Ayurveda (Page 2)
Kapha controls Vata and Pitta while maintaining lubrication and body mass. If an animal is predominately Kapha, he tends to bear-like; rounded in body, slow and deliberate in movement with greater stamina. Newfoundlands, Great Pyrenees, and Maine Coon Cats exemplify Kapha animals. Diabetes, indigestion, circulatory problems, and respiratory mucus may be signs of Kapha excess. Barley, oats, rice, lamb, beef, pork, and salt aggravate Kapha tendencies. Still want to feed lamb and rice diets?
While there is relative balance among the three doshas, the individual remains healthy. When something tips the scale too much towards another dosha, the individual displays signs of illness. The Ayurvedic practitioner then applies a variety of methods to rebalance the energy. Westernized concepts of ayurvedic principles focus primarily on the herbal component of the therapy.
Herbs also have their own dosha. Some are strongly hot, others are markedly cooling, and some have balance of all three doshas. One such herb is ginger. Its balanced nature allows it to be useful in a variety of gastro-intestinal and inflammatory conditions. Astringent herbs, such as Goldenseal, help keep Kapha energies in check. Dandelion, a bitter herb, aids in adding Vata to those who are deficient. Sweet foods like grapes also help tone down excess Pitta and Kapha.
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