Welcome to Spring!

Ritucharya (Seasonal Regimen) from the Charaka Samhita

As the earth awakens from the winter’s slumber, we welcome the arrival of Vasanta Ritu—Spring, a season of renewal, purification, and transition. In Ayurveda’s ancient text, the Charaka Samhita, the changing of seasons is deeply significant, influencing our internal balance just as it transforms the external world. As the earth element warms, softens and melts into water, the accumulated cold and heaviness of winter begin to release, making this the perfect time for cleansing and lightening the body.

According to Ayurvedic Ritucharya (seasonal regimen), spring is a time to reduce Kapha dosha, which tends to accumulate during winter. If left unchecked, excess Kapha could lead to stagnation in the upper respiratory pathways, sluggish digestion, allergies, weight gain and seasonal imbalances. To align with nature and maintain harmony, the Charaka Samhita prescribes specific dietary, lifestyle, and cleansing practices to support health and vitality during this season.

Ayurvedic Methods to Reduce Kapha

Nasya – Purification Through the Breath

One of the key Ayurvedic therapies for spring is Nasya, the practice of applying herbal oils to the nasal passages. This powerful practice can support clearing stagnation through the nose, which naturally increase during this season. The benefits of Nasya include:

• Cleansing and protecting the nasal passageways

• Supporting easy breathing

• Removing excess Kapha from the head and throat

• Nourishing the mind and promoting calmness

• Grounding Vata while balancing Kapha

The Charaka Samhita recommends Nasya as part of a seasonal routine to prevent respiratory disharmony, allergies, and lethargy in the spring months.

Seasonal Diet – Light, Dry & Stimulating

The wisdom of Ayurveda emphasizes eating in harmony with the season. Since Kapha is heavy, moist, and cool in nature, spring calls for drying, light, and warming foods to maintain digestive fire and prevent sluggishness. The following foods are ideal for Vasanta Ritu:

• Bitter & Astringent Tastes – Help to counteract Kapha’s damp, heavy nature. This includes leafy greens and vegetables, legumes, beans, avocados, bitter gourd and dandelion greens .

• Barley & Millet – Dry grains that reduce excess moisture in the body

• Roasted Meats – Traditionally, meats from desert-dwelling animals are recommended for their lighter, less oily qualities. Opt for lighter meats in the spring that are easy to digest.

• Fermented Foods & Beverages – Stimulate digestion and promote gut health. Try 1 tsp of sauerkraut a day.

• Fresh Mango Juice – A special seasonal delight, best enjoyed with loved ones

On the other hand, certain foods increase Kapha and should be avoided, as they can lead to heaviness, congestion, and sluggish digestion:

• Heavy, Hard-to-Digest Foods

• Cold & Raw Foods – Can weaken digestive fire (Agni)

• Fatty, Sour, and Excessively Sweet Foods – Increase Kapha accumulation

• Daytime Naps – Promote stagnation and sluggishness

Movement & Purification

Spring is a time for movement and purification to help the body naturally release accumulated toxins from winter. The Charaka Samhita suggests:

• Exercise – Engage in active movement such as yoga, strength training, running, swimming, walking, or dancing to invigorate circulation and clear stagnation.

• Dry Brushing (Garshana) – A simple yet powerful Ayurvedic practice that stimulates the lymphatic system, supports detoxification, and counteracts Kapha’s heaviness.

Embracing the Spirit of Spring

Beyond physical cleansing, the Charaka Samhita also encourages us to embrace the joyful essence of spring by surrounding ourselves with beauty, love, and connection. In Vasanta Ritu, we are advised to:

• Spend time in gardens, forests, and near water, enjoying the earth’s renewal.

• Engage in storytelling and laughter, sharing time with loved ones.

• Immerse in the sights and scents of blossoming flowers, allowing the senses to be uplifted.

• Welcome playfulness and lightheartedness, celebrating the shift in energy.

By aligning with these ancient seasonal guidelines, we can support our body’s natural rhythms, clear away stagnation, and move into spring with renewed vitality and clarity. May this season bring balance, joy, and transformation as we harmonize with the wisdom of Ayurveda and the rhythms of nature.