Ritucharya
Ritucharya: This word is
the combination of two words i.e. ritu meaning seasons and charya
meaning routine, thus giving the complete term the meaning of the
ruotine that is to be followed in different seasons.
Following is the importance of Ritucharya:
It maintains the climatic homologation in form of dosh samya
(equilibrium) in different seasons to promote swassthvrutha (preventive
& social medicine) on which ayurveda has laid a great stress since
prevention is better than cure.
Hemant (winter season)
This is the season of cold, where the atmosphere temperature drops
down, the environment becomes chilly and this leads to the
disequilibrium of vata dosha and kapha sanchay. In the winter season
Vayu is accentuated and needs to be satisfied by a heavy diet (snigdha,
Madhura & lavanrasa). The diet in hemant must include wheat, gram,
milk & milk products, jaggery, cane sugar, figs, carrots, tomatoes,
dates to prevent the disequilibrium of vata dosha. Til oil massage is
suggested to prevent disequilibrium of vata dosha and excess sanchay of
kapha. Daily exercises or yoga is beneficial. To avoid cold woolen
clothes must be worn and married couple should use aphrodisiacs.
Vasant (spring season)
The sanchit kapha is accentuated in this season by the sun rays thus
the susceptibility of kapha Roga (e.g. cough, cold, tonsillitis etc)
increases and thus reduces the Agni (bio- transformation). In ayurveda
vaman (vomiting) karma is also advocated i.e. one of the pancha karma's
to get rid of excess kapha sanchay and hence kapha Roga. Sleeping during
the day and use of Madhura, Alma, and lavan is contraindicated as these
accentuate the kapha dosha. Instead, the use of honey and or dry ginger
is indicated.
Grishma (summer season)
Heat of the sun reduces the moisture in the atmosphere and thus
increases the ruksh guna of vata dosha, which causes sanchay of vata
dosha. By this way Ahaar and vihar that accentuate its sanchay can be
avoided. Thew examples are that of the use of katu tikta kashya Rasa,
exercises, sexual intercourse, etc. it is advisable not to take honey
and intake of liquids should be increased to prevent dehydration due to
excessive sweating. Use of cotton clothes is beneficial.
Varsha (rainy season)
In this season the atmosphere is although cool due to rainfall but the
humidity increases and this causes vata dosha prakopa. In this season
ayurveda insists on avoiding Ahaar & vihar, which attribute to
prakopa. Drinking of boiled water (shrut, sheeta jal) is advisable. Use
of rittu hari taki as a rasayan i.e. hari taki is suggested with
different anupanas in different seasons.
Sharadrutu (autumn)
Pitta prakopa is caused due to the heat of sun hence ahar vihar which
attribute to its prakopa should be avoided.
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