RITUCHARYA-SEASONAL REGIMEN

by **Admin** Sun 07 Nov 2010, 8:45 pm

RITUCHARYA-SEASONAL REGIMEN

RITUCHARYA

Dietetics and Regimen for winter:

During winter, the digestive power of human beings possessing good health (strength) is enhanced due to the restraint caused upon it by the cold wind, so much so that it is capable of digesting any foodstuff irrespective of its heaviness and quantity. When it does not get proper fuel, the digestive fire affects the nutritive fluids, resulting in the vitiation of vatta having cold quality. Therefore, during the winter one should take unctuous, sour, salty and sweet juices of the meat of the aquatic and marshy animals, which are fatty. One should also eat the meat of burrow-dwelling animals that eat by snatching. Thereafter, one should drink herbal wine and have honey.

If a person habitually takes preparation of cow’s milk, cane juice, fat, oil, new rice and hot water during the winter his span of life is never decreased.

In winter one should resort to ayurvedic herbal massages, unction, application of oil on the head, fomentation, and one should reside in an underground residence or an inner heated apartment.

In the winter one should see that the conveyance, bedding and seat are well covered specially by heavy wrappers, silken cloth ropes and blankets. One should wear heavy and warm clothes and should besmear his body with heavy aguru (Aquilaria agallocha Roxb, kind of herb). One should embrace a healthy women with her well developed plumpy breasts, and with her body besmeared with aguru (Aquilaria agallocha Linn), lie down on the bed intoxicated with strong passion and may indulge in excessive sexual intercourse during the winter. One should avoid food and drinks, which are liable to vitiate vata; one should not expose him to cold wave. Under feeding should be avoided.

Dietetics and Regimen for spring:

During the spring, the accumulated kapha is liquefied by the heat of the sun and as such disturbs the power of digestion and causes many diseases. So, one should administer therapies like emesis, etc. and should avoid heavy, unctuous, sour and sweet diets. One should not sleep during day time. At the advent of spring one should habitually resort to exercise, unction, oral gargles and collyrium. The excretory orifices should be regularly washed with lukewarm water. One should besmear his body with chandana (Santalum album Linn.) and aguru (Aquilaria agalocha Roxb.) and take food consisting of barley and wheat, meat of sarabha rabbit, antelope, common quail and grey partridge. One should drink herbal wines made of barley. One should also enjoy the company of women and blossoms of the garden.

Dietetics and Regimen for summer :

During the summer, the sun evaporates the moisture of the earth by its rays. In that season, the intake of sweet, cold liquid and unctuous diets and drinks is prescribed. One who takes cold mantha (a type of herbal drink) along with sugar as well as the meat of the animals or birds of aired climate, ghee and milk along with Sali rice (Oryza satiunm Linn) during this season does not suffer from any diseases. One should either drink alcohol in little quantity or should avoid it, and even if one drinks he should drink it along with plenty of water. One should further avoid taking diets, which are salty, sour, pungent or hot. Physical exercise is also to be given up during this season. During the day time one should sleep in an air cooled apartment. During the night, after having besmeared the body with sandal wood paste, one should sleep on the open airy roof (under the cooler or air-conditioning) of the house, which is cooled by the rays of the moon. One should keep him aloof of sexual intercourse (restrict as much as possible) and should enjoy gardens, cold water and flowers during this season.

Dietetics Regimen for rainy season :

The body, which is weakened during the period of dehydration, with its digestive system, is also weakened. It is further weakened due to the vitiation of vata and other dosas during the rains. The power to digestion in the period is also affected due to the gas coming out of the earth, rainfall, increase of acidity in water. So it is advisable to be moderate as regard to diet and regimen during the rainy season.

One should abstain from taking diluted drinks in excess, day sleep, frost, water, (excessive) exercise, moving in sun, and too much indulgence in sexual intercourse. One should generally use honey in their diet and drinks.

If these days are cooler due to heavy rains accompanied by the storms, one should take food that is a littlle sour, salty and unctuous; this serves as an effective antidote to the vitiation of vata during the rainy season.

In order to maintain normal power of digestion one should take old barley, wheat and Sali rice (Oryza sativum Linn.) along with the meat of arid animals and vegetable soup. More over, one should drink the madhvika or arista (herbal type of liquor), pure rainwater or water – boiled and cooled, mixed with little honey. It is advisable to apply herbal body scrubs, ayurvedic massages, take bath and wear fragrant garlands during the season. One should wear light and clean apparel and should reside in a house devoid of humidity.

Dietetics and Regimen for autumn:

The body parts adopted for rains and cold is suddenly exposed to the heat of the sun with the beginning of autumn so the pitta accumulated during the rains gets generally vitiated. In this season, sweet, light cold and bitter foods and drinks, which have potentialities to alleviate pitta, are to be taken in proper quantity when there is good appetite. Furthermore, the meat common quail, Grey Partridge, antelope, sheep, wapiti, rabbit, rice, barley and wheat are prescribed during this season. Intake of ghee prepared with bitter medicines, purgation, and bloodletting are also prescribed for this season. One should avoid taking sunbath, fat, oil, and meat of aquatic and marshy animals, alkaline salt preparations and curd in food. One should not sleep during day time and should not expose himself to frost and wind. The water which is exposed to the heat of the sun during the day time and to the cooling rays of the moon during, is also purified by time and is detoxicated by star canopus (agagastya) is known as “hamsodaka”, which is spotlessly clear and is as beneficial as nectar for the purpose of bathing, drinking and swimming. Use of garlands made of autumnal flowers and clean apparel and also the rays of moon in the evening are exceedingly beneficial in this season.

Seasons and Strength

Note: S = Southern phase; N = Northerly phase

S Early winter, hemanta

November to January; maximum strength (peak period)

N Late winter, sisira

January to March; maximum strength (wane period)

N Spring, vasanta

March to May ; moderate strength (wane period)

N Summer, grisma

May to July ; minimum strength (wane period)

S Rainy season (early fall), varsa

July to September minimum strength (peak period)

S Autumn, sarada

September to November ; moderate strength (peak period)

A Woman’s Season

There is an additional season for women which happens once every month during menstruation. The beginning period of the full moon is the natural cycle for ovulation. Receiving the essence of the moon at this time, a woman’s sexual impulses heighten and her vitality is once more replenished. Then, during the time of the new moon she experiences the natural cycle of menstruation. Menstruation is caused by the sun absorbing energies from the earth, which in turn draws the menstrual waste from the body. When the cycle has not been tampered with by use of contraceptive pills and other birth control devices, harmful foods and activities, and disruptive sexual activities, the natural ebb and flow of a woman’s monthly cycle remains in harmony .

Regimen to be observed by women in their Menses:

During the period of menstruation, activities need to be reduced to the essential so that the body experiences the least degree of interference. Quick warm showers, or sponging(wiping down the body), is the appropriate means of bodily cleaning during menstruation. She should avoid crying nor take a head bath. A woman should refrain from all sexual foreplay & intercourse. Day sleep and collyrium during the first four days of her periods should be avoided. Considered a very fragile period for a woman, this time is to be used to rest and to allow the body to empty it self before it is renewed. She should also not indulge in loud and excessive laughter and talk, nor should she hear loud noises. Food should be easy to digest, not too heavy, not too unctuous, nor too dry or cold. She should avoid fatiguing work. All the above things during menses may lead to the vitiation of doshas, which may especially lead to gynaecological problems. One may observe these rules in order to eventually restore your natural cycle.

During ovulation, Pitta is most dominant, while Vata dominates the period of menstruation and Kapha the period following menstruation.

Seasonal Cleansing Therapies for Each Dosha

VATA: SEASONS OF AGGRAVATION

Rainy: Season (Early Fail)

During the rainy season, the earth releases more gases into the atmosphere, which tends to aggravate Vata. Further aggravation is created by the dampness of the rainy season and the higher acidity in the water at that time. The rainy period comes at a time when the body, having endured the long and harsh time of the northerly phase. Even through the rainy season marks the beginning of the southerly phase, a period of strengthening, the body is still to vulnerable to resist the onslaught of the rains.

Vata is the dosha that leaps out of bounds very quickly and is thus afflicted somewhat consistently throughout the year. However, it requires special help at the end of the period of major aggravation, which begins in the summer and runs into and throughout the rainy season. Thus Vata’s first annual cleansing period comes between the early and late phases of the rainy season.

Although Vata’s main season of alleviation is the rainy season (early fall), the next appropriate cleansing period occurs at the end of autumn.

NOTE: In temperate climates, where there is no definitive rainy season, the vitiation of Vata still occurs at this time due to the northerly movement of the sun; therefore, the same seasonal recommendations apply.

Late winter

Late winter is the next season in which Vata is generally alleviated. The extreme coldness of winter increases the already cold nature of Vata, and the body requires the greatest amounts of physical warmth and nourishing foods. When not amply protected or fed, the body begins to eat its own tissues, and Vata becomes aggravated as a result. Nourishing, warm foods with sour, sweet, and salty tastes are recommended to balance Vata during this time of year. Ayurvedic massages, warm atmosphere and clothing are all deemed vital so that Vata may remain balanced throughout this season.

NOTE: Although there are some cooling influences in tropical and semi-tropical climates at this time of year, the late winter cleansing programs recommended do not apply.

Summer

Vata may become mildly disturbed during the summer, due to the reduction of Kapha in the body caused by the heat of the sun.

Vata may be nurtured at this time by sweet and nourishing food, decreased sexual activity.

Autumn

The end of autumn is generally considered to be the time when all three doshas can be relieved of their excesses. Therefore, if Vata’s condition was not alleviated during the rainy season, it may be removed through the elimination therapies at the end of the autumn season.

Ayurveda presents a vast and illuminating group of healing therapies. Although many of its practices have become virtually extinct, we are fortunate to have a practicing knowledge of the Panchakarma and its supporting therapies. Pancha karma therapies include those treatments that cleanse and eliminate the aggravated doshas and rejuvenate the body. This helps the tissues and doshas to regain their equanimity, which leads to sound health.

The therapies and the proper time to apply them are described below. These therapies may be used by all body types, according to how the doshas are behaving.

Vata Seasonal Cleansing Therapies

Vasti Therapy: The Ayurvedic use of herbal decoction enemas, as well as medicated herbal oil enemas, to clear the excess dosha from the large intestines.

Enema decoction are derived from herbs (permutation and combination of more than 100 herb ) such as castor, dashamula, gotu kola, and liquorice etc. The medicated herbal oil enema is usually administered as a separate procedure. These enemas re-direct the apana vata to its normal downward flow and soothe Vata disturbances in the body.

Pinda Sweda: The Ayurvedic use of fomentation therapy to thoroughly invigorate the body.

This therapy stimulates the vital tissues and organs, while alleviating body pain. Swedan (fomentation) therapy also removes fear from the mind.

Abhyanga: The application of the Ayurveda system of massage, using herbal medicated oils, sesame oil, sandalwood oil, and so on.

Abhyanga is a vital Ayurvedic practice used to restore equanimity to the body’s muscular system. This massage also promotes both peace of mind and strength of limbs and is highly rejuvenating.

Shirovasti : The Ayurvedic practice of pouring medicated oil on the head and allowing it to remain for a period of time.

This therapy promotes mental clarity, stimulates memory power, removes stress, arrests hairfall and hairgreying and completely revitalizes the body.

Shirobhayanga: The Ayurvedic application of medicated oils to the head. Various Ayurvedic herbs (permitaion and combination of more than 250 herb ) such as bremhi,avala,shankpushpi etc are boiled in sesame oil in preparation for shirobhyanga. The head is then amply massaged with the oil, giving life and balance to the sense organs and rejuvenating the entire body.

PITTA : SEASONS OF AGGRAVATION

Autumn

Accumulated Pitta from the rainy season becomes aggravated during the autumn season, a time when the digestive fire is already tremendously affected by the long and dry period of the previous northerly phase. Pitta is further afflicted by the extreme conditions of the rainy season that precedes autumn. As the sun begins to brighten the sky, providing the heat necessary to evaporate the moisture of the rainy season just passsed, it affects the vulnerable Pitta, causing vitiation of both the digestion and blood systems . At this time, the liquid that Pitta has accumulated during the rainy season dampens the digestive fire, resulting in a loss of appetite.

In order for Pitta to retrieve its normal and excellent digestion, the Ayurvedic purgative therapy of virechana is recommended (See below). The best time of the autumn season for any form of cleansing therapy is at its tail end , i.e. the latter part of the season when the dosha is in its most fluent form.

Note - In tropical and semi-tropical climates, the best time is at the end of autumn.

Rainy Season

There are many Ayurvedic healing therapies that may be observed during both the rainy season and throughout the autumn period. These include massages, using aromatic and cooling oils such as coconut oil combined with sandalwood essential oil; daily body brushing with herbal body scrubs ; altering one’s activities to those that are milder and more harmonious, especially during the initial stages of doshic vulnerability; aroma therapy using herbal oils (permutation and combination of more than 100 herbs ) like mint, liquorice (yashtimadhu), sandalwood, jasmine, or vetiver (usheer), to calm the mind and stomach.

Pitta Seasonal Cleansing Therapies

Virechana Therapy: The use of Ayurvedic purgatives (permutation and combination of more than 500 herbs) to clear the lower pathways of the body.

This therapy helps to purify the blood and to cleanse the stomach, sweat glands, small intestines, colon, kidneys, liver, and spleen. Substances such as psyllium husk(isabgol), castor oil, cow’s milk with ghee, trivrrita and triphala are used to induce purgation.

Rakta Mokshana: Although this form of therapy, commonly referred to as bloodletting, is seldom used in India today, and is illegal in the United States and Europe, when performed correctly it is an effective form of therapy to extract toxins from the blood.

Generally, toxins that accumulated under the skin and around the marma points (the energy junctions of the body’s meridians) are eliminated through the process of blood-letting. Because Pitta manifests in the waste products of blood, many skin ailments, such as rash, eczema, and acne, are caused by toxins circulating in the blood system. The drawing of a small amount of blood from the vein relieves the blood tension created by these toxins. Internal use of certain bitter herbs (permutation and combination of more than 100 herbs ) such as neem, manjishta, sariva, guduchi and turmeric etc, may also be used to purify the blood.

Shirodhara: The use of a decoction, such as medicated ghee and buttermilk, sugarcane juice, and herbal oils on the forehead, to relieve burning sensations or pain in the head and body.

In the traditional Ayurvedic application, the person lies down on a wide, seasoned, wooden log. A vessel called dhara chatti, which resembles a wide top funnel, or a dhara patra, a pot with a hole in bottom, is used, through which the medicated herbal oil is dripped rhythmically onto the centre of the forehead where the third eye is located. Shirodhara is a beautiful therapy which stimulate our subconscious mind and lulls the entire bodily organism into a state of calmness. This therapy is used to balance all three doshas, employing medicated oils and substances best suited to the different doshas and various ailments.

Kapha : seasons of aggravation

Spring

Although Kapha enjoys the strongest stamina of the three doshas, it experiences its fragility in the springtime. After the long, cold, and inert periods of early and late winter, Kapha begins to soften so that most of the semi-frozen wastes accumulated during the previous seasons liquify.

Kapha’s imbalances are expressed through the feeling of lethargy, cold, sore throat, lung congestion, cold body extremities, and so on. Winter changes to spring, almost at the very height of the northernly phase of the sun, when strength and vigor tend to become depleted by the sun’s harshness. The softening out of liquid waste in the body retards both the digestive fire and the body’s metabolism, which is why Kapha’s potential listlessness and lethargy increase. The gap before the full bloom of the spring season is the best time of the year for the kapha dosha to be thoroughly cleansed by means of both the elimination therapies and rejuvenative therapies. These processes relieve the excess dosha when it is in its most fluid form and not yet rooted in the body in the form of disease. Kapha then has plenty of time to mobilize during the remaining season and does not cause obstruction in the channels.

Rainy Season

Kapha experience similar difficulties during the rainy season (early fall), a time when the spring seasonal process is reversed. The end of the summer heat and the ensuing decline in strength is braced up by the damp and humid cold of the rainy season. During this period, replenishing therapies used to maintain Kapha’s balance include: seasonally appropriate foods; Ayurvedic massage with medicated oil; inhalation therapies using aromas such as eucalyptus and aromatic smoke

Kapha Seasonal Cleansing Therapies

Vamana Therapy: Vamana, also known as emesis therapy, is an ancient therapeutic method for eliminating Kapha’s accumulation through the oral pathway.

Vamana releases congestion from the lungs and provides immediate relief for asthmatic and bronchial attacks. Vamana is used for serious Kapha disorders and in skin diseases, diabetes, chronic disorders of the lungs and stomach, sinusitis and tonsillitis.

Oil massage and fomentation applied to the chest on the evening before the emesis therapy is the preliminary steps taken to induce the state most conducive to this therapy.

Nasya:It is the nasal application of medication in both powder and liquid form. The powdered medication is inserted into the nose through a tube and the liquid medication is applied with a dropper. The nose is the gateway to the cerebral, sensory, and motor functions of the body. Disorders associated with the movement of prana are usually corrected by nasya therapy. Excess kapha stored in the throat, nose, sinus, and head are also removed from the body as a result of nasya. Herbal powders, such as brahmi, shatavari etc as well as substances such as milk, ghee, medicated oils, ginger and garlic etc are used, depending on the dosha and the nature of the disorder.

Relationship Between the Doshas and the seasons

The doshas are to the body what the seasons are to the earth. Both the doshas and the seasons are created from the five elements. The elemental aspects of the seasons are in the form of space, wind, sun, moon, rain, and the earth. Here, we must understand the interplay between the doshas and the seasonal influences within the primacy of the five elements. The doshas are not simply the dynamic energy within the body; rather they are influenced primarily by seasonal variations. Knowledge of the seasons is related to the balancing of the doshas. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the function of the doshas within the body necessitates an understanding of the variations within each season, the junction between seasons, and the annual rotation of the six seasons.

In many cases, the designated seasonal tastes and qualities appear to be contradictory. For this reason, charts are provided to assist you in coordinating your body type with its seasonal tastes and qualities. (See below)

Role of Taste

It is as important to realize that every food's unique combination of attributes will influence its taste and the action it causes in the body. With every taste having a different action – as detailed below. Astanga Hrdayam clearly describes the characteristics of each of the six tastes and problems that might be experienced from its habitual over-consumption. Most foods being a combination of two or more of these tastes e.g. coffee is bitter and pungent.

Sour

Comprised of the elements earth & fire, it increases pitta and kapha and is good for heart and digestion. Stimulates agni, moves inactive Vata energy down the pelvic cavity, sets the teeth on edge and increases salivation. Excess use may cause looseness and flabbiness, loss of strength, giddiness, itching, irritation, a whitish yellow pallor, swelling, thirsts and fever, and diseases arising from excess pitta and kapha.

Sweet

Related to earth & water, it increases pitta and vata, producing greater strength in the tissues and value to the aged, wounded, emaciated and children. Universally liked, it often adheres to the inside of the mouth, giving a feeling of pleasure, contentment and comfort. Good for the complexion, hair, senses and oja, it also increases breast milk and helps unite broke parts like bones. By its virtue it prolongs life and helps life activities. In excess however it may cause diseases arising from fat and excess kapha e.g. obesity, skin infections, unconsciousness, diabetes, enlargement of neck glands or malignant tumors etc.

Salt

The water & fire in salty taste increases pitta and kapha. It clears obstruction of channels and pores and increases the digestive activity and salivation. Also responsible for lubrication and sweating, it penetrates the tissues. An excess of it may cause baldness and graying of the hair, wrinkles, thirst, skin diseases, blood disorders and loss of body strength.

Pungent

Fire & air in pungent increases vataand pitta and mitigates kapha. Increases hunger, is digestive, causes irritation, brings secretion from the eyes, nose & mouth, and gives a burning sensation to the mouth. It dilates the channels and breaks up the hard masses. But an excess use of it may cause thirst, depletion of reproductive tissue and strength, fainting, contracture, tremors, pain in the waist and back, and other disorders related to excess of pitta and kapha.

Bitter

Air & space being its elements, it increases pitta and kapha. Drying up moisture from fat, muscles, faces and urine. It cleans the mouth and destroys the perception of taste. It is said to cure anorexia, worms, bacteria, parasites, thirst, skin diseases, loss of consciousness, fever, nausea, burning sensation. But in excess, it increases vata, causing diseases of vata origin and depletion of tissues.

Astringent

Air & earth increases vata and controls increased pitta and kapha. It cleans the blood and causes healing of ulcers. Like bitter, it too dries up moisture from fat. It absorbs water, causing constipation and hindering digestion of undigested food. Its excess use causes stasis of food without digestion, flatulence, pain in the cardiac region, emaciation, loss of virility, obstruction of channels and constipation.

BALANCING SEASONAL TASTES AND BODY TYPE TASTES

The apparent contradictions between the tastes and qualities beneficial to each body type, and the tastes and qualities suggested by the cyclical nature of the seasons are to be understood in the following way: The tastes which are generally good for each body type may become heightened or prevalent in the body and external environment due to seasonal influences. For example, of the six tastes, the pungent flavour naturally predominates during the summer; although considered a generally good all-year taste for Kapha types, it needs to be used in the summer season with discretion. This is because in summer the pungent taste prevails out of the six tastes.(According to the seasonal accumulation of the doshas, in summers there is decrease of kapha and the pungent taste also causes decrease in kapha and increase of vata which may lead to vata/kapha disorders)

Similarly, the salty taste which predominates during autumn, although considered a generally excellent all-year taste for Vata types, needs to be reduced during the autumn season, even by Vata types(According to the seasonal accumulation of the doshas in autumn there is alleviation of pitta, the salty taste also causes alleviation of pitta which may lead to pitta disorders).

In the early winter, the sweet taste predominates, and although generally an excellent all-year taste for Pitta types, needs to be reduced during the early winter, even by Pitta types. (According to the seasonal accumulation of the doshas in winter there is increase in kapha and sweet taste also causes increase of kapha which may lead to kapha disorders)

by **Admin** Sun 07 Nov 2010, 8:47 pm

TASTES OF THE SEASONS

Northerly Phase (Winter Solstice to Summer Solstice)
Season	Dry Tastes	Element Composition	Dosha
Late Winter	Bitter	Air and space	Vata
Spring	Astringent	Air and earth	Vata & Kapha
Summer	Pungent	Air and fire	Vata & Pitta
Note: the dry tastes are created by the progressive northward movement of the sun
Southerly Phase (Summer Solstice to Winter Solstice)
Season	Dry Tastes	Element Composition	Dosha
Rainy Season (early fall)	Sour	Earth and fire	Pitta and Kapha
Autumn	Salty	Water and fire	Pitta
Early Winter	Sweet	Water and earth	Kapha
Note: the moist tastes are created by the progressive southward movement of the sun

Beneficial Tastes According to Doshas

Vata : sweet, sour, salty

Pitta : Sweet, bitter, astringent

Kapha: pungent, bitter, astringent

Table 17

SEASONAL TASTE ADJUSTMENTS

	VATA	PITTA	KAPHA
LATE WINTER	Major: sour, salty, unctuous	Major: sweet, sour, salty, warm, unctuous	Major: sour,* astringent, pungent, warm, moderate unctuous
LATE WINTER	Minor: sweet	Minor: bitter, astringent, cool, light	Minor: bitter, salty, dry
SPRING	Major: sweet, salty, warm, moderate unctuous, alkaline	Major: sweet, bitter pungent*, warm	Major: pungent, moderate astringent, alkaline, ward, dry
SPRING	Minor: sour, pungent	Minor: astringent, cool, alkaline	Minor: bitter, salty
SUMMER	Major: sweet, sour, warm, moderate unctuous	Major: sweet, bitter, cool, moderate unctuous	Major: bitter, astringent, moderate sweet, warm, dry
SUMMER	Minor: bitter, salty, cool, light	Minor: astringent, light	Minor: pungent, cool
RAINY SEASON (early fall)	Major: sweet, moderate bitter,* salty, moderate unctuous, warm	Major: bitter, astringent, moderate salty, moderate sweet, warm, moderate unctuous	Major: bitter, astringent, pungent, warm, light
Temperate Climates	Minor: sour	Minor: pungent, cool	Minor: salty, sour, dry
		Major: sweet, bitter, salty,* warm, moderate unctuous
Tropical and Semitropical	Major: sweet, salty, moderate unctuous, warm	Minor: astringent, pungent	Major: moderate salty,* pungent, bitter, warm, moderate unctuous.
Climates	Minor: bitter, pungent		Minor: astringent, dry
AUTUMN	Major: sweet, sour, warm, light	Major: sweet, bitter, astringent, cool, light	Major: bitter, astringent, moderate sweet, warm, light
AUTUMN	Minor: salty, astringent	Minor: pungent	Major: bitter, astringent, moderate sweet, warm, light
EARLY WINTER	Major: salty, bitter,* moderate sour, warm unctuous	Major: bitter, astringent, moderate pungent,* warm, moderate unctuous	Major: pungent, astringent, bitter, warm, moderate unctuous
EARLY WINTER	Minor: pungent, sweet	Minor: sweet	Minor : salty

*Vata types: If strong tendency to Vata disorders, use bitter as minor tastes and increase the use of sweet and salty tastes during the seasons indicated.

*Pitta types: If strong tendency to Pitta disorders, use sour, pungent and salty as minor tastes and increase the use of bitter, astringent and sweet tastes during the seasons indicated.

*Kapha types : If strong tendency to Kapha disorders, use sweet,sour and salty as minor tastes and increase the use of pungent, bitter and astringent tastes during the seasons indicated.

[ vata, pitta & kapha disorders can be seen in the charts mentioning increase in the respective doshas in DOSHIC IMBALANCES ]

Table 18

SEASONAL DO’S AND DON’TS

Climates	DO	DON’T
Late Winter	Sour, salty, moderate sweet, unctuous, substantial quantity of food	Excess sweet, pungent, bitter, dry, cold, raw foods
SPRING	Pungent, astringent, moderate sweet, moderate salty, warm, moderate quantity of food	Sour, excess sweet, bitter, too many fluids, cold
Summer	Sweet, bitter, astringent, cool, moderate unctuous,	Salty, sour, pungent, hot, insufficiency of fluids
Summer	sufficient fluid	Salty, sour, pungent, hot, insufficiency of fluids
Rainy Season (early fall) Temperate	Sweet, moderate sour, moderate salty, warmfood,	Pungent, bitter, astringent, light, cold food. excess unctuous
Troplcal and Semitropical Climates	Sour, salty, unctuous, moderate sweet, moderate unctuous, warm	Pungent, bitter, astringent, excess sweet, cold, dry
Autumn	Sweet, bitter, astringent, cool, light, non-oily	Sour, salty, pungent, hot, oily, excess food, heavy foods
Early Winter	Salty, bitter, astringent, moderate sour, warm, moderate unctuous,	Sweet, excess sour, excess cold, dry, excess food, raw foods
Early Winter	Moderate quantity

RITUCHARYA-SEASONAL REGIMEN

RITUCHARYA-SEASONAL REGIMEN

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