With Spring Equinox coming upon us, the days are getting longer, the air is becoming softer, and the earth is beginning to blossom into color everywhere. In Ayurveda, every season identifies with a specific dosha. Spring is an invigorating season and is associated with the Kapha dosha. The Kapha dosha, which is made up of earth and water, has characteristics that are heavy, slow, sensitive to cold and damp conditions, they are strong, like routine and stability, and are full of growth and abundance. Spring’s characteristics present itself much the same way with wet rainy days, thicker mud, heavier air due to increased pollen, and a bountiful abundance of plant and flower growth; remember the age-old saying ‘April showers bring May flowers’? 

Individuals that have a strong Kapha constitution, may be prone to imbalances during this time of year. Kapha imbalances can include sluggishness, weight gain, congestion, increased mucus, and thick and sluggish bowel movements. To help avoid these imbalances, here are 5 Ayurvedic herbs to encourage balance within your Kapha constitution:

Turmeric

With all the pollen in the air, allergies are usually their highest around Springtime. Since turmeric has such strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial capabilities, it is excellent for fighting allergies. Turmeric contains curcumin, which acts as a decongestant and helps dry and reduce mucus associated with allergies.

Talisadi

Talisadi is an Ayurvedic remedy that helps prevent springtime colds. It is all the anti’s: anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, and antimicrobial. It's particularly good for people who tend to get upper-respiratory-tract infections, have a weakened immune system, or get bronchitis during the winter months.

Triphala

Spring cleaning time! No, I’m not talking about wiping down the floorboards and sageing the crap out of your house. I’m talking about cleaning out your body. Getting rid of all those winter toxins stored up from the holidays. Spring is a natural time for cleansing and detoxing and Triphala is the perfect herb to help you accomplish this. It not only supports healthy digestion, but it also cleanses the toxins out, rejuvenates, and helps balance out your digestive fire, which may be off-balance after eating all those heavy foods during the winter months. It's a great herb to take daily and has improved my digestion tremendously. Besides Ashwagandha, Triphala is my favorite Ayurvedic formula. We love it so much here at Bennd, that we created a whole collection dyed with Harda (⅓ of the Triphala formula).

Tulsi

Another great herb to clean out the body’s toxins is Tulsi. More widely known as Holy Basil, and often referred to as the ‘Queen of herbs’. This amazing herb has a multitude of benefits. It strengthens the immune system, treats colds and flus, removes toxins out the respiratory tract, and relieves digestive gas and bloating. Tulsi is also known to promote a healthy stress response, it’s antidepressant properties encourage mental well- being, and it boosts energy levels! Wow! That’s one powerful herb!! Sign me up! 

Cinnamon

Cinnamon does a great job of balancing Kapha's characteristics. It possesses qualities of pungency, warmth, and spice. Ayurveda sees cinnamon as a channel to bring warmth and balance to the body. Because of its warming qualities, cinnamon is known to stimulate blood circulation, helping alleviate pain; it is a powerful aphrodisiac, arousing a well-balanced sex drive; it is excellent for digestion because of its antimicrobial qualities, helps reduce gas and fermentation in the GI tract; it regulates blood sugar levels; its sharp spiciness warms the lungs and liquefies mucus congestion. If those aren’t reasons enough to start using cinnamon daily here’s one more: it helps stimulate the heart, liver, kidney, and spleen, which tend to become stagnant when suffering from a virus, especially during cold/flu season. 

Spring is a time of cleansing, renewal, and rejuvenation. My intention for you is that you transition into Spring with purity and lightness. Now is the time to dream big and plant those seeds. Make sure your intentions are clear then release them out into the universe and watch them grow. Happy Spring Friends!