Seasonal Transition

As the seasons change we too change with them. The transition from winter to spring may be one of the most welcomed changes in local climate, but it can be tough on the body. As the seasons battle for control of the weather our systems become victim to fluctuating temperatures, blistering winds, and rain.

This much fluctuation in the weather is exhausting for the body and can create temporary issues. One of the first places our bodies adjusts to deal with the changes is in the digestive system. This can affect our Agni (digestive fire) and create issues with our ability to digest our food property creating issues with elimination. As our bodies grow tired from the fluctuation weather we become more susceptible to sinus congestion, colds and seasonal allergies.

CCF Tea

CCF tea is a warm tea made from cumin, coriander, and fennel. This tea can help to sooth and calm the digestive system, encouraging proper digestion and help the body to fight off symptoms from the seasonal change. The whole seeds are boiled and them steeped to create a sweet and savory tea. I personally love the melody of flavors in this tea, but I’m also known to dried berries or lemon balm to change things up.

What does CCF tea do?

CCF tea is a digestive (deepan), it burns toxins (Ama pachan), is a mildl diuretic, anti-flatulent (gas relieving), decongestant, anti-oxidant, anti- inflammatory, antacid, and antispasmodic. It has been shown to be effective in reducing sinus congestion, controlling acid indigestion, and soothing IBS symptoms, calming the mind, and improving elimination.

CCF Tea Recipe

This balanced and flavorful digestive tea is made from equal proportions by volume of the seeds of Cumin, Coriander, and Fennel. It has many subtleties of taste combining sweet, pungent, bitter and astringent flavors which are directly balancing to all the doshas and especially the arising pitta and congestive Kapha during Springtime.

Recipe:

1 tsp. Cumin seeds

1 tsp. Coriander seeds

1 tsp. Fennel seeds

3-4 cups of water

First, boil the seeds for 10 minutes. Then, let steep for another 15 minutes. Finally, strain out the seeds and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Enjoy CCF tea hot, warm or at room temp.

We recommended drinking ½ of a cup to 1 cup of tea before meals to increase appetite and aid digestion. You can also enjoy this same amount of tea after meals to aid digestion, absorption and assimilation.

It is important to use the whole seed and use high quality organic ingredient to make CCF tea. To save time and ensure your getting the best quality ingredients, we are now offering pre mixed bags of CCF tea for purchase. To order your CCF tea send us an email at LivingAlchemy@gmail.com or give us a call at
828-484-2413 . Orders can be shipped to your door or you can pick them up in person at our West Asheville office.

                In this inception article of our Blog and Newsletter, we will look at springtime and daily practices for this transition. Because we live in the eastern part of the United states and it is best to talk about what you know, we will have a special focus on the climate of Asheville, NC and the temperate southeastern states.

This is the season of blooming flowers, rains and sporadic warm days in the temperate and often moody southern Appalachian Mountains. In the ancient texts of Ayurvedic medicine, the spring tie was named Vasanta. This time of year is described at Kapha provoking and Pitta accumulating. The persistent rain and cold weather alternating with the warm sunny days bringing a mix of qualities such as wet, heavy, cloudy, and mobile mobile alongside warm, bright, and clear. The Rutu sandhi (seasonal transition) that is upon us in the mountains of western North Carolina becomes especially moody during this time. According to Ayurveda, this transitional time lasts an average of four weeks. Starting two or so weeks before spring and lasting two or so weeks into spring. The Spring equinox is wonderful marker of the change for us in North Carolina. It brings an opportunity to transition our routine from the winter that lays behind us into the coming spring before us.

We each have our own unique rhythm to our lives. When we sleep, what we eat, how we organize, is created through the flow of our days. Naturally, our rhythm should be in harmony with the world around us. Ayurveda sheds light on this by offering ways to tune in and listen to the rhythms of nature. This wisdom is shared as the teaching of Dinacharya (daily routine), which encourage a routine that supports optimal lifestyle and self-care practices. Dinacharya balances our unique constitution to the daily rhythms of nature and the changing seasons.

Every month we will be sharing recipes, herbs and self-care practices that help facilitate awareness and balance to the changing seasons. In our first two articles we will be discussing Neti Pot usage and share our recipe for the ayurvedic tea blend of Cumin, Coriander, and Fennel (CCF Tea). Later in the month we will release an article all about the herbal usage of Cumin seed.