Detox and Cleanse for the Autumn Equinox and Shift into Winter.

To give your body a deep cleanse at the change of seasons, Joanna@ayurvedicyogi.com, has some great suggestions to do an Ayurvedic Cleanse this autumn.

This practice is done in the Chinese culture as well as the Ayurvedic tradition. Both practice periodic cleansing. Both consider it is most beneficial to do so at the joint between seasons. In this article I will feature the Ayurvedic perspective.

A yellow mung bean soup is just the answer. This soup recipe is highly nutritious and naturally detoxifies the body. It works by cleansing the liver, gall bladder and the vascular system of any ama (undigested toxins). If you follow it for a few days you will lose weight, as well as any retained water and feel lighter, clearer and much more energized. But you need to have a little willpower initially, though it does tend to get easier day by day.

Since this is a powerful detoxification process, pick a time when you are not very busy and can be less sociable if you feel like it. You can do this diet from one to ten days, or longer if desired. You could try it for one day if you are not sure - and carry on if it feels ok. Eat a bowl of this soup for breakfast, lunch, and dinner but only eat when there is genuine hunger and the previous meal is completely digested. You will be nourished but will also burn lots of undigested matter (ama).

If your regular diet includes refined sugar, caffeine, fast food, additives, flavorings, alcohol, and wheat, you are likely to feel cravings for these foods during the first few days. Some people also experience complete absence of their usual cravings for sugar, because their tissues receive the nourishment they require and are satisfied.

NB: Please do not do this fast if you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or suffering from a long-term chronic illness without consulting me (Joanna@ayurvedicyogi.com), or another Ayurvedic practitioner first.

The benefits of a mono-diet of such a light and easily digestible food include:

* Cleansing the body of toxins and residues (including heavy metals) by cleaning all the body's subtle channels

* Corrects digestive fire, at the heart of Ayurvedic health and healing (or Agni)

* Sharpening the mind, providing tranquility, energy, and vitality

* Promoting weight loss, reducing swelling and water retention.

Mung Bean Soup Recipe (makes 2 - 3 bowls)

100 g mung beans

(yellow or green)

1 litre water

1/2 to 1 tsp turmeric

1 pinch asafoetida or Hing (from Indian stores,

health shops)

1 - 2 tsps of fresh root ginger

3/4 tsp each of cumin seeds, ground coriander,

garam masala, ground fennel as

per your liking

lemon juice

ghee or coconut oil

rock salt or herb salt and pepper

fresh coriander or other green herbs

Wash the mung beans thoroughly and soak over night or for at least four hours. Add them to a pan with the water and turmeric and simmer gently until soft (around 30 - 40 minutes), adding more water if needed. Once cooked, heat the ghee or coconut oil in a small frying pan and fry the cumin seeds, hing and ginger until aromatic. Add the remaining spices and heat for 20 seconds or so and then stir them into the soup. Now add salt to taste (don't add salt in the beginning, as this makes the beans tougher and they therefore take longer to cook!) Serve warm with a good squeeze of lemon juice, and some fresh coriander leaves, finely chopped and stirred into the soup. If you feel like a little variety, you can also add green leafy vegetables (chard, kale, spinach etc), courgettes, grated carrots or pumpkin. Get creative according to what is in season. I also like to blend the soup for a better consistency and flavour. For variety, you can also gently fry some onions and garlic to add a little sweetness to the soup and change the taste if you are doing a longer cleanse.

A Simple Fasting Tea

Throughout the cleanse, the following tea can be drunk during the day. It keeps the body strong, prevents dosha disturbances, rectifies agni (fire) and also helps digest and eliminate toxins. Ensure you drink regularly throughout the day, but avoid drinking excessively. Listen to your body and drink according to its needs.

To make the fasting tea use the following ingredients:

1 litre water

1 tsp cumin seeds

1 tsp coriander seeds

1 tsp fennel seeds

1 tsp fresh root ginger juice

3 cardamom (discard the pods and grind the seeds)

Mix everything and gently heat in in a pan. Remove from the heat just before it boils and leave to steep for a further 10 minutes. Filter and drink or keep warm in a flask to consume throughout the day.

Remember to eat light and nourishing foods after your detox till your system is used to eating regular foods again. For a few days avoid heavy foods like meat, fish, eggs, white sugar, bananas, bread, cakes, biscuits.

Enjoy giving your body a brief break and see how you can feel fresh and invigorated so you can enjoy all the wonderful summer activities waiting for you!

Be sure to check out ayurvedicyogi.com for all kinds of recipes, practices and ways to utilize the ayurvedic lifestyle.