Karkitaka chikitsa (Seasonal Preventive Treatment)

It is the part of the Malayalee culture to observe karkitaka chikitsa and health regimen during the monsoon, in the Malayalam months midhunam, karkitakam and chingam.

According to Ayurveda the thridhoshas getting disturbed in the monsoon season due to the sudden change in the climate and hence we have to observe certain Ayurveda treatments and diet to balance them. 

Dietary regimen(pathya):

Pathyam (Regimen) for the month of Karkitakam Dietary regimens In the month of Karkitaka, the food that one takes should be suitable for his/her appetite and digestive power. It is always advisable to take only boiled food. The major cereals that are suggested is rice and wheat for regular consumption. The other food items are as given under: Category Item Fruits Mango Grapes Dates Lemon Pineapple Papaya Guava Sappotta Pulses Green gram (Cherupayar) Black gram (Uzhunnu) Horse gram (Muthira) Vegitables Vendakka Churakka Chena Kothamara Amarakka Payaru Veluthulli Chuvannulli Savala Tomato etc. Non-Veg. Any meat in soup form with pepper, Jeerakam, ginger etc, which helps easy digestion. Drinking water Try to avoid water from river and ponds. Pure rainwater and well water can be used. Any way, only boiled and warm water is to be consumed, whatever may be the source. Do not drink excess water in this season. It is advisable to add items such as Jeerakam, dry dinger, Thippalli, elakka etc. which have medicinal property that enhance digestive power, in the water while boiling Note: While preparing food, limited amount of oil, sour and salt tastes are advisable.

Other regimens 1. Take oil bath daily, applying oil both on body and head. 2. Avoid walking on bare foot. 3. Use umbrella to protect body from direct heavy rain and strong sunlight, which comes alternatively in this month. 4. Fumigate rooms and surroundings every day, in dusk. 5. Do not wear wet clothes. 6. It is suggested to apply scents on body. 7. Do not sleep during day time. 8. Spiritual readings that induce moral thoughts are suggested for better mental health. 9. Avoid excess physical exertions, as the general health trend will be weak in this month. 10. Make it a practice to go for a routine special Kerala Ayurvedic treatment like Uzhichil, Kizhi, etc. in the month of Karkitaka which help maintain our mental and body health, especially for those who are above the of 40.

Karkitaka kanji:

It is also practice that everybody drink ‘karkitaka Mrunnu kanji’(medicated rice soup) during this season.

Ingredients: 1. Malli(couriander) 2. Vizhalari 3. Chrupunnayari 4. Kutakapalayari 5. Karkokilari 6. Jeerakam 7. Perumjeerakam 8. Ayamodakam 9. Uluva 10. Aashali 11. Putharichundaveru 12. Varattumanjal 13. Katuku(mustard) 14. Chukku(dried gnger) 15. Sathakuppa 16. Naruneendikizhangu 17. Karimjeerakam 18. Elam(cardamom) 19. Thakkolam 20. Karayampoovu 21. Jathikka

 Preparation Method :

1. Take 5 gms of each of these items and add 1 liter water + 250ml cow milk (coconut milk also can be used in place of cow milk)+ 80 gm rice. Boil and prepare kanji. 2. Take a little amount of Jeerakam + chuvanna ulli( red onion), and fry in cow ghee

(Patients who suffer from high Cholesterol levels, may use coconut oil in place of cow ghee) and mix it with the prepared kanji. Consume the prepared Kanji in lukewarm stage.

Duration: This Kanji may be taken either early in the morning in empty stomach or at the night time as dinner, or both times if possible, for a minimum of Seven days continuously. The course can be continued in multiples of 7 days, till 28 days.