In This Guide
Ritucharya: Living with the Seasons
Nature changes every few months, and so should your diet. Ignoring the season is the root cause of annual "flu seasons" and allergy flare-ups.
Why Seasonal Eating?
Ritu means season, and Charya means regimen. Ayurveda divides the year into two periods: Adana Kala (taking away strength: Summer) and Visarga Kala (giving strength: Winter). Adapting your habits helps you ride the wave of nature rather than fighting against it.
Summer (Grishma)
Mid-May to mid-July • Pitta Season
The sun absorbs the moisture of the earth. Strength is low. Digestion is weak.
✅ Favor
- Sweet, cold, liquid foods.
- Rice, milk, ghee, grapes, coconut water.
- Sattu (roasted gram flour drink).
- Afternoon naps are allowed!
❌ Avoid
- Salty, sour, and pungent foods.
- Alcohol and caffeine (dehydrating).
- Excessive exercise.
Monsoon (Varsha)
Mid-July to mid-September • Vata Season
Agni (digestion) is at its weakest. Vata is aggravated due to cold winds. Water-borne diseases are common.
✅ Favor
- Sour, salty, and oily foods (balances Vata).
- Warm soups, old grains (easier to digest).
- Boiled water with ginger.
- Ginger & Lemon.
❌ Avoid
- Leafy greens (high bacteria count).
- Heavy meats.
- Daytime sleeping (increases sluggishness).
Winter (Hemanta)
Mid-Nov to mid-Jan • Kapha Season
The body heat is trapped inside. Agni is strongest! This is the time to build immunity and muscle.
✅ Favor
- Heavy, nourishing foods.
- Ghee, nuts, dairy, fats.
- Sesame seeds and jaggery.
- Vigorous exercise.
❌ Avoid
- Light, excessive dry foods (Vata aggravating).
- Fasting (will burn bodily tissues).
- Cold drinks.
Spring (Vasanta)
Mid-March to mid-May • Kapha Melting
Accumulated Winter Kapha starts melting due to the sun. This causes allergies, colds, and mucus.
✅ Favor
- Bitter, pungent, drying foods.
- Honey, barley, turmeric.
- Dry massage (Udvartana).
❌ Avoid
- Heavy, oily, sweet foods.
- Dairy and ice cream.
- Daytime sleep (highly forbidden).
"Every Spring, I would get terrible sinus infections. Dr. Arti explained that this is 'Kapha Melting'. By cutting out dairy in March and doing Nasya, I survived my first allergy-free Spring!"
Key Result
Symptom-Free Spring
Common Questions
Scientific References & Sources
- Ritucharya: Answer to the lifestyle disordersView Study
- Seasonal variation in physiological processesView Study
Disclaimer: This content is medically reviewed by Dr. Arti (BAMS) but should not replace professional medical advice.