2006.01.06 The last few days have been a gradual exploration to move beyond MVT guesthouse and starting to explore the surrounding area. Dr. Gupta has recommended that I take this slowly. I suspect that seeing too much poverty to close, or too many farm animals and their excrement or too much raw sewage in the gutter might be difficult for my American sensibilities.

If you are slow to anger, sweet-tempered and larger in build, you probably have more of Kapha dosha in your mind-body makeup. Kapha dosha is comprised of the water and earth elements, so you will naturally have more moisture in your skin, for instance, and reflect more of the stability of the earth in your steady emotions. These are both admirable qualities, and there are many more that a Kapha person can claim: strength, stamina, loyalty, graceful movements, and a good long-term memory.

To stay healthy, though, you will need to counterbalance your watery, earthy nature by infusing more of the other three elements -- space, air and fire -- into your system. Adding these elements to your diet can keep you from developing the Kapha-aggravated imbalances that you might be susceptible to, such as respiratory congestion, oily skin, lethargy, mental dullness and weight gain.

Barley is an excellent Kapha reducing grain due to its attributes of lightness and dryness. It is a diuretic and is laxative in action. It pulls water into the body and then pulls it our in an even greater amount. Its cool grounded qualities make if helpful for Pitta. It is serviceable for preventing constipation, especially in those of Pitta and Kapha persuasion. It is the main food to heal urinary diseases. Here is an easy to make introductory recipe using Barley and shiitake mushrooms which add an extra immune boost.