Shishir
Ritucharya
According
to the Indian lunisolar calendar, there are six seasons or ritus in
a year. Since Vedic times, Hindus across India and South Asia have used this
calendar to structure their lives around the seasons of the year. The faithful still
use it today for important Hindu festivals and religious occasions. The description
of seasons and months in Ayurveda is based on India's location on the map, the
months and seasons may vary in other regions.
Each
season is two months long and important climatic changes occur in nature during
this period. According to Indian calendar, the six seasons are:
- Vasant
Ritu: chaitra & Vaishakh, mid-march to mid-mid may (Spring).
- Grishma
Ritu: jyeshtha & Ashad, may to june (Summer).
- Varsha
Ritu: Shravan & Bhadrapad, july to september(Monsoon).
- Sharad
Ritu: Ashvin & Kartik, Mid-sepetember to october(Autumn).
- Hemant
Ritu: Margshish & Paush, November to mid-january(Prewinter).
- Shishir
or Shita Ritu: Magh & falgun, Mid-january to mid-march(Winter).
To maintain health & stay away from diseases,
Ayurveda has mentioned different Ritucharya for all seasons.
Shishir Ritu consists of magh & Falgun months i.e. Mid-january to mid-march. In this
period some changes occurs in nature due to change in earth’s position relative
to sun & moon.
Shishir
season will have more cold & dryness compared to previous Hemant Ritu.
In the Shishir ritu nights are longer than days
which start to become shorter as ritu progresses.
There may be more cold than previous Hemant ritu
which also accompanies with dryness in air. There will be snow fall in some
regions .
In this season’s end part the trees shed their
leaves .
People will have very good body strength &
because of decreased peripheral blood supply and increased core blood supply,
there will be very strong digestive fire. Such Increased Jatharagni (Digestive
Fire) is able to digest food which is heavy (Guru) in nature.
Diet in Shishir Ritu :
- In response to external cold atmosphere body starts to retain heat, which results in stronger & better Digestive capacity (Jatharagni) . Such improved Jatharagni is able to Digest heavy foods such as meat, fats, poultry products & dairy products such as milk, cheese, ghee etc. Heavy foods are advised , so if one likes to have more amount of food it will not cause any indigestion in this season .
2. Ayurveda
mentioned six tastes of food – sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent and astringent.
Foods that are sweet, sour and salty are especially beneficial in cold, dry
winters. Bitter and spicy foods should be avoided as they tend to increase Vata & dryness in the body.
3. Kidney
beans, black beans (urad dal), grains and products made from grains (wheat,
rice) should be consumed. Also wheat flour, freshly
harvested corn and mixed fats are good . Use of potato, sweet potato, carrot,
beetroot, pumpkin, ash guard etc is good
4. Sweet
products made from sugarcane extracts like jaggery can be consumed in this
season.
- Wheat and wheat products, new grains such as rice, and other nutrition rich diet like dates, dry fruits, etc. are also recommended.
- For
an increased immunity during winter season, Ayurveda suggests consuming a Chyavanprash in the morning. It is
a multi-vitamin, multi-mineral & antioxidant herbal supplement,
consisting of 30 different Ayurvedic herbs.
- People
who are non vegetarian should eat meat which helps in providing good
energy.
- Special
herbal wines (not to be consumed for intoxication) and honey can be taken.
- One
should particularly avoid taking cold foods and drinks and should One should
consume hot water , ginger tea .
10. Fruits like apple , guava , grapes , dry
fruits , dates are good .
Life style Shishir Ritu :
1. One
can take Swedan (steam Bath) daily followed by abhyangam.
- After
bath, apply ‘lep’ (anointment) of heat generating herbs like ‘kesar’
(saffron), ‘aguru’ (aloe wood). It keeps the body warm.
- There
is a natural accumulation of kapha due to the cold and wet environment, so
one should try to keep warm. Heavy, warm, dry clothes should be worn.The
fabrics that are mentioned are: silk, leather, jute, thick cotton, wool
etc.
- Vigorous
exercises can be done. In this season wrestling is recommended, but in its
absence, aerobic exercises or other forms of physical exercise routine can
be followed.
- Regular
body massage with oil according to individuals prakruti should be
done.Head massage is also recommended. Massage not only generates heat,
thereby providing respite from the cold, but it also keeps Vata dosha from
getting aggravated.
- Do
‘dhoop’of aguru in the room. Inhalation of the ‘dhoop’ from aguru keeps
the respiratory passage clear, and removes kapha. Also it keeps room warm
& cozy.
- Expose
oneself to morning sun rays for natural sudation .
Avoid-
Avoid bitter , too much spicy food items .
Avoid dry , cold & light food .
Lady’s finger , spinach , pulses are not advised .
Should not expose to cold and strong breeze .
Avoid fasting .
Day sleeping is not advised .