Spring is the ideal time to get in tip-top condition for a healthy and active year. At the beginning of spring we leave the cold, dry Vata season behind and make the transition into the humid, cool Kapha season. At this time many experience feeling tired, heavy and sometimes lethargic. This is the perfect time for Panchakarma treatments.

As the environment transitions into spring, a considerable metabolic change begins to take place in the body. When we support the removal of toxins from the body with Panchakarma, it facilitates our body’s natural tendency to “spring clean” with noticeable results. This is very helpful in preventing typical springtime complaints such as allergies, fatigue, asthma and colds.

Healthy Tips for Spring

In order to combat typical springtime complaints such as colds and hay fever, Ayurveda recommends reducing the influence of Kapha at the end of the winter. This process will help see you through to a healthy spring.

Eat hot food: hot in temperature and spicy too

If you are not using a tongue cleaner to remove mucous, bacterial and debris from the tongue, this is the time to begin. Find one that is stainless steel or silver.

Drink hot, stimulating tea. Ginger tea made with fresh ginger is especially recommended.

Favor foods that taste astringent (such as beans and dals), spicy (chili peppers or curry powder, for example) and bitter (spinach and greens)

If you have been a bit sedentary during the cold winter months, now is the time to restart your exercise routine. If you have not been exercising for a while, you can break the inertia by starting with brisk walking, beginning with half an hour.

Get up! It is important during this season try to get up by 6:00, which is when Kapha begins to dominate in the environment. Waking up during the Vata time of the day (before 6:00) gives an extra lightness and vitality to the day.

Get the Most from Your Food

Since digestion tends to grow sluggish during Kapha season, you can perk it up with these tips:

Try eating a slice of ginger before lunch or dinner to help increase your digestive fire. Sprinkle lemon juice and salt on a thin, peeled slice of ginger and eat it about 15 minutes before your meal.

Sit quietly for a few minutes before you start to eat, to give your digestion a headstart. Don’t jump up from your meal when you are finished. Sit and enjoy for at least 10 minutes.

Sore Throat Relief

If you feel a sore throat coming on, try taking 3/4 teaspoon of raw honey mixed with 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric. Take twice a day. The astringent taste of turmeric and honey help to dry up congestion and prevent a sore throat. If the symptoms last for more than two days, however, be sure to check in with your doctor.

For more information on Panchakarma, visit The Raj, Ayurveda Health Spa website:

www.theraj.com