Ayurvedic Rules in Summer

It is summer. Summer is sunny and the weather is very warm. The Sun wakes up earlier and goes down later.

People are part of Nature and must live together with Nature. The seasons and weather affect people. 

If you would like to be in harmony, and keep your body and mind in balance, use seasonal ayurvedic advice.

In Summer the temperature is very high. This is a fire element. This element connects with Pitta in Ayurveda. Pitta is the dosha  of fire and water combined: hot and wet.  People can experience these symptoms in their body.

Pitta inbalance

The causes of pitta imbalance are warm weather, too much spicy food, too much oily and fermented food and too many activities.

 

Symptoms: strong hunger and thirst, sunburn, skin problems, inflammation, fever, diarrhea, heat in the head and the body.

Mental symptoms: anger, impatience, too much criticality, irritability.

Ayurveic tips to pitta balance

Nutrition

Eat light foods and smaller portions. 

Eat regularly 

Avoid: pungent, sour and salty foods, meat, eggs, heavy and oily foods, onions, honey and lentils, alcohol, cigarettes, coffee.

Eat more vegetables.  These are good for you:  zucchini, broccoli, salads, celery, basmati rice, barley, quinoa, ghee, coconut oil. Coconut is a cooling food.

Prefer sweet, astringent and bitter flavours. 

Recommended spices: coriander, cumin, fennel, turmeric, saffron, fenugreek and pinch of black pepper.

Regularly drink mineral or spring water (I don't recommend tap water because it has too much chlorine and hormones in it), but never drink very cold water. 

Recommended herbal teas: coriander seeds and mint.

Lifestyle

Balance in activity and rest. 

Avoid mental and physical overload – tv, internet,  loud music, too many programs on the agenda, too much sports . 

Don’t  overload your body and avoid strong exercise. If you exercise, do it only early in the morning. Walking in the morning sunlight is very good for your body.  

Take time to relax your nervous systems and your body. Relaxation and meditation are perfect.

Ayurvedic self-massage is very good with pitta massage oil or coconut oil. 

Sunlight

Avoid strong sunlight. 

Spend a lot of time in Nature in the fresh air. The mountain environment is better than the warm beach. 

Wear light clothes made from natural materials that cover your skin and protect your skin from sunlight. 

Have a nice summer:)

Kati