What is an Ayurveda cleanse?
An Ayurveda cleanse typically occurs around the seasonal changes, but is also useful in times when there are imbalances throughout the year. The purpose is to help boost the body’s natural rejuvenation and detoxification processes to cleanse the body and mind of excess kapha, pitta, or vata, to get digestion functioning optimally, and to support the immune system.
The cleanse starts with deciding on the number of days, typically 3-10, however can be shorter or longer depending on the need. Three to four days before the start of cleanse, and for three to four days after the last day of the cleanse, there are “clean” eating days. The days consist of slowly eliminating or reducing foods known to cause inflammation, effect the nervous system, and processed foods.
During the main part of the cleanse, a dish called kitchari is consumed for every meal over the designated number of days. This is what is known as a mon-diet, eating the same thing for every meal. Kitchari means “cooked together” and is a blend of rice, mung beans, and a specific blend of spices that are meant to be easily digestible to give the digestive system a break from breaking down harder to digest foods like raw vegetables, meats, etc. It can be varied with seasonal vegetables to maintain proper nutrition.
The process of the cleanse is supported with meditation practices designed to wake up the body and mind, exercise and/or yoga regimen to get the body and lymph moving, and other supportive practices like dry brushing, neti pot, and breathing techniques.
Why cleanse in the spring?
Spring is the perfect time for a cleanse. The days begin to become longer, weather is warmer, rejuvenation at revitalization are all around. Just as the plants and flowers begin to emerge, so do our bodies as the come from the dark, dormant state of winter. There is a natural urge to revitalize and create a lightness.
As spring foods become available, they offer the natural bitter and astringent flavors that are beneficial for supporting liver health. The liver is one of the most important organs for keeping the body healthy and “detoxifying” the system. The cleanse is meant to help give the liver a boost to detox the body more efficiently. It is important to know, that a “detox” is a short-term, acute, use of a change in diet and lifestyle to support the natural body processes that naturally cleanse and detox the body from the inside.
Who is a cleanse right for?
A spring cleanse is perfect for those who have accumulated excess kapha over the winter. Winter is a time when we add more fats to our diet, more heavy foods like grains and meats, and while that supports the body during the cold months of the year, that heavy, dense feeling accumulates and sticks around, which can slow down our digestion.
When digestion is slow, there is a tendency toward constipation, a heavy feeling in the stomach after eating, not feeling hungry but eating anyway. If digestion isn’t properly breaking down the foods eaten, allergies, sluggishness, malnutrition, as well as other things may begin to occur. The immune system functions most optimally when the body is receiving all its needed essential vitamins and minerals, and the brain is receiving enough rest.
Here are some signs a cleanse is right for you:
- Feeling excessively tired or fatigued
- Bad seasonal allergy symptoms
- Trouble sleeping
- Feeling “off”
- Bowel movements are irregular or you are constipated often
- Desire to create a healthy routine
- Aspiration to create a supportive diet
- Inclination to feel more connected to yourself and your rhythm
A cleanse isn’t right for everyone. Those who struggle with eating disorders or body dysmorphia should continue with their current food plan they have discussed with their physician.
Ready to start a spring cleanse?
The optimal time to cleanse in spring is two weeks before the official switch from winter to spring. Although te spring equinox is considered the official switch on the calendar, this really depends on where you live. If you live further north, the effects of spring may not occur until closer to April or even May. Further south, the spring equinox may be just about right.
More importantly than syncing up with the calendar, is to perform the cleanse at a time that is right for you. When you are able to commit the time to fully delve in to the process.
