Uttarayana is the period for cleansing the body and mind

GREATER KAILASH, India - Jan. 16, 2019 - PRLog -- The Indian festivals, heralding the arrival of spring in India, are also distinct in other ways. The food cooked and served at this time around the Indian subcontinent is sourced from the harvest, is at its freshest best, and high in antioxidants and phytochemicals. Apart from several nutritional benefits, it also helps in fighting diseases. Farm-fresh produce scores over cold-storage produce in terms of minimal degeneration of nutrients.

Preparations made in this season are anti-inflammatory in nature. Peanuts and sesame contain biotin and sweet potato is high in choline content. While biotin helps increase the body's metabolic rate, choline is excellent for the digestive system.

Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee, Dr K K Aggarwal, President, HCFI, said, "While automobile vehicles need preventive servicing every three months, the human body needs it every two months. According to Ayurveda, the seasons change every two months, approximately in the middle of the month. Ayurveda describes these changes and precautions to be taken in great detail. Lohri marks the sun's entry into the 'Makar Rashi'. In this season, the sun changes its direction northwards resulting into lengthening of day and shortening of night time and needs many lifestyle changes to balance health and prevent diseases. Vata gets aggravated, kapha gets accumulated, and pitta gets depleted in this season. In allopathic language, pitta denotes metabolic functions, vata signifies movement functions, and kapha stands for secretory functions of the body."

Lohri, Makar Sankranti, and Pongal are celebrated with khichdi, milk, gur, bhaat, sesame (til) laddu, and light hot food and beverages, etc. all indicating measures to reduce vata and kapha and to increase pitta in the body.

Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, who is also the Group Editor-in-Chief of IJCP, said, "The Uttarayana and Dakshinayana are not only time periods mentioned in the Vedic literature but also the state of minds. Uttarayana means a period for a positive state of mind and Dakshinayana a period for relatively negative state of mind. A positive state of mind in Uttarayana makes meditation easier in this period and more fruitful. Beginners should learn the process of meditation and pranayama during this period."

From mental health point of view, this knowledge can be converted into medical prescription. Uttarayana means satwik healthy state of mind. Performing and attending to Yagna, sitting in well-illuminated surroundings or exposing oneself to sunlight during the day can be an adjunct to depression treatment. During the first fortnight of full moon and during Uttarayana, psychotherapy and counseling