According to Ayurveda, spring is the king of seasons. A new beginning, a time for a new start. After winter our bodies are prepared to lighten up, lose some weight and cleanse from accumulated imbalances.
As the natural world emerges from the cold and dry winter, spring is a time of warmth and moisture. This change in temperature and humidity affects the lungs and respiratory system often resulting in respiratory congestion, breathing difficulties and colds. If your sinuses were dry in the winter then your sinuses will form excess mucus in the spring to compensate, thus congestion. This respiratory and nasal congested in the spring can increase the risk of infection and colds. It is this accumulated and stagnated [kapha dosha] mucus that liquefies and runs out of the body. The results are runny noses, colds, allergies, hay fever, nasal congestion, and even respiratory infections. So during the spring, it is important to keep the immune system strong and reduce all forms of congestion especially respiratory.
From the Ayurvedic perspective, spring has the heavy and wet and even soft qualities of Kapha, thus, it is the kapha season and increases the kapha qualities in all doshas.
Dietary Guidelines according to Ayurveda
As spring approaches, it is advised to reduce heavy foods such as meats, potatoes, dairy, and nuts. Limit foods with a predominant taste of sweet, sour or salty and favor foods with the tastes of bitter, pungent and astringent. Choose lighter proteins such as red lentils, split peas, garbanzo and pinto beans. Include cooked prunes, eat more figs, apples, pears, pineapple and papaya between meals. Have more cooked leafy greens, brussel sprouts, and cabbage with every meal. Continue to use warming spices such as black pepper, cinnamon, ginger and cardamom in your cooking and teas to kindle the digestive fire and aid digestion.
Spring is considered a low grain season as most gains are traditionally not harvested until Fall, so reduce or avoid rice, grains, breads, and pastas. There are dryer grains including [Organic] corn which is a dry grain suitable for a more wet Spring, not a dry Fall. Spring is also a low dairy time of year since dairy is one of the most congestive of foods.
Use small amount of raw honey as a sweeten and fast for 1 day a week if you feel heavy.
According to Ayurveda each individual needs a unique approach so choose the treatment that most fits your condition and constitution.
– Sip warm water with fresh lemon juice as a cleansing beverage throughout the day to help dissolve excess congestion in the gastrointestinal tract.
– Take raw honey between meals with turmeric, ginger powder, and a little black pepper to further reduce congestion and support good digestion.
– Drink hot ginger and turmeric tea with honey between meals.
Cleanse your colon [at night] using Triphala (an Ayurvedic formula) with some extra ginger and honey.
Bring on the cardio! Sweat! Release water and dampness and stoke digestive fire! Bring up the heat from the inside out! Kapha is watery/oily so we need to release excess water and dry up by moving our bodies!
This is the time of year for dry brushing and vigorous massage! Kaphas need to break up and loosen stagnant and heavy tissues that have tightened during vata season. Kaphas can dry brush all year round, but this practice is especially helpful now. It helps promote circulation, increases friction (heat!), and breaks up heavy tissues.