Ayurvedic Seasonal Wellness Calendar
Ayurveda teaches us to live in harmony with nature's rhythms. Each season brings different energies that affect our dosages and overall wellbeing. This seasonal guide helps you adapt your diet, lifestyle, and self-care practices throughout the year.
Spring (Vasant Ritu)
March - May
Kapha Season
Spring is characterized by the awakening of nature, with increased moisture, warmth, and growth. In this season, Kapha dosage accumulates and can lead to congestion, allergies, and lethargy if not balanced properly.
Diet Recommendations
- Favor light, warm, and dry foods
- Reduce dairy, sweet, and heavy foods
- Include bitter greens like arugula and dandelion
- Use warming spices: ginger, black pepper, turmeric
- Enjoy honey as a natural sweetener (not heated)
- Drink warm water with lemon and honey in the morning
Lifestyle Practices
- Wake up early (before 6 am)
- Engage in invigorating exercise
- Practice dry brushing before showers
- Perform nasya (nasal oil application)
- Consider a gentle spring cleanse
- Keep your living space dry and well-ventilated
Self-Care Rituals
- Oil massage with stimulating oils like eucalyptus
- Use Kapha-reducing essential oils: eucalyptus, camphor
- Practice invigorating yoga with sun salutations
- Try steam inhalation with eucalyptus oil
- Practice pranayama breathing exercises
- Take brisk walks in nature
Beneficial Herbs & Formulas
Ginger
Tulsi
Pippali
Turmeric
Trikatu
Sitopaladi
Summer (Grishma Ritu)
June - July
Pitta Season
Summer brings intense heat and dryness, which increases Pitta dosage in the body. This is a time when we need to focus on cooling and hydrating practices to prevent overheating, irritability, and inflammation.
Diet Recommendations
- Favor cooling, sweet, bitter, and astringent foods
- Enjoy fresh fruits, especially melons and berries
- Include coconut water and aloe vera juice
- Reduce spicy, sour, and salty foods
- Use cooling spices: coriander, fennel, mint
- Eat lighter meals, especially in the evening
Lifestyle Practices
- Exercise during cooler hours (early morning)
- Take regular breaks during hot days
- Wear light, breathable clothing
- Avoid excessive sun exposure
- Take cooling showers
- Practice moonlight walks in the evening
Self-Care Rituals
- Oil massage with cooling coconut oil
- Apply aloe vera gel to the skin
- Practice gentle, cooling yoga
- Try cooling pranayama like Shitali
- Use rosewater as a facial mist
- Moonlight meditation to calm Pitta
Beneficial Herbs & Formulas
Coriander
Shatavari
Brahmi
Neem
Guduchi
Amalaki
Late Summer/Monsoon (Varsha Ritu)
August - September
Vata-Pitta Season
The monsoon season brings humidity, dampness, and fluctuating temperatures. This season increases both Vata and Pitta dosages while creating an environment where digestion can become sluggish and immunity may weaken.
Diet Recommendations
- Favor freshly cooked, warm meals
- Include ginger, garlic and turmeric in cooking
- Avoid raw vegetables and cold foods
- Reduce fermented foods and leftovers
- Drink warm herbal teas
- Avoid eating street food and unfiltered water
Lifestyle Practices
- Keep your living space dry and clean
- Use dehumidifiers if needed
- Avoid getting wet in the rain
- Maintain regular daily routines
- Get adequate rest and sleep
- Practice indoor exercises
Self-Care Rituals
- Oil massage with sesame or eucalyptus oil
- Practice steam inhalation
- Use antimicrobial essential oils
- Take regular warm baths
- Practice gentle yoga focusing on digestion
- Meditate to maintain mental balance
Beneficial Herbs & Formulas
Tulsi
Ginger
Turmeric
Guduchi
Trikatu
Chyawanprash
Autumn (Sharad Ritu)
October - November
Vata Season
Autumn brings dry, rough, and windy qualities that increase Vata dosage. This season can lead to dryness in the body, anxiety, and disrupted sleep if not properly managed with grounding practices.
Diet Recommendations
- Favor warm, cooked, oily, and nourishing foods
- Include healthy fats like ghee and olive oil
- Enjoy sweet, sour, and salty tastes
- Reduce raw, cold, and dry foods
- Drink warm milk with spices before bed
- Stay well-hydrated with warm drinks
Lifestyle Practices
- Establish a consistent daily routine
- Go to bed early and wake up with the sun
- Moderate exercise - avoid exhaustion
- Keep warm and protected from wind
- Reduce travel and excessive movement
- Create a calm, peaceful home environment
Self-Care Rituals
- Daily abhyanga (oil massage) with sesame oil
- Practice gentle, grounding yoga
- Try alternate nostril breathing (Nadi Shodhana)
- Apply oil to the crown of the head and feet
- Use warming essential oils like cinnamon
- Take warm baths with calming oils
Beneficial Herbs & Formulas
Ashwagandha
Shatavari
Licorice
Ginger
Dashamoola
Chyawanprash
Winter (Hemant Ritu)
December - February
Vata-Kapha Season
Winter brings cold, heavy, and damp qualities that increase both Vata and Kapha dosages. This is a time for nourishment, strength-building, and internal reflection. The body's digestive fire (agni) is strongest during winter.
Diet Recommendations
- Enjoy warm, cooked, substantial meals
- Include healthy fats and proteins
- Use warming spices: cinnamon, ginger, clove
- Drink warm herbal teas and golden milk
- Include seasonal root vegetables
- Take advantage of stronger digestion
Lifestyle Practices
- Sleep a little longer in winter months
- Exercise regularly to maintain warmth
- Stay warm and dress in layers
- Protect head, ears, and feet from cold
- Create a warm, cozy home environment
- Practice self-reflection and meditation
Self-Care Rituals
- Daily abhyanga with warming sesame oil
- Practice stimulating yoga to generate heat
- Try steam inhalation and sauna when possible
- Use warming essential oils: cinnamon, clove
- Take warm baths with epsom salts
- Practice Kapalabhati pranayama
Beneficial Herbs & Formulas
Ashwagandha
Ginger
Cinnamon
Black Pepper
Tulsi
Chyawanprash
