Abstract

“WINTER REGIMEN- A PRACTICAL APPROACH BASED ON AYURVEDA PRINCIPLES”

*Harjeet Kaur, Suchetta Verma and Abhishek Anand

ABSTRACT

‘The swasthasya swasthya rakshana and aaturasya vikarprashamana are the main goals of Ayurveda.[1] To attain these goals, dinacharya (daily regimen) and ritucharya (seasonal regimen) have been mentioned in the classics of Ayurveda. The various rules and regimens (charya) to remain healthy as the seasonal environment (ritu) changes are called ritucharya.[2] Different seasonal changes expresses different effects on the body as well as the environment. If human body is unable to adopt the changes in specific traits of seasons, it may lead to dosha – vaishamya. Which in turn may render the body highly susceptible to various kind of life style disorders by following the regimen of winter season according to Ayurveda, we can control the ailments developed in this season. Hemanta and shishir ritu correlated with the winter season. In sheeta ritu, accumulation of the kapha dosha occurs.[3] vitiated pitta dosha gets pacified and activity of agni is increased.[4] Diet regimen foods having madhura, amla, lavana as the predominant taste and snigdha, guru ahara should be preferred.[5] Cereals and pulses, new rice, wheat, garlic, ginger, Haritaki, pippali sugarcane and milk products are to be advised in the diet. Foods having katu, tikta, kashaya rasa predominant rasa are to be avoided.[6] Abhyanga, jentaka sweda, atapa sevana etc. should be preferred in this season.[7] Winter regimen in diet and lifestyle as mentioned in the classics of Ayurveda and their importance on promoting health will be discussed in this review article.

Keywords: Hemanta, Shishira, winter, Regimen.