Did you know that Ritucharya is an immunity-boosting diet regulation of rules or regimens according to six seasons (Ritus) in the physicians realm of Indian Ayurvedic medicine?
Ritucharya consists of Ayurvedic lifestyle and routine to cope up with the physical and mental impacts caused by seasonal changes. 'Ritu' means "season" and 'charya' means "regimen," combined to mean "teaching of the seasons". It encompasses all of the slight modifications one should make in their usual diet regimen with each season. It is said to bring variety to the constitution based regimen as the seasons change over every few months each year.
The word "Ritu" is derived from the Vedic Sanskrit word Ṛtú, a fixed or appointed time, especially the proper time for sacrifice (yajna) or ritual in Vedic religion; this in turn comes from the word Ṛta (ऋत), as used in Vedic Sanskrit literally means the "order or course of things". This word is used in nearly all Indian languages.
Ayurvedic seasons are six Ritus, also called Hindu seasons. The dominant doshas during these six seasons, the three substances that are present in a person's body according to Ayurveda, are Vata, Pitta and Kapha, These doshas are addressed by the Ritucharya regimen during the seasons of - Shishira -Vata; Varsha- Kapha; Vasanta- Kapha, Grishma -Pitta, Sharad-Vata, and Hemanta–Vata.
Our environment changes with the advent of every season, and they have a profound impact on our body’s internal working. Following Ritucharya diet supplies our body with everything it needs to tackle illnesses caused by seasonal changes. It is purported to be the answer to a plethora of lifestyle disorders such as blood sugar, blood pressure, weight gain, obesity, physical inactivity, various kinds of cancer, etc. The regimen suggested in Ayurveda for the sis seasons (Ritus) are:
Diet Conduct in Shishira or Late Winter Season (mid-January-mid- March) - Time to eliminate pitta dosha (represents metabolism characterized by heat, moistness, liquidity, and sharpness and sourness) accumulated over summer months by adopting: To small amounts of rice and wheat, barley to the diet, using filtered water, less of sunbathing, not sleeping during day time, walking on Moon lit nights in nature, decorating house with autumnal flowers, and also adopting Panchkarma (“five actions” or “five treatments”) therapy of purification in the form of massage with sandalwood oil, laxative therapy, and alternative blood purifying therapies.
Diets during Varsha Ritu or Monsoon (mid-July to mid-September): To avoid foods that can be hard and heavy on the digestive system. Adopt diet around foods that are salty, sour and buttery in flavour. For example, have honey, wheat, rice, barley, dry and white meats, veggie soups, cold juices and herbal tea.
Diets during Vasanta Ritu or Spring Season (mid-March to mid-May) when Kapha (the watery element) conditions dominates disturbing digestive functions creating heaviness resulting in weight gain. Necessary to limit or defuse Kapha. Use barley, lentils, rice, wheat, light meats, bitters, honey in the diet. Avoid heavy meals of sweets and sour flavours and try to avoid naps during the day time. Also, adopt Panchakarma detoxification therapies.
Rock Salt
Diets during Grishma Ritu or Summer Season (mid-May to mid-July): To include foods that are cold, liquid and sweet while being easily digestible in the diet. For example, mango juice, lentils, rice, buttermilk, fruit juices, lots of water, milk, curd, meat soups etc. Avoid buttery, spicy, salty, sour and strong-smelling foods in this season.
Diets during Sharad Ritu or Autumn (mid-September to mid-November): Preferable to have easily digestible foods that have a bitter, sour or sweet flavour such as wheat, rice, sugarcane, amla, barley, honey, white meats, green grams etc. Avoid foods that are rich in fats such as curd, different varieties of oil, seafood etc.
Diet conduct in Hemanta or early winter season (mid-November to mid-January) when the dominant dosha type is Vata (properties of dry, cold, light, minute, and movement): Changes to suit cold, windy, rough and agitating qualities of the season by consuming food with sweet, sour and salty tastes, only warm or hot food, raw foods to be limited to 20%, avoid cold water or beverages, sip hot water most of the day time, use thick blankets, exercise indoors and indulge in sexual activity.
- Narasipur Char
