a dosha characterized by Bahula, Madhura, Snigdha, Swetha, Nishtiva, and Gana, playing a significant role in conditions such as Kaphaja Kasa.[5]
From: International Research Journal of Ayurveda and Yoga
(1) Influence is also evident in the manifestation of Chittodvega.[6] (2) It is a dominant dosha in Tamak shwasa, along with Vata. Excessive consumption of Kapha aggrevating food and regimen the kapha dosha along with vata dosha gets into pittasthan and cause Tamaka Shwasa. Things that only pacify Kapha but aggravate Vata should not be used in the treatment of Shwasa roga.[7] (3) It is one of the two doshas mainly afflicted by urticaria and is related to Sheetapitta.[8] (4) The involvement of this Dosha results in the occurrence of additional symptoms like Aruchi, Tandra, Gaurava and is named as Vatakaphaja Gridrasi.[9] (5) In early stage of Stulta signs and symptoms are so mild only obvious indications of this could be noticeable.[10]
From: Charaka Samhita (English translation)
(1) Kapha accumulates and gets liquefied in the spring, affecting the body-heat and potentially causing diseases, necessitating purificatory procedures and dietary adjustments.[11] (2) Kapha is one of the three humors that, when provoked, can lead to anemia, causing symptoms like heaviness, torpor, vomiting, and a sallow complexion.[12] (3) Kapha is another humor that can vitiate the blood, causing it to become slightly pale, slimy, fibrillated, and solid, and its imbalance results in symptoms such as lethargy and a pale complexion in conditions like intoxication.[13] (4) This should be roused up the day before emesis administration by consuming certain foods like meat-juice, milk, curds, black gram, til, and vegetables.[14] (5) The sponge gourd is used to treat conditions related to provoked Kapha in the throat and mouth, and diseases resulting from its accumulation.[15]
From: Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicine
(1) Kapha is one of the doshas (body humors) involved in psoriasis, according to Ayurveda, and is associated with Vata in the manifestation of the skin condition.[16] (2) Kapha is identified as a dosha involved in the pathogenesis of dyslipidemia, particularly in conditions like obesity and diabetes mellitus, indicating its role in metabolic imbalances.[17] (3) It is one of the three Doshas in Ayurveda, and its role is considered alongside Vata and Pitta in relation to hair fall and body constitution.[18] (4) This is one of the three doshas, and the study indicates that it is involved in the pathogenesis of Ekakushtha, which is a type of skin condition.[19] (5) This is a dosha in Ayurveda and the excessive increase of Kapha leads to the blockage in the Srotasa.[20]
From: Sushruta Samhita, Volume 6: Uttara-tantra
(1) Kapha is mentioned as a factor that, when deranged in unison with the bodily Vayu, contributes to the various types of hiccough.[21] (2) Kapha is a specific Dosha mentioned in the text, and the text describes that the Kapha deranged by the use of Sneha-Purana should be then conquered by making the patient inhale some kind of Kapha-subduing Dhuma (smoke).[22] (3) One of the bodily doshas that can become deranged and contribute to the symptoms of asthma.[23] (4) One of the three Doshas linked to structure and stability in the body; its imbalance can contribute to fever symptoms.[24] (5) One of the three Doshas in Ayurveda, indicative of bodily mechanisms that can be deranged to influence health.[25]
From: Sushruta Samhita, volume 4: Cikitsasthana
(1) The dosha responsible for structure, stability, and moisture in the body.[26] (2) The element associated with water and earth, contributing to structure, stability, and moisture in the body.[27] (3) The Dosha that embodies structure, lubrication, and stability in the body.[28] (4) The Ayurvedic term for the water element that governs structure and cohesion in the body.[29] (5) One of the three Doshas in Ayurveda, associated with water and earth elements, impacting bodily functions.[30]
From: Sushruta Samhita, volume 1: Sutrasthana
(1) Kapha, when deranged, is targeted by groups like the Aragvadhadi, which contains drugs like aragvadha and Madana to destroy it and the effects of poison.[31] (2) Another fundamental humour, associated with earth and water elements, governing structure and stability in the body.[32] (3) One of the three doshas connected to structure, stability, and fluid balance within the body.[33] (4) One of the three doshas in Ayurvedic medicine, which when deranged can obstruct bodily functions such as breathing causing salivation or unconsciousness.[34]
From: Sushruta Samhita, volume 3: Sharirasthana
(1) The Kapha is carried by two of the ramifications of the up-coursing and down-coursing Dhamanis, serving as channels, according to the text.[35] (2) The Kapha in its normal state and coursing through its specific Siras (vessels) smoothes and contributes to the firmness of the limbs and joints, improves the strength and produces all other good effects.[36] (3) Kapha, representing cold, acts upon the molecules of the primary elements during the second month of gestation, contributing to condensation.[37]
From: Sushruta Samhita, volume 2: Nidanasthana
(1) This is one of the fundamental principles that, when agitated, combines with Vayu and Pitta to affect the skin.[38]
From: Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 4: Iatrochemistry
(1) Ghrita is to be prohibited in diseases due to mere this (phlegm) or mere pitta; at night in winter; at day time in summer; to boys and old men in all circumstances; in spermatorrea, diabetes, enlargement of spleen and liver, in diseases due to an increase of mucus, in cholera, intestinal obstruction, diseases due to taking of liquors, in fever, and in loss of digestive power.[39] (2) A cause of fever that can be cured by a mixture when taken with hot water.[40] (3) The medicine cures enlargement of spleen due to this, as well as diseases due to an excess of this.[41] (4) This refers to phlegm, representing a potential cause of fever.[42] (5) A condition, or an excess of it, which the medicine is designed to address, potentially leading to a variety of health issues that the pills are intended to cure.[43]
From: Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 3: Metals, Gems and other substances
(1) One of the doshas, an excess of which can be treated with dry preparations of iron, triphala, milk and clarified butter.[44] (2) Kapha is a bodily element that Varta-loha pacifies, indicating a balancing effect on the body's internal systems and its overall well-being.[45] (3) Jayapala is described as a pacifier of this, along with pitta, indicating it has a balancing effect on the body's humors, possibly addressing imbalances through its functions.[46] (4) This is one of the three doshas that are destroyed by the effects of poison on the human body, along with vayu and pitta, according to the information provided.[47] (5) A term from Ayurvedic medicine referring to one of the three doshas, related to bodily fluids and health conditions.[48]
From: Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 5: Treatment of various afflictions
(1) Kapha is identified as one of the doshas that can contribute to different types of hoarseness, indicating its role in the body's balance.[49] (2) The text mentions kapha, as a dosha, an abnormal excess of which is cured by a medicine.[50] (3) The third dosha associated with structure and stability; affects health when out of balance.[51] (4) Another dosha that affects the body, can contribute to the formation of cough when in excess.[52] (5) One of the three dosas, pertaining to moisture and stability, its excess can manifest in symptoms affecting the heart and lungs.[53]
From: Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 2: Minerals (uparasa)
(1) It is a dosha (phlegm) that can be combined with pitta, and its abnormal excess can be pacified by shilajatus from gold, silver, copper, and iron.[54]
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) This term refers to phlegm and is mentioned in the context of diseases that the stotra can prevent.[55]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) kapha, also known as কফ, together with bile and indigestion, is absent from the grammatical literature, as mentioned in the information provided within the text.[56]
The concept of Kapha in local and regional sources
Kapha, in the context of the provided text, refers to the Ayurvedic term for phlegm. It is one of the three bodily humours and is equivalent to the Persian term "kaf".
From: History of Science in South Asia
(1) This is a Sanskrit term, equivalent to the Persian kaf, and is used to describe Ayurvedic phlegm in the context of translation.[57] (2) This is the Ayurvedic word for phlegm, and it is one of the three bodily humours frequently used in the Hathapradipika.[58]
The concept of Kapha in scientific sources
Kapha, one of Ayurveda's three doshas, embodies water and earth elements, crucial for structure, lubrication, and stability. Imbalances can manifest in respiratory issues, oral disease, skin conditions, or affect overall health.
From: Asian Journal of Pharmaceutics
(1) One of the doshas that imparts sneha to the eyes and nourishes the ocular structures, according to Ayurvedic principles.[59] (2) It is one of the three Doshas, and Haritaki is helpful in curing diseases associated with imbalance of all three, including Vata and Pitta.[60] (3) One of the properties of ingredients in Nagaradi Vati that contribute to its litholytic and antilithiatic action.[61] (4) One of the three protected components, doshas, that Triphala equalizations and rejuvenates.[62]