It’s raining everywhere across the country. Although that’s good news for some, mostly it’s a season where air-borne diseases are prevalent and immunity is at an all-time low, especially for children. Here is your Ayurvedic Guide to Protecting Yourself During Monsoon
Ayurvedic Interplay of Elements During Monsoon
During the monsoon Vata dosha (Space/air element) is aggravated, Pitta (fire) is accumulated and Kapha (earth) is controlled. The fire or Agni inside the body is similar to the fire of the sun and is also at its minimal power.
Hence, your power of digestion is also low. So, before you gorge on hot pakoras or other oily food during the monsoon, remember that it may not really be the best time. Having simple, lightly-cooked and easily digestible food would help to pacify the Vata dosha.
In addition, the accumulation of Pitta dosha gives rise to more Ama or toxins in the body. This is due to a weakened digestive system during this season and the acidic conditions of the atmosphere. Therefore the monsoon season is the right time for a detox program.
Protective Measures for the Monsoon Season
The foremost protective measure for this rainy season is to always drink boiled water and having it warm. It is recommended to boil water for at least 20 minutes and for an added benefit you can add a piece of dry ginger. This will remove all microorganisms and get rid of all impurities in the water.
Another important measure that was followed traditionally is the habit of smoke therapy at homes. Burning herbal mixtures and dhoop at home helps to brace yourselves against common infections and increase the body’s capacity to fight diseases.
Use herbs like Ajwain, vekhand (sweet flag), dry neem leaves, vavding (false black pepper), guggul, myrrh, and other herbs together make up the Purifying smoke that can be added to hot charcoal in a dhoop pot or dhoop-burning cake.
Ayurvedic Diet for Monsoon
What You Must Do:
- Eat well cooked and warm food
- Include healthy fats
- Have vegetables like bitter gourd, yam, ladies finger, snake gourd, cluster beans and stick to seasonal fruits
- Include herbs and spices like turmeric, fenugreek, cinnamon, cardamom, black pepper, ginger to enhance digestion and promote immunity
- Cook foods with Asafoetida to aid digestion
- Try sipping herbal teas and warm water throughout the day
- Have Herbal decoctions like Kalmegh/Nila-Vembu or Green chirayta or simple decoction of Tulsi and Turmeric to fight common diseases
What You Must Avoid:
- Avoid oily and spicy food
- Avoid leafy green vegetables as they tend to have worms during monsoon season
- It’s not the best time to have raw or uncooked foods
- Do not have milk during the day and curd during the night as it can take a toll on digestion
- Avoid foods that induce flatulence
- Avoid eating late at night
- Limit intake of heavy grains and heavy lentils
Other Ayurvedic Practices for Monsoon Wellbeing
Abyangam or oil massage is advocated by Ayurveda to be followed throughout the year and especially during monsoon to keep a check on Vata dosha. It will help to refresh your body and stimulate the mental function as well.
You can also try Ayurvedic Panchakarma treatment to help detox your body. This can be very effective during the monsoon season to rejuvenate your organs and get rid of impurities in your blood.
In addition, practice gargling with a pinch of salt and turmeric to control common infections of cough and cold. Include oil pulling and tongue scraping as well to improve immunity.
If you give your body the right conditions, it will go a long way to shield yourself and improve immunity. Monsoon is the time where you naturally feel sleepy and dull, but with the above precautionary measures, it will help you be fit and healthy.