RITUCHARYA FOR HEMANTA AND SHISHIRA RITU

It is an Ancient ayurvedic practice. Word ritucharya is comprised of two words “Ritu” which means season and ” Charya ” meaning discipline or regimen. It consists life-style and ayurvedic diet routine to counter the mental and bodily impacts caused by changes in seasons as per Ayurveda.  It helps to be in sync with ever-changing nature and maintaining health at the same time.

Ritucharya also helps to balance three doshas  and keep individual mentally and physically health throughout the year.

SEASONS ACCORDING TO AYURVEDA :

In ayurveda whole year is divided into two periods each containing 3 seasons . The two periods are :

• Uttarayana or Adana Kala: Sun is in northward position to earth and with its hot rays absorbs all the moisture from environment. Due to flow of excessive dry wind there is further dryness in three seasons Shishira, vasanta and grishma that comes under adana kala. The dryness in these seasons  leads to predominance of Tikta(Pungent) , kashaya( astringent) and Katu (bitter)rasa respectively. There is gradual increase of weakness in human beings during this period.
• Dakshinayana or Visarga Kala : Sun is in southward position to earth. Varsha, sharada and hemanta ritu come under it. The Madhur(sweet), amla (sour)and lavan(salty) rasa are predominant in these seasons respectively. Due to soothing effect of moon in these seasons there is gradual increase in body strength.

SEASONAL VARIATIONS IN STRENGTH:

• In beginning of Visarga kala and end of adana kala the body strength is very low
• In middle of both the kala’s the body strength is medium
• In end of Visarga kala and starting of adana kala body strength is at its highest.

RITUS IN WINTER SEASONS

Both Hemanta and shishira ritu comes under winter season . these are extremely cold ritus of the year .

Hemanta Ritucharya :

It starts from mid-november to mid-january. Due to contact with cold wind the digestive fire/ Agni of healthy individuals gets trapped inside the body thus it become strong enough to digest inherently heavy and excess in quality food.

If a person don’t meet the demand of the digestive fire then the increase agni start to consume the rasa( intrinsic fluid) of body leading to vitiation of vata dosha.  So follow the Ritucharya to pacify the Vata dosha.

Pathya Ahara

• Consumption of greasy, sour and salty food items
• Intake of meat of fatty , marshy and aquatic animals.
• Drinking of alcohol
• Sesame seeds and its preparations
• Use of honey is advised
• Consumption of milk and milk products
• Consumption of sugar cane products
• Food prepared with black gram, wheat flour and  freshly harvested grains.
• Drink warm water

Pathya Vihara

• Body massage and head massage with warm oil to balance Vata dosha
• Wash off the oil with astringent powder
• Utilization of warm water
• Sun-bath
• Lepa of Agaru powder on body
• Use of thick sheet made of silk, leather, cotton, wool or bark of tree which are light in weight should be used during sleep
• Wear foot wears all the time
• Reside in inner most apartment or in underground chamber of warm house.

Apathya Ahara-Vihara

• Intake of vata vitiating food or drinks
• Intake to food that is light to digest
• Exposure to direct strong winds
• Intake of diluted gruel
• Sleeping in Day-time

Shishira Ritucharya :

It starts from Mid-January to mid-March. Hemant and Shishira ritus are almost sme in characteristic with some slight changes. There is increase in dryness due to onset of Adana kala and due to winds, rain and clouds.

All the ahara-vihara are same as Hemanta ritu in addition stay in less windy and more warm shelter.

Apathya Ahara-Vihara

• Intake of predominantly bitter, pungent and astringent food or drinks
• Intake of cold food.
• Vata vitiating food

COMMON DISEASES IN WINTER SEASON :

Some of the common diseases of winters season are :

• Common cold
• Asthma
• Eczema
• Influenza Flu
• Fever
• Migraine
• Sore throat
• Swelling of joints
• Seasonal affective depression

PANCHAKARMA PROCEDURES IN WINTER SEASON

• Abhyanga : Massage with medicated oil improves blood circulation and helps to generate warmth in the body.
• Shiro Vasti: Helps to relieve the dryness in head region and also calms the Nervous system along with strengthening of the mind.
• Nasya Karma: Provide relief from the headache, migraine, dry nasal passage , respiratory disorders etc
• Shirodhara : Helps to pacify vitiated vata dosha and provide relief from stress and anxiety.
• Shashtik shali pinda sweda : Quite affective in treatment of joint pains, paralysis and muscular dystrophy.
• Pathra pinda pottali sweda : Relieves heaviness, ache, stiffness and coldness in body. Also remove toxins from body through sweating.