Staying cool and calm with Ayurveda as we draw into autumn
Ayurveda considers we are at our 'hottest' energetically in early autumn, as internal heat builds up all summer. This is why skin conditions and other inflammatory issues can flare up in late summer/ early autumn. Everyone needs to take measures to avoid overheating from this time of year, though Pitta predominant mind body types need to take special care in following a cooling, calming diet and lifestyle throughout summer.
Pitta is the Ayurvedic dosha made up of fire and water with qualities such as hot, penetrating, oily, sharp, liquid and sour. Its primary function is metabolism and transformation in the body, of both food and information received by the senses. For example, all digestive enzymes and bodily hormones are linked with Pitta dosha. Our agni (digestive fire) is easily displaced by external heat, drawing internal fire to the surface with results such as heat rash/ prickly heat, other skin problems, bloodshot eyes, diarrhoea and other digestive complaints). Aggravated Pitta can also manifest in excess anger and losing one’s cool- so worth keeping a lid on this dosha!
To stay well this Summer (think cooling and calming):
Adapt your daily routine: Get up early to enjoy the cool mornings, and enjoy walking barefoot on dewy grass if you can. Similarly, enjoy moonlit walks in the cooler evenings. Avoid sun exposure between noon and 3pm, especially if you are a pitta type with freckles, moles and paler skin
Practice a weekly massage with cooling coconut oil to nourish and clear heat from the skin. (normally solid in the UK but liquid in the summer heat, suggesting this is the best time to use this oil in the UK climate, rather than in winter when it’s set solid) No need to heat the oil, and wash off with a cool shower afterwards, minimising hot baths and showers (along with saunas and steam rooms which are best for winter).
Wear cooling calming colours such as white, green and blue. These reflect heat as opposed to orange, red and yellow.
Cooling meditation and pranayama: Try visualising watery scenes such as beautiful lake or the sea as part of your meditation. Chanting OM and Shitali (or Sheetali) Pranayama is very effective for clearing heat from the body. Roll your tongue and inhale air through it, exhaling through the nose. If you can’t roll your tongue (it’s a genetic thing so you can’t learn!) close the teeth together and inhale through the mouth through the gaps in the teeth. Practice 10-15 rounds each morning, or whenever you feel hot and bothered. It also helps quench the thirst.
Cooling yoga: Pitta can accumulate in the digestive system, especially the small intestine and liver. Abdominal twists and forward bends can help, along with Camel, Cobra, Cow, Boat and Bridge Poses. Do gentle eye exercises (another pitta site) to remove excess heat.
Summer diet: Favour sweet, bitter and astringent flavours which all reduce Pitta. These are found in light and easy to digest foods such as organic milk, mint, saffron and coriander, sweet fruits in season such as pears, apricots, grapes, plums, watermelon and sweet berries (not citrus fruits which aggravate Pitta). Cold soups, such as cucumber soup, and salads are also good (but avoid salads at supper time when lightly cooked foods are best) eg: basmati rice with sautéed sprouted mung beans and a green leafy vegetable). Avoid dark meats (replace with white meat once a week) and sea food, tomato, garlic, onions, salty, spicy and sour tastes.
Minimise alcohol & caffeine - both heating and aggravate Pitta. A little white wine or spritzer is OK but minimise spirits and red wine. Increase fluids, especially water but avoid iced drinks which aggravate the digestion. Try an Ayurvedic 'lemonaid' mixing 1tsp maple syrup + 1 tsp lime juice and a pinch of salt in a pint of room temperature water to sip throughout the day. Coconut water, cooling herbal teas with peppermint, licorice, fennel and roses and Lassis (diluted yoghurt drink) are all cooling and soothing.
At bed-time rub the soles of your feet with cooling coconut oil to bring all the heat down to your feet. You can also put coconut oil in your hair for a lovely conditioning treat (have you ever wondered why Indians have such lovely hair!) Do wear an old pair of socks or hat though. Add a few drops of lavender or sandalwood to your pillow. Get to bed before 11pm, as Pitta peaks between 10pm and 2am. Unlike in winter, when sexual intimacy can help warm you up, keep sex to a minimum as it can leave you drained in the summer heat. Early morning is the best time or evening before 10pm, after which pitta dosha dominates.
Finally, make sure to do some emotion management if needed– watch for pitta emotions such as criticism, irritation and anger. If these arise, a good trick is to hold cool water in the mouth for as long as is needed! Dr Lad also recommends ghee nasya as very effective in managing anger and hostility. Dip your little finger in a jar of ghee and lubricate the inside of the nostrils with a small amount. Then gently inhale the ghee upwards which sends a calming message to the brain. He writes “You will become quite tranquil; anger and hostility will dissolve like a cloud in the sky.”
Sunbathing advice
Stick to the usual advice of avoiding the sun between 10am and 3pm. If you spend too long in the sun, you will get burnt, especially if you have sensitive Pitta predominant skin. Dr Lad also discusses how use of chemical personal care products both internally and externally can all weaken the skin, making it prone to sunburn. To reduce risk, follow a Pitta pacifying programme as above. Ayurveda also suggests the following:
Before going into the sun, apply a neem oil solution as neem is a good sun blocker. NB: Don’t use concentrated neem oil on the skin but dilute a few drops with another oil, such as sesame or coconut oil. Neem has the added benefit of being an effective insect repellent.
Drink coconut water to stay rehydrated. Several delicious varieties are now available in shops if you can’t get fresh green coconuts.
If you do burn, apply soothing aloe vera gel or juice to the area. Grow your own plant for this purpose- it’s also very handy for kitchen burns. A gauze pad dipped in cool milk is also very soothing, also fresh cream is good.
“During the Summer, the sun evaporates the moisture of the earth and therefore induces hot, dry and sharp qualities in the atmosphere, resulting in Pitta aggravation. In Summer sweet, cold, liquid and fatty food and drinks are beneficial. One should avoid or minimise excessive exercise and sex, alcohol, and diets which are salty, sour and pungent, or hot. In Summer time one should enjoy forests, gardens, flowers and cool water. During the night one should sleep on the open airy roof of the house, which is cooled by the rays of the moon.” (Charaka Samhita).
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