Ayurveda in the Summer
In summer heat plays the central role. In Ayurveda the fire element is known as Pitta. Although heat increases in the summer, the digestive fire goes down. Because of the high temperature, skin pores open up and evaporate a large part of the heat of the digestive fire. Therefore people in the summer, especially on the hottest days, possess no appetite for heavy meals and a salad often proves to be sufficient.
During summer it becomes necessary to provide cooling to the body in the form of cooling foods and activities, otherwise it can lead to overheating. When Pitta is too high, it can lead to irritation and aggression. This explains the worked up behaviour in traffic on hot summer days!
Pitta is connected to the skin, so the summer months, are not the best months for people with skin problems. Even conditions such as migraine and inflammatory disorders are more common in summer. Fortunately, you can prevent these symptoms if you make sure Pitta remains in balance during the summer months. The best thing is when you already start Pitta reducing remedies at the end of spring!.
The following advice can help you keep cool and collected during summer!
AYURVEDIC TIPS FOR SUMMER
- Protect and nourish your skin against sun damage, wear a hat and apply every morning natural sun protection on top of a layer of hydration (aloe vera gel 100 gr).
- Aloe Vera and Lavender are your best friends to cool, calm and protect skin from irritation, redness and sunburns.
- Nourish and condition your hair more frequently with an intensive hair treatment (product Bringadi 100 ml) and a natural conditioner with hibiscus, soap-nut and aloe vera to repair dry and damaged summer hair and help strengthen hair follicles preventing sun, sea and towel damage.
- For daily oil massage, use cooling oils like Asmi Lotus and Geranium pitta balancing aromatic oil or if you need to calm down and balance your emotions use vata balancing aromatic oil Sandalwood and Mhyrr.
- Don’t strain yourself physically. Best Yoga Exercise in summer is Shavasana (the corpse pose)! Twists also help to dissipate an excess of (heat) Pitta.
- Do cooling, soothing Pranayama such as Brahmari and Shitalee.
- The most important thing is not to go over your limit, relaxation is essential to keep it cool!
- Eat light, cooling foods, such as dark green salads (rucola) and vegetables such as spinach, cucumber, zucchini and asparagus.
- Fully-ripe sweet fruits like melons, pears and grapes are also support coolness.
- Avoid too much salt, sharp, sour taste in your diet. Minimize yoghurt, dairy, citrus fruits and spicy foods like cayenne.
- Be very moderate with alcohol in summer: alcohol provides extra heating!
- Drink beverages at room temperature (avoid very cold drinks or too much ice – this will only slow your digestive fire). Mint tea and coconut water are naturally cooling, Pitta-lowering drinks and very suitable for the summer.
- For an extra refresh, keep Rose Water in the fridge and spray it on your face and neck for extra coolness.
- Take a nap around noon on hot days, in a place that is cool and has a nice and sweet fragrance.
- Visit forests and swim in lakes or sea (very good for Pitta!)
- If possible, take a walk in the moonlight. Avoid sunbathing. Enjoy moonbathing instead.
- For deep summer sleep, massage your feet with Deep Sleep Nidra Oil before going to bed.
