Ayurveda’s Rutucharya (Seasonal Regimen)
How to modify our lifestyle in this season ?
Name of Rutu (Season) – Hemant
Hemant rutu constitute first two months of winter season. Hemant ritu is the last rutu in Dakshinayana .
The Features of Hemant (Winter) : Hemant ritu includes Margashira & Paushya months (November to January) . There is drop in the temperature , moderately cold and even there will be snow fall .
In winter the nights are longer than days , so one will have a good sleep , which helps to increase the body strength . Because of decreased peripheral blood supply and increased core (Abdominal) blood supply , the digestive fire becomes very strong .
Dos
- Food items which are predominant with Sour , Sweet and Salty taste should be consumed.
- Heavy food is advised in this season, so if one likes to have more quantity of food, it will not cause any digestion problem in this season .
- One should consume newly harvested rice , wheat , barley .
- Good to have jaggarey, sugarcane , all types of sweets .
- Milk , ghee , butter , paneer , cheese & all different milk products are advisable .
- Use of black gram (urad dal ) , wheat flour , freshly harvested corn and mixed fats are good .
- Consume potato , sweet potato , carrot , beetroot , pumpkin , ash guard etc .
- Non vegetarian people can have fish , chicken , goat and meat soups .
- One should consume hot water , ginger tea in this season .
- Fruits like Apple , guava , grapes , orange, dry fruits, dates are advisable .
Donts
- Avoid bitter , too spicy food items .
- Avoid dry , cold & light food .
- Avoid sleep during Day time.
Life style
- One should do Abhyanga ( Body massage ) i.e. oil massage everyday using sesame oil followed by steam/hot water bath .
- An ointment with the paste of safforn , agaru or Eaglewood should be applied to the body.
- Expose your body to sunlight , fire.
- Always stay in warm and cozy place & use thick blankets .
- Wear warm & dry clothes of wool , leather, jute etc. It keeps the body warm.
- Do Regularly different vigorous exercises. This is very good season for heavy work outs .
- Agaru dhoopa should be kept in the living room , which keeps the room warm .
- Avoid fasting .
Panchkarma – ( Ayurvedic Panchkarma advised in this season )
- Massage
- Snehan
- swedan
- Pottaly Massage
- Basti
- Hruday Basti
- Netratarpan etc
For more details about seasonal Panchkarma, please see the article on seasonal Pachkarma.
All Type of Ayurveda treatments, Panchkarma and medicines are available at Amruta Ayurved Panchkarma Center, Thane, Mumbai, India. Mob – 9869105594
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