Embrace the beauty of Spring with Ayurveda

Spring is a time of transformation, where the world shakes off the chill of winter and embraces the warmth of renewal. As the days stretch longer, the earth awakens with vibrant colors, fresh scents, and the sweet melodies of nature coming to life. The air feels lighter, filled with the promise of growth, as flowers bloom and trees begin to bud. It’s a season that reminds us of the beauty in new beginnings. Spring invites us to embrace change, to shed the old, and to welcome the fresh energy that fills the air.

In Ayurveda spring season is known as Vasanta Rtu. In Vasanta, as the climate again starts to become warm and the sun’s intensity increases, it begins working on ice, glaciers and other frozen bodies of water in the earth. Similarly, inside our bodies, the sun begins to work on melting stored fat, stored mucous and other Kapha deposits[1] (To know more about dosha use the link below.)

[1] https://ayurtreatment.com/blog/the-concepts-of-tridosha-three-humors-and-prakriti-constitution_

The amount of Kapha that is stored in your body varies. It depends upon whether we have followed Ritucharya guidelines in Hemanta (Early winter) and Shishira (Late winter). If instead of regular exercise, regular body massage along with a rich, oily and heavy diet, we have simply eaten but not done exercise or oil massage, we would have accumulated a greater amount of Kapha in Winter. This high accumulated Kapha melts and starts running in the body in Vasanta as Mucous through our body. This explains why so many of us are prone to spring fever, hay fever, pollen allergies, skin diseases, coughs and colds in this season. Even if you have not accumulated too much excess Kapha, the coming of Spring starts to melt whatever Kapha is stored in your body.

Kapha dosha is defined by properties such as heaviness, slowness, coolness, oiliness, smoothness, density, softness, stability, grossness, and cloudiness (stickiness). According to Ayurvedic principles, "like increases like" and "opposites balance”. Therefore, during spring, qualities such as heaviness, oiliness, softness, and the warmth brought by the sun tend to escalate and aggravate Kapha dosha. When any dosha becomes aggravated, restoring balance often involves reducing the influence of its aggravated qualities and emphasizing their opposites. In the case of Kapha aggravation in spring, this means favoring lightness, dryness, warmth, and stimulation while incorporating foods, herbs, and experiences that amplify these opposing energies. This approach helps to harmonize the body's constitution and mitigate the potential imbalances that can arise during this seasonal transition.

Kapha dosha, influenced by the earth and water elements, provides structure, solidity, and coherence to the body. It plays vital roles such as hydrating cells and systems, lubricating joints, moisturizing the skin, supporting immunity, and safeguarding tissues. However, when Kapha becomes aggravated, it can lead to stagnation and sluggishness in organs and tissues, potentially causing conditions like coughs, colds, asthma, allergies, and indigestion. To balance aggravated Kapha dosha, adopting a specialized diet and lifestyle is recommended in Ayurveda. This includes favoring foods and activities that promote warmth, lightness, and stimulation while reducing heavy, oily, and cold qualities that exacerbate Kapha. Such practices help restore harmony and prevent the onset of Kapha-related disorders. Eating right, staying active and detox your body.

Diet in spring

Ayurveda places great emphasis on agni, the digestive fire crucial for digestion, metabolism, and absorption. During spring, when both human strength and agni are moderately balanced, it is essential to select foods that support this equilibrium.

•A diet consist of warm, light and dry foods. Avoid the use of heavy, cold, oily, sweet and sour foods.

•This is a good time to add Millets to our diet in small quantities. Millets are light and drying so their addition can help absorb and dry out liquefied Kapha. Similarly, Yava (barley) is considered a good grain to be eaten during Vasanta.

• Incorporate vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, carrot, celery, chard, cauliflower, and fennel into your diet.

•Enjoy seasonal fruits ,while reducing consumption of heavy or sour fruits like oranges, bananas, pineapples, figs, dates and melons.

•Include pulses such as black peas, chickpeas, split peas, and white beans for protein intake.

• Use dairy products in moderation, opting for buttermilk if necessary.

•Embrace spices like ginger, pepper, cumin, turmeric, and clove to enhance flavor and digestion during the spring season.

•Consider preparing medicated water infused with ginger, catechu, honey, and nutgrass for additional health benefits.

Lifestyle changes

•Rise early in the morning, as this time corresponds with the qualities of kapha in nature. Early awakening and remaining active afterward can help mitigate this imbalance.

•After brushing your teeth, consider practices like anjana (collyrium application), nasya (nasal drops), kavala (gargling with medicated water) and dhoomapana (inhalation of medicated smoke for cleansing the tract)

•Combat aggravated kapha through suitable light exercises and dry massages. Effective dry massages can involve simple vigorous rubbing with hands or using powders like sandalwood, camphor, or agarwood.

•Use normal water ( not so hot or not so cold) for bathing to maintain balance during the spring season.

•Engage in sexual activities according to your individual strength and vitality levels.

•Avoid daytime napping, which tends to increase kapha dosha.

•Dress in vibrant, warming colors such as reds, yellows, and oranges early in spring, transitioning gradually to cooler tones like blues, greens, purples, and whites as the weather warms.

•For each Ritu, because of the aggravation of specific panchamahaboothas[1] (To know more about dosha see the footnote below), specific Shodhana therapies can be performed in each season. In Vasanta Ritu, as we see a great aggravation and flow of liquefied Kapha, therapies like Vamana (Therapeutic emesis) and Nasya therapy (nasal instillation) can be initiated to effectively reduce aggravated kapha levels.

Enjoy music, nature, aromatherapy, and a soothing night routine.

[1] https://ayurtreatment.com/blog/the-concepts-of-tridosha-three-humors-and-prakriti-constitution_1

Spring is a time of renewal and rejuvenation, symbolizing new beginnings both in nature and within ourselves. As the season transitions, it’s important to nurture our body and mind to stay healthy and in balance. During this time, the environment is transitioning from cold to warmer, and it’s common for the body to experience an increase in moisture and heaviness, characteristic of kapha. By embracing lighter, fresher foods, staying active, and allowing time for detoxification, we can promote clarity, energy, and vitality. Adjusting our routines to align with the season’s energies can help support overall well-being, reduce sluggishness, and encourage growth.

Spring invites us to refresh our habits, detoxify, and focus on nurturing the body and mind for a healthier, more vibrant season ahead. By staying in tune with the natural flow of spring, we can create balance and restore vitality in our lives.