With the monsoons overtaking India from July to September, it comes with many challenges especially related to health around the country. In our fast moving lives, we usually tend to become ignorant to our health, which in today’s scenario is very important to look after. Our Ayurvedic expert, Dr. Rajyalakshmi Madhavam, MD Ayurveda, Professor at AMD Ayurvedic Medical College, Hyderabad says, “According to Ayurvedic classics, body strength and digestive power of an individual is weak in the beginning of ‘Visarga Kala’ i.e. in Varsha Ritu. Due to increased Amlatva (Acidity) in Nature (Water and Environment) and increased moisture in air, Vata gets aggravated and Pitta becomes accumulated”.
“Ayurveda says there is weak digestive power, hampered body strength and low immunity in this season which leads to many ailments,” she says. Therefore, Dr. Rajyalakshmi suggests some Ayurvedic tips related to Ahar (Diet) and Vihar (Lifestyle):
Ahar or Daily Food Intake:
What to Include?
- Easily digestible food
- Freshly prepared and warm food. You may consume fresh vegetables in the form of soups and curries.
- Spices like Kali Mirch (black pepper) and Adrak (ginger) to food, in order to promote digestion.
- Drink clean and boil water. You can also add a little Honey once the water comes to normal temperature and consume it.
- Consume a small piece of fresh Ginger with 3 gms of Sendha Namak (rock salt), 30 mins prior to every meal.
- Lean meat can be consumed moderately.
- You can add Moong Dal (green gram), Jau (barley), Gehoon (wheat) to your diet. Cow’s ghee can also be included.
- Intake of thin buttermilk along with asafoetida and ginger is recommended.
What to Avoid?
- Ice cold liquids and cold foods like ice creams, etc.
- Heavy food, fast food, curd, fatty meat and seafood.
- Spicy and sour foods
- Consumption of excess fluids as it hampers metabolism
- Uncooked, raw and leafy vegetables.
- Excessive amounts of protein foods like chana dal, rajma and urad dal.
Vihar or Daily Regime
- Mild fasting is advised to reset the digestive system.
- Bathe regularly with lukewarm water
- Keep your surrounding dry and clean
- Avoid strenuous exercises
- In Ayurveda, day time sleeping is contraindicated
- Avoid mosquitoes by taking care of the stagnant water around you.
- Maintain a proper personal hygiene
- Body massage with sesame oil is good
- Detox your body with vasti treatment (Therapeutic Enema) during this season.
With a pandemic right outside our doors, it is now even more important for us to take care of our health and have a better immunity to fight infections. There are also several Ayurvedic medicines like Bhaskaralavana, Hingwastak churna, Haritaki churna, etc. which are beneficial during the monsoon season. However, they should be consumed only after consulting a physician. Therefore, following these practises will be helpful and will keep you fit during the season.
