Basant Ritu

“Basant ritu” or spring is the time between “Shishir” and “Grishma”, typically from mid March to mid May. Indians have festivals for every season and spring starts with “Holi”. It is celebrated on the last full moon day of winter or “Shishir Ritu”. During this season, air is drier than “Shishir” and the Sun is stronger. The “Kaffa” accumulated in the body during Hemant/Shishir starts to melt in Basant which diminishes the “Jatharagni” or digestive fire of the body leading to “Kaffa” related ailments.

(Kaffa present in the body is responsible for lubrication in the body. For instance, smooth and lustrous skin indicates a balanced “Kaffa” in the body. Someone coughing out phlegm indicates aggravated “Kaffa”)

Lifestyle tips for Basant Ritu:

·       “Vaman” or detoxification through vomit. Person is made to drink medicated water in empty stomach and vomit afterwards. It should be done in proper supervision.

·       Workout

·       Use “Ubtan” on body. Typically a paste of turmeric and chickpeas flour in water applied on body before bath. Barley and wheat flour can also be used.

·       Nasal medications or “Nasya”

What to eat and drink:

·       One year old wheat, barley and honey.

·       Smoking (Yeah, ayurveda is only for cool guys). But it is NOT about the branded cigarettes available in market.

·       Gargle

·       Use warm water for bath and other external uses (NOT for drinking)

·       Eat roasted flesh of dry land animals and birds like rabbit, reindeer, deer, wood pecker, quail etc.

·       Wine made of grapes (Enjoy). “Asava” and “Arista” are two fermented medicinal preparations of ayurveda which are also recommended per the nature of body.

The Shloka below from Charak Samhita says it all. Smoking is mentioned in Charak Samhita.

Don’ts:

·       Avoid food which are hard to digest and cold

·       Do not sleep at daytime

·       Fatty, sweet and sour foods should be avoided

All above increases “Kaffa” in the body.

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Shishir/Hemant Ritu

Ayurveda divides the year in 6 different seasons based on the shifting of sunrise direction or movement of earth. Namely Varsha Ritu, Sharad, Hemant, Shishir, Basant and Grishma and ayurveda have defined the ways of eating and general lifestyle tips. When I am writing this article, it is Shishir Ritu. It starts with “Makar Sankranti” or around 14^th of Jan. From this day the sunrise starts to shift towards north and air starts getting drier. Hemant is first half of winters and differs from Shishir only by extent of dryness in the air.

In Shishir/Hemant the “Jatharagni” or digestive fire is confined inside the body and gets powerful. Humans are capable of eating and digesting more in these seasons. If not fed well, the body will get weaker and “Vatta”or gas will get aggravated.

What to eat and drink in these seasons to control “Vatta”:

·       Sweet, acidic and salty dishes.

·       Flesh of fatty animals and birds (Did someone say ayurveda is for vegetarians?)

·       Should have wine made from jaggery after non-veg (OMG ayurveda is awesome)

·       Milk, Curd, Mawa (Whole dry milk) etc.

·       Pudding made with cane juice, semi solid jaggery etc.

·       Fatty and oily food

·       Newly harvested rice

Below is the "Shloka" from Charak Samhita (Sutrasthanam -06)

Simple Lifestyle tips:

·       Use hot water for bath

·       “Abhyang” or oil massage on body and head

·       Keep in underground,closed and warm places

·       Heavy clothing while traveling or in general

·       Sex per your desire

Don’ts

Do not eat small meals or food which aggravates “Vatta” or gas in the body. Avoid pungent, bitter and astringent food.

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Water

Water is not a food but still it needs to be digested. Surprised? But it’s true.

I decided to put it quick because I myself was committing lots of mistakes while drinking water. 

Ancient ayurvedic sages NEVER stressed on drinking too much water however few sages later insisted to have “Usha Paan” empty stomach morning water, but limited it to 750 ml only ,for a healthy person. It takes 3 hours for the body to digest water. “Maharshi Vagbhatt” said, drinking water without thirst can lead to 60 diseases. In fact a physically weak person is suggested to avoid plain water. He should take nutritionally supplemented water only.

Too much or too less water intake can cause :

·       Lazyness, dry cough and gastric

·       Nausea and giddiness

·       “Mandagni” means ceased digestive fire or weak digestion which in turn causes other diseases.

·       Load on kidneys and swelling in body cells even brain.

·       18 types of Skin disorders

·       Diabetes

Rules of drinking water :

·       Drink water only when thirsty.

·       Drink warm water at least an hour before a meal. Don’t drink water when very hungry. Doing so will cease your digestive fire and will aggravates “Vaat” or gas/air.

·       Drinking water immediately after a meal will cause obesity and diseases above chest. It aggravates “Kaffa”. One and half or two hour after meal is the ideal time.

·       Small sips of water or other fluid are allowed while taking your meal. It helps digestion but only 25% of the dry meal can be fluid.

Who can benefit from cooked water:

“Gulm Arso Grahani chayeshu”

·       Those who feel like a ball moving in their stomach with cramps

·       Those with bleeding piles

·       Who is suffering from Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

·       Who is suffering from Tuberculosis and have lost weight

·       Who have weak digestive fire or who don’t  feel hunger

·       Those with swollen body or cells.

·       Those suffering from anaemia

·       Who have throat problem and runny nose

·       An injured person with pus in wounds

·       Who suffers from frequent urination

·       Any eye diseases ,cough problem and gas problems

·       Who suffers loose motion.

Cooked water is the best to drink. Heat it up in the morning and let it cool. It becomes easy to digest. Consume it in small quantity when you are thirsty. Water cooked in the morning should not be consumed in night and vice versa. 

Note :- Person who work hard physically or work in hot environment are exceptions.

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Curd or Yougurt

Curd or yogurt is another dairy product which is very healthy for human when taken with precautions. Surprising for some but “Curd” is hot in nature for the body per ayurveda and must be consumed during winters. It saves the body and especially joints from the extreme dryness of the winters. It increases “Kaffa” or grease material, “Pitta” or acid, “Rakt” or blood, “Med” or fat in the body and is heavy to digest. It is mentioned as “Kalptaru” by maharshi Charak. It improves your digestive fire, nourishes “Shukra Dhatu” or sexual hormones and gives strength to body. It has been called “Vaatjeet” which means it wins over “Vaat” problem or problems in the body due to gas. It has got protein, vitamins, fat, minerals, iron, carbohydrates and calcium.

Curd can fight against which diseases?

·       Watery Running nose

·       Fever due to cold

·       Urinary track obstructions

·       Loose motion or diarrhea

·       Heavy menstrual bleeding

·       Gas trouble and joint pain due to it

·       Toned curd can be taken in mal absorption.

Cautions to be taken with curd:

·       Never take curd in night

·       Never heat curd on fire

·       Do not take it in summers , spring and start of winters

·       It should not be taken daily

·       It should not be taken alone, means it should be always coupled or mixed with stuff mentioned below

Must have Companions of curd:

·       Honey

·       Sugar Candy

·       Moong beans

·       Goose berry

·       “Ghee” or clarified butter

Companions mentioned above controls the heat of curd. If not taken precautions as mentioned above, it will gradually contaminate the blood, can bring fever, skin disorders and anaemia .If you want to lose weight then curd is NOT for you.

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Milk

Milk is cold for the body or in scientific language it is alkaline in nature. Ayurveda calls it “Balkarak” and “Brauhan” when taken in morning which means skinny people can take it in the morning to gain strength, weight and to increase digestive fire. When consumed in daytime, it becomes “Ruchikar” and “Mutrakruchh” which means it improves your appetite and urinate well if you have urinary problems or obstruction. When taken at night it works on so many body problems. Milk increases digestive fire of children and nourishes “Shukra Dhatu” in elders.

 It is mentioned as “Guru”, means heavy to digest, so people with low digestive fire should not take it in night .If they want to, they can add one or two pinch of “Sunthi” or dried ginger to it. It is the milk protein and fat which makes it heavy to digest.

Buffalo’s milk is heavier than cow’s milk and is a good hunger suppressant and remedy for insomnia. Obese person or person with fatty liver, hypothyroidism and cholesterol should not go for buffalo’s milk. Ayurveda prescribes “Trikatu Churna” to be taken with buffalo’s milk so it can be digested easily.

Milk always should be taken warm and not cold.

Foods or herbs which can be eaten or cooked with milk:

Properly ripe mango, “Munakka” or sultana, “Ghee” or clarified butter , “Ber” or Indian Plum, “Pipali” or long pepper, “Kali Mirch” or black pepper, “Chivda” or beaten rice, “Sunthi” or dried ginger, “Harad” or Termenelia Chebula, “Amla” or goose berry , “Parval” or pointed gourd , “Barley” and all sweet stuff .

Only salt that can be taken with milk is “Rock Salt” .All types of sour stuff should be avoided with milk except “Goose Berry”.

So forget about Milk calories and add it to your meal especially in summers.

Conditions when milk should NOT be taken :

Any type of fever, low digestive fire or indigestion, skin disorder, during abdominal pain or joint pain, diabetes, cough, asthma or bronchitis, loose motion or diarrhoea. Strictly prohibited for people with intestinal worms.

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“Ghee” Or Clarified Butter

“Ghee” or clarified butter is mentioned as one of the best ayurvedic tonic or medicine available to human in world. If your doctor says it will increase blood cholesterol, ask him why no cholesterol is found in veins. Reject his silly reply and shed off the notion, start using it if you want a super strong brain and body. When we talk about “Ghee” it is cow’s “Ghee” always. Buffalo’s ghee is not bad, it just have other uses.

Nature of “Ghee”

“Ghee” has been called “Chakshusyam”, “Smriti”, “Medha”, “Agni” and “Balayu” in ayurveda which means good for your vision, brain, digestive fire, and strength with life duration. It is cold in nature and calms down “Pitta”. Older is better.

Who should take it?

·       ­All healthy people.

·       Kids and elderly must take it.

·       One who has lost weight and has become skinny because of a disease or injury.

·       One who is loosing hair or experiencing greying at an early age.

·       Singers or speakers who need a great voice all the time.

·       One who experience burning sensation in head, hands and genitals.

·       One who has accumulated toxins in body from long time due to medication, steroid, alcohol consumption or pollution.

·       One who suffers from gastric and acidity.

·       To treat mental illness like short temper, depression, anxiety, fear of unknown etc.

·       Women suffering from hormonal imbalance or any type of reproductive system disorder.

·       Suffering from “Jwar” or fever older than 15 days.

How “Ghee” can be used?

·       For mental illness, one table spoon “Ghee” should be taken after every meal with warm water.

·       For hormonal imbalance, one tablespoon “Ghee” should be taken in between of the meals. Consume half of your meal, take “Ghee” with warm water and then finish the rest half.

·       For digestive tract problems or problems around pelvic region, one table spoon “Ghee” should be consumed before meal with warm water.

·       “Nasya” should also be taken by everyone. Couple of drops of “Ghee” in both nostrils at the time of sleep or whenever you get time.

Note: - Ayurveda says “Nasa Sirso Dwaram” which means nose is the gateway to brain. If you want to nourish your brain externally (Nasyakarma Process), only few lipids are available in world which can pass to your brain through the blood brain barrier (bone) from nose. “Ghee” is best for every ENT disorders.

Never take cold water after oral consumption of “Ghee”.

“Yavat Jivet sukham jivet, trinam kritva gritam pivet”. 

How much you live; live happily, incur debt ; consume “Ghee”.

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Ashwagandha

“Ashwa” means horse and “Gandha” means smell. When you take the root of the plant or smash the leaves it smells like horse. Ashwagandha is a very famous Indian herb for physical well being. It is also called Indian “Ginseng” or “Winter Cherry”. It improves the sexual hormone production and when preserved, it nourishes the other components (Dhatu) of the body. It is also used for weight gain by skinny people. It boosts testosterone level in men which is used for both sexual activity and strength work. It also releases stress from brain and boosts body immunity against disease.

Its nature per ayurveda

 It has been called “Balya”, “Ruksh”, “Snigdh” and “Vaathar” in ayurveda. Herbs which are mentioned as “Snigdh” in ayurveda have a remedial effect in “Vaat  dosh” or gas problems. It is useful in “Kaffa Dosh” or cough problem as well because it is “Ruksh” or dry in nature. It creates dryness in the body which is why it should not be taken with water alone unless you are treating obesity. It increases “Pitta” in the body.

How can Ashwagandha be Used by whom?

1)   Leaves  

a)   Leaves are used to release joint pain and swelling. One suffering from joint pain should boil the leaves and add some rock salt to it. Tie around the pain area with help of a cloth.

b)  Leaves are also used to reduce obesity. An obese person should keep on light diet for nine days and eat one leaf per day after every meal with warm water.

2)   Root is used as a tonic in both men and women. Dried root is powered and is easily available in market. One tablespoon can be taken twice a day after meal with a glass of milk.

3)   Root works on women with miscarriage problem.

4)   Impotence and erectile dysfunction in men.

Preparation for person who is “Pitta Pradhan” in nature:

One who bleeds from nose or have a burning sensation in head, hands or soles,or during urination, who feel too much thirsty, do have “Pitta Dosh”. Person having “Pitta Dosh” or high B.P. should not consume Ashwagandha with water because it’s hot for the body and can further increase the B.P. Milk or clarified butter (Ghee) nullifies the hot nature of the herb. If someone is too sensitive to food (Like most of dry fruits) or herbs which heats up the body, then “Ashwagandha Avaleha” is the solution. "Avaleha" is available in market as well.

1)   50 gms of Ashwagandha is cooked in 750 gms of milk till it becomes thick paste.

2)   Add 2 gms powder of each of the below ingredient:

·       Tejpatra or Indian Bay Leaf

·       Daalchini or cinnamon

·       Choti Elaichi or green cardamom

·       Nagkesar or Mesua Ferrea

·       Kesar or saffron

·       Jaiphal or nutmeg

·       Gokshura or small caltrops.

·       Singhara or Water Chestnut.

·       Other herbs and dry fruits can be added but these are enough.

3)   Prepare sugar syrup with 750 gms of sugar or preferably sugar candy powder of one string thickness.

4)   Add the mixture to the sugar syrup. Add some clarified butter and simmer till consistency is obtained. 

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