ऋतुविशेषवशाच्च आहारविहारसेवानप्रतिपादनार्थं ऋतुचर्याया: ।
Apart from food and drink on our body, seasons and climate also have an effect. In one season, one dosha increases, then one becomes calm and in another season another dosha increases and the other becomes calm. Thus, the seasons have a close relationship with the health of human beings. Therefore, in Ayurveda, according to the increase, outbreak or peace in the doshas in each season, different types of food and habits have been mentioned for all the seasons. According to this, by adopting diet, health is protected and a person is saved from diseases. According to the geographical location, there are mainly three seasons (seasons) in a year - summer, winter and rain. In all these three types of changes take place in the body. These three seasons are divided into six types of seasons; these seasons are – spring, summer, Varsha, Sharad, Hemant and Shishir each season is of two months each. In Chaitra-Vaisakh, there is spring, in Jyeshtha-Ashadha, there is summer, in Shravan-Bhadrapada, there is autumn, in Ashwin-Kartik, there is Hemant and in Magha-Phalgun there is winter.
Hemant and Shishir Ritu
From the point of view of health, these two seasons of winter are considered to be the best for human beings. At this time the body is most powerful. Due to the shorter days and longer nights, the body gets more rest as well as more adaptability for the digestion of food. Due to both these reasons, there is more confirmation in winter and hunger is also more. In this way, due to the fast digestion power, heavy and large amounts of food are also easily digested. Therefore, it is harmful to remain hungry and eat dry and dry food during this period. In the absence of sufficient amount of fuel in the form of food, the digestive fire starts devouring only the metals of the body these are increase the vata dosha in the body. There is an excess of cold and dry qualities in the matter.
Pathya aahar (wholesome diet)
In the winter season, foods containing lubrication, sweet, salt and acid (sour) and nutritious elements should be taken. These ingredients include pure ghee, butter, oil, milk, kheer, urad kheer, sugar candy, rabri, cream, and honey with hot milk, sugarcane juice, porridge, pudding, gooseberry and apple jam, pithi and so on. Foods made from dry fruits, sweets etc. are useful. Cereals include sprouted gram, moong, urad, wheat or gram roti, cornflakes, year old rice, seasonal fruits like apple, amla, orange etc. Vegetables include parwal, brinjal, cabbage, jammikand, ripe red tomatoes, carrots, beans, peas, spinach, bathua, fenugreek etc. Green vegetables, dry, hot water and hot foods are healthy and nutritious.
Those who consume myrobalan then they should mix half teaspoon of myrobalan with half a teaspoon of dry ginger powder in the season of Hemant.
Pathya Vihar
Along with dietary diet, it is also necessary to adopt pathya Vihar (living-style) properly. First of all the mind should be happy and without worries. Waking up before sunrise in the morning, after attending nature’s call one should visit for pure air intake. It is advisable to walk as fast as you can. After returning, after taking some rest, exercise and yoga etc. should be done. Exercise is especially beneficial in this season. Due to this the body becomes strong and shapely, the food gets digested properly. Oil massage, ubtan (turmeric) and oil on the head are especially useful. Massage of mustard oil makes the skin beautiful and healthy and boils and pimples are destroyed. Massaging by putting camphor in oil provides relief in joint pain and arthritis. Ubtan should be done after the massage. Exercise can also be done after oil massage.
Due to cold in this season, work, fever, pneumonia etc. The skin becomes dry and coughs from cold talk, Stay away from extreme wind and stay in a hot place.
Apathya aahar and vihar (unwholesome diet)
In the winter season, one should not take light, dry, airy substances, bitter, pungent and astringent juices, stale and cold (ice cream and cold nature) foods. Tamarind, amchur, sour curd, mango pickle etc. should be consumed at least in sourness.
Waking up till late in the night, sleeping till late in the morning, lying in sluggishness, not exercising and exercising, being hungry for a long time, bathing too much, suffering a lot of cold, eating late at night and falling asleep immediately after the meal, all these There is a cataclysm.
Difference between Hemant and shishir in winter season
The weather is almost the same in both the seasons. In Hemant season, the Sun is in Dakshinayana, so there is siddhata, sweet rasa and nutritiousness in medicines and foodstuffs. During this season the accumulation of doshas in the body is in small quantities. But due to the Sun being in Uttarayan in the winter season, due to the transition period, there is dryness and coldness in the atmosphere. Due to coldness, heaviness and sweetness in plants also, there is accumulation of phlegm in the body. Therefore, while following the above diet in the winter season, one should keep away from cold. Soft light and dry foods should not be consumed and fasting should be done. By doing the above mentioned diet, so much energy can be collected in winter so that diseases can be avoided in other seasons also.