KAPHA SEASON (January to June)
KAPHA SEASON (January to June)
Kapha season: Spring to early summer (approx January-June in Scotland)
Kapha time: approx 6am sunrise to 10am, and 6pm to 10pm
Maharishi Ayurveda notes how the changes in our environment over the year affect the three doshas in a specific sequence. The first dosha to be aggravated is Kapha, by the springtime moisture and coolness. The second is Pitta, by the summer's heat and the third is Vata, by the cold winds of late autumn and winter.
This sequence( kapha, pitta, vata) reflects Maharishi Ayurveda's central theme, that the human body and the body of nature reflect each other ("As it is in the macrocosm, so it is in the microcosm").
So now is the time to spring cleanse! There are many ways we may help our body to clear its toxins. Kapha reducing foods are lighter on the digestion and therefore less inclined to cause problems. Strengthening digestion is a way to stimulate metabolism to clear toxins.
Seasoning for the Season
Use ginger more. Choose spices like cumin, fennel, pepper, turmeric or the "Digest spice mix" in cooking. Or take the "Herbal digest" herbal tablet before meals. Clear toxins by sipping hot water often. Consider eating very lightly for a day - choosing soups, fruit (raw and stewed), juices, herbal teas and "kitcheri" (a rice and dahl soup).
Herbal Preparations
Consider using an herbal preparation to help your liver, kidneys and skin to eliminate toxins from the body. Choose "Elimtox" or if you are pitta or have a hot pitta type problem use "Elimtox-O" instead.
Get Out and Enjoy
Exercise is very beneficial for many reasons at this time of the year. So get out and enjoy the "full-blown flowers", the "festoons of tender leaves", "the humming bees" and the scented breeze.
Products that help you cleanse
A comprehensive range of Maharishi Ayurveda products is available to help keep balanced during Kapha season:
TRIPHALA WITH ROSE: Triphala is renowned for its many health benefits including a gentle cleansing effect on the digestive tract and reduction of toxins. It may be used regularly and helps to keep the bowels regular.
HERBAL CLEANSE: Helps maintain natural colon function. For intermittent use only.
DETOX: Supports the natural cleansing processes in all the channels (shrotas) throughout the body.
DETOX PITTA: If you are sensitive to heat, Detox Pitta tablets are more appropriate than Detox tablets. Detox Pitta is especially useful for balancing any tendency to body odour.
HERBAL DIGEST: Helps the whole digestive system. Take before : meals as an appetizer and after meals to balance digestion and gas e production.
TRIKATU WITH CLOVE: Stronger digestive than Herbal Digest.
DIGEST SEASONING: A blend of spices that can be used in day to day cooking that increases appetite and strengthens digestion.
DIGEST PLUS TEA: A nice way to round off meals in Kapha Season.
DI-GEST AROMA OIL: Diffuse in dinning room before and during meals for enlivening digestion.
General Principles for Healthy Eating
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Eat in a settled and quiet atmosphere. Do not work, read, or watch television during meals. Always sit down to eat. Eat at roughly the same time every day.
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Don't eat too quickly or too slowly. Eat to about three quarters of your capacity. Do not leave the table very hungry or very full.
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Avoid taking a meal until the previous meal has been digested.
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Take a few minutes to sit quietly after eating before returning to activity.
Proper Food Preparation
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Food should always be fresh and of the best possible quality, preferably organic and not genetically engineered.
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Food is best if warm and well-cooked.
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Food should always look good and taste delicious.
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Food prepared by a happy, settled cook in a pleasant environment will have the best effect.
Hot Water
Sipping a little hot water during the day is a great way to balance the doshas and eliminate impurities from the tissues. Boil some water and keep in a vacuum flask and sip every half hour.
Sesame Oil Massage
Before bathing, take some warm ripened sesame oil, (or in the Kapha season you may prefer MAP Kapha Massage Oil), and gently massage the body, paying special attention to the head, ears and feet. Use a circular motion over the joints, stomach and breasts, and longitudinal motions over the long bones and sternum. Leave for up to 20 minutes and lightly wash off. Soap is optional!
Ghee or Clarified Butter
Take 250g or more unsalted butter and melt slowly in a large pan. Gently simmer for 30-40 minutes. When the frothing has stopped and the ghee is clear and golden brown, remove from the heat and strain through muslin into glass jars. Ghee does not need to be refrigerated.
Ghee has many fine qualities according to ayurveda. Used in cooking it enhances the sattva or pure quality in food. Also it acts as a digestive. It is good for both Vata and Pitta.
Exercise
Everyone should do some exercise every day: e.g. walking or Suryanamaskara. In the Kapha season, exercise is particularly recommended, especially during the Kapha time of day: 6.00am to 10.00pm. Up to age 25, moderate to vigorous exercise on a regular basis is recommended for all constitutional types. Over age 25, the following are the guidelines: Kapha types are more suited to vigorous exercise on a regular basis, Pitta to moderate exercise and Vata to light exercise.
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