Karkidaka Chikitsa:
Ayurvedic Monsoon Treatment in Kerala
— Dr. Namitha Suseel B.A.M.S
Karkidaka chikitsa is so famous in kerala that many people think that ayurvedic treatment should be done only in karkidakam. To know why karkidaka chikitsa has become so famous in kerala ,first we must understand the 6 ritus or seasons.
They are as follows in the successive order.
- Sisira [extreme winter]
- Vasanta [ spring]
- Grisma [ summer]
- Varsa [rainy]
- Sarat[autumn]
- Hemanta [early winter]
These 6 ritus are divided into two namely uttarayana and dakshinayana. The first 3 seasons come under uttarayana and the next 3 under dakshinayana.
In uttarayanam, the sun is seen by us,as moving in a northerly direction, from east to west.during this period, the sun is above the north of the equator, the earth has decreased moisture content, the air becomes dry. These atmospheric changes affect the human body and all organisms causing a gradual decrease in vitality and strength. Since it takes away strength, this period is also known as Adanakaala. Rasa (tastes) such as tikta (bitter),kashaya (astringent), and katu (pungent) become stronger during this kaala.
In dakshinayana the sun is seen to be moving in a southern direction, from east to west.during this period, the sun is above the south of the equator. The earth is blessed with increased moisture content, the body will be supple and strong. Hence this period is called visarga kaala as the sun lets out strength. Rasas of madhura (sweet), amla (sour ), and lavana (salty) gain strength in this period.
The karkidaka month comes under Varsha ritu. It is the period of least immunity. The earth is superheated by the previous Grishma ritu and to this comes the sudden splutter of rain. This causes an amlata or acidity of the earth. Even water and vegetation attains this acidity.
All these changes also happen in the human body. The pitta dosha starts vitiation and Vata dosha becomes extremely vitiated. The digestive fire becomes very diminished. These factors give rise to many diseases. At this period various digestive disorders occur if we don’t keep our agni ignited. also the rheumatological diseases attain more strength. To add on, various communicable and vector bone diseases start to spread. We have seen a number of such diseases like dengue, chikungunya, leptospirosis, swine flu, Nipah, and the list goes on. each year a new one arises.
The body has maximum strength during winter [hemanta and sisira] and minimal during summer[grisma] and rainy season[varsa].
Importance of Karkidaka Chikitsa – Monsoon Treatment
The main aim is to improve the digestive fire and immunity. Here comes the importance of panchakarma chikitsa. The body has to be cleansed first by Vamana and virechana followed by vasti. Vasti is the best treatment for vata. It pacifies the aggravated vata and thus helps in treating the rheumatological and neurological diseases caused by vata.
Once the body is cleansed, the digestive fire should be increased slowly by following certain diet patterns. All the regimes have to be adopted that do not vitiate the dosas and that increases the digestive fire. Food and water should be such that it helps to improve digestion and pacify vata.
Different varieties of kizhi and abhyanga[ oil massage] and other vatahara treatments will be done after considering the body constitution. Then comes the karnataka kanji.
Ayurveda Healthy Diet Plan for Monsoon Season
- Take light foods that are easy to digest like porridge. The carminative property of porridge can be enhanced by adding ginger to it while cooking.
- Porridge prepared by adding panchakolam[ a medicine mix prepared with 5 ingredients] is very good for digestion and also relieves body pain.
- One can have food according to his appetite. If you don’t feel satisfied with porridge you can take soups by adding a good amount of pepper. You can also have a light vegetarian diet.
- Eat only till half of your stomach is filled, fill the remaining ¼ with water and leave the next ¼ th for air.only then can the complete digestion take place.
- Prepare food with old cereals[if available]like old wheat, barley, rice, etc. when the cereals become old they become lighter.
- Whey [the supernatant clear fluid obtained when you make curd] mixed with rock salt.
- Use only boiled water for drinking. Boil water with coriander or jeera or dry ginger, you can try each alternatively.
Karkidaka Kanji – The Medicinal Porridge
It is a very famous porridge preparation in Kerala which is taken during the month of Karkidaka. It is designed in such a way that the medicinal qualities are infused into the porridge which will help you to improve your digestive power and in turn increase your immunity. The medicines used in this preparation are all Vatahara drugs [ drugs that pacify vata]
Once the body is cleansed, the digestive fire should be increased slowly by following certain diet patterns. All the regimes have to be adopted that do not vitiate the dosas and that increases the digestive fire. Food and water should be such that it helps to improve digestion and pacify vata.
Different varieties of kizhi and abhyanga[ oil massage] and other vatahara treatments will be done after considering the body constitution. Then comes the karnataka kanji.
Who all should do Karkidaka Chikitsa
This treatment is beneficial for both diseased as well as healthy individuals.
In people suffering from rheumatological complaints and other Vata disorders, their ailments will become more severe during Karkidakam Masam due to the vitiation of Vata dosha. Hence it is very necessary for them to take treatment.
In the case of a healthy individual, due to the influence of the rainy season, there happens a certain change in the body resulting in vitiation of pitta and Vata. hence they should also take the Karkidaka Chikitsa so as to pacify the vitiated dosas or else these dosas can cause different diseases.
Once the body is cleansed, the digestive fire should be increased slowly by following certain diet patterns. All the regimes have to be adopted that do not vitiate the dosas and that increases the digestive fire. Food and water should be such that it helps to improve digestion and pacify vata.
Different varieties of kizhi and abhyanga[ oil massage] and other vatahara treatments will be done after considering the body constitution. Then comes the karnataka kanji.
Things to be avoided during Monsoon [Karkidaka] month
- Day sleep
- Exertion
- Sunbath
- Heavy food
Importance of Karkidaka Chikitsa in the present corona outbreak.
The coronavirus can be defeated only by strengthening our immunity. The immunity which we have is going to be weakened due to the peculiarity of this Monsoon month. Hence we should be more vigilant and take steps beforehand to improve and strengthen our immunity. Thus Karkidaka Chikitsa is gaining more importance than in the past.
Karkidaka Chikitsa at Dheemahi Ayurvedic Centre
The minimum duration is 14 days and the ideal duration is 21 days. It can be up to 40 days. It is the perfect time to wash out all impurities and to bring back all the doshas to the balanced state.
Karkidaka month is the best time of the year for an Ayurveda Treatment Program. Avail special monsoon Ayurveda treatment packages at Ayurveda hospital in Dheemahi Ayurvedic Centre , Kottayam
