What You Should Eat And Avoid This Rainy Season Regimen?

ABSTRACT

India is a country with extraordinary climate changes, that change from region to region which ranges from humid tropical in the south, to temperate in the north (Himalayan) in which there is elevated snowfall and arid deserts in the western region etc. India’s meteorological department follows 4 seasonal standards that are Winter (December to February), Summer (March to May), Monsoon or Rainy season (June to September), and Autumn (October to November). Here we discuss the Monsoon or Rainy season in detail. As the Monsoon lasts from June to September it is followed by the Summer season, which slowly sweeps from the beginning in late May or early June. Monsoon rain stopped in North India at the beginning of October. South India on the other hand frequently receives rainfall. During the Monsoon season, the chances of the growth of microorganisms are high. Due to humidity and dirt, Seasonal flu, Typhoid, Malaria, Dengue and stomach infections are very common in the Rainy season. So we have to take care of our diet properly to avoid any disease. In this article, we are going to know about the rainy season regimen in detail, the Ayurvedic seasonal regimen, the digestive fire i.e. Vata, Pitta, Kapha, duration of the season, Pathya (to be consumed), Apathya (to be avoided) foods, home remedies that are good in Rainy season. Let’s start!

INTRODUCTION

Monsoon brings refreshing rains and relief from summer but with these good effects, it also brings a large risk of health woes. As we discussed earlier the Rainy season lasts from June to September, which is followed by the Summer season. Due to the Rainy season, the humidity of the environment is increased which helps provide good conditions for reproducing microorganisms like bacteria, viruses etc. thus people with weak immune systems are more prone to diseases like Flu, Malaria, Typhoid and many more. so, a diet which boosts our immune system must be taken. There must be a right balance between nutrition and immunity. By practising choosing seasonal foods and improving physical health and food habits, one can maintain good health and an immune system. As humidity increases the chances of microorganism development, one can prevent it by maintaining personal hygiene, cleaning the surrounding environment areas, drinking clean water etc. Now let’s start a detailed study on rainy season regimens and Ayurvedic rainy season regimens, Pathya (wholesome) and Apathya (unwholesome) food for the Rainy season, general recipes and home remedies for the Rainy season. Let’s start!

RAINY SEASON REGIMEN

The onset of Monsoon leads to different types of diseases. However, one can prevent oneself from diseases by controlling the diet system and avoiding food that is not good for one’s health. Now let’s learn about do’s and don’ts on what to eat to stay healthy

DO’S OF MONSOON DIET

• Stay hydrated: By drinking enough boiled water, drinking herbal teas and soups that help in the detoxification process and electrolyte balance
• Seasonal Fruits: Jamun, pears, cherries, papaya, apple, pomegranate, plums and fruits rich in vitamins, antioxidants and fibre. These fruits improve the digestion process
• Vegetables: Bottle gourd, snake gourd, bitter gourd, tomatoes, beans, radish etc. that improve the immune system of the body. Steamed and boiled vegetables decrease the risk of infection
• Species: Add turmeric, black pepper, garlic, cinnamon, fenugreek etc has antifungal, antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and immune-boosting properties. Turmeric milk is a good option for overall health and immune boosting system
• Probiotics: Buttermilk and yoghourt
• Addginger and lemon to the diet which boosts the digestion and immunity system

DON’TS OF MONSOON DIET

• Street food: Avoid eating outside food like bakery items, burgers, pizza, chaat, street side cut fruits and drinks like cola or juices. These items increase the risk of food poisoning and waterborne diseases
• Fried foods: Food made in oils like samosa, fries etc causes indigestion acidity and other gastrointestinal problems.
• Spicy food: Avoid eating food with high amounts of spices which causes acidity, burning and irritation in the gut
• Seafood: The rainy season is the best breeding time for fish and other water-born animals. So it is better to avoid seafood in the Rainy season
• Refined sugar may be avoided as it may cause inflammation and upset the flora of the gut
• Avoid carbonated beverages that may cause indigestion

AYURVEDIC OVERVIEW OF SEASONS- RITUCHARYA

In Ayurveda, Ritucharya is made up of a combination of 2 words i.e. Ritu which stands for Time and Charya stands for regimen one needs to follow. It can be defined as the regimen which needs to be followed with changes in time and seasons. In Ayurveda, the year is divided into 6 seasons depending on climate changes. These seasons are Shishira ritu (late winter season), Vasant ritu (spring season), Greeshma ritu (summer season), Varsha ritu (Rainy season), Sharad ritu (autumn season), Hemanta ritu (winter season). These seasons are arranged according to the Indian calendar that includes two Ayanas i.e. Uttarayana and Dakshinayana. In Uttarayana (Adana) kala (time) 3 ritus (seasons) are included i.e. Shishira (late winter), Vasanta (spring), Grishma (summer season) and Dakshinayana (Visarga kala) also includes 3 ritus are Varsha (rainy), Sharad (autumn), Hemanta (winter) ritu (season). At the beginning of Visarga Kala (Varsha) and the ending of Adana Kala (Greesham) strength (Bala) is decreased. In the middle of both Kala’s strength is moderate i.e. in Sharad (Visarga) and Vasanta  (Adana). In Hemanta (end of Visarga kala) and Shirish (beginning of Adana kala), strength is good as compared to others. Here, we are going to study Varsha ritu (rainy season) which is a part of Dakshinayana.

AYURVEDIC SEASONAL REGIMEN FOR THE RAINY SEASON

In Varsha ritu (rainy season), there is an aggravation of Vata and accumulation of Pitta doshas. Due to the moisture and coldness of rain, digestive power is decreased which causes improper digestion and leads to accumulation of Pitta. As Varsha ritu (rainy season) is the beginning ritu (season) of Visarga Kala, the strength (Bala) of the body is at its lower limits. So regimen in the rainy season plays an important role in maintaining strength and hence protecting the body from disease by improving the immune system of the body. Now let’s talk about Rainy season regimens according to Ayurveda.

आदानग्लानवपुषामग्निः स्न्नोअपि सीदति |
वर्षासु दोषेर्दुष्यन्ति ते अम्बुलम्बाम्बुदेअम्बरे ||

                                                            (अष्टाङ्ग हृदयम् सूत्रस्थान 3/42)

As the rainy season enters after summer (after Adana Kala), because of the exceedingly hot climate the body and digestion capacity of the body is weak. Due to the dirty water of rain, cold wind and clouds, doshas get aggravated. Rainwater creates moisture as it falls on the soil. This moisture is responsible for decreasing Agni.

INSTRUCTIONS RELATED TO AAHARA VIHARA

1. PATHYA

Pathya is the diet and regimen by which the Body gets proper nutrition that helps in proper growth and strength of the body and mind.

आस्थापनम् शुद्धतनुजीर्ण धान्यम् रसान् कृतान् |
जाङ्गलम् पिशितम युषान् मध्वरिष्टम् चिरन्तनम् ||
मस्तु सौवर्चलाढयम् वा पञ्चकोलावचूर्णितम् |
दिव्यम् कौपम् श्रितं चाम्भो भोजनम् त्वतिदुर्दिने ||
व्यक्ताम्ललवणस्नेहम् सशुष्कम् क्षौद्रवल्लघु |

(अष्टाङ्ग हृदयम् सूत्रस्थान 3/45-46)

According to the above Ayurveda text, after the other Shodhana Basti Asthapana Basti is preferred. In a diet, one should consume old grains, meat juice and Tanu Dhanyam (thin rice). Soup of pulses, wine prepared from honey, thin curds and powder of Panchkola which consists of Pippali (Piper longum), Pippalimoola (the root of Piper nigrum), Nagara (Zingiber officinale), Chavya (Piper chaba) and Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica). One should use boiled water for drinking purposes. During heavy rains following should be consumed

• Sour (Amla) and salty (lavana) taste (rasa) dominant food items
• Unctuous
• Dried and baked food items
• Honey
• Light and easy-to-digest food

2. APATHYA

Apathya is defined as faulty diet habits and regimens that hinder normal body growth and lead to many diseases and pathological changes. According to Ayurveda, Apathya in rainy seasons are

नदीजलोदमन्थाह्ःस्वप्नायासातपान्स्त्यजेत् |

((अष्टाङ्ग हृदयम् सूत्रस्थान 3/48)

In the Rainy season

• Avoid river water
• A beverage prepared with flour of corn and paddy
• Sleeping in daytime
• Exercise
• Direct exposure to the sun

DIGESTIVE FIRE IN RAINY SEASON

The ability of the body to digest and absorb nutrients from the food with the help of digestive enzymes is called Agani or Digestive fire. There are 13 types of Agni defined by Charaka i.e. Jatharagni, Bhutagni and its 5 subtypes, and Dhatvagni and its 7 subtypes. Jatharagni is the Agni present in the Stomach and Duodenum, whereas Bhutagni is the Agni related to the 5 basic elements i.e. Earth (Prithvi), water (jal), sky (Akash), air (Vayu), fire (agni). Dhatvagni is the Agni related to 7 Dhatus (tissues). According to Ayurveda, Agni (digestive fire) is weak during the Monsoon season due to aggravation of Pitta dosha which leads to many diseases.  Due to the moisture and coldness of rain, digestive power is decreased which causes improper digestion and leads to accumulation of Pitta. The aggravation of Vata is due to the dryness of the climate. Aggravated Vata and Pitta are the root cause that is responsible for many diseases and conditions. Thus to balance these vitiated Doshas, food, lifestyle and self-care should be done in a proper manner.

DURATION OF THE RAINY SEASON

According to Ayurveda, Dakshinayana (Visarga kala) lasts from July 14 to January 14. There are 3 seasons in the Dakshinayana i.e. Varsha ritu (rainy season), Sharad ritu (autumn season) and Hemant ritu (winter season). Varsha ritu is the first season of Dakshinayana which lasts from mid-July (14 July) to mid-September (14 September). In Varsha ritu (Rainy season) the sky is cloudy and it rains filling rivers and ponds with water. The predominant Rasa (taste) during this season is Amla (sour) and Mahabhuta (5 elements i.e. fire, air, sky, water, earth etc.) are Prithvi (earth) and Agni (fire). In Ayurveda, Ritu Sandhi is the 14-day transition period between the end of one season and the beginning of the second season. Here Ritu stands for season and sandhi stands for the junction between two periods. During this time period, one should adopt the upcoming season changes and stop practising the previous season. This period is very helpful in adapting the body to the seasonal changes smoothly. Ritu Sandhi between the Greeshm ritu (summer season) and Varsha ritu (rainy season) is around July 9th to July 22nd. This is the period during which people should practice nutrition and lifestyle of Rainy season and stop during the summer.

HOME REMEDIES FOR RAINY SEASON REGIMEN

• Ginger Tea: Ginger (Zingiber officinale) tea helps in controlling running nose and it has antibacterial, antiviral and antioxidant properties
• Mulethi: Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra) helps to cure congestion and it has anti-inflammatory properties
• Neem: Leaves of Neem (Azadirachta indica) has antibacterial, anti-fungal anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties
• Herbal Tea: Herbs like ginger(Zingiber officinale), tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) and cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) can be used in making tea which helps boost immunity, increase digestion power and prevent infections
• Juices of Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) and ginger (Zingiber officinale) with honey help in curing fever and cough
• Garlic (Allium sativum) in both raw form and its decoction form is helpful in cough and respiratory issues as it has antioxidant, antimicrobial and detoxification properties

PANCHKARMA IN RAINY SEASON

The Pitta dosha gets weak and the Vata dosha increases in the body in the Rainy season as we discussed earlier the digestive fire (Agni) of the body gets depleted due to which the digestive system becomes weak. So in Panchkarma, medicated enema (Basti Chikitsa) and Snehapana (oleation) should be administered in the Rainy season.

हरेद्वसन्ते श्लेष्माणम् पित्तम् शरदि निर्ह्रेत् |
वर्षासु शमयेद्वायुम् प्राग् विकारसमुच्छ्रयात ||

(सुश्रुत संहिता 6/40)

CONCLUSION

The Monsoon brings relief from the heat of the summer and increases the beauty of nature. The rainy season cools the temperature of the environment and due to rain, the water level in the natural resources is increased. Rainwater helps in increasing soil fertility and helps in their growth process. But along with these benefits, it also generates many health problems. Immunity of the body is at its low level during the Rainy season. Also, moisture and humidity play a positive role in microorganism generation which are responsible for producing many diseases. Diet plays a major role in both healthy and diseased conditions. One can maintain good health by keeping a proper diet and on the other hand a poor and unhealthy diet can lead to the formation of many diseases. So diet regimen is the most important thing to maintain a good and healthy lifestyle. In Ayurveda, there is a special focus on diet regimen. Pathya (wholesome) Ahara (diet) and Vihara (lifestyles) as well as Apathya (unwholesome) Ahara (diet) and Vihara (lifestyle) for every disease are specially mentioned in Ayurveda. So, to prevent any disease one should maintain their diet healthy and according to season.