Ayurveda Food in Late Winter and Spring

The cold is still more severe in Shishir (Winter) than in Hemant (Autumn) and accumulation of Kapha starts during this period.

Though it is the starting season of Adankal, still the body-strength is good and other doshas are in balanced condition (samyavastha). The agni is still optimum, but one should take cognizance of severe cold in the atmosphere.

Most dietary advices remain the same as that for Hemant Ritu, the only change in the selection should be about the potency of food items. Instead of cold potency, the food products of hot potency (heat generating) should be selected, to counteract the excessive cold. These include stuffed brinjals (bharta), rice with moong dal and chapatti’s stuffed with jiggery and sesame seeds. The bhakris made of bajra with large amounts of butter or ghee are ideal at this time. Jaggery and sesame (Tila) are unctuous (snigdha) and hot (ushna) in attributes. The non-vegetarians should enjoy and relish with mutton, eggs and meat. In general, diet should be heavy (guru), unctuous and hot in attributes.
Hot water bath is preferred and drinking water should also be hot. One should protect with warm clothing, room-heaters and should practice heavy exercises.

VASANTA RITU (SPRING)

Uttarayana already sets in with Shishir, and in Vasanta, the day becomes longer than night. Obviously, gradually the strong sun-shine begins to liquefy the accumulated kapha which then starts its work of vitiating the digestive power of its host. The atmosphere becomes full of fragrance, with the blossoms of various flowers.

Heavy foods like eggs, chicken, sweetmeats and milk, bananas & dry fruits now should be avoided. To avoid kapha, instead of rice, wheat should be consumed more. The fresh food grains aggravate kapha and cause blockades in the channels (srotasas), hence bitter, pungent and astringent tastes should be added, to curb the effect of kapha. Incorporation of ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, garlic, asafoetida, chilly and mustard in daily diet will be beneficial to stoke agni and alleviate kapha. Oils should be preferred over ghee. Buttermilk and milk will be better than curds. Intake of honey is advisable. Therapeutic fasting is recommended in this season. Boiled and then cooled water should be used for drinking. Optimum amount of mild wines (Drakshasava) are beneficial. In general, moderate amount of diet, avoiding sleep during the day and practicing moderate exercise is recommended.

Asthma, influenza, sinusitis, cough and cold like kapha disorders are commonly sought during this season. At the onset of Vasant ritu, prophylactic emesis (vaman), one of the procedures of panchakarma. is advocated to get rid of kapha. Nasal administration Nasya of Vacha taila is recommended to keep the sinuses clean.