The climate is getting milder and warmer week by week, at the beginning dry and in April more rain can be expected.
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Spring is known as “King Of All Seasons”.
Spring is upon us. Winter’s accumulated snow and ice are beginning to melt. Gentle rains soak the land. The earth itself seems heavy with moisture—saturated. Spring is a season of birth, new beginnings, renewal, and growth—a time for the earth to make manifest the latent potential within all things. Seeds are germinating, flowers budding, insects buzzing and leaves unfurling.
“ Yat pinde tat bramhande” our ancient Vedas said all that is outside is within you. In this spring as the outer nature tends to be more green , fresh, calm, moisture ,our physiology also senses a natural opportunity for a fresh, clean start; our bodies are primed to lighten things up, cleanse ourselves of any accumulated imbalances, and rejuvenate our deepest tissues.
As the natural world emerges from its long winter slumber, it is common to experience a renewed sense of joy and inspiration. But for many, the spring season is also associated with colds, congestion, hay fever, and allergies.
As per Ayurveda this is the “ Rutu-sandhi ” (joining of two seasons) some people experiences the heaviness of increased moisture, and it tends to feel slower than, say, summer or fall.
These are just a few of the characteristics that align spring with kapha. In fact, the Sanskrit word kapha, means ‘that which flourishes in water,’ and what season is more defined by the presence of water than spring?
Clearly, They always walk in hand to hand.
“ Kaphaschito hi shishire vasante-akarshutpita: |
Hatvagnim kurute rognam tastam tvaraya jayet” ||Ashtang sutrasthan 3\18
Springtime tends to increase kapha. And when we consider that by winter’s end, a bit of kapha accumulation is somewhat inevitable for most of us. But just as spring melts the lingering ice and snow, it liquefies accumulated kapha (ideally, so that it can be eliminated from the body).
This process can either be a revitalizing event or it can trigger a number of health challenges. A seasonal routine is actually one of our best tools for minimizing spring’s kapha-aggravating potential while supporting the elimination of any accumulated excess.
Imagine kapha as ice-cream. So, during winter (shishira) the kapha dosha consolidates & stay at one place. But during spring (vasanta) due to strong sunrays, kapha dosha melts & moves into other places of body and worsens kapha disorders, diminished Agni & gives rise to many diseases, such as asthma, cold, cough, indigestion, etc.
This process of kapha dosha called as“Kapha Dosha Prakopa’’
Thankfully, Ayurveda always recommends to follow the seasonal regimen to overcome this kind of situation.
As per Ayurveda this spring name is called as vasanta Rutu & with this extensive explanation and knowledge Ayurveda describe some sure healthy tips to follow :-
1 ) Be Active
Get at least 60 minutes of moderate-intensity activity every 3 days a week, plus breathing activities at least twice a week. This can include any type exercises like yoga, pranayama, gym exercise, walking, running, sport activity, dancing etc. Yts going to improve the natural rhythm of the body and mind. It will also help improve your immunity more stronger with this changing seasons.
2) Make Healthy Food Choices:-
Tastes which are useful in spring are bitter, astringent and pungent to compensate with this kapha quality.
Such as :-
- Fruits :All berries and cherries like strawberry, black and blueberries etc.
- Vegetables: like zucchini, asparagus, cabbage, beetroot, carrots, radish, broccoli, spinach, kale, cauliflower, chilis, cilantro, corns, lettuce, onions, hot pepper, turnips etc.
- Spices :anise, basil, bay leaf, black pepper, calamus, chamomile,caraway, cardamom, cayenne, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin,dill, fennel, fenugreek, garlic, ginger,
horseradish, hyssop, mustard,nutmeg, oregano, peppermint, rosemary, saffron, sage, spearmint, thyme, turmeric. - Legumes : Moong beans and red lentils
- Nuts : pumpkin seed or sunflower seeds
3)Applying Paste Of Camphor, Sandal, Agaru, and Kumkum
As this season increases more kapha in body we have to be very carful with our skin issues. Application of fragrent powders or taking bath with some medicinal plants like sandle powder, agaru, padamkashta, camphor, kurkuma, kumkum, manjishta, neem etc. is very helpful.
4) Emesis ( Vamana ):
As the season changes the aggravation and accumulation of doshas also starts, to compensate, cure and as a preventive manner, detoxification methods are more useful.
This spring (vasant) kapha is aggravated more so Vasantika Vamana is done in spring season approximately in the month of March and April for the elimination of vitiated Kapha Dosha which in turn helps to prevent the forth coming Kapha disorders and associated Pitta disorders or diseases originating or settled in the place of Kapha like bronchial asthma, allergic bronchitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, migraine, hyperacidity, indigestion, anorexia, obesity, overweight, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, acne vulgaris, psoriasis, eczema, urticaria, thyroid etc. (under the physician observation only)
5) Nasyam (nasaldrops) and Dhoomapana (herbalsmoking).
Nasya clears the nasal cavities and open the door channels of brain. To get cured by nasal blockages, runny nose, sinusitis, headache Nasya is very effective. Dhoomapana herbal smoking with kapha reducing herbs are effective after Nasya to excrete out the remaining kapha from the body.
Here is a video that shows in details how Nasya treatment works and how it can help the patient.
6) Plant The Seeds Of New Thinking:
Psychological detoxification is always helpful with the physical state. That’s why spring come with lots of festivals like Vasant Panchami, Spring carnival, Easter, international workers day.
Some thing you can follow are 20 min meditation, concentration, listening to your favorite music, talking with family and friends, following your hobbies and mind, making your nervous system calm and to rejuvenate the new cells in the body.
Observe exactly what you want? for what your mind’s desire? ..and follow the things for a healthy state of mind.
7) Fermented Infusion & Decoction Medicine
Healthy drinks are always useful in all seasonal regimen. In spring ginger tea is very helpful and a refreshment drink to reduce the excessive cough from body. This also improves the digestive fire. Honey with water is also a useful drink to reduce the extra fat and mucous from body.
Last but not least buttermilk when mixed with some spices like coriander, black paper, cumin, black salt, asafetida is great to improve the digestion.
So enjoy this beautiful spring with Ayurveda and make yourself stronger and rejuvenate yourself for next season and diseases.
Written By…
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Dr. Pallavi Shinde is the director at Shree Vishwamukta Yog, Ayurved and Panchakarma Clinic at Pune, India. She always uses ayurvedic proprietary formulations for many chronic health diseases & many products for Skin Diseases & beauty products. She is a hardcore Researcher, Practitioner, Promoter of Ayurveda. Contact today to book an appointment. |
