Spring Mini Cleanse

3 Easy Tips

It’s a great time for a spring mini cleanse, if you’re so inclined. Here are some simple ways to get started.

Decide the length of your cleanse – one day? A weekend? The next two weeks? And gather whatever you might need to nurture yourself well. Pick one cleansing beverage.

1. A Spring Detox Tea

This classic recipe from the Western herbal tradition comes from medical herbalist Lynn Childson of Santa Fe, New Mexico, a woman of wisdom and inspiration. Thank you! If you have Easy Healing Drinks from the Wisdom of Ayurveda, it’s in the Autumn section. There are many Ayurvedically balanced recipes there to support your spring mini cleanse. Let’s keep it simple and just consider this one for now.

LIVER DETOX TEA

(can be used YEAR ROUND)

Time: 1 ½ hours plus an overnight soak

Makes 2 quarts = 8 cups

1/2 heaping Tablespoon organic dandelion root

1/2 heaping Tablespoon organic burdock root

6 cups of water

Another 6 cups of water

Bring the first 6 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan. Stir in the herbs; boil for ½ hour uncovered. Remove from heat, strain tea into quart glass jar. Leave the herbs in the saucepan; add another 6 cups of water to the pot, bring to a boil again for 45 minutes. Cover and let sit overnight. In the morning, strain this second decoction into another quart glass jar. Drink one or more cups per day.

Effects: Excellent for Pitta and Kapha, it can be taken up to three times per day with meals. It can aggravate Vata if used daily for weeks.

This detoxifying tea supports: digestion, elimination, liver, gall bladder, plasma, blood, skin, urinary tract.

Comments: It clears ama, stagnation and swollen lymph glands. It is diuretic. It is an excellent support if you’re looking to switch from a high animal fat, high processed food diet to something lighter and cleaner.

2. Re-balance your food and/or eating patterns

How you’re nourishing yourself may be well-balanced already. If so, don’t change a thing. Yet if you’re noticing you’ve slid into patterns that don’t serve you, now could be a good time to make a change. One change is plenty. Here are some questions to stir up whatever choice could be useful for you.

Are you eating later than 7 pm on a regular basis?

Is white sugar becoming a necessity rather than an occasional treat?

Do you let yourself get two (for Kapha) or three (for Vata and Pitta) regular meals a day?

How would a serving each of dark leafy greens and golden vegetables (like carrot, beet, yam) weave into your dance?

How often do you incorporate home-cooked meals into your menu?

Are you leaning heavily into frozen foods, to the detriment of fresh (cooked and raw) foods?

Consider making one food or pattern shift during your spring mini cleanse.

3. Enjoyable movement

We’re each so different in this regard. Movement inspires breath, which catalyzes cleansing. Plus it builds muscle tissue as well as lightening fat tissue, both essential dhatus in Ayurveda.

What movement gives you joy?

Are you willing to have it on a regular basis? For how long?

Can you move at least 4 – 5 days/week during your spring mini-cleanse?

Would you like to escape something that isn’t working during your spring mini cleanse?

Have you gotten trapped into activities that really aren’t a priority for you? I’m already into my spring mini cleanse, dragging myself away from my favorite frozen veggie burgers and salmon burgers, and substituting Fresh Sprouted Mung Salad, kichadi, fresh chicken veggie soup, and pasta pesto salad with smoked salmon or fresh turkey.

If you’re a Polarity Therapist, you might seek inspiration from the Health Building plus Purifying diets of Dr. Randolph Stone. Here’s one short fun liver-friendly recipe.

What I haven’t really confronted yet personally is how much time I spend on the computer and how little time I get to play in the yard or garden. It’s spring!

Drupon Palkyi, a Tibetan nun in the Drikung Kagyu tradition visiting New Mexico from Germany, gave us powerful teachings last weekend at Rigdzin Dharma center. At one point last Sunday she started talking about the water spirits and the earth spirits, and how they can get angry when we trash the land or water. This can make the sentient beings in the area sick. This makes a huge amount of sense on a variety of levels.

I could be offering more care to the land around me than I take time for. How could I change this?

Yesterday I had the great good fortune to spontaneously visit the Neem Karoli Baba Hanuman temple, with a shrine to Siddhi Ma. Although Taos is north of Santa Fe, and usually exposed to more harsh temperatures than we are, the temple grounds looked like it was June instead of May. Giant fragrant roses bloomed near Siddhi Ma’s shrine. Moving throughout the radiant grounds were local Taosenos, volunteers to keep these community blessings happening. It was a direct reflection of what Drupon Palkyi had been saying, about care for the earth and how healthy it can be, for everyone involved.

Good fortune to you in all your choices!

Image Liver Detox Tea thanks to Renee Lynn and Easy Healing Drinks from the Wisdom of Ayurveda

Bio: I’m an Ayurveda health educator and Polarity Therapist practicing in Santa Fe, NM. My most recent seasonal cookbook Easy Healing Drinks from the Wisdom of Ayurveda is on special here.