The history of medicine has long been the tale of man's battle against disease from Hippocrates (460 BC - 370 BC), considered the “Father of Medicine” to modern times. During the late 1900’s, modern medicine evolved to such a degree that physicians had come close to mastering a wide array of sophisticated diagnostic tests, pharmaceutical drugs and highly effective surgery protocols. However, in the last 25 years or so the AMA (American Medical Association) has recognized that the mind/body/spirit connection is powerful and can certainly affect medical outcomes (both positively and negatively) outside of the bio-medicine sphere. 

Thousands of years before scientific data was presented by modern medicine as evidence of the mind-body connection, the ancient wise men of India are said to have developed Ayurveda. Ayurveda is the system of medicine that continues to be one of the world’s most intricate and compelling mind-body health systems. The principals of this methodology are that health and wellbeing are contingent on the delicate balance between the mind, body and spirit. Spices are considered by practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine to be some of the original "superfoods” and are often recommended to be included in your diet when dealing with various ailments.

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is made up of two Sanskrit words -- "Ayu" which means "life" and "Veda" which means "the knowledge of" so it literally translates to “the knowledge of life”. The “Vedas” are texts that were composed by the ancient Aryans in Vedic Sanskrit, these documents are the earliest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of Hinduism. The Aryan people are believed to have settled in the area that is modern day Iran and the northern Indian sub-continent during prehistoric times. Historians theorize that the Aryans invaded ancient India from the north and whose literature, modes of social organization and religion shaped the course of Indian culture, specifically the Vedic religion which was eventually replaced by Hinduism.

Hindus hold the “Vedas” scared and they're considered to be "without a recognized author(s)". The practice of Ayurveda is based upon the knowledge attained from these Vedas. The earliest known written records of Ayurvedic medicine can be traced back approximately 3,500 years (the first of the four books of Veda were acknowledged by modern Christianity in approximately 1500 BC). Prior to that these written documents the knowledge of Ayurveda was passed down through the generations by word of mouth in poetic verses that enabled memorization.

Practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine believe that the basis of disease is the natural consequence of living out of harmony with our environment. The symptoms of disease are the body's way of conveying the lack of harmony. The practitioner’s approach to combating ailments and disease is to restore the balance between the individual and their environment. Once harmony has been reestablished, symptoms dissipate and wellbeing is believed to have transpired.

In Ayurveda, each person and each case of disease are incomparable. The approach taken by practitioners is to look to cure the individual more than it is to “treat” the disease.  The guiding principal of this type of treatment is that just as no two people are exactly the same, then no two treatments should be exactly the same either. This approach is almost the polar opposite of how modern western medicine looks at disease. Western medicine is often a search of a drug that cures a statistically relavent number of people who show symptoms of a specific ailment or disease.  

Ayurveda teaches that we’re all comprised of the same five elements: air, earth, fire, water and space, but because of the varying degrees of each of the energies we possess, we’re also unique. Ayurveda acknowledges that there are three energies that control the cosmos or universe. Kapha - the binding energy, Pitta - the energy of transformation and Vata - the energy of movement.

Kapha, Pitta and Vata, with their unique systems, frame our personalities. The exact combination of these three energies (often referred to as “doshas” or mind-body types) creates seven overriding personality types. The doshas express unique blends of physical, emotional, and mental characteristics and each person possess all three doshas, but in varying proportions. 

The exact dosha proportions determine one's physiological and personality traits which includes their likes and dislikes. For example, Kapha dominant types are particularly sensitive to damp and cold conditions. Vata Churna dominate types always seem be on the go, while possessing an energetic and creative mind. Pitta dominant individuals are passionate and dedicated with a strong intellect and tend to sleep very soundly for shorts amount of time. 

Kapha qualities reflect the elements of water and earth, Pitta types display the components of fire and water and Vata individuals express the essential features of air and space.

According to Ayurveda, we strongly desire the foods that are good for us when we’re in balance. But when we’re out of balance, our mind, body, or spirit connection is not aligned with our body’s inner intelligence. The principal cause of most ailments, disorders and disease is inadequate digestion. In Ayurveda, this is called “beej bhoomi” which translates roughly to "breeding ground". The prevailing wisdom is that disease thrives in one’s body when nourished by unhealthy toxins. These toxins are known as ama (pronounced "aa-ma") which in Sanskrit translates to "immature, undigested or unripe". All toxins inside of any individual is considered ama - whether it’s in the form of acid, bile, food or even pessimistic thoughts.

In this system of medicine, most spices are thought to improve digestion. Not only is it believed that spices enhance appropriate digestion, but they also aid in eliminating excess ama, making them advantageous when added to your daily diet. Asafoetida, black pepper, cardamom, cayenne, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, fennel, ginger, mint, nutmeg and turmeric are among the spices that are believed to cleanse ama from the body and impede digestive disorders such as bloating and gas.

Kapha Dosha

Kapha individuals typically have strong builds and outstanding stamina. They sleep soundly, have regular digestion and are naturally calm, thoughtful, and loving. With a natural ability to enjoy life, they're comfortable with routine. When out of balance they may become overweight, resistant to change, become quite stubborn and may suffer from asthma and depression. This dosha does best by following a daily routine, avoiding cold, damp conditions and not taking naps. They should also remove excess clutter from their personal space while adhering to a regular exercise schedule.

Kapha Balancing Foods and Spices

This dosha type does best when emphasizing astringent, bitter and pungent flavors and minimizing salty, sour and sweet flavors. Kaphas should stick to two to three meals per day and should also strive to keep their meal times consistent from day to day.

To keep Kapha in balance minimize the intake of dairy. Look to eat lighter fruits like apples, apricots and pears while avoiding avocados, bananas and oranges. Eat as many vegetables as you like and honey is the perfect natural sweetener for you. Grains you eat should limited be lighter ones such as amaranth, basmati rice and dry oats. You can also indulge is seasoning your foods with plenty of spices while limiting sweets (especially late at night).

Ideal spices include cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, garlic, paprika and turmeric.

How to Use

We advise using this Kapha balancing Churna (Churna is Sanskrit for “powder”) by adding it early to the cooking process rather than sprinkling it on prepared food. For best results infuse your Kapha Churna with either ghee or oil prior to cooking your vegetables in this infused mixture until soft (fork soft not mushy soft).  

What's In It

Organic cinnamon, organic turmeric, organic cumin, organic coriander, organic ginger and organic cayenne.

Flavor Profile

Earthy with a hint of sweetness and a mild warm undertone.

Related Blog Posts

The Authentic Indian Spice Guide
All About Curry Powder
The 8 Healthiest Cuisines in the World
What is Chutney?

Nutritional Information
Serving Size: 1 Teaspoon, Amount Per Serving: Calories 10, Total Fat 0g (0% DV), Sat. Fat 0g (0% DV), Trans Fat 0g (0% DV), Cholest. 0mg (0% DV), Sodium 0mg (0% DV), Total Carb. 0g (0% DV), Dietary Fiber <1g (3% DV), Sugars 0g, Protein 0g (0% DV), Vitamin D 0mcg (0% DV), Calcium 0mg (0% DV), Iron 0mg (0% DV), Potassium 41.6mg (0% DV) Percent Daily Values DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.