Fall tips for vata, pitta and kapha

Fall is here with all the joys of autumn leaves, crisp apples and harvest time. Yet it also brings change-of-season sniffles, aches and pains and insomnia.

Vata

For vata, fall can be the most challenging time of year. Support your health with warming Trinity Tea, made from tulsi, fresh ginger and turmeric. This tea fights off viruses, calms vata and is anti-inflammatory for aches and pains. Massage your body with sesame oil and take a warm ginger bath. And enjoy soups and kitchari seasoned with vata- soothing spices such as cumin, ginger and cinnamon.

Pitta

For pitta, fall provides a welcome relief from summer heat. Yet cold weather brings its own challenges, as the fire we built up all summer long internalizes in our body. To prevent inflammatory illnesses such as strep throat during the winter, take advantage of fall to cleanse out old pitta with triphala or amlaki tea before bed. You may also experience some vata symptoms such as restlessness or backache during vata season. In that case, you too can enjoy tulsi, ginger and turmeric tea as well as doing self massage with warm sunflower oil.

Kapha

As for kapha, fall is the time to prepare for winter kapha season with the attendant colds, flu and bronchitis. Using cleansing herbs such as triphala will help remove the toxins which feed winter respiratory infections, while warming blends like trikatu will also help by burning away toxins. And the magical tulsi, ginger and turmeric tea will help you as well by inducing sweating and helping remove kapha toxins. If you develop vata aches and pains during fall season, rub on mustard oil or castor oil and take a hot ginger bath.

And of course, if you get the opportunity to do an Ayurvedic cleanse, known as pancha karma, fall is the perfect time. A fall pancha karma can be a key factor in preventing winter ailments. An Ayurvedic practitioner can help you plan a home cleanse or treatments with a pancha karma therapist.

With the support of Ayurvedic teas, spices and massage oils, you can enjoy the beauties and richness of autumn and minimize the discomforts.

Alakananda Ma M.B., B.S. (Lond.) is an Ayurvedic Doctor (NAMA) and graduate of a top London medical school. She is co-founder of Alandi Ayurveda Clinic and Alandi Ayurveda Gurukula in Boulder Colorado, as well as a spiritual mother, teacher, flower essence maker and storyteller. Alakananda is a well known and highly respected practitioner in the Ayurveda community both nationally and internationally.

Enliven your holistic health! Visit Alakananda Ma in Alandi Ashram’s ayurvedic clinic to support the overall rejuvenation of your body, mind, and spirit. In-person and virtual appointments available. Book now!

Ayurvedic Self-Care for Fall

Tridoshic Yam Kitchari