Review Article International Ayurvedic Medical Journal ISSN:2320 5091 RITUCHARYA DIET AND LIFE STYLE Gupta Twinkle1, Mahajan Nitin2, Khatotra Sukhdev3 1 Associate, Prof, PG Dep‘t, of Kayachikitsa, 2 Assistant, Prof, PG Dep‘t, of Kayachikitsa, 3 PG Scholars, JIAR, Jammu (India) ABSTRACT Ritu, the season, classified by different features expresses different effects on the body as well as the environment. Ayurveda has depicted various rules and regimens (Charya), regarding diet and behavior to acclimatize seasonal enforcement easily without altering body homeostasis. The prime principle of Ayurvedic system of medicine is preventive aspect, can be achieved by the change in diet and practices in response to change in climatic condition. This is a very important aspect of preventive medicine as mentioned in Ayurvedic texts. Lifestyle disorders are very common in the present era, basically originating from lack of following seasonal regimens due to lack of concentration in seasonal characteristics. A firm scientific analysis is the base, which holds true even on date. In this review article, various regimens in diet and lifestyle as men- tioned in the classics of Ayurveda and their importance on lifestyle disorders has been dis- cussed. Keywords: Lifestyle disorders, seasonal regimens, seasonal variations in India INTRODUCTION shedding in autumn in the plants, hiberna- Ayurveda, the age old science of tion of many animals with the coming of life, has always emphasized to maintain winter, and so on. As human being is also the health and prevent the diseases by fol- part of the same ecology, the body is lowing proper diet and lifestyle regimen greatly influenced by external environ- rather than treatment and cure of the dis- ment. Many of the exogenous and endoge- eases. The basic principle followed in the nous rhythm have specific phase relation- Ayurvedic system of medicine is ship with each other; which means that Swasthyashya Swasthya Rakshanam, they interact and synchronize each other. If which means to maintain the health of the body is unable to adopt itself to stressors healthy, rather than Aturashya Vikara due to changes in specific traits of seasons, Prashamanancha, means to cure the dis- it may lead to Dosha Vaishamya, which in eases of the diseased.[1] For this purpose turn may render the body highly suscepti- the Dinacharya (daily regimen) and Ritu- ble to one or other kinds of disorders. [3] charya (seasonal regimen) have been As adaptations according to the changes, is mentioned in the classics of Ayurveda.[2] the key for survival, the knowledge of Rit- With the change in season, the change is ucharya (regimen for various seasons) is very evident in the environment we live in. thus important. People do not know or ig- We see various changes in bio-life around nore the suitable types of food stuffs, us, such as flowering in spring and leaf- dressing, and others regimen to be fol- How to cite this URL: Khatotra Sukhdev Et; Al: Ritucharya Diet And Life Style. International Ayurvedic medical Journal {online} 2016 {cited 2016 June} Available from: http://www.iamj.in/posts/images/upload/1066_1073.pdf Khatotra Sukhdev Et; Al: Ritucharya Diet And Life Style lowed in particular season, this leads to every season and practicing accordingly derangement of homeostasis and causes are enhanced.[5] Main theme of this chap- various diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, ter is to make people aware concerning the hypertension, cancer, and so on. Lifestyle methods to live in accordance with the en- diseases are a result of an inappropriate vironment. In this article, the Ritucharyas relationship of people with their environ- mentioned in the classics of Ayurvedahave ment. Onset of these lifestyle diseases is been discussed and emphasis has been insidious, delayed development, and diffi- given on the likely impact ofRitucharya on cult to cure. [4] In our country the situation lifestyle disorders. is quite alarming due to rapid changing of Classification of season disease profile. The World Health Organi- The year according to Ayurveda is divided zation has identified India as one of the into two periods Ayana (solstice) depend- nations that is going to have most of the ing on the direction of movement of sun lifestyle disorders in the near future. Now- that is Uttarayana (northern solstice) and adays, not only are lifestyle disorders be- Dakshinayana (southern solstice). Each is coming more common, but they are also formed of three Ritus (seasons). The word affecting younger population. Hence, the Ritu means ―to go.‖ It is the form in which population at risk shifts from 40+ to the nature expresses itself in a sequence in maybe 30+ or even younger. Already con- particular and specific in present forms in sidered the diabetes capital of the world, short, the seasons. [6] India now appears headed toward gaining A year consists of six seasons, namely, another dubious distinction of becoming Shishira (winter), Vasanta (spring), and the lifestyle-related disease capital as well. Grishma (summer) in Uttarayan and A study conducted jointly by the All India Varsh (monsoon), Sharada (autumn), and Institute of Medical Sciences and Max Hemanta (late autumn) in Dakshinayana. Hospital shows the incidence of hyperten- As Ayurveda has its origin in India, the sion, obesity, and heart disease is increas- above seasonal changes are observed pre- ing at an alarming rate, especially in the dominantly in Indian subcontinent. young, urban population. According to the Uttarayana and its effect doctors, a sedentary lifestyle combined Uttarayana indicates the ascent of the sun with an increase in the consumption of or northward movement of the sun. In this fatty food and alcohol is to blame cases of period the sun and the wind are powerful. obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and so on. The sun takes away the strength of the Ritucharya is prominently discussed in the people and the cooling quality of the earth. first few chapters of most of the Samhitas It brings increase in the Tikta (bitter), of Ayurveda. Prevention of disease to Kashaya (astringent), and Katu (pungent) maintain health is being the first and fore- Rasa (taste), respectively, which brings most aim of the holistic science of Ayur- about dryness in the body and reduces the veda. In Tasyashitya chapter of Charaka Bala (strength). It is also called Adana Samhita, it is said ―Tasya Shitadiya Kala. Ahaarbalam Varnascha Vardhate. According to modern science, this can be Tasyartusatmayam Vaditam compared with the gradual movement of Chestaharvyapasrayam,‖ which means earth around the sun to the position, in ‗the strength and complexion of the person which the rays of the sun falls perpendic- knowing the suitable diet and regimen for ularly at 30 degree meridian of the North 1067 www.iamj.in IAMJ: Volume 4; Issue 06; June- 2016 Khatotra Sukhdev Et; Al: Ritucharya Diet And Life Style Pole on June 21st every year, called as Shishira (winter) summer solstice. The northward journey of General condition: Mid-January to mid- the Sun from Tropic of Capricorn to March (approximately) is considered as Tropic of Cancer happens. Shishira Ritu (winter). During this season, During Uttarayana the seasonal changes in the environment remains cold, along with Indian subcontinent is from Shishira cold wind. The predominant Rasa and (winter) to Vasanta(spring) and to Mahabhuta during this season are Tikta Grishma (summer). The period can be (bitter) and Akasha, respectively. The compared to mid-January to mid-July, strength of the person becomes less, depo- when warmness and dryness in weather sition of the Kapha Dosha occurs and Agni increases. It has an overall debilitating ef- (catabolism) remains in a higher state. fect on environment, to which human be- Diet regimen: Foods having Amla (sour) ing is also a part. as the predominant taste are preferred. Ce- Dakshinayana and its effect reals and pulses, wheat/gram flour prod- Dakshinayana indicates the descent of the ucts, new rice, corn, and others, are ad- sun or movement of the sun in southern vised. Ginger, garlic, Haritaki (fruits of direction. In this period, the wind is not Terminalia chebula), Pippali (fruits of very dry; the moon is more powerful than Piper longum), sugarcane products, and sun. The earth becomes cool due to the milk and milk products are to be included clouds, rain, and cold winds. Unctuousness in the diet. sets in the atmosphere and Amla (sour), Foods having Katu (pungent), Tikta (bit- Lavana (salty), and Madhura (sweet) Rasa ter), Kashaya (astringent) predominant are predominant, so the strength of person Rasa are to be avoided. Laghu (light) and enhances during this period. It is also Shita (cold) foods are advised to be pro- called Visarga Kala. hibited. According to modern science, this can be Lifestyle: Massage with oil/powder/paste, compared with the gradual movement of bathing with lukewarm water, exposure to the earth around the sun to the position, in sunlight, wearing warm clothes is men- which the rays of the sun fall over 30 de- tioned to follow. Vata aggravating lifestyle gree meridian of the South Pole perpen- like exposure to cold wind, excessive dicularly on December 21st every year, is walking, sleep at late night, are to be called as winter solstice. The southward avoided. movement of the Sun occurs from Tropic Vasanta (spring) of Cancer to Tropic of Capricorn. General condition: The approximate time State of strength is from mid-March to mid-May. This sea- In the beginning of Visarga Kala and son is considered as season of flowering ending of Adana kala, that is, during Var- and origin of new leaves. Predominant sha and Grishma, weakness occurs. In the Rasa and Mahabhuta during this season middle of the solstices, that is, during Sha- are Kashaya (astringent), and Prithvi and rata and Vasanta, strength remains in Vayu, respectively.