Fall is one of our favourite seasons here at Noorish because it is a time for rest and renewal, both in nature and inside ourselves. As the trees change and shed their leaves, it’s the perfect opportunity to cleanse and rejuvenate our bodies.
Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine can both offer great guidance and insight on how to best support our health and well-being during such a transitional season.
Ayurvedic Lens on Fall
According to Ayurveda, the fall season is tied to the Vata dosha, which is characterized by dryness, coldness and lightness while being susceptible to anxiety, restlessness and digestive issues. This imbalance is very common after a hot summer season of long, active days filled with sweat and dehydration.
Alternatively, when our Vata is balanced, we’re not only grounded but also feeling inspired and creative. Have you noticed that you’re suddenly ready to take on activities and goals, like a fall new year’s-style resolution? That’s your Vata talking!
The best way to keep your Vata in balance heading into shorter days and chilly nights is to nourish yourself with the proper foods and ingredients. These can include:
- Warm, grounding foods - Soups, stews, broths and porridges.
- Moisturizing produce & oils - Beets, carrots, ghee, olive oil, sweet potatoes and additional root vegetables.
- Sweetness, sourness and good salt - Cooked rice, quinoa and other grains plus sour fruits.
Avoid cold mixtures such as smoothies or raw foods like salads as they can be hard on your digestive system and raise your Vata.
If you have a thorough skin care regimen, consider integrating abhyanga, which is the practice of massaging oneself with warm herb-rich oil. We also recommend looking into pranayama, the practice of mind and body-calming breathing exercises.
TCM on Fall Cleansing
Like Ayurveda, TCM also encourages seasonal cleansing in the fall. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, fall is tied to the metal element, which controls our lungs and large intestine - the two organs TCM holds responsible for detoxification.
To best eliminate toxins from our body, it is recommended that we consume pears, white beans and other foods considered to be astringent and drying. TCM also recognizes the importance of deep breathing exercises, in addition to keeping up light exercise, helping our lungs stay strong and detoxify with fresh air.
Fall Hormonal Balance
One element of fall cleansing TCM and Ayurveda mutually touch on is the necessity of hormone balance practices. As we spend more time in darkness, our internal regulation of appetite and mood becomes impacted by a drop in serotonin. This is where our sudden cravings, fatigue and seasonal irritability can come from.
You can counter this by integrating ashwagandha, maca and other adaptogenic superfoods into your routine. These will also balance out any stress hormones.
Additional Habits for Balancing Your Vata
To further balance your Vata, allowing for a more restful, stress-free fall, consider focusing on these positive changes to your daily routine:
- Mindful rituals - Daily journaling, meditation, quiet walks (no music) and yoga can help you ground your activity, moods and thoughts.
- Earlier sleep - A 10 PM bedtime can help you reset your sleep cycle (and quality of sleep) to match the season’s natural circadian and lightness/darkness rhythms.
- Warming bedtime beverages - Spiced honey milk, herbal teas and bone broths are perfect for soothing your body into a warm, restful state before sleep.
Avoid common causes of overstimulation such as screen light overexposure and doomscrolling social media.
Support Your Fall Cleansing with Noorish
At Noorish, we believe in the power of superfoods to support health and well-being. Our products are carefully crafted with organic, fair-trade ingredients to provide you with the nutrients you need to rest, reset and thrive.
To best support your fall cleansing journey, we recommend our Sunshine in a Cup, a spiced immunity honey made from a consciously curated blend of Ayurvedic spices to soothe and support your body, balance your Vata and boost your immune function.
Giving your insides a warm hug, while improving digestion and reducing inflammation, this honey’s warming spices include organic cinnamon, cardamom, cayenne, clove, nutmeg black pepper and ginger. Sunshine in a Cup also features Goji Berry Extract, an Ayurvedic superfood known for its adaptogenic and antioxidant qualities.
Grab your favourite mug and add Sunshine in a Cup to water, milk, coffee or tea. Follow along on Noorish’s Instagram as we also guide you through our favourite fall recipes.
