Category: Blog

This is a story from the nineties. The Pune-Satara highway was only two lanes at the time. There were no windmills in the area surrounding Thoseghar and Chalkewadi. There were only one or two buses that went daily from Satara to Bamnoli (via Kas), with the exception of a few bikes on the Kas Road. The colorful flowers were usually visible to onlookers through the bus window. However, because it was so normal, no one would stop to take a closer look at them.

Windmills were created on the Chalkewadi Plateau as development progressed, and a few access roads to the Thoseghar area were constructed. With the addition of a road, the location gained popularity, as did the windmills and waterfall. Around that time, the Pune-Satara Road was widened to four lanes, and four-wheelers became a part of the middle-class lifestyle. Monsoon trips to places like Thoseghar, Sajjangad, Kas, and Bamnoli became a ritual for residents in western India. And then the horrible cycle of natural devastation began. Kas Lake became “Kach” (glass) Lake.  How did Kas-Thoseghar-Bamnoli’s nature change during this transformation? This is a short & not-so-sweet story on the adverse effects, primarily on the Kas Plateau.

Initially, some people started to come there on their bikes. They could see the flowers closely. There was no mobile phone with a camera connected to it, nor any sort of fence or guide. Therefore, People used to leave shortly after appreciating the flowers. Some individuals would pluck the flowers, while others would uproot the plant to put it in their garden. Some would run over or roll on the flowers . There were people who would carry the thin crust of soil along with them. Telling them about the conservation of environment and this wonderful piece of nature was pointless. Since, there were relatively few visitors, the damage was minimal.

During those days,  we would spot researcher in the distant corner of the Kas Plateau. They used to remind everyone from the bottom of their heart that we needed to preserve this ultimate heritage as much as possible. To protect it , we must treat it as a family member and  take the best possible care of it. Also, publish as little as possible. It was as if they knew exactly what the future held.

I remember somebody from them telling us that  our Sahyadri is embellished with all these flowers and biodiversity. It doesn’t mean that we should watch it quickly in few days. In fact, we can experience it throughout the year. Few decades ago, the same flowers were visible on Panchagani Plateau, but they have now disappeared due to excessive tourism. Interestingly, I have seen the same kind of flowers on the Panchagani Plateau after the Corona lockdown period.  If you give nature a space and some time, it will surely return.

Time moved on for 20 years. These days, everyone owns a car, a camera, and a lot of time. It is used  not to experience the beauty of nature but to engage in certain activities that they can post it on social media. In old days, the route from Pune to Satara used to take three hours, and the trip from Satara to Kas only twenty minutes. Even on holidays, it now takes two and a half to three hours to get to Satara and one and a half to two hours to reach Kas. The Satara-Kas Road, which was quite relaxed earlier, is now continuously busy. Now we can see the resorts on both sides of the road inviting not only people to stay in this beautiful nature but also to construct their second home in nature (sadly by destroying the same nature).

Why are we so stubborn ? Why Kas only. Given that Maharashtra has over 500 km of Sahyadri range then why are we only crowding in a 5–10 km stretch?  These kind of plateaus are everywhere in Sahyadri. These plateaus are formed after cooling of lava and the layer of soil is formed by the erosion of the upper layer of the plateau and these wildflowers blooms on that in all the season. This kind of scene can be found everywhere. Then, why are we travelling to such a long distance, wasting time and fuel and destroying nature when it is already in a fragile condition. Maybe there isn’t as much diversity or as much flowering on the other plateaus. However, by overcrowding Kas, should we allow the Kas Plateau to experience the same fate as Panchangani?.

Satara to Kas was a beautiful hill road with greenery and flowers on both sides. There wasn’t any hotel till Bamnoli. There were only one or two tea stalls. One at Petri and another near Yavateshwar and the rest was just nature. There used to be free movement for birds and animals and very limited movement of people and vehicles.

Not only Kas, but also places like Mulshi  (in the beginning of monsoon) , Konkan beaches (during winter) are getting crowded. This is leaving a mark on our nature which cannot be erased. There are so many hills near Pune and luckily the biodiversity still persists there. Many organization are trying to restore the biodiversity. Instead of taking a booster dose of travelling to Kas, Mulshi, and Bhigwan once a year, we can still enjoy it slowly. By working with such organizations, we can bring the Kas plateau closer to us and that too for a complete year !!

We can just take a quick walk up the hill closest to us to observer which tree have new leaves, which ones have new blooms. Some trees are shading leaves according to season. In branches of some tree, birds are nesting hurriedly. There are a lot of such scenes, we can store in our eyes and brain in such peaceful morning. How can we feel the fresh morning breeze, the mild scent of flowers and leaves,  sound of chirping birds into the already crowded Kas.

You’ll never notice how much time has passed when you’re sitting next to your favorite tree, carefully stroking its leaves and blooms and admiring its unique characteristics. Nobody will interrupt you at that time, and no one will be standing in line behind you or asking you to take their photo. If possible, we can keep a little notepad to document any changes in our environment. It could be related to the soil near the tree, the leaves, flowers, or birds around the tree, or the blue sky you see while relaxing near the tree. All of these memories will be unique to you.

Most importantly, all of these values should be consciously passed down to the next generation. Enjoying Monsoon does not mean shooting selfie under a crowded waterfall, eating Kanda Bhaji(pakoda) or performing a rain dance in a resort. Monsoon means waking up early morning  to listen the chirping of Pawasha (a bird similar to Chatak), closely observing the small streams, nearby canals, identifying the small flora and fauna around it. It is important to take our new generation to the nearby locations and show them the subtle changes in nature. The festivals in Shravan, have many rituals associated with leaves and flowers. These rituals were meant to connect us with the changing nature of the seasons.

Going in nature doesn’t imply rushing to a location and snatching some of its charm but rather it should be an experience earned through the numerous and tranquil visits. If we can persuade our younger generation that it is not a one-time event, but rather a part of our daily lives (Dincharya), we will be able to preserve Kas’s important heritage and our environment friendly traditions. Our forefathers have conserved this nature and legacy for thousands of years. We should now cherish and enhance it by our mature, active and environmentally conscious behavior. Then only we can prevent the destruction of heritage sites like Kas and that will be our true development.

During Sharad Rutu, the heat in the atmosphere increases due to intense heat of the Sun. This causes a favorable impact on our digestive power. The digestive power, which was reduced in Varsha Rutu, starts to increase during this season. Naturally, food is properly digested, which in turn contributes to the strengthening of our body. During this period, the winter solstice starts, i.e. the Sun starts moving from the northern hemisphere to the southern hemisphere. Overall, we can say that this is the season that strengthens the body as well as the digestive system.

Considering this, we should include Rice, Wheat and Jowar in our diet. All dishes made from Moong dal such as Dal, Moon dal khichadi and Ladoo are beneficial in this season. We can also include Matki and Matar(green peas). Chana dal(Gram) is an excellent food for reducing acidity. Therefore, we should include it in our diet. ‘Puranpoli’ made from Wheat, Chana dal and Jaggery is perfect for consuming in this season. Puranpoli should be had with milk and lots of pure ghee. Consuming Puranpoli in this manner reduces acidity and strengthens our body as it is sweet. This is also the reason we offer Puranpoli to Devi during Navaratra.  We should definitely include such food in our diet as sweet foods help in reducing acidity and increasing the strength of the body.

Like all sweet foods, bitter and Turat(taste like Amla) tasting food also help in reducing acidity.  Therefore, we should use Bitter gourd, Neem leaves, Turmeric and Kawath in our diet. Ripe and sweet fruits such as Chikoo(sapodilla), Banana, Apple, Orange and Mosambi(Sweet Lime) are beneficial in this season. We should avoid sour tasting food as it increases acidity. Of course, Lemon and Kokam are exceptions to this. We can consume Amala Sarbat and Kokam Sarbat freely. Amla, although it is sour, works well in reducing acidity. We can consume Amala Sarbat or Amla churna. Moravala, made from Amla and sugar, is also very beneficial. Like Moravala, Gulkand is also very good in this season. In this hot season, along with Milk and Pure ghee, we should also include sweet buttermilk and butter in our diet.

Spicy foods instantly increase acidity. Therefore, we should use green chilies and hot spices in less quantities. All spices should be used sparingly, including Black Pepper, Asafoetida and fried foods. Garlic, which is very useful in the rainy season, should also be used in less quantities in this season. Therefore, instead of Black Pepper and Garlic it is advised to use cumin seeds, coriander seeds, curry leaves and coriander. These foods not only help in reducing acidity but also enhance the taste of the food. During this season, fermented foods such as Idli, bread, Dosa and Dhokla should be avoided. Similarly, the use of stale foods and curd should be avoided. Pickles must be consumed in less quantities so as to prevent increase in acidity. If you still want to use them, instead of Mango pickle, use Lemon pickle or pickle made from fresh turmeric and Lemon. We should avoid using oil made from Kardai as it also increases acidity.

When eating, the food should not be very hot. Also, it is better to eat a little less than your stomach full. This reduces the stress on the digestive system. Drinking water should be cooled using Khus(Wala). We should use air-conditioners and fans to reduce the atmospheric heat during daytime. During this season, the Lep(coating) of cool and medicinal herbs like Nagarmotha, Kachora, Chandan(Sandal) and Ushir is beneficial for our body. Exercise like swimming is advised to cope with the heat. We should use cold water for bathing. It is advised to use loose silk and cotton clothes to reduce the trouble caused by the heat.

This season, we can enjoy the pleasant starry nights. If we adhere to this diet and regimen, the October heat doesn’t cause much trouble. The body and mind remains healthy and fit. This way, we can look forward to welcoming Diwali in the coming months!

Dr Mayuresh Aagte

In the last article, we looked at the scientific reason behind the fasts in Shravan. We have also seen that numerous fasts are observed during Shravan month and why non vegetarian food must be avoided. One distinctive aspect of the Shravan month is that we observe various Pooja(rituals) like Shravan-Somvar, Mangala-Gauri, Satyanarayan and Jivati which we do not see in any other month . Given that we have 11 more months, why have our traditions packed so many poojas into this one month? A lot of mythological stories have been told to explain this. There may be truth to these. However, living in the 21st century, rather than mythology, can there be a more scientific and rational approach to it? After thinking thoroughly, the answer to this question was found in Ayurveda’s Varsha Rutucharyaa!

In the last article I used the word ‘Durdin’. During the rainy season, many a times it rains incessantly. The weather is cloudy and gloomy. We feel lethargic and fatigued in such an environment. We do not feel like stepping out of the house. Such days are described as ‘Durdin’ in our old books of Ayurveda. It is advised to avoid working on such days. It is even mentioned to avoid studies. Our traditions have used such days beautifully through the medium of numerous pooja and rituals. Usually, everybody is busy with work. Because of our busy schedules, we are unable to devote time to such rituals and pooja. However, because of this weather in Shravan we do not want to go out of the house. Therefore, different pujas must have been advised during Shravan in order to make use of this free time in a truly auspicious manner.

Here, I am just trying to explain the relation between Varsha Rutucharyaa and the pooja in Shravan. In this pooja, there is a special feature. We use various garlands and flowers during other festivals. However, in this pooja, along with garlands and flowers, equal importance is given to the leaves(patri). In fact, these leaves are not very beautiful or fragrant like flowers. In spite of this, they are especially used in pooja due to their various medicinal properties. During the rainy season we observe various diseases like cough, cold, fever, vomiting, dysentery, slow digestion, worms in stomach, acidity and Asthma. The thought could have risen to stop these diseases which we observe during every rainy season. It led to the inclusion of these leaves in the Pooja. During this month, we would bring these leaves home for the Pooja. We could use it instantly if anybody falls sick. This is the scientific purpose behind using these leaves in the Pooja. Also, in the rainy season these leaves are fresh, and their properties are perfectly intact. Therefore, it shows good results.

We shall now look into the main leaves used in Patri. The Tulsi leaf is used in all Poojas and is also a favorite of Shri Satyanaryan. This leaf is the best medicine for the respiratory system. For diseases such as cold and cough, it is advised to have Tulsi juice(ras) along with honey. Tulsi leaf can also be chewed upon in case of sore or itchy throat. Tulsi Kadha or tulsi leaf extract is beneficial in treating cold and fever. Tulsi is beneficial in problems like loss of appetite, stomachache, worms in stomach. We can give Tusi juice frequently to Asthma patients to help with breathing. The same problem can also be solved using Aghada leaf which is offered to Magalagouri. The Parijatak leaf used in Pooja is also an excellent medicine for cold and fever. During the rainy season, many a times the root cause of fever is unknown. The kadha of Parijatak leaves is beneficial to treat such kind of fever or fever arising due to Malaria.

Plants like Dorli help in reducing cough and cold. Dorli is also used to reduce the problems caused by Asthma. Another remedy for such diseases is the Dhotra leaf. Inhaling the smoke that arises from burning the Dhotral leaf can reduce these problems as well. Aparajita or Gokarn is also one such beneficial plant. It reduces the Vaat, Pitta and Kapha doshas in the body. Juice made from Gokarni root is useful for removing cough from the body. The seeds of Gokarni are useful to treat problems such as enlarged tonsils. In case of Migraine, it is advised to put drops of the juice of Gokarni roots into the nose.

In this season, the digestive power of our body is slow. The Maka leaves in Patri are useful in improving digestive power. The juice of Maka leaves is an excellent remedy for the Liver. It can cure problems like lost appetite and indigestion. It is also useful in treating worms in the stomach. Bel leaves is another such an excellent medicine for the Liver. We can use Kadha or Churna of Bel leaves. The raw fruit of Bel is beneficial in treating loose motions. We can consume Muramba /Murrumba of Bel fruit. The kadha of Bel roots can reduce the Vaat Prakop occurring due to Varsha Rutu. Strong fragrant plants like Davana are useful in reducing fever and body aches . It is also useful for cough and cold. It helps in increasing appetite, treating worms in the stomach and improving the functioning of Liver.

Plants like Durva, Jai and Jui (variants of Jasmin) are useful in reducing the accumulation of Pitta occurring in the rainy season. Shami leaves also help in pacifying acidity. It also helps in stopping loose motions. All these plants have many more benefits. However, here we are discussing their uses for problems associated with the rainy season.

Whether we are carrying out our family duties or indulging in spiritual rituals, we need only one thing – our healthy body. It is important to protect ourselves from various diseases during the rainy season while performing various fasts and rituals. Therefore, we bring home all these plants that are used in various pooja. These, in turn, help us in maintaining our health. Friends, we have seen about Varsha Rutucharyaa. We have also seen the fasts and rituals during this season and it’s actual relations with Ayurveda’s Varsha Rutucharyaa. On this note I am ending this story of the month of Sharvan.

Dr Mayuresh Aagte

Note : Please use all the medications mentioned in this article after consultation with your doctor.

Yesterday morning my phone rang. It was one of my closest friend. As we haven’t met in a long time, he invited me for lunch. This friend is a non-vegetable food lover and therefore his favorite hotel is generally decided. Just for formality I asked him if we should meet in the same restaurant. However, I was surprised when he gave me the address of Pure Veg Hotel and asked me to meet him there. I was still in the shock of surprise until we met. That’s why the first thing I asked him was, ‘Are you ok? How come you chose this pure vegetarian place?’. He politely answered by covering his ears, ‘The holy month of Shravan is going on. I strictly follow Shravan. Forget about eating non-veg food , we don’t even talk about it’.

What is wrong with eating non-veg food during Shravan? Is there any law/rule that states that we should not eat non-veg in the month of Shravan? All year long we feast on non-veg food. Then why not in this month of Shravan? Is it a sin if you eat non-veg during this month, but is ok if you consume it during the rest of the year? My friend was speechless as I bombarded him with these questions one after the other. However, I could see the curiosity on his face to find out these answers. Fortunately, I had all the answers to these questions. The answers are hidden in Ayurveda’s Varsha Rutucharyaa.

In the last article, we have seen our physical condition in the rainy season. We have explicitly discussed our weak digestive power in this season. With the same background, we follow the precaution of not consuming non-veg foods under the religious tradition of Shravan. Non-veg foods are heavy to digest. Consuming it can invite diseases of the digestion system like indigestion. Therefore, we should avoid consuming non-veg food. This is the main objective of this tradition. We should avoid consuming not only non-veg food but also the foods that are heavy to digest such as Shrikhand and Basundi. If you still want to consume non-veg food, it should be taken in the form of mutton soup or chicken soup in less quantity. Also, when making these soups, remember to add black pepper, Asafoetida and cumin seeds. These foods also help in digestion.

We observe several fasts during Shravan such as Shravani Somvar, Shravani Shukravar and Shravani Shaniwar, which we don’t find in any of the other months. The main purpose behind these fasts is to avoid stress on our digestive system. It is expected to fast completely or consume foods like Rajgira and fruits which are easy to digest. However, considering the foods that we actually consume during fasts, we can see how this purpose is hardly accomplished.

In this season, Pitta(acidity) begins to accumulate in the body. Therefore, excessive consumption of fermented foods like idli, dosa, dhokla, and bread can lead to diseases like acidity. Hence, it is better to avoid consuming these foods during this season. If you still want to consume bread, then roast it and consume it with butter. For the same reason, fried foods like vada and bhaji should be consumed carefully. Yogurt is also prohibited this season. Apart from these, we should also avoid cold foods stored in the fridge. Such foods are heavy to digest and also invite diseases like cough and cold. It is highly beneficial to eat hot and fresh food during this season. The ideal meal is freshly cooked food, like we say, ‘Roti from the pan’.

There is one thing I would like to mention explicitly while explaining this Apathya(things to avoid) for this season. Consuming such foods will not immediately result in a major health problem. However, it is necessary to be aware that such things can lead to diseases.  As a result, we will automatically minimize consumption of these foods.

When roaming in the rainy season, it is recommended to use an umbrella and a raincoat while going out. The use of appropriate footwear for the rains would be beneficial. We should not wear damp clothes during this season. It would be better to use ironed clothes or clothes warmed up with dhup(smoke of herbs). If we get drenched in the rain, we should not continue wearing wet clothes for a long time. It is important to dry our body as soon as possible. It is better to use thick cotton or woolen clothes to resist the outside cold weather. There is no harm in using a room heater to keep the house warm.

Sometimes, in the rainy season, it rains incessantly throughout the day. We do not feel like going outside in this humid and cloudy weather. We feel lethargic. In our old books of Ayurveda (Granth), such days are mentioned as ‘Durdin’. On this day, we should not work or study at all. Of course, we should avoid sleeping in the afternoons. Do you know how our traditions have used these days?

Just as I was about to talk about it to my friend, the waiter at the hotel said, ‘Sir, it has been a long time, please order something’. My friend and I realized that we had been completely engrossed in our conversation. He must have taken my talks seriously, because instead of ordering his favourite Punjabi dish, which is heavy to digest, he ordered Jeera rice. He paid the entire bill and in return took assurance from me that we will talk more about our traditions in Shravan and Varsha Rutucharya, during our next meeting.

Dr Mayuresh Aagte

Doctor, I only eat at home. I don’t eat outside at all. Even at home, our meals are regular. We eat all the proper kinds of food. In spite of this, I experience problems such as a tight stomach, gaseous feeling and indigestion. Why is this happening? There are a lot of patients complaining about such problems. Actually, there is nothing wrong with the food or the dishes they eat. They are still facing problems related to digestion. In such cases, we need to consider their dietary habits. We also need to study their basic Prakruti (basic body type in Ayurveda) and eating habits. The outside rutu(season), the region we live in, the way the food is cooked, the color and appearance of food also need to be taken into consideration. All these factors affect our digestion and the nutrition we get from the food we consume. Thus, after talking about the science behind diet, we are going to discuss the factors that affect our diet.

Many people do not leave a gap between meals. They are accustomed to eating something after their meal, before the allotted amount of time has passed. By then, the food that was consumed first is not even fully digested. Due to this new stress on the digestive system, neither the first nor the present food get digested. Therefore, the problem of indigestion starts even if you are consuming the right food. It is therefore recommended to eat the new food only after the previously consumed food is digested.

There are certain indicators that can be used to confirm whether the previously consumed food is digested. These include a light stomach, feeling enthusiastic, a good bowel and urine movement. Also, the burp that occurs sometime after the meal should be free from any unpleasant odour. Symptoms like actually feeling hungry and thirsty appear only when the first food is digested properly. In fact, it requires three to four hours of time to generate such symptoms.

Therefore, it is compulsory not to consume any food between this suggested minimum time between meals. Even after this, if you feel hungry, do not eat as much to fill your stomach. If you are unable to control hunger, it is recommended to consume fruit or breakfast foods like Pohe and Upma in less quantities. If you feel hungry immediately after a proper meal, then most of the time it is just fake hunger. Therefore, everybody should consume the food only after making sure the previous meal has been completely digested.

Just as it is not appropriate to consume food one after the other, it is also not good to eat food at the wrong time, in excess or in less quantities. Many people have the habit of eating the meal just because it’s lunch time or dinner time. Also, many people avoid the meal even if they are actually hungry, giving excuses like heavy workload . Both these cases are harmful for our health.

We should analyze our daily schedule in order to bring regularity to our mealtimes. Therefore, we must manage our mealtime considering the time when we feel hungry, our workload and the available time. We have already discussed this in our Prime Lunch time article.

There are a few specific foods, which when mixed and consumed are considered harmful for our health. These include dishes mixing fruit with milk such as fruit salad, Shikran(milk with banana), milk and fish and honey mixed with hot water. When we mix these foods, it can create properties that are harmful to our health. Consuming such foods for long periods of time can create diseases like fever, skin diseases, swelling on the body and piles.

Therefore, it is advised that rather than mixing such foods, it should be consumed separately keeping sufficient time interval. Many people have the habit of consuming hot and cold foods together or one after the other. Habits such as consuming coffee and ice cream together, drinking cold drink or buttermilk after tea are very harmful for our health. Many a times we unnecessarily drink water before tea or immediately after drinking tea.

When we consume two different foods having totally opposite properties, it can create a harmful mixture when it enters our stomach. This is very harmful for our body. This gradually starts creating diseases. Friends, all of us are doing such things unconsciously. The purpose of this article is just to make you aware of it.

Dr Mayuresh Aagte

Sangeeta’s face wore a tired look. She sat in front of me and started narrating her list of complaints. She was sick and tired of the various issues she was facing such as indigestion, burping, burning sensation in the abdomen, acidity and vomiting. She had been facing these problems for the past two days. When I heard that this was the case for the past two days, I asked only one question, “Sangeeta, it seems you have rigorously fasted for Ashadhi Ekadashi.” She nodded in agreement. “Doctor, as  I was fasting that day, I had eaten a little more of the fasting foods. Then, why am I facing these problems even after eating fasting food?” she asked. To answer this question, I had to explain to her the scientific meaning of ‘Upwas’ i.e. fast, and the expected method of fasting. We are now going to look at ‘What exactly is fasting’ and the diet to be considered.

Diet is our basic necessity. However, rather than consuming it according to our need, we treat it as ‘Supplying food that fulfils our craving!’. This habit of overeating leads to different kinds of diseases. It is important to eat beneficial food in the right quantities to avoid problems like obesity and Diabetes. Hence, we need to exercise a lot of control over our tongue and cravings. 

The concept of ‘Fasting’ was created to achieve exactly this purpose. We generally eat the way we like. However, it is expected to control this craving on days like Chaturthi, Ekadashi and follow ‘Langhan’ or fasting completely. This complete fasting or ‘Langhan’ has a lot of importance in Ayurveda as it has many benefits. It helps avoid stress that is generally given to our digestion power. It provides rest to the digestive system. Not eating any new food gives our body time to digest the previously undigested food. We feel lightness in the body. It makes us feel enthusiastic and inspired. Complete fasting(‘Langhan’) helps to prevent diseases caused by overeating. Therefore, this tradition of fasting(‘Upwas’) was created to get all these benefits. Keeping in mind the religious mindset of Indians, this science was conveyed to us in the name of ‘religious practice’!

To get all the benefits of fasting, we are expected to eat in less quantity on that day. Also, the food we are consuming should be easy to digest. Those who cannot do strict fasting can follow this kind of fasting. They can eat food that is easy to digest during the day.

The real question is what kind of food to eat during fasting. The fasting foods that we eat such as Sago(Sabudana), Potato, Yams and Peanuts, are heavy to digest. Also, foods like Vari(Bhagar), Potato chips, Sabudana Vada and the above mentioned foods increase acidity(Pitta). In addition to this, we tend to eat more than we usually do, on the occasion of Ekadashi. In Marathi we call this ‘Ekadashi duppat khashi’. Therefore, a lot of people face the same problems like  Sangeeta after fasting. Amidst all this, the main purpose of fasting is lost.

Basically, it is difficult to track how this rule is set that one should eat this kind of food while. Maybe, these foods have been added to the menu to provide a change from our regular food. However, these foods do not provide the health benefits expected of fasting. Foods like Rajgira are an exception to this. That is why we should change this existing method of fasting. Foods like Rajgira, Nachni (Ragi), Puffed rice (saalichy Lahya), Moong dishes and Phulke, which are easy to digest, should be included in the diet, as this is very important for maintaining our health. 

The main purpose of fasting is to give rest to the stomach. Therefore, whenever overeating happens, there is no harm in doing ‘Real’ fasting. We do not have to wait for days like Chaturthi and Ekadashi. Although fasting is beneficial for our health, frequent fasting is also not good. It creates problems like weakness, fatigue and loss of strength. We have seen examples of such problems caused by continuous fasting during Navratra and Shravan. It is better to do it according to one’s own capability. Just as fasting helps in maintaining health, it is also used as a treatment for many diseases. This is called ‘Langhan Chikitsa’ in Ayurveda. It is beneficial in treating diseases like fever, indigestion, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and obesity. However, it is necessary to seek medical advice for such kinds of diseases. For both the sick and healthy, this scientific practice is useful.

This is not the platform to present the spiritual side behind fasting. However, real fasting is absolutely capable of keeping the body healthy, which is a necessity for spiritual practice.

Dr Mayuresh Aagte

As we come to the end of Summer and move on to the rainy season, we are going to take a slightly different turn, that is ‘VatPournima’. On this day, married women fast for the entire day. They pray for the longevity of their husband and to be blessed with the same husband in every birth. All married women (Saubhagyavati) perform the rituals by worshiping and winding threads around the Banyan tree. We are now going to discuss this ‘Saubhagyavati special’ tradition which has been observed for many years.

I deliberately referred to it as ‘Saubhagyavati Special’. This is because we have not seen or heard of any husband has done such a fast. Is there any law that only women should perform Vatpournima? We hear and read about gender equality every day. The wife contributes as much as the husband in building the house. They share an equal part in the family’s matters, sorrows and joys. The intensity of love is the same between them. Then why is it that only women pray for the long life of the husband, even wishing for the same husband in next birth? Why doesn’t the husband do the same thing for the wife?

If the husband has an unhealthy addiction or is irresponsible towards his family duties, then does the wife feel love or pain while fasting? Is there any relation between the Banyan tree and the husband’s life? Our tradition has placed the entire responsibility on the shoulders of the woman under the name of ‘Pativrata’. Don’t you think in today’s world, the 21^st century wife is equally capable like her husband? Isn’t there an intellectual, as well as emotionally apparent contradiction that she alone must follow these ritual displays?

Friends, I just wanted to share all my thoughts on the occasion of Vat Paurnima. Maybe you have also thought of the same questions that I have raised. You might think that this topic is not on Ayurveda, but on ‘gender equality’. However, that is not the case. I am still writing about Ayurveda. How many people know that the science of Ayurveda stands behind this ritual followed by women only? Be it the Satyawan-Savitri era thousand years ago or the current computer time, everyone will agree that even today, the entire house is totally dependent on the woman. A woman holds all the small and old elements together, takes care of everything with love and affection during all situations. The family’s happiness is dependent on her smiling and contented face. Hence, it is very important that she should be happy and content. One of the important aspects is her good health. Nature has bestowed the supernatural gift of creation on women. This creation and the organs associated with this ability, such as the Uterus, are considered to be the ‘special organs’ of the female body. The natural condition of the Uterus is very important for women.

With this background, we are going to think about this green tree, the ‘Vad’(Banyan). Ayurveda has already described all the medicinal properties of the ‘Vad’.  They help to deal with diseases such as loose motion, vomiting and skin diseases. Apart from these, the ‘Vad’ is also useful in maintaining the health of female organs such as the Uterus. The outer peel of the Banyan’s bark is used for making Kadha (extract), which is useful in treating diseases such as irregular bleeding and white discharge from Uterus. It helps to reduce the swelling in the Uterus. It is also useful in stopping recurrent miscarriages. Banyan Komb(sprout) is useful to sustain the fetus in the Uterus.

‘Beauty’ is another gift given to women by nature! The roots(Parambya in Marathi) of the Banyan tree are useful for this. The oil prepared using the roots of the Banyan is helpful in hair growth. Banyan tree is helpful for the health of the Uterus, conceiving, growth of the fetus and enhancing beauty. Therefore, considering all these benefits, the Banyan tree is very important and close to women for their health.

There are many plants with such properties. Then why has the Banyan tree been chosen? This is the next question that comes to our mind. There is a complete thought behind this tradition. The Banyan tree has existed for many years and is beneficial throughout the year. Moreover, it is available in abundance across India. Therefore, women from any region of the country can be benefitted easily. This is another practical thought behind it. The properties of the Banyan tree and it’s location in the village should be known to women and she should be able to readily use it for protecting her health anytime. This was the motive behind ‘VatPournima’ that Ayurveda has fulfilled through this tradition. Protecting women’s health does not only benefit her husband but also contributes to the longevity of all the family members. Hence, following ‘VatPournima’ by women, which seems one-sided, is actually a science.

When a doctor or Vaidya(Ayurvedic doctor) advice or prescribes any pathya (things good for health), very few people follow it perfectly. However, when the same thing comes under the label of religion, culture or tradition, everyone practices it perfectly. Ayurveda has recognized this Indian mentality and therefore, for the welfare of people, this ‘Veda’ has seamlessly been integrated into our lives in the form of religion, tradition and culture like ‘VatPournima’.

Dr Mayuresh Aagte

The entire earth gets heated in the scorching heat of Vaishakh. In Greeshma Rutu, trees get leafless, all the animals get restless, and the entire nature is in a sad state due to the intense heat of summer. We also endure the days with various problems such as a heating sensation in our body, constant thirst and fatigue caused by the intense heat of the sun. The earth is waiting for rejuvenation. Hence, after the month of May, everyone’s eyes are on the sky. Just like the Chatak bird, we eagerly await the rain. Finally, the wait ends and the “Meghadoot” who sends a message to the lover of Kalidas, looks like an angel to us. The environment  is absolutely refreshed upon the arrival of the rainy season. The weather changes drastically and the entire earth looks green after shedding  it’s summer look. This mild summer drizzle changes the environment completely . How can the human body be an exception to this?

Our strength is reduced due to the intense heat of summer. The dryness in our body has already increased. We feel tired and fatigued. Due to this, Vaat dosha starts to accumulate in the body. During the rainy season, cold winds start to blow. The amount of moisture in the atmosphere begins to increase. This cold environment increases the Vaat dosha even more, which has already accumulated in the summer. In Ayurveda, we call this situation ‘Vaat Prakop’. This adds to the weakness which has increased in the summer months. The other contributor to weakness is slow digestive power. The cold weather and moist air outside affect our digestive power and slows down the process. Therefore, the food we eat is not digested properly. This also affects the nourishment the body acquires. Hence, we feel weak. In the rainy season, with Vaat Prakop , pitta(acidity) also starts to accumulate. Therefore, Varsha Rutucharyaa is recommended considering all these factors such as Vaat Prakop, accumulation of Pitta(acidity), slow digestive power and weakness caused due to all this.

In this regard, we should first consider our diet. We must consume more energy-giving foods to reduce this weakness. However, this is not easy as the digestive system is slow during the rainy season. Since such foods are generally heavy to digest, consuming them  can put additional stress on our digestion system. Therefore, we should include foods like Jowar, Bajra, Rice and Wheat. We must use Garlic, Mint leaves, Asafoetida, Black paper, Cumin seeds, Coriander and Curry leaves freely in our cooking to increase appetite and digestion power. Garlic, especially, is very useful in this season. We can include this in the form of Garlic chutney, fried Garlic or Garlic in vegetables and dal. Spices such as Asafoetida and black Pepper should be used in more quantities. Spices such as  Cinnamon and Bay leaf are useful in increasing appetite. They also help in strengthening the digestive power. In this season, it is better to use old harvested grains as the newly harvested ones are heavy to digest. Old harvested means grains which have been harvested more than a year ago. It is easier if we have a storage space at home, for these grains such as wheat and rice. If you still want to use newly harvested grains, roast them before using. We should consume vegetables like Bottle gourd(dudhi), Ridge gourd(Dodka), Snake gourd(Padval), Okra, Smooth gourd(Luffa, Ghosavale). Legumes should be consumed roasted, rather than in sprout form. We should include leafy vegetables like Carrot and Chakwat. Subji or bhaji made from Drumstick leaves is beneficial in this season. We should include Milk, pure ghee, fresh and sweet buttermilk in our diet.

Just like our diet, we must consider our drinking water as well. All the rivers and streams are overflowing in this season. The soil, foliage, dead creatures and animals get mixed with these water bodies as they flow along, making them muddy and impure. For this reason, it is better to avoid using water directly from rivers and streams. This is not a problem for people living in cities like Mumbai and Pune. It is better to boil and filter the water before drinking. Water can be purified using modern tools like filters. ‘Divyambu’ means directly collecting rainwater. It is mentioned in the old books of Ayurveda(Granth) that this water is pure. However, in today’s time, the air is polluted with harmful chemicals that come in contact with the rain and pollute this ‘Divyambu’ as well. Therefore, such water should also be purified. Nowadays we have to make such changes in Rutucharya.

Oh! We’ve covered a lot of distance in this rainy season trip. So let’s take a little rest at this turn so that we can refresh you for the next journey. And yes, in the next journey, considering Varsha Rutucharya, we are going to visit the fasts and rituals followed in the month of Shravan. Till then enjoy the rain.

Dr Mayuresh Aagte

Like every year, this summer Umesh sat in front of me holding a handkerchief stained with blood from his nose. This was a regular trouble he faced of nose bleeding after roaming in the sun. Due to the intense heat of summer, he faces this problem frequently. Roaming in the sun without wearing a cap and staying up late at night contribute to his trouble. Many people suffer from this problem in summer. Umesh is an example of these kinds of patients. After discussing diet and precautions to be taken in summer, we are now going to discuss the diseases that occur in this period.

For people like Umesh, who are suffering from problems like nose bleeding, the best medicine is ‘Durva’. The juice of Durva is considered to be very cool. Hence, we can put drops of its juice in our nose. It is advised to keep ice on your nose and forehead while lying on your back. We can also put sugar syrup drops in our nose to stop the bleeding. Medicines like Padmakadi Tail and Chandrakala ras are also useful in treating such problems. However, these medicines should be used only on the advice of a medical practitioner. People who frequently face this problem may start using the juice of Durva and sugar syrup from the start of summer. There is no harm in this and would help in preventing such diseases.

Another important complaint in summer is Urine infection and experiencing pain while urinating. We should consume beverages like coconut water, Lemon sharbat, Amla sharbat in more quantities. Medicines like Amala, Dhamasa, Gokshur and Nagarmotha are beneficial for such problems. Ushirasav and Chandansav are also useful. However, any medication  should be taken only after consultation with a doctor. To reduce the pain during Urination, we can boil water with coriander and cumin seeds. Consuming this water would be helpful.

During summer, some people feel a heating sensation in their hands, feet or in their entire body. Such people should include more milk, ghee and butter in their diet. Medicines such as PravalPishtha, Gairik, Jyethamadha Padmakastha, Shatavari, Pomegranate, Falasa are beneficial for this. Such medication should be used only upon medical consultation.Applying coating(lep) of a combination of sandalwood, multani mitti and sariva on the body also reduces inflammation and heating sensation in the body. Regular intake of Gulkand and Moravala are very beneficial to reduce body heat. 

Another heat-related disorder is blisters on the skin. In our local language we call it ‘Ghamolya’ or ‘prickly heat rash’ in English. Sometimes we observe symptoms such as burning sensation or itching in Prickly heat. In such cases we can apply lep(coating) of Nagarmotha, Wala and Jitsaya mixed with water. Applying Lep(coating) of ghee, Shatdhout ghrutam and butter is beneficial if the prickly heat burning sensation is increased. Continuous application of talcum powder on the skin also provides relief from such problems. Along with medicines, people facing the problem of prickly heat should use more cotton clothes, instead of synthetic clothes. This is because synthetic clothes rubbing on the skin may cause even more harm. Similarly, the use of soaps containing chemicals should also be avoided.

Sometimes we cannot avoid going out in the hot summer. Too much exposure to the sun causes ‘skin darkening’. In such cases, we should use sunscreen lotions and gels. Applying such lotions and gels before going out can help us in protecting our skin from the intense heat of the sun. These creams and lotions are very beneficial for skin problems like dryness, roughness, and cracking of skin. Another useful medicine for these complaints is ‘aloe vera’. Applying aloe vera gel provides moisture to the cells which keeps our skin fresh.  In the summer, many people get rashes on their bodies due to acidity. It causes red circular rashes on the skin which itches. We should apply kokum water immediately on the skin and this water should be consumed as well. We can also apply water mixed with edible soda on the skin. 

Dr Mayuresh Aagte

Note : Please use all the medications mentioned in this article after consultation with your doctor.

Suresh felt completely exhausted from roaming in the blazing sun the entire day. He was totally drenched in a stream of sweat. The scorching heat of summer tests our patience every day. ‘There are so many inventions happening in this world. Then why hasn’t anyone invented a handy AC or Fan?’ Suresh asked, exhausted from his everyday trouble.

In this season, like Suresh, we are all eagerly waiting for the environment to cool down. This important aspect has already been described in the old books of Ayurveda(Granth). Therefore, the use of fans, coolers and air conditioners is a must in this season. We can use Khas curtains to maintain coolness in the room. Sprinkling water on these curtains can create more coolness. The blow from fans and coolers can cause problems for some people such as a cold or feeling heaviness in the body. These people should take care that the blow of air should not be directly on their body. In this season, we should take care of one important thing. We must avoid going directly into an air-conditioned room when we have just come from the outside heat. Similarly, we should avoid going outside directly from an air-conditioned room. This sudden difference in temperature can be harmful to our body.

We can use cold water for drinking and bathing as well. Tools like showers and bathtubs are also useful. Wrapping a wet napkin or handkerchief on our body gives us continuous coolness. The constant cold touch makes the hot summer comfortable.

In this season, it is advisable to wear silk or cotton clothes while going out. The clothes should be loose and made of soft fabric. Dark coloured clothes increase heat. Therefore, it is beneficial to wear light colored or white clothes in this season. It is mandatory to use caps and umbrellas to protect ourselves from the sun. The intensity of heat is harmful for our eyes as well. Hence, we must use goggles while roaming in the sun. It is better to avoid going out in the afternoon heat.

Whenever we come from outside, from the extreme heat of the sun, it is necessary to take care of one important thing. We always wash our face immediately after coming from outside. This is harmful for the strength of our eyes. Therefore, after coming from outside, we must wait for some time. Once the body temperature reduces to room temperature, we can wash our face with cold water.

In Grishma Rutu, if possible, try to avoid excessive exercise as this can cause more fatigue. Among them, exercises like swimming would be more useful. It is better to just sit in the water for a long time rather than swimming too much. If you still want to exercise, slow walking in the morning and evening when it is not sunny is desirable. Doing such exercises for a long time is not recommended.

In Grishma Rutu, dryness in the body keeps increasing. We have also seen that Vaat dosha increases and loss of strength also happens in this season. Considering this, an afternoon nap is very beneficial. In other seasons, sleeping in the afternoon is not recommended in terms of health. However, in this season, it is considered to be necessary. We should sleep on the terrace or in the open courtyard, in the moonlight. The coolness of stars is very beneficial during this time. Activities like sitting or roaming in moonlight should be done frequently.

We should apply lep(coating) of cool herbs like Chandan(sandalwood), Kapur, Nagarmotha on our bodies in summer. It helps to reduce body heat. Also, these scented herbs keep our mind fresh. We can use fragrant flowers like Mogra(Jasmine), Jai and Jui for this purpose. Different types of scents, Attar and deodorants can be used freely to keep ourselves refreshed. 

Dr Mayuresh Aagte