Changes

* Cereals and pulses, wheat/gram flour products, new rice, corn, and others, are advised. Ginger, garlic, Haritaki (fruits of Terminalia chebula), Pippali (fruits of Piper longum), sugarcane products, and milk and milk products are to be included in the diet.  

* Cereals and pulses, wheat/gram flour products, new rice, corn, and others, are advised. Ginger, garlic, Haritaki (fruits of Terminalia chebula), Pippali (fruits of Piper longum), sugarcane products, and milk and milk products are to be included in the diet.  

* Consumption of non-vegetarian food specially the sea food, meat in this season doesnt cause harm instead it helps enhance the energy since it is well digested and also contain more percentage of fats which are recommended in this season. After consumption of such food drinking of madira and sidhu type of wines and honey is advised. These are inherently sour in [[Rasa (रसः)|rasa]] and hot in [[Veeryam (वीर्यम्)|veeryam]]. Thus, the combination of food and drink results in proper digestion and metabolism of such food to fulfill the requirements in this season. Overall it helps to keep check on aggravation of vata and increases strength of the body.  

* Consumption of non-vegetarian food specially the sea food, meat in this season doesnt cause harm instead it helps enhance the energy since it is well digested and also contain more percentage of fats which are recommended in this season. After consumption of such food drinking of madira and sidhu type of wines and honey is advised. These are inherently sour in [[Rasa (रसः)|rasa]] and hot in [[Veeryam (वीर्यम्)|veeryam]]. Thus, the combination of food and drink results in proper digestion and metabolism of such food to fulfill the requirements in this season. Overall it helps to keep check on aggravation of vata and increases strength of the body.  

* Foods having Amla (sour) as the predominant taste are preferred. Cereals and pulses, wheat/gram flour products, new rice, corn, and others, are advised. Ginger, garlic, Haritaki (fruits of Terminalia chebula), Pippali (fruits of Piper longum), sugarcane products, and milk and milk products are to be included in the diet.

* Foods having Amla (sour) as the predominant taste are preferred. Also Madhura (sweet) and lavana (salty) [[Rasa (रसः)|rasa]] dominant food helps to keep check of aggravated vata. However there should be a balance while making food choices and overindulgence in specific foods again and again may cause lead to health concerns in future.

* Cereals and pulses, wheat/gram flour products, new rice, corn, and others, are advised. Ginger, garlic, Haritaki (fruits of Terminalia chebula) with Pippali (fruits of Piper longum), sugarcane products, and milk and milk products are to be included in the diet.

* Food and drinks that cause vata vitiation and inherently light to digest in property, inadequate quantities of food, and intake of diluted gruel are contraindicated. Foods having Katu (pungent), Tikta (bitter), Kashaya (astringent) predominant Rasa are to be avoided. Laghu (light) and Shita (cold) foods are advised to be prohibited.

* Food and drinks that cause vata vitiation and inherently light to digest in property, inadequate quantities of food, and intake of diluted gruel are contraindicated. Foods having Katu (pungent), Tikta (bitter), Kashaya (astringent) predominant Rasa are to be avoided. Laghu (light) and Shita (cold) foods are advised to be prohibited.

=== Lifestyle ===

=== Lifestyle ===

In order to protect one's body from cold and dryness of winters it is necessary to avoid (getting exposed to) strong winds. In case it is not possible, on should at least use clothing that can protect one from cold and dry winds. Also, excessive walking, sleep at late night are to be avoided which causes vata aggravation (Thakkar J, Chaudhari S, Sarkar PK. Ritucharya: Answer to the lifestyle disorders. ''Ayu''. 2011;32(4):466-471. doi:10.4103/0974-8520.96117)

The lifestyle in shishira should be such that it will help to maintain the body temperature to the optimum level. Activities that increase warmth and protect from cold are encouraged.  

[[Abhyanga (अभ्यङ्गम् )|Abhyangam]]: Although a part of dinacharya or daily routine, abhyangam is must in Shishira rtu. Massage with luke warm oils help to keep check on vata dosha in body, reduce skin dryness by locking the moisture.   

* [[Abhyanga (अभ्यङ्गम् )|Abhyangam]]: Although a part of dinacharya or daily routine, abhyangam is must in Shishira rtu. Massage with luke warm oils help to keep check on vata dosha in body, reduce skin dryness by locking the moisture.

* Avoid: Diwaswapa (day time sleeping)  

 

Lohri, Pongal, Makar Sankranti, and the Hindu festival of Shivratri, Magh bihu

Bathing with luke warm water after abhyanga and udwartanam. Sun bath in region where the view of sun is obstructed for long time due to snowfall, cloudy atmosphere etc.

Lohri, Pongal, Makar Sankranti, and the Hindu festival of Shivratri, Magh bihu

(Festivals of hemanta:

Diwali- sweets, snacks- तस्मात्तुषारसमये स्निग्धाम्ललवणान् रसान्| औदकानूपमांसानां मेद्यानामुपयोजयेत्||११||

Deepawali- sweets, snacks- तस्मात्तुषारसमये स्निग्धाम्ललवणान् रसान्| औदकानूपमांसानां मेद्यानामुपयोजयेत्||११||

बिलेशयानां मांसानि प्रसहानां भृतानि च| भक्षयेन्मदिरां शीधुं मधु चानुपिबेन्नरः||१२||

बिलेशयानां मांसानि प्रसहानां भृतानि च| भक्षयेन्मदिरां शीधुं मधु चानुपिबेन्नरः||१२||

Therefore, the whole regimen advised for hemanta should also be followed in shishira ritu. In addition to that, one should specially stay in less windy and warm shelters (homes).  

Therefore, the whole regimen advised for hemanta should also be followed in shishira ritu. In addition to that, one should specially stay in less windy and warm shelters (homes).  

== Seasonal produce in Shishira: Fruits and vegetables and how they are helpful ==

== Seasonal produce in Shishira: Fruits and vegetables and how they are helpful ==

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

|+

|+

!Fruit

!Fruit

!Benefits

!Benefits

|

|

|-

|-

|

|Indian jujube (Ber)

|

|

|Fenugreek

|Fenugreek

Recipes from Maharashtra and Gujarat

Recipes from Maharashtra and Gujarat

# Oondhiyu

# Oondhiyu - Winter veggies, heavy, green garlic, beans

# Carrot halwa

# Carrot halwa - carrots, sweet, unctuous

# Popati

# Popati - simila rto oondhiyu

# Deep fried  

# Deep fried foods- especially sweets

# Sarson ka saag

# Sarson ka saag -

#  

#  

== References ==

== References ==