Ayurvedic principles have three psycho-physiological classifications on every individual, called doshas, and include Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These three classifications represents and shares five elements of the universe, earth, water, fire, air and space. The upcoming summer season is called the Pitta Season and Grishma Ritu, in Ayurveda. Pitta, the element of fire, rules the hot summer days. This is the period where the sun absorbs the energy from the living things, which results with deterioration of health. Ayurveda tells you how to stay energetic and healthy in the Pitta season.
There are certain principles laid down by Ayurveda to stay healthy and energetic throughout the year. Pitta, the Agni, is like the giant lion roaring and groaning in hunger and agony. Managing the fire element is crucial; else, it would destroy everything. Retreat the Pitta, the Ayurvedic way, by beating away the heating elements and encouraging the cooling elements.
Paying attention to what you eat is the major aspect that has the impact on Pitta. Eating the astringent, bitter and salty foods aggravates the pitta Dosha, which in turn increases the heat. So, eating pungent, sweet, and sour foods, reduces the heat and helps managing the Pitta Dosha better.
Tips: Beat the ‘Hot’ Pitta Season, the Cool Ayurvedic way!
Enjoy the Pitta Season with loads of sweets, cool liquids and ice creams! Yes. Pitta, the summer season is the right time to eat plenty of sweets, drinks and ice creams. The agni element, is stamped out easily with some cool fluids and ice-cream. (Note: No to iced drinks! )
How to sleep?
Always sleep on your right to promote the breathing through lunar (left) nostril, which assist in keeping the body cool.
Wear silver!
Gold is the element with heating properties, which aggravates the Pitta dosham. Try as much to avoid wearing gold and replace the gold with silver, which has cooling properties.
Control your emotions!
Emotions, critical thoughts, horrifying acts, etc aggravates the pitta Dosha. Observe the emotions and try not to be judgemental and critical. Try to gain tolerance, patience, and positive attitude.
Choose the colors wisely!
The color of the dress has the impact on the Pitta season. Avoid wearing red, black and orange, as these are categorized as the ‘Colors of the heat’. Consider wearing the cooling colors like white, purple, blue and green.
Keep your Pitta in Balance
Staying healthy by preventing the diseases, this summer
The spring is bidding adieu very soon and we could feel the arrival of sensational hot days. Summer is not very far. The seasonal transformation of the season may bring in an array of health conditions. The science of healing, Ayurveda, helps ousting the health related problems that are prominent in the summer.
Some common health conditions affecting the people:
- Loss of energy
- Extreme tiredness
- A sensation of burning while urinating
- Urinary tract infection
- Dry skin and extreme dryness of hair
- Acne
- Sun damage, blemishes, etc
- Sun burns
How to prevent yourself from common summer diseases
Most of the health conditions developed during the summer is caused either due to excessive heat or due to the lack of proper diet, and sometimes in combination of both. Excessive heat causes sun burns, damages to the skin and hair health, acne, etc. Similarly, lack of proper diet and hydration causes the dry skin, urinary tract infection, loss of energy, weariness, etc.
While the intake of fluid is recommended with no exceptions, Ayurveda recommends intake of more fluids and fluid based foods that cools the body and prevent from the diseases. Watermelon, apple, orange, lemon, papaya, etc and cucumber, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, leafy vegetables, carrots, peas, etc are the ideal fruits and vegetables that can share the major portion of the meal.
Coconut – The super food for Pitta Season
Coconut is one of the super foods recommended for regulating the high heat of Pitta. Tender coconut, the gift of the nature, has some amazing cooling properties. Adding sliced, chopped or grated coconut or the coconut milk as the ingredients while cooking, not only helps preparing the delicious meals with rich flavour and texture. But also assist in throwing away the heat. Self massaging the hair, scalp and body with heated coconut oil prevents the dryness of skin and hair, as well rejuvenates the body.
A bowl full of grated coconut with a pinch of sugar or jaggery and nuts, is a delicious and healthy snack.
Chaitra:
Chaitra (April), the first month of the year, list outs the following to be practiced:
- Make a paste of fresh neem flowers and include in the regular diet.
- Abstain from taking salty foods, specifically, pickles, and reduce the amount of salt used to cook the food. Take as little as you can.
- Don’t miss any meal
- Needless to say, to stay hydrated, drink plenty of water.
Rakta Pitta (Bleeding / blood related disease):
Patients suffering from Rakta Pitta, the bleeding problems, women with irregular menstrual cycle, and suffering from other blood related diseases and disorders should eat amla, (Gojiberry), in any forms, like raw amla, amla jelly, amla jam, etc, to prevent aggravation of the disease during the hot months.
