Vata reflects the qualities of air. Its characteristics are light, cold, dry, rough, and energetic. It is balanced by sweet, sour and salty tastes. Begins October 1 through Feb 1.
Pitta reflects the qualities of fire. Its characteristics are hot, oily, liquid, sharp, and intense. It is balanced by sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes. Begins June 1 through Oct 1.
Kapha reflects the qualities of earth. Its characteristics are slow, dense, soft, smooth, and heavy. It is balanced by astringent, bitter and pungent tastes. Begins Feb 1 - June 1.
KAPHA SEASON IS FROM FEBRUARY 1 - JUNE 1
Time of day: 6 AM - 10 AM
and 6 PM - 10 PM
Now that spring is inching forward the flood gates are starting to opening. Kapha time goes from Feb 1 through June 1, Late winter – spring. Earth and Water are the predominant elements this season. As the snow melts things become “wet” and “denser” (mud). Streams and rivers are higher. Basically, it is time to get rid of the accumulation of the early winter to make room for the new growth of spring. This same thing is going on in our bodies.
Detoxification is a natural process that goes on 24/7 all year but in the spring it increases tremendously, our bodies are ready to release. And it is time to support that process. If we don’t we may start to see new Symptoms:
Congestive disorders, excess mucus, sinus related problems (are you doing your nedi pot?), allergies, sluggishness, dull aches, water retention, weight gain, acceleration of arthritic conditions, especially osteoarthritis, fibrocystic changes, dull aches and pains, issues with taste/smell and digestive related problems if you don’t follow the rules.
Digestion becomes more sluggish naturally this season. By keeping this function strong we can support our whole body to work better.
How to support healthy digestion:
1. Start the day with a combination of Lemon, salt and honey.
2. Tongue Scrape, Dry Brush and Lymphatic pumping before showering.
3. Drink Warm water throughout the day.
4. Eat lighter during the Kapha time of day, morning and night.
5. Drink ginger tea with meals.
6. Eat largest meal at noon time.
7. Eat your fruit in the AM and soak all dried fruits in water and 3% Hydrogen peroxide for at least 15 min to rid them of fungus and mold.
8. Use Kapha chruna by www.mapi.comwhen cooking, Curries and Chutney’s are also great and this is the time you can get away with fermented foods.
9. If you need digestive support use Kapha Digest by Banyan (FS), If gas is your main issue assess your food intolerances and use Vata Digest (FS) with each meal.
This is a great season to consume more of a vegetarian or vegan diet, at least 80% of the time.
PRANA, Breath is our Life force.
Prana is the flow of awareness and is synonymous with life. It is the vital life force (Breath). Located in the brain and represents the functional unit of sensory and motor organs, mind, intellect and consciousness. Moves through the respiratory tract and governs respiration and cardiac activity. It gives life to all tissues, cells and organs by supplying nutrients, water, and oxygen.
Do you have a Pranayama practice?
Sinus Congestion/infections– This is also big this time of year. Best preventative is daily Super Nasya (available through my office) and Nedi pot. A few great herbal remedies for acute issues are Sinupret (FS) and Sinus CHI (from our office or online). These should be a part of your Natural medicine cabinet. Do not eat congestive foods late at night. Schedule a Nasya Treatment session at our office. A wonderful way of getting to the root of an infection and clearing it. Also know that the sinuses reflect the health of our lungs, is the secondary mucus membrane to the stomach and reflects food intolerances (runny nose while and after eating).
DIGESTION IS KEY EVERY SEASON.
AMA (undigested food)
Avoid Ama-producing foods Ama is the product of incomplete digestion — it represents sticky toxic matter that can clog the channels of your body that carry nutrients to the cells and waste out of the body. Since cleansing is done to clear ama out of the body, you'll want to stay away from foods that build more ama in the body.
From the Ayurvedic perspective, leftovers, and "dead" foods such as processed, packaged, canned and frozen foods all create ama because they are very hard for your body to digest. Non-organic foods; genetically modified foods; foods grown with chemicals, pesticides and chemical fertilizers; and foods with chemical additives also introduce toxins into your body and are confusing for the natural "intelligence" of your digestive system, and should therefore be avoided.
IN OFFICE treatments:
Continual Polychromatic Light treatments with Foot baths to decrease our level of toxicity.
InfraRed Saunas.
DAY PK treatments or Week long traditional Purva Karma/Pancha Karma (for those who qualify).
Incorporate NanoVi treatments to reduce oxidative stress from EMF (see more info under services). Airnergy to increase PRANA.
Incorporate Restorative PFG2Z or PFG2z programs, such as "Organ support", "Brain Healing"," Wellness Program", Complete Detox and many more to support you during this season.
ACMOS sessions (look under Patient Resources) which can address the energetic elements that often cause illness .
Magnetex treatments to keep us grounded.
COME IN FOR YOU SEASONAL CHECK-UP. OR SCHEDULE A PHONE CONSULT OR ZOOM APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR BAH RESULTS OR NES SCAN READING. 978-298-5753
It is said in Ayurveda that one can get all one needs nutritionally by consuming all 6 tastes at each meal. The six tastes are sweet, salty, sour, bitter, pungent and astringent. But with each season there are 3 tastes that should dominate in each meal.
A number of factors can increase KAPHA to the point of aggravation. One is simply eating too much HEAVY, COLD, UNCTIOUS FOODS. Eating late at night, being too sedentary, eating too many inflammatory foods, eating in a rush, drinking iced drinks with meals.
RULES TO KEEP WITH THE FLOW OF THE SEASON:
Managing KAPHA
·
• Start your day with a hot cup of water and add the juice from ½ lemon, ¼ teaspoon of Celtic or Himalayan salt and a teaspoon of Local Honey. Another option: equal amount of Braggs Apple cider Vinegar and Local Honey and use a Teaspoon of this in 8 oz. of warm water.
• Use Super Nasya oil from the Ayurvedic Institute (we carry this at the office) then use the Nedi Pot to keep the sinuses clear.
• Support the Liver and Lymph. There are many ways to do this, Dandelion Root Tea works on both, Gemmotherapy formulas, Homeopathic Drainage remedies, and many other herbs. Do dry brushing towards the heart before shower, then apply the appropriate oil. Tongue scraping. Lymphatic Pump. Soft bounce rebounding, energizing yoga. REQUEST MY LYMPHATIC HANDOUT VIA email.
• Foot baths, Polychromatic Lights and InfraRed Saunas are great therapies to support subtle drainage and detox.
• Come in for a seasonal check up to see where you need support.
THE FOLLOWING TASTES SHOULD PREDOMINATE THIS SEASON
BITTER, ASTRIGENT, PUNGENT
BITTER - as in Bitter melon, green leafy vegetables, turmeric, golden seal, gentian are all composed of air and ether. Bitter taste is alterative (purifies the blood, cleansing, detoxifying, reduces all bodily tissue and increases lightness in the mind. It is antibiotic and antiseptic. In small amounts it is a digestive stimulant and helps digest sugar and fat.
Needed in small qualities for each humor. It is necessary for detoxification but can also be depleting.
ASTRINGENT - as in beans, lentils, pomegranate, citrus seed extract etc. are composed of earth and air.
Astringent taste stops bleeding and other excessive discharges (such as diarrhea and sweating) and promotes healing of the skin and mucus membranes, is expectorant and diuretic (increases urination), it tightens tissues.
Needed in moderate amounts, as a secondary food, for maintaining firmness of tissues for all humors.
PUNGENT- as in spicy foods, dry ginger, Wasabi, hot peppers, and cumin are composed of fire and air.
Pungent taste is stimulant, carminative, diaphoretic (promotes sweating, improves metabolism, promotes heat and digestion and counters cold sensations. It improves circulation and opens the channels, relieving nerve pain and muscle tension.
Moderate amounts are needed for maintaining metabolism and improving appetite and digestion.
REMEMBER, VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE, TOO MUCH OF ANYTHING CAN BECOME A POISON TO OUR SYSTEM.
SEASONAL DIET IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE AS A PDF FILE
No matter what the season is SUPPORT THE LIVER AND LYMPH!
Support the Liver - This is BIG, with OVER 250,000 chemicals in our environment and our food our liver is taxed on a regular basis. Drainage is crucial for every season. Detox which is different then drainage is always done naturally. Using Systemic Binders like Cell Core Binders are a very safe way to keep our toxic burden down. All are available through my office.
As for the Lymphs request my Lymph Handout'
AS THE SEASON PROGRESSES WE CAN GET MORE AGGRESSIVE WITH DETOX.
Intermittent fasting is Still good to do this season - which is a 12 hour fast or Crescendo fasting - which is a 16 hour fast are always a great way to give the gut a break and clear toxicity.
More info to come for "Following the rules for the season".
Tune into Hydrationfoundation.org to get the facts about hydration.
SEE PATIENT RESOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION
Special Agni Tea:
This tea stimulates digestion and eliminates toxins 1 qt water 1 pinch cayenne (stimulates gastric intrinsic factor) 1 “ fresh sliced ginger peeled (it is a universal medicine, enzyme which stimulates circulation, good for heart) ½ teaspoon of Sucanat (stimulates kledaka kapha) 1/8 teaspoon rock salt (stimulates Hcl) or cheltic salt boil 15-20 min add juice of lime
ALKALIZING SOUP
Ingredients:
Celery
Green Beans
Zucchini
Parsley
Directions:Take equal amounts of all vegetables and cut them in small pieces. Cook vegetables for 15 – 20 min. Take them out of the water and add vegetarian broth to it. Never use meat broth or added salt. Add a raw egg yolk to liquid after it has cooled down to 85 – 105 degrees F (1/2 egg yolk per person per cup of soup. The soup should be consumed the same day or at the latest the next morning.You can also use a Nutribullet or similar appliance to make this.
KICHARI
Ingredients:
1/4 cup yellow split mung beans (soak these overnight in pure water)
1/2 cup jasmine or basmati rice (wash before using) or use sprouted quinoa if rice does not agree with you.
2 tbs of ghee
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp coriander seeds
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp celtic salt
Cardamom pods
1/2 tsp Hing (Asafoetida)
Directions:Melt the ghee in a pot. Add the mustard seeds. When the seeds begin to pop, the temperature is appropriate to add spices. Then add your beans and rice/quinoa. Coat the mixture in ghee and spices. Then add 4 - 6 cups of water or broth. You can add less broth/water if you want it thicker. You can also add powders instead of seeds/pods. Depending on the amount of water, add vegetables as desired. Bring the contents to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 1 hour until the beans are soft.
GERMAN CLEANSING DRINK
This old German remedy has been proven to be very helpful in treating atherosclerosis, cold and infections, high cholesterol and fatigue. By the way it is also very good in improving the immunity system and cleansing your liver.
For the preparation of this powerful drink you will need only four ingredients.• 4 organic lemons along with the peel• one ginger root (3-4 cm) or two tablespoons of grated ginger• 4 large garlic heads • 2 liters of water
Method of Preparation:
2. Peel the garlic.
3. Put the lemons, ginger and garlic in a blender and blend until you get a nice texture.
4. Put the blend in a saucepan
5. Pour the water over and stir until the mixture boils.
6. Then, turn off the heat and leave the mixture cool down.
7. Strain through a strainer and pour the liquid into a glass bottle.
Usage: Everyday 2 hours before meal drink one glass on empty stomach. Keep up with this procedure for 3 weeks. After that, make a pause of one week and then repeat the treatment for another 3 weeks. If you find out the taste is too strong add some honey.After the first 3 weeks of the treatment you will feel how your body has significantly rejuvenated and recovered. This drink is extremely helpful in prevention of calcification in organism which is caused by the kidney stone formation and as well against vascular congestion.
GREAT SMOOTIE FOR INFLAMMATION
Combine the following into a Vitamix, Ninja or Nutibullet type blander, not a juicer:
Organic cucumber with skin
Celery
Swiss Chard
Zuchini
Green Beans
Avacado
Pumpkin Seeds, Chia seeds
Coconut Water, Pinapples and/or juice
1 teaspoon Turmeric
And a teaspoon of your favorite Mushroom or Mushroom blend (my favorite is the OM brand, available at Whole foods or Wellevate.
Berries optional
Click here to read about pacifying diets for each season. If you feel as though you have too much vata, pitta, or kapha, follow these dietary recommendations to balance your constitution.
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