Ayurvedic Diet & Lifestyle for Springtime
It’s relatively easy to find lists of good foods for springtime from an Ayurvedic perspective, which while they can be useful, are lacking a bit in romance. The classical texts are most certainly not: I want to offer you what the classic texts of Ayurveda, the Charaka Samhita and the Ashtanga Hrdaya, say about Spring. I think you’ll find they capture the playful essence of this time of year perfectly….
Coming from the colder and more wet months, our bodies have accumulated kapha dosha. This is to say our bodies are heavier and more moist, which was useful to a degree in the months before but now as the sun “liquifies” that kapha it can weaken the digestive fire very quickly and create problems. One must adjust swiftly.
Eating foods that are lighter and drier in quality (old barley, wheat, meat of animals who live in drier climates) along with exercise and potentially emesis (see a practitioner before attempting) are helpful.
Drinking a decoction of water with ginger and mixed with honey is recommended. The final ingredients include that it should be “flavoured by the sip of the lover, charmed with the gracious glance of her long beauitful eyes.” [Ashtanga Hrdaya] Ooo la la.
“The mid-day hours are to be spent cheerfully by telling and hearing fanciful stories in parks, amidst fragrant flowers and trees bearing exotic blooms… surrounded by…streams, garnished by the half hidden sun among the clouds” [AH] How delightful! Park playdate anyone?
They continue…”where the earth seems to glitter as if being ornate with precious gems, where the melodious music of cuckoos reverberate and where romantic locales for love-making are in abundance.” Oh goodness me.
Back to the mundane: Daytime sleep and foods that are very sweet, sour, heavy, cold, or unctuous are to be avoided.
These notes on springtime recommendations so perfectly demonstrate the sometimes seemingly contradictory elements of Ayurveda: the beautiful engagement of the senses with the discipline at appropriate times that allows for such enjoyment.
All of these recommendations should be read with the understanding that these are remedies for kapha dosha accumulation and if you are in fact dealing with excess pitta or vata dosha then these should be adjusted accordingly. If you are in generally good health, then these suggestions should work well for you at this time of year.
If you are unfamiliar with doshas or other terminology, I encourage you to explore the Demystifying Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine class (previously known as “start here”) which you can watch at any time and learn everything you need for a lay person’s foundational understanding of these medicines. Email me if you have any questions.
Enjoy the blessings of springtime, friends!
Stop feeling confused or like you’re missing something….