Ritucharya of Ayurveda

Healthy Life to combat the changing Seasons

Health is the greatest Wealth ( Labhena Sreya Arogyam )

To cope up with the stresses & strains of the changing
Seasons - Spring, Summer, Autumn & Winter in the Western
System and the Six Ritus in the Indian System ( 2 solar
sidereal months make a Rithu as per the Aphorism " Thau Dhau
Rithu " ) - Vasanta, Greeshma, Varsha, Sarath, Hemanta &
Sisira - we recommend you observe the Ritucharya of
Ayurveda; for the Sun taketh away energy during the Northern
Solstice ( Uttarayana ) and giveth energy during the
Southern Solstice ( Dakshinayana ). When strength is lost
from our body during the hot season, we have to take in more
watery fruits and vegetables, lest there be dehydration !

The Vedic Calculation of Time

4 seconds is called an Asu and 6*4 = 24 such Asus constitute
a Vinazhika. 60 such Vinazhikas make up a Nazhika ( 24
minutes ) and 60 such Nazhikas ( 24 hours ) make up a day.

One Fortnight is made up of 15 days ( Pancha Dasa Ahani
Pakshah ) & there are two types of Fortnights - The Bright
Fortnight ( Shukla Paksha ) & the Dark Fortnight ( Krishna
Paksha ). Two such Fortnights make one month and two months
make One Rithu ( Tau Dau Rithu ) . Six months make one Ayana
( Solstice ) ( Shan Masa Ayanam Bhavathi ) . There are two
types of Ayanas, The Northern Solstice ( Uttarayana ) and
the Southern Solstice ( Dakshinayana ). ( Tad Uttaram
Dakshinam Cha ).


By the Sidereal Month of Aries, we mean that the Sun is in
Sidereal Aries. ( When viewed from Earth, the Sun seems to
be blocking Aries ). The Sanskrit month of Mesha begins on
April 14th, which is widely celebrated as Vishu, indicating
the Solar ingress into Sidereal Aries.


The Sixfold Seasons caused by Sol

Ritu Solar Sidereal Month

Vasanta Sidereal months of Aries & Taurus Greesha Sidereal
months of Gemini & Cancer Varsha Sidereal months of Leo &
Virgo Sarath Sidereal months of Libra & Scorpio Hemanta
Sidereal months of Sagittarius & Capricorn Sisira Sidereal
months of Aquarius & Pisces

Ayurveda divides an year into two Semesters or Kalas

Aadaan Kaala ( Uttarayana ) ( Northern Solstice ) Visarga
Kaala ( Dakshinayaana ) ( Southern Solstice ). It is the
King of the Solar Logos, the Sun, which causeth the seasons
& the two Semesters. During the Adaana Kala ( Northern
Solstice or Uttarayana) , the Sun and wind are powerful and
Sol taketh away the strength of the people & the cooling
qualities of Mother Earth. It is the Debilitating period and
strength is weakened generally. During Visarga Kala, Sol
releases strength to the people, Luna becomes more powerful
and the Earth is cooled due to the cold wind, the rains and
clouds.

Semester Season Month Period Properties

Northern Solstice Sishira Magha & Phalguna Mid Jan- Mid
March Cold & dewy season ( Adana Kala ) Vasanta Chaitra &
Baisakh Mid Mar- Mid May Spring season ( Sun taketh away
energy ) Grishma Jyeshtha & Aashadha Mid May- Mid July
Summer season Southern Solstice Varsha Shravan &
Bhadrapada Mid July - Mid Sep Rainy season ( Visarga Kala )
Sharat Aashvin & Kartika Mid Sep- Mid Nov Autumn season (
Sun giveth energy ) Hemant Margshirsha & Pausha Mid Nov to
Mid Jan Winter season



Seasons and Tastes

Amongst the tastes, some are more powerful during the
Seasons & can be incorporated in the diet in each of the six
seasons.



Ritu Seasons Powerful Taste Shisira Cold & dewy
season Tikta ( bitter ) Vasanta Spring season
Kashaya ( astringent ) Grishma Summer season Kattu
Varsha Rainy season Amala ( sour ) Sharat Autumn
season Lavan ( salty ) Hemanta Winter season Madhura
( sweet )

Seasonal Regimen

Hemanta Ritu ( Winter Season )

Shishira Ritu ( Cold and Dewy Season ) Diet Lifestyle
During this season, digestive acitivity becomes powerful and
sweet, salty & sour food stuffs can be taken, which will
keep in check the increasing Vata. . Rising vata is
obstructed by cold atmosphere. Wheat/ gramflour products,
corn, edible oils & sugarcane products can be incorporated
in diet.

Oil Massage Therapy ( Abhyangam Achareth Nithyam ) to be
done. Exercise ( Vyayama ) . It is better to clothe
oneself in leather, silk & wool. Be under the Sun for
sometime - Sunlight is rich in Vitamin D - lest you be
affected by the Seasonal Affectional Disorder ( lack of
Sunlight ) Vasanta Ritu (Spring Season)

During Vasanta Ritu, increased Kapha liquified by the heat
of sun causes diminished Jadara Agni ( digestive activity )
causing diseases Diet Lifestyle Food becomes easily
digestible. Arishta ( Fermented decoction ), Sidhu (
Fermented Sugarcane Juice ), Asava ( Fermented infusion ),
diluted Honey, water boiled with extracts of Sandalwood,
Mango Juice, Barley, roasted meat etc can be taken in. It is
better to avoid cold food, fatty food & sweet and sour
stuff. Such foods can only increase Kapha causing
disequilibrium in the 3 Doshas Nasyam ( Nasal Medication )
can be done Eschew Sleep Do physical exercise.

Dry massage. Bath with Sandalwood/ Camphor and Kumkum after
massage. Greeshma Ritu ( Summer Season )

Sunrays become powerful. Vata increases & Kapha decreases
day by day. Diet Lifestyle Drink only cold water and
take bath in cold water. Draksha ( Grape Juice ) can be
taken in along with watermelon juice, pineapple juice etc.
Wine should be eschewed as debility can be caused by it. If
imperative, take only small quantities of the blushful
Hippocrene. Liquid food, light food & sweet & fatty
foodstuffs should be consumed. Boiled rice with Cornflour,
meat, yoghurt can be taken. Light dresses can be worn and
body can be anointed with sandalwood paste. Cold water bath
should be preferred to hot water bath.


Varsha Ritu ( Rainy Season)

As the Jadara Agni weakens furthur and gets vitiated by the
Doshas, adopt all measures to reduce the doshas and enhance
digestive capacity. Diet Lifestyle Only easily
digestible food should be taken. Soups are ideal.Yoghurt,
pulses, meat juice - all these can be taken as food. This
is the ideal time to do Detoxification or Panchakarma
Therapy Eschew unnecessary exertion & exposure to the Sun.
Also sleep.

Sharat Ritu ( Autumn Season )

Pitta ( Bile ) become aggravated due to exposure to Sunlight
Diet Lifestyle Heavy food can be avoided at all costs.
Also liquors & curd. Easily digestible food like rice can
be taken in along with Honey, Gooseberry and green gram. It
is better to have a hot water bath Pitta can be reduced by
pearls




In Sanskrit, Prakrity implies both Nature and Body
Constitution. The Changing Seasons of Nature causeth effects
on the Five Great Elements ( Earth, Fire, Water, Air & Ether
), by which the human body & the Universe are composed. The
triune humours, Vata ( Wind ) , Pitta ( Bile ) & Kapha (
Phlegm ), should be in equilibrium for perfect health. The
changing seasons can disturb this equilibrium. While cold
weather increases Vata, hot climate increases Pitta & cold
wet weather enhances Kapha !

Ayurveda, as the complete holistic science dealing with
Health, prescribes a seasonal routine to preserve the Doshic
Balance, so that you are not caught by the vicissitudes of
the seasons ! A unique Diet ( Ahara ), a clear mode of
living ( Vihara ) & a routine living ( Karya ) is prescribed
by this mighty science whose aim is the Healing By
Consciousness !

In Kerala only Four Seasons are experienced and during
Greeshma, we have to take in watermelon, buttermilk,
bananas, jack fruits, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes etc.
During Varsha, honey can be taken in. Ghee can be
incorporated in diet. Take in sweet stuff. Have warm water &
eschew sleep & extra exercise. Cold foodstuffs can be taken
in Sharath Ritu & sleep during daytime should be renounced.
Gooseberry & honey are ideal. During Hemanta food which
holds cold at bay & increases energy should be consumed.
Milk, ghee, rice, wheat - all be taken in. You have to
renounce heavy work during the summer season of Greeshma.
The digestive capacity ( Jadaragni ) is weakened consideraby
during Greeshma. We have to offset it by taking in watery &
juicy fruits like watermelon, pinepple, cocunuts, oranges &
mangoes !

Greeshma Sidereal Months of Aquarius, Pisces & Aries Varsha
Sidereal Months of Taurus, Gemini & Cancer Sarath Sidereal
Months of Leo, Virgo & Libra Hemanta Sidereal Months of
Scorpio, Sagittarius & Capricorn