Ayurveda and Spring
I am always so happy when Spring comes round.
The sun’s up earlier, I can shake off the cool of Winter thanks to the longer brighter days, set new goals with the fresh energy that this time naturally gives us, we have little flowers sprouting everywhere. It’s great.
But, on the flip we can also have the hayfever, congested chests, headaches, water retention and general lethargy. This is due to seasonal change and an increase in Kapha Dosha that Spring brings.
* In Ayurveda we attribute doshas to each season; Spring is Kapha and the qualities of cool, heavy, soft, unctuous and stable are more prevalent. If we are not aware of this or counteract this by increasing the opposite qualities of dry, light, warm, movement into our routines then we may run into problems like I mentioned. *
I have put together some simple advices that are good to follow during this transition into Spring to avoid possible problems.
Daily Routine
Get back into good routines that set your day in the right direction
Jump out of bed early - especially before we roll into 6am Kapha time to avoid lethargy and to keep your head fresh.
Perform daily exercise to raise your heart rate. Get out in nature for a brisk walk, practice Yoga asanas. Do something you love (or used to love)
Daily dry body brushing - great to stimulate lymphatics and circulation to aid toxin removal.
Jala Neti (nasal washing) with neti pot daily to keep sinuses clean and clear.
Diet
We want to keep the digestive fire (agni) burning strong so we don’t fall prey to sluggishness and heaviness
Best foods to include are:
Green veg, especially bitter greens: Spinach, Broccoli and Kale, Dandelion greens to stimulate cleansing.
In season fruits: Blueberries, Apples, Mulberries, all the berries! to move lymph and tone your liver.
Pungent spices: Cinnamon, Ginger, Black Pepper, in your cooking or in your teas to help ignite digestion.
Legumes and grains: Lentils, quinoa, and barley are light and nourishing options and a better Spring choice than the heavier wheat and oats.
Limit Ama producing dairy and oils: yoghurt, ice cream and hard cheeses.
Avoid raw foods or cold meals, especially for your evening meal as this dampness your digestion.
Ayurvedic Herbals
Herbs are the best!
I would suggest including in your diet as a tea or a supplement some of the following:
Tulsi (holy basil): My personal Fave! In Spring when I do suffer from upper respiratory heaviness, I increase my Tulsi tea. Really helps alleviate that Kapha congestion.
Triphala: great before bed to help with digestion (and morning motility)
Trikatu (ginger, black pepper, and long pepper): Helps clear mucous and fire up digestion.
Ginger: aids with appetite stimulation and helps kick start Agni is its a little on the slow burn.
Spring Clean - your Body!
Change of Season is the best time for cleanses. An Ayurvedic cleanse is unique in that we don’t advise huge restrictions and deprivation. Rather we want to strengthen the body so that it can let go of toxins (ama) it has accumulated
At home you can encourage the same process by:
Drinking hot lemon water in the morning to stimulate digestion. Can add ginger or black pepper to spice this up.
Eating a mono-diet of kitchari or a mung soup for a few days to reset digestion.
Making sure you are well hydrated. Sipping herbal teas, or hot water with ginger and black pepper, cumin or fennel through the day to help flush out toxins.
*if you would like more information about cleanses specific for you or to help with an ailment please contact me