What Happens In Varsha Ritu

Flus, fevers, aches and pains set the vibe for monsoons aka Varsha Ritu. We all know it’s because of sudden drop in temperature soon after summer and us getting wet in the rain water. That’s an absolute fact and in ayurvedic lens rainy season is perceived as vata dosha vriddhi  kaala (The season of abnormal raise in vata dosha) due to which our digestive fire at different levels becomes sluggish. During this phase, we don’t feel that sharp hunger and the food that we eat will not get digested at an optimal rate at which it has to be. This leads to reduced immunity followed by flu, fever, aches and pains.

For a healthier and happier you in the rainy season, it’s very important to understand what are the mandatory to-do’s in dietary and lifestyle choices.

Must Eat foods in Rainy Season

1. Broken rice
2. Wheat
3. Finger millet / Raagi
4. Chickpeas
5. Blackgram
6. Greengram
7. Brinjal
8. Ivygourd
9. Lady’s finger / Okra
10. Moringa
11. Onion
12. Ginger
13. Garlic
14. Grapes
15. Raisins
16. Ghee
17. Buttermilk
18. Honey

Must Avoid These Foods in Rainy season

1. Brown rice
2. Jowar
3. Corn
4. Barley
5. Green peas
6. Yellow peas
7. Spinach
8. Bitter gourd
9. Cucumber

healthy recipes for Boosting Immunity in this rainy season

MADHOODAKAM

Boil half glass of water (100ml) and let it cool. Add a teaspoon of pure honey into that boiled and cooled water. Stir well and consume it. This helps in removing the dampness and accumulated phlem in the channels and boosts immunity

AGNI TEA

Boil half glass of water (100ml) and add 2 pinches of ginger powder and a teaspoon of cruelty-free ghee into it. Stir well with a spoon or small whisk. Use coffee frother for the best in mouth feel of this tea. This tea is one of a kind in activating your digestive fire and nourishing your gut at the same time.

VATA CALM CHEWABLE

Into a mortar and pestle, add 5 black raisins and a pinch of rock salt. Crush them well and roll it into a ball and chew it. This helps in calming down the vata dosha.

INSTANT AMLAPRASH

Take one fresh amla and remove its seeds from the pulp. Now take this pulp into a mortar and pestle, add a pinch of turmeric, a pinch of black pepper and a teaspoon of honey. Pound all of these well and lick this paste like candy.

SHIGRU SOOPA aka Moringa Soup

Ingredients:

Moringa leaves           : 1 cup

Chopped tomatoes   : ½ cup

Cruelty-free ghee     : 1 teaspoon

Pepper powder          : a Pinch

Cumin powder           : a pinch

Onion                          : 1 (small sized)

Garlic cloves              : 2

Ginger                        : 1 inch

Turmeric powder     : a pinch

Salt                             : as per taste

Ghee                          : 1 tsp

Water                        : 3 cups

Method of making

1. Into a mortar and pestle, add onion, ginger, garlic and pound them coarsely
2. Place a sauce pan on stove and to it add ghee. After the ghee is heated, add onion, ginger garlic mixture and let it fry.
3. Once it’s fragrant, add tomatoes and cook it until they are soften.
4. Finally add moringa leaves, cumin powder, turmeric powder, pepper powder, salt to taste and 3 cups of water. Close the lid and simmer until the moringa leaves are fully cooked.
5. I love enjoying it as it is. But you can strain it too.

RAGI PORRIDGE

Ingredients

Ragi flour                                      : 2 tbsp

Seeds of choice (toasted)         : 2 tbsp

Salt                                               : as per taste

Water                                          : 200 ml

Method of making

1. Into a small cup take some water, add ragi flour to it and prepare a slurry
2. Now in a sauce pot, add water, salt and bring it to boil.
3. Once the water is bubbling, add the ragi flour slurry and stir continuously until the mixture thickens to porridge consistency.
4. Take this hot porridge into the serving bowl and top it up with the toasted seeds and enjoy

Habits to avoid in Rainy season

1. Excessive exercise
2. Excess movement in sun
3. Indulgence in sexual intercourse
4. Day sleep
5. Awakening at night time

One lifestyle practice for rainy season

ABHYANGAM

Abhyangam is smearing oil over the skin and it’s a jackpot kind of practice in rainy season. It cleanses, protects and nourishes skin all at a time. Pacifies vata dosha, reduces fatigue and brings that element of enthusiasm to life in gloomy rainy season. I have explained about how to do abhyangam in another blogpost (click here). Check it out and make most out of it.

SIGNATURE CARE FOR RAINY SEASON

If you are the one looking to add that one step of luxury into your monsoon health and immunity wishlist, I would highly recommend one of the best ayurvedic classical panchakarma therapy known as VASTI. This you cannot do it in your home. You must visit an Ayurvedic clinic which offer this special service. Currently at SAKHI AYURVEDA, we are offering these VASTI SESSIONS with a free prakruti analysis and Nadi Pareeksha.

Click here for further details

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