Spring Cleanse

Ritu, the season, classified by different features expresses different effects on the body as well as the environment. Ayurveda has depicted various rules and regimens (Charya), regarding diet and behavior to acclimatize seasonal enforcement easily without altering body homeostasis. 

The prime principle of Ayurvedic system of medicine is preventive aspect, can be achieved by the change in diet and practices in response to change in climatic condition. This is a very important aspect of preventive medicine as mentioned in Ayurvedic texts. 

Lifestyle disorders are very common in the present era, basically originating from lack of following seasonal regimens due to a lack of understanding. 

With the change in season, the change is very evident in the environment we live in. We see various changes in bio-life around us, such as flowering in spring and leaf-shedding in autumn in the plants, hibernation of many animals with the coming of winter, and so on. As human being we are also part of the same ecology, the body is greatly influenced by external environment.

 Many of the exogenous and endogenous rhythm have specific phase relationship with each other; which means that they interact and synchronize each other. If body is unable to adopt itself to stressors due to changes in specific traits of seasons, it may lead to Dosha imbalance, which in turn may render the body highly susceptible to one or other kinds of disorders. 

The Kapha dosh has been aggravated during winter and now the warmth of the sun starts melting the kapha dosha. To minimize the imbalances created by this change in season a Spring cleanse is ideal.

 Okanagan Ayurveda’s spring cleanse uses ancient Ayurveda wisdom to smoothly move into spring.

Vasanta (spring)

In Ayurveda, the approximate time of vasanta is from mid-March to mid-May. This season is considered as season of flowering and origin of new leaves. Predominant Rasa and Mahabhuta during this season are Kashaya (astringent), and Prithvi and Vayu, respectively. Strength of the person remains in medium degree, vitiation of Kapha Dosha occurs and Agni remains in Manda state.

The basic diet regimen for this season is to take easily digestible foods. Among cereals, old barley, wheat, rice, and others are preferred. Among pulses, lentil, Mugda, and others, can be taken. The Tikta (bitter), Katu (pungent), and Kashaya (astringent) are to be taken. Besides those, honey is to be included in the diet. 

Foods which are hard to digest are to be avoided. Those which are Sheeta (cold), Snigdha (viscous), Guru (heavy), Amla (sour), Madhura (sweet) are not preferred. New grains, curd, cold drinks, are also to be prohibited.

Lifestylechoices can include the use of  warm water for bathing purpose. Udvartana (massage) with powder of Chandana (Santalum album), Kesara (Crocus sativus), Agaru, and others, Kavala (gargle),  Anjana (collyrium), and evacuative measures, such as Vamana and Nasya are advised.