Unlocking the Healing Power of Monsoon Ayurveda Treatments along with Panchakarma and Kerala Traditional Ayurvedic Knowledge

Monsoon Ayurveda Treatments along with Panchakarma

"VARSHA RITHU"

NATURE OF THE MONSOON SEASON

Karkataka chikitsa merely known as Monsoon treatments, have supreme importance,as the monsoon affects each of the doshas in the body in a different way.The rainy season makes everyone suffer from many health problems due to increased toxins in the body. The traditional Ayurvedic treatments done in monsoon season to maintain one's health at its best is called Karkataka Chikitsa (Monsoon Treatments).

When the rain falls into the hot summer, earth increases the Amlata (acidity) in all food material, water, vegetables etc... This aggravates pitta dosha, causing fever, digestive problems and then the contaminated water and food with cold climate aggravates Kapha dosha causing cold, cough, allergy, skin diseases. To prevent these, Ayurveda advice the course of Ayurveda therapy called Karkataka Chikitsa.

STATE OF TRI DOSHA & AGNI DURING MONSOON SEASON

Vata is naturally predominant in this season. Vata gets aggravated, Pitta accumulates & Kapha has no much interference during this season. Agni further get weakens. So one should take easily digestable foods. As disturbance of Agni is prominent & the strength is less, digestives and carminatives should be taken. Hence the regimens are focused to balance all humors and aid digestion.

KARKIDAKA KANJI BENEFITS

With heavy rain, the temperature goes down that makes the body to fight diseases difficult. Immunity is low at this point and our body needs proper diet and treatments designed for this tough time to battle all kinds of diseases.

Karkidaka Kanji and Karkidaka Chikitsa are two integral parts of Karkidakam to have a healthy body during the monsoon seasons.

This kanji is a unique combination of herbs, spices, and grains that would keep the monsoon fevers at bay and prevent you against some of the common diseases of the rainy season like arthritis etc. This is a special diet in Ayurveda which is good for the people of all age groups as it helps to improve the immunity of the body and acts as a detoxifying agent.

PREPARATION OF KARKIDAKA KANJI

Porridge For Rainy Days also known as Oushadha Kanji/ Karkidaka Kanji is a medicinal rice soup and a traditional item of Kerala during the rainy days. As said above, the preparation of Karkidaka Kanji does not have a strict recipe, but there are certain Karkidaka Kanji plants advised to be mixed with the Kanji to get the best benefits. Karkidaka Kanji ingredients based on Ayurvedic texts use Njavara rice, the same rice used for massages.

INGREDIENTS:

Shashtika Shali (Red rice) - 100 gms

Chandrashoora (Garden cress) - 10 gms

Dashamoola Choorna - 5 gms

Trikatu Choorna - 5 gms

Dashapushpa Choorna - 10 gms

Broken rice - 10 gms

Medhika (Fenugreek) - 10 gms

Jeeraka (Cumin) - 10 gms

Coconut milk - Quantity sufficient

Jaggery - Quantity sufficient

Water - Quantity sufficient

DASHAMOOLA -

1. Bilwa (Aegle marmalos)

2. Agnimantha (Clerodoendrum phlomidis)

3. Syonaka (Oroxylum indicum) 

4. Patala (Stereospermum saveolens) 

5. Gambhari (Gmelina arborea) 

6. Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris) 

7. Brihati (Solanum indicum) 

8. Kantakari (Solanum surattens)

9. Sali parni (Desmodium gangeticum)

10. Prisni parni (Uraria picta)

TRIKATU -

1. Pippali (Piper longum)

2. Maricha (Piper nigrum)

3. Shunti (Zingiber officinalis) *

DASHAPUSHPA -

1. Viparita lajjalu (Biophytum candolleanum) 

2. Bhadra (Aerva lanata)

3. Sakralata (Cardiospermum halicabum) 

4. Lakshmana (Ipomea serpiania)

5. Sahadevi (Vernonia cineria) 

6. Durva (Cynodon dactylon)

7. Musali (Curculigo orchioides) 

8. Vishnukranti (Evolvulus alsinoides)

9. Bhringaraja (Eclipta alba)

10. Sasasruti (Emilia sonchifolia)

PREPARATION:

Boil 1 glass of water with 10 gms Dashamoola Choorna. Add 100 gms of red rice to it & continue boiling by adding Jeeraka, Trikatu Choorna, Medhika, Broken rice. Once the rice gets cooked add Dashapushpa powder/extract along with sufficient quantity of Coconut Milk & Jaggery. Serve when hot to get complete result once in a day during Monsoon season.

What should we eat in Ayurveda for rainy season?

In Ayurveda, the rainy season is considered to be dominated by the elements of water and earth, and it's believed that our digestion tends to weaken during this time. Therefore, it's recommended to consume foods that are light, warm, and easy to digest

Foods like warmed and spicy soups 

Cooked vegetables 

Ghee 

Warm herbal tea with cinnamon ,ginger ,cardomum 

Avoid cold ,heavy and ily foods 

Eat seasonal fresh fruits 

Stay hydrated 

Avoid excess use of salt and oily foods 

Remember, these are general guidelines  can vary with each individual , and it's important to listen to your body and make choices that suit your individual constitution and health needs. Consulting with an Ayurvedic practitioner can provide personalized recommendations based on your specific dosha and imbalances

Which is the best season for Ayurvedic treatment?

In Ayurveda, depending on the individual's constitution and specific health concerns each treatment differs However, the spring and autumn seasons are generally considered to be the best times for therapies

Spring season 

Due to natural increase  in moisture and heaviness which increases kapha ,ayurvedic treatment focuses more on cleansing and detoxification to balance kapha in spring season

Autumn season 

Since there is a  transition from hot to humid weather,vata tends to aggravate leading to 

dry skin, joint pain, and digestive issues.So  treatments during autumn aim to pacify Vata dosha. This may involve nourishing therapies like Abhyanga (oil massage), Shirodhara (oil pouring on the forehead), and consuming warm, nourishing foods and herbal teas

Its essential to consider individual factors such as one's constitution (dosha), current health condition, and any specific imbalances or ailments. 

What are the benefits of monsoon Ayurveda?

Monsoon Ayurveda offers several benefits maintaining a  balance  like 

Detoxification 

Ayurvedic treatments and therapies during this time focus on detoxifying the body, eliminating accumulated toxins(tend to get aggravated due to the damp and humid condition)and supporting the natural cleansing mechanisms of the body 

Digestion 

Weakened agni during the rainy season, leads to mandagni indigestion, and constipation. Monsoon Ayurveda emphasizes dietary and lifestyle practices that strengthen digestion, such as consuming warm, light, and easily digestible foods, staying hydrated, and avoiding heavy or oily foods

Dosha balance 

Monsoon Ayurveda aims to balance the doshas during this time, preventing dosha aggravation and associated symptoms. 

Boosts  immunity 

Ayurvedic herbs, dietary recommendations, and lifestyle practices recommended during this time help strengthen the immune system,  and promotes  resistance against common monsoon ailments 

Nourishment and rejuvenation 

 Ayurveda practices such as oil massages (Abhyanga), herbal steam therapies, and rejuvenating herbal supplements to enhance vitality and energy levels

Mind body harmony 

Mindfulness, meditation, and pranayama , helps individuals  to maintain a sense of calm and balance amidst the seasonal changes

What are the health benefits of Karkidakam?

Karkidakam, also known as the Malayalam month of Karkidakam, falls during the monsoon season in Kerala

Karkidakam in Ayurveda is considered an auspicious time for focusing on health and well-being, with practices aimed at detoxification, immunity enhancement, disease prevention, and promoting balance and vitality in the body and mind 

What should we eat in Ayurveda rainy season?

During rainy season its recommended to eat foods which  support digestion, immunity, and overall well-being. Here are some dietary guidelines for the rainy season in Ayurveda

Warm and  light  foods ,seasonal veggies , lighter grains ,spices which enhances digestion ,fresh fruits ,herbal teas etc

How do you control Vata in rainy season?

As the rainy season tends to aggravate Vata dosha due to its qualities of cold, dampness, and instability,few tips to balance vata is 

Stay warm 

Take warm and spicy food 

Establish a regular routine 

Take adequate rest 

Avoid exposure to dry weather 

Practise abhyangam daily 

Stay hydrated 

Relax and do pranayama on daily basis 

What To Avoid During the Monsoon?

Certain foods that you follow can cause imbalance with the doshas  which can cause trouble during monsoon  like 

Excessd  diary foods 

Uncooked and unhygienic ,reheated or refrigerated food ,raw foods 

Heavy and oily,fried food ,stale and left over  food 

Cold drinks ,cold beverages 

Alcohol 

Heavy exertion 

Exposure to cold wind or damp weather 

Following a proper routine and hygiene