Ayurveda contains a varied diet and lifestyle pattern for each season that helps to preserve health, which is referred to as ‘Ritucharya.’ Varsha Ritucharya is the name given to the diet and lifestyle guidelines that are followed throughout the rainy season, also known as Varsha Ritu.
The atmosphere is cold during this season because of the rain, but the humidity rises, aggravating the doshas. Due to the weakening of Agni (digestive fire), doshas begin to vitiate one another, particularly the vatadosha, but also pitta and kaphadoshas, causing a variety of diseases. In the rainy season, one must adhere to a strict diet and lifestyle routine because the possibilities of contracting a disease are higher.
The VATA dominant people, shall strictly follow this RITUCHARYA, shall also be followed by Pitta Dominant-
DOs
- Food, that is sour, salty and oily, should be taken.
- Light, warm, freshly cooked meals with salt & spices shall be consumed.
- Spices – Garlic, pepper, ginger, asafetida (hing), jeera powder, turmeric and coriander shall be included in every meal to enhance digestion and improve immunity.
- Nourishing Food such as rice, wheat and barley should be taken.
- Homemade Ghee/Cow ghee and skimmed milk (boiled &luke warm) should consumed.
- Takra or fat free buttermilk with cumin powder & ginger can be consumed during daytime.
- Bottle Guard, pumpkin, brinjal, bitter gourd, ginger, garlic, onion can be consumed with little ghee or oil.
- Use Herbal tea, green tea, cumin water or fennel infused lukewarm water throughout the day to boost digestion.
- Panchakarma for Monsoon – Basti Chikitsa, Ubatan, Dhupan / Fumigation of herbs.
- Herbs – Triphala&Dashmoolarishtha for boosting Digestion.
DON’Ts
- Avoid frozen or cold storage food.
- Dry foods or sprouts shall be avoided.
- Don’t eat raw vegetables, use methods such as baking, sautéing, grilling, steaming for cooking your veggies.
- Don’t eat stale food.
- Full Fat milk or curd is to be avoided.
- Ice-creams, cold drink & juices shall not be consumed.
- Avoid road side or pre-cut food & fruits.
- Avoid Vigorous physical exercise, especially outside.
- Stay away from heat of the Sun.
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