Vasant Ritucharya: Living in Sync with Changing Seasons

Ritucharya in Ayurveda is the name of a practice made of two words, where “Ritu” means season and “Charya” means regime. It is the season to balance the physical and psychological effects and build physical and mental abilities to combat illnesses caused by changing seasons.

Ritucharya, according to Ayurveda, is all about balancing all three Doshas. They each influence various effects on the body and mind. Maintaining good health through the changing seasons is a special part of Ayurveda, described in detail in Ayurvedic texts and treatises.

Ritucharya forms the basis for preventing illness and maintaining an optimal level of immunity to adapt to the changes influenced by the weather.

About Vasant Ritucharya

Spring or Vasant is a festive season when new leaves and flowers bloom on the trees. However, Spring is also when the Sun begins to liquefy the Kapha Dosha in our bodies, which can reduce the fire (Agni) in your digestive system and cause disorders. The air can carry allergens like pollen and dander, and the insects that carry diseases become active.

The Sun begins to work on our bodies, melting Kapha deposits accumulated in the winter. When our digestive Agni is weakened, it can lose appetite, be indifferent to food, fatigue, and stress. Ayurveda recommends following a specific lifestyle and an Ayurvedic diet to restore the gastrointestinal fire (Agni) through emesis therapy (Vamana Panchakarma procedure), Nasya (Nasal medicine), and other methods. Here’s how to adapt to the spring season with Vasanta Ritucharya.

Vasanta Ritucharya in Ayurveda – Recommended Changes in Diet:

1. Ayurveda believes that most illnesses happen primarily due to improper digestion, leading to aama accumulation and dosha imbalance.
2. It is crucial to avoid indigestible, cold, greasy, sour, and sweet foods during the springtime as a general rule of thumb and sleep less during the day to balance one’s levels of Kapha Dosha.
3. Among the grains, wheat, old barley, rice, etc., need to be prioritised.
4. Among legumes, you can ingest lentils, Magda, etc.
5. It would be best if you tried eating Ayurvedic food that is relatively Katu (pungent), Tikta (bitter), and Kashaya (astringent).
6. Herbs like ginger, onions, turmeric, cumin, horseradish, and coriander can also reduce Kapha.
7. Include honey in your Ayurvedic diet and exclude curd, cold drinks, new grains, and food that is Snigdha (viscous), Sheeta (cold), Amla (sour), Guru (heavy), or Madhura (sweet).
8. Hot water, hot herbal drinks, and Pana (drink) also help proper digestion. However, it is generally not advisable to drink tea (which worsens Vata) or coffee (which aggravates Pitta).
9. Avoid heavy breakfasts and eat light breakfasts.

Vasanta Ritucharya according to Ayurveda – Other Suggested Activities.

1. Ayurvedic Acharyas encourage us to appreciate nature, especially during the Vasanta season.
2. Have a Snana (bath) with astringent herbs as it will significantly help you deal with aggravated Kapha, Pitta, and Phlegm. Have a warm bath using Ubtans to enhance the purification of Srota and the elimination of Mala.
3. Herbal baths with cooling herbs such as sandalwood can also help strengthen your body and boost immunity. Oil and dry massages (Udvartana be p) are best performed regularly.
4. Exercise and specific lifestyle changes can prevent the buildup of Kapha, boost the immune system, and improve the count of specific immune cells.
5. Avoid direct contact with air and reduce the potential for exposure to pollen and other allergens.
6. Yoga postures enhance the immune system, reduce stress hormones, increase blood cell circulation, and stimulate the lymphatic system. Some examples are Trikonasana (Triangle Pose), PavanaMuktasana, Ushtrasana (Camel Pose), Paschimottanasana (Forward Bend Pose), and Matsyendrasana.
7. Eat within 15 minutes of cooking, control stress, and imbibe herbs like Ashwagandha, Brahmi, Shilajit, and Ayurvedic minerals in your daily routine.
8. Try Pranayama every morning for 20 minutes and Shavasana when you get back from work.

Ayuvi recommends trying these lifestyle changes best to regulate your physiological and psychological balance during Spring and avoid illnesses.

Conclusion

Ritucharya is an assertive Ayurvedic discipline that helps you live in harmony with a seasonal regimen and make internal adjustments to balance your Dosha proportions. Ritucharya and Dinacharya (daily lifestyle) help us take responsibility for our health and build a robust immunity. Making beneficial changes to your lifestyle, following an Ayurvedic diet, etc., can help you effectively adapt to the Vasant Ritu weather without significant difficulty.

Ayurveda focuses on a balanced and simple life in harmony with natural states, supported by carefully selected, wise, and health-promoting practices. Ayuvi helps you augment your Ayu (long life) and Ayush (good health) using the ancient science of Ayurveda combined with some of the benefits of modern technology, as suggested by Acharyas, Vaidyas, and Nutritionists.