Ready, Set, Go!
Great! Summer the warmer time of the year when Pitta the fiery dosha is strongest, is just around the corner.
If you follow the guidance of a Meteorologist the hottest months of the year in Great Britain are June, July, and August. Some like to follow the movement of the sun through the sky and say Summer really begins when the sun is at its highest point in the sky on Friday, June 21st this year at the Summer solstice.
How Does Ayurveda Mark the Change of Season?
No matter which system you follow to mark the start of Summer, Ayurveda guides us to be aware of the transition between seasons as this is the time when we are most vulnerable to imbalance and discomfort.
In early May the dynamic touch of Spring prepares to give way to the increasing warmth of Summer. Spring is a time of transition characterized by less cold or the increasing warmth of blue sky days, melting snows or ice providing moisture, and a sense of soft nurturing presence reflected in the Spring flowers and baby lambs frolicking in the fields. These qualities are expressions of the dosha that is strongest in Spring, Kapha ‘that which flourishes in water”.
Tell Me More About Kapha and My Needs Now
Kapha governs bodily functions concerned with the physical structure and fluid balance.
Kapha governs the healthy formation of fat, muscles, bone, and sinew. It protects the heart and lungs and provides strong muscles.
Kapha is responsible for lubrication of the joints, skin, nose, mouth, eyes, lungs and for the sense of taste which is essential for good digestion.
The main seat of Kapha in the body is the lungs.
May signals the start of the junction point between Spring and Summer. The qualities of Kapha that may have accumulated during Spring or have carried over from Winter are now mobilized by nature and bought into the fluids of the body.
This can give rise to, or contribute to:
- Changes in your mental state such as feeling heavy, lethargic, sluggish, drowsy, brain fog, some melancholy or low mood and even a tendency towards sleeping more than 9 hours a night.
- Congestion or tightness in the sinuses, throat or chest, a poor sense of smell, colds, coughs, mucus, runny nose or hay fever.
- Poor sense of taste, and food cravings.
- Cold, heavy or Impaired digestion, feeling uncomfortably full, nausea, excess salivation, sweet taste in the mouth, indigestion and a slow or suppressed metabolism.
- Stool can be heavy, oily, pale or sticky with a tendency to sink rather than float.
- Weight gain, with oily skin and loose or painful joints, lymph congestion, hives, itching, loss of strength, lipomas and cold sweats.
- Water retention, excess urination, excess ear wax, enlarged prostate, fibrocystic lumps or a slow menstrual cycle.
To help keep Kapha dosha in balance consider adopting the following 4 easy steps to help you be ready for a great Summer!
4 Easy Steps for a Great Summer
For 7-14 days: Take sips of Organic Stimulating Kapha tea or Organic Digest Plus Tea every 15-30 minutes throughout the day from rising until 7 pm.
Take the following herbals: 30 minutes before breakfast and evening meals take 2 tablets of Guggul/Mountain Ebony complex (MA3697). 30 minutes prior lunch take 2 tablets of Liver Care (MA579). 15 – 30 minutes after breakfast, lunch and evening meal take 1 tablet of Organic Tulsi (Holy Basil) (MA7928) and 1 tablet of Digest Plus (MA154). Bedtime take 2-3 tablets of Triphala Rose (MA505).
Have a 30-minute walk ideally prior to 10 am. Swing your arms to get your lymph system working and aim to get to 50% capacity, where you have sweat on your brow or sweat on the tip of your nose.
Have your largest quantity of food for the day at lunchtime and have a light evening meal by 6-6.30pm. Choose from the Kapha Balancing Food list and consider taking a thermos flask lunch to make it easy if you work away from home.
About the Herbals
Guggul/Mountain Ebony complex (MA3697)
This herbal preparation contains 12 herbs and fruits that are traditionally used to reduce Kapha by helping to flush toxins and ama (impurities or accumulated waste) from the lymphatic system and the digestive system. This helps to reduce sluggishness, weight gain, supports healthy fat metabolism, balanced menstruation, and healthy skin formation.
Guggul/Mountain Ebony complex (MA3697
Liver Care tablets (MA579)
Your liver is a very important organ. It is one of the largest organs and works tirelessly to help filter and detoxify your blood. Liver Care helps to cleanse the liver and its microchannels. It is particularly important to support the liver when cleansing.
Triphala Rose (MA505)
Whenever wishing to cleanse it is important to support colon health so that impurities are effectively eliminated. Triphala Rose includes three fruits that are traditionally used to cleanse and tone the entire digestive tract while also helping to support immunity and energy.
Tulsi
Tulsi is often called “the incomparable one.” Traditionally it is used to support respiratory health, lung and bronchial system wellbeing. It is an adaptogen which means it provides powerful support to counter the impact of stress while helping to build resilience.
Wishing you the bliss of balance
Linda Sinden, Maharishi AyurVeda Consultant
Linda Sinden has been a practising Maharishi Ayurveda Consultant since 1990 and is a regular contributor to our health articles. She has a practice in Auckland, New Zealand and also provides phone or Skype sessions for those who need assistance, but don’t have a consultant in their vicinity.
Email: lindasinden@orbislife.co.nz
Mobile: +64 212237525
Skype: Linda.Sinden
DISCLAIMER: The information in this document is presented for the sole purpose of imparting education on Maharishi AyurVeda and neither the information nor the products are intended to diagnose, treat, mitigate, cure or prevent any disease. If you have a medical condition or are pregnant or lactating, please consult a health professional and it is recommended that you speak with your physician before making significant changes to your diet or routine.
