Kapha is one of the doshas that governs the structure of the body. It is the principal that holds the cells together which forms the muscle, fat and bones in the body. A person governed by kapha dosha usually have a strong built and strong stamina and are blessed with good digestion. Even though people governed by kapha dosha are said to be active, in case of kapha imbalance in the body they can face the problems of weight gain, fluid retention, allergies and fatigue among others. Kapha imbalance in the body can also cause ailments like diabetes, depression, asthma and excessive of sleep.

Causes of kapha imbalance:

Signs that point towards increase of kapha in the body include:

• Heaviness
• Lethargy
• Laziness
• Excessive sleep
• Constipation
• Poor appetite
• Nausea
• Excess salivation
• Diarrhea
• Indigestion
• Sweet taste in mouth

How to balance kapha dosha:

Kapha people are usually warm, loving and thoughtful people. But when their kapha goes out of balance, they can become quite stubborn and unreasonable. To get the toxins and stress out of the system, the following things should be included in your everyday regime.

1. Seek newness:
   Kapha is usually associated with the qualities of cold, heavy and dense and so require constant stimulation to keep them hooked and interested in a thing. Bringing about a change in your everyday routine and introducing new things on a constant basis can provide you with the required stimulation and excitement. Talk about how to reduce kapha!
2. Exercise:
   Any form of physical activity is good for the body. Indulging in yoga, walking, running, swimming etc., not only aids in keeping your body fit but also elimination of harmful toxins from the body by regularizing your bowel movements and keeping the gut clean. It also helps in  building stamina and keep you strong. 
3. Stay warm:
   People of kapha dosha are normally sensitive to cold and damp places. It is therefore advised for them to stay warm. Using heat pads or wearing warm layering of clothes can benefit you to a great extent.
4. Detoxify to remove kapha dosha:
   Thinking how to balance kapha dosha? Try the detoxification diet. Doing it once a week can help remove free radicals from the body and remove any kind of congestion from the digestive system. Accumulation of waste in the intestine can lead to the problems of stomach disorders, indigestion, acidity and gas. In order to avoid indigestion. A liquid and fruit based diet will help clear the blockages from the system and keep your digestive system and gut healthy and clean.
5. Favour warm substances:
   If you need answer to the question of how to balance kapha dosha, start including warm substances in your daily diet. Warm beverages like herbal teas and soups and spices like cinnamon, cloves, ginger etc., keeps the kapha stimulated.
6. Perform Ayurvedic neti pot:
   Nasal cleansing aids in removing congestion of any kind from the lungs and the respiratory tract. Performing it every morning can help balance kapha dosha.

How to remove kapha from body:

What we eat can have a positive as well as adverse effect on us and our body. According to Ayurveda, it is important to eat a healthy diet in order to both remove excess of kapha from the body as well as balance it. Because kahpa is easily aggravated by heavy, pungent and oily substances, therefore, when it comes to the question of how to remove kapha from body, a kapha pacifying diet of light, dry and warm foods is recommended.

Here is a guide to what to eat and what to remove from your diet in case you are seeking answers to the question of how to remove kapha from body.

Kapha Dosha Diet :

1. Liquids:
   A day of liquid diet per week can help you balance as well as remove excess kapha from your body. Ingesting fresh fruit and vegetable juices & smoothie and hot beverages like herbal tea & soups are the best examples of a kapha pacifying diet.
2. Dairy products:
   While dairy products are known to aggravate kapha, at the same time, consuming their low fat and calorie versions can help you find an answer to the question of how to balance kapha dosha via kapha pacifying diet. Low fat milk is a good option. Always boil it before consuming. You can also add a teaspoon of turmeric or ginger to it as it helps in reducing any kapha increasing qualities of milk. Also, consuming yogurt or ghee made of low fat milk is a good example of kapha pacifying diet.
3. Fruits:
   Light fruits like apples, pears, watermelon, pomegranates, apricots and cranberries etc., form an integral part of a kapha diet. They are any day better than consuming their heavier or sour counterparts like bananas, oranges, pineapples, avocado, coconut and dates among others.
4. Sweeteners:
   Except for honey, most of the other sweeteners must be avoided if you are looking at definitive answers to the question of how to remove kapha from body. It is considered to be the only sweetener that can best pacify kapha and hence advised for consumption.Honey for weight loss is one of the most reliable and useful methods. To help release excess kapha from the body, a teaspoon of raw honey each day can be made a part of your kapha diet.
5. Hot/Warm beverages:
   Herbal teas and soups are advised to be included in your everyday kapha diet, as they tend to stimulate the digestive system as well as sharpen the taste buds. Read more on different types of taste. Wondering how to remove kapha from body? Drink 3-4 cups of teas like ginger, mint or cinnamon tea can do the trick. To make this tea:
   • Boil 4-5 cups of water in a pan
   • Add ½ inch of ginger and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes
   • Take the pan off the heat and steep 1-2 herbal flavoured tea bag in it
   • Remove the tea bag after a while and store the tea in a tea pot
   • Drink it through the day as part of your everyday kapha diet
6. Spices:
   Want to know how to balance kapha dosha? Try banishing salt from your diet. Use instead pungent spices like pepper, mustard seeds, ginger, cloves and cayenne in your diet. These spices will not only stimulate and balance kapha but also make your digestive system to function properly.
7. Oils & nuts:
   Kapha diet suggests intake of lighter oils like olive oil, almond oil, sunflower oil and pure ghee. Also, favouring pumpkin and sunflower seeds is a better option over heavy nuts like cashews, pistachios and pine nuts among others.
8. Light meats over red meats:
   For those who love their non-vegetarian offerings, lighter and organic meats like white chicken, eggs, turkey and other variety of seafood is recommended over lamb, pork or beef.
9. Grains:
   Grains form an integral part of our diet. So, when it comes to how to balance kapha dosha, a kapha diet consisting of barley, corn, millet rye and buckwheat is favoured over a diet of oats, rice and wheat.

An ideal kapha diet is the one that fills you up with energy and vigour. If you want to know how to balance kapha dosha, the key lies in eating at designated times, eating healthy and in moderation. An ideal diet should consist of three meals a day wherein the heaviest meal of the day should be had in the morning followed by a hearty lunch and light dinner. You should allow a minimum of 3 hours of rest to your stomach between each meal and must avoid going to bed immediately post any meal. Include a bit of physical activity in your everyday regime and you will be able to live a healthy and balanced life.