How to do a spring detox according to Ayurveda

New healthy food pics are popping up in our feeds all the time. Especially in terms of detox – it makes sense in spring, of course.

Because just like we get cars running again by changing the oil, we also get new energy thanks to detox cures. Especially with Ayurvedic cleansing practices, the over 5,000-year-old Indian healing art uses spices such as cumin or pepper to promote digestion instead of weakening it through fasting.

Daniela Dörflinger Bruggeman, holistic Ayurveda nutrition and health consultant, explains to us how exactly detoxing according to Ayurveda works. First, we abstain from alcohol, coffee, and other toxic substances.

Daniela, why do you find precisely this cure particularly effective?
An Ayurvedic cleansing cure boosts the metabolism, and we lose weight and strengthen the immune system. In addition, you feel more apparent in the head afterwards. 

How does this kind of detox differ from other cleansing cures?
You try to work with the body and not against it. An Ayurvedic detox should not be torture, so we focus on a fixed daily structure with regular meals (three times a day). In addition, the Ayurveda Detox is divided into three phases: the reduction days, the cure days, and the build-up days. On the reduction days, the body is prepared for the cure, and on the build-up days, we slowly get our body used to regular food again.

What do you think should be considered before?
Make sure you have enough time to let yourself go during the cure. And inform your environment: such a detox can sometimes be ugly.

What is vital in terms of food?
Always cook everything well and prepare it juicy because Ayurveda detox does not involve eating raw food. In addition, when preparing foods such as lentils, mung beans, or basmati rice, it is crucial to enrich them with spices that aid digestion. This helps to eliminate excess acids and toxins. 

Which spices and herbs are beneficial?
All digestive spices, such as ginger, turmeric, cumin, or stick pepper, are excellent. But I also use a lot of fresh herbs. Among them are parsley, cilantro, basil, or dill. And now, seasonal herbs like nettle, dandelion, wild garlic, or barley grass.

What can we do when we get a craving for sweets or snacks in between meals?
Usually, you only have such cravings at the beginning of a cure because your body first has to get used to the change in diet. But if you can't help it, you can satisfy your hunger with honey rice cakes, a cup of chai, dried fruit, or almonds.