Embracing the Energy of Spring
As winter fades and the first signs of spring begin to emerge, nature shows us the beauty of renewal. The air feels lighter, the days grow longer, and vibrant colours return to the world around us. In Ayurveda, this seasonal transition is deeply significant—spring is a time to cleanse, lighten, and rejuvenate, aligning with nature’s rhythm.
During winter, our bodies naturally accumulate Kapha energy, which is heavy, slow, and dense. While this provides stability during the colder months, an excess of Kapha can leave us feeling sluggish, congested, and unmotivated as spring arrives. Ayurvedic wisdom teaches that now is the perfect time for a gentle cleanse to remove stagnation and welcome fresh energy.
The Hindu festival of Holi, celebrated in India during early spring, reflects this theme of renewal. Known as the “Festival of Colours,” Holi is a joyful celebration of rebirth—letting go of the old and embracing the new. Just as Holi invites us to cleanse negativity from our minds and hearts, Ayurveda encourages us to purify our bodies and energy systems as we transition into the new season.
In this article, I will share simple and effective Ayurvedic cleansing practices that support your digestion, energy, and overall well-being. Unlike harsh detoxes, these gentle methods nourish your body while naturally releasing toxins, helping you feel lighter and more vibrant this spring.
Why Cleanse in Spring?
In Ayurveda, seasonal cleansing is essential for maintaining balance. As Kapha dosha can be aggravated in the cold and damp seasons – late winter to early spring. It can bring dampness and heaviness and during this time common associated imbalances may arise, such as:
- Sluggish digestion
- Brain fog or mental dullness
- Fatigue and lack of motivation
- Mucus build-up, congestion, or allergies
- Water retention or bloating
A gentle cleanse helps to:
- Boost digestion and metabolism (Agni)
- Improve mental clarity and focus
- Reduce excess mucus and congestion
- Increase energy and vitality
- Align with nature’s cycle for optimal well-being
- Kitchari Cleanse: The Ayurvedic Reset
One of the most effective yet nourishing ways to cleanse in Ayurveda is by following a kitchari cleanse for a few days. Kitchari is a simple dish made with mung dal (split yellow lentils), basmati rice, ghee, and digestive spices, designed to give the digestive system a break while still providing essential nutrients.
Why Kitchari?
- Easy to digest and deeply nourishing
- Gently detoxifies without depleting energy
- Balances all three doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha)
- Supports gut health and resets metabolism
Simple Kitchari Recipe
Ingredients:
½ cup split yellow mung dal (soaked for a few hours)
½ cup basmati rice
1 tbsp ghee or coconut oil
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp mustard seeds
½ tsp turmeric
½ tsp ground coriander
½ tsp fennel seeds
1-inch piece fresh ginger (grated)
4 cups water (or more for a soupier consistency)
Fresh coriander (cilantro) and lemon juice (optional)
Method:
- Rinse the mung dal and rice until the water runs clear.
- In a pot, heat the ghee, then add cumin and mustard seeds until they pop and become fragrant.
- Add turmeric, coriander, fennel, and ginger. Stir for a few seconds.
- Add the mung dal and rice, stir to coat with the ghee and spices.
- Pour in water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30–40 minutes.
- Serve warm with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lemon.
For a gentle cleanse, eat kitchari for 1–3 days, sipping warm water or herbal tea throughout the day.
- Castor Oil Cleansing for Detox
Castor oil is a powerful Ayurvedic remedy for cleansing the digestive system, lymphatic system, and liver. It has been used for centuries to gently clear excess Kapha and improve elimination.
How to Use Castor Oil for Cleansing:
- Internally: Take 1 tsp of organic, cold-pressed castor oil in warm water before bed to support gentle detoxification. (Use with caution; start with a small amount and avoid if pregnant.)
- Liver Detox Pack: Apply warm castor oil to the abdomen, cover with a natural organic cotton cloth, and place a warm compress over it for 30 minutes. This helps the liver process toxins.
- Joint & Lymphatic Support: Massage into joints or swollen lymph areas to reduce stagnation.
- Ayurvedic Herbs for Spring Detox
Certain Ayurvedic herbs naturally support the body’s detoxification processes in spring:
- Triphala – A blend of three fruits that aids digestion, elimination, and detoxification. Take as a tea or capsule before bed.
- Neem – Cleanses the blood, clears skin, and supports liver health. Best taken in small doses as a tea or capsule.
- Turmeric – A natural anti-inflammatory and powerful blood purifier. Add to meals or take as golden milk.
- Tulsi (Holy Basil) – Clears mucus, supports lung health, and enhances mental clarity. Tulsi also supports liver health and helps reduce stress. Drink as a tea in the morning and / or throughout the day.
- Daily Ayurvedic Rituals for Gentle Detox
Adding small daily habits can make a big difference in how you feel during spring:
* Dry Brushing – Stimulates the lymphatic system and circulation. Use a dry brush on your skin before showering.
* Tongue Scraping – Removes toxins that accumulate overnight. Use a copper tongue scraper each morning.
* Neti Pot – Clears nasal passages and prevents spring allergies. Use with warm saline water.
* Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar) – Energising yoga sequences to awaken the body.
* Kapalabhati Breath – Detoxifying breathwork to clear the lungs and mind.
For more detailed information on how to safely and effectively practice any of these practices send me a direct message.
- Holi Festival & The Energetics of Spring
Holi, celebrated in India during the full moon of March, symbolises letting go of the past and embracing renewal. Just as nature sheds the heaviness of winter, Holi reminds us to:
- Release old habits and stagnation
- Celebrate joy and playfulness
- Step into the new season with fresh energy
By aligning with this energy, we can detox both physically and emotionally, making space for growth and inspiration in the months ahead.
Awakening from the Depths: The Spiritual & Emotional Transition into Spring
As we move from winter’s deep stillness into the budding energy of spring, there is often an unspoken heaviness lingering in the collective field. Especially during these times it seems. We are not just shedding the cold and darkness of the external world—we are also releasing the weight of all that winter asked us to hold.
For many, this season of transition brings a complex mix of emotions. The promise of renewal is there, yet we may still feel burdened—by personal struggles, by the deep undercurrents of collective energy, by the remnants of what winter unearthed in us. Grief, exhaustion, uncertainty, resistance to change—all of these emotions can arise, even in the midst of nature’s rebirth.
Honouring the Sacred Pause Between Seasons
Before we rush into the vibrancy of spring, there is a sacred space—a liminal moment between what was and what will be. This is where we must pause, breathe, and honour the quiet whispers of the soul.
Some questions to ask yourself or journal about if you feel to are:-
- Where are you still holding onto the weight of winter?
- What parts of you need gentle tending before they can bloom?
- How can you move forward with presence, rather than urgency?
Just as nature does not bloom all at once, neither do we. Spiritual renewal is a process, not a switch.
Rituals for Emotional & Spiritual Renewal
Instead of pushing forward, we can soften into this transition with rituals that bring us closer to our stillness, our intuition, and the Divine presence within.
- Fire Ritual for Release & Rebirth
Holi, the Festival of Colours, begins with the burning of Holika, symbolising the release of negativity and old karmic cycles. Even though the Holi festival took place in March it is not too late to bring this practice into our own lives by:
- Simple lighting a candle, diya or performing a Havan / agnihotra (fire) ritual.
- Writing down emotions, habits, or thought patterns that feel heavy.
- Offering them to a flame, asking for Divine support in releasing them.
- Sitting with the warmth of the fire, visualising new light entering our being.
What needs to be burned away so that your inner light can shine brighter?
- Silence & Soul Listening
Amidst the noise of seasonal shifts, stillness is the greatest guide.
- Set aside one hour (or even one day) for complete silence—no speaking, no distractions, just you and your soul.
- Ask: “What is my soul longing for in this moment?”
- Sit in meditation, journal, or simply be without the need for answers.
In the space between words, the Divine speaks.
- Anointing with Oils for Energetic Renewal
Sacred anointing has been used for centuries to seal intentions, call in blessings, and shift our energy.
- Before meditation or sleep, anoint your third eye, heart, and wrists with spring-aligned essential oils (e.g., frankincense for Divine connection, tulsi (holy basil) for clarity, rose for heart healing).
- As you apply the oil, set an intention for renewal—to receive clarity, peace, or whatever you need most.
- Allow the scent to anchor you into your spiritual presence.
- Sunrise Ritual: Aligning with Light
In Ayurveda, spring calls for Agni (fire) activation, not just in digestion but also in the light of our consciousness.
- Wake before sunrise and sit in the early morning light.
- Place your hands over your heart and say: “I welcome the light within and around me.”
- Breathe in the new energy of the day, feeling it awaken your spirit.
This simple ritual realigns us with nature’s rhythm, reminding us that light is always returning, even after the longest night.
- The Heart of Spring: Surrender & Trust
This season is a teacher of trust.
We do not force the trees to bloom. We do not command the sun to rise. Nature moves in perfect time—and so do we.
If the weight of winter still lingers, trust that it is leaving, breath by breath.
If your next steps feel unclear, trust that they will reveal themselves when the time is right.
If your heart is still healing, trust that renewal comes not by force, but by grace.
Let this be a season of surrender.
We are awakening, not by will, but by Divine rhythm.
Embracing Spring with Balance
Cleansing doesn’t have to be extreme—Ayurveda teaches us that gentle, consistent practices lead to lasting balance. Whether it’s trying a kitchari cleanse, adding detoxifying herbs, or incorporating daily rituals, these small shifts will help you feel lighter, clearer, and more energised as we move into spring.
Which of these practices or rituals are you most excited to try, or speaks to you the most right now? I’d love to hear how you are navigating this transition or share your own spring renewal rituals. – Comment below.
If you enjoyed this article, I have listed some links below to some other related articles that I have written that you may be interested in:-
Step into Spring with Ayurveda:
Natural Support for Spring Time Allergies:
Cleansing Energy in the Home, Workspace and your Own Energy Field:
Lymphatic Drainage for Holistic Wellbeing: