Unlocking the Benefits of Ayurvedic Spring Immunity Boosters and Respiratory Care Tips.
Updated: Oct 10
Coughing, sneezing, constant throat clearing and blowing? Kapha season runs from late winter through spring. Read our guide and maintain Kapha dosha balance. Food as medicine, herbs, and Ayurveda lifestyle tools to help you feel your best.
Explore more on the Saumya Blog, selected top Ayurveda blogs and websites to watch.
Ayurvedic Immunity Boosters & Respiratory Care
As the cold grip of winter gives way to spring, our bodies respond to the changes in the world around us. Springtime sniffles, seasonal allergies, and respiratory congestion are just a few of the challenges our immune systems face this time of year.
At 5,000 years old, Ayurveda has been around almost as long as changing seasons and the imbalances that accompany them. Today, we’ll take a look at a few time-tested Ayurvedic immunity boosters and how to integrate them into your life.
What Ayurvedic Season Is Spring?
According to Ayurveda, spring is Kapha season. Kapha dosha represents the elements of water and earth – which are prevalent in our surroundings from the latter half of winter through late spring. Kapha qualities include: cool, heavy, slow, smooth, smooth, stable, soft, and stagnant.
Kapha is reflected both in the heavy, damp days of late winter and the nourishing wetness of the spring season. These environmental factors can increase the same qualities in our bodies and minds.
Seasonal Changes and Kapha Build-Up
Kapha often accumulates in our bodies during winter and can be aggravated in the springtime. As nature thaws and comes back to life, excess Kapha in us also melts. Excess Kapha can block our respiratory passageways, cause toxin (ama) build-up, and reduce the strength of our immune systems.
Why We Need Ayurvedic Immunity Boosters for Spring
Modern society often leaves us feeling disconnected from the rhythms of nature, but we’re still impacted by our physical and energetic environments. The Kapha qualities pronounced in spring can be particularly stressful on our respiratory and immune systems.
Changing Environments: Melting snow and wet weather increase moisture and mold in our environments. Paired with an increase in pollen and other airborne irritants, these seasonal changes can aggravate our allergies, lungs, and sinuses.
Change of Pace: We tend to retreat inward and move less in the darkest days of winter and may find ourselves feeling sluggish, heavy, and less healthy and resilient. To balance Kapha, invigoration is needed.
Change in Diet: We need hearty food to stay grounded through the bite of Vata season. But these same foods can clog our systems with mucus and toxins once spring comes around.
What are the Best Ayurvedic Immunity Boosters?
According to Ayurveda, one of the best ways to maintain balance during seasonal changes is to practice ritucharya – modifying our routines to complement our environments.
No single Ayurvedic immunity booster will work for everyone, but herbal remedies, Nasya oil, and Ayurvedic cleanses are a good place to start.
Herbal Remedies for Immune & Respiratory Support
Chaywanprash: A revered Ayurvedic supplement, Chaywanprash is made from a highly-concentrated blend of nutrient rich herbs, spices, minerals, and vitamin C. It can be consumed daily to strengthen the immune system and balance the doshas.
Pippali: An ancient herbal remedy, Pippali has been used for centuries to reduce respiratory inflammation and irritation and remove phlegm deposits from the airways.
Turmeric: Curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, helps flush toxins and decreases inflammation in the lungs and air passages. Turmeric may also make the body more resilient to infection.
Ginger: Another potent anti-inflammatory herb, ginger strengthens agni - the digestive fire - which is often needed after holiday eating, a long winter, and as the spring winds (Vata) arrive which may blow out the fire.
Astragalus: This flowering plant has been used for centuries to stimulate the immune system and make the body more resilient to physical, environmental, emotional stressors .
Ashwagandha: Ashwagandha has anti-inflammatory properties that can help strengthen immunity post-illness. It is also believed to improve brain function and reduce anxiety, depression, mental fog, and supports healthy adrenal function.
Please note: Saumya Ayurveda does not recommend using herbs as if they were over the counter or prescribed pharmaceuticals. An experienced Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner will create you a custom herbal formula, special nasya, and customized Ayurveda plan to support the whole you.
Herbs are not Ayurvedic because it comes from India. Nor it is correct for you because it is organic. Herbs become Ayurvedic when used as part your customized Ayurveda plan which is carefully tailored for your constitution. An herb that is balancing to one person for a concern, may be imbalancing to another.
Herbs aren’t the only Ayurvedic immunity boosters you can eat! Visit the Saumya Ayurveda blog to learn more about immunity boosting Ayurvedic foods. Check out our online recipe box and seasonal tips too.
Daily Nasya Oil Therapy
Ayurvedic involves Prana – the vital life force that enters as, for example, through our breath. But seasonal changes can aggravate our respiratory systems and block the passageways through which Prana flows and nourishes our gross and subtle (pranic) bodies.
Nasya therapy helps restore and support the balanced flow of Prana. It involves applying herbalized oil to our nasal passages to lubricate and form a barrier against airborne irritants. Nasya doesn’t just relieve mucus and congestion, it supports greater mental clarity and reduces stress and anxiety.
Our blog on Nasya Oil Treatment takes a closer look at the benefits of this Ayurvedic immunity booster and what to know before you begin your own practice.
Explore our personalized services.
Ayurvedic Cleansing Program
An Ayurvedic detox helps rid your body of toxins (ama), rebalances the doshas and Prana, and improves overall health and wellbeing. The spring seasonal transition is a great time to do an Ayurvedic cleanse and bolster your immune system, remove toxins (ama), and balance all three doshas. Ayurvedic cleanses have also been shown to decrease stress and increase energy levels, so you can greet spring in optimal health.
Kitchari tailored to your doshic picture, is a key to smooth sailing from one season to another. For many, Kapha Reducing Kitchari is a good fit in the winter to spring transition.
“I was looking for a home cleansing program and Saumya Ayurveda delivered. I work full time, have a family, sports, commute, --and this cleanse was manageable! I had such a positive cleanse experience; I plan to do it again and I have it on my planner already. got the results I wanted, after day three, and with minimal effort. It is amazing what the correctly designed Ayurveda cleanse can do for one’s body and mind. I look and feel better!" - A.B., White Bear Lake, Minnesota Related Readings: 9 Ayurvedic Treatments for Sinusitis How to Prevent Sinusitis Naturally with Ayurveda 6 Ayurvedic Tools to Naturally Boost Immunity Ayurveda Back to School Thrive Guide
There is a saying, "The mind is more in the body, than the body is in the mind." The Saumya 3 step meditation process shifts us from fight-flight-freeze mode, to rest-restore-relax mode. Give it a try for forty days and observe the changes. The more grounded and relaxed we are, the smoother life flows.
"The breath is the connection between the mind and body, so by training the breath, we become calm, focused, and grounded, we slow down the aging process by decreasing stress. These practices are so simple and easy to have as part of our daily life. We actually feel and look younger."
- Veena, Saumya Ayurveda
1. Learn Diaphragmatic Breathing and Change Your Life. When we re-learn to breath diaphragmatically, we move from the flight-fight-freeze mode, to rest, restore, relaxation mode from where we want and need to live.
2. Daily Guided Practices: 11 minutes in the morning and in the evening, as anchors of your daily Ayurveda routine.
3. Ayurveda Daily Routines: --Ayurvedic Morning Routine | 6 Rituals for a Calm and Centered Day
"Choose a couple of practices from the routines that provide you with the greatest support. Perform them while applying our two minute meditation technique and your mundane tasks, just transformed into a mellifluous meditation. This is meditation applied to daily life." - Veena, Saumya Ayurveda
"Veena was able to help me regain my energy in just a few months and I’m feeling like my “young” self again! I love the food plan she designed for me, and all the supporting practices (am/pm routines, breathing techniques, herbs, and spice mixes) are so enjoyable to incorporate into my day. I highly recommend Saumya Ayurveda if you want to feel better and have more vitality.”
-Molly Rossini, Minnesota
Explore More: Ayurveda Breathwork Pranayama
"With Veena’s guidance, with herbs and diet changes, I soon realized that my symptoms were very real. After making the changes, I made small victories along the way, and became better with each appointment with her.
Now almost 6 months later, I am a completely different person. I still have some things to work on, but with Veena’s help, I know I will be able to take control of my health and not leave it to Western medicine that was giving me little to no help and covering up my symptoms with another medication. Working with Veen has been the best decision I have made for my health. You won’t be disappointed!” -- Maria Fumagalli,San Diego, California
“Veena is an amazing Ayurvedic Practitioner. She is knowledgeable and highly skilled. She is also intuitive and has a great sense of humor. If you are looking for someone to help guide you to better health, work/life balance and awareness of your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being—I recommend Veena without hesitation.
After my first consultation and one week of recommended foods, I felt better, had more energy and more mental clarity than I have had in many years. Thank you, Veena.”
-Lynda G, Corrales, New Mexico
“So glad I came across Saumya Ayurveda’s clinic. This is a gem offering holistic preventive care. I had great results with seasonal allergies and general well-being.
Veena is extremely knowledgeable and takes great care in remedying underlying health issues. Thank you for all your help and continued services to our community.” --Pawan K., Corrales, New Mexico
“Even in cold air and elevation, I’m totally off the asthma inhaler. My asthma is completely gone. No more puffers.”
-S.A., Virginia
Unlocking the Benefits of Ayurvedic Spring Immunity Boosters and Respiratory Care Tips.
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MEET VEENA: YOUR AYURVEDIC GUIDE
Veena is a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner and meditation teacher, and monk.
She is President Emeritus and teaching faculty of the Meditation Center.
Veena fell in love with the traditional medicine used in her family’s home, learning herbal remedies at her grandmother's knee.
An experienced Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, Veena’s deep, intuitive knowledge of Ayurveda empowers her clients to reclaim their fullest, most vibrant lives –mentally, physically, and spiritually.
Veena individualizes treatment plans to each person, rather than offering a one-size-fits-all approach, so it fits your life and becomes woven in your lifestyle, naturally.
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Meet Kapha. He's one of our newest pack members at Saumya Ayurveda. He embodies all the Kapha dosha qualities. He loves to consume as much of everything as he can--food, affection--he wants it.
Kapha lives up to his name in other ways too. He is calm, loving, and considerate. He knows how to enjoy life and make himself comfortable. Kapha is loyal, steady, patient, and supportive. He takes good care of his brother, Vata (background) and is so sweet.