Let’s welcome again a sizzling rainy season! Rain drops come to you with a mesmerizing power to bring bouts of positive energy also, right? Did you ever think how you got that energy?
Naturally you are getting extra energy as the scorching sun and dry wind become less strong and the moon's energy gives you this energy boosting. This vital piece of information comes from the principles of ancient Ayurvedic wisdom about the seasonal regimen Ritucarya . In this lovely season, the earth becomes cool again due to clouds, rain and cold wind. Varsha Ritu as it is called in Ayurveda, is the real rainy season.
Role of vital energies in monsoon
Vata the wind energy aggravates making your digestion weak, Pitta the heat energy accumulates and can cause lack of appetite too. Kapha also causes mucus accumulation making you prone to allergies and cough, cold-like ailments. So, ready for seasonal detoxification? Yes, this season is known as Karkidaka in Kerala, known for Ayurvedic detoxification; and Ayurvedic rejuvenation therapy is also part of this season.
Diet and lifestyle choices for the monsoon
- Ayurvedic food for monsoon include diet which is light, fresh, free from impurities and has predominance of green gram, wheat, rice, cows' ghee, digestive spices like ginger, rock salt are told as per Ayurvedic classics to follow in this part of the year.
- Satva Guna should be increased in the body. One should adopt practices like Yoga, Pranayama and meditation. This will help to restore the Vata and prana, the vital energy in the body.
- Fumigation with anti-microbial Ayurvedic choornas is effective among Ayurvedic health tips in reducing insects and preventing ill effects of pollution in the atmosphere.
Avoid these in diet
- Ayurvedic monsoon diet should not include heavy, oily fried snacks and carbonated drinks and beverages in excess.
Avoid these in lifestyle
- Avoid day sleep, late night awakening and too much exertion in order to avoid too much of tridosha vitiation.
Do you know this?
Leafy veggies are a no this season as these is hard to digest especially in this season. Ayurvedic experts in Kerala suggest avoiding Moringa leaves (Moringa oleifera) in the rainy season seeing this fact.
Effect of polluted weather on you
When the atmosphere and water are polluted due to the monsoon season, the body becomes prone to infections, becomes less in immunity and vitality. The power of digestion of the body also gets reduced. When the appetite is less, quantity of food taken is less and when the digestion also is affected, the bowel and the entire metabolic processes of the body become slower.
Need for detoxification
You know these accumulated metabolic toxins harm your body in the long run and it is a must that we eliminate them from the root cause itself. As we have our own unique Prakriti, the physical and mental constitution, monsoon treatment in Ayurveda should be custom made for your Prakriti and should be advised by Ayurvedic experts. In Karkidaka, the diet and regimen traditionally followed are in such a way as to promote digestion, immunity, physical and mental health because in this season, monsoon rains cause decrease in digestive fire and the person becomes weak naturally due to exposure to monsoon wind, dust and polluted water. Rain increases the humidity in the air which is harmful to the health of people having respiratory diseases like asthma. When the Vata, Pitta, Kapha are vitiated, the body loses its balance.
Panchakarma – the five purificatory therapies
Purifying the body once a year itself is a very mind-blowing concept. When the body gets purified, the mind also becomes calm. Panchakarma has five in number namely, Vamana ,Virechana, Vasti, Nasya and Rakta Mokshana. These therapies are taken along with proper Ayurvedic detoxification medicines like Chyavanaprasha and recipes like Oushadha kanji.
Way forward
Bipha Ayurveda, which is one of the early legends in Ayurvedic pharmaceutical industry has made possible quality Ayurveda care with medicines which are cent percent natural, safe, effective and free from harmful preservatives and ingredients.
Even in ancient times, Acharya Charaka advised the people to take necessary precautions by resorting to the goodness of effective Ayurvedic herbs and undergo purificatory measures in order to detoxify mind and body. As Ayurveda is a time-tested wisdom standing tall now also, the advice also is valuable. Let's make it possible and move towards positivity through Ayurveda.
Ayurvedic choices for monsoon – From Bipha ayurveda
Oushadha kanji
Special type of porridge called Oushadha kanji or Karkidaka kanji is a part of special diet advised in Karkidaka season. Consumption of ‘Karkidaka Kanji/Oushadha kanji’ is one such regimen traditionally in practice in Kerala for nourishing the body, improving digestion, and to flush out the toxins, and boosting the immune system. The main ingredient of Oushadha kanji (medicated porridge) is a special type of rice known as Njavara rice cooked with spices like Cumin, pepper, coriander, cardamom, etc. and herbs like Garden cress, Fenugreek, White-flowered embelia (Vidanga), Indian sarsaparilla (Sariba), etc. ’Njavara’ is a unique variety of rice found only in Kerala and is widely acclaimed for its medicinal value.
Key Features:
- Nourishes the body.
- Improves Digestion.
- Flushes out toxins.
- Boosts Immune System.
Usage Direction
- Wash and drain Njavara rice with water. Crush the Njavara rice slightly in a mixer.
- Add the crushed Njavara rice into 1½ cup water in a pressure cooker. Cook for 20 minutes without putting pressure on the cooker weight.
- Open the pressure cooker and add medicinal herb packet ( Pachamarunnu, Podimarunnu, Fenugreek, and Garden cress) and mix well, Add Coconut milk and stir well. Cook by closing the Pressure cooker with weight for 20 minutes
- In lukewarm condition add one tablespoon grated coconut, a pinch of cumin (Jeeraka ) and salt as needed, and cow's ghee if needed.
Chyawanaprasham
An ancient Ayurvedic health tonic widely used as a rejuvenative, energizer and immunity booster Chyawanaprasham are often called the elixir of life. This is the first historically documented formula from the ancient Ayurvedic treatise. Known to benefit the immune system and it helps fight against common cold and other respiratory infections. You can take Chyawanaprasham this season to harness your immunity for your long-term Ayurveda health care . Make this monsoon a health boosting season; make it memorable for your healthy future ahead.