This Ancient Ayurvedic Ritual Teaches The Right Way To Eat For Every Season

Ayurveda, the ancient science of life, has never placed primary focus on treating diseases but rather on sustaining health and avoiding disease by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and diet. Its very foundation is in the principle Swasthyashya Swasthya Rakshanam, which means "sustaining the health of the healthy." This reinforces Ayurveda's preventive focus. At the center of this belief system is Ritucharya, or seasonal routine, which regulates diet and lifestyle in relation to the natural cycles.

Scientific research, including that conducted in 2015 at the University of Cambridge, aligns with Ayurveda's approach to immunity, with it showing seasonal influences affect immune response by changing gene expression, blood profile, and metabolism. Noting this, Ayurveda recommends seasonally specific diets for enhancing the natural immunity of the body. Let's understand the sagacity of eating in relation to the season and how this benefits general health.

Seasonal Influence on Health

Uttarayana (Northern Solace) – The Cold Months

Uttarayana, which takes place from mid-January to mid-July, is the sun's rise and intensified rays. The body at this time is subjected to added dryness and dwindling power. The intense sun drains the body of moisture, causing disturbances in energy levels and metabolism. It is necessary to eat wholesome, easily digestible foods like:

• Rice, wheat, and barley
• Sprouts and leafy greens
• Tulsi and neem, herbs that possess detoxifying qualities
• Dairy foods to counteract internal dryness

Dakshinayana (Southern Solace) – The Warm Months

Dakshinayana, which extends from mid-July to mid-January, is characterized by the sun's fall, cooler climates, and greater vigor in the human physiology. The atmosphere is more anabolic, i.e., the body is able to regenerate and develop immunity efficiently. Ayurveda suggests that during this season, one must include in the diet plenty of:

• Barley, millets, and seasonal cereals
• Milk and milk products
• Healthy fats for tissue nourishment
• Easy-to-digest food to avoid sluggish digestion

Ayurvedic Dietary Advice by Season

Spring (Vasanta: Mid-March to Mid-May)

Spring is known for the preponderance of Kapha dosha, which may bring about slow digestion and congestion. To balance them out, Ayurveda advises:

• Bitter and astringent foods such as barley, rice, turmeric, ginger, and fennel
• Light and digestible grains such as old wheat and lentils
• Avoid cold, heavy, and overly sweet foods
• Use of honey for digestion and purging

Summer (Grishma: Mid-May to Mid-July)

In summer, Pitta dosha prevails, causing excessive body heat. Cooling foods and fluid intake are essential during this season:

Fresh fruits like melons, cucumbers, and pomegranates

Dairy items like buttermilk and ghee to counteract internal heat

Fluids like coconut water and herbal teas

Avoiding spicy, oily, and salty foods that increase body heat

Monsoon (Varsha: Mid-July to Mid-September)

Rainy season enhances Vata dosha, causing digestive disturbances and impaired immunity. Ayurvedic advice is:

• Nourishing and warm soups to aid digestion
• Slightly salty and sour foods to improve metabolism
• Medicated or boiled water to avoid infections
• Not eating raw, heavy, and water-contaminated foods to minimize digestive discomfort

Autumn (Sharat: Mid-September to Mid-November)

Autumn increases Pitta dosha, and hence it is necessary to eat foods that balance heat:

• Sweet and light food like wheat, green gram, and sugar candy
• Cooling vegetables like gourd and leafy greens
• Honey and light spices for inner balance
• Restraining on too much oil, fermented food, and fish flesh

Winter (Hemanta & Shishira: Mid-November to Mid-March)

It is a Kapha-season in winter that requires warming as well as immunity-inducing food:

• Whole cereals like wheat, barley, and green gram
• Herbal spices like ginger, garlic, and turmeric
• Fermented foods to aid digestion
• Dairy, meat, and wholesome fats for vigor and heat
• Exclusion of cold, raw, and very bitter foods

Effect of Seasons on Doshas

Ayurveda recognizes three main seasonal influences on the body's doshas:

Caya (Accumulation): Normal accumulation of doshas in their primary sites, e.g., Vata in intestines.

Prakopa (Aggravation): Doshas overflow and deposit in secondary locations of the body, resulting in imbalances.

Prashamana (Alleviation): Doshas balance with ideal diet and seasonal regulation.