The nature of the seasons... the best times to cleanse your body

Ideally we need to incorporate nature's seasons with our own cycles because according to TCM, there are very definite times to restore and nourish the body and periods where cleansing and detoxifying is more appropriate. In nature, the growth of plants mirrors how the body energy changes with the seasons.

For example, as the body's energy rises and moves from within (Winter) to the surface (Spring), plants also move from underground (tubers) and migrate upward and outward, above ground (spring greens). Therefore, cleansing during the Winter season is not ideal as it is a time of hibernation, replenishing energy stores, conserving and building the qi. A basic wholesome diet with cooked vegetables, grains such as brown rice, seaweed and warming spices including ginger, cinnamon, cloves and cayenne is ideal in these colder months. After this time of consolidation, one can begin to gently cleanse your body of the toxins that may have accumulated over this period of rest by increasing the vegetables and natural fibre intake to ensure that the colon and superficial organs are able to efficiently clear wastes.

Then as we progress into the season of Spring, fresh green vegetables and herbs such as dandelion are abundant in nature and according to TCM, the energy of the liver comes into power, so this is the most suitable time to focus on a deeper cleanse. Like we traditionally 'spring clean' our home at this time of the year, it is a good time to detoxify mind, body and spirit.

Summer too is a time when we want to eat lighter, more cleansing foods due to the extra warmth and the availability of this produce. Late Summer and Autumn is the season associated with the large intestine, lungs and skin and so this is another good time of the year to cleanse the body by focusing on harvest vegetables such as pumpkin and squashes before winter begins, a time to go within and reflect on our inner world that mirrors these natural cycles. Keep an open mind and be prepared to adapt your diet to the seasons, climate and local produce available