Many are delighted when the dark chill of winter transitions into the lighter and warmer season of early spring. As the days begin to lengthen, everything seems more alive. People, plants and places are more vibrant, cheery and colorful. We are able to witness the season's final snowfall and as it melts we can delight in the new growth and blossoming life it has encouraged.

As this milder season approaches, we hear more of the refreshing sound of chirping birds and begin to see more budding flowers awaiting proper sunlight so they can attain their perfect moment to bloom. The dry, cold winter air dissipates and gentler, warmer and moister air surrounds us.

It happens every spring. We fling open the windows, shed our winter coat, and suddenly get the urge to clean our house. But do we ever think about "spring cleaning" the toxins from our body?

Detoxifying in spring is an important part of the ayurvedic seasonal routine or "Ritucharya". Spring is the Kapha season, because the wet and cool weather reflects the moist, cool, heavy qualities of Kapha dosha that predominate during this time of the year.

Biologically, nature supports cleansing of the body in spring. In winter the digestive fire is high, and we eat more sweet and heavy food. Most of the time we aren't able to assimilate these hard-to-digest foods, so Ama (the sticky, toxic product of indigestion) starts accumulating. When the warm weather melts the snow in spring, it has a similar effect on our body. In spring the Ama melts and its volume becomes so great that the shrotas (the microcirculatory channels of the body) become clogged. Increased Kapha is also liquefied by the heat of the sun, causing diminished agni (digestive activity) and leading to diseases.

If we don't assist these toxins in moving out of the body, we can become prone to flu, colds and cough, or allergies. We might feel unusually fatigued, sluggish or drowsy after lunch, or lose our appetite. Sharp headaches, dizziness, mild tremors in the limbs, and unexplained muscle aches, especially in the calf, can also be symptoms. Our tongue may be coated, and our throat sore.

A Kapha-pacifying diet and lifestyle is best. If we avoid eating heavy, cold, hard-to-digest foods, and avoid or reduce the sweet, sour, and salty tastes, our digestive system will be more efficient in burning away the accumulated Ama.

Sweet juicy fruits can help cleanse the body, although they should be eaten before sunset, as they have a Kapha-increasing effect after the sun goes down. And we can add spices to our food -- such as coriander, cumin, turmeric, and fennel -- to help stimulate the digestion and detoxify the skin.

Spring skin care, in keeping with this overall theme, focuses on deep cleansing, exfoliation and gentle nourishment to prepare the skin for the hotter months to follow.

The pre-bath warm oil Ayurvedic self-massage, called abhyanga, is a must-do in spring. The massage not only keeps the skin silky-smooth, it also tones the muscles, calms the nerves and aids circulation, besides helping release deeply embedded toxins.

Protect the skin from the elements and from environmental pollution that can aggravate Kapha-related skin problems by not wearing chemical-based make-up or use skin care products that contain harsh chemical ingredients as these ingredients contribute to toxic build-up in the body and in the skin.   

Ayurvedic Tips for a Healthy Spring

• Eat easily digestible food such as barley, honey, roasted meat, mango juice, dry ginger;
• Avoid hard-to-digest, cold, sour, sweet and fatty foods, as they increase Kapha causing dosha imbalance and hence genesis of disease;
• Do regular physical exercise;
• Dry massage the body;
• Self-massage after the bath with karpura, chandan, and kumkum;
• Avoid sleeping during daytime.

 To reduce Kapha, cut down on:
·     Ice-cold water and cold juices;
·     Sweet, sour, and salty foods, donuts, candies, cookies, ice cream, yogurt, junk food.

Particularly recommended:
·     Baked, broiled or grilled foods, and hot spices to increase warmth, light, and dry qualities;
·     Fruits like cherries, berries, and pomegranate.

Exercise
Aerobic activities such as hiking, biking, jogging, brisk walking, playing tennis, and basketball.

Pranayama
A few cycles of kapala bhati (forceful exhalation and quiet inhalation) and bhasrika (forceful exhalation and inhalation) are well suited to Kapha time, as the brisk movement of muscles can increase heat.

Recommended therapy - Neti
This is a very effective sinus-cleansing procedure described in Yoga. By cleansing the nasal passage with lukewarm salt water, blockages are removed and sinuses are cleared. It is recommended to learn the neti process from an Ayurvedic practitioner.

Spices
Hot pungent spices, such as cayenne pepper, jalapeño, chili, onion, garlic, ginger, clove, cinnamon, black pepper, etc. are proven remedies for the Kapha season. Add some of these spices while cooking, or sprinkle powdered spices on food.

Herbs of the season
Triphala and trikatu are among the most beneficial formulas. Triphala is a combination of three bitter and astringent fruits, and trikatu is a combination of three pungent – ginger, black pepper and long pepper. Both of these formulas help improve digestion, elimination and reduce congestion.

This spring, make sure to get a consultation and a body constitution evaluation from an Ayurvedic practitioner to learn the extent of remedies you may need.