Spring is an ideal time to rejuvenate the physiology, in keeping with Nature’s own calendar for rejuvenation.  Performing an internal cleansing routine at this time accelerates the flushing of toxins from the physiology.

Start with the elimination of all foods that can create toxins in your body. These include leftovers, packaged foods with preservatives, additives or chemicals, and foods grown in an environment laced with chemical fertilizers or pesticides, as well as canned, frozen or processed foods.

Eliminate junk foods and take-away foods from your diet. Avoid heavy desserts, heavy meats and cheeses, deep-fried foods, candy and chocolate, white sugar, carbonated drinks, caffeine, alcohol and nicotine. Minimize breads made with yeast as they clog up the intestines and avoid fermented foods (e.g. tamari, tempeh, miso, wine, etc.).

If you suffer from a weak digestive fire and an unhealthy digestive system (reflected by bloating, gas, abdominal pain, constipation or loose stool) limit your amount of raw foods because they are more difficult to digest. Steaming covered, or sautéing briskly can help make foods easier to digest without too much loss of nutritive value.

Avoid iced water and cold beverages because they slow down your metabolism and therefore weaken your digestive fires. It is recommended to sip warm water or room temperature water with meals. Drinking warm water through the day, especially warm water spiked with digestion-enhancing spices (e.g. fennel, ginger, mint, coriander, cumin) helps digestion as well as purification.  If you have fresh basil use it in a tea (pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1-2 basil leaves) as basil is known for its ability to cleanse the physiology of environmental toxins.

Eat whole, fresh, local, natural foods, preferably organic.  Also, purchase your produce fresh, and consume it quickly.

Eat cooked foods, warm or at room temperature.

Include lots of cleansing fruits and vegetables in your diet. Barley water or rice kanjee, made by cooking a small amount of grain with a large quantity of water (1/2 cup to 10 cups) are also wonderful cleansers of the digestive system and the urinary tract. Greens, Alfalfa sprouts, asparagus, cabbage and celery are examples of cleansing vegetables. Cooked apples and pears are a great way to get elimination going in the morning. Prunes, pineapple, papaya and pomegranate are other fruits that aid digestion and cleansing. Herbs such as cilantro, mint, fresh ginger and lemon are also helpful for cleansing and purifying the digestive system.

Cook with digestion-enhancing, detoxifying spices such as turmeric, cumin, coriander, clove, fenugreek, fresh ginger, cinnamon, marjoram, dill, caraway cinnamon and fennel. Add the turmeric to foods as they are cooking, and sauté other spices organic, cold pressed coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil and pour over prepared dishes for the best therapeutic benefit.

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