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
- For daily oil massage, use cooling oils like Sadhev Virgin Coconut Oil.
- Take cool showers and baths.
- Aloe Vera is your best friend to cool, calm and protect skin from the sun.
- Don’t strain yourself physically. Best Yoga exercise in summer is Shavasana (the corpse pose)! Twists help to dissipate an excess of Pitta.
- Do cooling, soothing Pranayama such as Brahmari and Shitalee.
- The most important thing is not to go over your limit, relaxation is the most important!
- Eat light, cooling foods, such as salads and vegetable such as cucumber, zucchini and asparagus.
- Fully-ripe sweet fruits like melons, pears and grapes also help to keep it cool.
- Avoid too much salt, sharp, sour taste in your diet, minimize yoghurt, cream, 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). Mint tea and coconut water are cooling, Pitta-lowering drinks and very suitable for the summer!
- You can also add some rose water to water or simply spray it on your face and neck for extra refresh.
- 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 (very good for Pitta!)
- If possible, take a walk in the moonlight!
- Massage your feet with coconut oil before going to bed.
