The change in seasons signal shifts in external and internal physical elements which can have an adverse impact on health. Maintaining a strong immune system to weather these shifts, and stay healthy, often presents a challenge. Ayurveda’s approach for achieving and maintaining health during seasonal shifts is proper nutrition, Ayurveda’s cornerstone for wellness. Nutrition that is balanced, and aligned with natural elements, is key. 

According to Ayurveda, everything in nature is composed of five elements—air, water, fire, earth and ether (space). Ayurveda combines these natural elements into three categories called doshas: pitta (fire/water), kapha (earth/water), and vata (air/space). Aligning with the rhythm of nature and keeping these natural elements—and doshas—in balance is Ayurveda’s goal. In addition, the seat of all doshas is in the gastrointestinal tract: kapha is the stomach and colon, pitta is the small intestine and colon, vata is the colon. Therefore, an imbalance in any of the natural elements or doshas will have an impact on digestion, and this in turn will affect the proper functioning of all the cells and organs, including the body’s immune system. In addition, kapha controls the lungs and chest and any imbalance in this dosha can result in respiratory issues, especially during winter months. 

Ayurveda also identifies seasons with these doshas. Each season has characteristics associated with the natural elements such as warm, cold, dry, moist and windy. Autumn is vata (dry/cool/windy), winter is kapha (moist) and vata (cold/dry), spring is kapha (moist) and vata (windy/dry), and summer is pitta (warm). 

We can help our bodies adapt to the shifts in the seasons by choosing appropriate foods that balance these energies. One rule of thumb to remember is “like attracts like” and so choose foods that are opposite to the season to balance the doshas. And while it might be obvious to choose warm foods in winter, and cool foods in summer, it might not be so obvious to stay away from cold foods altogether. Consuming cold foods at any time of the year lowers the body temperature. And lowering our normal body temperature is detrimental as it reduces the heat necessary for proper digestion. Raw or frozen foods are also harder to digest, and best to avoid. Also avoid processed, canned or packaged foods which contain preservatives and other ingredients that create toxins which prevent nutrients from reaching the cells. 

As we are now transitioning through the winter/spring shift, the cold/dry/windy conditions can increase vata and the moist conditions can increase kapha. Winter’s cold damp heavy qualities mirror kapha’s nature and can lead to congestion, stagnation, lethargy, mucus production and sluggish digestion. And the cold/dry/windy qualities of vata can lead to dry mouth, throat and nasal passages, dry skin, wheezing cough and hoarse voice. Vata controls circulation in the body and dry conditions which interfere with that will adversely impact any movement including digestion. which in turn affects the immune system. To counteract these effects of kapha/vata requires a balance between the two. 

For a kapha/vata balancing diet (winter/spring) choose foods that are warming and lightly cooked for vata’s cold nature, and light and easy to digest for kapha’s dense heavy nature. Easy to digest foods will not dampen the digestive fire (agni). 

By eating seasonally and choosing locally grown, organic foods, we support our health and ensure maximum nutrition by consuming foods close to harvest, minimizing transportation time. Lifestyle adjustments, seasonal detox plans and Ayurvedic treatments can also be beneficial in helping the body, mind and spirit maintain balance and harmony. Cultivating an intuitive connection to your body is key to allowing it to function and heal with its own innate wisdom. Most important is keeping a positive outlook on life, as that will translate into a positive health outcome as well.

Dr. Neeru N. Kaushik, ND, MA, MS, MSAc, and Dr. Neha Kaushik, NMD, MPH, MS, are founders of the Institute for Ayurvedic and Naturopathic Therapies located at 805 Kings Hwy. E., in Fairfield. For more information, call 203-331-9111, email [email protected] or visit AyurvedicInstituteCT.com. 

Institute for Ayurvedic and Naturopathic Therapies - 805 Kings Highway East, Fairfield, CT

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