Ritucharya

Āyurveda is the only medical science which has dealt in very detail the concept of season and their influence on the human body. Considering the movement of the sun and the geographical positioning of Bharat, there are six seasons to which this country is exposed to and accordingly a very scientific description is given, of what are the changes that take place in the nature and the state of three doshas in the human body, how one can protect oneself from such changes and remain healthy and what are the beneficial and non-beneficial food during this six seasons.

The principles of what happen in each season and the changes which take place in and outside the human body is very logically put forth. Hence if the principle and logic is understood then it is applicable to any part and population on the globe. This really makes Āyurveda Global and applicable to any race and creed. 

The movement of the sun from one constellation to the other is known as Ritu cycle of six seasons and they create natural  physiological changes in the body system leading to Chaya (mild increase or accumulation), Prakopa (great increase) and Prashama (decrease to normalcy) of the three Doshas.

 The first three seasons Sishir, Vasanta, Grishma are called Uttarayana (northern solstice) which is gradually hotter and dryer and takes the strength away from the body. 

The next three Varsha, Sharad, Hemanta are Dakshinayan (southern solstice)  is cooler and oilier and bestows strength.