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Enjoy a healthy Summer with Ayurveda

June 29, 2009

The forecast is sizzling and thermometers are rising. As Summer is now officially here, we require a different diet and lifestyle to stay balanced in the heat. Mind body awareness techniques, such as yoga, help us to naturally want to make such changes. Common sense also draws us to lighter, seasonal foods rather than warming stews.

Pitta dosha is dominant in Summer

Pitta is the Ayurvedic dosha made up of fire and water with qualities such as hot, penetrating, oily, sharp, liquid and sour. Its primary function is metabolism and transformation in the body, of both food and information received by the senses. For example, all digestive enzymes and bodily hormones are linked with Pitta dosha. The hot, dry, sharp qualities of Summer aggravate Pitta dosha so everyone needs to take measures to avoid overheating. The Ayurvedic rule of like increases like explains how Pitta can become increased each summer, and what measures we can take to keep this dosha in balance to avoid suffering excess heat related complaints such as heat rash and other skin problems, bloodshot eyes, diarrhoea and other digestive complaints. Aggravated Pitta can also manifest in excess anger and losing one’s cool- so worth keeping a lid on this dosha!

People with a predominance of Pitta dosha or a Pitta imbalance, need to take extra special care in following a Pitta reducing diet and lifestyle from late Spring through Summer. It is also worth bearing in mind that Vata tends to increase from late Summer due to the increased dryness and lightness. Vata is also aggravated by Autumnal weather (colder and windier) so it is worth bearing this is mind too. Dr Lad has a Dosha questionnaire so you can assess what dosha you are here. His web-site www.ayurveda.com has a very useful On-line resource section for those wanting to learn more.

To stay well this Summer (think cooling and calming):

  • Adapt your daily routine: Get up early to enjoy the cool mornings, and enjoy walking barefoot on dewy grass if you can. Similarly, enjoy moonlit walks in the cooler evenings. Avoid sun exposure between noon and 3pm, especially if you are a Pitta type with freckles, moles and paler skin (it ages your skin, increases cancer risk and is highly aggravating to Pitta!) Unlike in Winter, when sexual intimacy can help warm you up, keep sex to a minimum as it can leave you drained in the Summer heat. Early morning is the best time or evening before 10pm, after which Pitta dosha dominates.
  • Practice a daily massage with cooling coconut oil to nourish and clear heat from the skin. (normally solid in the UK but liquid in the Summer heat, suggesting this is the best time to use this oil in the UK climate, rather than in Winter when it’s set solid) No need to heat the oil, and wash off with a cool shower afterwards, avoiding hot baths and showers, saunas and steam rooms.
  • Practice cooling yoga and pranayama: Shitali (or Sheetali) Pranayama is an effective practice to clear heat from the body. Roll your tongue into a tube and inhale air through the tongue, exhaling through the nose. If you can’t roll your tongue (it’s a genetic thing so you can’t learn!) simply close the teeth together and inhale through the mouth through the gaps in the teeth. Practice 10-15 rounds each morning, or whenever you feel hot and bothered. It also helps quench the thirst if you are unable to drink for a while (though drink as soon as you can and always carry water with you in Summer to keep hydrated). Get your yoga teacher to show you the cooling moon salute series (Chandranamaskar) cooling practice versus the warming sun salutes more normally practices. See here for a nice intro: http://www.hathayoga.co.za/moon_salutation.htm. Forward bends are also cooling. Beyond your yoga practice, favour cooling exercises such as swimming
  • Summer Ayurvedic diet: Favour Pitta reducing cooling foods. The Ayurvedic tastes of sweet, bitter and astringent all reduce Pitta, as these are found in light and easy to digest foods such as organic milk, mint and coriander herbal teas, and sweet fruits in season such as pears, apricots, grapes, plums, watermelon and sweet berries. Cold soups, such as cucumber soup, and salads are also good (but avoid salads at supper time when lightly cooked foods are best). Avoid dark meats (replace with white meat once a week), tomato, garlic, onions, salty, spicy and sour tastes.
  • Minimise alcohol & caffeine as these are both heating and aggravate Pitta. A little white wine or spritzer is OK but avoid heavy spirits and red wine. Increase fluids, especially water but avoid iced drinks which aggravate the digestion. Try mixing fresh lime juice with water and a little agave syrup for a delicious and quick still lemonade. Grow some mint in a damp spot in your garden and use the leaves to make fresh mint tea- the Moroccans add sugar to make this even more cooling. Drink it cold or hot in the evening o aid digestion.
  • Cooling herbal help: Drink organic aloe vera juice to remove excess heat from the intestines, and spray yourself with organic rose water to cool and calm. Great to keep a bottle handy for those hot tube journeys and your fellow travellers will benefit too. The scent of rose is cooling and calming and reduces Pitta dosha. Lavender, Jasmine, Basil and Sandalwood are also cooling, calming scents.