Ashtanga Hrudaya Sutra Sthana Chapter 3: Ritucharya Adhyayam (Seasonal Regimen)

The word Ritucharya is made of two words – Rutu means seasons, Charya means regimen. This chapter discusses in detail regarding different seasons and the specific regimen to be followed.

अथातो ऋतुचर्याध्यायं व्याख्यास्याम: । इति ह स्माहुरात्रेयादयो महर्षय: ॥
Maharshi Atreya and other sages pledge that they will henceforth be explaining the chapter named Ritucharya.

Dakshinayana – Visarga Kala – Southern Solstice – mid July to mid January

ऋतवो दक्षिणायनम् ॥ ४ ॥
वर्षादयो विसर्गश्च यद्बलं विसृजत्ययम् ।
The seasons of Varsha (rainy season), Sharat (autumn) and Hemanta (early winter) comprise Dakshinayana (Southern Solstice).
This period is also called Visarga Kala (period of discharge) as the body gains strength during this season.

Dakshinayana

सौम्यत्वादत्र सोमो हि बलवान् हीयते रविः ॥ ५ ॥
मेघवृष्ट्यनिलैः शीतैः शान्ततापे महीतले ।
स्निग्धाश्चेहाम्ललवणमधुरा बलिनो रसाः ॥ ६ ॥
During this period, due to the predominance of Somabhava (gentleness), the moon (Soma) becomes more powerful, weakening the properties of the Sun (Ravi). The Earth is cooled down due to clouds (megha), rain (varsha) and cold wind (sheeta anila).
Sour (amla), salt (lavana) and sweet (madhura) tastes which have snigdha (unctuous) properties, gain strength during the three seasons of this period.

Variation in body strength as per season

शीतेऽग्र्यं वृष्टिघर्मेऽल्पं बलं मध्यं तु शेषयोः ।
Winter – Hemantha and Shishira – mid November to mid March – Highest strength.
Summer and rainy seasons – Grishma and Varsha – mid May to mid September – Lowest strength.
Spring and Autumn – Vasanta and Sharat – Medium strength.

Hemanta Ritucharya – Ayurveda winter regimen: Mid November – Mid January

बलिनः शीतसंरोधाद्धेमन्ते प्रबलोऽनलः ॥ ७ ॥
भवत्यल्पेन्धनो धातून् स पचेद्वायुनेरितः ।
अतो हिमेऽस्मिन् सेवेत स्वाद्वम्ललवणान् रसान् ॥ ८ ॥
During Hemantha, the body is strong, digestive fire becomes powerful, because it gets obstructed from flowing outwards due to the external cold atmosphere. Like fire consumes the things that it comes in contact with, the digestive fire may digest the body tissues and cause emaciation. Hence, in this period, one should consume food predominantly of sweet (madhura), sour (amla) and salt (lavana) tastes.

Regime to be followed

दैर्घ्यान् निशानामेतर्हि प्रातरेव बुभुक्षितः ।
अवश्यकार्यं सम्भाव्य यथोक्तं शीलयेदनु ॥ ९ ॥
वातघ्नतैलैरभ्यङ्गं मूर्ध्नि तैलं विमर्दनम्|
नियुद्धं कुशलैः सार्धं पादाघातं च युक्तितः||१०||
As the nights (nisha) are longer (deerga), a person feels hungry (bubhukshita) early in the morning (prataha). So, after attending to ablution (avashyakaaryam sambhavya),
one should resort to the following –
Abhyanga (oil massage) – with oils that have Vata balancing properties,
Murdha taila – Oil application on scalp and forehead,
Vimardana – Mild massaging,
Niyudha – wrestling till one’s half strength and
Padaghata – body massage with feet.

Snana (bath)

कषायापहृतस्नेहस्ततः स्नातो यथाविधि ।
कुङ्कुमेन सदर्पेण प्रदिग्धोऽगुरुधूपितः ॥ ११ ॥
Thereafter, one should take bath using astringent (kashaya rasa) drugs to wash off the oil. Then fine powders of Kumkuma (Saffron) and Darpa (kasthuri / musk) are applied over the body.
Then, Dhupana (exposure to fumes) of the body is done using Aguru (Aquilaria agallocha).

Foods to be consumed

रसान् स्निग्धान् पलं पुष्टं गौडमच्छसुरां सुराम् ।
गोधूमपिष्टमाषेक्षुक्षीरोत्थविकृतीः शुभाः ॥ १२ ॥
नवमन्नं वसां तैलं शौचकार्ये सुखोदकम् ।
The following are the recommended foods during Hemanta Ritu –
Rasan snigdhan – meat soup mixed with fats,
Palam pushtam – meat of well nourished animals,
Gouda – wine prepared with jaggery,
Acha sura – supernatant part of wine (Sura),
Food prepared with
Godhuma – wheat flour,
Masha – black gram,
Ikshu vikriti – products of sugarcane,
Kshirotha vikriti – products prepared using milk,
Navam annam – food prepared from freshly harvested paddy,
Vasa – muscle fat and
Taila – edible oils.
Shouryakaryam sukhodakam – Warm water (sukhodaka) should be used for ablutions.

प्रावाराजिनकौशेयप्रवेणीकौचवास्तृतम् ॥ १३ ॥
उष्णस्वभावैर्लघुभिः प्रावृतः शयनं भजेत् ।
युक्त्यार्ककिरणान्स्वेदं पादत्राणं च सर्वदा ॥ १४ ॥
Thick sheets made of Pravara (cotton), Ajina (leather), Kausheya (silk), Praveni (wool) Kauchava (woollen blanket) which are warm and light in weight should be used during sleep.
Exposure to Arka kirana (sunlight) and Sweda (sudation) should be resorted to, judiciously. Padatrana (foot wear) should be worn always.

पीवरोरुस्तनश्रोण्यः समदाः प्रमदाः प्रियाः ।
हरन्ति शीतमुष्णाङ्ग्यो धूपकुङ्कुमयौवनैः ॥ १५ ॥
The embrace of loving young women, who are passionate and warm, having applied saffron all over and have fumigated, will keep out cold.

Ideal place to reside

अङ्गारतापसन्तप्तगर्भभूवेश्मचारिणः ।
शीतपारुष्यजनितो न दोषो जातु जायते ॥ १६ ॥
One who resides in underground chambers (garbha bhuveshma), warmed with burning charcoal (angara), will not be affected by diseases due to Sheeta (cold) and Parushya (dryness).

Shishira Rutu charya – Ayurveda winter regimen – Mid January to Mid March

अयमेव विधिः कार्यः शिशिरेऽपि विशेषतः ।
तदा हि शीतमधिकं रौक्ष्यं चादानकालजम् ॥ १७ ॥
Even in Shishira Ritu, the same regimen, as described above should be adopted with more intensity. During this period Sheeta (cold) and Roukshya (dryness), which is characteristic of Adana Kala is present.

Vasanta Rutucharya – Ayurveda Spring regimen – Mid March to Mid May

कफश्चितो हि शिशिरे वसन्तेऽर्कांशुतापितः ।
हत्वाग्निं कुरुते रोगानतस्तं त्वरया जयेत् ॥ १८ ॥
Kapha which has undergone increase in Shishira (cold season) becomes liquefied by the heat of the Arka (Sun) in Vasanta (spring).
It diminishes the digestive fire (Hatva Agni) and gives rise to many Roga (diseases).

Methods to pacify aggravated Kapha

तीक्ष्णैर्वमननस्याद्यैर्लघुरूक्षैश्च भोजनैः ।
व्यायामोद्वर्तनाघातैर्जित्वा श्लेष्माणमुल्बणम् ॥ १९ ॥
स्नातोऽनुलिप्तः कर्पूरचन्दनागुरुकुङ्कुमैः ।
The aggravated Kapha should be controlled quickly, by resorting to
Tikshna vamana – strong emesis therapy,
Nasya – nasal medication etc.,
Laghu, ruksha bhojana – Foods that are easily digestible and dry,
Vyayama – Physical exercises,
Udvartana – dry massage and
Aghata – Massage using more pressure.
Having thus mitigated the Kapha, the person should take bath and then anoint the body with pastes of –
Karpura (camphor), Candana (sandalwood), Aguru (Aquilaria agallocha) and Kumkuma (saffron).

Foods to be consumed

पुराणयवगोधूमक्षौद्रजाङ्गलशूल्यभुक् ॥ २० ॥
सहकाररसोन्मिश्रानास्वाद्य प्रिययार्पितान् ।
प्रियास्यसङ्गसुरभीन् प्रियानेत्रोत्पलाङ्कितान् ॥ २१ ॥
सौमनस्यकृतो हृद्यान् वयस्यैः सहितः पिबेत् ।
Purana yava – old barley,
Godhuma – wheat,
Madhu – honey,
Jangala – meat of animals of desert-like land, and
Shulya – meat roasted over fire
Drink the juice of mango fruit mixed with fragrant substances, in the company of friends, getting it served by the beloved; the drink, thereby producing satisfaction.

निर्गदानासवारिष्टसीधुमार्द्वीकमाधवान् ॥ २२ ॥
शृङ्गवेराम्बु साराम्बु मध्वम्बु जलदाम्बु वा।
Beverages such as
Asava – fermented infusion, Arista – fermented decoction,
Sidhu – fermented infusion, Mardvika – fermented grape juice, or
Sringavera ambu – water boiled with ginger (Zingiber officinalis),
Sara ambu – water boiled with extract of asana, chandana etc.
Madhvambu – water mixed with honey, Jaladambu – water boiled with jalada (Musta – Cyperus rotundus).

Ways to spend the mid-day hours

दक्षिणानिलशीतेषु परितो जलवाहिषु ॥ २३ ॥
अदृष्टनष्टसूर्येषु मणिकुट्टिमकान्तिषु ।
परपुष्टविघुष्टेषु कामकर्मान्तभूमिषु ॥ २४ ॥
विचित्रपुष्पवृक्षेषु काननेषु सुगन्धिषु ।
गोष्ठीकथाभिश्चित्राभिर्मध्याह्नं गमयेत्सुखी ॥ २५ ॥
Dakshina anila sheeteshu – In the gardens cooled by the breeze from south direction,
Paritaha jalavahishu – with plenty of reservoirs of water all around,
Adrishta nashta suryeshu – Half hidden sun among the clouds,
Mani kuttima kanthishu – the land covered with shining crystals,
Parapushta vigushteshu kamakarmantha – with the cuckoo everywhere making pleasant sounds and engaged in love-play,
Vichitra pushpa vriksheshu – amongst trees with exotic blooms,
the person should spend his mid-day hours (madhyahnam) in the company of friends engaged in pleasant games, pastimes, storytelling etc., in forests (or gardens).

The following are to be avoided

गुरुशीतदिवास्वप्नस्निग्धाम्लमधुरांस्त्यजेत् ।
Guru, sheeta ahara – hard to-digest and cold foods,
Divaswapna – sleeping at day time,
Snigdha ahara – foods which are fatty,
Amla – sour and
Madhura – sweet.

Greeshma Ritucharya (Ayurveda Summer Regimen) Mid May – Mid July

तीक्ष्णांशुरतितीक्ष्णांशुर्ग्रीष्मे सङ्क्षिपतीव यत् ॥ २६ ॥
प्रत्यहं क्षीयते श्लेष्मा तेन वायुश्च वर्धते ।
In Greeshma (summer) the sun rays become powerful (tikshnaamshu) and appear to be destructive.
Kapha decreases (ksheeyate) day by day (pratyaham) and Vata increases consequently (vateshu vardhate).

The following are to be avoided

अतोऽस्मिन् पटुकट्वम्ल व्यायामार्ककरांस्त्यजेत् ॥ २७ ॥
Hence, in Greeshma, the following are to be avoided –
Patu (lavana) – salty,
Katu – pungent,
Amla – sour tastes,
Vyayama – exercise,
Arka – exposure to sun.

Foods that are recommended

भजेन्मधुरमेवान्नं लघु स्निग्धं हिमं द्रवम् ।
सुशीततोयसिक्ताङ्गो लिह्यात् सक्तून् सशर्करान् ॥ २८ ॥
The anna (food) recommended shall be of –
Madhura rasa – sweet,
Laghu – light,
Snigdha – unctuous,
Hima – cool,
Drava – in liquid form.
After taking bath in Susheeta toya (cool water), Saktu (powder of parched paddy) mixed with sharkara (sugar) is licked.

Limited use of wine during summer

मद्यं न पेयं पेयं वा स्वल्पं सुबहुवारि वा ।
अन्यथा शोफशैथिल्यदाहमोहान् करोति तत् ॥ २९ ॥
Madyam na peyam – Alcoholic beverages are forbidden,
Peyam va svalpam – If very necessary, taken in very small quantity,
Subahuvari va – or consumed by mixing it with a lot of water.
Otherwise it may lead to –
Shopha – inflammatory conditions,
Shaithilya – generalised debility,
Daha – burning sensation and
Moha – fainting.

Foods indicated

कुन्देन्दुधवलं शालिमश्नीयाज्जाङ्गलैः पलैः ।
पिबेद्रसं नातिघनं रसालं रागखाण्डवौ ॥ ३० ॥
पानकं पञ्चसारं वा नवमृद्भाजने स्थितम् ।
मोचचोचदलैर्युक्तं साम्लं मृन्मयशुक्तिभिः ॥ ३१ ॥
पाटलावासितं चाम्भः सकर्पूरं सुशीतलम् ।
Shali (rice) as white as kunda (jasmine flower) or indu (moon) is consumed along with the meat of Jangala animals (animals residing in arid regions).
The following can be used as a drink –
Rasa (meat soup), which is not very ghana (thick),
Rasala – curds churned and mixed with pepper powder and sugar,
Raga – syrup which is sweet, sour and salty,
Khandava – syrup which has all the tastes, prepared with many substances,
Panaka panchasara – syrup prepared with raisins (draksha), madhuka, dates (karjura), kasmarya, and parushaka fruits all in equal quantities, cooled and added with powder of cinnamon leaves, cinnamon and cardamom etc. and kept inside a fresh mud pot (nava mrit bhajana), along with leaves of plantain (mocha) and jackfruit (chocha dala), and made sour / fermented (sa amlam), should be drunk in mugs made of mud (mrinmaya) or shell (shukti).
Very cool water kept in mud pots along with flowers of patala and karpura (camphor) should be used for drinking.

शशाङ्ककिरणान् भक्ष्यान् रजन्यां भक्षयन् पिबेत् ॥ ३२ ॥
सासितं माहिषं क्षीरं चन्द्रनक्षत्रशीतलम् ।
Food articles like shashanka kirana (hollow, finger-like, fried pastry made of corn flour) should be taken at night.
Mahisha kshira (Buffalo milk) mixed with Sita (sugar) and cooled by Chandra (moonlight) and the Nakshatra (stars) should be used for drinking.

अभ्रङ्कषमहाशालतालरुद्धोष्णरश्मिषु ॥ ३३ ॥
वनेषु माधवीश्लिष्टद्राक्षास्तबकशालिषु ।
सुगन्धिहिमपानीयसिच्यमानपटालिके ॥ ३४ ॥
कायमाने चिते चूतप्रवालफललुम्बिभिः ।
कदलीदलकल्हारमृणालकमलोत्पलैः ॥ ३५ ॥
कोमलैः कल्पिते तल्पे हसत्कुसुमपल्लवे ।
मध्यन्दिनेऽर्कतापार्तः स्वप्याद्धारागृहेऽथवा ॥ ३६ ॥
पुस्तस्त्रीस्तनहस्तास्यप्रवृत्तोशीरवारिणि ।
Day time should be spent in forests having tall trees which seem to touch the sky (abhra), such as shala (Shorea robusta), Tala (Borassus flabellifera) etc., which obstruct the hot rays of the sun (ruddha ushna rashmi), or in houses around which bunches of flowers and grapes (draksha) are hanging from their creepers.
Sheets of cloth dribbling with sweet scented water are arranged all around.
The person should sleep on a soft bed prepared with Kadali dala (banana leaves), kalhara (soughandika – a water plant), mrinala (lotus stalk), kamala (lotus flower), utpala (water lily) etc. with fully blossomed flowers placed all over.
Spend the remaining day inside the house cooled by water fountains, water being scented with Ushira (vetiver grass), and thereby relieving oneself from the heat of the sun.

Ratricharya (Night regimen)

निशाकरकराकीर्णे सौधपृष्ठे निशासु च ॥ ३७ ॥
आसना स्वस्थचित्तस्य चन्दनार्द्रस्य मालिनः ।
निवृत्तकामतन्त्रस्य सुसूक्ष्मतनुवाससः ॥ ३८ ॥
जलार्द्रस्तालवृन्तानि विस्तृताः पद्मिनीपुटाः ।
उत्क्षेपाश्च मृदूत्क्षेपा जलवर्षिहिमानिलाः ॥ ३९ ॥
कर्पूरमल्लिकामाला हाराः सहरिचन्दनाः ।
मनोहरकलालापाः शिशवः सारिकाः शुकाः ॥ ४० ॥
मृणालवलयाः कान्ताः प्रोत्फुल्लकमलोज्ज्वलाः ।
जङ्गमा इव पद्मिन्यो हरन्ति दयिताः क्लमम् ॥ ४१ ॥
At night, one should sleep on the terrace, under the moonlight.
Exhaustion due to heat of the day is relieved by –
Anointing the body with moist paste of chandana (sandalwood),
Wearing garlands (mala),
Nivritta kama tantrasya – avoidance of sexual activities,
Sukshma tanu vasa – wearing of very light and thin dresses,
Fanning with fans made of Tala vrinta – ornamental fans made of peacock feathers, or large leaves of Padmini (lily) made wet,
Jala varsha hima anila – cool breeze sprinkling water droplets,
Garlands of flowers of camphor, jasmine and of pearls and beads of sandalwood,
Sweet coquetry of children,
Sarika (mynah bird) and Shuka (parrot) talking pleasantly;
Beautiful woman wearing bangles of soft lotus stalk, blossoms of lotus in their hair, moving about nearby.

Varsha Ritu carya- Ayurveda seasonal regimen for rainy season – Mid July – Mid September

आदानग्लानवपुषामग्निः सन्नोऽपि सीदति ।
वर्षासु दोषैर्दुष्यन्ति तेऽम्बुलम्बाम्बुदेऽम्बरे ॥ ४२ ॥
सतुषारेण मरुता सहसा शीतलेन च ।
भूबाष्पेणाम्लपाकेन मलिनेन च वारिणा ॥ ४३ ॥
वह्निनैव च मन्देन तेष्वित्यन्योऽन्यदूषिषु ।
भजेत्साधारणं सर्वमूष्मणस्तेजनं च यत् ॥ ४४ ॥
The weak digestive fire of Adanakala is further deteriorated by doshas in Varsha ritu (rainy season). Thick clouds full of water spread and the cold wind blows with water droplets, causing the warmth of the earth to generate amla vipaka.
This amla vipaka thus generated, the turbid water (due to rain) and the manda vahni (weak digestive fire) are responsible for the vitiation of the doshas.
Thus it is advisable to adopt a seasonal regimen that does not vitiate doshas and increases the digestive fire (ushmana tejanam).

Recommended diet

आस्थापनं शुद्धतनुर्जीर्णं धान्यं रसान् कृतान् ।
जाङ्गलं पिशितं यूषान् मध्वरिष्टं चिरन्तनम् ॥ ४५ ॥
मस्तु सौवर्चलाढ्यं वा पञ्चकोलावचूर्णितम् ।
दिव्यं कौपं शृतं चाम्भो भोजनं त्वतिदुर्दिने ॥ ४६ ॥
व्यक्ताम्ललवणस्नेहं संशुष्कं क्षौद्रवल्लघु ।
After cleansing the body (Shuddha tanu) by emesis and purgation,
The person should be administered asthapana basti (decoction enema therapy).
He should consume –
Jeerna dhanya – old grains,
Krita rasa – meat juice processed with spices etc.,
Jangalam pishitam – Meat of animals of desert-like lands,
Yusha – soup of pulses,
Chirantam madhu arishtam – wine prepared from grapes and fermented decoctions, which are old
Mastu (whey, thin water or curds) processed with more of sauvarchala (Sochal salt) and powder of Panchakola.
Well boiled rain or well water should be used for drinking.
On days of no sunlight at all (durdina), the food should be –
predominantly of Amla (sour), Lavana (salty) rasa
Added with sufficient Sneha dravyas (unctuous substances),
Samshushka (dry),
Kshoudravat (mixed with honey) and
Laghu (easily digestible).

Regime to be followed

अपादचारी सुरभिः सततं धूपिताम्बरः ॥ ४७ ॥
हर्म्यपृष्ठे वसेद्बाष्पशीतसीकरवर्जिते ।
Apadachari – walking without footwear – is not recommended,
Surabhi – Body shall be scented with perfumes,
Satatam dhupita ambara – Clothes worn should be fumigated,
Harmyaprishte vaset – dwell in upper storeys of the house,
Bashpa sheeta shikara varjite – Which is devoid of moisture, cold and mist.

The following has to be avoided

नदीजलोदमन्थाहः स्वप्नायासातपांस्त्यजेत् ॥ ४८ ॥
Nadi jala – river water,
Udamantha – beverage prepared with flour of corns mixed with ghee,
Aaha swapna – sleeping during daytime,
Aayasa – exertion and
Tapta – exposure to sun.

Sharat Ritucharya – Ayurveda autumn regimen – Mid September – Mid November

वर्षाशीतोचिताङ्गानां सहसैवार्करश्मिभिः ।
तप्तानां सञ्चितं वृष्टौ पित्तं शरदि कुप्यति ॥ ४९ ॥
During Varsha ritu, the person becomes accustomed to the cold atmosphere. When he suddenly gets exposed to the warm rays of Sun, the Pitta, which has undergone increase in Varsha (rainy season) becomes greatly aggravated during Sharat ritu (autumn).

Methods to pacify aggravated Pitta

तज्जयाय घृतं तिक्तं विरेको रक्तमोक्षणम् ।
तिक्तं स्वादु कषायं च क्षुधितोऽन्नं भजेल्लघु ॥ ५० ॥
शालिमुद्गसिताधात्रीपटोलमधुजाङ्गलम् ।
To pacify Pitta aggravation,
Tikta grita – medicated ghee recipe prepared with tikta (bitter) dravyas,
Virechana – purgation therapy and
Raktamokshana – bloodletting should be resorted to.
When hungry, the person should take foods
Which are of Tikta (bitter), Madhura (sweet) and Kashaya (astringent) tastes,
Laghu – easily digestible such as
Shali (rice), Mudga (green gram),
Sita (sugar), Dhatri / Amla (Indian gooseberry),
Patola (snake gourd), Madhu (honey) and
Jangala mamsa (meat of animals of desert-like lands).

Hamsodaka

तप्तं तप्तांशुकिरणैः शीतं शीतांशुरश्मिभिः ॥ ५१ ॥
समन्तादप्यहोरात्रमगस्त्योदयनिर्विषम् ।
शुचि हंसोदकं नाम निर्मलं मलजिज्जलम् ॥ ५२ ॥
नाभिष्यन्दि न वा रूक्षं पानादिष्वमृतोपमम् ।
The water heated by the hot rays of the sun during day time and cooled by the rays of the moon at night,
Which has been de-poisoned (detoxified) by the rise of the star Agastya,
Which is pure,
Uncontaminated and capable of mitigating the malas (dosas) is known as Hamsodaka.
It is neither abhisyandi (does not produce more secretion or moisture inside the minute channels so as to block them) nor ruksha (dry),
such water is like Amrita (nectar) for drinking and other purposes.

चन्दनोशीरकर्पूरमुक्तास्रग्वसनोज्ज्वलः ॥ ५३ ॥
सौधेषु सौधधवलां चन्द्रिकां रजनीमुखे ।
Evenings should be spent on the terrace of houses which are painted white, after anointing the body with the paste of Chandana (Sandalwood), Ushira (Cus Cus grass), Karpura (Camphor), wearing garlands of Mukta (pearls) and brilliant clothes and enjoying the moonlight.

The following are to be avoided

तुषारक्षारसौहित्यदधितैलवसातपान् ॥ ५४ ॥
तीक्ष्णमद्यदिवास्वप्नपुरोवातान् परित्यजेत् ।
The following should be avoided –
Tushara – Exposure to fog,
Kshara – Alkalis,
Souhitya – Heavy food,
Dadhi – Curd,
Taila – Oil,
Vasa – Muscle fat,
Atapa – Exposure to sun,
Tikshna madya – Strong alcoholic beverages,
Divaswapna – Sleeping during daytime,
Puro vata – Eastern wind.

Use of taste as per season

शीते वर्षासु चाद्यांस्त्रीन् वसन्तेऽन्त्यान् रसान्भजेत्
स्वादुं निदाघे, शरदि स्वादुतिक्तकषायकान्
During Hemanta, Shishira (winter season) and Varsha (rainy season) – Madhura (Sweet), Amla (Sour) and Lavana (salt) tastes should be especially used.
During Vasanta (spring season) – Tikta (Bitter), Katu (pungent) and Kashaya (astringent) tastes should be used more.
Madhura (sweet) taste should be used more during Nidagha (summer) and
Svadu (Sweet), Tikta (bitter) and Kashaya (astringent) tastes should be used during Sharat (autumn season).

Qualities of food as per season

शरद्वसन्तयो रूक्षं शीतं घर्मघनान्तयोः ॥ ५६ ॥
अन्नपानं समासेन विपरीतमतोऽन्यदा ।
During Sharat and Vasanta (autumn and spring) – the foods and drinks should be Ruksha (dry, moisture less, fat-less).
During Gharma (summer) and Ghananta (end of rainy season) – food should be Sheeta (cool).
During the other four Ritus (Sisira, Vasanta, Varsha, Hemanta), hot foods are preferred.

नित्यं सर्वरसाभ्यासः स्वस्वाधिक्यामृतावृतौ ॥ ५७ ॥
The habit of using all the six tastes every day is ideal for maintenance of health. However, during particular seasons, the tastes that are particularly indicated should be given special emphasis.

तत्र पूर्वो विधिस्त्याज्यः सेवनीयोऽपरः क्रमात् ॥ ५८ ॥
असात्म्यजा हि रोगाः स्युः सहसा त्यागशीलनात् ॥ ५८ ॥
The last seven days of a season and the first seven days of the next season is known as Ritusandhi (inter seasonal period).
During this period, the regimen of the preceding season should be discontinued gradually and that of the succeeding season should be gradually adopted.
Sudden discontinuance or sudden adoption gives rise to diseases caused by asatmya (non-habituation).

इति श्रीवैद्यपतिसिंहगुप्तसूनुश्रीमद्वाग्भटविरचितायामष्टाङ्गहृदयसंहितायां सूत्रस्थाने ऋतुचर्या नाम तृतीयोऽध्यायः||३||
Thus ends the chapter named Ritucharya, the third of Sutrasthana of Astanga Hridaya Samhita composed by Srimad Vagbhata, Son of Sri Vaidyapati Simhagupta.