Monsoon Ayurveda Treatments along with Panchakarma
"VARSHA RITHU"
NATURE OF THE MONSOON SEASON
Karkataka chikitsa merely known as Monsoon treatments, have supreme importance,as the monsoon affects each of the doshas in the body in a different way.The rainy season makes everyone suffer from many health problems due to increased toxins in the body. The traditional Ayurvedic treatments done in monsoon season to maintain one's health at its best is called Karkataka Chikitsa (Monsoon Treatments).
When the rain falls into the hot summer, earth increases the Amlata (acidity) in all food material, water, vegetables etc... This aggravates pitta dosha, causing fever, digestive problems and then the contaminated water and food with cold climate aggravates Kapha dosha causing cold, cough, allergy, skin diseases. To prevent these, Ayurveda advice the course of Ayurveda therapy called Karkataka Chikitsa.
STATE OF TRI DOSHA & AGNI DURING MONSOON SEASON
Vata is naturally predominant in this season. Vata gets aggravated, Pitta accumulates & Kapha has no much interference during this season. Agni further get weakens. So one should take easily digestable foods. As disturbance of Agni is prominent & the strength is less, digestives and carminatives should be taken. Hence the regimens are focused to balance all humors and aid digestion.
KARKIDAKA KANJI BENEFITS
With heavy rain, the temperature goes down that makes the body to fight diseases difficult. Immunity is low at this point and our body needs proper diet and treatments designed for this tough time to battle all kinds of diseases.
Karkidaka Kanji and Karkidaka Chikitsa are two integral parts of Karkidakam to have a healthy body during the monsoon seasons.
This kanji is a unique combination of herbs, spices, and grains that would keep the monsoon fevers at bay and prevent you against some of the common diseases of the rainy season like arthritis etc. This is a special diet in Ayurveda which is good for the people of all age groups as it helps to improve the immunity of the body and acts as a detoxifying agent.
PREPARATION OF KARKIDAKA KANJI
Porridge For Rainy Days also known as Oushadha Kanji/ Karkidaka Kanji is a medicinal rice soup and a traditional item of Kerala during the rainy days. As said above, the preparation of Karkidaka Kanji does not have a strict recipe, but there are certain Karkidaka Kanji plants advised to be mixed with the Kanji to get the best benefits. Karkidaka Kanji ingredients based on Ayurvedic texts use Njavara rice, the same rice used for massages.
INGREDIENTS:
Shashtika Shali (Red rice) - 100 gms
Chandrashoora (Garden cress) - 10 gms
Dashamoola Choorna - 5 gms
Trikatu Choorna - 5 gms
Dashapushpa Choorna - 10 gms
Broken rice - 10 gms
Medhika (Fenugreek) - 10 gms
Jeeraka (Cumin) - 10 gms
Coconut milk - Quantity sufficient
Jaggery - Quantity sufficient
Water - Quantity sufficient
DASHAMOOLA -
Bilwa (Aegle marmalos)
Agnimantha (Clerodoendrum phlomidis)
Syonaka (Oroxylum indicum)
Patala (Stereospermum saveolens)
Gambhari (Gmelina arborea)
Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris)
Brihati (Solanum indicum)
Kantakari (Solanum surattens)
Sali parni (Desmodium gangeticum)
Prisni parni (Uraria picta)
TRIKATU -
Pippali (Piper longum)
Maricha (Piper nigrum)
Shunti (Zingiber officinalis) *
DASHAPUSHPA -
Viparita lajjalu (Biophytum candolleanum)
Bhadra (Aerva lanata)
Sakralata (Cardiospermum halicabum)
Lakshmana (Ipomea serpiania)
Sahadevi (Vernonia cineria)
Durva (Cynodon dactylon)
Musali (Curculigo orchioides)
Vishnukranti (Evolvulus alsinoides)
Bhringaraja (Eclipta alba)
Sasasruti (Emilia sonchifolia)
PREPARATION:
Boil 1 glass of water with 10 gms Dashamoola Choorna. Add 100 gms of red rice to it & continue boiling by adding Jeeraka, Trikatu Choorna, Medhika, Broken rice. Once the rice gets cooked add Dashapushpa powder/extract along with sufficient quantity of Coconut Milk & Jaggery. Serve when hot to get complete result once in a day during Monsoon season.
What should we eat in Ayurveda for rainy season?
In Ayurveda, the rainy season is considered to be dominated by the elements of water and earth, and it's believed that our digestion tends to weaken during this time. Therefore, it's recommended to consume foods that are light, warm, and easy to digest
Foods like warmed and spicy soups
Cooked vegetables
Ghee
Warm herbal tea with cinnamon ,ginger ,cardomum
Avoid cold ,heavy and ily foods
Eat seasonal fresh fruits
Stay hydrated
Avoid excess use of salt and oily foods
Remember, these are general guidelines can vary with each individual , and it's important to listen to your body and make choices that suit your individual constitution and health needs. Consulting with an Ayurvedic practitioner can provide personalized recommendations based on your specific dosha and imbalances
Which is the best season for Ayurvedic treatment?
In Ayurveda, depending on the individual's constitution and specific health concerns each treatment differs However, the spring and autumn seasons are generally considered to be the best times for therapies
Spring season
Due to natural increase in moisture and heaviness which increases kapha ,ayurvedic treatment focuses more on cleansing and detoxification to balance kapha in spring season
Autumn season
Since there is a transition from hot to humid weather,vata tends to aggravate leading to
dry skin, joint pain, and digestive issues.So treatments during autumn aim to pacify Vata dosha. This may involve nourishing therapies like Abhyanga (oil massage), Shirodhara (oil pouring on the forehead), and consuming warm, nourishing foods and herbal teas
Its essential to consider individual factors such as one's constitution (dosha), current health condition, and any specific imbalances or ailments.
What are the benefits of monsoon Ayurveda?
Monsoon Ayurveda offers several benefits maintaining a balance like
Detoxification
Ayurvedic treatments and therapies during this time focus on detoxifying the body, eliminating accumulated toxins(tend to get aggravated due to the damp and humid condition)and supporting the natural cleansing mechanisms of the body
Digestion
Weakened agni during the rainy season, leads to mandagni indigestion, and constipation. Monsoon Ayurveda emphasizes dietary and lifestyle practices that strengthen digestion, such as consuming warm, light, and easily digestible foods, staying hydrated, and avoiding heavy or oily foods
Dosha balance
Monsoon Ayurveda aims to balance the doshas during this time, preventing dosha aggravation and associated symptoms.
Boosts immunity
Ayurvedic herbs, dietary recommendations, and lifestyle practices recommended during this time help strengthen the immune system, and promotes resistance against common monsoon ailments
Nourishment and rejuvenation
Ayurveda practices such as oil massages (Abhyanga), herbal steam therapies, and rejuvenating herbal supplements to enhance vitality and energy levels
Mind body harmony
Mindfulness, meditation, and pranayama , helps individuals to maintain a sense of calm and balance amidst the seasonal changes
What are the health benefits of Karkidakam?
Karkidakam, also known as the Malayalam month of Karkidakam, falls during the monsoon season in Kerala
Karkidakam in Ayurveda is considered an auspicious time for focusing on health and well-being, with practices aimed at detoxification, immunity enhancement, disease prevention, and promoting balance and vitality in the body and mind
What should we eat in Ayurveda rainy season?
During rainy season its recommended to eat foods which support digestion, immunity, and overall well-being. Here are some dietary guidelines for the rainy season in Ayurveda
Warm and light foods ,seasonal veggies , lighter grains ,spices which enhances digestion ,fresh fruits ,herbal teas etc
How do you control Vata in rainy season?
As the rainy season tends to aggravate Vata dosha due to its qualities of cold, dampness, and instability,few tips to balance vata is
Stay warm
Take warm and spicy food
Establish a regular routine
Take adequate rest
Avoid exposure to dry weather
Practise abhyangam daily
Stay hydrated
Relax and do pranayama on daily basis
What To Avoid During the Monsoon?
Certain foods that you follow can cause imbalance with the doshas which can cause trouble during monsoon like
Excessd diary foods
Uncooked and unhygienic ,reheated or refrigerated food ,raw foods
Heavy and oily,fried food ,stale and left over food
Cold drinks ,cold beverages
Alcohol
Heavy exertion
Exposure to cold wind or damp weather
Following a proper routine and hygiene