Ritucharya of Ayurveda

Healthy Life to combat the changing Seasons
Health is the greatest Wealth ( Labhena Sreya Arogyam )

To cope up with the stresses & strains of the changing Seasons – Spring, Summer, Autumn & Winter in the Western System and the Six Ritus in the Indian System ( 2 solar sidereal months make a Rithu as per the Aphorism ” Thau Dhau Rithu ” ) – Vasanta, Greeshma, Varsha, Sarath, Hemanta & Sisira – we recommend you observe the Ritucharya of Ayurveda; for the Sun taketh away energy during the Northern Solstice ( Uttarayana ) and giveth energy during the Southern Solstice ( Dakshinayana ). When strength is lost from our body during the hot season, we have to take in more watery fruits and vegetables, lest there be dehydration !

The Vedic Calculation of Time

4 seconds is called an Asu and 6*4 = 24 such Asus constitute a Vinazhika. 60 such Vinazhikas make up a Nazhika ( 24 minutes ) and 60 such Nazhikas ( 24 hours ) make up a day.

One Fortnight is made up of 15 days ( Pancha Dasa Ahani Pakshah ) & there are two types of Fortnights – The Bright Fortnight ( Shukla Paksha ) & the Dark Fortnight ( Krishna Paksha ). Two such Fortnights make one month and two months make One Rithu ( Tau Dau Rithu ) . Six months make one Ayana ( Solstice ) ( Shan Masa Ayanam Bhavathi ) . There are two types of Ayanas, The Northern Solstice ( Uttarayana ) and the Southern Solstice ( Dakshinayana ). ( Tad Uttaram Dakshinam Cha ).

By the Sidereal Month of Aries, we mean that the Sun is in Sidereal Aries. ( When viewed from Earth, the Sun seems to be blocking Aries ). The Sanskrit month of Mesha begins on April 14th, which is widely celebrated as Vishu, indicating the Solar ingress into Sidereal Aries.

The Sixfold Seasons caused by Sol

Ritu Solar Sidereal Month

Vasanta Sidereal months of Aries & Taurus
Greesha Sidereal months of Gemini & Cancer
Varsha Sidereal months of Leo & Virgo
Sarath Sidereal months of Libra & Scorpio
Hemanta Sidereal months of Sagittarius & Capricorn
Sisira Sidereal months of Aquarius & Pisces

Ayurveda divides an year into two Semesters or Kalas

Aadaan Kaala ( Uttarayana ) ( Northern Solstice )
Visarga Kaala ( Dakshinayaana ) ( Southern Solstice ).
It is the King of the Solar Logos, the Sun, which causeth the seasons & the two Semesters. During the Adaana Kala ( Northern Solstice or Uttarayana) , the Sun and wind are powerful and Sol taketh away the strength of the people & the cooling qualities of Mother Earth. It is the Debilitating period and strength is weakened generally. During Visarga Kala, Sol releases strength to the people, Luna becomes more powerful and the Earth is cooled due to the cold wind, the rains and clouds.

Semester Season Month Period Properties

Northern Solstice Sishira Magha & Phalguna Mid Jan- Mid March Cold & dewy season
( Adana Kala ) Vasanta Chaitra & Baisakh Mid Mar- Mid May Spring season
( Sun taketh away energy ) Grishma Jyeshtha & Aashadha Mid May- Mid July Summer season
Southern Solstice
Varsha Shravan & Bhadrapada Mid July – Mid Sep Rainy season
( Visarga Kala ) Sharat Aashvin & Kartika Mid Sep- Mid Nov Autumn season
( Sun giveth energy ) Hemant Margshirsha & Pausha Mid Nov to Mid Jan Winter season

Seasons and Tastes

Amongst the tastes, some are more powerful during the Seasons & can be incorporated in the diet in each of the six seasons.

Ritu
Seasons
Powerful Taste

Shisira
Cold & dewy season
Tikta ( bitter )

Vasanta
Spring season
Kashaya ( astringent )

Grishma
Summer season
Kattu

Varsha
Rainy season
Amala ( sour )

Sharat
Autumn season
Lavan ( salty )

Hemanta
Winter season
Madhura ( sweet )

Seasonal Regimen

Hemanta Ritu ( Winter Season )

Shishira Ritu ( Cold and Dewy Season )

Diet
Lifestyle

During this season, digestive acitivity becomes powerful and sweet, salty & sour food stuffs can be taken, which will keep in check the increasing Vata. . Rising vata is obstructed by cold atmosphere. Wheat/ gramflour products, corn, edible oils & sugarcane products can be incorporated in diet.
Oil Massage Therapy ( Abhyangam Achareth Nithyam ) to be done.

Exercise ( Vyayama ) .

It is better to clothe oneself in leather, silk & wool.

Be under the Sun for sometime – Sunlight is rich in Vitamin D – lest you be affected by the Seasonal Affectional Disorder ( lack of Sunlight )

Vasanta Ritu (Spring Season)

During Vasanta Ritu, increased Kapha liquified by the heat of sun causes diminished Jadara Agni ( digestive activity ) causing diseases

Diet
Lifestyle

Food becomes easily digestible. Arishta ( Fermented decoction ), Sidhu ( Fermented Sugarcane Juice ), Asava ( Fermented infusion ), diluted Honey, water boiled with extracts of Sandalwood, Mango Juice, Barley, roasted meat etc can be taken in. It is better to avoid cold food, fatty food & sweet and sour stuff. Such foods can only increase Kapha causing disequilibrium in the 3 Doshas Nasyam ( Nasal Medication ) can be done

Eschew Sleep

Do physical exercise.

Dry massage. Bath with Sandalwood/ Camphor and Kumkum after massage.

Greeshma Ritu ( Summer Season )

Sunrays become powerful. Vata increases & Kapha decreases day by day.

Diet
Lifestyle

Drink only cold water and take bath in cold water. Draksha ( Grape Juice ) can be taken in along with watermelon juice, pineapple juice etc. Wine should be eschewed as debility can be caused by it. If imperative, take only small quantities of the blushful Hippocrene. Liquid food, light food & sweet & fatty foodstuffs should be consumed. Boiled rice with Cornflour, meat, yoghurt can be taken. Light dresses can be worn and body can be anointed with sandalwood paste. Cold water bath should be preferred to hot water bath.

Varsha Ritu ( Rainy Season)

As the Jadara Agni weakens furthur and gets vitiated by the Doshas, adopt all measures to reduce the doshas and enhance digestive capacity.

Diet
Lifestyle

Only easily digestible food should be taken. Soups are ideal.Yoghurt, pulses, meat juice – all these can be taken as food.
This is the ideal time to do Detoxification or Panchakarma Therapy
Eschew unnecessary exertion & exposure to the Sun. Also sleep.

Sharat Ritu ( Autumn Season )

Pitta ( Bile ) become aggravated due to exposure to Sunlight

Diet
Lifestyle

Heavy food can be avoided at all costs. Also liquors & curd.
Easily digestible food like rice can be taken in along with Honey, Gooseberry and green gram.
It is better to have a hot water bath
Pitta can be reduced by pearls

In Sanskrit, Prakrity implies both Nature and Body Constitution. The Changing Seasons of Nature causeth effects on the Five Great Elements ( Earth, Fire, Water, Air & Ether ), by which the human body & the Universe are composed. The triune humours, Vata ( Wind ) , Pitta ( Bile ) & Kapha ( Phlegm ), should be in equilibrium for perfect health. The changing seasons can disturb this equilibrium. While cold weather increases Vata, hot climate increases Pitta & cold wet weather enhances Kapha !

Ayurveda, as the complete holistic science dealing with Health, prescribes a seasonal routine to preserve the Doshic Balance, so that you are not caught by the vicissitudes of the seasons ! A unique Diet ( Ahara ), a clear mode of living ( Vihara ) & a routine living ( Karya ) is prescribed by this mighty science whose aim is the Healing By Consciousness !

In Kerala only Four Seasons are experienced and during Greeshma, we have to take in watermelon, buttermilk, bananas, jack fruits, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes etc. During Varsha, honey can be taken in. Ghee can be incorporated in diet. Take in sweet stuff. Have warm water & eschew sleep & extra exercise. Cold foodstuffs can be taken in Sharath Ritu & sleep during daytime should be renounced. Gooseberry & honey are ideal. During Hemanta food which holds cold at bay & increases energy should be consumed. Milk, ghee, rice, wheat – all be taken in. You have to renounce heavy work during the summer season of Greeshma. The digestive capacity ( Jadaragni ) is weakened consideraby during Greeshma. We have to offset it by taking in watery & juicy fruits like watermelon, pinepple, cocunuts, oranges & mangoes !

Greeshma Sidereal Months of Aquarius, Pisces & Aries
Varsha Sidereal Months of Taurus, Gemini & Cancer
Sarath Sidereal Months of Leo, Virgo & Libra
Hemanta Sidereal Months of Scorpio, Sagittarius & Capricorn

FRUITS – THE DIVINE GIFTS OF NATURE

In VA, Jupiter rules Fruits, which are Nature’s divine gifts. Organically grown fruits are Naturopathic Medicine as per the Hippocratic principle “Food is Medicine & Medicine is Food “. If you want the Grace of Jupiter to shine on your Health, go the Jupiterian Way of consuming Fruits !

Be a fruitarian & a vegetarian, for cruelty begets untold suffering !

Very nutritious and low in calories, Watermelon is high in Lycopene, second only to tomatoes. Lycopene can prevent cancer & cardiovascular diseases.

Nature’s most labour intensive fruit, Promegrate ( Punica Granatum ) is a medicinal fruit.
Nature’s Replenisher, Mango, has been grown in India for the last 5000 years. Mangoes can be round, oval or oblong and there are 500 varieties of mangoes. Select unblemished firm fruit while buying mangoes. It will ripen in 3 to 4 days at room temperature and if refrigerated, mango keeps going for about a week.

Bananas are Nature’s tonic and for the easy digestion and absorption of nutrients, it should be thoroughly ripened.
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Article by G Kumar, Astrologer , writer & programmer of www.eastrovedica.com. Recently he was awarded a Certificate by the Planetary Gemologists Association Global ( www.p-g-a.org ) as a Planetary Gem Advisor. He has 25 years psychic research experience in the esoteric arts. To subscribe to his free informative Ezine, the Z Files mailto:info@eastrovedica.com?subject=SubscribeZF. His blog is up at http://www.zodiacastrology.blogspot.com Mobile 091 9388556053
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My sincere recommendation would be to have him see a good team of therapists including a Chiropractor or Osteopath and a Massage Therapist.

The reason I say this is because first, the two work well together, and second, if the bones are pinching (or more correctly impinging on) the nerve then Chiropractic or Osteopathic Manipulation will grant the most efficient results for the dollar but if the problem is a muscle impinging on the nerve then massage will likely grant the most efficient results for the dollar.

Either way, either one of them could direct you to the more efficient therapy, hot or cold.

As for the massage cushions, since they lack the education and awareness of a trained massage therapist I find them to have nearly zero therapeutic value.

I am including a link to find a massage therapist in the USA. Most massage therapists (myself included) have at least one Chiropractor or Osteopath that they work with.

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Duration : 49 sec

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Did you know that Colgate toothpaste makes an excellent salve for burns.

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Cure urinary tract infections with Alka-Seltzer . Just dissolve two tablets in a glass of water and drink it at the onset of the symptoms. Alka-Seltzer begins eliminating urinary tract infections almost instantly — even though the product was never advertised for this use. ( Note : Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine is not the same..and contains aspirin, which can cause stomach bleeding if you have ulcers.)

Honey remedy for skin blemishes … Cover the blemish with a! dab of honey and place a Band-Aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight.

Listerine < < /I > > therapy for toenail fungus … Get rid of unsightly toenail fungus by soaking your toes in Listerine mouthwash. The powerful antiseptic leaves your toenails looking healthy again.

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Coca-Cola cure for rust … Forget those expensive rust removers. Just saturate an abrasive sponge with Coca Cola and scrub the rust stain. The phosphoric acid in the coke is what gets the job done. FYI, coca-cola is also used to shine shoes and clean car engines. I know people who do this and it works. (Scary that people still drink it.)

Cleaning liquid that doubles as bug killer … If menacing bees, wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets get in your home and you can't find the insecticide, try a spray of Formula 409 . Insects drop to the ground instantly.

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Hunt's tomato paste boil cure ….cover the boil with Hunt's tomato paste as a compress. The acids from the tomatoes soothe the pain and bring the boil to a head.

Balm for broken blisters …To disinfect a broken blister, dab on a few drops of Listerine … a powerful antiseptic.

Heinz vinegar to heal bruises … Soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and apply it to the bruise for 1 hour. The vinegar reduces the blueness and speeds up the healing process.

Kills fleas instantly . Dawn dish washing liquid does the trick. Add a few drops to your dog's bath and shampoo the animal thoroughly. Rinse well to avoid skin irritations. Goodbye fleas.

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I've heard of the coke one–I actually cleaned a car battery with one & it worked for me! The rest I'll keep on hand, incase……

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DISEASES CHINESE HERBS CURE
Chinese healing herbs are commonly used to treat disorders such as:
•Digestive problems
•Eczema and psoriasis
•Fatigue
•Gynaecological disorders
•Hepatic (liver) disorders
•Cardiovascular disorders
•Stress

There are different herbs for different types of diseases like:
•Diabetes Chinese herbs
•Chinese herbs for scabies
•Chinese herbs for endometrosis
As Diabetes has been most common ailment so there are different herbs for Diabetes patients like Diabetic neuropathy among others.
Specially for Gynecological disorders there are Chinese herbs for fertility and Chinese herbs for infertility
CATEGORIZATION OF MEDICINAL HERBS
Chinese Medicinal herbs are categorized in following ways:
•Property: Every herb is said to have the property of being either cool, cold, warm, or hot. Cool and cold herbs treat “hot” symptoms, such as fever, thirst, sore throat or constipation. Warm and hot herbs treat “cold” symptoms, such as cold hands and feet.
•Flavor: There are seven flavors of herbs; pungent, sweet, sour, astringent, bitter, salty, and neutral.
•Channels: Channels (or meridians) run throughout the body, affecting different organs. Each kind of herb affects a particular channel and organ.
•Actions: Herbs perform different actions in the body. These are known as lifting, floating, lowering, and sinking.
MECHANISM OF CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE IN BODY
Chinese treatment is a part of larger healing system called as “Traditional Chinese Medicine” (TCM), which includes among others acupuncture, massage dietary advice and exercise. For maintaining good health we must strive to attain a harmonious balanced relationship between the different systems inside our body, and between nature and our body and when this balance is disturbed we suffer from various diseases. These traditional Chinese Medicine balances our body system with the help of the prescribed Chinese healing herbs. The principle theory includes Yin and Yang, Qi, Blood and Body Fluid theory and Channels and Collaterals theory.
YIN AND YANG
The ancient Chinese proposed that all living things are sustained by balance of two opposing forces of energy, called Yin and Yang. Together, they make up the life essence, or Qi – a type of energy that flows through the body via invisible channels called meridians. Half of organs and meridians are governed by Yin and the other half are governed by Yang. When Yin and Yang are out of balance in the body, this causes a blockage of Qi and a subsequent illness. Yin and Yang imbalances can be caused by stress, pollution, poor diet, emotional upsets or infection. For diagnostic purposes, Yin and Yang are further subdivided into interior and exterior, hot and cold, deficiency and excess.
PHILOSOPHY BEHIND CHINESE HERBAL TREATMENT
This treatment depends on the philosophy that we live between heaven and earth and we are miniature universe in ourselves and we have five organs like
•Heart" or "mind" (hsin);
•2."lungs" or "respiratory system" (fei);
•3."liver" (kan);
•4."spleen" (p'i);
•5."kidneys" (shen)
These are called as Latent Phenomena
Exessive Wind (feng), cold (han), heat (shu), moisture (shih), dryness (tsao), and internal heat (huo "fire") harms the body, and are referred to as the "six external disease-causing factors" (liu yin). On the other hand, if mood changes within the individual, such as happiness(hsi), anger(nu), worry(yu), pensiveness(szu), grief(pei), fear(k'ung), and surprise(ching) are too extreme, they will also harm the health. These emotions are called the "seven emotions"(ch'i ch'ing). In Chinese Herbal treatment, the six external disease-causing factors, interacting with the seven emotions, form the theoretical foundation of disease pathology. These theoretical models, coupled with the "theory of latent phenomena," are used to analyze the patient's constitution and his illness, and diagnose the exact nature of his overall physical and psychological loss of balance. Based on this analysis, the doctor prescribes method to correct the imbalance.
HOW THE HERBAL MEDICINES ARE PRESCRIBED
The TCM philosophy proposes that everything including organs of the body – is composed of the five elements: fire, earth, metal, water and wood. The herbs are similarly classified into the five tastes – sweet, salty, bitter, pungent and sour – which correspond to the five elements, for example, since the skin is a metal element Yang organ, it would be treated with a pungent herb
Each herbal medicine prescription is a mixture of many herbs tailored to the individual patient. One batch of herbs is typically decocted twice over the course of one hour. The practitioner usually designs a remedy using one or two main ingredients that target the illness. Then the practitioner adds many other ingredients to adjust the formula to the patient's Yin Yang conditions. Sometimes, ingredients are needed to cancel out side
effects of the main ingredients. Some herbs require the use of other ingredients as catalyst or else the brew remains ineffective.
HOW THE PROBLEM IS DIAGNOSED
Diagnosis is by visual assessment, listening and smelling, questioning, and palpation; a single biomedical disease may be associated with a large number of TCM diagnoses, while one TCM diagnosis may encompass a number of biomedical diseases. Once a diagnosis is established, therapy aims at restoring the body's homeostasis by treating the root cause of the disease.
CHINESE HEALING HERBS
Chinese healing herbs are mainly plant based, but some preparations include minerals or animal products. They can be packaged as powders, pastes, lotions or tablets, depending on the herb and its intended use. Different herbs have different properties and can balance particular parts of the body. Prescribing a particular herb or concoction of herbs means the practitioner’s diagnosis has to take into account the state of the patient’s Yin and Yang, and the elements that are governing the affected organs.
SCIENCE VS HERBAL MEDICINE
Dr. David Nye pointed out some interesting facts in discussing scientific vs. Chinese Herbal Medicine. He said that scientific medicine is a body of knowledge about the human body, its maladies, and their treatment acquired by the application of scientific methods of study. These methods were developed for science in general and medicine in particular. For Alternate Medicine like Chinese Herbal Medicine, he explains alternative medicine as a name has been given to several schools of folk (non-scientific) medicine whose treatments are typically derived from tradition rather than from scientific study. Ideas often come from a single founder and are then passed along generation next with little change as in the case of chiropractic or homeopathy. New form of treatments may be added but the core theories are not challenged. Alternative medical treatments are often promoted through the use of anecdotal evidence and testimonials.
STEPS TO CONSIDER BEFORE GOING FOR CHINESE HERBAL TREATMENT
Chinese healing Herbs can act on the body as powerfully as pharmaceutical drugs and should be treated with the same caution and respect. Some herbs can be toxic in high doses; others can cause allergic reactions, many can also suffer from liver dysfunction. Make sure your practitioner is fully qualified. Never abandon your regular medication or alter the dose without the knowledge and approval of your Doctor. Because of the variety of herbs used in Chinese herbal medicine, there is a potential for negative interactions with prescribed drugs. Some herbal preparations contain other ingredients
which are not always identified. The FDA has issued a statement warning diabetics to avoid several specific brands of Chinese herbal products because they illegally contain the prescription diabetes drugs glyburide and phenformin. FDA warnings have been issued for PC-SPES and production of that product stopped because the Chinese herbal products also contained prescription drugs (indomethicin, diethylstilbestrol and warfarin).
China had no doubt remained one of the leading Civilizations since centuries in arts, social, culture, Economy but the gift of unique herbs that it gave to human beings is cherished, was cherished and will always be cherished by generations ahead. Though modern medicines has took its roots among the people but Chinese Medicinal Herbs has undoubtedly taken its own place into the hearts of millions due to its magical powers of healing.
These are the points that I have covered in the Write-up
•How does Chinese medicine differ from the scientific herbs?
•How do Chinese herbs work? (can describe it in steps)
oassesses the balance between yin and yang aspects of body functions
ocorrespondence of the ailment to the five phase elemental system of living energy
oetc
•Health benefits of Chinese herbs
•Are several herbs combined in Chinese herbal formula? (explain in brief)
•Dangers in using Chinese herbs (e.g. affect liver function)
Diagnostic examination before administering Chinese herbs (e.g. visual exam, listening and smelling etc)

Tall claims apart , not fond useful in the long run.

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so my question is, which product is the most effective in reducing the appearance of stretch marks? Palmers Cocoa Butter, Lush Therapy Massage Bar (Cocoa butter+shae butter), vitamin E tablets or Bio Oil??

any other suggestions are welcomed~
Thanks in advance

If they are white, then this is an indication that they are old and have in sense already faded. The good news is, they can be made less noticeable with daily moisturization. Use can use any 24 hour moisturizer to do this, but I recommend Palmers Shea Butter Formula because it is so rich and gives a slight sheen.

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Susanne
www.alternativehealthbusiness.com

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