Embracing Summer the Ayurvedic Way: Balance your Pitta Dosha
As the sun rises higher in the sky and the days stretch longer, we find ourselves embracing the vibrant energy of summer. Yet, with the season's warmth comes the challenge of maintaining balance, especially for those with a dominant Pitta Dosha. In Ayurveda, summer embodies qualities that can amplify our inner fire, leading to both vitality and potential imbalances. Let’s explore how to harness the season’s energy while nurturing our well-being through Ayurvedic wisdom.
Understanding the Qualities of Summer and Pitta Dosha
In Ayurveda, each dosha has specific qualities, or “gunas,” and summer reflects those of Pitta. The summer season here in QLD Aus is hot and humid. Pitta Dosha shares these qualities, embodying Fire and Water. These elements give Pitta its fiery, hot, sharp, and oily nature, which fuels transformation, digestion, energy, and passion. However, when exposed to excess heat (such as during summer), Pitta’s natural intensity can easily become imbalanced, leading to symptoms like irritability, heat rashes, inflammation, and digestive upset.
Signs of Balanced Pitta
When Pitta is balanced, it brings out some of our best qualities. You’ll notice:
Sharp intellect and focus
Healthy digestion and metabolism
Strong willpower and ambition
Radiant skin and energy
Signs of Pitta Imbalance
An excess of heat or fiery energy, particularly in the summer, can tip Pitta off balance. Look for signs of aggravated Pitta, such as:
Irritability and impatience
Redness or heat rashes on the skin
Acid reflux or heartburn or loose and frequent stools
Excessive sweating or overheating
Inflammation in joints or muscles
Lifestyle Recommendations for Balancing Pitta in Summer
Keeping Pitta cool and calm is essential for thriving during the summer. Here are some practical Ayurvedic tips to help keep your Pitta in balance:
A Balanced Mindset for Pitta Season
Avoid overworking yourself or overcommitting to too many responsibilities. Make time for activities that are creative, fun, and relaxing, like art, reading, or time by the water. Let yourself rest when needed, and resist the urge to overwork or overextend, which Pitta-dominant individuals may be inclined to do and give yourself permission to say no when needed. Taking breaks and creating space for rest can help counterbalance Pitta’s drive and intensity and will prevent burnout.
Connect with Nature
Walk on dewy green grass in the mornings to cool your feet and ground yourself. Spending time near water, whether swimming or just relaxing by the shore, can be especially refreshing and calming. Avoid the midday sun; opt for morning or evening outdoor activities to avoid overheating.
Soothing Self-Care
Abhyanga (self-massage) with coconut oil or even aloe vera gel can help dissipate excess heat.
Use aromatherapy with cooling scents like sandalwood, rose, jasmine, and lavender to soothe the mind.
Skincare Tips
In hot humid weather skin can be prone to oiliness and acne. Use lightweight moisturisers and non-clogging face oils like jojoba oil, and keep your skin cool and hydrated with rose water as a fleshing sprits or a sandalwood hydrosol as a anti-inflammatory toner.
Opt for breathable clothing made from natural fibres and don’t forget to slip-slop-slap with a natural zinc based sunscreen and hat.
Mindful Movement and Restorative Practices
If you feel your pitta is burning too hot, consider cooling exercises like restorative yoga and be mindful of not overdoing hot yoga, as intense heat can aggravate Pitta.
Ayurvedic Nutrition for Pitta in Summer
Ayurvedic nutrition emphasises eating balanced meals with seasonal produce. Here are some Pitta-balancing foods and dietary tips to incorporate:
Fruits: Melons, grapes, cherries, mangoes, and peaches.
Vegetables: Cucumbers, zucchini, asparagus, leafy greens, and celery.
Grains: Barley, oats, basmati rice, and quinoa.
Protein: Mung beans, tofu, and fish and organic pasture raised poultry are generally lighter and cooler in quality than red meat.
Dairy: Cooling dairy like unhomogenised milk, grass-fed butter and mild cheese such as cottage or paneer can be beneficial in moderation.
Natural Sweeteners: A small amount of sweeteners, such as honey or maple syrup, is better than sour or salty tastes.
Hydration: Coconut water and coriander, cardamom and mint seed tea are excellent choices for staying hydrated and cooling down. Consider adding electrolytes to your filtered water especially if you are active or sweat a lot. I recommend Sodii hydration salts for ultimate hydration - use my code AYUROASIS for a discount on all purchases, or shop in spa at your next visit.
Herbs and Spices: Avoid overly spicing meals, and incorporate cooling herbs and spices like coriander, cardamom and mint.
Foods to Reduce: Hot, spicy, overly salted, deep-fried and acidic foods like tomatoes and garlic, which can intensify Pitta’s heat. Avoid alcohol, as it can aggravate Pitta. Also, be mindful of your coffee intake, as caffeine may increase heat in the body.
Ayurvedic Therapies for Balancing Pitta:
Navara Kizhi treatment—an Ayurvedic rice and milk poultice massage with cooling herbal oils. This treatment nourishes the skin, reduces inflammation, and has a profoundly soothing effect on the body and mind.
Shirodhara which involves a stream of cooling herbal oil over the forehead can calm Pitta’s mental fire, relieve tension, and promote a deep state of relaxation.
By following these Ayurvedic tips, you can enjoy the fullness of summer while keeping your Pitta balanced, supporting your body, mind, and spirit through the season.
To find out your Dosha constitution try my Ayurvedic Bio-typology Questionnaire.
