Spring is the season of blossoms, life and abundance. Spring is celebrated all around the world and in India, it is celebrated first with yellows of Basant Panchami and then with the color palette of Holi. We then move to Gudi Padwa or Ugadi, which marks the new year and new beginnings in some regions of India. In nature, spring is a time when the temperature is moderate and there is availability of fresh food in abundance. The landscape around literally “springs back to life” after the harsh winter.  

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To mark the beginning of the spring festivities there is the Holi bonfire, in which timber from medicinal trees such as Palash and Shalmali, coconut shells, dry grass, ghee and dried cow dung cakes are used. This gives rise to therapeutic fumes, which according to Ayurveda can keep viral diseases at bay. People worship this holy fire, and religious customs are followed. This is mainly done for social and general wellbeing. 

It is said that, “Good food makes good mood,” so there are delicacies: desserts, savouries and drinks which are quintessential to the celebration.  

There’s more to Holi than that which is out in the open. It is a spring festival after all, and it would be incomplete if sexual and reproductive wellness is not talked about.  

In Holi festivities, there is a lot of emphasis on the flame of the fire (Botanical name: Butea monosperma) tree. These trees are in full blossom just around Holi. The natural orange/red colour to play Holi with was made from Butea flowers. Making the most of nature’s abundance, people use the flowers in several ways including adorning them in garlands and jewellery, making a powder and playing Holi and making a sherbet (yes, they are edible and nectar-laden!). Now, let’s look at some of the benefits of its flowers:  

1. Anti-aging (who doesn’t want that?) 
2. Potent antioxidant (clear and glowing skin along with other benefits) 
3. Heat alleviating (to beat the growing heat) 
4. Diuretic (medicines that make you pass more urine), important now as summer is about to begin 
5. Emmenagogue (helps with scanty menses and increases blood circulation to the pelvic area of women) 
6. Aphrodisiac (a property that can come handy when the moods are elated!) 
7. Astringent (helps with bleeding hemorrhoids) 
8. Skin tightening (if used as a face pack) 

Two benefits from the list above are noteworthy here, in the context of spring. Yes, you guessed right, aphrodisiac and emmenagogue. These are the properties for which culture and customs draw people to the Butea tree at this time of the year. If someone is a wine enthusiast, they could brew some wine of their own too with these flowers. 

Same goes with the concept of bhaang in thandai. Bhaang or hemp has been used as an aphrodisiac in many cultures for centuries. Hemp finds its place in Ayurveda as treatment for various sexual and reproductive health issues in men. Hemp in small quantities is medicinal and an overdose can be potentially dangerous. The concept of consuming it mixed with thandai is to keep the dose low, yet effective. For women too, some bhaang thandai can reduce stress and help them relax. 

These are some examples of how a lot of common cultures and practices of Spring festivals put emphasis on sexual and reproductive health. The birds and bees are busy, and maybe they can teach humans a few lessons about the reason behind the Spring season! 

Source:

Dr. Mamta Lele- Pawara

(MD Ayurveda-Internal Medicine, CRAV-Kayachikitsa, MA Sanskrit)