In the practice of ayurvedic yoga, kapha is the dosha related to earth and water elements. The imagery of mud or congestion would identify someone who may have a kapha imbalance. Dairy products should not be increased in this diet but yogurt in small portions is acceptable.
Foods for Kapha Pacifying
To balance kapha, eat a diet that includes ghee, asparagus, cauliflower, leafy greens, onions, peas and turnips. Meats like chicken, turkey, and eggs are also recommended. Fruits like apples, cranberries, figs and pears reduce kapha as well.
Kapha Herbs
Teas of caraway seeds, fennel, hibiscus, and rhubarb root will decrease kapha. It is important to understand the interrelations of all three doshas. Familiarize your thinking with balance rather than simply decreasing kapha. A decrease in one of the three doshas, kapha, can increase the fire quality of pitta, or the air quality of vata.
Insights to Your Dosha
Doshas are considered with regard to the prakruti and vrikruti. Prakruti is the doshic constitution that you were conceived with. Vrikruti is what you are presenting currently in your doshic constitution. The combination of the elements earth and water naturally want to balance back to the body's natural health at conception, or prakruti.
Kapha Balancing Exercise
Quick movements that are flowing facilitate opening and flexibility for kapha practice. Vinyasa sequences stimulate movement and circulation. Practice sun and moon salutations.
Tastes
Kapha diets are light with less oil. Fresh fruit and vegetables are fine, but should preferably be warm. Ayurveda describes food in the six tastes of sweet, sour, bitter, astringent, salty, and pungent. Kapha balancing diet meals strongly represent pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes.
Tags: bitter astringent, doshic constitution, earth water, three doshas