Food for the Springtide

The Ritucharya in Ayurveda serve as the guidelines for a stable healthy condition with changing seasons. The varying ritus have varied effect on the body and human habits should metamorphose to accomodate and adapt to the mutating conditions.

The Basant ritu or the spring time when earth is reborn, the triad- body, mind and soul- can undergo positive changes through Vasanth ritucharya. An ayurveda diet with more spices like ginger, chilli, blackpepper, mustard oil is suggested. Using oil instead of ghee which is comparitively heavy, buttermilk instead of the thick curd are some methods that can be followed.Excessive eating should be avoided in not only this season but for every ritu.Food with madhur and amal rasa are chided upon in this climate. Honey serves as a health supplement which avoids diseases and can be also added to medicated water containing shunthi and nagarmotha. Meat and egg are to be taken but oily food should be avoided to a great deal. Cold food and edibles are not recommended for health. Exposure to direct chill air can aggravate the kapha condition. Light excercise and medicines to prevent from chill are part of ayurvedic lifestyle.

Diseases such as cold, asthma, bronchitis,fever spread fast during this season. Vaman karma is recommended by Ayurveda as the best precautionary action in this season. Nasal medication called Nasyam in Ayurveda can help at a precautionary and curative level.Cold and fatty food should be avoided as they increase Kapha dosha disturbing the balance of the three doshas of the body.