Chaturmas Ayurvedic Practices: Ayurvedic Health Tips for...

Chaturmas: Ayurvedic Restoration During Monsoon & Autumn

Article - 3 Min Read

The term Chaturmas comes from the combination of "Chatur" (four) and "Mas" (month) in Sanskrit. It refers to a sacred period of four months, from July to October. In India, some of the most important festivals are during this period including Janmashtami, Dussehra and Diwali are celebrated. Various types of fasting practices, known as upvas, are observed during these festivities, believed to be beneficial for the self.

When deciphering this ancient belief system, we can understand that during Chaturmas, it is a time for internal correction. It is a time to look inward and focus on internal correction, particularly in health practices.

According to Ayurveda, after the summer, the dry nature of the environment increases Vata qualities. As the monsoon season starts, people are more prone to vata-related diseases. “Consuming non-vegetarian foods during this period, especially for individuals high in pitta or vata, can lead to increased inflammation”, explains Dr. Sreelal Sankar, Head of Ayurveda, Ananda in the Himalayas. This is why it is recommended to abstain from meat, chicken, fish, and eggs during the monsoon period. But those with high vata, who are generally lean and prone to degenerative diseases, may continue nourishment from animal proteins, though in moderation.

In the first month of the rainy season, joint pains and other degenerative changes tend to worsen. “It is advised for those with weaker digestion and degenerative diseases to avoid leafy vegetables because the oxalates in the leaves inhibit calcium absorption, weakening the bone tissues," says Dr. Sankar.

During the second month of the rainy season, as per Ayurvedic text Charak Samhitha, the consumption of milk should be reduced. This could be due to an increase in the "water qualities" in the body, leading to conditions like sinusitis, gut issues, and oozing skin conditions, especially in those prone to such conditions. “This is also a period where the digestive system is weaker, and the body is more susceptible to infections ," Dr. Sankar notes.

In the third month, Ayurveda recommends avoiding yoghurt based foods, as they may aggravate inflammatory conditions in some individuals due to the presence of lactobacillus, lactic acids, histamines, etc.

In the fourth month, hot potency proteins like horse gram and items that increase pitta like black gram should be avoided. “This may also be the reason why foods like garlic are to be avoided during this period. During Diwali festival for example, sweets are consumed to prepare the body for the colder months and reduce pitta disturbances," Dr. Sankar explains.

The concept of avoiding certain items during this period does not apply universally. Changes in nature require adaptation by the body, and these adaptations vary from person to person. While these restrictions are based on generalizations, individual variations should be taken into account.

What can be done to improve the body’s ability to maintain internal harmony, regardless of the changes occurring inside it?

At Ananda, especially during the monsoon season, traditional restorative treatments like Panchakarma are commonly practised. “During first two months degenerative and Vata-predominant conditions need to be addressed, while during the second half inflammatory or pitta-predominant conditions are treated. Managing Vata and Pitta indirectly helps to manage the Kapha Dosha as well ," says Dr. Sankar. For Vata management, procedures like Vasti (enema treatment), special massages with herbal bundles, restorative medication, and a Dosha-specific diet are administered. For Pitta correction, the Virechana (purgative) treatment approach along with medication, if required, is recommended. Ayurveda believes every individual is different, and the treatments are decided based on the individual’s health condition and requirements.

The suggested duration for treatments is 14 days or longer to have a proper impact on the body.

Ananda provides Ayurvedic Rejuvenation programmes tailored to suit individual requirements. Click here to know more.