Vasant Ritu: Self-Love for Good Health During Spring Season
Spring Season or Vasant Ritu: Spring is in the air! Flowers blooming everywhere. Glorious colours. Bright sunshine. Warmer temperatures as the sun has started its ascent into the northern hemisphere, nights still slightly cold, at least during the early part of the season. Overall, it is one of the more moderate and pleasant times of the year.
In India, which follows the 6-season pattern, Spring is called Vasant or Basant Ritu. It falls immediately after Shishir (late winter), from mid-March to mid-May, covering the Hindu months of Chaitra and Baisakh. Vasant Ritu is considered the king of all seasons and it is a time for celebration. So much so that there is a festival to announce the arrival of Vasant Ritu almost a month before it is due to arrive, in late Shishir Ritu (late winter) itself - the festival of Vasant Panchami.
Vasant Ritu itself has many festivals such as Holi and Rang Panchami followed by Gudi Padwa, Ugadi, Rama Navami, Vishu, Bihu, Baisakhi, Puthandu, and Hanuman Jayanti.
Effect of Vasant Ritu on our bodies
According to Ayurveda, each season is characterised by a unique set of qualities or doshas. In Vasant Ritu, Kapha dosha or the water element, which is triggered and accumulates (Sanchaya) during the winter (Shishir), tends to build up in the body (Prakopa). It is characterized by heaviness, sluggishness and excess mucus production.
With plants and trees starting to bloom, seasonal allergies are common. Common symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and congestion.
As the days become longer and the weather gets warmer, many people experience an increase in energy levels. The increased exposure to sunlight helps regulate our circadian rhythm and boosts vitamin D production.
The transition from cold, dry winter weather to warmer, more humid spring weather can affect our skin. Some people may experience increased oil production and acne, while others may experience dryness and irritation.
Vasant Ritucharya or Self-care Routines for Spring
For achieving good health overall, the body and mind need to be in a state of equilibrium. For physical health management, Ayurveda lays stress on proper living during the day (Dinacharya), during the night (Ratricharya), and also as per the seasons (Ritucharya). For mental health, it prescribes the right conduct (Sadachara).
According to Ayurveda, each season has a unique effect on the human body. A seasonal regimen, Ritucharya, is designed to balance these effects for maintaining good health and preventing diseases.These practices emphasize the balance of the three doshas or energies in the body – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha - to promote overall well-being.
With the spring season being a season of growth and renewal, Vasant Ritucharya is designed to promote detoxification, rejuvenation, and vitality, with a holistic approach to health and well-being. It emphasizes the importance of self-care, mindfulness, and a connection with nature. By following the Vasant Ritucharya, one can promote physical, mental, and emotional health, and also prevent diseases, through specific practices related to diet, exercise and lifestyle during the spring season.
Lifestyle practices like getting adequate sleep, practicing mindfulness, and maintaining a positive attitude are also recommended during the spring season. Ayurveda emphasizes the connection between the mind and body, and the Vasant Ritucharya is designed to promote balance and harmony in both.
Ayurveda recommends specific diet, exercise patterns and daily lifestyle regimens. In addition, it recommends specific herbs and therapies to promote detoxification and rejuvenation during the spring season.
10 points summary of the Daily Do's & Dont's as per Ayurveda Vasant Ritucharya
- Wake up early, before sunrise, avoid afternoon sleep. Get plenty of rest and sleep.
- Exercise and yogasana, early morning preferably while it’s cooler
- Pranayama (breathing exercises) to help clear the excess generation of mucus / phlegm and improve the oxygen absorption
- Daily self massage (Abhyanga) with warm oils like sesame and almond to help balance the skin and nervous system, post exercise
- Cleansing (Snana) routine - bathe with warm water along with a herbal scrub and exfoliator ubtan (uthane).
- Wear cool cotton clothing. Cover the head while stepping outdoors. Wear a cap, scarf, etc
- Steam inhalations to prevent build-up of phlegm
- In general, eat lighter foods, easy-to-digest foods. Add digestive spices to the foods that you eat
- Indulging the senses by listening to soothing music, enjoying the sights of the beautiful flowers, aromatherapy with uplifting scents like lavender
- Play Holi, Rang Panchami with natural plant-based colours or protect your skin from damage by chemical-based colours used by others
Fun Fact
Did you know that to improve immunity, traditional Holi colours included turmeric for yellow, neem leaves for green
Abhyanga Snana (Oil massage & Bath) in Vasant Ritu
Abhyanga, in Dinacharya, is typically an oil application and self-massage technique in a well-designed and rhythmic manner. Abhyanga involves massaging the entire body with warm oil, while Shirobhyanga involves massaging the head and scalp with oil. Padabhyanga involves massaging the feet and lower legs with oil, and Karnabhyanga involves massaging the ears with oil.
Abhyanga is a lot more than just skin care or hair care. The oil massage not only moisturises, it ensures that the skin becomes healthy, beautiful and radiant inside out. It detoxifies and also nourishes the skin by seeping into the deepest tissues, keeping the internal tissues supple and healthy.
Abhyanaga is soothing, strengthening and toning for the muscles. It relaxes the body and supports sound sleep. It is also beneficial in relieving stiffness in the back, shoulders, joints and muscles, often caused in changing weathers, and especially when one has allergies during the Spring Season.
Vasant refers to the spring season in Ayurveda, which is considered a time of renewal and rejuvenation. Abhyanga is particularly beneficial during this season as it can help to balance the body's energy, improve circulation, and promote detoxification.
During the spring season, the body may accumulate excess kapha dosha, which can lead to feelings of sluggishness, congestion, and weight gain. Abhyanga can help to stimulate the lymphatic system, which can aid in the elimination of toxins and excess fluids from the body. Additionally, these massages can help to improve circulation, promote lymphatic drainage, and nourish the skin, all of which can be especially beneficial during the dry and windy spring season.
In addition to its physical benefits, abhyanga can also have a calming and grounding effect on the mind, which can be particularly helpful during periods of seasonal transition. The warm oil and gentle massage can help to soothe the nervous system and promote feelings of relaxation and well-being.
During the spring season, the body naturally begins to detoxify, and the use of warm oil during these massages can help to support this process. Additionally, these massages can help to improve circulation, promote lymphatic drainage, and nourish the skin, all of which can be especially beneficial during the dry and windy spring season.
The best oil for Abhyanga or oil massage is based on the individuals' body type. Sesame oil is recommended for most ayurvedic massages because it is the deepest penetrating
The face & body oils from Parama Naturals have a balanced composition suited for all skin types and body types. They can be used post shower (in a manner similar to a moisturizer), as they are quick absorbing, non-greasy and without strong fragrances. In 2-5 minute routines, they can give the same benefits as 20-30 minute traditional abhyanga routines.
Shirobhyanga or head massage
This can be particularly helpful in calming the nervous system and promoting mental clarity, which can be especially beneficial during the spring season when the mind and body are adjusting to the changes in the environment.
A regular oil massage with a herb-enriched natural hair oil allows the hair oil to penetrate deep into the scalp providing the hair follicles with much-needed nourishment to make the hair stronger, while helping to reduce the hair fall. It is also helpful in cooling the head, releasing stress and for a deep, relaxed sleep. Apply the Parama Naturals Herb-enriched Nourishing Hair Oil in the hair roots and scalp the night before the hair wash. For better and long-lasting hair care, also apply 2-3 drops just in the roots as a leave-on hair serum daily post bath to prevent hair fall, dandruff and protect your hair against the drying effect of the environment. For frizzy control and to keep hair soft and manageable, one can also apply the hair oil on the length of the hair, like a pre-wash hair mask or like a post-wash conditioning hair serum.
Padabhyanga or foot massage
This helps to improve circulation and reduce swelling in the lower legs and feet, which can be helpful for those who spend long periods on their feet or suffer from conditions such as varicose veins. For best results, the ideal time to do Padabhyanga is at night before one goes to bed. Wash your feet with warm water. Pat them dry.
It may be done along with the full body abhyanga or for best results, in the night before sleeping. This helps in sound sleep, to prevent morning stiffness, pains, balancing the body temperatures and keeping it in a state of homeostasis.
Pada Abhyanga, especially at night, not only helps your feet relax after the intense exercise, a hectic day but also keeps the skin moisturized and free from calluses and painful, cracked heels.
The best oil for Padabhyanga is the Parama Naturals' Zingiber Body Oil . It supports sound sleep, and reduces body stiffness, crackling joints and muscles, aches or pains. A brisk massage of the soles of your feet with Parama Naturals' Zingiber Body Oil, which gives the benefits of the Ginger Paste Application without the mess or the stains, before going to bed reduces any Vata accumulation, and helps you get sound sleep while keeping you snug and cozy too through the winter nights too.
Karnabhyanga or massaging the ear lobes
This can be beneficial for those who suffer from allergies or sinus-related issues during the spring season. It relieves stress and tiredness from too much use of phones or electronic devices. It can also help to improve hearing and promote overall ear health.
Overall, incorporating these self-massage techniques into your daily routine during the Vasant Ritu can be a beneficial way to support the body's natural detoxification process, promote healthy skin, and support overall health and wellbeing. It is always best to consult with an Ayurvedic practitioner to determine the most suitable oil for your body type and any health conditions you may have.
Abhyanga Snana
Follow the body oil massage with a warm-water shower. Avoid very hot water for your bath as it strips your skin of its natural oils. Use a mild, natural herbal cleansing scrub (ubtan or uthane) that gently exfoliates, sloughing off the accumulated dirt and dead skin cells like the Parama Naturals' Enriching Exfoliator Face & Body Scrub. Dead skin cells get generated on the skin on a regular basis because of the natural cellular life cycle, and on account of aging, weather, sun exposure, lifestyle and use of chemical-based skin care products. Accumulation of dead skin cells or not cleansing them periodically makes the skin dull, lifeless, flaky and dry, and they also have a tendency to get deposited in the pores, resulting in black-heads. The Parama Naturals' Enriching Exfoliator Face & Body Scrub gently cleanses, exfoliates and polishes the skin to reveal a naturally radiant glowing skin. Follow this up with a hydrating face oil like the Parama Naturals' All Day Lite Moisturizing Face Oil or the Parama Naturals' Turmeric Moisturizing Oil in dry climate or if you have extra dry skin.
Do not rub your skin dry. Instead, pat-dry with a soft towel.
Exercise in Vasant
An important aspect of Vasant Ritucharya is exercise. During this season, it is recommended to engage in activities that are stimulating and invigorating, such as brisk walking, running, hiking, yoga or dancing. These activities help to increase circulation and reduce kapha dosha, which can alleviate feelings of heaviness and sluggishness.
The spring season is a good time to engage in outdoor activities like walking, hiking, and yoga. These activities help to promote circulation and oxygenation in the body, and also help to reduce stress and anxiety.
After a cold winter, there could be remnants of body stiffness and pains that recur. Ensure that the body is not stiff, to prevent any injury. Use the Parama Naturals' Zingiber Oil for Stiffness and Pain Relief.
Diet in Vasant
Diet plays a crucial role in the Vasant Ritucharya. During Vasant, one of the key recommendations is to eat a light diet which is easy to digest. The food should be warm and low in fat and sugar. This is because kapha dosha tends to increase the appetite and can lead to overeating and weight gain. Ayurveda suggests incorporating warming spices like ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric into meals to help stimulate digestion and metabolism.
- Foods that are sweet, bitter, and astringent in taste are recommended.
- Avoid heavy, oily, and spicy foods
- Reduce consumption of dense and difficult to digest foods like cheese, shrikhand, thick shakes, paneer, peanuts, sago, udid dal.
- Fresh juicy sweet fruits of the season like grapes, watermelon, melon
- All vegetables including green leafy vegetables, raw white onions are good to beat the heat
- All grains like barley, quinoa, millets (avoid much bajra)
- Spices like cinnamon, turmeric and ginger to aid digestion
- Tulsi, sabja, kokum juice, lemon juice
- Buttermilk, Amla juice, raw mango Panna, Ragi Sattu
- Neem leaves for improved immunity and balancing the doshas of pitta and kapha, improvement in digestion and cleansing of taste buds.
- Avoid cold water and ice. Stick to room temperature water.
Fun Fact
Did you know that to introduce the 6 tastes, from childhood onwards, including the much disliked "bitter taste of Neem", the Tamil New Year, which falls during Vasant Ritu, is celebrated with a traditional dish of "Neem flower Mango Pachadi"!
By following these guidelines, one can stay balanced and healthy during the Vasant season. However, it is important to note that each person's individual constitution, or prakriti, may require different adjustments during this time. Consulting with an Ayurvedic practitioner can help determine the best practices for one's unique needs.
In conclusion, Vasant Ritucharya offers a holistic approach to staying healthy during the spring season. By incorporating diet, exercise, rest, self-care practices and herbal therapies, one can detoxify, maintain balance and improve vitality during this time of renewal and rejuvenation. One can maintain balance and harmony in both the mind and body, and promote overall health and well-being.
Steam inhalations
Taking steam inhalations with salt water and infused with Parama Naturals' Turmeric Essential Oil is ideal for keeping our nasal passages clear and to help us stay clear of infections.
Follow the Vasant Ritucharya routine for spring time and we’re sure you’ll start enjoying the season more with no worries about your skin or overall health. Nature has answers to all your problems and if you stick to caring for your skin with natural products, you’ll be rewarded with a healthy body and a radiant complexion for ever.