Anti-kapha therapy

Dr M Lalithambika D A M

After anti-pitta, let's now see the anti-kapha therapies. All anti-kapha therapies are reducing, lightening, stimulating, drying and clearing. They should apply with force and determination, as well as detachment. Diet for this therapy is primarily reducing, pungent, bitter and astringent tastes. Food should be warm, light and dry, with hot spices. Occasional fasting or skipping a meal is good. Cold or ice water must be avoided. Herbal teas are good and regular tea also can be taken as well. In case of people eating out, order salads , enjoy Mexican (non-dairy dishes), Indian, Chinese, Thai and Vegetarian restaurants.

Oils and massage: Dry or rough massage is good or massage with mustard or flaxseed oil, jojoba olive and almond oils. Essential oils are cinnamon, musk, eucalyptus, myrrh, patchouli, sage, wintergreen and camphor.

Colours and gems: Warm and bright colours should be used, such as yellow, orange, gold and red. White, along with pale shades of blue, green, pink should be avoided. Brown, gray and black can use in moderation. Gems are good, warm like ruby, garnet, cat's eye set in gold, blue sapphire, amethyst and lapis.

Yoga: Strong workouts are indicated with less sitting posture, headstands if possible, solar pranayama and bhastrika.

Lifestyle: Strong and aerobic exercise should be done, with sun bathing, warm breezes, avoid cold and damp, follow of discipline, physical hard ship, staying up at night, avoid of sleeping during the day, mental stimulation, travel, pilgrimage.

Purification Panchakarma: Therapeutic vomiting is much beneficial along with herbal steam bath and nasal inhalation.

Kapha Diet (Diet for spring): Most people will require decreased quantities of food not earlier than 10 am and not latter than 6 pm. Heavy meals in the evening is discouraged. Healthy people should fast one day per week. Favour pungent, bitter and astringent tastes. Soya milk, goat milk, law fat milk, honey, sunflower oil, mustard oil, corn oil, rye, buckwheat, millet, beans, dry fruits, pomegranate, spinach, cauliflower, pumpkin, all spices excluding salt, Vegetable juices, potatoes, green salads, warm water, chicken, turkey, rabbit, fish, egg and all vitamin B diets are recommended.

(The author is the medical director, MEDICUS AyurBay and can be contacted on info@ayurbay.com).