“Ayurvedic Tips to Beat Summer Fatigue and Heat“

Introduction

With the rising temperature of summers, human beings especially with ones with ‘pitta dosha’ (as per ayurveda) fail to adapt efficiently.

Here is where therapeutic ayurveda steps in.

Ayurveda is a comprehensive healing approach centered around the intricate relationship of the body, mind, and spirit.  It seeks to improve overall health and avoid sickness by regulating the body’s energies utilizing a variety of techniques such as nutrition, herbal medicines, and lifestyle changes.

Ayurveda offers a deep insight into body heat and pitta dosha. How some humans are more prone to disturbed/raised body heat, how do the human body signifies us about the raised heat and how can the problems be treated.

Let’s surf through the wholesome information.

Understanding fatigue in ayurveda

Pitta dosha: what ayurveda has to tell about it:

As per Ayurveda, Pitta regulates heat, metabolism, and changes in both the brain and body.  It also regulates food digestion, sensory perception, and understanding the difference between good and wrong.  Pitta regulates the body’s vital digestive “Agni” or fire.

• Some people are genetically more prone to pitta dosh than others. There are signs that your body tells you what ‘dosh’ you might have and hence you can work to make your body at peace.
• Common signs of pitta imbalance:

Fever, nausea, vertigo, inflammation, diarrhea, shot temper, excessive hatred, envy, or criticism, Workaholic syndrome, egotism, self-centered, heartburn or acid indigestion, arthritis, hot flashes, migraine.  

Infections, ulceration, eczema- a skin disorder, rash, hives, and urticaria.  Photophobia, bleeding disorder and perspiration.

Ayurvedic Diet to Beat the Heat

Ayurveda suggests numerous ways to lower your body heat. This mostly revolves around stomach. Lowering your stomach heat will help lower down your body temperature.

Cooling foods for summer:

Ayurveda states that cooling foods can work wonders in combating body heat. Done cooling foods include cucumber, watermelon, coconut water, buttermilk, mint, fennel, basmati rice, dates, figs and sweet mango.

Foods to avoid in summer:

Spicy, sour, oily, and fermented foods usually raise the body heat and must be avoided.

Ayurvedic summer detox plan:

Take a day to coolify your body’s heat i.e. pitta dosha. Apart from avoiding spicy foods and cooling teas, there are other cooling foods like ayurvedic teas and khichdis. Some ayurvedic cooling teas/chais include suprabhat chai, shubh sanjh chai, ratri chai etc. Here’s a helping hand to make ayuredic khichdi for the same-

https://www.easyayurveda.com/2018/05/01/ayurvedic-khichdi-benefits

Ayurvedic Drinks for Hydration and Cooling

With rising environmental temperature and subsequently the thirst of the body, drinks serve good to beat pitta dosha/ body heat in summers.

• Herbal coolants: Some examples include amla juice, aloe vera juice and sandalwood water.
• Infused water ideas: it includes water flavoured with fresh fruits or herbs. It works much better than juice even fresh fruit juice. Some examples include-
  • Mint + Fennel
  • Tulsi + Lemon
  • Cucumber + beetroot

Lifestyle and Daily Routine Tips (Dinacharya)

A healthy lifestyle as per ayurveda to beat pitta dosh:

• Wake Up Early (Before Sunrise): Beat the sun before it beats you. Use the cooler atmosphere to do most of your work, especially work out and kitchen.
• Avoid Peak Sun Exposure (11 AM – 4 PM): the radiation is maximum around that time which is not only bad for pitta dosh but also harmful for your skin.
• Yoga and Breathing Practices (Pranayama)
  • Sheetali & Sheetkari Pranayama – to cool body
  • Yoga poses to reduce Pitta
  • Child’s pose
  • Forward bends
• Use Sandalwood or Rosewater on Skin: It acts as a coolant on the skin surface. Applying after cleaning your face nicely for around 20 to 30 minutes helps clear your skin and cool it.
• Wear Light Cotton Clothes: The light colours will reflect back heat and the cotton will keep your body cool.
• Home Remedies to Reduce Body Heat: some examples to beat the heat include-
  • Coconut oil scalp massage
  • Aloe vera + rosewater mist
  • Soaking feet in cold water + rock salt

Ayurveda herbal Remedies and Supplements:

Some herbal remedies and supplements to beat the body heat/ pitta dosha:

• Shatavari –  the herb is thought to be great in adaptation i.e. maintaining the body energy and fight against stress. It is available in powder, liquid and tablet formulations. It has great anti oxidant and anti anxiety properties. It has been also proved helpful in maintaining female reproductive health and reducing the symptoms of menopause.
• Brahmi – brahmi has a wide range of benefits, especially in brain. It has anti oxidant and anti inflammatory properties, helping with mental calmness. It also boosts mental functions. So it has been termed with great success in patients of ADHD (a disorder characterized by inability to stay focused).
• Guduchi – this tablet formulation have known to restore holistic health. Apart from being antioxidant and an immunity booster, it also acts as a neuroprotectant and cardio protectant. It is also an antipyretic, helps in rejuvenation.
• Gulkand – gulkand is a natural body coolant that is great at pacifying pitta dosh, protecting from heart. It also improves memory and eyesight as well.

Also, if you need to take any of these supplements, first consult with any students expert about your health and needs. Take the steps accordingly.

Conclusion

While ayurveda has been a part of the Indian history since ages, people had lost it over the years in the era of modernization and development. But when the modern quick fixes came with their own disadvantages, once again people are drifting back to the more effective and side effect free solutions like ayurveda.

With a careful and proper guidance, ayurveda can be a boon to your health.

Let the nature balance your energy!