Ritucharya means Life according to the season in Ayurveda: Dr. Amita Abrol


 The article, Dr. Amita Abrol: The year according to Ayurveda is divided into two periods Ayana (solstice) depending on the direction of movement of the sun that is Uttarayana (northern solstice) and Dakshinayana (southern solstice). Each is formed of three Ritus (seasons). The word Ritu means “to go.” It is the form in which nature expresses itself in a sequence in particular and specific in present forms, in short, the seasons.[6]

 A year consists of six seasons, namely, Shishira (winter), Vasanta (spring), and Grishma (summer) in Uttarayan and Varsha (monsoon), Sharata (autumn), and Hemanta (late autumn) in Dakshinayana. As Ayurveda has its origin in India, the above seasonal changes are observed predominantly in the Indian subcontinent.
Ritucharya

 Uttarayana and its effect
Uttarayana indicates the ascent of the sun or the northward movement of the sun. In this period the sun and the wind are powerful. The sun takes away the strength of the people and the cooling quality of the earth. It brings an increase in the Tikta (bitter), Kashaya (astringent), and Katu (pungent) Rasa (taste), respectively, which brings about dryness in the body and reduces the Bala (strength). It is also called Adana Kala.

 According to modern science, this can be compared with the gradual movement of the earth around the sun to the position, in which the rays of the sun falls perpendicularly at 30 degrees meridian of the North Pole on June 21st every year, called as the summer solstice. The northward journey of the Sun from Tropic of Capricorn to Tropic of Cancer happens.
Saka Calendar

During Uttarayana the seasonal changes in the Indian subcontinent are from Shishira (winter) to Vasanta (spring) and to Grishma (summer). The period can be compared to mid-January to mid-July when warmness and dryness in weather increases. It has an overall debilitating effect on the environment, to which human being is also a part.

 Dakshinayana and its effect
Dakshinayana indicates the descent of the sun or movement of the sun in the southern direction. In this period, the wind is not very dry; the moon is more powerful than the sun. The earth becomes cool due to clouds, rain, and cold winds. Unctuousness sets in the atmosphere and Amla (sour), Lavana (salty), and Madhura (sweet) Rasa are predominant, so the strength of person enhances during this period. It is also called Visarga Kala.

 According to modern science, this can be compared with the gradual movement of the earth around the sun to the position, in which the rays of the sun fall over 30 degrees meridian of the South Pole perpendicularly on December 21st every year, is called as the winter solstice. The southward movement of the Sun occurs from Tropic of Cancer to Tropic of Capricorn.

 During Dakshinayana, the seasonal changes occur in the Indian subcontinent from Varsha (monsoon) to Sarata (autumn) and to Hemanta (late autumn). This period can be compared to mid-July to mid-January, when cool sets, and due to which anabolic activity dominates over the catabolic activity in the environment.

 One should take easily digestible foods. Among cereals, old barley, wheat, rice, and others are preferred. Among pulses, lentil, Mugda, and others can be taken. Food items tasting Tikta (bitter), Katu (pungent), and Kashaya (astringent) are to be taken. Besides those, honey is to be included in the diet. Meats like that of Shahsa (rabbit), which are easy to digest can be taken.
Foods which are hard to digest are to be avoided. Those which are Sheeta (cold), Snigdha (viscous), Guru (heavy), Amla (sour), Madhura (sweet) are not preferred. New grains, curd, cold drinks, and so on, are also to be prohibited.

 Lifestyle One should use warm water for the bathing purpose, may do exercise during Vasant Ritu. Udvartana (massage) with powder of Chandana (Santalum album), Kesara (Crocus sativus), Agaru, and others, Kavala (gargle), Dhooma (smoking), Anjana (collyrium), and evaluative measures, such as Vamana and Nasya are advised.
Day-sleep is strictly contraindicated during this season.

 Grishma (summer)
General condition Mid-May to mid-July (approximately) is considered as Grishma (summer) season. The environment is prevalent with intense heat and unhealthy wind. The river-bodies dried and the plants appear lifeless. The predominant Rasa is Katu (pungent) and Mahabhuta are Agni and Vayu. The strength of the person becomes less, deposition of Vata Dosha occurs, but the vitiated Kapha Dosha is pacified during this season. Agni of the person will remain in a mild state.

 Diet regimen Foods which are light to digest—those having Madhura (sweet), Snigdha (unctuous), Sheeta (cold), and Drava (liquid) Guna, such as rice, lentil, etc, are to be taken. Drinking plenty of water and other liquids, such as cold water, buttermilk, fruit juices, meat soups, mango juice, churned curd with pepper, is to be practiced. At bedtime milk with sugar, candy is to be taken.
Lavana and food with Katu (pungent) and Amla (sour) taste and Ushna (warm) foods are to be avoided.

 Lifestyle Staying in cool places, applying sandal wood and other aromatic pastes over the body, adorned with flowers, wearing light dresses and sleeping at day time are helpful. During the night one can enjoy the cooled moon rays with the breeze. Excessive exercise or hard work is to be avoided; too much sexual indulgence and alcoholic preparations are prohibited.

 Varsha (monsoon)
General condition Mid-July to mid-September (approximately) is considered as Varsha Ritu. During this season the sky is covered by clouds and rains occur without a thunderstorm. The ponds, rivers, etc., are filled with water. The predominant Rasa and Mahabhuta during this season are Amla (sour), and Prithvi and Agni, respectively. The strength of the person again becomes less, vitiation of Vata Dosha and deposition of Pitta Dosha, Agni also gets vitiated.

 Diet regimen Foods having Amla (sour) and Lavana (salty) taste and of Sneha (unctuous) qualities are to be taken. Among cereals, old barley, rice, wheat, etc., are advised. Besides meat soup, Yusha (soup), etc. are to be included in the diet. It is mentioned that one should take medicated water or boiled water.
Intake of river water, churned preparations having more water, excessive liquid and wine are to be avoided. The foods, which are heavy and hard to digest, like meat, etc., are prohibited.

 Lifestyle Use of boiled water for bath and rubbing the body with oil properly after the bath is advised. Medicated Basti (enema) is prescribed as an evacuative measure to expel vitiated Doshas.
Getting wet in the rain, day-sleep, exercise, hard work, sexual indulgence, wind, staying at river-bank, etc., are to be prohibited.

 Sharat (autumn)
General condition The period between mid-September to mid-November is Sharat Ritu (autumn). During this time the Sun becomes bright, the sky remains clear and sometimes with white cloud, and the earth is covered with wet mud. The predominant Rasa is Lavana (salty) and predominant Mahabhutas are Apa and Agni. The strength of the person remains medium, pacification of vitiated Vata Dosha and vitiation of Pitta Dosha occur, and activity of Agni increases during this season.
Diet regimen Foods are having Madhura (sweet) and Tikta (bitter) taste, and of Laghu (light to digest) and cold properties are advised. Foods having the properties to pacify vitiated Pitta are advised. Wheat, green gram, sugar candy, honey, Patola (Trichosanthes diocia), the flesh of animals of dry land (Jangala Mamsa) are to be included in the diet.
Hot, bitter, sweet, and astringent foods are to be avoided. The food items, such as fat, oils, meat of aquatic animals, curds, etc., are also to be not included in the diet during this season.

 Lifestyle Habit of eating food, only when there is a feeling of hunger is recommended. One should take water purified by the rays of the sun in the day time and rays of the moon at night time for drinking, bathing, etc. It is advised to wear flower garlands and to apply a paste of Chandana (Santalum album) on the body. It is said that moon rays in the first 3 h of the night are conducive for health. Medical procedures, such as Virechana (purging), Rakta-Mokshana (blood letting), etc, should be done during this season.
Day-sleep, excessive eating, excessive exposure to sunlight, etc., are to be avoided.

 Hemanta (late autumn)
General condition Mid-November to mid-January is considered as Hemanta (late autumn) Ritu. Blow of cold winds starts and chillness is felt. Predominant Rasa during this season is Madhura and the predominant Mahabhutas are Prithvi and Apa. The strength of a person remains on highest grade and vitiated Pitta Dosha gets pacified. The activity of Agni is increased.
Diet regimen One should use unctuous, sweet, sour, and salty foods. Among cereals and pulses, new rice, flour preparations, green gram, Masha, etc., are mentioned to be used. Various meats, fats, milk and milk products, sugarcane products, Shidhu (fermented preparations), Tila (sesame), and so on, are also to be included in the diet.
Vata aggravating foods, such as Laghu (light), cold, and dry foods are to be avoided. Intake of cold drinks is also contraindicated.

 Lifestyle Exercise, body and head massage, use of warm water, Atapa-seven (sunbath), application of Agaru on the body, heavy clothing, sexual indulgence with one partner, residing in warm places is recommended

 Dr. Amita Abrol
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