The current season brings with it a subtle sense of lightness and renewal. The dense, heavy feeling of winter is gradually beginning to lift. Mornings seem brighter, and the markets are filling up again with fresh colors. The body now naturally craves something different: lighter meals, fresher flavors, less heaviness.
What is growing now is exactly what supports the body during this transition. If you follow the season, your own system will effortlessly find a new rhythm.
Classical Ayurvedic texts describe this time as a phase in which digestion is still delicate and Kapha—the heaviness that has built up over the winter—gradually gives way to the rising Pitta brought on by warmer temperatures. Light, fresh, and simple food now offers the best support.
FIVE FOODS THAT ARE PARTICULARLY SUITABLE NOW
1. Asparagus
Across Europe, asparagus season has an almost festive quality. Delicate and subtly complex, it supports the body without burdening it. Its subtle bitterness and high water content help flush out lingering winter heaviness while remaining easily digestible. Best prepared simply: lightly cooked, dressed with a little ghee or olive oil.
Asparagus: lowers Pitta and Kapha, may slightly increase Vata (especially when eaten raw or prepared dry)
2. Rhubarb
Sharp, vibrant, unmistakable. After months of heavy fare, its natural acidity gently stimulates the appetite and invigorates digestion—thus supporting the transition into spring in a pleasant way. It should be cooked before eating; the heat tempers its sharpness and makes its cleansing effect more tolerable. A simple, gently prepared compote is perfectly sufficient.
Rhubarb: strongly increases Pitta and Vata due to its acidity, tends to reduce Kapha
3. Strawberries
The first ones appear, and suddenly they’re everywhere. Their sweetness, combined with a slight tartness and their cooling effect, makes them ideal as the days grow warmer. They refresh without burdening digestion and gently balance the increasing internal heat. Classical texts describe similar fruits as nourishing, heart-strengthening, and satisfying—especially when fully ripe. They are best enjoyed simply, preferably earlier in the day. For better digestibility, it is recommended not to combine them with milk.
Strawberries: slightly increases Pitta (sour), calms Vata, may increase Kapha in large quantities
4. Radishes
Crisp, spicy, vibrant. The sharpness of radishes stimulates digestion and helps reduce residual Kapha—that winter heaviness that can make you sluggish. Just a few slices with a little salt or lemon can noticeably enliven a meal.
Radishes: reduces Kapha, increases Pitta and slightly increases Vata
5. Spinach & Lamb’s Lettuce
Tender leafy greens, delicate yet effective. Their slight bitterness aids in the breakdown of ama—metabolic residues from the heavier foods of winter, usually paired with—at least in our latitudes—reduced daily activity. Lightly steamed or simply dressed, both are both nourishing and easily digestible.
Spinach & Lamb’s Lettuce: reduces Kapha, increases Pitta and slightly increases Vata
A SIMPLE DAILY RITUAL
Raisin Water
Some things that are particularly effective are also remarkably simple.
Raisins—known as Drākṣā in Ayurveda—are described in classical texts as cooling, nourishing, and gently digestive and hydrating. As temperatures rise, they support steady energy, alleviate dryness, and provide a gentle form of nourishment without causing heaviness. Starting this habit now is a good way to prepare for the warmer season.
Ingredients
• 10–15 dark raisins (organic, unsulphured)
• 250 ml water at room temperature
• Optional: 1 lightly crushed green cardamom pod, a few saffron threads
Preparation
In the evening, place the raisins in a glass of room-temperature water and let them soak overnight. Stir in the morning and drink. The soaked raisins can be eaten with breakfast.
It’s ideal to enjoy this in the morning for a gentle start to the day, in the late afternoon as a light refreshment, or whenever the warmth calls for something simple.
This time of year doesn’t require much.
A small adjustment is enough: lighter fare, fresher ingredients, and a little more attention to your own digestive comfort—this alone leads to a natural easing of the heaviness left behind by winter. If so-called spring fatigue still doesn’t subside sufficiently, drink a cup of hot ginger tea two to three times a day; this boosts digestive power even more and supports detoxification. Simply pour hot water over a few slices of fresh ginger, let it steep for a few minutes, and drink it hot. If you follow these recommendations, the body usually finds its balance on its own.
Sources
Aṣṭāṅgahṛdayam (Sūtrasthāna 3 & 6), Caraka Saṃhitā (Sūtrasthāna 25, 27; Cikitsāsthāna 26), Suśruta Saṃhitā (Sūtrasthāna 46), Dhanvantari Nighaṇṭu, Bhāvaprakāśa Nighaṇṭu, Rāja Nighaṇṭu, P.V. Sharma — Dravyaguṇa Vijñāna, Vol. 2, K.M. Nadkarni — Indian Materia Medica, M.S. Valiathan — The Legacy of Caraka
To complement this post, we have included a short video featuring our CEO, Lothar Pirc.
In it, he offers insights into our clinic, the principles of Maharishi Ayurveda, and the care that goes into our treatments. He discusses the importance of pure ingredients and traditional knowledge, and how we integrate both into our work. Anyone interested is warmly invited to learn more about Ayurveda, visit us, and spend time with us.
