Understand Kapha Dosha By Its Functions

Kapha Dosha can be likened to freezing oil or a thick heavy viscous oil. A heavy, semisolid oil is usually cold, semi solid, viscous, heavy, has cushioning effect. All these qualities can be attributed to Kapha. 

Video explanation

Functions of Kapha Dosha

Stability and compactness:
If you imagine a cell, Kapha is responsible for holding all parts of the cell together, in its natural shape. If you consider joints, Kapha is responsible for stability and compactness of the joints.

Stability of mind:
In the mind’s thinking process, Vata helps you to explore all the options. Pitta helps to analyze which are the good options and which are bad, but Kapha helps to settle you down with that one option. So, even in the process of thinking, Kapha is the reason for stable thinking. Usually people with Kapha body type are well organized and stable.
A person with Kapha body type likes to sit and do one work for a long period of time (as opposed to Vata person).

Kshama – forgiveness – When you are betrayed by someone, Vata makes you think about options that you have. Pitta makes you to attack the person, but Kapha will ensure mental balance, to put things to perspective and forgive the offender (or to realize that it was your own mistake, as the case may be).

Retention is something associated with stability of thoughts, it is due to Kapha Dosha. Person with Kapha body type has good memory and retention capacity.

Lubrication: Oil avoids friction in engine, similarly Kapha ensures lubrication between joints and ensures smoothness and avoids friction by its shock absorbing action.
When food enters stomach, it is due to Kapha Dosha that the food particles are well moistened. It helps in easy breaking down of food into smaller particles.

Sturdiness, bulk, nourishment – these terms can be very well associated with Kapha Dosha.

Five types of Kapha Dosha

Avalambaka Kapha –
It is located in the chest. By its innate strength and by the power of essence of food, it does lubrication, nourishing etc functions that are attributed to water element. It also influences the functioning of other types of Kapha.

Kledaka Kapha – Located in the  stomach. It moistens the hard food mass and helps in digestion.

Bodhaka Kapha – It is located in the tongue. It helps in taste perception.

Tarpaka Kapha – It is located in the head. It nourishes sense organs.

Shleshaka Kapha – It is located in the bone joints. It lubricates and strengthens the joint.
So, for any physiological process related to stability, compactness, cushioning, etc, Kapha is responsible.

Related:
Kapha Dosha dominant places in our body
Kapha imbalance symptoms
Activities and diet for Kapha Dosha balance