-Ritucharya- Seasonal Regimen for Healthy Living

Dr. Gaurav Sharma, M.D. (Ayu)

Research Officer- Ayurveda

Dept. of AYUSH, Min. of H&FW, Govt. of India

Email: gaurav.sharma@nic.in

Flow of Presentation• Six Seasons • Information regarding seasonal division of Year• Status of Doshik predominance, Guna, Rasa,

Bala in each Seasons• Dos and Don'ts of Each season• Ritu Sandhi (Change of season) & Oak Satmya• Summary and Key take out points for each

Season

Shad Ritu - Six Seasons• India is a country blessed with Six different

seasons

Shishira Winter

Greeshma Summer

Varsha Monsoon /

Rainy

Sharad autumn

Hemant Early

Winter

Vasant Spring

Reason Behind Different Seasons on Earth

Kala Vibhajan- Time Division

2 Ayana 1 Samvatsar (Varsh)

3 Ritu

1 Kashtha

1 Kala

15 Nimesh

1 Muhurt

30 Kashtha

1 Ahoratra

20 Kala

1 Paksha

30 Mahurt

1 Masa

15 Ahoratra

1 Ritu

2 Paksha

1 Ayana

2 Masa

Akshi Nimesh – Basic Unit of Time in Ancient time

5 Samvatsar (Varsh) 1 Yuga

Indian National Calendar (Saka calendar)S.

No. Month LengthStart date (Gregorian calendar)

Ritu Season

1 Chaitra 30/31 March 22Vasanta Spring

2 Vaishākh 31 April 213 Jyaishtha 31 May 22

Grishma Summer4 Āshādha 31 June 225 Shrāvana 31 July 23

Varsha Monsoon6 Bhādrapad 31 August 237 Āshwin 30 September 23

Sharat Autumn8 Kārtik 30 October 239 Agrahayana 30 November 22

Hemant Winter10 Paush 30 December 2211 Māgh 30 January 21

SishiraCold & dewy

season12 Phālgun 30 February 20

Seasonal Division of Year

• Adan Kala / Uttarayan • Visarga Kala / Daskhinanyan

Samvatsar - Year

Six Months Six Months

Three Seasons1. Varsha2. Sharad3. Hemant

Three Seasons1. Shishir 2. Vasant 3. Grishma

1. Magha- Phagha 2. Chaitra- Vaishakh 3. Jyeshtha- Ashadha

1. Shravana- Bhadrapada 2. Ashvin- Kartika

3. Margsheesh- Pausha

Attributes of Adankala & VisargakalaAdan Kala

• Uttarayan- Agneya• Agneya-Agni-guna Pradhan• Vayu- Ati-ruksha• Moon- Less Bala• Sun- Strong Bala• Sun Dries away things• Ruksha, Tikta, Kashaya, Katu• Gradually Bala lessens

Visarga Kala

• Dakshinayan- Saumya• Soumya- Sheet guna Pradhan• Vayu- not so ruksha• Moon- Strong Bala• Sun- Less Bala• Moon nourishes things• Snigdha, Amla, Madhur, Lavan• Gradually Bala increases

Status of Bala (Strength) During Year

Māgh

Phālgun

Chaitra

Vaishākh

Jyaishtha

ĀshādhaShrāvanaBhādrapad

ĀshwinKārtik

Agrahayana

Paush

VasantaShishir Greeshma HemantSharadVarsha

MadhyaAadi Anta MadhyaAadi Anta

Madhyam / Moderate

Uttam / Highest

Avara / Lowest

Uttarayana Dakshinayana

BALA

STRENGTH

Status of Rasa & Bala during YearRitu Status of

Strength of Sun

Status of Strength of

Moon

Dryness/ Unctuousness

Rasa in Dravyas

Status of Bala

Shishir Poorna Ksheena Ruksha Tikta Shreshtha Bala

Vasant Poorntar Ksheentar Rukshtar Kashaya Madhyam Bala

Greeshma

Poorntam Ksheentam Rukshtam Katu Alpabala

Varsha Ksheena Poorna Snigdha Amla Alpabala

Sharad Ksheentar Poorntar Snigdhtar Lavan Madhyam Bala

Hemant Ksheentam Poorntam Snigdhtam Madhur Shreshtha Bala

Rhythm of Doshik Sanchaya-Prakopa-Shamana during year

Dosha Sanchaya (Accumulation)

Prakopa (Vitiation)

Shaman (Pacification)

Vata Greeshma Varsha Sharada

Pitta Varsha Sharada Hemanta

Kapha Hemanta Vasanta Greeshma

Seasonal variation and internal chemical environment

• Cellular and humeral immunity is reduced in rainy season

• Plasma cortisol is elevated in autumn • Constriction of sodium space is more in summer

season

Vasant (Spring)(Feb.- March to March-April)

• Characteristics: Wind blows towards south, Accumulated Sleshma (Kapha) undergoes liquefaction due to strong sunrays.

• Dosha: Prakopa of Kapha

• Bala: Madhyamabala

• Food to be taken: (Yava) Barley, Godhuma (Wheat), In non-veg- Light cooked meat, fermented beverages (alcoholic), Shunthi, Motha, Asana saadhit Water

Vasant (Spring)(Feb.- March to March-April)

• Food not to be taken: Heavy, Sour, Sweet, Unctuous

• Activities: Vamana (Emesis), Dry Massage, More physical activity, Gargling

• Common Diseases: Shwasa, Kasa, Pratishyay (Respiratory allergies/ disorders), Agnimandhya, Ajirna etc.

• Common Interventions: Vyoshadi Vati, Lavangadi Vati, Sitopaladi Churna, Talishadi Churna, Shirishadi Kwath, Kantaryadi Awleha Trikatu churna, Chitrakadi Vati, Ajmodadi Churna, Hingwashtak Churna, Lavanbhaskar Churna etc.

Greeshma (Summer) (April-May to May-June)

• Characteristics: Excessively dry & hot

• Dosha: Vata Sanchaya and Kapha Shamana, due to excessive dryness

• Bala: Avara (Lowest)

• Food to be taken: Sweet, Cold, Liquid and Unctuous Drinks & Food items, Manth, Sharbata, Light cooked non-veg items, Ghrit and Milk, Plenty of Water

Greeshma (Summer) (April-May to May-June)

• Food not to be taken: Alcoholic beverages, Lavan, Katu, Amla, Ushna

• Activities: Divaswap- Nap during day time, Stay in cooled place, indulge in forest, cold water and flowers. Should not indulge in sexual activity and excessive physical exertion.

• Common Diseases: Sun stroke, Exhaustion, Aruchi, Trishna etc.

• Common Interventions: Shadang Paniya, Amrapanaka, Takra sevan, Sheetal Sharbat, Ushirasava, Chandanasav

Varsha (Monsoon / Rainy)(June-July to July-Aug.)

• Characteristics: Digestive fire is further weakened, Water becomes Amlavipaki

• Dosha: Vata Prakopa

• Bala: Alpabala

• Food to be taken: Drinks & Diet mixed with Honey, Amla, Lavana & Sneha- on the day of excessive raining to counteract the aggravation of Vata, Old cereals- Barley (Yava), Godhuma (Wheat), Shali Rice, Processed Yusha (Soup) of grains, Grape wine and Arishta (with Honey).

Varsha (Monsoon / Rainy)(June-July to July-Aug.)

• Food not to be taken: Watery demulcent drinks, Impure / contaminated water

• Activities: Dry massage (Udvartana), Stay in less humid place, Wearing garlands, perfumes. Avoid day sleeping, excessive physical exercise, sexual intercourse, exposure to sun

• Common Diseases: Amlapitta, endemics like cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, skin diseases,

• Common Interventions: Ushnodaka with honey, Bilwadi churna, Gangadhar churna, Trikatu Churna, Haridra Khanda etc.

Sharad (Autumn)(Aug.-Sept. to Sept.-Oct.)

• Characteristics: Sudden re-exposure to sun rays causes Pitta vitiation

• Dosha: Pitta Prakopa

• Bala: Madyambala

• Food to be taken: Madhura (Sweet), Sheet (Cold), Laghu, Tikta (Bitter), Shali Rice, Godhuma (Wheat), Moonga, Yava, Madhu, Ghrita with Tikta (Bitter) medicaments. Food which subsides Pitta.

Sharad (Autumn)(Aug.-Sept. to Sept.-Oct.)

• Food not to be taken: Vasa (Fatty tissue), Oil, Meat of aquatic animals, Dahi (Curd), Kshara (Alkaline preparations)

• Activities: Wearing garlands, Exposure to moonlight in the night, No day time sleep

• Common Diseases: Amlapitta, Sheetpitta, Kandu etc.

• Common Interventions: Avipattikar Churna, Ushirasava, Chandanasav, Madhuyashti Churna etc.

Hemant (Early Winter)(Oct.-Nov. to Nov.-Dec.)

• Characteristics: Sheetal Vayu, Prabala Jatharagni, Madhur Rasa Uttapati, Endowed with Strength

• Dosha: Sanchaya- Kapha, Prashaman- Vata

• Bala: Shreshthabala

• Food to be taken: Heavy food (Unctuous), Newly ripened rice and other grains, Heavy Non-veg preparations, Snighdha, Madhur, Amla, Lavana, Wine, Madhu (Honey), Milk & Ikshu (sugarcane) products, Wine and other alcoholic beverages.

Hemant (Early Winter)(Oct.-Nov. to Nov.-Dec.)

• Food Not to be taken: Vatavardhak, Laghu (Light- Moonga), Ruksha (Dry- without oil)

• Activities: Oil Massage, Application of Oil over head, Sunbath, Utsadana (Massage) , Residing in warm underground chamber, Wearing of heavy, woollen cloths, use of thick blankets, unlimited indulgence into sexual activities

• Common Diseases: Sandhi stabdhta, Sandhi shool, Pratishyay, Swasa, Kasa etc.

• Common Interventions: Chyawanprash, Ashwagandha Churna, Yograj guggulu, Shilajeet, Mahanarayan Oil (for L.A.)

Shishir (Winter)(Dec.-Jan. to Jan-Feb.)

• Characteristics: Similar as that of Hemant Ritu but has more Rukshata, Sheetata, Wind and Rain than Hemant.

• Dosha: Same as that of Hemant

• Bala: Shreshthabala

• Food to be taken: Same as that of Hemant

• Activities: Same as that of Hemant in addition remain in Less ventilated and more warm place

Ritu Sandhis – Change of Season

• Last Seven Days of out going Ritu and first seven days of coming Ritu

• Importance- Period of Susceptibility for various diseases.

• Should not leave the Dos & Don’ts of out going Ritu at once & Should not switch over to new Ritu’s regimen suddenly.

• Padansh Krama- Slowly adjust to new regimen.

Oka Satmya• Continuous use of unwholesome will not cause

Vikar immediately due to habituation

• But may cause problems over a period of time

• This is called as Oak Satmya

• It should not be encouraged

• One should try to leave such habits gradually

Key Take Out Points• Varsha- Prevent Amla, Contaminated water• Sharad- Beware of Strong Sun, Pitta Shamak

Ahar VIhar • Hemant- Eat Heavy & At will, No Day sleep• Shishir- Follow Hemant regimen• Vasant – Vaman; Kapha Prakop is to be

prevented, Use Honey• Greeshma- Sleep during day time, accumulation

of Vata has to be taken care, Use Sattu & Sharbat

THANKS