Questionnaire

The Murthy Clinic

Notes that Nourish

One

Dr Vijay Murthy takes A fresh look at Spring & considers do you really need to cleanse and if so what to cleanse?

As we enter springtime articles on spring cleaning or detoxification will be most likely be everywhere and perhaps the idea of cleansing will be attributed to Ayurveda and you may even feel inspired to undertake.

I was considering the true nature of Ayurveda and where myth meets legend while walking to the clinic on a bright dry morning last week.

Whereas it is of course true, that kapha may have been accumulating over the dark, damp winter months, and cleansing or elimination could be appropriate, especially if there is an excess of mucus because of a malfunctioning of kapha.

In general however, if we are healthy with good strong agni, have had consistent mild physical activity over the winter months, plenty of restorative sleep on dark nights, with no virus or infection to reduce our overall health, detoxing is not actually indicated in Ayurveda.

Interestingly the idea associated to Ayurveda and cleansing is actually more of a cultural practice. Yes, traditionally in all cultures, our living environment may need a good clean and spring provides an ideal opportunity to remove lingering dirt from hidden corners allowing fresh air and light in. This cleansing can lead from our environment to bodies, especially when we are told repeatedly by our social media that now is the time to…

In spring the sluggish, heaviness of kapha is reduced, meaning we all begin to feel lighter, even renewed. This naturally can lead to the idea of renewal for our bodies as well as environment. However, I would suggest that we instead turn inwards, to the mind, rather than just the body.

By this I mean we naturally, on seeing or hearing new life, lambs or birds, feel uplifted in the spring sunshine, and this in turn can lead us to reflect on our year ahead. In this way we are naturally enabling a space to re-commit to the coming year.

Make new intentions or affirmations.

Review our eating choices or physical exercise needs.

In essence making a spring new years resolution for the our minds to commit to what is in our best interest rather than remaining stuck in the past.

When we do this, we walk a path and plan a year filled with promise that allows the idea of each of us waking up to, and living the life we were born to live if we made conscious well thought out choices for ourselves.

So, as the first rays of spring sun warm your body, I would invite you to take stock of where you are.

An inward assessment of your needs and where you would like to be in the coming year.

In short an internal mental cleanse rather than just cleaning any perceived dirt.

Dr Vijay Murthy.

Two

Optimising your Immunity.

Could this be a spring shield against seasonal Allergies?

Spring, is sadly a time for the seasonal surge of not just coughs, colds but to those who suffer the dreaded allergies. At The Murthy Clinic, we blend cutting edge research in lifestyle and Functional Medicine with time honoured Ayurvedic wisdom to empower and support your immune system. Some people sail into spring with no problems, whereas others are suddenly plagued by illness, in particular seasonal colds, coughs or allergies.

Taming Histamine. Your pathway to allergy alleviation

Histamine, a key player in our body's immune response, in some people it can be over sensitive and can drastically over-step what is actually needed, leading to uncomfortable allergic reactions.

By adopting a strategic nutritional, dietary, and lifestyle approach, you can mitigate the overactivity of histamine and keep mast cell activation in check.

In order to enjoy the spring, and especially if you have in the past been caught out by allergies, wheezing, sneezing, it is much better to be proactive and keep that histamine in check. At The Murthy Clinic we are not only here for when you are ill and need advice but rather your ongoing future health and what you can do today to prevent future illness. If you, or someone you love suffers from seasonal health issues give us a call and together we can discuss your future health.

Practical Tip: Empower your dinner plate with nature's antihistamines to keep allergies at bay this spring. Embrace a diet rich in quercetin packed foods like onions, apples, and berries to naturally stabilise mast cells and reduce histamine release.

Three

Ayurveda & Science

Ancient Wisdom for Modern Health

Ayurveda, with its centuries-old heritage, offers a treasure trove of insights for seasonal well being.

Integrating Ayurvedic practices with contemporary scientific understanding provides a holistic strategy to fortify your immunity and enhance overall health during springtime and beyond.

Dietary Wisdom Ayurveda recommends incorporating pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes to counteract any increased Kapha.

To do this try adding spices like turmeric and ginger to your meals, not only to enhance the flavour but to boost your immune defence system.

Spring is the ideal time for your body to shed any lingering winter heaviness and embrace the freshness and vitality of a new season.

A balanced diet, rich in seasonal vegetables and fruit, supports natural detoxification pathways, promoting your vitality and well being.

Lifestyle Tip Incorporate regular exercise, adequate hydration, and mindfulness practices, in doing so you are aligning your inner health and mind with the renewing energy of spring.

At The Murthy Clinic London, a range of modalities are used from Ayurveda to Functional Medicine enabling a blend of traditions and science, to offer the best options for health and wellness in our modern world. Our commitment is to guide you through each season of the year and your life. In this way we are together able to build the best lifestyle practices for you as an individual to not just exist but thrive.