Ayurvedic Tips to Follow in Monsoon Season

We are really excited to receive the Monsoon after the long scorching summer heat. The cool and moist climate makes us very happy. But this season brings certain health risks.The normalcy of Vata, Pitta and Kapha dosha in the body is the state of well-being, whereas imbalance in this state causes disease. Monsoon brings about vivid changes not only in nature but also the body. The season of monsoon brings with it increased incidences of gastric upsets, viral fever, and malaise. All this is the result of the diminished digestive fire, increased acidic tendency in nature and the body as well; which aggravates Pitta. The accumulated vata in summer pops out its head, with the drop in temperature at the onset of monsoon. The vitiated vata leads to symptoms like Joint pain, muscular pain, acidity, loss of appetite, bodyache, gas trouble, indigestion, cough n cold, etc. According to Ayurveda, we need to adjust our diet considering certain factors, chief of which are our own personal constitutions as well as seasonal variations. The aim of these guidelines is to balance our doshas since an increase or decrease in our doshas can upset our body’s state of health.

Some tips to follow in Monsoon season are:

– Eat fruits as they help you restore energy. Apples, mangoes, pomegranates, and pears are best suggestible. Avoid watermelon and muskmelons and also goosing on too many mangoes may cause pimples.

– Have medium to low salt food and avoid heavy salty food as they are responsible for high blood pressure and water retention.

– Eating watery foods like lassi, watermelon, rice, muskmelon creates swelling in the body. So, better opt for foods which are drying in nature like corn, gram flour, chickpea etc.

– Foods such as brown rice, oats, and barley are the best foods one could have in this Monsoon.

– Body’s immunity can be increased by adding a dash of garlic to the soups, stir-fries and curries your intake.

– Opt for yoghurt, curd and almonds in your diet instead of milk. Drink only boiled and purified water to protect yourself from harmful germs and drinking plenty of water keeps your body hydrated.

– Consuming bitter vegetables like bitter gourd, and bitter herbs like neem, turmeric powder and methi seeds help in preventing infections.

– Consume drying oils like corn oil or light oil and avoid heavy oils like sesame oil, peanut oil and mustard oil as they fall in first place to invite infections.

– People who face skin allergies during rainy seasons must avoid spicy foods. Spicy foods raise body temperature and stimulate blood circulation and it leads to allergies and skin irritation. Other problems such as boils, change in skin colour dullness, rashes, pyoderma are also some skin-damaging effects which arise in this season.

– Avoid naturally sour foods like tamarind, tomatoes and lime in your diet as it promotes water retention.

– Avoid too much of fish and meat this season and heavy curries and non- vegetarians should go for light meat preparations like stew and soups.

– Astringent, mildly bitter and pungent foods must be best served this season.

– Drink lots of herbal teas, especially those with antibacterial properties. These include ginger, pepper, honey, mint and basil leaves. Excessive intake of coffee and tea dehydrates body fluids so they must be better avoided.

– Vegetables like cauliflower, potatoes, cluster beans, ladies finger, kidney beans, pigeon pea, and sprouted grains must be avoided.

– Eat steamed salads instead of raw vegetables as they contain active bacteria and virus that cause bacterial and viral infections.

– Have fresh radish juice to fight cold and cough.

– Better eat seasonal fruits as non- seasonal fruits get infested with worms during the monsoons. Pomegranates, lychees, apples, bananas are among the recommended.

– Avoid eating fried items, pre-cut fruits and juices from roadside vendors and stick to high quality and hygiene.

– People who suffer from arthritis should drink warm water with tulsi and Cardamom on an empty stomach in the morning. Doing this improves bowel syndromes and also decreases pains in joints.

– Always wash vegetables well and keep them clean especially if they are taken raw.

Actually, Monsoon is the best season for doing Ayurvedic treatment for any diseases. The cool and moist climate always rejuvenates and gives us a relief from the uncertain conditions of our body. Believe in the healing power of Ayurveda and be healthy throughout your life.

For more details: Agni Panacea Ayurveda