| In Ayurveda, summer is considered the season of pitta with it’s qualities of hot, penetrating, intense, sharp and acidic.Summer time gives us the opportunity to be outside, socialize and enjoy the long warm days. However, we should not live in ignorance and make choices which go against the natural flow of the season .The main focus during the summer is to keep the pitta energy balanced. Favor the tastes which are sweet, bitter and astringent. Reduce sour, salty and pungeant tastes as they can aggravate pitta.This is the time of the year to enjoy salades and the abundance of fresh fruit. Watermelon, cucumber, green leafy vegetables, onions and melons are a few examples. Coconut water, mint water, lime water are refreshing and cooling drinks. Add some pitta pacifying spices like fennel, coriander, cumin and turmeric to your vegetables. Sip Takra during the day, which is cooling and helps digestion, but also counters dehydration during the hight of the summer season. Get the Takra recipe here. If you like to exercise, plan to do so in the morning between 6 am and 10 am or 6 pm and 10 pm instead of during the day when the pitta fire is already extremely strong. To refresh, use some cooling rose water spray. The Pitta mind can get easily imbalanced especially during the summer heat. You can practice Sitali pranayama daily. Daily practice also helps to stay balanced during the summer heat. This is a great guide that walks through the techniques of pranayama. Before you shower, use a light coating of cooling coconut oil to cool the body and support the nervous system. Use some Brahmi oil on the feet before going to bed as it is cooling and supports a good sleep. |
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| To follow these few easy steps will help stay balanced and hydrated during the hot summer season and reduce the risk of indigestion, diahrrea inflammation, skin rashes, irritability, frustration, and anger. |
Five Elements 