Kapha: 30 definitions
Introduction:
Kapha means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi, Hindi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
Alternative spellings of this word include Cuff.
In Hinduism
Ayurveda (science of life)
Nighantu (Synonyms and Characteristics of Drugs and technical terms)
Kapha (कफ) refers to one of the three doṣas (the other being Vāta and Pitta), according to the second chapter (dharaṇyādi-varga), verses 67-68. Accordingly, “the substances, which alleviate vāta, are good digestive and appetizers. Similarly, a drug which alleviates kapha, is also appetizer and slightly digestive stimulant. But, a drug reducing the action of pitta, is not a good digestive. A substance which is heavy (guru), śīta, vīrya and anti-pitta, will aggravate vāta-doṣa. Similarly, a substance which is light, uṣṇa, vīrya, anti-vāta, will alleviate kapha and increase pitta-doṣa”.
Dietetics and Culinary Art (such as household cooking)
Kapha (कफ) refers to “phlegm”, according to the 17th century Bhojanakutūhala (dravyaguṇāguṇa-kathana), and is commonly found in literature dealing with the topics of dietetics and culinary art, also known as Pākaśāstra or Pākakalā.—Water drunk at the beginning of a meal leads to thinness of body and will dampen the digestive fire. Water drunk excessively in the middle of a meal prevents the digestion of food. Water drunk at the end of a meal leads to corpulence and aggravation of kapha.
Procedure to alleviate kapha (phlegm) after meals: The excess phlegm in the human body can lead to the weakening of digestive fire. Sleeping immediately after the meal will result in the aggravation of phlegm. The excess phlegm must be alleviated by employing fumes of the fragrant substances such as agaru (aloe wood) or consuming fruits like pūga (areca-nut), karpūra (camphor), kastūri (musk), lavaṅga (clove) and sumanas (spanish jasmine) that are pungent, astringent and bitter. After a meal, one must walk a few steps. Practising this lightens the food mass and imparts comfort in the neck, knees and loins. The excess phlegm can also be alleviated by savoring betel leaves along with fragrant substances.
Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)
Kapha (कफ, “phlegm”) refers to one of the ten symptoms of a snake-bite (daṃśaceṣṭita) that could be potentially fatal, as taught in the Ceṣṭita (“symptoms of snake-bites”) section of the Kāśyapa Saṃhitā: an ancient Sanskrit text from the Pāñcarātra tradition dealing with both Tantra and Viṣacikitsā, which represents the Ayurvedic study on Toxicology (Agadatantra or Sarpavidyā).—The ten symptoms of a bite ordained by time/death that could be fatal mentioned by Kaśyapa are—horripilation, thirst/burning sensation, profuse sweat, phlegm (kapha), inflammation/irritation of all the organs of the body, debility/lack of control of all the organs, salivation, incoherent blabbering, lack of memory and finally death.
Veterinary Medicine (The study and treatment of Animals)
Kapha (कफ) refers to the “phlegm” (of an elephant), according to the 15th century Mātaṅgalīlā composed by Nīlakaṇṭha in 263 Sanskrit verses, dealing with elephantology in ancient India, focusing on the science of management and treatment of elephants.—[Cf. chapter 5, “on marks of the stages of life”]: “18. Constantly weeping, with phlegm (kapha) ever oozing from his trunk [satataṃ kaṭasrutakaphaḥ], with skin discolored and rough, going outside the herd through fear, deserted by thoughts of love and by the growth of tusks, without heroism, with constantly closing eyes, in the eighth stage his wounds do not heal quickly, and the skin, on which the lines of hair are destroyed, shrinks greatly”.
Unclassified Ayurveda definitions
Kapha (कफ) refers to one of the three Doṣas (tridoṣa), representing the “water element” of the human body. It is used throughout Ayurvedic literature such as the Caraka-saṃhitā and the Suśruta-saṃhitā. The three doṣas are three bodily humors, which when in balance, sustain perfect human health. According to Dṛḍhabala, Kapha-doṣa is situated in the śiras (head). The quantum of Kapha-doṣa fluctuates during Childhood, morning and early hours of night and after meals. It also fluctuates according to the different seasons: during during early winter (hemanta) it accumulates, during spring (vasanta) it aggrevates and during summer (grīṣma) it pacifies. It is important to keep track of these fluctuations in order to prevent seasonal disorders.
Kapha (कफ) is the principle of water and as such maintains the body-fluid, controls growth and strength in the body.
Causes of aggravation:—Kapha is aggravated by intake of sweet, sour, salty, unctuous, slimy and heavy substances, day-sleep, lack of physical exercise, in spring season, first phase of day and night, and childhood.
Symptoms:—Aggravated Kapha gives rise to heaviness, diminution of digestive fire, nausea, salivation, lassitude, horripilation, sweetness in body and mouth, itching in throat, drowsiness, excessive sleep, depression of body and mind, pal,lor or whiteness and abnormal growth.
Treatment:—Vāta, Pitta and Kapha should be treated with eliminative therapy (known as ‘pañcakarma’). Thereafter they should be pacified with prescribed measures relating to diet, drug and activity. Kapha is pacified with bitter astringent and pungent substances; application of irritant, hot and rough items; keeping awake in night and physical activity.
Kapha (कफ).—One of the three biological humors (tridoṣa).—Often kapha is translated as mucus or phlegm, which is an important part of kapha, particularly in disease, but kapha is much more than that. It represents potential energy in the body. Kapha-doṣa provides nourishment to all parts of the body and regulates the other two doṣas, pitta and vāta.
Kapha provides moistness, oiliness and smoothness to the body organs. It lubricates and connects joints and bones, increases libido, strength, enthusiasm, heals wounds improves immunity, provides energy for mental and physical activities, and it is responsible for behavioral and psychological changes. Kapha is also the pramry cause for sleep, lethargy and inertia (tamas).
The five types of kapha according to their locations and functions are:
- kledaka (located in the stomach),
- avalambaka (located in the chest),
- bodhaka (located in the tongue and throat),
- tarpaka (located in the head),
- śleṣaka (located in the bones and joints).
Kapha (it’s origin) is ascribed to the presence of watery (saumya) principle in the body. Sweetness, oiliness, heaviness, coldness and sliminess form the specific properties of Kapha.
Kapha can be managed by avoiding foods which are cold, oily, stale, refrigerated, heavy to digest, slimy, food rich in sweet, sour and salt taste, keeping away from low moods and depression, avoiding excess of sleep, lack of exercise and sex, sedentary life activities, managing cold season etc – This will prevent stagnations and blocks in the cells and tissues and thus prevent pressure on nerves and tendons
Kapha performs the functions like protection, strength, stability and resistance. Functions of immune system and all such other protective mechanisms in the body have been grouped under ‘Kapha’ in Ayurveda.
During the first stage of digestion, there occurs the release of froth-like ‘Kapha’ (Carakasaṃhitā Cikitsāsthāna 15/9). Salivary juice and mucous secreted in the stomach serve many protective functions but do not directly participate in the actual process of digestion. These are therefore indicative of froth-like ‘Kapha’, which is ‘Malarūpī ’ in nature.
Ojas is also closely related with Kapha. When the Śleṣma (Kapha) is in normal state, it is called ‘Bala’ as well as ‘Ojas’; but when it attains an abnormal state, it is then called ‘Mala’ (Waste) and ‘Pāpmā ’ (Disease) (Carakasaṃhitā Sūtrasthāna 27/117).
Kapha is also called Śleṣma. One of its main functions is to provide nutrition to the bodily tissues. Kapha is also of five types viz.
- Kledaka Kapha,
- Avalambaka Kapha,
- Tarpaka Kapha,
- Bodhaka Kapha
- and Śleṣaka Kapha.
Kapha (कफ):—A synonym for Śleṣmā. One of the three bodily Doṣas responsible for stability, unctousness, lubrication, immunity, and cohesion. This is predominant of Pṛthvi and Jala Mahābhūtas. The attributes of Kapha are: Guru (heavy), Manda (dull), Hima (cold), Snigdha (unctuous), Ślakṣṇa (smooth), Mṛtsna (soft) and Sthira (stable). Major seats of Kapha are: thorax, throat, head, Kloma, joints, stomach, Rasa, meda, nose and tongue. This is of five types: Avalaṃbaka, Kledaka, Bodhaka, Śleṣaka, Tarpaka.
Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Kapha is the body fluid principle which relates to mucus, lubrication, and the carrier of nutrients.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Kapha (कफ) refers to “phlegm” and represents one of the seven magic powers, according to chapter 4.7 [sanatkumāra-cakrin-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.
Accordingly:—“[...] Magic powers were acquired by him enduring all the trials hard to endure, indifferent to any expedient for relief. The seven magic powers, namely: phlegm (kapha), vipruṣ, dried perspiration, impurity, excrement, touch, and also ‘everything’, are called remedies”.
Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.
India history and geography
Kaphā.—d8ī (Chamba), same as kapahad8ī. Note: kaphā is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
kapha (कफ).—m C (Or kapa) Cotton or similar substance used as tinder. 2 A block (with or without a pulley).
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kapha (कफ).—m (S) Phlegm, one of the three humors: also the mucus hawked up. 2 Watery froth or foam gen.
kapha (कफ).—m Phlegm; watery froth.
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Sanskrit dictionary
Kapha (कफ).—[kena jalena phalati phal-ḍa Tv.]
1) Phlegm, one of the three humours of the body (the other two being vāta and pitta); कफापचयादारोग्यैकमूलमाशयाग्निदीप्तिः (kaphāpacayādārogyaikamūlamāśayāgnidīptiḥ) Daśakumāracarita 16; प्राणप्रयाणसमये कफवातपित्तैः कण्ठावरोधनविधौ स्मरणं कुतस्ते (prāṇaprayāṇasamaye kaphavātapittaiḥ kaṇṭhāvarodhanavidhau smaraṇaṃ kutaste) Udb.
2) A watery foam or froth in general.
Derivable forms: kaphaḥ (कफः).
Kapha (कफ).—m.
(-phaḥ) 1. Phlegm, one of the three humours of the body. 2. Watery froth or foam in general. E. ka water, and phala to bud or flower, ḍa aff.
Kapha (कफ).—m. Phlegm, one of the three humours of the body, [Suśruta] 1, 4, 8.
Kapha (कफ).—[masculine] phlegm (one of the three humours of the body).
1) Kapha (कफ):—m. phlegm (as one of the three humors of the body See also vāyu and pitta), [Suśruta]
2) watery froth or foam in general (cf. abdhik, megha-k, etc.)
Kapha (कफ):—(phaḥ) 1. m. Phlegm; froth.
Kapha (कफ):—m. [Siddhāntakaumudī.250,a,3.] Phlegma, Schleim, eine der drei Feuchtigkeiten (doṣa) des menschlichen Leibes, welche die Medicin aufstellt (neben vāyu und pitta), [Hindu System of Medicine 46.] [Amarakoṣa 2, 6, 2, 13.] [Hemacandra’s Abhidhānacintāmaṇi 462.] [Suśruta 1, 4, 8. 5, 16. 52, 16. 81, 20. 2, 186, 2. 194, 21. 344, 6.] kaphaja aus dem Phlegma entspringend [1, 62, 7.] kaphasaṃbhava dass. [128, 14.] kaphahara das Phlegma entfernend [138, 10.] kaphahṛt dass. [19.] kaphaprāya phlegmatisch [162, 13.] kaphātmaka dass. [58, 17.] [Weber’s Indische Studien 2, 287.] kaphavātika (von kapha + vāta) [286. 287.] — Vgl. abdhikapha, wo das Wort eine schleimige Substanz überth. bezeichnet.
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Kapha (कफ):—vgl. ghana, megha .
Kapha (कफ):—m. Phlegma , Schleim (eine der 3 Flüssigkeiten im menschlichen Körper).
Kapha (कफ) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Kapha, Kaha.
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Hindi dictionary
1) Kapha (कफ) [Also spelled cuff]:—(nm) phlegm, mucus; ~[kara] phlegmatic; ~[nāśaka] anti-phlegmatic.
2) Kapha (कफ) [Also spelled cuff]:—(nm) a cuff.
...
Prakrit-English dictionary
Kapha (कफ) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Kapha.
Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.
Kannada-English dictionary
Kapha (ಕಫ):—
1) [noun] phlegm a) that one of the three humors of the body, as perāyurvēda, which causes sluggishness or dullness; b) the thick, stringy mucus secreted by the mucous glands of the respiratory tract and discharged from the throat, as during a cold.
2) [noun] a usu. allergic respiratory disease, often with paroxysms of difficult breathing; asthma.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Kapha (कफ):—n. 1. phlegm; spittle; 2. one of the tree humors of the body, viz. कफ, पित्त, वात [kapha, pitta, vāta ] ;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+20): Kaphabhrit, Kaphabindu, Kaphada, Kaphadosha, Kaphaganda, Kaphaghna, Kaphaghni, Kaphagrasta, Kaphagulma, Kaphahara, Kaphahrit, Kaphaja, Kaphajvara, Kaphakara, Kaphaketu, Kaphakopana, Kaphakshaya, Kaphakta, Kaphakurccika, Kaphakurcika.
Full-text (+476): Kaphari, Kaphaghna, Abdhikapha, Samudrakapha, Vamshakapha, Ghanakapha, Meghakapha, Sindhukapha, Kaphavardhana, Kaphanashana, Kaphavirodhin, Kaphakshaya, Kaphajvara, Kaphakara, Kaphaja, Tridosha, Kaphavata, Kaphakurcika, Avalambakakapha, Kaphin.
Relevant text
Search found 108 books and stories containing Kapha, Kaphā; (plurals include: Kaphas, Kaphās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Nervous System in Yoga and Tantra (Study) (by Ashok Majumdar)
12. The Five Kaphas < [Chapter 7 - The Physiological and the Pathological concepts of Tridosha Theory]
7. Classification of the Three Dosas < [Chapter 7 - The Physiological and the Pathological concepts of Tridosha Theory]
5. Physical properties of Kapha < [Chapter 7 - The Physiological and the Pathological concepts of Tridosha Theory]
International Research Journal of Ayurveda and Yoga
Relevance of Vyayama (Physical activity) for healthcare : A Review < [Vol. 3 No. 1: Jan (2020)]
A Study on the Role of Asraya-Asrayee Bhava Sambandha in the Genesis of... < [Vol. 5 No. 1: jan (2022)]
A Review On Panchnidan Of Ekakushtha w.s.r. To Psoriasis < [Vol. 4 No. 6: JUN (2021)]
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Interrelationship between tridosha and nadi < [2023: Volume 12, January issue 1]
Study of udana vayu its ayurvedic and applied aspecta review < [2020: Volume 9, June issue 6]
Role of chitrak haritki avaleh in pratishaya < [2022: Volume 11, August issue 11]
Kshemakutuhala by Kshemasharma (critical study) (by Hiteshbhai Vrajalal Bhuptani)
Appendix 1 - Glossary of technical words
Ayurveda cooking rules of Phala-saka (Fruit-vegetables) < [Chapter 4 - Cooking]
Ayurveda cooking rules of Patra-saka (Leafy vegetables) < [Chapter 4 - Cooking]
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences
Effect of multimodality Ayurveda treatment in Avabahuk w.s.r. to Frozen... < [Vol. 7 No. 11 (2022)]
Panchakarma Perception - An Overview < [Vol. 1 No. 01 (2016)]
The role of Swarna Bhasma in the treatment of Autoimmune disease < [Vol. 6 No. 4 (2021)]
International Ayurvedic Medical Journal
Relation of prakruti and ahara w.s.r to dietary routine and recommendations < [2016, Issue VIII August]
Role of ayurveda in adolescent age < [2018, Issue III, march,]
AN INSIDE REVIEW OF DANTA SHAREER w.s.r. to KRIMIDANTA (DENTAL CARIES) < [2020, Issue 12, December]