Spring Cleanse

In time for Full Moon March 5, Spring holiday March 21, and the reality of an early Spring I am contemplating safe cleanses to organize for myself beyond the intake of herbs -- to address body-mind and mind-heart. I happen to be serving at a vipassana meditation retreat March 5-8, which is perfect timing.

First of all I need to follow up on the ideas I explored with "purity herbs" giving preference to bitter tonics, liver tonics, and alteratives - particularly of plants naturalized in Seattle. I plan to drink a decoction of barberry, chicory, dandelion, oregon grape, burdock and yellow dock as often as possible - if not daily. Also making a tincture of these plants with brandy (pictured here).

In Vasant Lad's book, Ayurvedic principles for staying balanced in Spring involve reducing heavy, inflammatory, congestive foods (like dairy and various forms of protein) and increasing bitter, astringent foods and herbs, as well as juice fasts. This would be the perfect time of year to explore a raw food cleanse (but keep it simple). Lad also promotes taking ginger fennel tea and morning walks. Personally, I am aiming for 70 percent fresh, preferably in-season produce like leafy greens, nettle, lettuce, and so forth. Because I am so fortunate to buy from the store I have many more options before me. It can be really hard to lay off comfort foods but it is worth it for stronger health.

An important question is, what is the point of detoxification, or what is being cleansed out of the body? Another book I recommend is Balance Your Hormones, Balance Your Life by Claudia Welch (De Capo Press, 2011). Welch claims hormonal balance is the mirror that reflects optimal health, because imbalance is the first stage of disease. Toxic buildup, or ama in Ayurveda, which derives from sluggish digestion and environmental toxins, will manifest as chronic inflammation, digestive/elimination problems, exhaustion, and so forth. Or simply "unwholesome" particles interfering with vitality of tissue states, which may produce countless symptoms. Detoxification opens blocked channels allowing deeper ama to leave the body.So not overeating, and only eating when hungry; eating fresh, whole foods; paying attention to what you are eating while you are eating. Gentle exercise, meditation, Sleep, herbs to encourage restful sleep, herbs to tonify digestive and eliminative organs. herbs to infuse massage oil for self massage. All wonderful self care practices.

Why bitter and astringent? Bitter compounds, such as iridoids and sequiterpenes,stimulate the gall bladder and liver and therefore digestion. And depending on the plant, may be anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, sedative, analgesic, laxative, anti-tumor and antibiotic, Astringent compounds expel excess fluid from tissues like a diuretic, enhancing cell wall strength to withstand foreign particle invasion. A way of purifying cells through the body. Both TCM and Ayurveda recommend avoiding too much bitter or astringency which may dehydrate the body - so my heavy preference for these tastes will not last beyond a couple weeks.Through it all I am trying to stay well hydrated.