The Importance of Seasonal Cleansing – From Summer to Fall
Published in collaboration with Living Rituals.
Author, Zaidy Charron
Fall is Near
And just like that, they are gone — the hummingbirds have begun their long journey south. Everything is impermanent, isn’t it? When I lived in Chile, my host mother would send me out each morning with a gentle “que te vaya bien” — may your journey go well. I found myself whispering the same blessing to the birds: un buen viaje.
Only weeks ago they were buzzing about in a sugar-drunk frenzy, fiercely guarding the feeders and flowers. Then, almost overnight, they vanished — chasing the nectar of southern blooms. And with their departure, autumn makes its entrance: cooling temperatures, soft rains, and that crisp fragrance in the air that belongs only to fall.
Here in the Rocky Mountains at 9,500 feet, summer is fleeting. Fall rushes in quickly here, and soon, it will arrive for you too.
Seasonal Transition in Ayurveda
Ayurveda — the Science of Life — teaches us that what happens in nature happens in us. The body is a microcosm of the macrocosm, and as the seasons shift, our inner world reflects those same changes.
At the junction of summer and fall, pitta dosha (the fire element) has accumulated in the body from months of heat. As the days cool, vāta dosha (the air and ether elements) begins to rise. If we carry excess pitta into the fall, it can easily combine with the dryness of vāta, leading to irritability, skin flare-ups, heartburn, inflammation, and unsettled digestion.
By cleansing at this time, we help the body release built-up heat and toxins while preparing for the windy, dry qualities of the coming season. In this way, seasonal cleansing prevents the doshas from lodging deeper into the tissues and becoming chronic imbalances over time.
Why Seasonal Transition Is the Best Time to Cleanse
Seasonal junctions (ṛtu sandhi) are considered especially potent in Ayurveda because they are times of change, movement, and renewal. Just as the natural world sheds — leaves falling from the trees, birds migrating, rains washing the land — our bodies too are primed to release what is no longer needed.
From an Ayurvedic perspective, doshas accumulate during each season.
In summer, heat and intensity build up as pitta rises.
In fall, dryness and mobility awaken vāta.
In winter, heaviness and dampness accumulate as kapha grows.
If we don’t clear out the excess at the threshold between seasons, these doshas carry over, pile up, and set the stage for imbalance and disease. A seasonal cleanse acts like opening a window to let in fresh air — it clears the residue of the past before welcoming what is new.
There’s also a psychological and spiritual dimension. Seasonal transitions are nature’s invitation to pause and realign. Just as trees drop their leaves to conserve energy for winter, we too are called to let go — of old patterns, sluggishness, or heat in the body, and of outdated thoughts or attachments in the mind. These thresholds remind us that life is cyclical, and that renewal requires release.
In this way, cleansing at the change of season isn’t only a physical reset. It is a ritual of letting go — honoring impermanence, making space for clarity, and aligning with the rhythms of the natural world.
Cleansing in Ayurveda
Cleansing (śodhana) is considered one of the most effective ways to maintain balance. Ayurveda recommends purification during seasonal transitions (ṛtu sandhi), when the body is most primed to let go.
As Vāgbhaṭa writes:
“…the pitta, which has undergone increase in their bodies during varsa (rainy season) becomes greatly aggravated (increased) during sarat (autumn). In order to get over it, tikta ghrta (medicated ghee recipe described in the treatment of kustha chapter 19 of Cikitsá sthána), purgation (cleansing) therapy and blood letting should be resorted to.”
— Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdayam
Cleansing is distinct from śamana (palliative therapies). While śamana soothes symptoms and restores comfort, śodhana clears out the root cause of imbalance. Think of śamana as trimming back weeds, while śodhana removes them by the roots. Both are valuable, but seasonal cleansing ensures the body does not carry unresolved accumulation forward into the next cycle.
Of course, cleansing is not for everyone at all times. It is contraindicated during pregnancy, emaciation, severe debility, or certain health conditions. Ayurveda emphasizes right timing, right person, right approach. For those who are good candidates, cleansing offers powerful benefits.
Types of Cleansing
There are many approaches to seasonal cleansing, from simple dietary resets to deeper therapeutic protocols like extended Pancha Karmas:
Dietary resets: A gentle approach with kitchari, herbal teas, and digestive spices to rest the system.
Weekend or week-long home cleanses: Short, structured programs with light meals, self-care, and guided routines.
Targeted cleanses: Such as parasite or candida protocols for those with specific concerns.
At-home Panchakarma: A personalized program including dietary guidance, herbs, and therapies like oiling and sweating.
Residential Panchakarma retreats: Immersive experiences with daily treatments, guided detox, and restorative care.
Each approach has its place, and the best choice depends on your constitution, health status, and goals.
Benefits of Seasonal Cleansing – Summer to Autumn
When guided and practiced appropriately, seasonal cleansing can:
Clear accumulated doshas and toxins (āma)
Reset digestion (agni) and metabolism
Reduce pitta-related symptoms
Calm the nervous system as vāta rises
Support deeper, more restorative sleep
Enhance mental clarity and focus
Create a sense of lightness, energy, and renewal
Gentle Guidance
Cleansing is not about deprivation, punishment, or extremes. Ayurveda teaches that cleansing should always be balanced, nourishing, and sustainable. When paired with post-cleanse rejuvenation (rasāyana), it builds resilience and vitality for the entire year ahead.
If you’re curious about which approach might be right for you, I invite you to schedule a free Discovery Call. Together, we can find the most supportive path for your unique constitution and your transition into fall.