Ask Ayurveda

/
/
/
What is Ritu Charya in Ayurveda and how does it affect health?
FREE! Just write your question
— get answers from Best Ayurvedic doctors
No chat. No calls. Just write your question and receive expert replies
1000+ doctors ONLINE
#1 Ayurveda Platform
Ask question for free
00H : 28M : 14S
background-image
Click Here
background image
General Medicine
Question #12578
340 days ago
642

What is Ritu Charya in Ayurveda and how does it affect health? - #12578

Hannah

I’ve recently started reading about Ayurveda and came across the term Ritu Charya. From what I understand, it refers to seasonal lifestyle and diet changes that are recommended to maintain balance in the body. Can someone explain Ritu Charya in more detail? How does following these seasonal guidelines improve overall health? I know that in Ayurveda, different seasons require different routines, such as diet, exercise, and sleep patterns. Can someone provide examples of how to follow Ritu Charya during the monsoon or summer seasons? How can this practice help with immunity and digestion? Also, is there any specific food to avoid during each season, as per Ritu Charya? Some sources say that avoiding certain foods in the wrong season can prevent diseases—what foods should be consumed during specific seasons for optimal health? If anyone follows Ritu Charya, please share your experience! Have you noticed any changes in your energy, digestion, or immunity by adjusting your routine according to the seasons?

FREE
Question is closed

Doctor-recommended remedies for this condition

FREE! Ask an Ayurvedic Doctor — 24/7, 100% Anonymous
Get expert answers anytime, completely confidential. No sign-up needed.
background-image
background-image
background image
banner-image
banner-image

Doctors' responses

Ritu Charya – Seasonal Lifestyle in Ayurveda Ritu Charya refers to the practice of adjusting your lifestyle, diet, and routine according to the changing seasons to maintain balance in the body. Each season influences the doshas differently, and following Ritu Charya helps optimize health by aligning with nature’s cycles.

Seasonal Guidelines for Health Summer (Grishma Ritu) Diet: Favor cooling foods like cucumbers, melons, yogurt, and coconut water. Exercise: Light activities, avoid intense workouts in the heat. Sleep: Keep sleep patterns regular, avoid staying up late. Avoid: Heavy, spicy, and oily foods that increase Pitta dosha. Monsoon (Varsha Ritu) Diet: Warm, easily digestible foods like soups and stews. Exercise: Moderate physical activity, avoid swimming in unclean water. Sleep: Maintain regular sleep patterns; avoid excess dampness. Avoid: Cold, raw foods like salads, as they can aggravate Vata and cause digestive issues. Health Benefits Improved Digestion: Seasonally appropriate foods support Agni (digestive fire). Stronger Immunity: Following Ritu Charya boosts immunity by harmonizing the body with the environment, preventing seasonal diseases. Foods to Consume & Avoid Winter: Eat root vegetables, warm grains, and dairy. Avoid cold foods. Spring: Light, detoxifying foods like leafy greens. Avoid heavy, oily foods. Autumn: Warming spices like ginger, garlic. Avoid cold, damp foods.

11913 answered questions
78% best answers
Accepted response

0 replies

Ah, Ritu Charya, one of my favorite topics in Ayurveda! You’re absolutely on track with the idea that it’s about adjusting to the seasons—kinda like nature’s blueprint to help us stay balanced and healthy. In Ayurveda, every season has its own atmosphere and energy, impacting our doshas or body constitutions. So, Ritu Charya tailors our lifestyle to harmonize with those seasonal shifts.

Think of monsoon, or varsha ritu, where the air gets heavier and there’s dampness everywhere. One common guideline is to lighten up your diet since our digestive fire or agni might be sluggish. Foods like moong dal soup, khichdi, light grains, and cooked veggies are great—easy on the digestion. At the same time, avoid excessive oily or fatty foods during this season. Sound easy right? Also, mild spices like ginger or black pepper can help keep the digestive juices flowing.

For summer, grishma ritu, it’s all about coolness cuz the heat can aggravate pitta dosha. So grab hydrating fruits like watermelon and cucumber. Keep spices mild, more like fennel or coriander. Avoid super sour or salty foods that can increase heat in the body. Staying indoors during peak sun hours helps too.

Ritu Charya isn’t just about food, it’s also about lifestyle. So in monsoon, you’d do more indoor activities—light yoga and pranayama to maintain energy flow. While in summer, emphasize on hydration and relaxation—think morning walks or swimming if that’s your thing.

Now onto immunity and digestion. Following these guidelines sharpens your agni when it can otherwise get derailed by seasonal changes, meaning you absorb nutrients efficiently! This naturally ups your immunity, too—since a stronger digestion boosts the body’s ability to combat ailments.

Avoiding foods that imbalance your dosha in a season can indeed fend off issues. For instance, skipping icy drinks in winters preserves your digestive heat and prevents issues like colds. Small changes, big impact.

As for personal experiences, many who shift to Ritu Charya rhythms often notice improved moods, clearer skin, steady energy, and better sleep. It can be a trial and error thing till you find what truly works, so listen to your body.

Trust yourself and give it a whirl. It’s a dynamic process, adapting to what the season throws at ya. Stay curious! Each season’s unique lesson is all part of the journey, isn’t it?

1742 answered questions
27% best answers

0 replies
Speech bubble
FREE! Ask an Ayurvedic doctor — 24/7,
100% Anonymous

600+ certified Ayurvedic experts. No sign-up.

About our doctors

Only qualified ayurvedic doctors who have confirmed the availability of medical education and other certificates of medical practice consult on our service. You can check the qualification confirmation in the doctor's profile.


Related questions

Doctors online

Dr. Ravi Chandra Rushi
I am working right now as a Consultant Ayurvedic Ano-Rectal Surgeon at Bhrigu Maharishi Ayurvedic Hospital in Nalgonda—and yeah, that name’s quite something, but what really keeps me here is the kind of cases we get. My main focus is managing ano-rectal disorders like piles (Arsha), fistula-in-ano (Bhagandara), fissure-in-ano (Parikartika), pilonidal sinus, and rectal polyps. These are often more complex than they look at first, and they get misdiagnosed or overtreated in a lotta places. That’s where our classical tools come in—Ksharasutra therapy, Agnikarma, and a few other para-surgical techniques we follow from the Samhitas...they’ve been lifesavers honestly. My work here pushes me to keep refining surgical precision while also sticking to the Ayurvedic core. I do rely on modern diagnostics when needed, but I won’t replace the value of a well-done Nadi Pariksha or assessing dosha-vikruti in depth. Most of my patients come with pain, fear, and usually after a couple of rounds of either incomplete surgeries or just being fed painkillers n antibiotics. And I totally get that frustration. That’s why I combine surgery with a whole support plan—Ayurvedic meds, diet changes, lifestyle tweaks that actually match their prakriti. Not generic stuff off a handout. Over time, I’ve seen that when people follow the whole protocol, not just the procedure part, the recurrence drops a lot. I’m quite particular about follow-up and wound care too, ‘cause we’re dealing with delicate areas here and ignoring post-op can ruin outcomes. Oh and yeah—I care a lot about educating folks too. I talk to patients in OPD, sometimes give community talks, just to tell people they do have safer options than cutting everything out under GA! I still study Shalya Tantra like it’s a living document. I try to stay updated with whatever credible advancements are happening in Ayurvedic surgery, but I filter what’s fluff and what’s actually useful. At the end of the day, my aim is to offer respectful, outcome-based care that lets patients walk out without shame or fear. That’s really what keeps me grounded in this field.
5
546 reviews
Dr. M.Sushma
I am Dr. Sushma M and yeah, I’ve been in Ayurveda for over 20 yrs now—honestly still learning from it every day. I mostly work with preventive care, diet logic, and prakriti-based guidance. I mean, why wait for full-blown disease when your body’s been whispering for years, right? I’m kinda obsessed with that early correction part—spotting vata-pitta-kapha imbalances before they spiral into something deeper. Most ppl don’t realize how much power food timing, digestion rhythm, & basic routine actually have… until they shift it. Alongside all that classical Ayurveda, I also use energy medicine & color therapy—those subtle layers matter too, esp when someone’s dealing with long-term fatigue or emotional heaviness. These things help reconnect not just the body, but the inner self too. Some ppl are skeptical at first—but when you treat *beyond* the doshas, they feel it. And I don’t force anything… I just kinda match what fits their nature. I usually take time understanding a person’s prakriti—not just from pulse or skin or tongue—but how they react to stress, sleep patterns, their relationship with food. That whole package tells the story. I don’t do textbook treatment lines—I build a plan that adjusts *with* the person, not on top of them. Over the years, watching patients slowly return to their baseline harmony—that's what keeps me in it. I’ve seen folks come in feeling lost in symptoms no one explained… and then walk out weeks later understanding their body better than they ever did. That, to me, is healing. Not chasing symptoms, but restoring rhythm. I believe true care doesn’t look rushed, or mechanical. It listens, observes, tweaks gently. That's the kind of Ayurveda I try to practice—not loud, but deeply rooted.
5
851 reviews
Dr. Prasad Pentakota
I am Dr. P. Prasad, and I’ve been in this field for 20+ years now, working kinda across the board—General Medicine, Neurology, Dermatology, Cardiology—you name it. Didn’t start out thinking I’d end up spanning that wide, but over time, each area sort of pulled me in deeper. And honestly, I like that mix. It lets me look at a patient not just through one lens but a whole system-wide view... makes more sense when treating something that won’t fit neatly in one category. I’ve handled everything from day-to-day stuff like hypertension, diabetes, or skin infections to more serious neuro and cardiac problems. Some cases are quick—diagnose, treat, done. Others take time, repeated check-ins, figuring out what’s really going on beneath those usual symptoms. And that’s where the detail matters. I’m pretty big on thorough diagnosis and patient education—because half the problem is ppl just not knowing what’s happening inside their own body. What’s changed for me over years isn’t just knowledge, it’s how much I lean on listening. If you miss what someone didn’t say, you might also miss their actual illness. And idk, after seeing it play out so many times, I do believe combining updated medical practice with basic empathy really shifts outcomes. Doesn’t have to be complicated... it just has to be consistent. I keep up with research too—new drugs, diagnostics, cross-specialty updates etc., not because it’s trendy, but cuz it’s necessary. Patients come in better read now than ever. You can’t afford to fall behind. The end goal’s the same tho—help them heal right, not just fast. Ethical practice, evidence-based, and sometimes just being there to explain what’s going on. That’s what I stick to.
5
934 reviews
Dr. Mohit Kakkar
I am a BAMS-qualified Ayurvedic physician from Jalandhar, Punjab, and I work with a deep interest in blending classical Ayurvedic wisdom with modern telemedicine care. My practice is largely consultation based, reaching patients across the country through online platforms, which still feels new sometimes but works well. Till now I have served more than 500 patients through teleconsultations, mostly chronic cases where consistency really matters more than quick fixes. I focus on understanding each patient through dosha assessment, mainly balancing Vata, Pitta, Kapha using individualized treatment plans and nutrition guidance. Around 85% symptom relief has been seen in chronic conditions, though outcomes vary and need patience. I rely on personalised diet, daily routine correction, and classical Ayurvedic medicines. Some days are challenging, but seeing people feel lighter, sleep better, or regain control over health keeps me going. My aim stays simple,, long term wellness through practical Ayurveda, not rushed solutions.
0 reviews
Dr. Maitri Bhavesh Kumar Acharya
I am Dr. Maitri, currently in my 2nd year of MD in Dravyaguna, and yeah, I run my own Ayurvedic clinic in Ranoli where I’ve been seeing patients for 2 years now. Honestly, what pulled me into this path deeper is how powerful herbs really are—when used right. Not just randomly mixing churnas but actually understanding their rasa, virya, vipaka etc. That’s kinda my zone, where textbook knowledge meets day-to-day case handling. My practice revolves around helping people with PCOD, acne, dandruff, back pain, stiffness in knees or joints that never seem to go away. And I don’t jump to giving a long list of medicines straight away—first I spend time figuring out their prakriti, their habits, food cycle, what triggers what… basically all the small stuff that gets missed. Then comes the plan—herbs (single or compound), some diet reshuffling, and always some lifestyle nudges. Sometimes they’re tiny, like sleep timing. Sometimes big like proper seasonal detox. Being into Dravyaguna helps me get into the depth of herbs more confidently. I don’t just look at the symptom—I think okay what guna will counter this? Should the drug be snigdha, ushna, tikta? Is there a reverse vipaka that’ll hurt the agni? I ask these questions before writing any combo. That’s made a huge diff in outcomes. Like I had this case of chronic urticaria that would flare up every week, and just tweaking the herbs based on sheetala vs ushna nature... helped calm the system in 3 weeks flat. Not magic, just logic. I also work with women who are struggling with hormonal swings, mood, delayed periods or even unexplained breakouts. When hormones go haywire, the skin shows, digestion slows, and mind gets foggy too. I keep my approach full-circle—cleansing, balancing, rejuvenating. No quick fixes, I tell them early on. What I’m hoping to do more of now is make Ayurveda feel practical. Not overwhelming. Just simple tools—ahara, vihara, aushadha—used consistently, with some trust in the body’s own healing. I’m still learning, still refining, but honestly, seeing people feel in control of their health again—that’s what keeps me rooted to this.
5
625 reviews
Dr. Sara Garg
I am someone who believes Ayurveda isn’t just some old system — it’s alive, and actually still works when you use it the way it's meant to be used. My practice mostly revolves around proper Ayurvedic diagnosis (rogi & roga pariksha types), Panchakarma therapies, and ya also a lot of work with herbal medicine — not just prescribing but sometimes preparing stuff myself when needed. I really like that hands-on part actually, like knowing where the herbs came from and how they're processed... changes everything. One of the things I pay a lot of attention to is how a person's lifestyle is playing into their condition. Food, sleep, bowel habits, even small emotional patterns that people don't even realize are affecting their digestion or immunity — I look at all of it before jumping to treatment. Dietary therapy isn’t just telling people to eat less fried food lol. It’s more about timing, combinations, seasonal influence, and what suits their prakriti. That kind of detail takes time, and sometimes patients don’t get why it matters at first.. but slowly it clicks. Panchakarma — I do it when I feel it's needed. Doesn’t suit everyone all the time, but in the right case, it really clears the stuck layers. But again, it's not magic — people need to prep properly and follow instructions. That's where strong communication matters. I make it a point to explain everything without dumping too much Sanskrit unless they’re curious. I also try to keep things simple, like I don’t want patients feeling intimidated or overwhelmed with 10 things at once. We go step by step — sometimes slow, sometimes quick depending on the case. There’s no “one protocol fits all” in Ayurveda and frankly I get bored doing same thing again and again. Whether it’s a fever that won’t go or long-term fatigue or gut mess — I usually go deep into what's behind it. Surface-level fixes don’t last. I rather take the time than rush into wrong herbs. It’s more work, ya, but makes a diff in long run.
5
81 reviews
Dr. Surya Bhagwati
I am a Senior Ayurveda Physician with more than 28 years in this field — and trust me, it still surprises me how much there is to learn every single day. Over these years, I’ve had the chance to treat over 1 lakh patients (probably more by now honestly), both through in-person consults and online. Some come in with a mild cough, others with conditions no one’s been able to figure out for years. Each case brings its own rhythm, and that’s where real Ayurveda begins. I still rely deeply on classical tools — *Nadi Pariksha*, *Roga-Rogi Pariksha*, proper *prakriti-vikriti* mapping — not just ticking symptoms into a list. I don’t believe in ready-made cures or generic charts. Diagnosis needs attention. I look at how the disease behaves *inside* that specific person, which doshas are triggering what, and where the imbalance actually started (hint: it’s usually not where the pain is). Over the years I’ve worked with pretty much all age groups and all kinds of health challenges — from digestive upsets & fevers to chronic, autoimmune, hormonal, metabolic and degenerative disorders. Arthritis, diabetes, PCOD, asthma, thyroid... but also things like unexplained fatigue or joint swelling that comes and goes randomly. Many of my patients had already “tried everything else” before they walked into Ayurveda, and watching their systems respond slowly—but surely—is something I don’t take lightly. My line of treatment usually combines herbal formulations (classical ones, not trendy ones), Panchakarma detox when needed, and realistic dietary and lifestyle corrections. Long-term healing needs long-term clarity — not just short bursts of symptom relief. And honestly, I tell patients that too. I also believe patient education isn’t optional. I explain things. Why we’re doing virechana, why the oil changed mid-protocol, why we pause or shift the meds after a few weeks. I want people to feel involved, not confused. Ayurveda works best when the patient is part of the process, not just receiving instructions. Even now I keep learning — through texts, talks, patient follow-ups, sometimes even mistakes that taught me what not to do. And I’m still committed, still fully into it. Because for me, this isn’t just a job. It’s a lifelong responsibility — to restore balance, protect *ojas*, and help each person live in tune with themselves. That’s the real goal.
5
1321 reviews
Dr. Himanshu Chaturvedi
I am a B.A.M.S doctor who always try to look at health in a holistic way, not just symptoms or medicines. For me Ayurveda is not only treatment but also a way of living, and when I meet patients I want them to feel that I am not just prescribing tablets but actually walking with them in their journey. Sometimes it takes time to explain what Ayurveda really mean in daily life, but I prefer that slow conversation over quick fixes. I work as an Ayurvedic physician and keep honesty in my practice as a kind of foundation, maybe even stubborn about it. I tell patients directly what Ayurveda can do for them, what may take longer, and where patience is required. Many times they come expecting immediate results, and I do feel the pressure, but still I stand by the principle of gradual healing, because body and mind both need alignment not just external medicines. My approach is rooted in classical Ayurvedic texts but I also look at modern lifestyle challenges like irregular sleep, junk food habits, or stress-related problems. When I design treatment plans, it’s never only about medicine — it’s diet, small lifestyle correction, and sometimes simple routine change like waking up early or breathing practice. Even a small shift make a big differnce if followed properly. I focus on preventive care as much as curative care. Patients with chronic issues like digestive disturbances, skin disorders, or metabolic conditions need consistent guidance. I don’t promise miracles, instead I build trust by working step by step. That honesty itself turns into strength of my practice, people appreciate when a doctor is straightforward about what to expect. Sometimes, I do feel challenged when patients are half-convinced, trying Ayurveda while also holding on to chemical meds or doubting results. It is not easy, but I take time to clear their doubts. For me, transparency and compassion are equal to treatment itself. In short, I see myself not only as a physician but a guide helping patients choose balance in their lives. My aim is not just to manage disease but to improve overall well being, and I remind myself daily to keep my work truthful to Ayurveda and to the people who trust me.
5
1 reviews
Dr. Pangerawar Vishweshwar
I am practicing Ayurveda since 2018 after completing my graduation, and honestly it's been more of a lived journey than just a job. I started with a strong pull towards the classical roots of Ayurveda—not just textbook stuff but how it actually works in real people, in real life. Over time, that turned into a deeper thing... like how can I adapt ancient wisdom into today’s messy health realities without losing what actually makes Ayurveda work. I mostly work through root-cause diagnosis—like really digging into what’s going on underneath, not just what’s on the surface. I rely on tools like Nadi Pariksha, Prakriti mapping, dosha assessments—ya, all that. But it’s never just about charts. It’s how a person feels, how they react to things, how their body talks even when words don’t. From there I try to build a plan that’s theirs—not a one-size-fits-all—whether that means herbal meds, panchakarma (if needed), diet tweaks, or shifting daily habits that could be messing them up. I’ve worked with cases like skin conditions, gut issues, hormonal fluctuations, muscle pains, emotional burnout—stuff that sometimes don’t fit into one category. And tbh it’s not always quick or easy, but if we go layer by layer, things shift. And I don’t stop with the symptom going away—I try to make sure patients actually *get* what's happening inside them. That awareness kinda changes everything. Even now I keep updating myself—online seminars, tricky case discussions, those never really stop. It's not like I know everything, but I stay open. Always. If there's one thing I keep in practice, it's that trust grows through consistency. I check in, I explain what I can, I stay involved—not disappear after giving a prescription. And ya, sometimes ppl need more reassurance than medicine. I really just want Ayurveda to feel reachable, real, not wrapped in jargon. To help people feel in control of their health—not scared of it. That’s what I try to keep showing up for.
0 reviews
Dr. Narendrakumar V Mishra
I am a Consulting Ayurvedic Physician practicing since 1990—feels strange saying “over three decades” sometimes, but yeah, that’s the journey. I’ve spent these years working closely with chronic conditions that don’t always have clear answers in quick fixes. My main work has been around skin disorders, hair fall, scalp issues, and long-standing lifestyle stuff like diabetes, arthritis, and stress that kinda lingers under everything else. When someone walks into my clinic, I don’t jump to treat the problem on the surface. I start by understanding their *prakriti* and *vikriti*—what they’re made of, and what’s currently out of sync. That lets me build treatment plans that actually *fit* their system—not just push a medicine and hope it works. I use a mix of classical formulations, panchakarma if needed, dietary corrections, and slow, practical lifestyle changes. No overnight miracle talk. Just steady support. Hair fall and skin issues often feel cosmetic from outside—but internally? It’s about digestion, stress, liver, hormones... I’ve seen patients try 10+ things before landing in front of me. And sometimes they just need someone to *listen* before throwing herbs at the problem. That’s something I never skip. With arthritis and diabetes too, I take the same root-cause path. I give Ayurvedic medicines, but also work with *dinacharya*, *ahar* rules, and ways to reduce the load modern life puts on the body. We discuss sleep, food timing, mental state, all of it. I’ve also worked a lot with people dealing with high stress—career burnout, anxiety patterns, overthinking—and my approach there includes Ayurvedic counseling, herbal mind support, breathing routines... depends what suits them. My foundation is built on classical *samhitas*, clinical observation, and actual time with patients—not theories alone. My goal has always been simple: to help people feel well—not just for a few weeks, but in a way that actually lasts. Healing that feels like *them*, not just protocol. That’s what I keep aiming for.
5
1572 reviews
Dr. Snehal Vidhate
I am Dr. Snehal Vidhate, born n brought up in Maharashtra—and honestly, for as long as I remember I’ve felt this pull towards Ayurveda. Not the fancy version ppl throw around, but the deep, real kind that actually helps ppl. I did my BAMS from YMT Ayurvedic Medical College in Kharghar. That’s where I got my basics strong—like really studied the shastras, understood prakriti, doshas, the whole deal. Not just crammed theory but started to see how it shows up in real lives. After finishing BAMS, I got into this one-year certificate course at Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth, Delhi—honestly a turning point. I was super lucky to learn Kerala Ayurveda from my Guru, Prof. Dr. G.G. Gangadharan. He’s got this way of seeing things... simple but deep. That time with him taught me more than any textbook ever could. It kinda reshaped how I look at health, healing n how precise Ayurveda can be when you respect its roots. Right now I’m doing my MD in Panchakarma from SDM Ayurveda College, Bangalore. This place is like a hub for serious Ayurveda work. The Panchakarma training here? Super intense. We go deep into detoxification & rasayana therapy—not just theory again, but hands-on. I’m learning to blend classical techniques with today’s clinical demands.. like how to make Vamana or Basti actually doable in modern patient setups. My current practice is really about merging tradition with logic. Whether it’s chronic skin issues, gut problems, stress burnout or hormone stuff—my goal is to get to the root, not just hush the symptoms. I use Panchakarma when needed, but also a lot of ahara-vihara tweaks, medhya herbs, sometimes just slowing ppl down a bit helps. I really believe Ayurveda’s power is in its simplicity when done right. I don’t try to fix ppl—I work *with* them. And honestly, every patient teaches me something back.
5
425 reviews

Latest reviews

Hailey
13 hours ago
Thanks soo much for breaking things down clearly! Your suggestion on trying warm showers and breathing exercises seems really helpful. Appreciate it!
Thanks soo much for breaking things down clearly! Your suggestion on trying warm showers and breathing exercises seems really helpful. Appreciate it!
Meredith
13 hours ago
Really appreciated your thorough answer! It was super helpful in making sense of my symptoms and knowing what to do next. Thanks tons!
Really appreciated your thorough answer! It was super helpful in making sense of my symptoms and knowing what to do next. Thanks tons!
Vesper
16 hours ago
Thanks a bunch for the info! Cleared up so much for me, esp the Ayurveda part. I’ll definitely give almond butter a try now. 👍
Thanks a bunch for the info! Cleared up so much for me, esp the Ayurveda part. I’ll definitely give almond butter a try now. 👍
Aria
16 hours ago
Thanks for clearing that up! Didn't know raw almonds could be used. I’m glad Ayurveda is cool with it—almond butter for the win!
Thanks for clearing that up! Didn't know raw almonds could be used. I’m glad Ayurveda is cool with it—almond butter for the win!