In conversation with Dr. Vidhi Pandya Patel

Instagram @smiling vidhi

What are the top three "skin-superfoods" we should add to our plates during the spring months?

In the system of Ayurveda & Natural medicine, spring means a beginning, a fresh start, a shift from cold to hot, roughly March to May is mainly governed by Kapha dosha - meaning heavy, cooling, partly dry and partly moist qualities in the ecosystem. So the goal is to lighten, detoxify, cleanse the gut and stimulate digestion (aka Agni, a fire within) after winter. A time to come out of a "hibernation" of sorts.

I highly recommend adding these 3 inexpensive super foods to your diet to give your body the best start this spring:

• Ginger
• Rocket leaves(Arugula)
• Raw honey( good quality Manuka honey)

What is one thing we can all do tonight to support the Spring transition?

I say to my patients to welcome spring by using Ginger as your “reset button”

Boil fresh ginger slices in water for 5–10 minutes
Sip it warm about 30–60 minutes before sleep

What is the "hero" herb or spice for spring gut health - and why?

Spring is all about clearing "Kapha dosa" and accumulated toxins over colder months. The one and only hero that stands tall in an uncomplicated way for spring is neem. It is the strongest, most classical spring cleanser for all humans.

Neem is perfect because it:

• Is intensely bitter (perfect for spring detox) Only 1 tsp neem powder per day will be effective. You can mix it with warm water, or you can mix it with a good raw honey, make a paste of it and have it in the morning hours.
• Supports liver and blood purification.
• Helps clear skin, gut, and inflammation.
• Helps bring the glow back to the skin from within.

In one sentence, how does a "congested" gut lead to "congested" skin?

Skin is a mirror image of the gut. In Ayurveda, skin reflects a lot of inside picture, and if the skin is unhealthy be sure of it that the gut will be even more unhealthy and perhaps crying for help!

A simple equation, in Ayurveda:

Gut overload → Ama (excess accumulation of toxins) → over production of mucus and oils which spills into blood → reflects on skin directly.

What is the most common "mistake" people make when trying to "detox" for spring?

The most common mistakes are eating too many salads, raw foods, juicing, having smoothies on empty stomach. Eggs should also be avoided because they are "calorie dense" and may slow down digestion - the opposite of what we want in a spring cleanse!

If we feel "heavy" or "unmotivated" in spring, what should we should reach for?

Look for foods and drinks rich in natural prebiotic omegas, electrolytes and sources of natural iron. Here are my favourites:

• Chamomile tea
• Ginger tea
• Steamed beetroots with a few drops of lemon on top (Always choose homemade instead of store bought cooked beets. They can cause bloating!)
• Soaked walnuts, 3-4 each day as a part of your breakfast

In addition I would recommend avoiding cheese for 2-3 weeks and swapping your coffees for green teas.

An invitation

With Dr. Vidhi's words in mind, we reflect that true beauty is never a static destination; it is a living, breathing harmony between how we nourish ourselves and how we care for our skin. As you move through this season of transition, we invite you to view your skincare not as a chore - but as a daily ceremony of renewal. By pairing Dr. Vidhi’s nutritional "bio-hacks" with the nutrient-dense, slow-infused botanicals found in our products, you are supporting your body’s natural intelligence at every level.

Our top pick for spring: Rosemary & Hypericum

Utilising ginger root for its warming feel and skin-conditioning properties, our Rosemary & Hypericum Recovery Balm is ideal to ease aching muscles and joints into a new season with care.