Feb 27, 2023

Herbal Allies

By Nishita Shah CAP, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT

We are in full swing of kapha season in the Northern Hemisphere, and that means a lot of wet and cold qualities that may be causing congestion, low appetite, and maybe even a sense of lethargy and slow-ness.

Below are some herbal allies that will support you through any season to bring a sense of ease and balance.

Here's how to use them in your kitchen:

Turmeric: Turmeric is the queen of our herbal allies! Turmeric provides warmth and heat to your body to support kindling our agni, healthy circulation, and anti-inflammatory responses. Did you also know that the bright yellow/orange color itself is balancing to excess kapha?

Mix it in your veggies.
Try combining turmeric with a little honey as a daily paste to take in the AM/PM.
Enjoy as a tea for healthy digestion and appetite, congestion, and healthy circulation.

Cinnamon: Cinnamon is great to incorporate in the winter months since it’s mildly warming and supports healthy circulation. This wonderful spice is also really great for that feeling of sleepiness/lethargy; it will get you going.

Try incorporating cinnamon into your diet in your breakfasts or cinnamon tea!

Tulsi: Tulsi is a beautiful adaptogen that supports where the body needs it. More specifically, it has an affinity to the lungs and heart. So, if you feel as though there is extra phlegm, you’re having a hard time opening up your passages, or maybe you need a little heart-opening, tulsi is your go-to!

Try mixing a little powder into your golden milk in the evenings for a gentle way to wind down your day.

Ginger: Ginger supports excess kapha by melting any sticky and dense qualities through its heating properties. It also supports healthy circulation and is a great support for healthy immunity! Like turmeric, ginger is a great herb and spice to keep in your house at all times–whether in dry powder form or in whole root form.

Try drinking a warm glass of ginger tea before your meals will kick-start your digestion and prepare the body for your meals.

Pippalli: Last, but not least, we love pippali or long pepper for its affinity in pacifying kapha. Pippali is sort of a cousin of black pepper (which is also great for kapha), but just a tad milder. Pippali is considered a tonic for our lungs and kapha. It helps to strengthen the capacity and strength of the lungs which is a major seat of kapha dosha.

Incorporating pippali in warm milk at night is wonderful.
Try mixing some dry powder into a touch of honey for double tonic action.

In this season, we encourage you to play with all of these tools and allies that you have! Find time for gratitude, pause, breathing, and movement. Tap into the gifts of kapha→ love and joy and compassion. How can we instill those practices into our life? By feeling whole, you will be able to naturally build your ojas (subtle essence of all vital fluids) and resilience in life!

Happy Kapha Season Friends!