Kapha Dosha

General Recommendations

To offset Kapha's heavy, oily, and cool qualities, favor light, warm, and dry foods.

Stimulation and variety are key to balancing Kapha.

Incorporate regular, vigorous exercise into your daily routine.

Vary your routines and seek out new experiences.

It's beneficial to wake up early, before sunrise, and avoid daytime naps.

Include pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes.

Avoid sweet, sour, and salty foods.

Foods to Favor

31
Apples
Apples
Astringent foods
Astringent foods
Barley
Barley
Basil
Basil
Berries
Berries
Bitter vegetables
Bitter vegetables
Black Pepper
Black Pepper
Black pepper
Black pepper
Broccoli
Broccoli
Cabbage
Cabbage
Coriander
Coriander
Cumin
Cumin
Fennel
Fennel
Ginger
Ginger
Ginger
Ginger
Green Tea
Green Tea
Honey
Honey
Honey
Honey
Leafy greens
Leafy greens
Legumes
Legumes
Lentils
Lentils
Light grains
Light grains
Light, warm foods
Light, warm foods
Millet
Millet
Mint
Mint
Mustard seeds
Mustard seeds
Pears
Pears
Pomegranates
Pomegranates
Spicy foods
Spicy foods
Turmeric
Turmeric
Turmeric
Turmeric

Foods to Reduce

34
Avocado
Avocado
Bananas
Bananas
Bananas
Bananas
Bread
Bread
Butter
Butter
Cheese
Cheese
Coconut
Coconut
Cold Drinks
Cold Drinks
Cold foods
Cold foods
Dairy
Dairy
Dairy products
Dairy products
Fried Foods
Fried Foods
Frozen foods
Frozen foods
Grapes
Grapes
Heavy foods
Heavy foods
Ice cream
Ice cream
Melons
Melons
Nuts
Nuts
Oils
Oils
Oranges
Oranges
Pasta
Pasta
Pineapple
Pineapple
Pork
Pork
Rice
Rice
Salt
Salt
Salt
Salt
Seeds
Seeds
Sugar
Sugar
Sugar
Sugar
Sweet Fruits
Sweet Fruits
Sweet foods
Sweet foods
Wheat
Wheat
Wheat
Wheat
Yogurt
Yogurt

Healing Herbs

5
B
Bibhitaki
C
Chitrak
C
Cinnamon
G
Ginger
T
Turmeric

Taste Guidance (Rasa)

The six tastes and their effect on Kapha

Favor

Pungent Bitter Astringent

Reduce

Sweet Sour Salty

Explore more in Classroom

Chronic conditions

Ayurvedic views, foods, and healing supports by condition.

All doshas

Constitution, balance, tastes, and lifestyle by dosha.

Bibhitaki

This herb is known to help balance Kapha.

Chitrak

The root of this plant is a potent digestive aid that helps to balance Kapha.

Cinnamon

A warming and sweet spice, cinnamon helps to reduce Kapha in the respiratory system and improves circulation.

Ginger

This warming herb stimulates digestion and can help with Kapha-related issues like sinusitis.

Turmeric

With its bitter, pungent, and astringent tastes, turmeric is an excellent detoxifying agent and helps to balance excess Kapha.