SEASONAL DIET

RITUCHARYA (SEASONAL REGIMEN)

• Ritucharya means seasonal regimen; it is a preventive aspect of Ayurveda that guides dietary and lifestyle adjustments according to the changes in season.

• It is based on the principle that doshas accumulate, get aggravated, and pacify in specific seasons, influencing health and disease.

• Ashtanga Hridaya Sutrasthana Chapter 3 (Ritucharya) elaborates on 6 Ritus and associated regimens.

• Special emphasis is laid on Ahara (diet) – specifically the Rasa (taste) and Guna (qualities) of food suitable or unsuitable in each season.

SIX SEASONS (SHADRITU) & THEIR CLASSIFICATION

• The year is divided into two Ayanas (solstices):

  • Uttarayana (Adana Kala): Shishira, Vasanta, Grishma

  • Dakshinayana (Visarga Kala): Varsha, Sharada, Hemanta

SHISHIRA RITU (LATE WINTER)

❖ SPECIAL DIETARY INSTRUCTIONS:

• Predominant Dosha: Kapha starts accumulating; Vata is aggravated due to cold and dryness.

• Recommended Rasa: Madhura (sweet), Amla (sour), Lavana (salty)

• Avoid: Tikta (bitter), Kashaya (astringent), Katu (pungent)

❖ Shloka:

"शिशिरे मर्धनपानाङ्गमर्दस्वेदनलेपनैः।
मधुराम्ललवणं भोज्यं तिक्तकषायकटु त्यजेत्॥"
(AH Su. 3/6)

• Guna preference: Snigdha (unctuous), Ushna (hot), Guru (heavy)

• Foods that are warm, nourishing, and heavy help balance the aggravated Vata.

VASANTA RITU (SPRING)

❖ SPECIAL DIETARY INSTRUCTIONS:

• Predominant Dosha: Kapha is aggravated

• Recommended Rasa: Katu (pungent), Tikta (bitter), Kashaya (astringent)

• Avoid: Madhura (sweet), Amla (sour), Lavana (salty)

❖ Shloka:

"वसन्ते रक्तपित्तघ्नं कषायं कटुकं तिकम्।
वह्निदीपनमल्पं च स्निग्धं पथ्यमिति स्मृतम्॥"
(AH Su. 3/10)

• Guna preference: Laghu (light), Ushna (hot), Ruksha (dry)

• Foods that are easy to digest, dry and warming help counter the effects of Kapha accumulation.

GRISHMA RITU (SUMMER)

❖ SPECIAL DIETARY INSTRUCTIONS:

• Predominant Dosha: Vata accumulates, Pitta slightly aggravated.

• Recommended Rasa: Madhura (sweet)

• Avoid: Katu (pungent), Amla (sour), Lavana (salty), Ushna (hot potency)

❖ Shloka:

"गुरु शीतं मृदु स्निग्धं मधुरं च हितं गृषे।
न तीव्रं लवणं रूक्षं कट्वम्लोष्णं च वर्जयेत्॥"
(AH Su. 3/14)

• Guna preference: Sheeta (cool), Snigdha (unctuous), Mridu (soft), Guru (heavy)

• Cooling and hydrating foods like rice, milk, ghee, and seasonal fruits like watermelon are preferred.

VARSHA RITU (RAINY SEASON)

❖ SPECIAL DIETARY INSTRUCTIONS:

• Predominant Dosha: Vata is aggravated, Agni is weak

• Recommended Rasa: Amla (sour), Lavana (salty)

• Avoid: Guru, Snigdha, Sheeta, Tikta

❖ Shloka:

"वर्षासु दीपनीयं च लवणाम्लं च भोजनम्।
युक्तं रुच्यं कटुं स्निग्धं भक्ष्यं सुपक्वमपि च॥"
(AH Su. 3/18)

• Guna preference: Ushna (hot), Snigdha (unctuous), Ruksha (dry)

• Food should be freshly prepared, warm, and light. Avoid raw foods and excessive water intake.

SHARADA RITU (AUTUMN)

❖ SPECIAL DIETARY INSTRUCTIONS:

• Predominant Dosha: Pitta is aggravated

• Recommended Rasa: Tikta (bitter), Madhura (sweet), Kashaya (astringent)

• Avoid: Amla (sour), Lavana (salty), Katu (pungent)

❖ Shloka:

"शरदि सिक्तं सलघु शीतं स्निग्धं मधुरं लघु।
तिक्तं कषायं हितं वापि पथ्यं शारदीं स्मृतम्॥"
(AH Su. 3/21)

• Guna preference: Sheeta (cool), Laghu (light), Snigdha (unctuous)

• Cooling, mildly sweet and bitter foods like ghee, green vegetables, and moong dal are beneficial.

HEMANTA RITU (EARLY WINTER)

❖ SPECIAL DIETARY INSTRUCTIONS:

• Predominant Dosha: Vata is pacified, Agni is strongest

• Recommended Rasa: Madhura (sweet), Amla (sour), Lavana (salty)

• Avoid: Laghu, Ruksha, Tikta, Katu, Kashaya

❖ Shloka:

"हेमन्ते हि सदा पथ्यं स्वाद्वम्लं लवणं गरम्।
स्नेहमांसगुडं मूलं पिष्टं मांसं च वर्जयेत्॥"
(AH Su. 3/24)

• Guna preference: Snigdha (unctuous), Guru (heavy), Ushna (hot)

• Rich, nourishing, unctuous, and warm foods are best as digestive power is high.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES FOR RASA SELECTION ACCORDING TO SEASONS:

• Madhura Rasa: Balances Vata and Pitta – indicated in Grishma, Hemanta.

• Amla Rasa: Balances Vata – used in Shishira, Varsha.

• Lavana Rasa: Useful for Vata and Kapha – used in Shishira, Varsha.

• Katu, Tikta, Kashaya: Reduce Kapha and Pitta – used in Vasanta and Sharada.