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The Ancient Indian Science "Ayurveda" believes in maintaining the health of a healthy person and treating the diseased person.
Ayurveda categorizes different body types based on their constitution. Each unique constitution is determined by what basic element is dominant in their bodies. All living/non-living things are made up of panchmahabutas(five constitutional elements).
There are three types of sharerik doshas which have predominancy of different panchmahabhuta's:
1. Vata-Vayu mahabhut predominant
2. Pitta-Agni mahabhut predominant
3. Kapha-Prithvi mahabhut predominant
According to ayurveda, humans have three main types of prakriti (temperaments) and similarly,the type of food we eat can also be divided into three types.
Types of Prakriti
1. Vataj Prakriti -
A person having vataj prakriti is Vata dosha predominant. His/Her body can get vataj diseases easily. They should not take vataj ahara(food) more often; infact food with opposite qualities would keep their body in balanced state.
2. Pittaj Prakriti -
Similarly, people having pittaj prakriti are pitta dosha predominant. His/Her body can get pittaj diseases easily. They should not take pittaj ahara(food) much as it could lead to vridhi of pitta dosha; infact intake of food with opposite qualities would keep the body in balanced state.
3. Kaphaj Prakriti -
Kapha dosha is predominant in people having kaphaj prakriti. In order to prevent kaphaj vikara, kaphaj aahar should be taken in less quantity; food with opposite qualities should be taken to maintain the balance.
To decrease vata dosh, kaphaj aahar(food) should be taken and to decrease kapha dosha, vataj aahar(food) should be taken.
GENERAL LINE OF TREATMENT
For shaman(suppression) of:
1. Vata dosha - Taila(oil) is the best.
2. Pitta dosha - Ghrita(ghee) is the best.
3. Kapha dosha - Madhu(honey) is the best.
Relationship between Aahara and Ritu's
The intake of food also depends on the seasons (Ritu's):
Shishira, Vasanta, Grishma Ritu's come under Adana Kala.
In adana kala, digestive power is decreased.
Shishira Ritu has maximum strength,
Vasanta has medium strength, and
Grishma has minimum strength.
Varsha, Sharad, Hemant Ritu's come under Visarga Kala.
In visarga kala, digestive power is increased.
Varsha ritu has minimum strength,
Sharad ritu has medium strength, and
Hemanta ritu has maximum strength.
Hemant Ritu (Nov22-Jan 21) : Winter Season
In hemanta ritu, digestive fire is increased in strong persons and they are able to digest hard food substances also. If proper food is not supplied to the body in winters, it might even burn body tissues.
Unctuous - Snigdha i.e. oily food which is heavy is easily digested.
Madhura, Amla, Lavana rasa (sweet, sour and salty dravyas) should be taken.
Shishira Ritu (Jan 22 - Mar 21) : Late Winters
In shishira ritu, same dietetics of hemant ritu should be followed.
Vasant Ritu (Mar 22 - May 21) : Spring Season
It is advised to take food having laghu (light) and ruksha (dry/not oily) guna. Easily digestible food is prescribed during vasant ritu.
Grishma Ritu (May22 - July 21) : Summer Season
In Grishma ritu, food having madhura rasa(sweet dravyas), laghu(light), snigdha, shita(cold) and drava(liquid) gunas should be taken.
Varsha Ritu (July 22 - Sept 21) : Rainy Season
During rainy season, honey should be included in diet. Cereals and rice should be taken in varsha ritu.
Sharad Ritu (Sept 22-Nov21) : Autumn season
Food having tikta, madhura and kashaya (bitter, sweet and instringent) rasa and laghu(light) guna dravyas should be essentially taken in this season along with other rasa's to maintain the balance.
To maintain the equilibrium state of the doshas, presence of six tastes in a proportionate order is essential. Hence, practice to consume all tastes of diet everyday by changing their ratio according to the season.