Ritucharya in Ayurveda: Seasonal Regimen For Healthy Living

1. SHISHIR RITU:- (Late Winter, Mid-January to Mid-March) 

• Changes in Environment: Wind is dry and cold; the sunlight becomes intense . The predominant Rasa and Mahabhuta during this season are Tikta (bitter) and Akasha, respectively.
• Changes in Body: Digestive fire is increased. Deposition of Kapha dosha starts, which leads to diseases like asthma, common cold. The strength of the person is reduced.
• Recommended Ahara (Diet): The foods having predominant taste of Amla (sour) are preferred. Eat Sour, salty, heavy, unctuous, thick meals. Use more by-products of sugarcane, gram/wheat flour. Drinking milk and milk products, wine, rum, and hot water are recommended.
• Recommended Vihara (Lifestyle): Massaging with oil/powder/paste, bathing with lukewarm water, sitting in sunlight, wearing warm clothes are to be followed according to ayurveda.
• To be Avoided: Avoid foods having Katu (pungent), Tikta (bitter), Kashaya (astringent) predominant rasa. Vata aggravating lifestyle like exposure to cold wind, excessive walking, sleeping late at night are to be avoided.

2. VASANTA RITU:- (Spring- Mid-March to Mid-May)

• Changes in Environment: This is the season of flowering and new leaves come. Predominant Rasa and Mahabhuta during this season are Kashaya (astringent), and Prithvi and Vayu, respectively. Intensity of sunlight increases compared to Shishira Ritu.
• Change in Body: Deranged Kapha dosha deposited in Shishira Ritu is liquefied in Vasant Ritu which reduces digestive fire leading to many diseases or aggravation of diseases which were present in winter. Humans have moderate Balam (strength).
• Recommended Ahara (diet): Consume old barley, wheat, rice, green gram, and lentil. Food tasting predominantly Tikta (bitter), Katu (pungent) and Kashaya (astringent) which are light for digestion are to be consumed. It is recommended to have liquids like honey mixed with water.
• Recommended Vihara (lifestyle): 

1. Dhumapana – Inhaling and exhaling smoke of specific medicines for a certain time according to the diseases & body type, etc.
2. Kavala Graha – Filling the mouth with medicated oil, medicine decoction or hot water till mouth fills with saliva.
3. Anjana (collyrium) – Applying a medicated paste from inner edge to outer edge of the lower eyelid
4. Sexual intercourse – Once in every three days.

• To be avoided: Avoid eating sweet, sour, salty and oily food which is heavy for digestion and abstain sleeping in the day time.

3. GRISHMA RITU (Summer – Mid May to Mid July)

• Changes in Environment: predominance of intense heat and unhealthy wind occurs during this season. The water bodies like ponds,river becomes dry and the plants appear lifeless. The predominant Rasa is Katu (pungent) and Mahabhuta are Agni and Vayu. The intensity of (mayukha) Sunlight is at its peak.
• Changes in Body: people have least balam (strength) due to maximum loss of saumya, (moisture like constituents) from one’s body. Deranged Kapha dosha comes back to normalcy due to seasonal changes and Deranged Vata dosha starts depositing in its main site.
• Recommended Ahara (diet): One should have Swadu (sweet), Shitam  (cooling), Dravam (liquids) and Snigdham  (unctuous) food and drinks. Manth (churned juice of sweet and sour fruits with water and sugar), ghee, milk, rice can also be taken. 
• Recommended Vihara (lifestyle): During day time one should stay in cold places or home while at night one should sleep under the moonlight by applying Chandana (sandalwood powder) to his/her body. More cooling drugs like Chandana, Ushira (vitiveria zizanoides) are to be kept in water for touching frequently and cooling one’s body. It is advised to wear jewelry made of pearls and corals at night.
• To Be Avoided: Avoid taking  Lavana  (salty), Amla  (sour), Katu (pungent) and  ushna (hot) food and drinks . Vyayama  (exercise) is best avoided in this season, as there is the least strength in body. more liquids are preferred in this season to compensate for fluid loss which occurs in the form of sweat.  .

4. VARSHA RITU (Monsoon- Mid‑July to mid‑September) 

• Changes in Environment:- the sky is covered by clouds and rains occur without thunderstorm in this season. The ponds, rivers, etc., are filled with water. The predominant Rasa and Mahabhuta during this season are Amla (sour), and Prithvi and Agni, respectively.
• Changes in Body:- The strength of the person again becomes less, vitiation of Vata Dosha and Agni. There is accumulation of Pitta Dosha in this season.
• Recommended Ahara (Diet regimen):- Consume foods having Amla (sour) and Lavana (salty) taste and of Sneha (unctuous) qualities. Among cereals, old barley, rice, wheat, etc., are advised. Include meat soup, Yusha (soup), etc. in the diet. One should take medicated water or boiled water during this season.
• Recommended Vihara (Lifestyle):- Use boiled water for bathing and rub your body with oil properly after bath.  Medicated Basti (enema) is prescribed as an evacuative measure to remove vitiated Doshas. 
• To Be Avoided:- Avoid intake of excessive liquid , wine and churned preparations having excess water. The foods, which are heavy and hard to digest, like meat, etc., are prohibited. Getting wet in rain, sleeping during day time, exercise, hard work, sexual indulgence, etc are to be prohibited.

5. SHARAD RITU (Autumn- mid‑September to mid‑November)

• Changes in Environment:- During this time the Sun becomes bright and the sky remains clear but sometimes white clouds are seen. The earth is covered with wet mud. The predominant Rasa is Lavana (salty) and predominant Mahabhutas are Apa and Agni.
• Changes in Body:- The strength of the person remains medium. Pacification of vitiated Vata Dosha and vitiation of Pitta Dosha occurs. Activity of Agni enhances during this season.
• Recommended Ahara (Diet regimen):- Foods are having madhura (sweet) and tikta (bitter) rasa are recommended. Food which are Laghu (light to digest) and have cold properties are advised. It is advisable to have Foods having which pacify vitiated Pitta. Wheat, green gram, sugar candy, honey, Patola (Trichosanthes diocia), animal flesh (Jangala Mamsa) are to be included in the diet.
• Recommended Vihara (Lifestyle): It is recommended to have food only when you are hungry. It is advised to wear flower garlands and apply paste of Chandana (Santalum album) on the body. It is said that moon rays in the first 3 h of night is good for health. Medical procedures, such as Virechana (purging), Rakta‑Mokshana (blood -letting), etc, should be performed during this season.
• To Be Avoided:- Avoid hot, bitter, sweet, and astringent foods. Do not include food items such as fat, oils, meat of aquatic animals, curds, etc. in your diet during this season. Abstain from day‑ sleeping, excessive eating and excessive exposure to sunlight, etc.

6. HEMANTA RITU:-  (Early winter – Mid‑November to Mid‑January)

• Changes in Environment:– Chilly cold winds are felt in this season . Predominant Rasa during this season is Madhura and the predominant Mahabhutas are Prithivi and Apa. 
• Changes in Body:- The strength of a person remains on highest grade and vitiated Pitta Dosha gets pacified. Activity of Agni is increased.
• Recommended Ahara (Diet regimen):- Use of unctuous, sweet, sour, and salty food is recommended. Among cereals and pulses- rice, flour preparations, green gram etc., are mentioned to be used. Various meats, fats, milk and milk products, sugarcane products, Shidhu (fermented preparations) Tila (sesame) can also be consumed in the diet.
• Recommended Vihara (Lifestyle):- Exercise, body and head massage, use of warm water, Atapa‑sevana (sunbath), application of Agaru on body, heavy clothing, sexual indulgence with one partner, residing in warm places is recommended.
• To Be Avoided:- Vata aggravating foods, such as laghu (light), cold, and dry foods are to be avoided. Intake of cold drinks is also contraindicated. Exposure to strong and cold wind, habit of day sleep, etc., are to be avoided.