INTRODUCTION:

Ayurveda has rightly emphasized swastha as the state of normal activity of Dosha, Dathu, Agni and Mala. It also includes the Prasanna Atma (soul), Indriya (sense organs) and Manas (mind).This explanation is similar to the definition of health by WHO ie. Health is a state of complete physical, mental, social and spiritual well being of a person and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. To achieve the same Ayurveda advocated Dinacharya, Rutucharya, etc where panchakarma plays a vital role.

Just as a pure and shining pearl loses its lustre over a period of time in the same way mala or dosha in the body gets sanchaya over a period of time. Hence all efforts should be made to clear out malas or doshas at appropriate time. Too much of their accumulation leads to their aggravation and even cutting short of life itself. The doshas which are mitigated by langhana and pachana therapies might sometimes become aggravated again, but those which are cleared by samsodhana therapies will not get aggravated again ie Panchakarma or sodhana is apunarbhavachikitsa^.[1]

Panchakarma is carried out under:

1. Panchakarma in swastha ie in dinacharya and ritucharya.

2. Roganusara panchakarma.

3. Panchakarma for rasayanadi asadharana gunaprapthi.

RITUSODHANA :

Ritu shodhana is followed irrespective of Swastha or Atura in order to prevent the disease as well as promotion of health. Ritucharya is to avoid complications of chaya and prakopa of doshas according to ritu. Hence panchakarma mentioned in rithucharya helps in prevention of disease. The accumulation of doshas arising from cold season should be expelled out during vasanta; that arising from grishma should be expelled during abhrakaala (rainy season); that arising from varsha be expelled during ghanaatyaya (autum) expeditiously and effectively. By this, people will not become victims of diseases born by the effect of seasons.[2]Such aggravated doshas in different seasons should be counteracted by applying appropriate ways. One who lives according to ritucharya, never suffers from severe disorders caused by seasonal factors. Sodhana in appropriate seasons helps to expel sanchita malas, otherwise further accumulation occurs leading to its aggravation and even causes threat to life.

HEMANTHA RITU (NOV 16 - JAN 15, WINTER) / SISIRA(JAN 16- MAR 15, DEWY):

Due to the cold atmosphere in hemantha and sisira ritu, jataragni becomes powerful and starts dhatupachana along with aggravated vata. Because of the prasama of pitta; vata and kapha undergoes chaya during hemanta.[3]Abhyanga, Murdhnitaila, avagahasweda, jentakasweda, Vimardhana, padaghata, dhooma, anjana, udwartana and utsadana with best vataharataila(Balatailaetc) are adviced regularly along with vatahara ahara.[4] Sirobasti is one of the Murdhnitaila advocated in swastha for 1000 matrakala which helps to prevent urdhvajatrugata vikara. Avagaha sweda is to be done with warm water after anointing taila abhyanga5. By the above procedures srotas which are closed by cold outside opens and allows to reduce the core temperature during sisira and hemanta ritu.

VASANTA RITU (MARCH 16-MAY 15, SPRING):

Kapha acccumulated during sisira ritu aggravates in vasanta produces diseases due to vitiated agni. Hence teekshna vamana, nasya, niroohavasti, kavala graham, utsaadanam, vyayama, anjana and teeshna dhooma are indicated. For all purpose hot water is advised. Niroohabasti is also indicated in vasanta ritu^[5]. Dalhana said that even though niroohabasti is indicated in aggravation of vata as it is sarvadoshahara it can be adviced in vasanta ritu also.Vasanta ritucharya is of two types, sodhana and samana. Chayapoorvaka prakopa dosha should undergo sodhana ritucharya and achayapoorvaka prakopa doshas should undergo samanaritu charya.[^6]Vasanta ritu consists of chaitra and vaisakha maasa. Arunadatta says in the month of Chaitra kapha has to be expelled, through sodhana, so that kapha will not undergo kopa. Every year in month of varsha, sarad and vasantha when the clouds are clear nasya with anutaila can be followed.

GRISHMA RITU (MAY 16- JULY 15, SUMMER) :

By the powerful sunrays kapha decreases day by day and vata increases consequently. Vata accumulated in grishma ritu should be counteracted by vata alleviating measures.^[7]

VARSHA RITU (RAINY SEASON, JULY 16-SEP.15) :

Due to the seeta guna, vata aggravates. By the warmth of earth, kaala swabhava, amlapaaka of water and water vitiated due to mixing of waste products of loota etc, all the three doshas are vitiated in varsha ritu. [8] According to Prakasika vyakhyanam Vata, before it undergoes prakopa ie at the starting of varsha ritu itself sodhana has to be done.[9] Like in varsha ritucharya, in vasantha ritucharya also Arunadatta explained two types of ritucharya ie sodhana and samana. Vataprakopa in varsharitu is chayapoorvaka prakopa, kapha is in achayapoorvaka prakopa and pitta is in chayaavastha Hence sodhana ritucharya for vata and samana ritucharya for kapha is advised. To exceed the aggravated vata, Asthapana basti is necessary in varsha ritu.[10] After the purification of body asthapana basti is to be done.[11] Here Arunadatta commented on sudha thanu as those who have been undergone vamana and virechana. In Chakradatta while explaining ghridhrasi chikitsa it is explained that basti prayoga without the purification of urdhwadesa does not yield desired therapeutic results as in such case unction is quite useless like oblation in ash.[12] Dalhana considered “avisudha” as the person not evacuated anila, vit and mootra properly. But as far as the action is concerned the sneha is distributed and metabolized better after purification. Snehabasti should not be given to avisuddha. If snehabasti is given in suddhadeha, the snehavirya will be distributed all over the body.^[13]Balagudoochyadi basthi is indicated for swastha. Balya and brimhana type of basthi can be administered as bala of individual is avara in this ritu. Swedana helps to relieve kleda where agni is vitiated due to vataprakopa.[14] Agni and bala is weak in varsha ritu due to the effects of adanakaala. Hence measures is to be carried out to improve agni.

SARAT RITU (SEP 16 - NOV 15, AUTUM):

Pitta (prakopa) which has accumulated in the body during varsha ritu, gets further increased by the sudden heat of sunrays in sarat ritu.Vata is in prasama in this ritu. Hence to relieve vitiated pitta and rakta, snehapana with thikta ghrita, raktamokshana and virechana are adviced.[15] Tikta ghritapana helps to relieve vatakopa due to raktamokshana and virechana. It also helps to relieve pittakopa due to kaala swabhava, nourishes the body and improves appetite also.[16] Hemadri explains the order to be followed ie tiktaghrita snehapana, virechana and raktamokshana.[17] During Sarath rithu seetakashaya of trivrit, duralabha, musta, sarkara, udeechya, chandana, draksha and yastyahwa should is advised for virechana.[18]The powder of dwigunothara pippali, pippalimoola and abhaya helps for easy purgation in swastha. If doshas which are in sanchayaavastha (during greeshma, varsha and sisira) are removed by basthi, vamana, virechana etc. then there is no chance for doshas to undergo prakopa (during varsha, sarat and vasantha.) During sisira/hemanta ritu due to the cold atmosphere there is more chance for vataja and kaphaja rogas. Hence during this period vata kapha hara procedures like abhyanga, udwarthana etcc have to be done to prevent such disorders. As vasanta is flowering season allegic rhinitis are more common due to pollen grains.^[19] Vamana advised in this ritu helps to reduce serum histamine and IgE which are responsible for allergic reaction. Also teekshana nasya, udwartana etc reduces the aggravated kapha in this ritu. Basti indicated in varsha ritu helps to avoid vata aggravation during this ritu due to the rainy climate. Due to the hot climate, pitta and rakta vitiates during sarat ritu can lead to development of skin diseases. Susrutha said that those who undergone raktamokshana regularly at proper time will not get afflicted by skin diseases. Pitta samana procedures like virechana, raktamokshana and tikta ghrita pana is mentioned in sarat ritu charya. In vasanta ritu vasa and majja, in pravrit taila and in sarad ghrita should be taken. Ushna veerya of taila helps to reduce vata prakopa in varsha ritu and seeta veerya of ghrita helps to reduce pitta prakopa in sarat ritu.The ghrita is good for all person in all season according to Kasyapa.^[20]According to a study (led by the University of Cambridge) (published in the journal Nature Communications) our immune systems vary with the seasons. The activity of almost a quarter of our genes (5,136 out of 22,822 genes tested) differs according to the time of year, with some more active in winter and others more active in summer. This seasonality also affects our immune cells and the composition of our blood and adipose tissue Father of modern science Hippocrates has observed the influence of seasonal rhythm in physical and mental health, he says; "Whoever wishes to investigate medicine properly should proceed thus; in the first place to consider the seasons of the year and what effect each of them produces."

PREVENTION:

Jwara:

Varsha, sarat, vasantaritu are the prakopakala of vata, pitta and kapha doshas respectively. Jwara in these respective ritus are called as praakrithajwara. This can be prevented by following respective panchakarma mentioned. Vishamajwara (santataadijwara) is due to mala-kaalabala-abala ie it is kaalaja. Hence ritu sodhana helps in its prevention.

Raktajavyadhi:

Frequency of Raktajavyadhi is more in sarat ritu due to its kaala swabhava. Tiktaghritapana, virechana, raktamokshana explained in ritucharya helps in prevention of rakta dushti.

Kushta:

To prevent the recurrence of kushta, Susrutha explained vamana once in 15 days, sramsana once in a month, raktamokshana twice in a year and nasya once in 3 days. In the premonitory stage itself vamana and virechana is indicated.^[21]It is also said that if the patient is undergoing virechana every morning for five, six, seven or eight days doshas do not raise again.

Udarda:

Nidana and samprapti of udarta is similar to the dosha prakopakaranas in sisirahemantaritu. Abhyanga, mardana etc mentioned in sisira/hemanta ritucharya helps in the samprapti vighatana of udarda.

Allergic diseases:

Biochemical changes observed after vamana are Serum histamine level comes down and there is change in immunoglobins IgE.^[22]Vamana is adviced in vasantha rithucharya. Pollen grains are found to be more in vasantha ritu. So vamana done in vasanta could help to reduce allergic diseases.

Asmari:

Lack of proper purification of body is one cause of asmari. So by following ritusodhana it helps in prevention of asmari

Vatarakta:

Lack of purification of body and vitiated rakta are among the nidana of vatarakta. Here also sodhana helps in its prevention. Panchakarma plays vital role in the preservation, maintenance and conservation of health and promotion of longevity. They form a part in the regimen of preventive medicine(swasthavritta) indicated as prophylactic measures in the context of epidemics and pan epidemics. Mandagni is the cause for all diseases. For correction of agni panchakarma is the best treatment

Rasayana- vajeekarana and panchakarma:

Having ascertained that the koshta is purified of all impurities, rasayana – vajeekarana therapy should be administered.^[24]Rasayana drugs due to their inherant antioxidant and antitoxic properities possibly act at subcellular level, attributed to act directly on dhatus. Rasayana, helps not only in preventing early aging but also in preventing the occurrence of diseases by promoting the Ojus.^[25]

DISCUSSION:

Shodhana improves Kayagni, cures the disorders, maintains the equilibrium of the dosha, improves function of sense organ, mind, bhudhi, colour and complexion. It also improves the vigor and vitality and enables the person to live a long and healthy life. Hence following seasonal regimen is beneficial in prevention of diseases.^[23]Ritusodhana helps to eliminate the doshas accumulating in the body. If panchakarma is done without the consideration of kāla then it will definitely end in complications. Hence consideration of kāla in panchakarma is very much essential.^[24]If treatment is not given according to kāla then it may lead to peeda or marana just like the plants which get destroyed by untimely rain. Properly conducted Vamana removes aggravated Kapha, makes the body light and clears the channels of hrit, parswa and indriyas. Properly conducted Nasya Karma removes the aggravated Dosha seated above Urdhva jatru pradesha (head and neck) and clears the channels of circulation.Properly performed Basti Karma, establish proper expulsion of the feces, urine and the flatus, increases appetite, taste and creates euphoria.Properly conducted Virechana, removes aggavated Pitta and clears all channels of body, Jatharagni gets kindled and lightness sets in. Before administering Shodhana, it is essential to examine the status of Dosha, Prakriti, Desha, Kala, Vaya and Koshtha are analysed.

CONCLUSION:

To prevent disease, it is essential to have good knowledge about the dosha predominance in each ritu. Following dinacharya and ritucharya through sodhana, hita ahara sevana etc helps to serve the motto of Ayurveda, “Maintain health of healthy individual and relieves disease of diseased person”. Hence it is the duty of a wise person to be vigilant about his duty towards his own body as an officer in charge of a city preserve the city and a charioteer in maintenance of his chariot.

REFERENCES

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Received on 14.09.2016 Accepted on 30.10.2016

Asian J. Pharm. Res. 2016; 6(4): 231-235.

DOI: 10.5958/2231-5691.2016.00032.0