Ayurveda, the Science of Life, has always put immense importance on maintaining health and preventing diseases by following proper diet and a lifestyle regimen, rather than the treatment and cure of the diseases. The basic principle followed in the Ayurvedic system of medicine is to “maintain the health of the healthy'' which translates to Swasthyashya Swasthya Rakshanam, rather than curing the diseases of the diseased. Prevention of diseases is primarily supported by strong immunity maintained through daily activities (Dinacharya) and seasonal practices (Ritucharya).
What does Ayurveda say about immunity?
As per a study conducted by the University of Cambridge in 2015, our immune systems vary with seasons due to its influence on our genes. Seasons have noticeable effects on our immune cells and also the composition of our blood and adipose tissue. The correlation between seasonal changes and immunity has been discussed extensively in Sara Sangraha, one of the referral ayurvedic texts. This is where the importance has come for daily activities (Dinacharya) and seasonal practices (Ritucharya) to manage changes.
Many other systems of medical science have observed the influence of seasonal rhythm in physical and mental health. To quote Hippocrates, “Whoever wishes to investigate medicine properly should proceed thus in the first place to consider the seasons of the year and what affect each of them produces.” In the Tibetan system of medicine, seasons are regarded as one of the fundamental factors in etiology and pathology, and a powerful instrument in the prevention of diseases.
The different seasons as per Ayurveda
In Ayurveda, the seasons have been divided into the northern solstice (Uttarayan) and the southern solstice (Dakshinayan) based on the sun’s trajectory. Both of these have three seasons each, which have a different impact on immunity.
Northern Solace (Uttarayana) and its effect
The northern solace (Uttarayana) indicates the ascent of the sun or northward movement of the sun. In this period the sun and the wind are powerful. The sun takes away the strength of the people and the cooling quality of the earth. It brings about dryness in the body and reduces the Bala (strength).
The period can be compared to mid-January to mid-July, when warmness and dryness in weather increases. It has an overall debilitating effect on the environment, to which human beings are also a part. One should consume foods like rice, sprouts, green vegetables and medicinal herbs like tulsi and neem.
Southern Solace (Dakshinayana) and its effect
The southern solace (Dakshinayana) indicates the descent of the sun or movement of the sun in the southern direction. In this period, the wind is not very dry; the moon is more powerful than the sun. The earth becomes cool due to the clouds, rain, and cold winds. Strength of person enhances during this period.
This period can be compared to mid-July to mid-January, when cool sets, and due to which anabolic activity dominates over the catabolic activity in the environment. It is advisable to consume barley, milk products, easily digestible cereals and edible fats.
Ayurvedic diet during specific seasons for better immunity
The Ayurvedic diet focuses on healthy and timely eating. The diet mainly talks about consuming seasonal foods that help enhance immunity. Each season has a combination of the primary elements and the food consumed should be in accordance with it.The trick here is to consume foods that are opposite in nature to the body composition or Doshas (vatta, pitta, kapha).
In Northern America specifically, with 4 primary seasons, the diet should be planned in accordance with the Doshas of the seasons to maintain a healthy living.
Spring
During this period, easily digestible foods should be consumed that pacify the Kapha dosha. The taste palette should be bitter and astringent and barley, rice, grams, honey, ginger, turmeric and fennel should be eaten.
During the season of spring or Vasanta (mid-March to mid-May), foods like cereals, old barley, wheat and rice are recommended. As for pulses, lentils and mugdha should be eaten. Foods tasting pungent, bitter and astringent should also be part of the diet, besides honey. Foods that are hard to digest should be avoided during this season and those that are shita (cold) guru (heavy), amla (sour) and madhura (sweet) are also not preferred.
Summer
The summer season brings in the sun at its peak and the body needs a lot of fluids to keep it cool. The digestion process gets slower and thus, needs accelerants like Ghee and Buttermilk. The ideal diet includes a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially those rich in antioxidants.
During the season summer of Grishma (mid-May to mid-July), foods that are light to digest are recommended including those that are sweet, unctuous, cold and fluid. Lentil and rice are to be eaten. One should also have plenty of water and other liquids like buttermilk and fruit juices. Foods that are pungent, sour and warm should be avoided.
Varsha (mid-July to mid-September) calls for sour, lavana (salty) and sneha (unctuous) to be eaten. Yusha (soup) is to be included in the diet. One should also take medicated or boiled water. Intake of excessive liquid and wine, and foods that are difficult to digest should be avoided.
Autumn
This season aggravates the Vata dosha and hence, easily digestible cereals should be eaten. Also, one should consume warm foods to balance the seasonal changes and lentils-based soups should be included in the diet.
During the season of Autumn or Sharat (mid-September to mid-November), it is advised to have foods that are sweet, bitter, and light to digest. Wheat, green gram, sugar candy, honey, patola (Trichosanthes dioica), flesh of animals of dry land (Jangala Mamsa) are to be included in the diet. One should avoid having fats, oil, meat of aquatic animals and curd.
Winter
The cold season is characterised by harsh winds and snow in most parts. It is essential to build immunity as people become prone to a lot of issues during this time. As it is a Kapha dominant season, one should consume lots of natural herbs and spices that help build immunity like ginger and turmeric.
In the Hemanta (mid-November to mid-January) season, foods that are unctuous, sweet, sour, and salty are recommended. Flour preparations, new rice and green gram should be included in the diet. Among other foods that Ayurveda recommends, are meats, fats, milk and milk products, sugarcane products, sesame and fermented preparations.
During the season Winter or Shishira (Mid-January to Mid-March), foods like amla (sour), cereal and pulses, and wheat/gram flour products are advised. The diet should also ideally include ginger, garlic, haritaki, pippali (fruits of piper longum), sugarcane products, milk and milk products. Foods that are predominantly pungent (katu), bitter (tikta), and astringent (kashaya) are to be avoided. Shita or cold foods should also not be eaten.
The Transition Period Between Seasons
The transition times between seasons are called Sandhi kaala and are the most vulnerable time for infections and diseases in general. Each transition phase starts 7 days after a season and continues 7 days into the next. During this period, light food and soups should be eaten the most. Proper hydration is always important and should be carried out in all seasons.
Immunity is greatly influenced by the diet and lifestyle we follow. Furthermore, each body type is different and responds differently to seasonal changes and different foods. Depending on the dominating dosha (vata, pitta or kapha), diet is recommended. Even different yoga practices are more or less beneficial based on seasons and doshas.
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