Spring Clean Your Life- My Guide To A Spring Equinox Detox
- victoria ward
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
The Spring or Vernal Equinox occurs on March 20th this year, marking the point where days and nights are equal and we reach a harmonious balance between light and dark.
The Equinox is a potent energetic point, vibrant energy can be harnessed for growth and renewal. This heightened energy makes it an ideal time to detoxify physically and emotionally, break any negative patterns, remove stagnant energies and set our intentions for the future.
If you take time out for a reset now, you can prepare to bloom in the coming months ahead.
Archetypal spring energy is a force associated with the rapid onset of spring, of new growth and new life. This was attributed to the Goddess Oestre (Ostara) the 'Goddess of Light' and fertility. Oestre was a pagan Anglo-Saxon goddess honoured in springtime and 'Easter' derives from her name.
Pagans celebrate the Spring Equinox and act out the roles of Spring God and Goddess, the god is often portrayed as the Green Man and Mother Earth as the goddess.
The Spring Equinox has long been associated with traditions of spring cleaning, detoxification, contemplation and celebration. We can harness the new energy and sense of positivity that accompanies this transition.
Ways to celebrate the Spring Equinox-
Spring clean- cast off all you no longer need, make space and clear stagnant energy
Detox- embark on a short physical detox with herbs and wild food, cut out processed food and give your gut health a boost
Sow seeds- the ideal point to start a garden project
Set intentions- visualise and plan ahead
Witness the Equinox sunrise
Create an altar with foraged plants, herbs and painted eggs
Equinox Weekend Detox
Many herbs are perfect detox allies to help clear congestion and stagnation at this time of year, some resemble the sun indicating to us their value at this special time including the blooms of Dandelion, Celandine and Coltsfoot.
Others offer us fresh green leaves, full of vibrant energy to clear any winter stagnation and lingering congestion from winter illnesses, they re-enegise us and give our systems a boost to assist with cleansing and renewal.
Spring is an excellent time to embark on a detox, during the winter months we need to conserve our energy and sustain ourselves. Why not celebrate this Spring Equinox by trying a weekend detox using wild food and herbs?
Food Is Medicine
Wild, foraged food has many benefits to health see my post Are You Ready To Go Foraging?- Your Wild Apothecary Awaits, and Rewilding Your Gut- for more information.
Firstly wild food is free, unprocessed and often organic, also it is seasonal eating that is environmentally friendly with zero food miles. It is excellent for our gut health (see below) and for following an anti-inflammatory diet that reduces processed foods.
Wild food is packed with nutraceuticals and amazing phytochemicals that are fresh and potent.
Wild Garlic and Three-cornered Leek are abundant right now so try and consume as much as you can, there are many easy ways to do so see my posts Foraging Three-cornered Leek and Recipes and Foraging Wild Garlic And Recipes. Both of these plants have powerful detoxifying properties.
There are many plants available now that you can forage, including-
Nettle leaves
Chickweed
Dandelion leaves and flowers
Cleavers
Sweet Violets
Wild Primroses
Dandelion roots
Burdock roots
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Gut Health
Now is a time for a gut health boost, use this special time to cut out the processed foods and concentrate on fruits, vegetable, legumes, nuts, seeds and fermented natural foods as much as possible. See my posts Rewilding Your Gut and Which Herbs Improve Gut Health
Ayurvedic Tips For Detoxification
The traditional medicinal system of the Indian subcontinent Ayurveda offers complete health/lifestyle guidance and is based on the three doshas or tri-dosha- pitta, vata and kapha. The ideal is to achieve balance and treatment plans are designed to address conditions caused by imbalance of the doshas. This disharmony is addressed by dietary changes, massage, exercise, herbs and changes to routines.
In Ayurveda spring is considered an ideal time to detoxify. If you want to consult an experienced ayurvedic practitioner to guide you I can highly recommend Virginia Compton see my interview with her here .
There are tips we can take from Ayurveda that suit all doshas, these remedies are known as tridoshic and can easily be incorporated into detox rituals.
Warm Water
Drinking your water warm is considered to improve digestion and help flush out toxins
Coriander Seed
Crush 3 tsps of coriander seeds in a pestle and mortar and soak in 200ml water overnight. Strain in the morning and drink first thing before consuming anything else. Warm slightly if you prefer. This ritual is cooling reducing excess pitta, improves the digestion and aids detox.
Triphala
Triphala is a blend of three fruits which can be taken at night as a powder dissolved in a glass of water. This blend helps with detoxificatin and promotes regular elimination. It can be particularly useful if you are prone to sluggish bowels, constipation and bloating. Check out my previous Triphala post Unlocking Triphala: The Super Herb for New Year Resolutions
Add a teaspoon to a glass of water and drink before bed.
Abhyanga
Self massage nourishes the skin, calms the mind and is a grounding self-care ritual, choose a tridoshic oil if you are unsure of your dosha or imbalance. Rub oil into your chest and over your joints.
Tongue Scraping
Scrape the tongue in the mornings to remove any toxins. You can buy tongue scrapers, see resources
Foraged Herbs For Detox
Prime Detoxifying Herbs
Many herbs are designed to assist our bodies in the processes of detoxification, many appearing right now are spring tonics that are there for us to forage and use. See my recent posts What To Forage In March and March Foraging- Awakening, Detoxifying And Renewal
Nature provides us with several spring tonics in March including- lymphatic cleansers, immunity enhancers, liver, kidney and respiratory tonics.
Cleavers Spring Tonic
Collect fresh Cleavers from an uncontaminated source
Infuse in cold water with a slice of lemon or cucumber
Keep refrigerated and drink freely throughout your detox to cleanse your system
Replenish as necessary
Nettle Tea
Nettle tea is a very pleasant and nutritious drink to consume freely throughout the day. It is a superb detoxifying herb that benefits every system. Nettle helps to remove excess uric acid which can ease any joint pain and arthritis symptoms.
Place your foraged youg nettle leaves in a teapot and pour over boiling water, allow to infuse for 10-15 mins. Drink hot or cold freely throughout your detox.
Coltsfoot Syrup
Although we need to be cautious about consuming Coltsfoot due to it containing PAs (toxic alkaloids that may be associated with liver damage) we can safely take it for two week periods several times a year. This herb is a great tonic to the respiratory system, clearing out stagnant phlegm and congestion.
This syrup is made from a strong infusion of Coltsfoot flowers and stems, strain and add sugar (equal amounts to liquid) until thickened. Bottle and store.
Please visit Sunshine Flowers Of The Spring Equinox- Coltsfoot and Lesser Celandine post for recipes and foraging guide.
Birch Sap
Birch Sap is such a natural treat to aid detoxification and is now rising, it is hydrating and rejuvenating, stimulates the immune system and metabolism, is cleansing and purifying and antioxidant-rich. See my previous post The Health Benefits Of Birch Sap And Harvesting Techniques
Sweet Violet Infusion
Sweet Violet flowers are such delicate beauties and flowering now, they reduce inflammation and help clear respiratory congestion and aid lymphatic drainage. Make an infusion or a syrup from these sublime flowers. Visit my post February Flowers To Forage- Wild Primrose and Sweet Violet
Equinox Detoxymel
Herbal oxymels are herbs infused in a vinegar and honey mixture, this is an ancient form of extracting the medicinal properties of herbs and creates a sweet and sour tasting remedy. You can adjust the amounts of vinegar and honey to suit your taste. I use Apple Cider VInegar and raw honey to gain the benefits of both. Mix vinegar and honey together and pour over your selected herbs in a jar- I used a handful each of foraged Cleavers, Nettle and Sweet Violets (hence the colour). Leave to infuse for a couple of weeks, then strain and bottle. Take 1-2 tbsps daily according to your tolerance to acidic foods.
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