Ayurvedically speaking, spring is the time of year when Kapha dosha, the humor made of the tangible elements Earth and Water, starts to liquefy within our bodies and in our environments. Kapha gives love, groundedness, and fertility. And also commonly, mucus, heaviness, and lymph swelling. Of course, much will depend on your innate constitution and your current balance/ imbalances (which we can address more of in a 1-on-1 session).

This is an important time to give your body a chance to reset the gut, cleanse the blood, and move metabolic toxins (ama) out, which may have accumulated over the winter. In Ayurveda we do this gently yet powerfully, with a 7-day kitchari ‘mono diet’, which simplifies digestive inputs to allow the gut to tend to the neglected “stuff”. When done properly, it is a very effective reset for both the body and the mind. (This write-up from Banyan is very detailed if you’d like to learn more.)

Other foods that can help you gently cleanse your blood, when used moderately (and as part of a balanced meal of grain + legume + vegetables) are: cooked beets, carrots, cooked leafy greens (esp. those with the Bitter taste, such as dandelion), adzuki beans, cilantro, turmeric, and fresh ginger. Foods that have congestive, kapha-aggravating qualities are: cold foods and drink, refined sugars, refined flours, nut butters (think: dense, and sticky), milk products, and butter (except ghee, which is clarified). In Ayurveda no food is labeled as “good” or “bad”!– there is only Cause and Effect. 🙂 Everything connects. Let us create our future with our Present.

I invite you to join my email list for these and other musings about evolving with Life! I come out with them every month or so.

Be well.