According to Ayurveda period from October to February is considered a Vata season. To prepare our bodies to the external weather conditions of blowing cold and dry winds, we need to strengthen our immune system with a fall cleanse.
Unlike the spring cleanse meant for detoxification of toxins accumulated due to heavier diet in winter, fall cleanse is designed to strengthen the digestion and cellular metabolism.
By following simple recommendations during the change of season from summer to fall, it is possible to start the new season with a clean slate.
Our top 5 tips to bring internal harmony with the external fall weather:
1 - Diet
Follow a Vata pacifying diet that is light, warm and well spiced. Strengthening the digestion is done through diet, lifestyle and often herbal support. The spices that you may be most familiar with in your kitchen are the same one used for igniting the digestive fire. Fennel and ginger tea is excellent for enhancing digestion. Spices used commonly in fall cleansing include cardamom, fresh ginger, cinnamon, fennel, cumin, and turmeric. Including these spices with your food at each meal will enable you to better absorb all the nutrients of the foods you consume.
2 - Herbal support
Herbal support may be used to strengthen appetite and digestion and rejuvenate liver to optimize the body’s metabolic processes. One herbal formula that Vaidyas recommend is Triphala Plus. The addition of Bhumi Amalaki and Yastimadhu assists in tonify function of liver and gall bladder. Triphala Plus cleanses and tones digestive tract, promotes regular elimination and helps assimilation of nutrients.
3 - Daily exercize
During the fall cleanse, it is essential that one exercise daily for 20-40 minutes depending on one’s health history. Yoga practice is excellent for this, though one may find benefit from a walking regimen or other types of full body, weight-bearing, sweat inducing exercise.
4 - Self massage
Establish daily routine of Abhayanga or self massage. It helps to remove the accumulated stress and toxins in the mind and the body, increases circulation to the nerve endings and promotes stamina throughout the day. It increases mental alertness and tones muscles and lubricates the joints. Apply warm Nourishing Vata oil lightly to the entire body. Wait for few minutes and then apply even pressure with the whole palm and massage with circular motions over rounded areas such as head or joints and straight strokes on arms and legs, directed towards the heart to enhance lymphatic flow.
5 - Early to bed, early to rise
Go to bed early (well before 10:00 p.m.) and rise before 6:00 a.m. Extra rest during this time of seasonal change helps to keep the doshas in balance. Practice deep breathing, meditate and be grateful for the abundance in our lives.
Neelam Toprani is an Ayurvedic researcher and the formulator of Sewanti herbal remedies and Padmashri massage oils. Neelam has been studying various healing modalities and eastern spiritualties from many masters.
One of the objectives her Company is to take the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda and translate it into practical solutions to improve the quality of life.The company is based in Vancouver, Canada. www.sewanti.com
All the information on our products and their components is for general information only and was made with the best of our knowldege. It does not claim in any way of suggesting a diagnosis or a treatment.
