As the summer heat takes its toll on our bodies, it is natural to feel tired and seek respite. However, ancient Indian medicine known as Ayurveda offers valuable insights and remedies to help us maintain our health and stay cool during this season.
Understanding Ayurveda
Ayurveda, meaning "science of life," emphasises achieving optimal health through a holistic approach. It recognises the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit, aiming to create harmony within this delicate ecosystem.
One of Ayurveda's core principles revolves around doshas, the three vital energies governing our physical and psychological constitution. 3 doshas are Vata (air and space), Pitta (fire and water), and Kapha (earth and water). During the summer, Pitta dosha tends to become aggravated due to the inherent fiery nature of the season.
This imbalance can manifest as excessive heat, dehydration, irritability, and digestive issues. Ayurvedic practices aim to pacify Pitta, fostering a sense of internal coolness and overall well-being.
The impact of Ayurveda on nutrition during the summer months
According to Ayurveda, summer routines are more than just ways to stay comfortable. They address the causes of summer illnesses, thereby promoting long-term health and resilience. This is how it is:
- Hydration: Ayurveda stresses the importance of staying properly hydrated. It suggests plant infusions made with fennel seeds, coriander seeds, or mint leaves to cool you down in addition to just water. In addition to replacing lost fluids, these plants naturally cool.
- Dietary Advice: Pitta-balancing foods are very important. People think that sour, sweet, and astringent tastes are good for you in the summer. Imagine having tomatoes, melons, asparagus, zucchini, and leafy greens. In addition to being naturally refreshing, these foods help keep Pitta levels in check.
- Cooling Herbs: In Ayurveda, summer essentials include fennel, cilantro, and mint. You can enjoy the cooling effect of adding them to drinks or food.
- Solution for Skincare: When put on the skin, aloe vera cools and soothes because it naturally has cooling qualities. Making sandalwood paste with rose water and sandalwood powder has the same cooling and soothing effect on the face and chest.
- Breathing exercises for inner balance: Cooling breath (Sheetali Pranayama) and alternate nostril breathing (Anulom Vilom) are two powerful breathing methods. Sheetali breathing cools the body down, and Anulom Vilom relaxes and cools the mind. Additionally, Chandrabhedi Pranayama, which involves breathing through the left nose, is believed to remove excess heat and promote tranquility.
- Coconut Energy: According to Ayurveda, self-massage (Abhyanga) with coconut oil is very beneficial because it cools you down. Massage coconut oil into your skin. It can help cool you down and make you feel more relaxed.
- Using amla for overall health: Indian gooseberries, or amla, are full of vitamin C and naturally cool. You can eat amla fresh, make it into juice, or mix it as a powder in water.
- Gemstone therapy: Some beliefs suggest that wearing cool stones, such as moonstone or pearl, can help keep the body cool and balance Pitta energy. People disagree about how scientifically sound this practice is, but it can be a unique way to connect with old customs.
- Being Safe in the Sun: From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when people are most active, Ayurveda says to stay out of the direct sunlight to avoid getting too hot. During this time, Ayurveda recommends protecting the face and seeking shade.
Using Ayurvedic methods to stay healthy this summer
These old methods aren't just short-term fixes. You can practice these methods on a daily basis.
- Staying hydrated and keeping your fluid levels in check will help you avoid dehydration and its health problems.
- Lowering your body temperature can harm your stomach and gut health.
- It lessens tiredness and irritability and increases well-being and peace.
- Improving your sleep quality is critical to your health and ability to handle the heat during the summer.
- Strengthen your immune system to make you less likely to get sick this summer.
Applying these tried-and-true Ayurvedic methods can change the way you feel this summer. Improve your lifestyle by living in harmony with the season, rather than just surviving the heat. Practicing Ayurveda can help you achieve inner balance and great health, which will help you have a cool, calm, and collected summer.
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