Monsoon is the time for occurrence of vata dosha, according to Ayurveda. It is the season when you feel like gorging on oily foods, but your digestive system is most vulnerable to various ailments. By following certain dos and don’ts, you can make sure that your body is guarded from increased microbial activity of the season, as well as the adverse effects of a slowed down digestion.

Dos for Monsoon in Ayurveda

Have simple and easily digestible food in monsoon. They should be dry in nature like chickpea, corn, gram flour and oats. Having moong dal is advisable.
To ensure removal of germs, drink only boiled water. Water should be consumed within 24 hours of boiling.
Wash green vegetables thoroughly before eating, especially if you want to have them raw.
One of the foremost rules for monsoon in Ayurveda is to eat according to the ability of your digestion.
Know the capability of your jatharagni, i.e. digestive fire, when having food. Use spices such as pepper, ginger, asafoetida (hing), garlic, jeera powder, coriander and turmeric for enhancing your digestive capability. These help to improve your immunity too.
The vegetables recommended in the season include yam (suran), snake gourd (turi), pointed gourd (parwal), gourd (dudhi), bitter gourd (karela), cluster beans (gavaar), and apple gourd (tinda).
Stick to seasonal fruits during monsoons as the unseasonal ones can easily get infected with microbes. These include mangoes, pomegranates, apples, bananas, lychees and cherries.
In case you catch a cold, freshly prepared radish juice, along with a pinch of pipli and rock salt in warm water would help to lessen the trouble of mucous formation.
Fasting is especially recommended in the monsoon season, particularly for people fond of socialising and erratic eating. You can gain a lot of health benefits simply by observing a weekly or fortnightly fast during monsoon. It helps to improve your digestive fire.

Don’ts for Monsoon in Ayurveda

Avoid fermented foods which include idli, dosa, uttapam, and the like.
Avoid sprouts, raw vegetables, refrigerated and sour foods. Foods that are sour include tamarind, various pickles and chutneys.
Heavy grains such as bajra and ragi should be avoided. Limit the intake of foods with high water content such as rice, muskmelon, watermelon and lassi. These can lead to swelling.
Foods that strain your digestive system such as buttermilk, yoghurt, curd should be avoided.
Avoid non-vegetarian foods in monsoon. The possibility of germ content is highest in non-vegetarian foods.
Do not sleep during the day.
Do not tire yourself with work.
Avoid eating late at night. It is particularly important in this season.
Perform only moderate exercises in monsoon such as light walks and simple yogasanas.

By following these dos and don’ts, you would be able to revel in monsoon without fearing its adverse impact.

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