Flowers and trees are in bloom, birds chirp merrily, and the days are getting longer – summer is nearly upon us.
Because of increased sunshine, temperatures can be hot, a quality of the Pitta Dosha, one of the three basic principles that govern our bodies on the physical, mental and emotional levels. The summer routine should focus on decreasing Pitta to avoid Pitta type disorders in our bodies such as rashes, anger, diarrhoea, acidity etc. Stay “fresh as a daisy” by taking advantage of the Ayurvedic principles.
The Summer in Ayurveda
The summer (Grishma Ritu) greets us with warm rays of sun that are getting stronger. As Pitta increases in our environment, our bodies decrease Pitta. The human body regulates Pitta by lowering the metabolism, manifested by a smaller appetite and reduced performance in heat. This reduces also the digestive fire Agni and, therefore, our digestive process. We should conform to this regulatory principle also in the choice of our daily food. Just as we wear light clothing in summer and prefer staying in the shade or in a cool place, we should select food which is easily digestible and which regulates Pitta.
In addition to a higher fluid intake of warm beverages that quench thirst better than cold ones, Ayurveda recommends for the summer months especially light meals with predominance of sweet, bitter or astringent taste.
