Ayurveda considers Karkidaka the most favourable time for treatments and therapeutic health care routines. The month of Karkidaka, the last month according to the traditional Kerala calendar, usually falls between June and August and is the peak of the rainy season in Kerala. The monsoon season in Kerala experiences heavy clouds and rainfall, strong cold winds which often comes after very hot summer.
Month of Karkidaka and Health
According to the ancient texts of Ayurveda, the increase in the humidity during the monsoon season disrupts the balance of Tridoshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha. To overcome the health challenges during the month of Karkidaka, the people in Kerala have been practising Karkidaka Chikitsa (treatment), a therapeutic and restorative measure for the general well-being.
It is strongly believed that the rates of death and illnesses are very high especially during the month of Karkidaka. The sudden shift in the season increases the chance of diseases and health issues in most individuals such as digestive, respiratory, arthritis, allergies and many other water-borne diseases.
But at the same time, Ayurveda considers Karkidaka the most favourable time for treatments and applying external medicines. The high humidity causes the po
res on the human body to stay open helping the medicines to work effectively on individuals.
Karkidaka Chikitsa
Ayurveda and Karkidaka Chikitsa take advantage of the Karkidaka/monsoon conditions helping to reduce the inflictions, prevent illnesses and at the same time uplift health and immunity. The skin, softened by the humidity and the monsoon climate, helps the Chikilsa and Ayurvedic medicines to effectively remove toxins and negative energy from both body and mind.
To understand how the Karkidaka Chikitsa can work on your body or why it is more effective during the month of Karkidaka, it is essential to understand the Ayurveda concepts of Tridoshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha, the physical constitution of the human body. The effect of different seasons on these Doshas are different and different for each Dosha. During the hot seasons, the human body produces toxins in larger quantities and these get aggravated during the cold monsoon seasons. These imbalances in the Doshas caused by the toxin build-up results in various diseases.
As per Ayurveda, the rainy season soon after the hot summer tend to increase the acidity in the food affecting the Pitta Dosha resulting in digestive issues and fever. The cold weather, high humidity and contamination of food and water intensify the Kapha Dosha which can cause cold, cough, asthma, respiratory diseases and skin diseases.
The ancient practitioners of Ayurveda were well aware of the vulnerability of the human body during the rainy season and the responsiveness of the same to medicines and treatments. This knowledge was handed down through centuries and generations and are still in practice among the people of Kerala during the month of Karkidaka.
Based on Ayurveda, the holistic approach to healing and rejuvenating mind and body in Karkidaka is focused on bringing balance to Trisdoshas in the body at the same time push out the harmful toxins. An organic way to reset the balance of the body, prevent diseases and increase the energy levels to extend the longevity of life.
Panchakarma
The detoxification of the human body in Ayurveda comes under Panchakarma treatment, which helps to improve the natural immunity and resistance to many ailments. The month of Karkidaka is considered ideal for this treatment as the humidity and moisture during the monsoon season, leaves the Dhathus, the seven tissues of the body, relaxed and soft. This provides the perfect condition for external oil application (Snehana) and steam treatments (Svedhana) making the detoxification and removal of excess Doshas, effortless and effective.
Just like any Ayurvedic medication or treatment dietary controls, mostly vegetarian are also vital during this time along with strict and disciplined daily routines which may include massages, exercises, yoga and meditation. A healing approach to both mind and body, with its cold weather and rainfalls, the monsoon season providing the perfect ambience for mental relaxation. Hence it is considered holistic.
Benefits of Karkidaka Chikitsa
Boosting Immunity
In the books of Ayurveda, the immune system is named as ‘Ojas’. Higher the level of Ojas, healthier the human body. When the level of Ojas goes down, the human body becomes vulnerable to the attack of viruses, bacteria or disease-causing pathogens. Negative emotions, stress, lack of sleep and exercise, addiction to substances, malnutrition, lifestyle, pollution, ageing and genetic factors etc. can also negatively influence this Ojas or Immunity. Oushada kanji (Medicinal Kanji), a special diet in Ayurveda during Karkidaka Chikitsa have proven to be a great detoxing agent and immunity booster.
Detoxing the Body
According to Ayurveda and modern medicines, our lifestyle, the food we consume, the air we breathe, the exposure to various chemicals and pollutants through various means underlying diseases all results in accumulation of toxins in our body and can affect the natural balance of our body. These imbalances can cause health issues and the way to overcome this is flushing out these harmful impurities and toxins out of the body. Karkidaka Chikitsa could help the body to unblock the energy pathways by stimulating the energy points, naturally improve the oxygenation of the cells and tissues, flushes out the toxins, cleanse body thereby, improving health.
Karkidaka Chikitsa is not just for the improvement of health and the physical body. The strict disciplinary routines and dietary controls, along with massages, exercises, yoga and meditation contributes to the mental wellbeing of the individual. Yoga, meditation and exercises helps to regulates the metabolism and hormone levels, improve the oxygenation, relieves stress, cleanse the mind of negative emotions and thoughts which in turn improves the quality of life.
Weight Loss
Sthaulya or Medoroga, as per Ayurveda is a condition where the body stores excess energy in the body in the form of fat. Obesity or weight gain is a common problem dealt by people all over the world making people vulnerable to many chronic illnesses, deprive many of the quality of life. Karkidaka Chikitsa helps to break down the fat deposits in the body, tones the body and improves the digestive functioning which results in naturally losing the body weight.
Karkidaka Kanji
One of the basic things most of the Kerala households do in the month of Karkidaka as a precaution to many common illnesses is making changes to diet to naturally boost the immunity. The main component in such diet is Karkidaka Kanji/Oushadha(medicine) Kanji(porridge) which can be made at home and followed by anyone. Taken from the ancient texts of Ayurveda, Karkidaka/Oushadha kanji is a unique blend of medicinal plants and herbs, spices and grains, special therapeutic Ayurvedic diet that can boost immunity against most of the common diseases, improves the digestive system, detoxifies and rejuvenates the body.
Karkidaka Chikitsa, the holistic approach to healing and rejuvenating mind and body, can improve immunity, detoxify mind and soul, revitalise muscles, nervous system and skin. It can stimulate various energy points (Marma) in the body which helps in the overall improvement of the flexibility and agility of the person, recharges the body and mind and prepares you for prolonged well-being.
