5. Seasons and Health: Ritucharya Simplified

• Thank the past. Learn from the Past. Live today. Think/Prepare for future.
• A stitch on Time saves Nine. (A timely effort will prevent more work later.)
• Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

It is to make this title simple to understand. As the science is said to be difficult, Einstein once gave a statement -“The whole of science is nothing more than a refinement of everyday thinking.” So the dinacharya (dialy routine for health) and ritucharya (seasonal routine for health) are just the systematized common sense based on the experience of many generations of Ayurveda scholars. This is simply like- you have to carry umbrella while going out during rainy seasons, and wear warm clothes during cold season.
Dinacharya: This is same as your mom/dad, teachers, doctors, friends, etc. teach you. It’s you do well to yourself, to others. Get up early. Do cleanings. This is to wash out the mala (metabolic by product), take few sips of pure water/milk/ etc, take some exercises, and do prayers etc. Wear healthy clothes. Wear soft, suitable, and healthy type of clothes appropriate to you. Do work nicely. Never harm others. Sleep on time. Keep your surroundings clean. Perform your duty well. Eat right kind of food, do right work, speak right. Do the duty on right time etc.

Understanding the Different Needs:
Ayurvedic system recommends the need of different persons to vary according to Age, Work, Day, Night, Seasons etc. So do other experts. There is variation of diseases depending on the nature of land, its environment. There is variation in the pattern of disease on the basis of seasons.

For example: when there are changes in temperature, this will affect the dynamic internal environment of our body. There will be changes in electrolyte and fluid content in the body. This will affect the neuro-endocrinal system, which will bring corresponding changes in body mechanism. The imbalance is named as the imbalance in dosha in Ayurveda.
Body environment tries bringing about coordinated changes – facilitated by neuro hormonal feedback mechanism to maintain homeostasis. If it fails it needs assistance, say medical intervention. This intervention will be in the form of rest, fluid, diet, medicine, exercise etc.
Similarly the work and work environment will also affect the balance of the electrolyte.
Our habits are set recorded by brain and maintained as Circadian rhythm. The memory system of our tissues keep us do those habituated things smoothly. This is the base of how practice develops efficiency.   

Seasons/Ritu and Health:

Due to the movement of the planetary systems there will be changes in the earth. This change is seen in length of day and night, quality of humidity, temperature, rain, wind, sun, oxygen availability, and changes in the life cycle of flora and fauna etc. and we experience some features in the form hot, cold, digestive power, tiredness etc. Seasonal changes influence events in our body and mind.
According to Ayurveda -a person is similar to universe. (basically the physical constituents are said to be the same pancha mahabhootas /great five elements)
We can experience the changes in the quality of nutrients developed in seasonal foods, fruits, quality of water and air, which we consume and provide us the energy, help us sustain and enjoy the life. Seasonal changes bring changes in the length work time, and working routine.
As a youth naturally is the period of strength, and period of doing something, same can be seen in the natural variation of seasons. In some seasons we can enjoy life better than in others. So we have to understand this and make suitable changes in our schedule according to the seasons.

Summer and Winter:
In physics, in electrostatics, -ve charge induces + ve charge. Similarly during winter the outer environment is cold while the jatharagni (digestive fire) is active. It is said to be for more need of energy during winter. The power in the living beings increased during winter. During summer the outer environment is hot, while the digestive fire is diminished. For the balance of health, easily digestible food (like khichadi/khichari) is to be taken. During summer the blood vessels dilate, perspiration increases. So there will be imbalance of electrolytes and fluids, plenty of water. Water or food should not be taken in a large amount at once. The amount should suit the need of the work and the digestive capacity.  It should be healthy/pure, fresh, not rotten/spoiled, and should be taken in a good routine. If the routine of eating is imbalanced it should be brought into a scheduled/planned routine.

What to do to maintain a normal health:

• The living plan should recognize the change in environment, and bring about a slow change in us (habits, food etc) so that our body can bring a harmonious adaptation.
• In a summer- a short day sleep is recommended. To get rid of excessive hot and corresponding changes in the body, fluids and electrolyte. Digestive fire is naturally reduced – so easily digestible food materials (like khichari/khichadi) are to be used. The clothes should be used which is suitable to the environment of summer.
• People feel lethargy during summer. There will be loss of body fluid and electrolyte in the form of sweat. Vessels dilate and there will be fall in blood pressure. This is what people experience if they work out longer during summer. So rest in relatively cool, use of fluids/water, using white clothes etc is recommended.
• In Ayurveda the changes is expressed in terms of doshas—and their gunas/properties- and their relation with the food/activities, symptoms etc. And plan is also made accordingly. The fundamental element of all physical things and doshas are panchamahabhootas. The doshas can be balanced by use of proper life style – proper food/diet, activity, rest, mental temperament, etc.
• As in rainy season the rivers get contaminated- so the water of river is not recommended. Boiled water or purified rain water is recommended.
• In winter the environment outside is cold—and our digestive fire is said to be stimulated – so it can digest well. To address the need of body energy. In winter body needs to produce more heat, for that more food is metabolized.
• Gentle massage helps when we are tired, and in elderly. It increases the proper blood flow. It is said to open channels for proper flow of doshas, dhatus functions. This is also good to others and is used by artists/actors/athletes/footballers.
• Yoga education and practice of yogic exercise is also beneficial to maintain your health. There are different cooling and warming exercises. There will be proper mobilization of body parts.
• Use of suitable herbal or herbo-minerals substance as to supplement nutrients (vitamins/mineral). Like using chyavanprash, herbal tea during cold etc. Safe and authorized herbal oil (say neem oil) as mosquito repellant. Use of milk as nutritional supplement. Using honey and ginger during spring.
• Use of herbal or herbo-mineral antioxidants like amala, satavari, bramhi etc.
• Avoiding alcohol and unhygienic food/water, drugs etc. to protect liver.
• Avoiding smoking, allergens to protect respiratory tract.
• Timely and sattvik, hygienic food to protect gastro-intestinal tract. And to be protected from malnutrition.
• Health developing exercises – like yoga, badminton, cycling etc.
• Others like – timely checkups, counseling, helping others, getting help from reliable person/office.
• The advantages of good routine life are many. Some are – better digestive function, better musculoskeletal function, better brain function, better cardio-respiratory system, better neuro-hormonal function, undisturbed circadian rhythm.
• Other tool you can use can be meditation, rituals, visiting etc. these are methods to revitalize the heath, rejuvenate you, and develop coping power in you. These things help you not only in physical level but also in your emotional level.
• The ritucharya is not just to understand that there are ritus which are in constant dynamic change and we also need to make harmonious dynamic change in us; it is in fact to broaden our understanding on the role of our environment and strengthen our psycho-social health as well. It is to a systemic way of living in which the chance of probable trouble is minimized. It is to reduce the chance of myocardial infarction or stroke or infections and stresses. It is not to be late to realize that we wear already a prey to them. It is subduing the possible risk, keeping the risks away. Bringing the joy, love, and understanding nearer. It is simply doing our duty well. It is to know and live accordingly- as to know that there was a pit in the way, before we fall into it.

Environment and Health:

Different insects develop in different seasons (e.g mosquito in summer). This is ture in case of other organisms as well- as in case of microorganisms/agents (viruses, bacteria, protozoa, fungis, allergens etc). Different agents foster differently in different climate/environment. So there will be difference of virulence of different agent in different season. So the host should remain strong enough to cope with the virulent substance.  
Ritucahry suggests- adopting harmoniously with the transition phase. Slow adoptive changes are needed in the individuals in eating, working, sex etc.
In Ayurveda first dosha imbalance is prevented. If they occur, they are managed accordingly. There is use of dosha samana, and sodhana/purification process.
These things can be understood well from the researches done in Physiology. Further researches can give us better explanation. 

Samana (Pacification of doshas):
1.    Vata by- oil
2.    Pitta by – ghee
3.    Kapha by – honey
(Ghee generally means cow’s ghee, oil generally means sesame oil)

Samsodhana (Cleansing): [to be done by well trained person or under guidance]
1.    Vata by – vasti (enema)
2.    Pitta by – Virechana (purgation)
3.    Kapha by – vamana (therapeutic vomiting)
(snehana- oleation, swedan- therapeutic sweating/perspiration)

Tripod of Health:Tripod of health are said to be aahar (food), nindra (sleep), and bramcharya (well regulated sensual gratification e.g. sex etc). While getting these things one need not harm others. And one has to develop understanding on the self and on the others. Do it in a planned way, in a sustainable way.

Regulation of Dynamic Life in a Systematic Way:
There is a dynamic change in the life. It grows from childhood to the adulthood towards elderly. There are periodic variations in the environment. This is a natural process. The dynamic natural process should be responded in the same dynamic, conscious, and planned manner. Otherwise problem can occur. This life does not remain static.
To get well adopted with the dynamic environmental variation in the form of season, we need to have a wise plan. Life needs to be properly regulated. It cannot tolerate beyond its own limit, it functions well in its own permissible limit.
If we don’t care on what we have to focus, and what we need not worry too much- it will not help. The type of food, work, manners, thinking, and exercise etc. are simple; and these are equally important things as well.
If we do not care on these things, these will cause imbalance in health. We may not feel those imbalances until we can feel them grossly. If the imbalance is minor, balancing will be easier. If it is more, then it will require a more effort to make a balance.
We do not want to fall sick, get irritated. But if we do not care, and live recklessly, we are prone to experience imbalance. If we drive carefully, there will be less chance of getting an accident.
Ayurveda is an attempt for highest possible achievable potency, health, memory, longevity, beauty and happiness; in this life and beyond.
This also is a life style as suggested by the ancient scholars. And it aims for the highest achievable health, vitality, understanding, beauty, happiness.

Power of Simplicity:
It’s simple. There is great power in the simple things. It is simply a way of conscious living. In fact a scientific living, you can say. This principle now can be used to live saving the earth and living beings from the threat of global warming. Let’s work towards that.


Some Slokas:
स मात्रा -   काष्ठा – कला – नादि – मुहुर्त – यामा – होरात्र – पक्ष – मास – ऋतु – अयन – वर्ष ।
हेमन्ते शिशिरेचाग्रयम् विसर्गदानयोर्बलम् । शरव्दसन्तयोरमध्य हीन वर्षा निदाद्दयो ।।
शिशिरे शितमाधिकं मेघमारुत व्रषजम् ।

चयप्रकोप प्रशमा वायोर्ग्रीष्मादिषु त्रिषु । वर्षादिषु तु पित्तस्य श्लेष्मणा शिशिरादिषु ।।

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क्र.सं.	ऋतु	सेवनिय रस	निषिद्द रस
१	हेमन्त, शिशिर	मधुर, अम्ल, लवण	कटु, तिक्त, कषाय
२	वसन्त	कटु, तिक्त, कषाय	अम्ल, मधुर
३	ग्रीष्म	मधुर, तिक्त, कषाय	अम्ल, लवण, कटु
४	वर्षा	अम्ल, लवण, मधुर	कटु, तिक्त, कषाय
५	शरद	मधुर, तिक्त, कषाय	अम्ल, लवण, कटु

Few Questions:
•    Which physical doshas (Vata, pitta, kapha) are vitiated in each season/ritu?
•    What dietetic and lifestyle changes can guard us against the possible changes in the body due to the change in the external environment?

Suggestions:
•    Read the list of food and activities that vitiate/calm vata, pitta, and kapha dosha.
•    The do’s and don’ts for Manisik vegas.
•    The physical vegas.
•    Please read other article for more detail information.

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