by Jill Talve
The Natural Cycles of Your Body
During the crisp, cool days of fall, our appetites increase to support the body’s preparation for the 
cold days ahead. Feasting on heavy and nourishing root vegetables and soups and stews augment the holiday celebrations as we naturally build up our fat stores for the winter.
The winter solstice signals the body to go into the natural act of hibernation, and the appetite that was so active in the fall begins to recede. (Think about bears and other animals that rely on their fat stores through winter.) This is an important sign to begin to lighten up the diet and eat less, as the appetite supports the body to rest. To rest the body means to rest the digestive system, so lightening up the diet by choosing smaller quantities and lighter meats and grains will help to prevent the body from overload in the spring.
Once average temperatures bottom out and begin to rise in early February, your body completely shifts its strategy from building insulating fats to releasing them. Literally, the body melts fat much as a dog sheds winter fur. Late winter and early spring are thus ideal seasons for beginning a new diet and losing weight.
When this happens, you may notice a loss of appetite for a week or two, along with dark, muddy stools as your body naturally purges the liver. If kapha (one of the three humors in ayurvedic medicine—the other two being vata and pitta) is aggravated, you may experience flu-like symptoms. If you do lose your appetite, go with the flow and try fasting from grains and sugar for a few days. We have many clients that become alarmed when they lose their appetite, but this is seasonal and it will help you lose winter weight.
Late February/early March is a time of year for fasting in most cultures, from the Christian observance of Lent to Native American traditions. Spring fasting helps cleanse the blood after a long winter of fatty, heavy foods.
These are all signs that your body is ready to start its own natural cleanse cycle and an ideal time to cleanse the liver and the gallbladder as well by using natural cholagogues, such as beets, lemon, kale, collards and spinach. These foods flush the liver and gallbladder of bile. They offer a healthy remedy for a congested liver and circulatory system. As they stimulate the gallbladder to release bile, they flush out burdensome fats and toxins leftover from holiday celebrations, reducing triglyceride levels. Bile is also a major pathway of cholesterol metabolism.
Chickpeas and black beans make especially good choices for March, as their fiber-rich content encourages healthy elimination. You may even notice that beans taste sweeter in March than they do in October—a biological response to guide you in making healthy choices.
Herbs and spices are also critical for spring cleansing, and turmeric tops the list for early spring herbs. It’s warming and cleansing properties are a perfect fit for your body’s needs. Teas made with herbs, such as clove, cinnamon and ginger, are ideal choices for supporting the liver in detoxing the body. Trikatu (ginger, black pepper and pippali) can jumpstart kapha tendencies out of winter sluggishness.
Fresh ginger is a mild detoxicant and digestive that’s sure to break up your winter congestion and keep your blood moving. Fenugreek has the unique quality of being a warming bitter, perfect for winter’s end. Pungent spices get your blood moving, boost metabolism, and clear out congestion. Cumin is an ideal spice, offering natural warmth and dryness. Kapha and vata types can break out the cayenne and chili pepper to fire up digestion and shake off any remaining winter sluggishness.
Ayurvedic Routine for March
Light is returning! Notice that the sun rises a bit earlier and brightens the sky a little later. The lengthening days may have pitta and vata types feeling the urge to get moving, roll up their sleeves, and dive into spring projects. It’s a good time to pre-prep for the spring—plan your garden, start your seedlings, get your bicycle tuned up. Cabin fever comes early for vata and pitta types. People influenced by kapha, on the other hand, may still feel sleepy, heavy and dull. They can kick start the spring with some pranayama and yoga—a few sun salutations and kapalabhati breathing are ideal ways to perk up.
On cold days, continue with abhyanga (oil massage) using a warm kapha- or vata-pacifying oil. As the weather warms up, you may find the practice of dry brushing more appealing. Whatever your pleasure, you want to be sure to keep your lymph moving. Exercise is another great way to do that. Your body is ready to let go of that winter layer of fat. Walking, hiking, biking and workouts at the gym are all great ways to lighten up.
Avoid daytime naps and continue to get to bed by 10 p.m. You’ll notice you need less sleep than in previous months.
Harness the power of your body’s natural detox cycle by heeding these guidelines to ensure you’re in full bloom come spring!
For more information on ayurveda, call Jill Talve, owner of EverVeda, at 516-721-4237 or visit EverVeda.com.
