Monsoon and milk

Milk is nutritious, only if it is digested well

Milk is a nutritious diet with predominance of Prithvi (Absolute Earth) and Aap (Absolute Water Principles) in it. These cosmic principles clash with Agni (Absolute Fire Principle), i.e. they dim the intensity of Agni. In the rainy season, the intensity of Agni (Digestive energy) in our stomach is low. This means that milk may not be digested well. No matter how nutritious milk is, if it is not digested properly, it becomes harmful. Therefore, during the rainy season, avoid drinking milk, or tea/kashay with milk as soon as you wake up. Parents give milk to their children in the morning before sending them to school. That should be avoided too. Some people are advised by Vaidyas to consume medicines with milk. Such patients too should check with their Vaidya if they should continue drinking milk in the rainy season.

Few things to keep in mind

During monsoons it is advisable to drink milk when the following criteria are met – having woken up early after a good night’s sleep, bowels are cleared, exercise is done and the body is feeling light after a bath, the sky is clear (no clouds), and you are feeling hungry. Adding 2 teaspoons of ghee to 1-2 cups of milk ups the nutrition value for the body. This is, in fact, a best medicine for the elderly. However, very few people have such good health during monsoons. Hence avoid drinking milk in the monsoons if the body is not in such good condition.

In winter, our digestive energy is quite strong and our body is naturally in good health. Drink milk in winter. Do not consume food items containing salt along with milk. Salt is present in most of the food items hence, do not eat or drink anything for an hour after drinking milk.

Monsoon alternative to milk

Dry fruits, groundnuts, or chickpeas can be consumed during monsoons to obtain the necessary nutrition. They should be consumed in small quantities immediately after meals. Milk products such as ghee, curd, and butter milk can be had as per appetite.