Amla and Gram Chutney

The season of spring is here. Let us review how beneficial dietary practices are intertwined with the festivals of the season.

- Smt. Minati Shah

"Amalki Ekadashi" comes along in early March and it is a custom to consume Amla juice on this day. Ripe Amla (Indian gooseberry) has an astringent taste and helps eliminate Kapha accumulated over the cold season that becomes active in the spring. The juice cleanse thus helps improve digestion that was being hampered by Kapha. Astringent foods other than Amla, also recommended by Charak during this season are gram, dates and raw mango (in less quantity). These offer similar benefits with digestion, elimination and against diseases due to poor digestion. Additional seasonal suggestions from Ayurveda include exercises, dry massage of the body, mouth gargle and u