Diet and Lifestyle Regimen for Vasant Ritu (Spring Season)

Abstract

The varying amount of sunlight and direction of sun around the earth in the year create the season. Due to the amount of sunlight and direction of sun seasons have their impact on environment which has effect on the health of people. To protect from these effects Veda’s described Ritucharya which means season regimen. In Ritucharya, Acharya describes about lifestyle and diet changes according to seasons. By adopting these lifestyle and diet changes one can maintain their health and lower the effects of weather on body. Like in spring season, accumulated Kapha Dosha in sisira ritu get liquefies in vasant ritu due to increased temperature which causes weakness of jathar Agni, which have adverse effect on health. By following Ritucharya we can minimize the effect of Kapha dosha.

Introduction

Ayurveda is an ancient and traditional form of medicine. Ayurveda helps in healing from disease by the use of natural herbs. Ayurveda’s goal is not only to treat the patient from disease but to maintain the health of mind, body, and soul. Ayurveda believes in maintaining a healthy person’s health and cure diseased person form disease. To maintain this believes they purpose the Dinacharya (daily regimen) and Ritucharya (seasonal regimen) which helps in maintaining Dosha, and Dhatu.

Ayurveda believes that balanced food helps in increasing body strength and age. In some Ritu’s (season) even after taking balanced food won’t help in increasing strength but people start falling ill. Eating food according to season helps in increasing strength and age. So it is important to know the importance and regime of every season.

There are six seasons:-

1. Sisira (late winter)
2. Vasanta (spring)
3. Greeshma (summer)
4. Varsha (Rain)
5. Sharad (Autumn)
6. Hemant (winter)

These six seasons are categories under Uttaraayana and Dakshinaayana.

Uttaraayana

Uttaraayana is also known as Aadaana kaala. This consists of 3 seasons Sisira, Vasanta, Greeshma. In this period the sun is towards the north. The sun and wind are powerful in this season and take away the strength and energy of people. In this period sun drains out the cooling effects of earth and the atmosphere becomes hot and dry due to which there is an increase in dehydration and weakness in people. Tikita (bitter), Kashaya (astringent), Katu (pungent) rasa are predominant. Properties in the Ritu are according to the Uttaraayana:

• Sishira ritu: mild dryness, tikita ras (bitter), mild weakness
• Vasanta ritu: moderate dryness, kashaya (astringent), moderate weakness.
• Greeshma ritu: severe dryness, Katu (pungent), severe weakness.

Dakshinaayana

Dakshinaayana is also known as Visarga kaala. This period consist of Varsha, Sharad, Hemant Ritu’s. In this period the sun is towards the south. Due to varsha ritu the heat of the sun gets minimizes. With cold winds and rain, the earth becomes cool. Moon is in full power and fills the earth with its rays and People start regaining energy and strength. In this period Amala (sour), Lavan (salty), Madhura (sweet) these Rasa are predominant. Properties of ritu according to Dakshinaayana:

• Varsha ritu: mild Snigdha (greasy), amala (sour), mild strength.
• Sharad ritu: moderate Snigdha (greasy), Lavan (salty), moderate strength
• Hemant ritu: highest snigdha (greasy), madhur (sweet), highest strength.

Division of Ritu’s according to Ayurveda

Vasanta Ritu

Vastana is called the spring season. Spring season is the feeling of loveliness and joy because in this time of season beautiful flowers bloom up and everything thing looks colorful and beautiful which bring a smile on our faces. Spring comes after the chilly winter. Sun rays become stronger due to which weather becomes warm. In Ayurveda, Acharya believes Vasant ritu (spring season) is ideal for detoxification.

It falls in mid-march to mid-may.

Vasanta Ritu affect on the Body

In Sishira ritu (winter) the digestive fire is high and people eat lots of heavy and spicy foods. Sometimes our stomach is unable to digest this heavy food due to which accumulation of Ama (stomach produce toxic due to indigestion) & Kapha. Due to strong sun rays accumulated Kapha starts melting down which causes diminished digestive fire which reduces the appetite. If this Ama (toxin) is not moving out of the body, then various problems like; cold, cough, allergies, headache, muscle aches, etc. are very common. Making some lifestyle modification according to Ayurveda helps us in fighting with these symptoms.

Life Style Modification:-

• Exercise: Exercise regularly in Vasant Ritu helps to prevent Kapha dosha. Exercise helps to maintain Jatharagni (digestive fire). It helps to remove toxins from the body through sweating. Help in reducing medha dhatu.
• Sleep: Avoid sleeping in the afternoon it also helps to prevent the accumulation of Kapha.
• Massage: Massage your body with oil will help to strengthen the body and boost immunity.
• Ubtan: Applying ubtan before bath helps to reduce Kapha dosha. It provides strength to your body and helps to remove toxins form the body. Help in maintaining Jathar Agni (digestive fire). Ubtan is made by gram flour adding some grind mustard seed and adding some oil and turmeric to it. Make a paste and apply it on the body. It will help to remove toxins and make skin smooth and glowing. Helps in maintain Jathar Agni (digestive fire) and prevent the accumulation of Kapha.
• Bath: Adding herbs like Sandalwood has cooling effect on the body and helps in strengthen the body. Or adding some neem leaves to water and boil it. By which water contain neem properties. It will help to get relief from skin rash, and pimples.
• Yoga: Yoga helps in physical and mental disciplines. Help to boost the immune system, increase blood cell circulation, helps in decreasing stress hormones.
• Yoga poses: Paschimottanasana (Forward bending pose), Matsyendrasana and Ushtrasana (Camel pose), Trikonasana (Camel pose), etc. helps in reducing Kapha and maintaining the Jathar Agni (digestive fire).

Dietary Guidelines:-

In Vasant Ritu Tikita (bitter), Kashaya (astringent), Katu (pungent) Rasa are useful in reducing Kapha Dosha. Taking Rasa like Amala (sour), Lavan (salty), Madhura (sweet) will increase the production of Kapha Dosha. Foods that you should consume:-

• Garlic: It helps in fighting various viruses, bacteria which create problems in the digestive system. It also helps in reducing the Kapha dosha. Garlic stimulates the activity of the immune system.
• Ginger: Ginger helps in various Kapha problems like; sore throat, fever, and reducing mucus from the chest. It helps in improving the circulation of oxygen in the tissues. Help in removing toxins from the body. One can eat raw ginger it will help in sore throat.
• Onion: Onions contain quercetin, it is a nutrient that helps in breaking up the mucus in the chest and head. Raw onion smell runs through the nose and tears up eyes which stimulate immunity to fight against infection.
• Neem leaves: Consuming 4-5 raw neem leaves every morning on empty stomach it will help in detoxify the blood and helps to fight against skin rash, skin disorders. 
• Coriander, Cumin, turmeric
• Cereals, old barley, wheat, rice are suggest
• Pulses, lentil, Mugda is suggested to use.
• Honey water: Boil 1-liter water let it cool down and then add 1 teaspoonful of honey mix it and drink it. Use this water 3-4 times a day. Add fresh honey every time. Honey helps to fight with various viruses and bacteria, help to regulate digestive fire and reduce the Kapha Dosha.
• Sonth water: Boil 1-liter water in a pan and let it cool down then add 2-3 pinches of sonth powder and drink it. Drink this water 2-3 times a day. Sonth helps to regulate Digestive fire and boost immunity.
• Buttermilk: Having butter milk by adding cumin, black pepper powder, fresh coriander leaves, some mint leaves, black salt. This will helps to regulate the digestive system. Regulate Jathar Agni (digestive fire). Prevent the Kapha Dosha and helps to boost immunity.

Things to Avoid:-

• Avoid taking high calories which is hard to digest.
• Avoid taking dairy products
• Avoid taking Madhur, Amala, Lavan rasa.
• Avoid having deep-fried food
• Avoid sleeping in the afternoon
• Avoid taking cold items

Conclusion

From the above information, there are various problems in Vasant Ritu due to liquefy Kapha Dosha. By following the Vasant Ritu regimen one can avoid or reduce various symptoms.