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The qualities of different seasons are to be understood in three aspects viz. [[masa]] (month), [[rashi]] (stellar constellations) and [[svarupa]] (characteristic features). The regimen prescribed for each season should be followed in mild, moderate or full degree in the succeeding order of strength of seasons. Importance is given first to the appearance of [[svarupa]] in reckoning season, then to the [[rashi]] and last to the [[masa]]. The regimen prescribed for the season should be mild or part, if only [[masa]] has commenced without commencement of [[rashi]] or [[svarupa]]; it should be moderate, if [[rashi]] has commenced, but [[svarupa]] has not yet; and regimen should in full measure if [[svarupa]] has commenced ever without [[rashi]].

The qualities of different seasons are to be understood in three aspects viz. [[masa]] (month), [[rashi]] (stellar constellations) and [[svarupa]] (characteristic features). The regimen prescribed for each season should be followed in mild, moderate or full degree in the succeeding order of strength of seasons. Importance is given first to the appearance of [[svarupa]] in reckoning season, then to the [[rashi]] and last to the [[masa]]. The regimen prescribed for the season should be mild or part, if only [[masa]] has commenced without commencement of [[rashi]] or [[svarupa]]; it should be moderate, if [[rashi]] has commenced, but [[svarupa]] has not yet; and regimen should in full measure if [[svarupa]] has commenced ever without [[rashi]].

The characteristics of normal seasons have been described in terms of various environmental factors. Knowledge of these characteristics is important to differentiate between deranged (abnormal) and normal seasons so that precautions can be taken to prevent the adverse effect of abnormal season. [Su.Sa.Sutra Sthana Chapter 6]

The characteristics of normal seasons have been described in terms of various environmental factors. Knowledge of these characteristics is important to differentiate between deranged (abnormal) and normal seasons so that precautions can be taken to prevent the adverse effect of abnormal season. [Su.Sa.Sutra Sthana Chapter 6]<ref name=Susruta>Sushruta. Sushruta Samhita. Edited by Jadavaji Trikamji Aacharya. 8th ed. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia;2005.</ref>

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=== Importance of [[ritucharya]](seasonal regimen) ===

=== Importance of [[ritucharya]](seasonal regimen) ===

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One’s various type of diet leads to promotion of strength and luster only when he knows the wholesomeness according to different seasons dependent on behavior and diet.(Cha.Su.6/3)

One’s various type of diet leads to promotion of strength and luster only when he knows the wholesomeness according to different seasons dependent on behavior and diet.[Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 6/3]

If one follows the regimen as described for different seasons, he never suffers from diseases due to the aggravated [[dosha]] under the seasonal impact. [Su.Sa.Uttara Sthana 64/55] </ref> <ref> Bhava Prakasha 5/356 </ref>

If one follows the regimen as described for different seasons, he never suffers from diseases due to the aggravated [[dosha]] under the seasonal impact. [Su.Sa.Uttara Sthana 64/55]<ref name=Susruta/> <ref> Bhava Prakasha 5/356 </ref>

A man always becomes healthy only when he properly follows [[dinacharya]] (daily regimen), [[nishacharya]] (night regimen) and [[ritucharya]] (seasonal regimen), otherwise he will have disease.<ref> Bhava Prakasha 5/13 </ref>

A man always becomes healthy only when he properly follows [[dinacharya]] (daily regimen), [[nishacharya]] (night regimen) and [[ritucharya]] (seasonal regimen), otherwise he will have disease.<ref> Bhava Prakasha 5/13 </ref>

==== Concept of [[ritu sandhi]] ====

==== Concept of [[ritu sandhi]] ====

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The last seven days of preceding [[ritu]] and first seven days of following [[ritu]] are together known as [[ritusandhi]] (meeting of two seasons). During this period the regimen of the previous season should be discontinued gradually and those of the succeeding season adopted slowly. Particular [[padamshika krama]] (sequential regimen) has to be adopted i.e. Unhealthy things which one has become accustomed should be discontinued gradually. Similarly healthy things (food etc.) should be made use of (gradually) with intervals of one, two or three days.(Cha.Su. 7/36-37) On the other hand, if they are discontinued or adopted suddenly, diseases due to unaccustomed foods and activities develop.<ref> Vridha Vagbhata. Sutra Sthana, Cha.4 Ritucharya Adhyaya verse 21. In: Shivaprasad sharma, Editor. Ashtanga Sangraha. 3rd ed. Varanasi: Chaukhamba sanskrit series office;2012</ref> It is a significant advice, as the changeover of external environment from one season to other is very rapid, but our endogenous system needs some time for smooth change over.

The last seven days of preceding [[ritu]] and first seven days of following [[ritu]] are together known as [[ritusandhi]] (meeting of two seasons). During this period the regimen of the previous season should be discontinued gradually and those of the succeeding season adopted slowly. Particular [[padamshika krama]] (sequential regimen) has to be adopted i.e. Unhealthy things which one has become accustomed should be discontinued gradually. Similarly healthy things (food etc.) should be made use of (gradually) with intervals of one, two or three days.[Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 7/36-37] On the other hand, if they are discontinued or adopted suddenly, diseases due to unaccustomed foods and activities develop.<ref> Vridha Vagbhata. Sutra Sthana, Cha.4 Ritucharya Adhyaya verse 21. In: Shivaprasad sharma, Editor. Ashtanga Sangraha. 3rd ed. Varanasi: Chaukhamba sanskrit series office;2012</ref> It is a significant advice, as the changeover of external environment from one season to other is very rapid, but our endogenous system needs some time for smooth change over.

====[[Yamadamshtra]] (period of increased mortality) ====

====[[Yamadamshtra]] (period of increased mortality) ====

###Relieving factors: Hot season

###Relieving factors: Hot season

#[[Shula]] (pain)

#[[Shula]] (pain)

##[[Vata]] dominant [[shula]]: [[Vata]] dominant [[shula]] especially gets exacerbated after digestion of food, in the evening time, at the end of night, during cloudy and rainy days, in cold climate, and due to direct and eastern wind exposure.<ref> Madhav Nidana 26/4 </ref>  [Su.Sa.Sutra Sthana 21/20] It gets relieved by [[swedana]](sudation), [[abhyanga]](oil massage), [[mardana]](massage), unctuous, and hot food items. On the basis of site of the [[vata]], the different sites are affected.  

##[[Vata]] dominant [[shula]]: [[Vata]] dominant [[shula]] especially gets exacerbated after digestion of food, in the evening time, at the end of night, during cloudy and rainy days, in cold climate, and due to direct and eastern wind exposure.<ref> Madhav Nidana 26/4 </ref>  [Su.Sa.Sutra Sthana 21/20]<ref name=Susruta/> It gets relieved by [[swedana]](sudation), [[abhyanga]](oil massage), [[mardana]](massage), unctuous, and hot food items. On the basis of site of the [[vata]], the different sites are affected.  

##[[Pitta]] dominant [[shula]]: It gets exacerbated during mid day, mid night, at the time of digestion of food, and during [[sharada]] [[ritu]]. It gets relieved by cold season, cold and [[madhura]] food.<ref> Madhav Nidana 26/8 </ref>

##[[Pitta]] dominant [[shula]]: It gets exacerbated during mid day, mid night, at the time of digestion of food, and during [[sharada]] [[ritu]]. It gets relieved by cold season, cold and [[madhura]] food.<ref> Madhav Nidana 26/8 </ref>

##[[Kapha]] dominant [[shula]]: This type of pain gets exacerbated just after intake of food, during early morning, at the beginning of night, and during [[shishira]] and [[vasanta]] seasons.<ref> Madhav Nidana 26/10 </ref>

##[[Kapha]] dominant [[shula]]: This type of pain gets exacerbated just after intake of food, during early morning, at the beginning of night, and during [[shishira]] and [[vasanta]] seasons.<ref> Madhav Nidana 26/10 </ref>

#[[Atisara]] (diarrhea): [[Rituviparyaya]] (any deviation from seasonal regimen) is an important cause of [[atisara]] .[Su.Sa.Uttara Sthana 40/4]

#[[Atisara]] (diarrhea): [[Rituviparyaya]] (any deviation from seasonal regimen) is an important cause of [[atisara]] .[Su.Sa.Uttara Sthana 40/4]<ref name=Susruta/>

#[[Sheetapitta]] (urticaria): Exposure to cold air aggravates [[kapha]] and [[vata]] [[dosha]], and along with [[pitta]] cause [[sheetapitta]]. It increases during rainy and winter seasons and especially in [[shishira]] [[ritu]].<ref> Madhav Nidana 50/1 </ref>

#[[Sheetapitta]] (urticaria): Exposure to cold air aggravates [[kapha]] and [[vata]] [[dosha]], and along with [[pitta]] cause [[sheetapitta]]. It increases during rainy and winter seasons and especially in [[shishira]] [[ritu]].<ref> Madhav Nidana 50/1 </ref>

#[[Kushtha]] (skin diseases): The first important cause of [[kushtha]] is [[viruddha anna-pana]] (intake of antagonistic food), which includes [[kala viruddha]] also for e.g. during hot season intake of [[katu]] and hot variety of foods and during cold season [[ruksha]] (rough) and [[sheeta]] (cold) foods are [[kala]] [[viruddha]] [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/4-8].

#[[Kushtha]] (skin diseases): The first important cause of [[kushtha]] is [[viruddha anna-pana]] (intake of antagonistic food), which includes [[kala viruddha]] also for e.g. during hot season intake of [[katu]] and hot variety of foods and during cold season [[ruksha]] (rough) and [[sheeta]] (cold) foods are [[kala]] [[viruddha]]. [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 7/4-8]

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