Spring
Fit into spring with Detox – Two delicious recipes for detoxification
Estimated reading time: 7 minutesSpring is here and with it not only nature wakes up from its winter sleep, but also our bodies. We are preparing for the warm days and longer hours we have ahead of us. That is why spring cleaning is of great importance not only for our homes but also for our bodies. Now is the ideal time to rid ourselves of the remnants of winter, such as toxins, slags, and old waste, and start fresh into spring. In this article, you will learn how to do this and what delicious recipes will help you to achieve this.
Detox in Ayurveda – What is Ama and how do you support your Agni
Herbs and medicinal plants – The green helpers from your own garden
Ayurveda by Giardino – From Detox to Yoga
Recipes – Two delicious recipes for detoxification
Spring cleaning for the body – get rid of remnants of winter such as toxins, slags and old burdens.
Detox in Ayurveda – What is Ama and how do you support your Agni
In Ayurveda, cleansing procedures and detox cures are very important and contribute to holistic health and prevention. Especially in spring, after the winter season, our body and the liver completely change. The accumulated waste products, which are called “Ama” in Ayurveda lead to colds or allergies, they can be dissolved and eliminated with bitter substances, stimulating massages as well as breathing exercises in the body tissues. Once the body is relieved, the Ayurvedic digestive fire “Agni” can work optimally.
What is Ama (waste products)?
Ama means something like “undigested”, specifically it is metabolic residues that are not completely broken down and excreted in the course of digestion. The ama is like a viscous mucus in terms of consistency, which impairs the function of the organs in the body. The result of too much ama, according to Ayurveda, is increased diseases of the intestines, blood vessels, and joints. But also constant fatigue, listlessness, or even on a mental level, a dull mind.
How to get rid of Ama?
Support the body’s natural cleansing processes, various herbs from Ayurveda are suitable for this purpose. Particularly effective are herbal bitter substances found in turmeric, Guduchi, or neem bark. However, everyday little helpers that support our digestion and have a preventive effect on our complaints can also be found in our gardens.
Stimulate metabolism with spices – Hot spices such as pepper, ginger, chili, mustard seeds or cinnamon are desirable.
Herbs and medicinal plants – The green helpers from your own garden
Herbs and medicinal plants not only adorn our gardens today, but they also captivated people in the past. Millennium-old research shows that herbs and spices not only support our digestion but also prove a preventive effect and can be used for various complaints. Primitive people used their powers for rituals and traditions and passed on their plant knowledge from generation to generation. Even our grandmothers had a comprehensive knowledge of herbs because often the trip to the doctor or the nearest pharmacy was inconvenient.
But the true pioneers in terms of knowledge of medicinal plants were the Greek and Roman physicians. One of the best-known representatives is the Greek physician Hippocrates of Kos. Even today, his compendium “Corpus Hippocraticum” is one of the most important writings on herbal remedies. And what do we know about it today? Very simple herbs that can be found in our gardens or the supermarket have a powerful effect that has positive impact on our Agni. The following plants can be used as a tea or mother tincture, depending on the symptoms. However, please note that the following recommendations do not replace a doctor.
- Dandelion: cleanses the liver and gall bladder and is a good detoxifier for overindulgence in fatty and fried foods.
- Peppermint: finds application in colds, sore throats, and headaches and improves digestion. Refreshes the mind and senses.
- Parsley: parsley is also a good addition to the daily diet, as it is very rich in minerals, vitamins, and iron. Parsley is used for water retention, swelling of the breasts, amenorrhea, and as a urinary stimulant.
- Sage: has a strong secretion-inhibiting effect and is used for sore throat, mucus in the nose and bronchial tubes, as well as for increased sweating, flu, and colds.
- Licorice: finds its application in dry cough, and burning stomach, soothes irritated mucous membranes, and improves voice and vision.
Herb garden at Giardino Ascona – For ayurvedic meals the own herbs from the garden are used.
Ayurveda by Giardino – From Detox to Yoga
If you want to start your detox cure but don’t know where to begin, Giardino Ascona already offers you a ready-made 6-day program.
A specific program, as well as the individual treatments and nutritional advice of Ayurveda by Giardino, are built on a Mediterranean lifestyle, just like the Giardino hotels. Pleasure and lightness are components of every stay. The special programs are based on a 90-minute medical history, an Ayurvedic Tri-Dosha diet, coordinated treatments, and guided yoga and mindfulness lessons.
Burdensome toxins are eliminated, the body’s self-healing powers are stimulated and tissues are rejuvenated. Naturally, both body and mind are brought back into balance. Following the programs, the guest is guided on how to easily integrate the newly acquired knowledge into everyday life at home, thus ensuring sustainability.
Long walks or yoga – exercise is just as important as the right diet.
Recipes – Two delicious recipes for detoxification.
If you want to continue your detox and purification regimen at home, or even if you want to start it at home, we’ve put together two delicious recipes to help you get started on the right foot.
Barley risotto with herbs
For 2 people
Ingredients:
- 150 g barley
- 300 g water
- 150 g vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp ghee
- 1 slice of fresh ginger
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp curry
- 1 zucchini
- 1 tbsp tamarind sauce
- fresh parsley and coriander
- salt, pepper
Preparation:
- Boil barley in water and let it swell until everything is done
- finely chop ginger
- Heat ghee in a pan, add cumin seeds, and roast them
- Add ginger and brown
- Add vegetable broth and curry and bring to a boil
- Cut zucchini, add, and let it stew
- Mix everything and season to taste with salt, pepper fresh coriander and parsley, and tamarind sauce
Special recommendation:
Especially suitable for Kapha constitutions, for Vata drizzle with sesame or hazelnut oil at the end.
Spring soup
For 4-6 people
Ingredients:
- Olive oil
- Shallots
- Garlic
- Celery
- Parsnips
- Spring onion
- White wine
- Cardamom
- Vegetable stock
- soy cream or cream
- Espresso
- Goat cheese
Preparation:
- Cut vegetables into small pieces
- Sauté in olive oil
- Deglaze with white wine
- Add vegetable stock and cardamom and simmer for about 20 minutes
- Add cream, espresso, and rocket, and bring to a boil.
- Blend everything, season to taste, and pass through a sieve.
Decorate with spring herbs.
Ayurvedic dishes – For your detox and purification cure at home.
Conclusion
Spring is ideal for ridding the body of toxins and waste products, thus providing optimal support for digestion, preventing illnesses, and starting off the spring fit. Organized treatments, which combine the right nutrition as well as specific exercises, will help you in the long run to a healthy body and mind. If you are interested in the topic of Ayurveda and Yoga, have questions, or would like to book a treatment, such as the Special Retreat: Detox with Ayurveda in Ascona with a 20% discount on the room rates, please contact our Ayurveda experts!
We are looking forward to meeting you!