Vårdeppig eller the season of Kapha

Jag har ofta varit deppig på vårarna. En del har tyckt att det är märkligt och de flesta som mår sämre när det blir höst och vinter kan inte förstå att man blir låg när våren är på väg. Knappt jag själv heller... Det har varit motsägelsefullt för mig eftersom ljuset återvänder, då känns det plötsligt tungt och segt i mitt liv. Men vissa vårar är bättre än andra. Och så läser jag först hos Harmonia om kapha-tiden och sedan hittar jag det här och allt blir glasklart för mig! Kanske också en hjälp för dig:
Seasons of the Year
The seasons of the year may also be categorized according to the three doshas. Fall and early winter is Vata time ( or whenever the weather is cold and dry). Summer is Pitta season (or when it is hot). Kapha season is winter and springtime (or whenever it is cold and moist).

Understanding this season’s influence will help you counterbalance the effects of unruly Kapha. The qualities of Kapha - cold, heavy, dull, slow, sticky, oily - will be more prevalent in Kapha season and there will be an increase in the amount of Kapha in the body, mind, and emotions. If someone already has a high percentage of Kapha in their body type, they will tend to accumulate more of Kapha qualities than someone of a different body type. This might manifest as a tendency to excess mucous, lethargy, or excessive weight gain.

As Kapha is responsible for growth and structure in our bodies, infancy and childhood are Kapha times of life (for all body types). Perhaps your preschool child who has a tendency to get sore throat, frequent colds, ear aches, and a runny nose is an example of imbalanced Kapha.

When this same youngster grows into adulthood these imbalances amy become sinus headaches, hay fiver, or susceptibility to colds and flus. A Kapha imbalance may show up as obesity, allergies, asthma, depression, high cholesterol, possessiveness, and procrastination. All of these conditions may be aggravated by the cold and dampness of the season. The more chronic the problem, the more likely the ailment will remain throughout the year.

Dietary choices
This time of year it is best to avoid heavy, oily foods. Non-vegetarians may want to decrease red meat consumption. Try methods of cooking other than frying - such as baking or steaming. Put your attention on warm, cooked foods and avoid excessive sweet goodies. (Thank goodness the holidays are behind us !!) Use a bit more spicy herbs in your recipes.

A wonderful way to start the morning in Kapha season is a warm cup of honey-lemonade. This delicious beverage is useful for cleansing the body of impurities and strengthening digestion Begin by squeezing the juice of half a lemon into a cup and adding warm water (not hot - honey must not be overheated). Stir in honey according to taste.

A simple way to improve the quality of your digestion and thereby make less Kapha is to take a ginger/lemon/salt mixture before meals. Grate a little fresh ginger, add a few drops of fresh lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Eat 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. of this mixture a few minutes before eating lunch and dinner each day. This will help stimulate your digestive juices and promote better digestion.

If Kapha is cold, moist, sticky, oily, smooth, and sweet, which food do you think will aggravate this dosha the most in Kapha season? Right, it’s ice cream !! This creamy sweet will be particularly difficult to digest if you eat it for dessert after a big meal. the extreme coldness of ice cream decreases your digestive fire and dampens your ability to assimilate the food you have just eaten. This is also true for ice cold beverages along with meals. Ayurveda suggests you sip a warm beverage or just plain hot water with your food if you desire a liquid. You may want to try a warming cup of ginger tea. This can be made easily by putting a few thin slices of fresh ginger root into a cup of hot water and letting it steep for five minutes.

Herbal recommendations

Pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes decrease Kapha. Pungent tastes include black pepper, chilies, onions, garlic, ginger, hing, cinnamon, bay leaf, cloves, horseradish, and mustard. Bitter tastes include dark green leafy vegetables, aloe vera, and lemon rind. Astringent tastes contain the pulses, beans, dahl, apples, and unripe persimmon. Among household spices, cumin, fenugreek, sesame seed and turmeric are both bitter and astringent.

Ayurvedic herbal therapy is very effective for reducing Kapha. Guggulu, triphala, neem, trikatu, and sitopladi are among the list depending on your particular situation.

During this cool, moist time of year, we could all follow some of the points mentioned to decrease Kapha. A person with a high percentage of kapha will want to incorporate more of this advice into their daily routine. Also, if you have a Kapha imbalance but are of another body type, you may wish to follow these Kapha reducing measure very closely, depending on what type of imbalance needs attention at this time. If you need help in determining what routine is best for you, having a personal consultation with a qualified ayurvedic practitioner may be useful.