3 Day Ayurvedic Cleansing Plan and Menu
The transitory time between seasons, ‘Ritu Sandi’ (the juncture or point where two seasons meet) is a significant time in the ayurvedic approach to well-being. In this time, a short period of cleansing out any accumulations from one season before welcoming the other is recommended.
Consider the transition from Summer to Autumn where in the summer heat, we build Pitta (heat) in the body; so in summer we naturally prefer a more cooling diet and environment. This helps balance Pitta dosha, but at the same time by increasing the coolness combined with the summer dryness, Vata (erratic, dryness) is increased in the body. These accumulations cause problems like dry skin, constipation, arthritic pain, colds, and inability to focus which are heightened in early Autumn (vata time of year).
The next juncture is at end of Autumn and early Winter we enter a time of dampness and heaviness - leading to coughs, colds, mucus-y ailments.
Following this is Spring, which takes place during the three transition months between Winter and Summer bringing warmth and wetness mixed with the remnant cold of winter. In the early stages of Spring the cold and heaviness starts to melt away as the temperature rises – which is why you may see an increase in spring colds and hay fever. This again is a common time to cleanse the body and to assist the wetness and heaviness out of the body with a ‘spring cleanse’.
Essentially, just before moving into each new season Ayurveda suggests a clearing of any accumulated dosha. To do this, follow a gentle seasonal cleanse for 3 - 5 consecutive days with a detoxifying diet, and then you can slowly follow the specific season-pacifying foods and lifestyle guidelines.
This same principle will apply at all seasonal transitions, throughout the year. The cleansing routine is the same.
As a guideline:
Eat lighter foods to facilitate cleansing - avoid red meat, aged cheeses and fried foods
Eat more easily digestible foods such as soup or a kitchari (recipe is here)
Drink more hot water throughout the day to aid cleansing
Leave a minimum of 3-4 hours between all meals but eat a light snack (see snacks in meal plan) if you are feeling weak at any time
Take a mix of 1/2 tsp Turmeric and 1/4 tsp black pepper tea (in 1/3 cup warm water) 30 mins before lunch
Increase the use of spices such as ginger, turmeric, black pepper, cinnamon in meals or teas.
Wake up around sunrise ahead of the onset of the kapha time of day (6am or check local specs). Soon after waking up, rinse out the mouth and clean the tongue start and then sip half a glass of warm – hot water
In the morning and evening practice a gentle pranayama (breathing exercise) such as alternate nostril breath, followed by releasing any negative thoughts to cleanse ‘emotional’ ama too
Avoid any vigorous activity and exercise during fasting days – aim to be gentle with yourself. Light walks are recommended.
Take an ayurvedic digestive aid such as triphala at night for the week to ensure a complete cleansing every morning. Available at our clinic shop or online (see here). Contact us for stock if not available.
At the end of the period of cleansing, start to move towards following the foods recommended for the season you are in. However, remember to ease in – wean yourself off the cleanse slowly, incorporating a few new foods a day only, building up gradually.