Ayurvedic Balancing for Spring
During winter the earth’s energy is withdrawn back into herself. It is a time to rest, restore and go inward. The weather is cold and wet, which aggravates the kapha dosha. Kapha is a combination of earth and water. It gives us strength, solidity and endurance. Excess Kapha symptoms are feeling sluggish, confusion, no desire, and lack of enthusiasm. Your body may accumulate excess mucus and congestion, allergies, slow digestion, and dull, achy pains. These symptoms can increase during these cold, wet winter months. So when spring comes we tend to have allergies and congestion from the excess Kapha that increases during cold winter months.
Below are some simple things you can do to keep your body in balance when Spring blooms
Painting courtesy of Lea Maupetit
Wake up around 7. Drink warm lemon water. They do some cleansing breathes. Alternative nostril breathing to clear out your sinuses and balance each hemisphere of your brain. Tongue scraping and then gargle with sesame oil or Cardamom oil pulling. Followed by a warm tea of ginger, cardamom, coriander and cinnamon will help stimulate digestive secretions and eliminate toxins or ama that accumulated from the night.
Spices are very important during this late Spring Kapha season. They warm the body, increase circulation, stimulate digestion, and break up congestion and mucus.
Cardamom (Ela) pods are filled with warm, calming, relaxing and anti-spasmodic oils. They are an excellent digestive aid helping with gas, bloating and cramping. Clearing out excess mucus and aids in coughs or asthma.
Cinnamon (Twak) bark is a strong digestive healer. Warms and stimulates the circulatory system helping cold extremities and joints.
Coriander (Dhanyaka) seeds are an excellent spice and medicine to add to your daily life. The sweet aroma can lift your spirits.
Ginger (Sunthi) root is a universal medicine benefiting everyone and most diseases. Warming the body and increasing secretions of digestive enzymes.
Then stimulate your lymph system with dry brushing and salt scrub. Poppy and Someday’s Vyana salt scrub is filled with these four invigorating spices, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander and ginger. Vyana is the life sustaining energy of our heart, adding vigor in our body’s circulation and lymphatic system. These spices will warm your body, increase circulation, and break up any stagnation. Step into the bath. Start with your feet and move in little circular motions until an area turns pink. Then move towards your heart. Rinse off in the warm water and towel dry.
Exercise is important to keep everything flowing and recharged*. Any form you choose. Just increase your heart rate and warm up your body.
Finally, eat foods that are warm, light, and easily to digest. And try and stay away from cold, damp foods like dairy. By adding these spices to your food and bringing in a more vigorous exercise routine can benefit you this spring season. Helping you to enjoy the blooming fragrant flowers.
*If your ability and health allow for exercise
About the Author
Kari Jansen is a graduate of the California School of Herbal Studies, the Dhyana Center, the Ayurvedic Institute of America and also holds a B.S. in Health and Nutrition. She resides in the Laurel Canyon neighborhood of Los Angeles, where she provides holistic services and creates her Poppy & Someday products.
