As per Ayurveda Vasant Ritu (Spring Season) is going on. As mentioned in the Puranic Vedic Book in Hindi Language ‘Devi Sanatan Amrit’ (available on Amazon), Page no 503-505 and other Ayurveda Text Books , this season falls in the middle part of Uttarayan (Also known as Aadaan Kaal) wherein the physical and mental strength of all living beings is medium. During this season there is a natural tendency towards increase in Kapha (Phlegm) Dosha, as during this season , the Kapha (Phlegm) accumulated during winter season, irritated by the strong rays of the sun melts and disturbs the body-heat and thus causes many diseases.
Common health conditions faced during this period are flu-like symptoms (COVID-19 is a more serious form of flu) , cough, cold, fever, tonsillitis, respiratory disorders, asthma, allergies, indigestion, low stomach acid, constipation, lethargy etc.
As per Ayurveda, Sleeping in the afternoon can increase Kapha (Phlegm) and Kapha (Phlegm ) is linked with flu and also Kapha (Phlegm ) Sthana (Place) in the body is the chest region, which gets affected by flu. So sleeping during the afternoon can increase your chances of complications with flu, as it can increase Kapha (Phlegm) .
Dincharya & Ritucharya (Daily routine & Seasonal Regimen) for Vasant Ritu:
1) Caution with Spices: Spices like Haldi (Turmeric), Jeera (Cumin), Dhaniya (Coriander), Adrak (Ginger), Lahsun (Garlic), and Black pepper are recommended in cooking. However, these spices should only be consumed if they are compliant as per one’s Ayurveda body type. Using them just because they have been suggested for flu, without taking into account whether they are compliant to one’s Ayurveda body type or not can cause havoc on one’s health. Hence please follow below recommendations for spices.
Spices allowed for Vata Ayurveda Body Type Individual: Caraway Seeds( Ajwain), Fenugreek Seeds ( Methi Dana), Fennel ( Saunf), Bay Leaf ( Tej Patta), Holy Basil (Tulsi), Cardamom ( Elaichi). Cinnamon (Dalchini), Cumin Seeds (jeera), Cooked Garlic, Coriander, Licorice (Mulethi), Mustard Seeds ( Sarson), Saffron ( Kesar), All types of salts, Poppy Seeds ( Khus Khus ) Mint leaves (Pudina), Star Anise ( Chakra Phool) , Nigella Seeds ( Kalonji), Black Pepper seeds.
Spices allowed for Pitta Ayurveda Body Type Individual: Fennel seeds, cloves(in less quantity) , turmeric, mint, Licorice, cinnamon, Coriander, cumin (in less quantity), cardamom, cilantro. Pitta Individuals should strictly avoid the general recommendations prevailing on the internet and other social media platforms of eating black pepper, ginger, garlic and other heaty herbs and spices. Consuming these may increase inflammation in the body which may increase the chances of infection and it’s complications. Consult with your Doctor before using heaty herbs and spices.
Spices allowed for Kapha Ayurveda Body Type Individual: Caraway seeds, tulsi (holy basil), cinnamon, cloves, cumin seeds, dried coriander seeds, saunf (anise seeds), ginger, garlic, neem leaves, asafoetida, mint leaves, pippali(piper longum), keshar(saffron strands), trikatu (mixture of dried ginger, black pepper and piper longum), turmeric, red chilli, fenugreek seeds, mustard seeds, black pepper.
2) Ayurvedic Immunity Promoting Measures:
3) Basic and most important rules to be followed: During this season a heavy, sour, fatty and sweet diet, as well as day-sleep should be avoided. Eg of such foods are deep fried foods, sugar candies, chocolates, tamarind, pickles, curd , all types of sugars etc should be avoided. Also cold beverages like aerated drinks, cold fruit juices, sharbats, ice cream , foods that give you any discomfort etc. should be avoided because they increase Kapha (Phlegm) Dosha .
4) Dry Massaging (Ruksha Udvartana) : Dry Massaging the body using medicated powders ( churnas) may help.
– For people with Kapha Ayurveda body type using Triphala Choorna, Amalaki churna, Haritaki churna, Bibhitaki churna,Pushkarmula churna, Yava churna, Vacha Churna for dry massage is beneficial.
-For people with Pitta Ayurveda body type should use Amalaki churna, Licorice or Yashtimadhu churna, Rose petals churna, Neem churna, Sariva churna, White Sandalwood churna , Red Sandalwood churna, Ushira churna, Turmeric (Haldi) churna for dry massage.
– Dry massage is not indicated for a Vata Ayurveda Body Type Individual.
5) Regular Physical Exercise: One should indulge in regular physical exercise like Surya Namaskar, Danda Baithak, Shakti Healing exercises etc based on one’s physical strength and tolerance.
6) Nasal rinse with saline water (nasal irrigation using neti pot), steam inhalation, gargles may help.
– Kapha Ayurveda body type and Vata Ayurveda body type individuals can use lukewarm salt water with a pinch of turmeric for gargling.
– Pitta Ayurveda body type individuals should avoid steam inhalation unless advised by a Medical Practitioner .
Benefits: Nasal rinsing and gargling may wash away the virus, bacteria or any foreign body and help clean your nasal tissue and throat area. Steam inhalation may loosen the mucus in the chest and may help in breathing more easily.
7) Application of paste of karpura, sandal and aguru on the body is advisable for Kapha Ayurveda body type and Pitta Ayurveda body type individuals. Vata Ayurveda body type individuals should avoid this.
Benefits: These herbs are antimicrobial. Hence they may reduce the bio-burden on the body.
8) Diet: Diet should mainly consist of easy to digest HAIP (Healthy Anti-Inflammatory Protocol ) compliant foods which should be Gluten free, Dairy free and sugar free suitable for your Ayurveda body type. If you have any chronic illness it may be due to your wrong eating habits, mostly related to eating foods not recommended for your Ayurvedic Body type . Hence it is recommended that you eat food as per your Ayurveda body type which reduces inflammation, as mentioned in the Book ‘Devi Sanatan Amrit’.
9) Daily Intermittent fasting of 16 to 18 hours: If you want to improve your immune health, and if your doctor permits, you should follow Intermittent Fasting. It is recommended to have a maximum of two meals a day with fasting of 16 to 18 Hrs . Fasting triggers autophagy which is very helpful to kill germs and rejuvenate your body’s defence mechanism which may prepare you to fight any infection.
10) Daily practice of Yoga Asanas , Pranayama and meditation for at least 30 minutes is advisable as this can relax your body and boost immunity . Going out and walking is not recommended during this time .
11) Strict Home Isolation: Looking at the current health crisis caused by flu , one should practise total Home Isolation as mentioned in Ayurveda TextBook Sushrut Samhita Chapter 6.
12) Sleep around 10 pm : It is recommended to sleep around 10 pm which helps the body to produce Melatonin which is a natural antioxidant and Antiviral.
13) Simple Ayurvedic Procedures:
14) Drink herbal tea / decoction:
1) Decoction (Kadha) made from Tulsi (Basil), Dalchini (Cinnamon), Kalimirch (Black pepper), Shunthi (Dry Ginger) and Munakka (Raisin): once or twice a day. Add fresh lemon juice to your taste, if needed.
Warning : This is indicated only for Kapha and Vata Ayurveda Body Type individuals.
2) Pitta Ayurveda Body Type individuals can have Chamomile tea, Green tea or Cinnamon tea
3) Golden Milk ( Dairy Free): Half teaspoon Haldi (turmeric) in 200 ml coconut milk suitable for all Ayurveda body types.
Benefits: These herbal teas are natural antioxidants which may help in reducing the inflammation, thus reducing disease complications along with various other benefits according to the tea chosen.
15) Havan : Havan with Cow Dung may help to reduce the microbial load and adding Cow Ghee strengthens the Person, his/her family and society.
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The above measures can be followed to the extent possible as per an individual’s convenience.