Welcome Autumn with Ayurveda

 While sun is still shining, the weather starts changing in the northern hemisphere.

We are moving from heat of Pitta into dryness, coolness and wind of Vata.

So how do we welcome this change while staying grounded? Ritucharya - also known as the seasonal regimen in Ayurveda is here to give the answer. According to Ayurveda, we need to adapt ourselves constantly to changes in the environment. How can we welcome this guest and feel our best? Ayurveda gives us solutions.

 

Autumn, otherwise called fall, is one of the four mild temperate seasons. On the Northern side of the equator, the autumn season generally marks its beginning with September and closures with the winter solstice in December.

 

Nations of the Northern half of the globe are Europe, North America, North Africa, North Asia.

 

Autumn time is entry into dry, windy, cool weather, grey sky while still having elements of warmth and brightness from summer.

During fall, the climate cools, dim sky, the air is dry with some regions of the northern hemisphere starting to rain and some regions still enjoying sunny days from summer .

Orange color is strongly associated with the autumn season on account of the orange color of leaves of most of the plants. The reason this season is named as fall is because the leaves turned orange in color tend to fall from their branches. Autumn is an indicator of progress and change, it is characterized by a movement and transition. Temperatures, which, only half a month back were seething with the extraordinary warmth of summer, are starting to indicate the obvious freshness of fall. What's more, there is the breeze: gradually assembling quality, conveying the tides of winter on its breath.

Usually there is a cultural association to it: end of summer so people return from travels home and back to studies and work a sort of movement from outward to inward. In this season there is a known mood which usually is called melancholia. Also fall has its own color of association which is orange. Autumn has a variety of events internationally with halloween, back to school, thanksgiving being the most popular.

 

In this transitional month nature starts to prepare into winter. Animals and insects plan for the month ahead, leaves on the trees become orange and fall and stop giving fruits with few plants left that still have produce such as pumpkin, apple and pumpkin pie.

 

Ayurveda believes in 3 bioenergies that governs this earth and they resemble them self in everything especially in nature as Vata the air, Pitta the sun, Kapha the moon

According to Ayurveda, fall is a transitional season from which we move from Pitta dominance to Vata dosha dominance, that is from sunny firy season into the windy Airy season.

These are the whole characteristics shared by aggravated vata dosha, while still having some elements of pitta with it from the summer.

So, here in this article, we are going to discuss the facts about Ayurvedic aspects of healthcare in the autumn season to maintain a balance.

 

Ayurveda

The term Ayurveda is made out of two Sanskrit words

‘Ayuh’ +’ Veda’

‘Ayuh’ stands for longevity or life.

‘Veda’ stands for science or knowledge

It literally means the science of life, to extend one’s healthy and meaningful life.

This ancient science is considered to have originated by the Gods in times where disease and misery was increasing in the world.

Aim of Ayurveda

Svasthasya svasthya rakshanam,

aaturasya vikaara pras`amanani c||

(Charaka Samhita Sutra Sthana 30/26)

The chief purpose or aim of Ayurveda is to

●      relief the misery of suffering people

●      preservation of health to help attain principle aim of life

 

-        Dharma - doing right for the wellbeing of individual and society

-        Artha - to work hard to acquire wealth

-        Kama - satisfaction of the worldly desires

-        Moksha - attainment of salvation through liberation and god consciousness

 

Panchamahabhutas

According to Ayurveda, the whole universe consists of five elements:

                              i.           Aakash (Space element)

                            ii.           Vayu (Air element)

                          iii.           Agni (Fire element)

                          iv.           Jala (Water element)

                           v.           Prithvi (Earth element)

Our bodies also comprise of these five elements where

1.    Space element conceives the body cavities,

2.    The fluid part in the body is made up of the water element,

3.    Fire manages the catabolic processes (like digestion) in the body

4.    Where air element control the movements of different entities like hormones, enzymes, and fluids

5.    And earth element is the matter - the hardness of tough parts of the body respectively

 

Tridosha

vāyu: pittaṃ kaphaśceti trayo doṣā: samāsata: || vikṛtā’vikṛtā dehaṃ ghnanti te varttayanti ca |

(Ashtanga Hridayam 1/6)

Vata, Pitta, and Kapha- The three bio-energies responsible for the existence of life. These energies are needed to be balanced to maintain a healthy body and mind constitution.

Vata manages the nervous system; Pitta with its fire element controls the metabolism and hormonal flow whereas Kapha works as the support system of our body.

Their poise and perfect balance is essential for a flourishing mind and body whereas disturbance of natural function can be destructive beyond our understanding and belief.

 

Doshas	Mahabhuta (Elements)	Qualities in Nature
Vata	Air + Space	light, cold, rough, dry, subtle, unsteady
Pitta	Fire + Water	hot, sharp, subtle, light, slightly unctuous, abounding in qualities
Kapha	Water + Earth	thick, heavy, slow,liquid, unctuous, cold, soft

One must learn his body constitution to live a sophisticated and healthier life.

According to Ayurveda, every other person possesses a different type of Prakriti (Body Nature) depending on their unique Tridosha constitution. Though no human being has the body constitution consisting of a single or dual dosha but all three, however, there is always one dosha or two doshas that dominates over the other. That one dosha decides one’s Prakriti (Body type). Depending on this dominant guy your body has different physiological and psychological functioning.

Let us take a closer look at what are the specific characteristics of a dosha-body type.

Characteristics	Vata Body Type	Pitta Body Type	Kapha body Type
Body Frame	Thin, prominent veins and bones	Moderate body frame, medium muscle, and delicate frame	Large body frame, broad chest, thick skin, and bones not prominent.
Body Weight	Lean and slender	Moderate or medium weight	An obese or rapid tendency for weight gain
Skin Type	Thin, cool, dry prone to wrinkles	Soft, warm, moist, prone to acne.	Thick, cold, oily, and pale
Complexion	darker color, prone to pigmentations	Reddish, yellowish or copperish	white, Fair and Bright
Hair	Dry, curly, thin	Thin, fine, silky, and slightly oily	Thick, soft, dark, more oily
Eyes	Dry, small, and sunken	Sharp, medium size, and penetrating gaze	Dense, Wide and big, prominent
Weaknesses	Anxious, nervous, fearful, low will-power	Irritability, jealous, and anger	Greed, possessiveness, attachment, and self-centered
Physiological Traits	Craves for sweet sour salty food	craves Sweet, Bitter, Astringent Strong appetite, good digestion and metabolism, slightly higher body temperature than average, sharp voice	Pungent, Bitter, Astringent Slow digestion, good stamina, moderate body temperature, and sound sleep, soft voice, slow and steady walks
happy state Qualities	Lively, enthusiastic, and joyful, inspired, loves to move, self motivated, creative, learns quickly, forgets quickly, talkative, easy to make friends, dreams of flying, intolerant to cold, flexible, less sleeping hours, speaks fast, walk fast	Passionate, competitive, focused, and assertive, strong hunger and thirst, shining and naturally glowing skin, intelligent, logical, analytical, dreams of fire, strong digestion, intolerant to heat Sharp, leader ambitious, quick grasp, and powerful memory	Loving, faithful, relaxed, stable, strong, heavy, patient, forgiving, giver, takes time to learn but never forgets, firm compact joints, eats small amount and adds weight easily, dreams of water, smooth thick oily hair, calm, content, loyal, and tolerant, slow grasp, short term weak but long term good memory, sleeps long hours, talks slowly
careers	artist, dancer	athlete, doctor,engineer	nursing, teaching, chef

Since we now know that a balanced state of these Tridosha is strictly necessary to maintain a healthy body, mind state and conscious soul awareness. But what if there is an imbalance in the functions of Tridosha? I am listing down the signs of aggravation and alleviation of Tridosha so that whenever you experience discomfort, you will know which dosha is making trouble inside your body.

Tridosha	Main Symptom of increase	Increase
Vata	pain	gas, bloating, constipation, dry skin, irregular appetite, feeling restless, forgetfulness Emaciation, black discoloration, tremors, constipation, loss of strength and senses, and irrelevant speech.
Pitta	burning	acidity, diarrhea, rashes, sour taste in mouth Yellow discoloration, urine, eyes, and skin; excess thirst and hunger
Kapha	itchiness	lethargy, low energy, brain fog Weak digestion, excess salivation, laziness, feels sleepy, cold, and respiratory disorders.

Important point: we all struggle with vata, as it increases with aging.

In children, Kapha dosha is dominant; in young ones, Pitta dosha dominates the body; whereas in old age, Vata dosha dominates the whole body.

The Seasonal State of Doshas

Doshas in our body when exposed to different seasons respond differently. We should keep this in mind and take necessary precautions according to Dosha-Avastha (State of dosha).

 

The aggravated dosha in the autumn season is Vata Dosha. People with Vata dosha dominant body type usually suffer from Vata influenced discomfort and disorders in this season. People with Pitta and Kapha dosha dominant body types are less prone to any discomfort as they counter the effects of aggravated Vata dosha in the weather. Pitta dosha properties help to warm up your body to counter the cold characteristic of Vata dosha whereas Kapha dosha counters the dryness of Vata dosha with its unctuous property.

Ayurvedic view

Generally aggravated dosha: vata

Sometimes kapha in rainy days

Sometimes pitta kapha in sunny days

 

Specifically for each dosha:

Vata: sweet sour salty tastes

Pitta: tridoshic that balances all doshas but if its very sunny consider pitta pacifying

Kapha: tridoshic but if it rains then it should be kapha pacifying

  

Ritucharya - season

To do	To avoid
Lifestyle - Ground yourself and slow down	active activity, travel, flights Avoid exposure to wind Avoid urinating in the first rain of the season, as your immunity to sudden cold weather is very low and you can catch a viral infection.
keep a daily routine	Spontaneous daily activities and wrong time of eating
Food should be warm and nourishing Keep your body hydrated using oils inside out, liquid inside, nourished meals	Strong liquors , cold food, raw food
Enjoy Slow exercises such as yoga, pilates, weight lifting	Do not tire yourself with heavy exercises or long-distance travel. Stay grounded as much as you can and rest well.

Food preferences

In fall, the person should take a balance of seasonal food. Nature is intelligent to give us food of opposite quality from the weather in order to help us in balancing our state such as right tastes and qualities.

Main tastes: sweet, sour, salty

During hot days: bitter, and astringent

During rainy, humid days: pungent, bitter, and astringent

	To eat	To avoid
	seasonal	non seasonal
Vegetables:	Sweet pepper, zucchini, tomato, pumpkin, chilies, grounding vegetables such as root vegetables, beets, potato, sweet potato, carrots	Gas forming vegetables like Broccoli, cabbage, beans light vegetables like Lettuce, spinach
Fruits	Apple, melon, grapes, water melon	Tropical
Fat and Oils	Ghee, Olive Oil, sunflower oil	processed butter and GMO oils
Protein	Vegetarian -  Nuts, nut butter, seeds, spirulina, mushroom, mung beans, yogurt, eggs, whey protein, mushroom, mung beans, tofu, tempeh Non-Vegetarian - egg, fish, shellfish chicken, meat	- processed canned meat -antibiotics and hormone fed meat
Dairy	Butter, Buttermilk, Yoghurt, organic fresh warm milk	Processed
grains	Whole wheat, bulgur, oats, corn, amaranth	Dry chips, crackers, cereals, snack bars, etc.
Sweeteners	Honey, Jaggery,	Processed sweeteners

 

Seafood	that is available in the near land	canned processed from different part of the world
drinks	vegan milk smoothies ginger lemon tea masala tea	processed drinks with added sugar cold vegetable juices
spices	Cardamom , Clove, Cumin,Ginger, Rosemary, Saffron, Turmeric, Basil, Bay leaf, Black pepper, Cinnamon, herbs
Herbs	●      Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) ●      Amlaki (Emblica officinalis) ●      Brahmi ●      Tulsi
Supplements	●      Omega 3: salmon,sardine, mackerel, tuna,flax seeds, nuts, pumpkin seeds) ●      B vitamins (non veg; spirulina, chlorella) ●      Vitamin C, E, K ●      ZINC ●      COPPER ●      IRON

 

DAILY & NIGHT ROUTINE

Dincharya for fall - daily routine

●      Wake up at Brahma Muhurta (just before sun rise)

●      Clean your teeth (Danta dhawana), tongue scrapping, twigs

●      Use toilet

●      eye kohol

●      Nasya - nose drops ksheerabala 101, Nasya (Nasal instillation of drops) of herbal decoctions, oils, or milk.

●      Abhyanga (Oil Massage)

●      Vyayama (Exercise)

●      Udvartana (Body scrubbing)

●      Take a bath with lukewarm water - never hot and never after food

●      Say your prayers

●      Have your healthy and nutritious breakfast

Ratricharya - for fall - night routine

●      Take shower with warm water.

●      Energy cleanse with energy techniques or sage burning sticks/ natural essential oil perfume

●      Say your prayers and pay your gratitude to God for giving you a fulfilling life.

●      Dine before the night falls or at least 2 hours before going to bed.

●      Drink warm milk with turmeric or Brahmi Ghrita.

●      Before falling asleep, meditate to improve your intellect and calm your nerves triggered by your daytime activities to have a sound sleep. think of dharma

●      Set off to bed before 10 PM.