Why We Should Cleanse at the Beginning of Spring
In our modern society, we are always on the go. Modern society values quick results and production over steady progress and thoughtful intentions. In the daily rush of things, often there is little consideration made for the time of day, day of the week, or season of the year. What matters most is whatever the mind is grasping onto in the moment. However, that is not the true nature of man or the environment human beings have evolved to grow, live, and thrive under. Historically the relentless cycles of nature determined what happened when and humans reacted accordingly. Though man has recently devised ways to circumvent these guardrails and limitations, the body, mind and soul still rely on an ancient operating system perfected to coexist with the seasons.
According to Ayurveda, there are three underlying roots of disfunction that create the environment for disease to flourish within the body: mistakes of the intellect (pragya apradha), misuse of the senses (asatymya-indriyartha-samyog), and the effect of the seasons (Parinam). Of these 3 causes, mistakes in intellect are the most important and misuse of the five senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, & smell) are very common. Illness occurs when we ignore our natural tendencies (prakriti) and the influence that our environment, diet, lifestyle, emotional state and level of physical activity have on our health. This leads to a chronic imbalance in our natural constitution (vikruti). When we further fail to adapt to the seasons, illness can progress to disease. While we can work to overcome limited ways of thinking, change our behavior and regulate the use of our senses, we have little to no control over forces of nature and must take steps to defend ourselves against the effects of our environment. As we enter the transitional period from Winter to Spring it then becomes especially important that we take steps to prepare the body for this change in our environment.
The effect of the elements on the body and the inability to adapt to the season is known as Parinam. Chronic conditions and dysfunction do not just appear overnight. In most cases it takes weeks, months or years of denial, distraction, and/ or nescience before disease appears. Through a lack of awareness, desire for routine, and demand for convenience, many cling to cultural traditions or social norms that no longer serve us. Misinformation muddies the waters of science-based studies and the YOLO attitude leads people to follow disastrous trends while ignoring long term consequences. In particular when it comes to eating, it is worth noting that our modern food environment embraces toxic cookware, inflammatory oils, GMOs, pesticides, insecticides and herbicides as normal components of the food industrial complex. Daily and Seasonal hygienic routines can help keep these toxins at bay but if done properly and regularly a seasonal cleanse can also help the body adjust. By improving its ability to clear out waste, rebalance its internal detoxification systems, and reconnect the mind and body with the current season, a cleanse is another tool to fortify the body.
Like the saying goes, ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’. An effective cleanse can sweep out excess toxins that have built up in the tissues, possibly blocking natural detoxification pathways and making it harder for the body to defend against allergens, bacteria or viruses. This is why more daily movement and embracing a diet based on whole fresh foods (such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes and seeds) are recommended to open up internal pathways. Though it takes some thought, self-awareness and planning, the payoff of possibly avoiding costly surgeries, procedures, and prescriptions, as well as time off work and needless suffering is worth the extra effort.
There are as many cleanses and detox programs on the market to choose from that may offset these imbalances but ayurveda employs a detox regimen called Panchakarma that has been used for thousands of years. Pancha means ‘5’ and karma translates to ‘actions’. By using whole foods, herbs, and oil-based therapies, this process works to pacify symptoms and remove root causes of disease. A true panchakarma performed in India is a three phased process that takes place under the supervision of trained staff over a period of anywhere from 3 to 21 days. The central component of this total mind-body rejuvenative therapy involves a five-step series of treatments. These processes are designed to eliminate toxins buried deep within tissues of the body using herbalized oils (both internally and externally), steam treatments, a cleansing diet, supportive yoga poses, and other practices that calm the mind and relieve stress.
There are several Ayurvedic clinics that now offer similar treatments in the US that can be customized to your constitution (dosha) and preferences. However this treatment is not recommended for children, the elderly or those already facing very complicated medical conditions. In some cases, a very experienced practioner, along with your medical doctor, can guide such individuals through a customized Panchakarma to detox despite these circumstances. For more information on this type of cleanse see more details at The Ayurvedic Institute’s website or Google Panchakarma in India or Panchakarma treatment near me.
Key Points to Remember during Any Whole Food Cleanse:
1. Do the best you can, buy what you can afford. Try your local farmer’s market. If you can't afford or find fresh organic produce, buy non-organic; if you can’t afford fresh, buy frozen; if you can't buy frozen, buy canned.
2. In general, it's not a complete whole foods diet if what you are cooking came in a box, bag, or can. Due to the nutrients lost during processing, use of preservatives, high sodium content, added sugars, or BPA coatings used in some can linings, these food products are less cleansing and less nutritious.
3. The most important strategy during any "cleanse" is to avoid intentionally adding toxins to your system while you are in the detox process. Consuming known toxins (like artificial sweeteners or alcohol), inflammatory foods and common allergens (like dairy products & gluten) can nullify or greatly reduce the effectiveness of your cleanse. It's like trying to wash a car while driving it through the mud. You get some dirt off but the process is definitely less effective.
Often, a seasonal detox is recommended to support the body during the change of seasons as a strategy to maintain good health and boost the immune system. We’ve all been there, especially during the Winter holidays; constantly working overtime, running from event to event, holiday shopping through grueling traffic, eating fast food just to stay on schedule. Making matters worse, during the winter months our bodies accumulate significant amounts of kapha (qualities associated with oiliness, heaviness, sluggishness, and water retention) further making us feel sluggish and resistant to change. The body naturally recruits these qualities when it’s cold to insulate us from the harsh, dry, and bitter characteristics of Winter. However, as the mountain snow begins to melt, daily temperatures increase and spring blooms, these same kapha attributes also begin to express themselves in nature. If not reduced or eliminated from the body these conditions can overwhelm our internal system during warmer weather. This is why many people often suffer from allergies and Springtime colds. If the excess kapha (congestion, mucus, etc.) and ama (toxins) collected during the previous season is not released, optimal health will not flourish.
*The information provided in this series of articles is intended for general knowledge only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions related to your health. *
