In Ayurveda summertime is associated with Pitta dosha and the element of fire and water (predominantly fire).
Signs of Pitta imbalance are:-
- Feeling overheated and irritable
- A tendency to get impatient or angry
- Red skin or eye conditions
- Burning indigestion (heartburn, diarrhoea)
- Inflammatory disorders (skin rashes, pimples, infections etc.
Balance in Ayurveda rests on the simple principle that like increases like and opposites decrease each other. Therefore if something is heating in nature one would take things that are cooling in nature to counteract the heat and bring back into balance.
Using the five sense therapies (taste, smell, sight, hearing, touch) and more, here are some ways you can stay cool and balanced during the summer months:-
Taste / Food
Aim to include more foods in your diet of a cooling nature. Such as:-
Cucumber
Lettuce
Leafy greens that are bitter, astringent in flavour, such as watercress, arugula (rocket), spinach, and kale
Zucchini (courgettes)
Broccoli
Carrots
Beets (cooked)
Squashes
Melons (watermelon, cantaloupe)
Berries
Peaches
Fruits with stone inside are generally cooling in nature.
For those that are not vegan, add milk, yoghurt, buttermilk in moderation.
Spices such as:- coriander, mint, cumin, fennel, cardamom.
Drink rose or mint tea, with warm or cool water.
In India a popular summer time drink is lemon water with a little pink or black Himalayan salt and pinch of sugar to rehydrate and balance electrolytes. You can also add a pinch of toasted crushed cumin seeds for extra cooling if you like the taste.
Make the most of the abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables available at this time of year and enjoy juices – drink them cool, not chilled. Summer time juices which help reduce Pitta are:-
Cucumber and mint
Pomegranate
Watermelon
Fresh coconut water is also perfect natural re-hydration (also helping to balance electrolytes) and cooling in summer.
In India we also drink lassi and buttermilk with a little added cumin and salt as a cooling (non vegan) drink that also helps with digestion and is a natural probiotic.
Furthermore, adding ghee (in moderate quantity) to your diet, especially during the summer months is also beneficial to health and is cooling in nature. Ghee forms an integral part of the Indian diet and as per Ayurveda is considered a “rasayana” or rejuvenator. Ghee contains omega 3 fatty acids as well as vitamins C and A. It is sweet in taste and cooling in nature. It helps to nourish the tissues of the body, maintain healthy moisture levels within and also beneficial for the skin and hair. It is a great home remedy to help reduce pitta and body heat.
Consuming ghee on an empty stomach improves digestion and controls pitta dosha. Try taking a spoonful in the morning or added to your breakfast. It has powerful antifungal and antiviral properties, which helps avoid illness. According to Ayurveda, ghee is one of the best foods to help improve digestion and aid the absorption of nutrients.
A vegan alternative to this would be coconut oil, however please note that it does not contain the same nutrients.
Avoid foods which have heating qualities and therefore aggravate Pitta dosha such as:-
Fried foods
Overly spicy food
Overly salty
Onion
Garlic
Meat & non vegetarian products
Walnuts
Almonds
Dates
Heating spices such as:- black pepper, cloves, red chilies, ginger, turmeric
Caffeinated drinks
Alcohol
Processed and canned foods
(Be sure to check compatible combinations as per Ayurveda guidelines as wrong combination can also cause digestive and other issues of their own). I have outlined incompatible food choices in my EBook – Ayurveda & Yogic Lifestyle – Principles for Living a Healthy Life – Message me if you would like a copy.
Smell / Aromatherapy
A vase of freshly cut seasonal flowers in the house create a sattvic energy and naturally help reduce Pitta dosha.
Aromatherapy /essential oils such as vetiver, rose, lavender, peppermint, sandalwood and eucalyptus are soothing and cooling in nature and help to balance excess pitta.
One can use an aromatherapy diffuser to safely use and get the benefits of these oils in the home – whilst also cleansing, purifying and uplifting the environment energetically as well as physically.
A few drops of your choice can also be added to a coconut oil carrier oil for a cooling body moisturiser or massage oil or try adding to some Epsom salts in a tepid bath for extra cooling and water therapy!
Sight
Surrounding oneself with colours of a cooling and soothing nature such as blues, greens, whites, lavender and pastel shades. Opt for these colours in the clothes you wear, bedsheets and linens around the home.
In addition to this, walks in nature in the coolness and shade of the forest, sitting by water such as by lakes, ocean, river calms and cools the senses.
Taking an evening stroll in the cooler air of night. Sitting and bathing in the moonlight also has a cooling effect.
Sound
Listening to calming frequency music, harp and flute music pacifies Pitta dosha and has an overall calming and balancing effect.
OM chanting – to find out more click HERE
Chanting other Beej (seed) mantras (that is sounds of one syllable) such as Shreem / Shrim. Shrim is a mantra relating to Lakshmi the Goddess of Beauty and Divine grace. Yet this mantra works on a deeper level and is known as a “soma” or nectar mantra, connected with lunar energy. It is soothing, calming and cooling in nature and hence beneficial for balancing Pitta dosha.
Listening to the sounds of water and connecting with element of water through sound and visualisation is also highly beneficial and healing on many levels.
Touch
Opt for natural (organic where possible) clothing on the skin, such as cottons, silks, linen, hemp and bamboo. This will reduce irritation, and help to keep feeling cool and comfortable.
When practicing Abhenga – a healing and balancing self-massage technique – use cooling oils during the summer months such as coconut oil. (For a free advice/information sheet on abhenga massage just send me a message!)
Skincare during the summer months:-
Using coconut oil on the skin is a great moisturiser and also has a cooling effect. For a touch of extra luxury and sense therapy add a few drops of your choice of cooling essential oils (as outlined above).
Aloe vera gel, is well known for its cooling properties and can be used as a non greasy moisturiser on the face and body as well as an after-sun care to help cool, hydrate and soothe sun kissed skin.
Rose also has excellent hydrating and cooling properties. I love to keep a spray bottle of pure natural rose water in my hand bag during the summer to spritz and freshen up whenever I feel the need. Keep it in the fridge at home for extra cooling on super hot days! Rose water also makes for an excellent natural face toner and has many healing benefits for the skin.
Yoga, Pranayama & Meditation
Practice slow mindful and restorative yoga asana regularly and ensure exercise and more warming, dynamic asana is practiced early morning.
Mudras (yogic hand gestures) – for connecting with water
Jala Mudra (Mudra of Water) is a hand gesture practiced using the thumb and little finger. The little finger represents the element of water, this practice balances the water element in the body. Jala Mudra is also known as the “seal of mental clarity”.
This mudra can be practiced during spiritual practices such as meditation, pranayama or therapeutic yoga practices. Since 70% of our bodies are made of water, this mudra brings numerous therapeutic benefits and with regular practice, over time can assist in relieving various ailments such as psoriasis (dry itchy skin patches), dry eczema, helps regulate menstrual cycles and hormonal issues etc. This is especially helpful for those who suffer from excessive Vata Dosha, where often there is a tendency towards dryness of skin, tissues, joints, throat, hair and dehydration in general. Jala Mudra or Varuna Mudra helps with the re-hydration of joints, tissues, cartilages, skin etc.
Pranayama – using breath, to balance and expand pranic energy:-
Sheetali pranayama – for cooling
Chandra pranayama – for cooling
Nadi Shodhanam – for balancing
I recommend a teacher guiding you through these practices as part of an integrated personalised approach and practice. They are techniques I also share and teach in Yoga and as part of my offerings.
Detoxing and Cleansing
Whilst traditionally Autumn and Spring are the best times to cleanse and detox, summer time is a good time to give the digestive system a boost, because agni (digestive fire) is often low at this time of year, as the body tries to stay cool by spreading heat throughout the body.
Simple gentle ways to support detoxing during this time are:-
Staying hydrated – Hydration is essential during the summer. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to flush out toxins and keep your body cool. You can also infuse water with fresh herbs like mint, coriander, or cucumber for added flavour and detoxifying benefits.
Drinking lemon Water: Start your day by drinking a glass of warm water with freshly squeezed lemon juice. This helps stimulate digestion, detoxify the liver, and alkalize the body. You can also add a pinch of Himalayan salt or a teaspoon of honey for additional benefits.
Taking herbal supplements such as Triphala: Triphala is an Ayurvedic herbal formula consisting of three fruits: Amalaki (Indian Gooseberry), Bibhitaki, and Haritaki. It supports digestion, detoxification, and elimination. Take half a teaspoon of Triphala powder mixed with warm water before bedtime to aid in supporting and cleansing the digestive system.
Taking ghee daily (in small quantity and as part of a balanced diet) – as outlined above.
Keep moving and eating healthily – Gentle exercise and healthy diet eating a range of seasonal fruits and vegetables available at this time of year as advised above.
Practice Yoga and meditation daily (which includes pranayama techniques), this naturally supports detoxing and balancing of the system overall.
My partner and I recently tried a gentle castor oil cleanse, which helps support digestion, clear out toxins and increase agni (digestive fire) through cleaning out the colon. I will share more on this in a future post!
Please note that the information contained within this article is based on principles of healthy living from my knowledge of Ayurveda. The information, techniques and recommendations mentioned herein are not intended as a substitute for the medical advice of a qualified healthcare physician or Ayurvedic doctor. If in doubt, or if you may require diagnosis or medical attention, consult your healthcare provider before implementing or adopting any significant diet or lifestyle changes and taking any herbal supplements.
Wishing you a happy, healthy, cool and vibrant summer!
With love, Corinne x
If you are interested to know more about how Ayurveda can support you in living a more balanced and healthy lifestyle please do not hesitate to reach out to me. Contact me to book in for a FREE clarity call.
This article was published in Focus On Health & Wellbeing Magazine.
