I was introduced to Ayurveda and the significance of digestion through a John Douillard YouTube video. He told a story about the seasonal transition of deer's eating habits, which occurs naturally and in perfect sequence. This anecdote ignited my curiosity to explore Ayurveda and digestion further. It was fascinating to learn that a deer's gut microbiome changes so drastically between winter and summer that consuming their winter diet, primarily consisting of bark, during summer could lead to their death.
In early spring:
The deer first chew on bitter roots which cleans excess mucus off the intestinal mucosa.
Once the mucus from winter is cleared, it is time to fertilize the intestines with brand new flora. This is done with the leafy greens and sprouts that lace the countryside during the months of spring.
Once the flora is properly germinating in the deer’s gut it is time to flush the lymph system that drains the intestines. Some of the last foods harvested in spring are berries and cherries. These are nature’s lymphatic movers.
Spring, also known as Kapha season in Ayurveda (because of its damp, cold, heavy (oily) and wet qualities) offers three essential (and similar) goals for humans:
Eliminating excess mucus
Restoring the body's ability to burn stored fat
Detoxifying the body.
Spring foods like dandelion, burdock, salad greens, asparagus, turmeric, and ginger have bitter, astringent, and pungent flavors and fiber-rich properties that can help cleanse our bodies naturally. Burning fat is crucial for removing harmful substances stored in fat cells and maintaining optimal health.
Shift your diet to reduce kapha qualities as they are linked linked to respiratory health, congestion, immune stress, weight gain, heaviness, fatigue, and circulatory concerns during spring. Kapha qualities are heavy, cold & damp. The natural harvest of bitter, pungent, and astringent foods is the perfect antidote to balancing these qualities and spring fever!
During February to early May, the body undergoes a natural cleansing cycle causing symptoms like looser stools, mild headaches, insomnia, and frustration. Thicker mucus and blood can also make the lungs more vulnerable to respiratory illnesses and cause puffiness.
Consume light meals with beets, beans, and greens and
Drink ginger or CCF tea to support the body during this cleanse period.
Tune into your body's natural cycle to better support your health and well-being in spring!
Check out this detoxing Spring-ish Green Tonic, also known as Bieler’s Broth. It is a nutritious drink made from various ingredients that are loaded with electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals. Click HERE for the recipe.
Bielers Broth was delicious! A lot of these recommendations seem in line with the effects of sauna use, would it make sense to put an emphasis on sauna use in these spring months?