Spring Time Detox - Turn to Ayurveda

Ayurveda — the 5,000 year old holistic healing system from India focuses on treating the whole body — mind and soul. According to the principles of Ayurveda, spring time is the best time for detoxing and recharging. Westerners generally think of detoxing as part of New Year’s resolutions, but frankly that’s a challenging time for the body. Ayurvedic philosophy sees winter as a time for rest, preserving energies and conserving internal warmth for the long cold months ahead. Folks are also usually fighting extreme temperatures and illnesses, plus exhaustion from holiday parties as well as eating and drinking more than usual. So, not the time to be taxing the body with a heavy detoxification process.

So where to begin? Ayruveda has three doshas or body types that a person can have: kapha, pitta and vata. First take this diagnostic test to discover your dosha. And remember, it’s a good idea to determine your dosha regularly: at different stages of your life and after big changes so that Ayurveda can support you through various times. Once you’ve determined your dosha, eating for your dosha type, as well as an exercise regime can be developed to get you in balance and at your peak.

For example, I’m a 50/50 split between Kapha and Pitta. But since Kapha season is March through June, when the air is moist and cool, and coordinates with spring, I follow Kapha recommendations during this time. Some recommendations for a Kapha dosha:

Diet: Eat warm, cooked foods, and add lots of spices. Spicy and pungent foods keep the digestive juices flowing.
Exercise: Vigorous, daily exercise. Yoga combined with running and/or weight lifting. (Which really is my favorite work out combination!)
Lifestyle: Get up and go! Try new things, go new places as Kaphas get bored easily. Being a couch potato is the worst thing for a Kapha type.

The final aspects of incorporating the jewels of Ayurveda into your holistic and/or detoxifying regime are herbal supplements and body treatments. Ayurveda has an arsenal of herbs and treatments to balance the doshas. I love the Banyan Botanical brand. They carry USDA organic Ayurvedic products including the top 3 Ayurvedic supplements: Triphala, Ashwagandha and Chyavanprash.

Ayurvedic body treatments are my favorite any time of year as they all incorporate beautiful oils and different types of massage. My must have treatment is Shirodhara, (pictured here) where the application of a slow, fine stream of warm oil is continuously poured on the third eye and the forehead. This treatment leaves you blissed out, relieves headache, and the oil moisturizes the head and scalp.

For a great book on Ayurveda and a favorite amongst yogis, check out: Ayurveda Secrets of Healing (The complete Ayurvedic guide to healing through Pancha Karma seasonal therapies, diet, herbal remedies and memory), by Maya Tiwari. Let this ancient art guide you into a healthy, balanced and renewed Spring.

Written by: Michelle Barge