Seasonal Regimen - Ritucharya
The word Ritucharya derives from “Ritu” meaning “Seasons” and “Charya” meaning “follow routine”. Ritucharya holds great significance in Ayurveda. According to this principle, the year is divided into two distinct kaals or periods based on the position of the Sun. These two kaals are:
Aadaan Kaal
This is also called Uttarayan or Northern Solstice. The word is derived from “Adaan” meaning “taking away”. During aadan kaal, the sun starts traveling in northward direction.
Aadaan kaal includes 3 seasons - Late Winter, Spring and Summer. The sun and wind become increasingly powerful during this period. The Sun takes away the strength of the people and the cooling qualities of the earth. The Sun gives hot & dry qualities to living being & plants. Increasing heat reduces strength of individuals. During this period, plants show predominance of bitter, astringent and pungent tastes.
Visarga Kaal
This is also called Dakshinayaan or Southern Solstice. This word is derived from “Visarga” meaning “giving”.
In Visarga kaal, people typically gain strength.
Visarga kaal includes 3 seasons - Rainy season, Autumn and Winter. The moon is more powerful, the earth is cooled due to clouds, rain & cold wind.The digestive power of agni is good during this period. Food is more nourishing and strengthening in nature. During this period, plants show predominance of sweet, sour and saline tastes.
Aadaan Kaal
This is also called Uttarayan or Northern Solstice. The word is derived from “Adaan” meaning “taking away”. During aadan kaal, the sun starts traveling in northward direction.
Aadaan kaal includes 3 seasons - Late Winter, Spring and Summer. The sun and wind become increasingly powerful during this period. The Sun takes away the strength of the people and the cooling qualities of the earth. The Sun gives hot & dry qualities to living being & plants. Increasing heat reduces strength of individuals. During this period, plants show predominance of bitter, astringent and pungent tastes.
Visarga Kaal
This is also called Dakshinayaan or Southern Solstice. This word is derived from “Visarga” meaning “giving”.
In Visarga kaal, people typically gain strength.
Visarga kaal includes 3 seasons - Rainy season, Autumn and Winter. The moon is more powerful, the earth is cooled due to clouds, rain & cold wind.The digestive power of agni is good during this period. Food is more nourishing and strengthening in nature. During this period, plants show predominance of sweet, sour and saline tastes.
Purpose of Ritucharya
A good seasonal routine helps in achieving balance of doshas. Follow the seasonal routine to avoid changing stress of the seasons and associated diseases. Seasonal routine helps in achieving good benefits of the atmosphere.
Regimen for Spring- Vasant Ritucharya
Cherry Blossoms in Spring
Vasant (Spring) -:
Period - Mid March to mid May
Spring season comes in the period of Northern Solstice. During this period Sun rays become stronger as compare to winter. Winds become increasingly sharp. Nice green grass starts coming out of soil, tree are full of beautiful flowers with nice scent. Birds are singing as winter is gone and weather is warm again.
This nice warm weather show its effects on the body. Increased heat in the atmosphere starts melting the accumulated kapha in the body. Drying effect increasing along with heat. Because of all these changes a person experiences signs and symptoms of kapha aggravation.
The common signs & symptoms are:
Cough, Cold, sneezing
Rhinitis, bronchitis, Sinusitis
Indigestion, Feeling of heaviness,
Nausea, excess salivation
On the other hand a person with balanced doshas enjoys this weather. He feels fresh ready to enjoy the season. His mind becomes active and starts enjoying blossoms and cool breezes. He gains the energy, enthusiasm and relaxing experience.
Diet :
Lifestyle:
Period - Mid March to mid May
Spring season comes in the period of Northern Solstice. During this period Sun rays become stronger as compare to winter. Winds become increasingly sharp. Nice green grass starts coming out of soil, tree are full of beautiful flowers with nice scent. Birds are singing as winter is gone and weather is warm again.
This nice warm weather show its effects on the body. Increased heat in the atmosphere starts melting the accumulated kapha in the body. Drying effect increasing along with heat. Because of all these changes a person experiences signs and symptoms of kapha aggravation.
The common signs & symptoms are:
Cough, Cold, sneezing
Rhinitis, bronchitis, Sinusitis
Indigestion, Feeling of heaviness,
Nausea, excess salivation
On the other hand a person with balanced doshas enjoys this weather. He feels fresh ready to enjoy the season. His mind becomes active and starts enjoying blossoms and cool breezes. He gains the energy, enthusiasm and relaxing experience.
Diet :
- Kapha aggravation disturbs the digestive system hence person experience various digestive problems
- Avoid heavy, oily, sour & sweet food & drinks. As these foods are naturally increase kapha, they will aggravate the present symptoms.
- Time to eat: Kapha is predominant during day time 6am to 10 am so avoid excess eating during that period stick with a light breakfast. Avoid eating sweet, cold foods during that period. Make your lunch be the biggest meal of the day. Having lunch in pitta time will aid in digestion.
- Take in barley, wheat, rice bitter vegetables, mango.
- Spices such as coriander, cumin, turmeric, and fennel helpful stimulate the digestion and detoxify the skin. These spices pacify the aggravated kapha in the body. They stimulate the digestive fire or agni and restores the digestion.
- Drink Asava (fermented infusion), Arista (fermented decoction), sidhu (fermented sugarcane juice)
- Fresh ginger tea: Drink warm fresh ginger tea with honey
Lifestyle:
- Go for vigorous exercises, this will help in clearing the increased kapha.
- Cut down your smoking habit. smoking causes indigestion that again results in kapha aggravation.
- Avoid day-time naps: especially sleeping after the lunch as this slows down the digestion.
- Do dry massage is very helpful as it produces dry heat by friction it helps in pacifying kapha
- After massage bath with sandalwood water
- Apply Sandalwood or agaru on the body
- Panchkarma: like Vamana is given. Vamana is also called as emesis therapy. It is the best elimination therapy for kapha dosha. Emesis is the controlled and physician supervised exporatory procedure. It is also called as "Shodhan Chikitsa"
