Spring Equinox Detox

Spring Equinox and the Full Moon of March make this an especially potent season for detoxification. This is a great time of year to give up all that isn't serving us and move forward in 2008 with a purified body and mind. The waning moon and the shift in seasons will synergistically help to facilitate removal of stagnation from the deepest levels; both physical and emotional. Sounds great, right?

The downside to all this purification is that many people will feel sick, moody, and emotionally unstable as these toxins make their way out. Spring allergies will begin to peak if there is excess Kapha or mucous in the body. The energy of spring, especially in conjunction with Daylight Savings can also leave us feeling exhausted, especially if we are feeling unprepared.

In order to maintain wellness during this time it is great to find foods that comfort us without being a digestive burden. Reducing heavy winter foods will help. You can also start incorporating more green leafy vegetables, wheatgrass, edible flowers such as nasturtium, and simple sprouts such as alfalfa and sunflower. Sea vegetables such as hijiki and arame are mineral rich and also very purifying. Citrus fruits are still somewhat seasonal and other goodies such as asparagus are just coming in to their prime!

Adding a few more spices and fresh herbs will detoxify while increasing prana. Here is a great recipe from my childhood that is stimulating, soothing, delicious, and in my opinion, perfect for Spring:



Yogi Tea

2 Quarts Filtered Water
8 Organic Cinnamon Sticks
1 Tbl. Cardamom Seeds
1 Tbl. Crushed Pippali (Indian long pepper) or 1/2 Tbl. black peppercorns

Boil ingredients for 15 minutes, then reduce temperature and simmer for 30 minutes. Cover the pot if you don't want it to evaporate ;) (Some simmer it for longer to get a more syrupy consistency.)

Turn the heat off and grate 1 1/2 inches of Ginger into the tea.

Strain and serve with fresh almond milk, agave, or raw local honey (which is also GREAT for spring allergies, if you are in to it). You can also add black tea if you want more of a Chai experience.

Store remaining tea in a glass jar and keep refrigerated.


* If you aren't up for all this cookery, you can usually buy Yogi Tea India Spice in teabags at your local natural grocer. But I don't think it is nearly as good as the old school Sikh's used to make!