Ayurvedic tips for Summer
Whatever way you wish to spend your summer, Ayurveda recommends paying attention to balancing your Pitta dosha, with a Pitta pacifying diet, routines and exercises. When Pitta dosha is out of balance, you may experience burning sensations, skin irritations, inflammations, outbursts of anger and excess stomach acidity.  Since Pitta controls metabolism along with digestion in our body, it’s helpful to pay attention to the following health tips in order to ensure that excess Pitta doesn’t affect your plans this summer. These tips are especially relevant if you have a Pitta-predominant body type.
Stay hydrated
Cold carbonated drinks might look tempting when you cannot bear the heat, however, Ayurveda recommends staying away from those types of beverages since they can imbalance your digestion especially if you have a pitta-predominant body type. Click here to find out your body type. Instead, enjoy cooling drinks such as fruit juices, coconut water, different types of lassi, cooling Ayurvedic Detox teas and rose water since they will aid you in keeping your body and mind refreshed and cool!
Maintain a Pitta- pacifying diet
Along with the recommended drinks, it makes a difference to pay attention towards different types of food you might consume, since some have qualities which could imbalance your doshas. Ayurveda recommends eating foods including sweet, astringent and bitter tastes while reducing sour, salty and spicy foods. Cucumber, zucchini, pears, grapes, watermelon, rice and dairy products such as milk and ghee are perfect choices for the summer season. Also, including cooling herbs such as mint and coriander to these drinks and foods would further benefit you in pacifying Pitta.
Pitta-pacifying Ayurvedic Herbs
There are a few excellent Ayurvedic herbs that can aid in removing excess pitta from the system. Ayurveda advices using the following herbs.
Neem – Skin inflammations such as acne, athlete’s foot, dermatitis, eczema, herpes, hives, psoriasis, rashes, ringworm and scabies can all arise as a result of pitta imbalance.  This herb will help to protect your body against these inflammations. Read more
Shatavari – For excess pitta showing up internally in the digestive tract, urinary system, or liver.  The herb is effective at guarding against cystitis, gastritis, burning urination, hyper acidity, ulcers, colitis, heartburn, haemorrhoids, hot flashes, and urinary infections. Read more
Amalaki – For detoxification and rejuvenation, as well as daily maintenance. Amalaki is traditionally used in Ayurveda to avoid the accumulation of pitta in the body and to reinvigorate the entire system.  Read more
Pitta Digest is an herbal blend that kindles digestive fire without increasing your pitta. This cooling formula further provides an antidote to pungent foods while promoting healthy digestion. Read more
Cooling exercises
Swimming and other water based sports or leisure activities are highly recommended. Also, evening walks [especially moon-lit evening walks, Ayurveda says] would also aid you in cooling your body and mind after a hot day.
Protect your skin
Just as sun protection cream is essential. Ayurveda recommends applying coconut oil on the skin due to its unique cooling qualities. Coconut oil has the ability to cool your skin while protecting it from hot weather. Washing your feet before going to bed would give you a good night’s sleep while cooling and soothing your skin and body.
Ayurvedic Therapies Recommended for SummerÂ
These therapies remove imbalances in all doshas and are beneficial therapies in the summer season.
Takra Dhara is a cooling treatment, see next section.
Panchakarma Detox cleanses the toxins from body and purifies the mind, which makes hot weather much more bearable. Read more
