Show Notes
If spring feels heavier than it should — slow digestion, morning congestion, low appetite, a persistent heaviness you can’t quite name — Ayurveda has a precise and practical explanation for what’s happening. In Episode 77, Kate O’Donnell goes deep on Kapha season: the Ayurvedic name for the late-winter-into-spring transition when excess moisture in the body starts moving, filling the cavities of the stomach, throat, lungs, and sinuses. This is not a malfunction. It’s biology. And once you understand it, you have real tools to work with.
This solo episode covers:
The Ayurvedic science of spring: how cold and dry winter conditions create excess mucus, and why the seasonal thaw causes it to move through the body The primary seats of Kapha Dosha — stomach, mouth, throat, lungs, sinuses — and how each signals imbalance in spring The ginger-cumin water remedy: how to make it, why it works, and how to sip it throughout the day Ginger, lemon, and honey: the spring tonic Kate returns to every year and why Ayurveda insists on raw honey Nasya oil: how to use it in spring, when to skip it, and what to do instead if sinuses are congested Movement practices that mobilize lymph, with specific attention to the armpits and upper body Spring grains to favor: barley, millet, corn, buckwheat — and why oats and wheat tend to compound the problem Legumes as detox allies: mung beans, black beans, white beans, and why Kate reaches for them consistently this time of year What to reduce: cold drinks, heavy oils, daytime napping, wheat, dairy, meat, fried food, and sweets Pungent, bitter, and astringent foods — what they are, why they help, and easy ways to include them The most important single spring habit: not eating when you’re not hungry
Kate also offers an important note of nuance: these recommendations are seasonal medicine for those experiencing seasonal imbalance. If you feel great, that means your constitution is managing the transition beautifully. These tools are remedies, not obligations.
Resources mentioned:
Everyday Ayurveda Cookbook by Kate O’Donnell Everyday Ayurveda Cooking for a Calm, Clear Mind by Kate O’Donnell Nasya oil: link in show notes healwithkate.org for personalized seasonal support
Health Disclaimer: The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.orgCulinary Training in Indiahttps://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-trainingFall Cleansehttps://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-indiaThanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicalshttps://alnk.to/eOQb34qTriphala Support:https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx
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