Spring is a time of cleansing and new beginnings. Nevertheless, many people feel tired and tough after the cold winter and cannot really enjoy the sun's increasing rays. Here we show you a few valuable Ayurvedic tips for spring, with which you can banish spring fatigue and regain fresh strength.
European Ayurveda® Spring Cure: Purification is the order of the day
Where does this typical spring tiredness actually come from? From an Ayurvedic point of view, Kapha Dosha accumulates in the body during winter. In addition, a lot of metabolic waste products, so-called Ama, accumulate in spring.
This then leads to the classic symptoms that many experience in spring, such as lethargy, increased need for sleep, little appetite and a susceptibility to colds.
In order to regain energy and vitality, the increased Kapha must be pacified. This is how you free yourself from Ama and leave the tiredness and heaviness behind.
The best way to do this is with a holistic Ayurvedic spring cure. This means that in addition to diet, exercise, meditation and stimulating Ayurvedic practices are also included. Now we'll show you exactly what that looks like!
Ayurvedic cleansing methods for spring
Start every day with an ayurvedic ayurvedic morning routine. To do this, drink a glass of warm water first thing after getting up. Depending on your taste, you can also spice up the drink, for example with fresh ginger or turmeric.
Then comes the oil pulling. For this, you take about 1 tablespoon of sesame oil in your mouth and move it around in the oral cavity for about 5 minutes before you spit it out again. This not only reduces ama, but also activates all the senses and brings mental freshness. After oil pulling, clean the tongue surface with the tongue scraper. Simply work your way slowly from the root to the tip and gently scrape off the coating.
In order to harmonise the body perfectly and to free it from ballast, we also recommend a meditation programme that suits you. Simply choose the meditation technique that suits you best! This will refresh your body and mind and fill you with new energy.
As the saying goes: After lunch, rest or take a thousand steps! Therefore, no matter how tempting it may be: forgo the midday nap in spring and take a regular but brisk walk instead. Even some yoga in the morning is good for you and gives you energy for the day ahead. If you then combine this with the right diet, you can effectively rid your body of waste products.
Ayurveda diet for spring
In European Ayurveda® nutrition is something very individual and should therefore always be adapted to the personal constitution type. In general, however, light and easily digestible foods should be consumed in spring to calm the high Kapha dosha. Also make sure to eat only when you are really hungry and reach for a ripe piece of fruit or a freshly squeezed fruit juice instead of snacks.
Even if it's not easy, try to avoid meat, sweets, coffee, alcohol and fatty or fried foods as much as possible during the purification cure. To stimulate Agni, the digestive fire, we recommend adding fiery spices to your food. This will activate your metabolism and say goodbye to Ama. Here are our top 3 stimulating spices:
If you choose to enrich your food with these spices and make sure to eat well-digested food, you will do something good for your body and mind in spring. Spring is the ideal time for an Ayurvedic fasting cure. However, this should look a little different depending on your individual constitution type.
Spring cure for Vatas
Vata types rarely suffer from weight problems and should therefore rather not fast or only fast for a very short time. Instead, vatas should proceed very gently and make sure to get enough strengthening. However, it is important to balance the restless Vata metabolism with warm and calming meals.
For breakfast, eat spelt, semolina or rice porridge with a piece of fresh fruit. For lunch, have basmati rice, steamed vegetables with ghee or chutney. For a pleasant end to the day, we recommend a freshly cooked vegetable soup with a slice of wholemeal bread in the evening.
Drink mainly warm or hot water, preferably with a little ginger or lemon. Meals can be enriched with spices such as cinnamon, ginger, cloves or cardamom, as desired, to further stimulate digestion.
The Pitta Type Cure
The constant challenge for Pitta types is to find the golden mean between rest and activity. As a Pitta type, you therefore only need to fast for a short time. All the more important for you is the right diet to stay balanced. The ideal is to balance the over-acidified metabolism with an alkaline diet.
Pittas should start their day with spelt porridge with sweet fruit spread or a savoury spread. Rice with stewed cucumbers, asparagus, courgette, fennel or leaf salad is suitable for lunch. In the evening, however, no more than a vegetable stew or soup should be eaten to calm the fiery nature of the Pitta type somewhat.As a drink, we recommend a lassi, as it has a soothing effect on hot-tempered Pittas. Green tea or herbal tea can also do good, whether drunk hot or cold. Pittas should be a little more sparing with fiery spices. Instead, use cooling spices such as coriander, turmeric or dill.
Ayurvedic Kapha Fasting Cure
Fasting does not harmKapha types and they can easily go on a 4-day fasting cure in spring to purify the body. Kaphas can also fast for longer periods of time in order to regain a lighter body and life feeling. Daily exercise during the spring cure is especially important for this dosha type.
As a Kapha type, it is best to skip breakfast altogether or limit yourself to fruit with a little crispbread. At noon, you should have your main meal, which should be prepared as vegetarian as possible. Cooked vegetables such as kohlrabi, carrots, spinach, leeks or peppers with a small amount of basmati rice or barley are best. You can also safely skip dinner or have a thin vegetable soup.
To stimulate the metabolism, hot drinks such as water with ginger or nettle are recommended. When it comes to spices, you can also use anything that stimulates digestion. Chilli, ginger, cumin or black pepper are ideal.
Ayurvedic spring recipe: Spicy spring soup for 4 people
Finally, we have an Ayurvedic recipe for you to try out especially for spring. The fiery soup burns ama and helps to recharge your batteries and cleanse the body. And now have fun trying it out!
