Summer is the time when the fiery element in our body is most
predominant. Ayurveda calls this element Pitta, which literally
translates to ‘warmth’, in the sense of transformative energy. Pitta manages
the biochemical processes of transformation. And, during summer, Pitta Dosha,
in inherently driven by the solar energy, is most pronounced.
Pitta
comprises of the elements fire and water. It fuels all our biochemical
activities such as digestion, metabolism and assimilation. Pitta,
responsible for enzymatic and endocrine activity, also controls the regulation
of body temperature, pigmentation, vision, intelligence, vitality, etc.
According to Ayurveda, Pitta is hot, sharp,
light, liquid, slightly oily and smelling slightly fleshy. When these
attributes build up within the body due to wrong diet and lifestyle, Pitta
accumulates and it results in the manifestation of various imbalances.
Since Pitta
is hot, people with constitution dominated by Pitta would become more
susceptible to heat related ailments during the summer season. If there is
excessive Pitta in the body, a person would experience excessive body
heat, heartburn, hyperacidity, peptic ulcers, acne, skin rashes, diarrhoea and
early greying of the hair.
A
person with Pitta nature cannot tolerate much heat, sunshine, or hard
physical work. Due to its sharp qualities, Pitta can also cause emotional
imbalances like aggression, irritability, anger, hatred, etc. Hence during
summer, balancing Pitta is the main lifestyle task.
Regular
yoga and meditation can help much in achieving this. A conscious effort to be
calm mentally and physically should also be made. Here are some other
suggestions for pacifying the Pitta during summer.
In the
early morning, do some simple yoga asanas. Do some cooling pranayama
like sheetali or shitkari after the asanas. Left-nostril
breathing also will be beneficial. After that do total relaxation in shavasana.
Regular meditation helps quieting the active Pitta mind and releasing
anger. Massage your body gently using coconut oil before taking shower. Drink a
tea of cumin, coriander, and fennel and rose to pacify the hot properties of Pitta,
improve digestion and calm the mind.
Wear
cotton clothes, if possible, white in colour. Eat foods that are cooling and
calming, sweet, bitter, and astringent. Coconut, cucumber, watermelon, steamed
greens, mung beans and basmati rice are excellent choices.
Sipping
cool (not iced) water throughout the day keeps Pitta balanced. It is
better to avoid spicy, salty, oily and sour foods. Activities like swimming,
gardening and walking barefoot in the lawn in the early morning or evening all
help pacify Pitta, thereby calming your mind and body.
