Grishma Ritu (Summer Season) According to Ayurveda

Ayurvedic Concept on Grishma Ritu (Summer Seasons)  

According to the Ayurvedic Acharyas, Ahara (diet), Nidra (sleep), and Brahmacarya (abstinence) is recognized as the three Upasthambhas (sub pillars) is very essential for the smooth running of life especially in the Grishma Ritu (summer season).

The Ayurveda concept is to maintain a good and healthy life. For seeking this object, a proper Ahara (diet), and Vihara (lifestyle) to be followed according to the different seasons.

As we all know Ahara (diet) is the main basis of life, which should be taken in proper quantity, form, and quality to maintain equilibrium in the body and to promote strength, luster, and healthy long lives.

Health is a state of equilibrium between man and environment is known as ‘Loka-Purusha Samya’. But when this state gets disturbed, doshas get imbalanced and cause the formation of various diseases. Because our body is based on Vata, Pitta, and Kapha Prakriti.

Ayurveda says that every individual has different Prakritis and has different needs. Each body type requires foods according to their body constituents that support their innate nature more than others. Our body is affected by Season, Climate, Weather, and the Current State of Health.

Six Rasas (Tastes) and the Doshas:

There are six rasas described in Ayurvedic texts, these are:

1. Madhura rasa (sweet taste): It mainly composed of the Earth and Water elements. The sweet taste pacifies Pitta and Vata dosha and aggravates Kapha dosha.

2. Amla rasa (sour taste): It is composed of Earth and Fire elements. This rasa aggravates Pitta and Kapha dosha and pacifies Vata dosha.

3. Lavana rasa (salty taste): Lavana rasa is composed of Fire and Water elements. Lavana rasa aggravates Pitta and Kapha dosha and pacifies Vata dosha.

4. Katu rasa(pungent taste): It is composed of the Air and Fire elements and pacifies Kapha and aggravates Pitta dosha and Vata dosha.

5. Tikta rasa (bitter taste): Tikta rasa is composed of the elements of Air and Space or ether. This pacifies both Pitta and Kapha and aggravates Vata dosha.

6. Kashayarasa (astringent taste): It mainly composed of Air and Earth elements. Kashaya rasa pacifies both Pitta and Kapha and aggravates Vata dosha.

Understanding of these six rasas and their effect on doshas are very important that will help you to make the right dietary choices according to your body constituents.

Six seasons according to the Ayurveda:

इह खलु संवत्सरं षडङ्गमृतुविभागेन विद्यात्|

तत्रादित्यस्योदगयनमादानं च त्रीनृतूञ्छिशिरादीन् ग्रीष्मान्तान् व्यवस्येत्, वर्षादीन् पुनर्हेमन्तान्तान् दक्षिणायनं विसर्गं च||४||

A Samvatsara (year) is divided into six parts by the seasons. When the Sun is in northward position to the Earth, that year is called an Adana Kala, and consists of three Ritu starting from Shishir ritu, Vasant ritu, and, Grishma ritu.

When the Sun is in a position of southwards of the Earth, that period is called a Visarga Kala and includes three ritu named as Varsha ritu, Sharad ritu, and Hemanta ritu. This is mainly for the purpose of Swasthavritta (healthy regimen) in different seasons.

Adana Kala and Visarga Kala:

विसर्गे पुनर्वायवो नातिरूक्षाः प्रवान्ति, इतरे पुनरादाने; सोमश्चाव्याहतबलः शिशिराभिर्भाभिरापूरयञ्जगदाप्याययति शश्वत्, अतो विसर्गः सौम्यः| आदानं पुनराग्नेयं; तावेतावर्कवायू सोमश्च कालस्वभावमार्गपरिगृहीताः कालर्तुरसदोषदेहबलनिर्वृत्तिप्रत्ययभूताःसमुपदिश्यन्ते||५|| 

In Visarga Kala (period of emission) the wind is not as dry as compared to Adana Kala, and moon is dominant, it continuously replenishes/delights the world with its cooling rays. Hence, this time period is inherently soothing (Sheeta).

On the other hand, Adana Kala is inherently hot (Ushna). The wind, sun, and moon all governed by time, and the path they follow in a year is responsible for different variations of Dosha, Rasa, Kala, Ritu, and Deha Bala.

Diet and Lifestyle in Summer Seasons (Grishma Ritu):

मयूखैर्जगतः स्नेहं ग्रीष्मे पेपीयते रविः| स्वादु शीतं द्रवं स्निग्धमन्नपानं तदा हितम्||२७||

In the summer season, Sun is excessive dries up the whole environment. So, in this season, take sweet, cold food and drinks, liquid and unctuous products.

Diet and Beverages in Summer Season (Grishma Ritu):

शीतं सशर्करं मन्थं जाङ्गलान्मृगपक्षिणः| घृतं पयः सशाल्यन्नं भजन् ग्रीष्मे न सीदति||२८||

In the summer season (Grishma Ritu), an individual can take cold and sweet mantha (a type of liquid diet), the meat of wild birds and animals, pure ghee, milk with shashtik shali rice.

Contra-Indications in Summer Season (Grishma Ritu):

मद्यमल्पं न वा पेयमथवा सुबहूदकम्| लवणाम्लकटूष्णानि व्यायामं च विवर्जयेत् ||२९||

Reduce the intake of Alcoholic beverages or should not be consumed at all, or if taken, it should be diluted with plenty of water. In Ayurvedic texts, Acharyas mentioned some food to avoid in the summer season. Avoid the consumption of salty, sour, pungent, and hot food, and avoid various physical exercises.

Lifestyle in Summer Season (Grishma Ritu):

दिवा शीतगृहे निद्रां निशि चन्द्रांशुशीतले| भजेच्चन्दनदिग्धाङ्गः प्रवाते हर्म्यमस्तके||३०||

 It is clearly mentioned in the Ayurvedic texts, during the daytime, a person should sleep in a cool shelter and during night sleep in the airy roof/terrace of the house which is cooled by the moon-rays after applying a paste of Chandan (Santalum album) all over the body.

व्यजनैः पाणिसंस्पर्शैश्चन्दनोदकशीतलैः| सेव्यमानो भजेदास्यां मुक्तामणिविभूषितः||३१||

A person should be seated on a surface decorated with pearls and gems.

काननानि च शीतानि जलानि कुसुमानि च| ग्रीष्मकाले निषेवेत मैथुनाद्विरतो नरः||३२||

In the summer season (Grishma Ritu), a person can enjoy the coolness of gardens, flowers, cold water, and should abstain from sexual intercourse.

According to Ayurveda, persons who have Pitta dominating Prakriti have to give more attention in their diet and lifestyle activities particularly in the Grishma Ritu, (summer season) because Katu ras (pungent taste) is more dominant in the whole environment.

There are some particularly foods to avoid in the summer season for the pitta dominating persons. Those persons strictly avoid oily, fried, pungent, sour, salty food, and carbonated drinks.

Therefore, persons who have Vata dominant Prakriti can take cold food along with unctuous and heavy food in moderate quantity.

Don’t consume an excessive quantity of chilled juices, cold water, carbonated drinks, cold foods because they can decrease the power of the digestive system and form excess toxins in the body, which further leads to the formation of various diseases.

Ayurvedic products from DEEP AYURVEDA:

Also, a person can take some Ayurvedic herbs that help a person in multiple ways to get rid of summer problems.

Deep Ayurveda manufactures Ayurvedic products that can be taken by any age of a person and the entire product is result-oriented.

We use 100% extract-based, free from side effects, made from pure and natural herbs, manufactured by following the guidelines of Ayurveda and by the experienced Doctors of Deep Ayurveda.

The following are some of the products that are very beneficial to every individual.

Description of each product is given below: 

Neem Herbal Capsule:

Neem is one of the natural Pitta pacifying and amazing herbs that are well known for its antiseptic, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Neem herbal capsules are 100% extract-based formulation that will help to purify blood, complexion, and provide natural skin.

Hence, it is cool in nature that heals wounds and corrects complexion. Neem is also worked wonder in the conditions like skin rashes, sunburn, infections, etc.

Amla Herbal Capsule:

Amla or Indian gooseberry is rich in vitamin C, and it is a wonder herb in the books of Ayurveda. Amla fruit is consisting of polyphenols that nourish the skin, helps to fight the body heat, and instills coolness.

This capsule helps in the digestion problems like indigestion, belching, bloating, etc, and detoxifies the whole body. Amla capsules are 100% extract-based that can also be used to hydrate the skin and to aid blood purification.

It contains multiple nourishing properties that can cure multiple skin problems and body ailments that arise during the summer season.

Regular consumption of the amla capsule removes excess heat from the body and cools down the digestive system for better digestion aids.

Tulsi Herbal Capsule:

Tulsi herb is also called holy basil is one of the prime herbs in the Ayurvedic history, which is well-known to aid wellness. It acts as a natural detoxifying and boosts the immune system.

Tulsi herbal capsule act as a cleansing agent that remove the toxins from the blood. Additionally, tulsi has a sweet aroma that promotes wellness.

Regular consumption of the tulsi capsule regulates blood sugar, reduces stress, treats gastrointestinal disorders, and makes a body so strong that it can fight with various seasonal infections.

Triyog Herbal Capsule:

Triyog is an Ayurvedic formulation that is made up of three wonderful herbs – Amalaki, Bhibhitaki, and Harad.

Consumption of Triyog capsule removes excess toxins from the body, flushes out excess heat, and promotes a healthy healing process for the skin, and body. It induces coolness in the body that helps to fight against the summer heat better.

Giloy Herbal Capsule:

In Ayurveda, Giloy is termed as Amrita that contains multiple health benefits.

It contains anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidants, anti-pyretic, improves blood circulation, improves digestion and absorption power due to its Deepan (appetizer), and Pachan (digestive) properties which in turn prevent the formation of Ama.

Regular use of Giloy also lower the total cholesterol level in the liver and also improves the level of antioxidant enzymes and oxidative-stress markers thereby enhancing overall the functioning of the liver.

Ashwagandha Herbal capsule:

Ashwagandha is an ancient Ayurvedic herb that provides physical strength as well as mental strength.

Regular use of this capsule supports sustained energy levels, strength, vitality, restore balance in the body, boost your stamina, stimulates the immune system, improve blood circulation, communication between nerve cells and stimulates the body’s capacity to heal any nervous system damage.

Common Diet and Lifestyle precautions in Summer Searson (Grishma Ritu):

A person should follow a healthy summer diet to stay healthy and disease-free life. Here we mentioned some common precautions that every person should follow in their daily routine.

• A person can intake fresh and seasonal fruits and vegetables like tomato, cucumbers, eggplant, mushrooms, Brussels sprouts, red leaf lettuce, bottle gourd, ridge guard, pointed guard, etc., that are easy to digest and have cooling properties.
• Take a high amount of healthy food in your daily routine and consume fruits like apples, cranberries, lemon, pears, pomegranate, plums, watermelon, etc.
• Additionally, a person can do simple exercise or yoga daily for about 30-40 minutes.
• Keep yourself hydrated by taking coconut water, fresh juices, etc.
• Stay away from Alcohol and Caffeine.
• Stay in a cool and happy environment.
• Reduce the amount of salt, oily, fried, fast food, and carbonated drinks.

By adopting a good lifestyle, Ayurvedic herbs, and healthy food in the summer season, a person can overcome the problems of the summer season and boost their immunity from which they can prevent various seasonal cough, cold, allergies, and other diseases.

For more detail on Ayurvedic concept on Grishma Ritu (summer season), please visit our nearest clinic or if you want to consult with our Chief Ayurveda Consultant & Founder – Dr.Baldeep Kour then write with detail history at info@deepayurveda.com