Ayurvedic Monsoon Wellness: Stay Healthy with Ayurveda & Wellness Tips

Bhadra Teja Ayurveda
Jun 29
5 min read

STAY HEALTHY THIS MONSOON WITH AYURVEDA

SARVAE BHAVANTHU SUKHINAHA: SARVAE SANTHU NIRAMAYA:

Varsha Ritu, the enchanting monsoon season, graces between June and September, characterised by an increase in humidity, heavy rainfall, and temperature fluctuation. In this season, the weak digestive fire and the vitiated doshas weaken the immunity and thereby prone to infections.

Therefore, to maintain balance and health during this season, Ayurveda provides specific dietary and lifestyle modifications.

THE ROLE OF DOSHAS IN VARSHA RITHU

In Ayurveda, the monsoon season is considered a time when the doshas are most likely to be aggravated. VATA, associated with air and space, becomes unstable due to damp and cold weather, while KAPHA, related to earth and water, can accumulate due to increased humidity.

MANAGING SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDERS WITH AYURVEDA

By following the key aspects of Varsha Ritu Charya, which include

Diet:

· Eating light, warm, easily digestible foods.

· Include spices like ginger (3-4 grams per day for adults and 1 gram per day for pregnant women), black pepper (2-4 grams per day), and turmeric (6-8 grams per day) to support digestion.

Lifestyle:

· Practicing regular physical activity like walking for half an hour daily, YOGA (TADASANA, VRKSASANA, HALASANA, etc.) to keep the body and mind calm.

· Stay dry and avoid getting wet to prevent dampness and cold from affecting the body.

Sleep:

· Get adequate and restful sleep to maintain a healthy body and mind.

Stress management:

· YOGA or meditation (20-30 minutes daily) to balance the body and mind.

Other practices:

· DHOOPANA (fumigation with turmeric stick), ABHYANGA (oil massage), and specific ayurvedic therapies like GANDUSHA (oil pulling), etc., are also beneficial.

Avoiding:

· Overexposure to the sun will lead to hyperpigmentation and premature aging.

· Excessive sexual indulgence can increase the risk of vaginal infections due to humid environment leading to increased growth of bacteria and fungi.

· Sleeping during the day leads to fatigue, sluggishness, and disrupts the natural sleep-wake cycle.

· Eating late at night increases the risk of digestive issues and can disrupt sleep patterns, contributing to weight gain.

· Exertion, heavy exercise, to be avoided as it will increase VATA dosha, causing skin irritation, discomfort, and lethargy.

· Seafoods like crabs, oysters, shrimp, prawns, mushrooms, heavy, fried, fast foods, yeasted bread, frozen and dry vegetables, pickles, hot, sour, and spicy foods like grilled chicken, pizza, burgers, etc.

· Curd, powdered milk, raw salads containing leafy greens like cabbage, lettuce, cauliflower, broccoli.

· Walking barefoot and drenched in rain leads to increased risk of foot infection like athlete’s foot, fungal nail infections, bacterial folliculitis or cellulitis.

· Drinking cold water, river water leads to increased risk of waterborne diseases like cholera, diarrhoea, typhoid, amoebiasis, hepatitis, gastroenteritis, giardiasis, scabies and worm infections.

PANCHAKARMA FOR DETOXIFICATION - KARKITAKA CHIKITSA

A traditional Ayurvedic practice done particularly during the KARKITAKA month [monsoon season in Kerala].

The aim is to detoxify and rejuvenate the body due to the increased humidity and cool environment.

Key aspects:

It includes Panchakarma procedures, dietary modifications like KARKITAKA KANJI (Herb-mix rice gruel to be taken along with Coconut milk, Ghee, and Salt or Jaggery) to be taken in the early morning on an empty stomach, which acts as a detoxifying agent. Its digestive properties aid effectively in digestion, promote gut health, and overall well-being.

Bhadra Teja is at present preparing this specific nutritive combination, which is very effective for the body.

PATHILA Thoran (THAZHUTHAMA-Spreading Hog Weed, CHEMBILA-Small Colocassia leaves, PAYARILA-Cowpea leaves, KUMBALAMILA-Ash gourd leaves, MATHANILA-Pumpkin leaves

CHORIYANILA-Tragia involucrate, MULLAN CHEERA-Spiny Amaranth leaves, NEYYUNNI-Diplocyclos palmatus leaves, Thakara-Oval shaped Cassia leaves, Thalu-Wild Colocasia leaves).

It balances the doshas, detoxifies the body. It is rich in nutrients and minerals.

How to use: The leaves are thoroughly washed, finely chopped. Cook it with coconut oil, mustard seeds, curry leaves, and green chillies. Add a small amount of water, turmeric powder, salt, and grated coconut, allow to boil until the water evaporates; serve it with rice or rice gruel.

Benefits

Detoxification, rejuvenation, enhanced immunity, digestive booster, promotes good sleep, relief from musculoskeletal pain, and balances the doshas.

SPECIAL MONSOON PANCHAKARMA TREATMENTS

The main objective is to rejuvenate the Body, Prana, and Mind.

Detoxifies and deeply cleanses the body.

Reinforces the immunity; leaves the body healthier, stronger, and free from chronic illness.

Procedures included in Panchakarma treatments:

There are basically 3 treatments

1. POORVA KARMA (Preparatory Procedures)-DEEPANA -PACHANA Chikitsa, SNEHANA, SWEDANA.

2. PRADHANA KARMAS (5 KARMAS)-VAMANA, VIRECHANA, ASTHAPANA VASTHI, ANUVASANA VASTHI, NASYA.

3. PASCHAT KARMA (Post Procedures)-SAMSARJANAM, Drugs and Regimen.

IMPORTANCE OF DINACHARYA TO BALANCE THE DOSHAS

· Wake up early.

· Abhyanga with warm oil.

· Mild exercise and yoga to be done for 20 -30 minutes.

· Herbal teas like infused Ginger, Thulsi, or Turmeric powder, and salted turmeric warm water for gargling.

· Steam inhalation with thulsi leaves

· Pranayama like Bhasthrika Pranayama, Nadi Shodhana Pranayama, etc.

· Meditation for mental calmness, like Mindfulness meditation, Guided meditation, and Loving-kindness meditation.

Aromatherapy :

Use of Sandalwood, Eucalyptus, Dhoopa choornas like APARAJITHA DHOOPA CHOORNA to create a calm atmosphere.

HOW DOES MONSOON AFFECT MENTAL HEALTH

· Monsoon season with its heavy rainfall and reduced sunlight can impact mental health, triggering symptoms like SAD (Seasonal Affective disorders), causing Mood swings, Anxiety, Stress, feeling of Fatigue, Lethargy etc.

· Increased humidity leads to physical illness and discomfort, leading to waterborne diseases, contributing to Fatigue and Irritability.

· Holistic approach to mental wellness.

Self-care practices like regular exercise, healthy eating, and adequate sleep.

Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques like Yoga (Vajrasana), Meditation, or Deep Breathing ( minimum for 10 minutes) that can help manage stress and improve mood.

YOGA PRACTICES TO REGULATE THE BODY AND MIND:

During the rainy season, gentle Yoga practices like grounding and Calming Poses, along with Pranayama and Meditation, can help rejuvenate the body and mind. These practices will calm the VATA dosha, thereby promoting health and balancing the body.

Detailed look at Yogic practices during Varsha rithu:

·Grounding Poses:

Tadasana, Vrksasana, Sukhasana—promote stability.

·Balancing Poses:

Balancing on one foot leads to stability.

·Gentle, slow, and controlled asanas; avoiding excessive strain, or repetitive, fast-paced asanas.

·Forward bends like Uttanasana release tension in the back and spine.

·Reverse Poses:

Halasana, Sarvangasana stimulate the thyroid gland and calm the mind.

·Child’s pose-Balasana helps to calm the body and mind and alleviate stress.

Pranayama (Breathing exercises):

·Bhastrika Pranayama-Increase vital energy and stimulate digestion.

·Nadi Shodhana Pranayama-calm the mind and balance the doshas.

·Ujjayi Pranayama-Soothes and calms body and mind.

·Meditation:

· Mindfulness meditation

·Guided meditation-relax the mind and reduce stress.

AYURVEDIC WELLNESS TIPS

Consume warm water infused with ginger and honey for immunity.
Intake of soups made of pulses like green gram, split moong dal.
Include Seasonal fruits like mango, pomegranate, jackfruit, apple, pear, etc and cooked vegetables like pumpkin, gourd, carrot, beetroot etc.
Consume easily digestible grains like rice, wheat, and barley.
Usage of spices like cumin, black pepper, turmeric, etc.
Usage of buttermilk mixed with rock salt.
Boil water with PANCHAKOLA powder to promote digestion.
Boil water with INDUKANTHA Kashaya Churna and GUDUCHYADI Kashaya Churna for an immunity boost.
Rice prepared with Karkidaka Kanji Kootu is advised.
Engage in moderate exercise such as indoor workout, Yoga, Pranayama, etc.
Maintain clean and well-ventilated surroundings; fumigate with APARAJITHA DHOOPA CHURNA.
ABHYANGA (oil massage) followed by a bath in lukewarm water is performed.
Ayurveda recommends Panchakarma treatment during this season since moisture opens up the pores in the skin, making it receptive to therapies.