Spring into Action

With Spring approaching it’s time to enjoy the longer evenings, warmer weather and the blossoming natural environment. Unfortunately, it’s also time to expect coughs, colds, hay fever and allergies to flare up.

Spring cleaning is not just for your house, it’s for your body too.

Spring is the perfect time to make adjustments and clear out the sticky heavy toxins that have gathered over the Winter months. As these winter accumulations feel the warming of the environment they become uncomfortable, aggravated and wish to be eliminated. This is coupled with a disturbed and often weakened digestive power. Thus ensues the onslaught of mucous related problems (coughs, colds, hay fever, sinusitis, allergies, asthma, etc). The body’s natural response is to rid itself of mucous hence the tendency to drip, blow, cough and burn off (with fevers) these impurities.

So, what can be done?

Apart from taking antihistamines, corticosteroids, antibiotics, nasal sprays, anti-inflammatories, etc which suppress your body’s natural tendencies, you can assist this process naturally.

There are numerous things you can do to reduce the severity of how this season may affect your health & wellbeing. From making some simple dietary changes to more involved cleanses. Natural medicine views the body in a holistic way & treats the underlying problems instead of just the symptoms. There are many natural solutions available but it’s important to ensure you are under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner.

Some healthy tips for Springtime:

  • Luckily, spring is the perfect season for losing weight. Maybe you could start one of those weight loss programs which you’ve had difficulty committing to since New Years….
  • Reduce foods which are heavy, sticky, sour and sweet. Examples: potatoes, pasta, fried foods, processed foods, junk food, etc
  • Reduce dairy as it increases mucous congestion. If you are having dairy make sure its only in small amounts, warm or well seasoned (example: add black pepper to cheese, etc).
  • Barley is one of the most suitable grains to eat during this time. It has the ability to dry up excess mucous in the body, regulate blood sugars and cleanse the lymphatic system. You can add pearled barley to soups & stews or you can have rolled barley instead of oats as a porridge for breakfast.
  • Lighten your diet and start enjoying the seasonal vegetables that are on offer.
  • Start exercising (if you’re not used to exercising then start slowly and build up your level of fitness gradually).
  • Get out there and soak up some nature, whether its walks in the hills, along a canal or just out in the countryside, this is an amazing time of year to reconnect with the natural environment. (If you’re feeling a little unmotivated you could join a local walking club).
  • Avoid afternoon naps! At this time of year you don’t want to slow your body’s metabolism down any more than it should. Its the time of year you should be getting active not lazing around. Save those lazy afternoon naps for the hotter summer months (if we get any).
  • Some useful scents for this time of year are Sandalwood and Rose, due to the calming and rejuvenating affects on the mind.

Some useful treatments for this time of year are:

Nasya: For sinus congestion & allergy sufferers

Abhyanga: To increase lymph & blood circulation

Ubtan & Full body Ubtan: To get your skin looking great for summer. The full body Ubtan is also perfect for those wanting to lose a few pounds.

Infrared Sauna: As it helps with the detoxification process