SPRING REGIME TO IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH

It’s spring time and in the areas where there is still snow in the mountains one can watch the creeks, streams and rivers become engorged with the runoff. This is the season when the earth is detoxifying and purifying itself. And just as the earths energy circulates and purifies itself our bodies energy; the blood, qi, lymph and nerves does likewise. Stagnation of energy leads to the build up of toxins and disease.

“To keep the body in good health is a duty… otherwise we shall not be able to keep the mind strong and clear.” The Buddha.

Just as the earth goes through a period of detoxification in the early spring, our bodies also are ripe for a detox in the spring. In addition to annual detox periods the early morning is an excellent time to do a mini cleanse year round. The period between your last bite of food in the evening and your first meal in the morning is a period of fasting. Drinking warm lemon/turmeric tea at least 20 minutes before eating anything, is a simple and effective way of assisting the body’s detoxification process.

For many of us, this natural detox process isn’t so natural. The standard American diet, with its over-emphasis on carbohydrates and dairy, create what is known in classical Chinese medicine as heat and damp. Translation: inflammation and phlegm–not a pretty picture. The detox pathways become congested and cannot handle the workload and toxins build up in the body. This will set the stage for decreased immunity, allergies, autoimmune and digestive problems, just to name a few. Also, when these pathways are under stress, so is the mind. In my career, I have seen many cases of anxiety and depression improve after the patient did a simple liver detox.

We recommend doing this protocol in the morning, on an empty stomach, so that the tea will not have to compete with food to get deep into your system. After drinking this brew, engage in some kind of movement: walking or yoga, perhaps followed by a short meditation session, before breakfast.

Recipe

Provides for one (1) serving—

1 cup filtered water

1/4 tsp of organic turmeric powder

1/4 to 1/2 sliced fresh organic lemon

Optional: 1 teaspoon of raw organic ginger root; peeled and grated

Place all of the ingredients in a cup. The water should be heated to near boiling. Pour the water into the cup, stir, allow to cool to taste and drink.

Lemon naturally detoxifies the liver. The liver essentially acts as a filter. Lemon helps break down toxic elements in both the liver and stomach; it also clears the skin, balances the ph and boosts the metabolism, aiding in weight loss.

Turmeric has a long history of being used by herbalists for its medicinal qualities. It is a cousin of ginger root, which further helps control cholesterol and blood sugar. It also has strong antiseptic and antibacterial properties, which purify the blood and boost immunity.

Ginger The original recipe did not include ginger but I’ve tacked it on as optional because of its energetics and taste. It has long been used in Chinese herbal formulas to kindle and warm the digestive fire, or agni. It boosts immunity, reduces cholesterol and aids in decreasing blood sugar.

We welcome hearing about your experiences with this regimen and opportunities to be of service to you and your health, through awareness, nutrition and harmonious energy flow.