Ritucharya

Ritucharya: it means the regimen to be followed by people during different seasons for the prevention of diseases and to maintain better health. According to ayurveda, every human being is an integral part of the universe and so both have basic elements in common. Any change in the season’s effect the body’s physiology considerably. The six ritus are:

a) Sisira – late winter (mid-January to mid-March)

b) Vasanta – spring season (mid-March to mid-May)

c) Greeshma – summer (mid-May to mid-July)

d) Varsha – rainy season (mid-July to mid-September)

e) Sarat – autumn (mid-September to mid-November)

f) Hemanta – early winter (mid-November to mid-January)

All these six ritus come under two divisions.

1. Uttarayana – six months (dry season) 2. dakshinayana – six months (wet season)

Uttarayana constitutes the first three ritus namely: Sisira, Vasanta & Greeshma. Bitter, Pungent, Astringent tastes are dominant in the soil, strength will be less for persons as well as herbs

Dakshinayan constitutes the last three ritus namely: Varsha, Sarat and Hemanta. Sweet. Sour and salt tastes are dominant in the soil; strength will be more compared to uttarayana.

a) Sisira & Hemanta (winter): Weather will be cold and humid. Health will be more; digestive power will be strong, nights are long and so the person will get appetite in the early morning. Sweet, sour, oily foods, meat, wheat, milk, ghee, black gram etc. to be used during this ritu. Do oil massage and powder massages. Do strong exercises, induce perspiration with warm clothes and live in a warm place, avoid excess sleep. Sex is advised in this period.

b) Vasanta (spring): During this period aggravation of Kapha occurs which produces indigestion and digestive disorders. Eat dry light food, barley, wheat, honey, dry meat, mango juice mixed with sugar ginger and water. Use bitter, pungent, and astringent taste. Diluted wine can be taken. Do vomiting, nasya, fumigation and gargling. Exercise is a must. Sex is advised once in three days. Avoid day sleep, heavy food, cold food, excess sweet, sour fruits and oils.

c) Greeshma (summer): In this period there will be loss of kapha and accumulation of vata. Eat light, oily, cool, sweet food with lot of fluids. Drink buffalo’s milk with jaggery. Sweetened fruit juices, rice flakes, meat of jungle animals, milk, ghee, grapes, coconut water, and corn flour are good. Do minimal exercises. Sleeping during day is indicated. Avoid excess salt, sour and spicy food and alcohol. Sex is advised once in 15 days. Frequent bath in cold water is advised.

d) Varsha (Rainy season): During this season, vata gets aggravated, disturbances of agni is prominent, strength will be less, so digestives and carminatives must be used. Oily, hot, sweet, sour, salty, food is advised. Boiled water meat soups, honey are to be in-taken. Eat barley, wheat, soup and pulses. Spicy, bitter and astringent food must be avoided. Butter milk, day sleep, sex and exertion are also to be avoided.

e) Sarat (Autumn): During this period there will be aggravation of pitta. Eat sweet, bitter, astringent, cold food. Take medicated ghee. Do dry purgation and blood letting. Use rice, green gram, jaggery, grapes, and goose berry, honey and jungle meats. Avoid pungent, sour, salty food, curd, oils and alcoholic drinks