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Put the spring in springtime, with Ayurveda

Put the spring in springtime, with Ayurveda

01-04-22

Nature has shrugged off her white wintry coat, meadows are once again green and sprinkled with blossom, and we eagerly return to the outdoors to bask in the sun – spring is finally back! Fine and pleasant as it may be, however, springtime can a bit of a challenge for our body. Wild temperature swings, pollen and putting the clocks forward can all bring about a variety of complaints, from allergies causing congestion, runny noses and itchy eyes to the textbook springtime lethargy. 

To understand why spring affects the body the way it does, we need to take a step back – into winter. When temperatures drop and daylight hours are few, our body reacts by making us hungry. This is why it’s especially in winter that we tend to overindulge in large meals, sweets and comfort food. As a result, Kapha accumulates in the body. According to Ayurveda, Kapha is formed from water and earth elements, and is associated with deposits of toxins, mucus and fat in the body.  

In spring, when temperatures rise again, wintertime Kapha deposits start to melt and flow throughout the body. Therefore, it becomes essential to detox the body and drain excess Kapha away, so that Prana – i.e. life-force energy – can flow freely.  

This is done by combining Ayurveda detox therapies, targeted treatments and the right kind of diet.  

PANCHAKARMA – INTENSIVE DETOXIFICATION   

Panchakarma is the most intensive detox treatment in Ayurveda. Literally translated, the term Panchakarma means “five actions”, which refers to five distinct purification activities that help to shed physical and mental ballast, strengthen the immune system and rejuvenate body tissues. The five purification activities of Panchakarma include oil-based massages and treatments, perspiration-inducing techniques, nasal cleansing, purgation and emesis. The European version of Panchakarma is softer than the original Indian treatment, and better suited to a Western lifestyle.   

NASYAKARMA – PURIFICATION OF THE UPPER AIRWAYS   

The five actions of Panchakarma include Nasyakarma, i.e. trans-nasal medication. This can also be administered as a stand-alone treatment to alleviate complaints such as chronic airway congestion, sinusitis, allergies, headaches and hay fever. Nasyakarma involves introducing into the nose an Ayurvedic oil, which permeates the nasal mucosa with a protective layer that fends off allergens, as well as purifying the head area and promoting the elimination of mucus toxins. Based on the therapist’s prescriptions, Nasyakarma can be combined with fumigations, herbal suffusions or a face massage for increased effectiveness. Here at ADLER Spa Resort Thermae, the best therapeutic course is established during a preliminary consultation. 

UDVARTANA – REVITALISING ENERGY   

Udvartana is the treatment of choice to rebalance Kapha build-up in body tissues. It consists of an intensely revitalising massage that is administered though rhythmic movements and using herbal powders and pastes. Udvartana boosts circulation and the elimination of toxins and fat deposits, helping you overcome tiredness and fatigue and making you feel refreshed and rejuvenated. As an added bonus, it also acts as a scrub, leaving the skin velvety soft.

EXERCISE AND A BALANCED DIET FOR A GREAT START TO SPRING  

I would like to share with you a few simple tips that will help make you fit and healthy for the new season: 

  • Eat freshly prepared food flavoured with spices such as turmeric, ginger, cloves, cardamom and black pepper: this will ignite Agni – the digestive fire – and prevent the build-up of toxins and waste products.  

  • If you are suffering from a cold or allergy to pollen, keeping off dairy temporarily can help reduce mucus secretion.  

  • With excess Kapha, it would be best to minimise consumption of fatty, fried and sugary foods, as they tend to increase Kapha build-up.  

  • Pure, natural honey is a popular home remedy against coughs, phlegm and colds.  

  • Physical exercise is essential to rebalance Kapha levels: a combination of aerobic training, such as brisk walking or jogging, with activating yoga poses (e.g. Sun Salutation) and breathing techniques (Pranayama) is the perfect fitness strategy in spring.  

These are just a few simple tips that will help you “put the spring” in your step and fill you with new zest and energy. 

 

Dr Narenda Babu, MD 

Ayurveda specialist at ADLER Spa Resort Thermae