Ritucharya

The term ‘ritucharya’ is derived from two different words ‘ritu’ meaning season and ‘charya’ means ‘regimen’. Seasonal regimen prescribed for preservation of health and prevention of diseases is termed as ‘ritucharya’. Ayurveda, the science of life defined the human body (sharira) is always in a state of change towards degeneration called as sharira (human body) [Vaidyaka shabdasindhu]. Ancient scriptures were aware of astronomy; they keenly observed the change in seasons with respect to the sun, moon, stars, wind, and rainfall. The concept of “yat pinde tat brahmande‘- whatever there is in the environment is also there is the human body is applied in understanding health. This leads to appreciating changes in the human body according to seasons and regimens are made accordingly. The seasonal regimen's main aim is to prevent diseases due to the derangement of dosha. Hence ritucharya is one of the ways to be in synchronize with ever-changing nature and being healthy all at the same time.

Contributors

Section/Chapter/topic	Concepts/Ritucharya
Authors	P.Sudhakar Reddy1 Beena MD2 Nimmi A.N.1
Reviewer	Basisht G.3,
Editor	Deole Y.S.4
Affiliations	1 Department of Post Graduate Studies in Swasthavritta, JSS Ayurveda Medical College, Mysuru, Karnataka, India 2 Department of Post Graduate Studies in Kayachikitsa, JSS Ayurveda Medical College, Mysuru, Karnataka, India 3 Rheumatologist, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A. 4 Department of Kayachikitsa, G. J. Patel Institute of Ayurvedic Studies and Research, New Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat, India
Correspondence emails	drpsreddy05@yahoo.com, carakasamhita@gmail.com
Publisher	Charak Samhita Research, Training and Development Centre, I.T.R.A., Jamnagar, India
Date of publication:	December 13, 2022
DOI	10.47468/CSNE.2022.e01.s09.121

Utpatti (derivation)

The term ritu is derived from the root word ‘Ru’, which means to go. Ritu represents the form in which nature expressed itself in a sequence in specific conditions of two months duration (Amarakosha).

Nirukti (etymology)

In Ayurveda, the season is represented by the term kala. Kala is a broad term. In one context it is mentioned as seasons, while in some other context, it merely represents time. The term ritu is the most suitable term to explain seasons. The term ritu refers to a specific period having a cyclic rotation. In the context of ritucharya, ritu is mentioned as the term in which nature expresses itself in sequence, in specific forms of a two-month duration (dvau masau). [A.Hr. Sutra Sthana 3/1 Hemadri]. Charya means regimen or action. Dalhana defines ritucharya as the regimen that should be followed concerning seasons.[Su.Sa. Sutra Sthana 6/1 Dalhana] Vagbhata defines it as the changes in diet and practices with respect to changes in climate conditions like heat, cold, rain etc. [A.Sa.Sutra Sthana 3/1 Hemadri]

Concept of ritucharya (seasonal regimen)

The concept of ritucharya is applied in healthcare management in various aspects as below.

Seasonal regimen:

The strength and lusture is enhanced by following suitable diet and regimen for every season. [Cha. Sa. Sutra Sthana 6/3] The year is divided into six parts according to seasons. The northward movement of the sun and its act of dehydration brings about three seasons beginning from late winter to summer. The southward movement of sun and its act of hydration gives rise to the rainy season to early winter. [Cha. Sa. Sutra Sthana 6/4] Qualitative dietetics includes the wholesome and unwholesome diet and lifestyle regimen as per seasons. [Cha. Sa. Sutra Sthana 6/51]

Seasonal purification:

Purpose of seasonal purification procedures is to maintain normalcy of dohsa, dhatus in different seasons. One should eliminate the accumulated dosha in the first month of spring, rainy and winter. [Cha. Sa. Sutra Sthan 7/46]. To prevent seasonal diseases, doshas accumulated during hemanta (December – February) be eliminated in the month of Chaitra (March-April). Those accumulated during summer(April-June) in the month of Shravana (July-August). The dosha accumulated during railny season (August- October) should be eliminated in the month of Margasheersha (November-Octomber)[Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 7/45]. The elimination therapies should be administered only in seasons with moderate heat and cold nature. In other seasons having extreme cold, heat or rain, such therapies should not be administered. Moderate seasons are enjoyable and they do not adversely affect the conditions of the body and drugs. [Cha. Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/126] However, in emergency situations, when the therapy is utmost needed, one should administer the therapy with great care after modifying the seasonal effects sufficiently by artificial means, producing qualities contrary to the seasons and by making the measure appropriate in standard potency with variation in combination, processing and quantity. [Cha. Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/126]

Seasonal conditions in nasal administration therapy:

In summer, the nasal administration therapy should be given in the morning. In winter, it should be given during mid-day. In rainy season, it should be given when the sky is clear and not cloudy. In the case of an emergency, it can be given in the seasons other than early rains, autumn and spring by artificially creating the congenial environment [Cha. Sa. Siddhi Sthana 2/23]

Ritusandhi (period of climatic transition):

The last seven days of a season and the first seven days of the next season is considered as period of transition of climate (ritusandhi). In this period, one should taper the regimens of the previous season and practice those of the next season in a gradual, phased manner. Immediate abandoning and adoption of regimens causes various diseases due to improper adoption. [A.Hr. Sutra Sthan3/58]

Seasons, constellations and Sun signs:

When the sun is in aries and taurus constellations, it is greeshma ritu (summer April-May). When in Gemini and cancer, it is pravrit (early rains, June-July). When in leo and virgo, it is rainy season, (August-September). When it is in libra and scorpio, it is sharada (Autumn, October-November). When it is in sagitarrus and capricorn, it is Hemanta (winter, December-January). When the sun is in aquarius and piscus, it is vasanta (Spring, February-March). [Sha.Sa.2/25-26] This also identifies sunsigns according to the birth.

Concept of Yamadamshtra:

The last eight days of kartika masa (third week of November) and the first eight days of avagrahayana (fourth week of November) are known as yamadamshtra kaala. During this period, one can be healthy if he takes only small quantity of food. [Sha.Sa. 2/30]

Concept of ritu haritaki:

Seasonal changes shall be considered while taking some medicines for specific actions. A person, who wishes to attain the vitalizing actions of haritaki shall consume it with specific substances as per seasons. Haritaki shall be taken with salt during rainy season, with sugar during post monsoon period, with dry ginger during winter, with pepper during autumn with honey during spring and with jaggery during summer [Bha.Pra.Purva khanda 6/34]

Table: Anupana according to seasons for consuming haritaki

Ritu (season)	Anupana(vehicle)
Varsha(rainy)	Saindhava lavana (rocksalt)
Sharada(autumn)	Sharkara (sugar)
Hemanta (winter)	Shunthi (dry ginger)
Shishira(late winter)	Pippali (long pepper)
Vasanta(spring)	Madhu (honey)
Grishma (summer)	Guda (jaggery)

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