Spring is here. At least it is for the Northern Hemisphere. With the changing of the seasons comes a host of bodily changes.
According to the canon of Traditional Tibetan Medicine: “As within, so without.” Therefore, the atmospheric and geological changes that we observe outside in nature, also occur inside of the body.
Foremost of those changes is the glacial melt that characterizes the Spring season. In the body, this is represented by the thawing of the phlegm humor–or bad kan, one of the 3 psycho-physiological energies that make up the human body–that accumulates throughout the winter. Once this energy begins to flow, it results in upper-respiratory issues, that can take the form of a runny nose; sensitivity to particulate matter; itchy and watery eyes; an itchy throat; sinus headaches; and a host of other symptoms ascribed to allergies or hay fever.
What then can be done to quell the ill effects of this seasonal transition?
Reliance on a warm and light diet and lifestyle can mitigate the ill effects of transitioning from winter to spring.
What exactly does that mean?
It means focusing on the sour, salty, and spicy tastes in the diet, principally consuming hot and cooked foods, and performing regular exercise to ensure the free flow of energies through the channels in the body. Additionally, consuming a glass of freshly boiled water with a teaspoon of honey in the morning also helps in this effort.
In a relatively healthy person, one should only need to apply the aforementioned interventions for a short period of time–no more than 3-4 days at most–to assist the body with the seasonal transition.
If you are currently dealing with any illness or discomfort, please consult your health provider before adopting any of these recommendations, as this should not serve as medical advice for any individual suffering from serious illness.
