The basic principles of Ayurveda are that there are 5 great elements and 3 mind-body-spirit constitutions (or doshas). The five elements are earth, water, fire, air, and space. They combine to create three doshas.
Earth + Water = Kapha
Water + Fire = Pitta
Air + Space = Vata
To find out your unique dosha, take the quiz.
According to the Ayurvedic seasonal cycles, summer is considered to be Pitta season and is the time of year when the energetic principles of Fire and Water are strongest. Staying hydrated in spite of the drying heat of the sun is crucial to abundant health during the summer months. Our bodies are weakest in the summer because of all the physical activity, high temperatures, and sweating.
Cooling Off Pitta in the Summer
- Ideally wake up with the sun (and definitely before 8am)
- Refrain from overbooking yourself and having many back-to-back meetings
- Make time for fun, relaxing activities
- Use rosewater in a misting bottle to stay hydrated when outdoors and to keep headaches at bay
- Wear light-colored clothing to stay cool and choose natural, breathable fabrics like cotton and linen
- Sleep by 10pm
Pitta-Pacifying Lifestyle
- Keep cool physically by wearing breathable fabrics
- Avoid overworking
- Practice moderation, kindness, and compassion
- Be gentle with yourself
- Spend as much time as possible near bodies of water
- Avoid direct sun
- Avoid excessive exercise
Eating to Balance Pitta Dosha
- Start the day with a sweet, ripe pear
- Eat frequently
- Eat pomegranate, cucumbers, coconuts, dark green leafy vegetables, avocadoes, artichokes, cilantro, and parsley
- Eat more sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes
- Eat breakfast
- Eat cool or warm food, but not steaming hot
- Eat less healthy fats/butter
- Eat cool, refreshing foods like salads, milk, and ice cream
- Avoid coffee, orange juice, fried, and processed foods
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and refined sugars
- Stay hydrated
- Have mint tea to aid digestion
- Avoid spicy foods, sour foods, salty foods, citrus, and fermented foods
- Avoid eating red meat in excess
Herbs and Spices for Cooling the Mind
- Aloe vera gel or juice
- Brahmi
- Cardamom
- Chamomile
- Coriander
- Dandelion Root
- Fennel
- Indian holy basil (tulsi)
- Peppermint
- Saffron
Releasing Anger to Prevent Liver Damage
When Pitta is balanced in the mind, a person exhibits healthy amounts of willpower, courage, confidence, contentment, satisfaction, enthusiasm, cooperation, acceptance, and surrender. However, when Pitta accumulates in the mind, it leads to anger, irritability, and other fiery emotions like envy, criticism, and excessive ambition. Emotional signs of a sluggish or overloaded liver may be expressed as increased outbursts of anger and rage.
Anger is the most classic expression of vitiated Pitta. Pitta-type emotions like anger heat up the blood, liver, and heart, thereby creating internal fire. Over time, this develops into hypertension, insomnia, irritability, and other mental nervous imbalances.
Because the liver is the seat of Pitta dosha, Pitta-based problems of skin irritation can be a direct result of liver imbalance. Also, toxins building up in the liver can result in sensitivity to allergens, cholesterol, occasional constipation, digestive issues, or fatigue.
Practicing Forgiveness – of Others & Yourself
Ultimately, the antidote to anger is forgiveness.
The definition of forgiveness that I like best is that forgiveness is releasing the ties that bind us to the one who hurt us.
You can only forgive when you are genuinely ready to do so. And if you’re not ready yet, that’s ok too. One day you will be. Just set the intention that someday, when you’re ready, you will be willing to forgive.
Sometimes the person we need to forgive is ourselves. We all have grievances over actions we might have taken. Words we could have said. Situations where we could have shown up a little differently. Actions that could have been a little more mindful rather than mindless.
Forgiveness is a process. Find time every day to practice forgiveness – both of others and of yourself.
Pitta-Pacifying Recipes
Here are some Pitta-pacifying drinks to keep you energized, cool, calm, and hydrated this summer.
Electrolyte Hydrating Drink
8 oz water
1/4 tsp Himalayan pink salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tbsp maple syrup
Mix all in glass. Stir well and enjoy.
Energizing Green Drink
6 celery stalks
juice of 2 limes
2 handfuls spinach
1 handful of sprouts
3 big cucumbers
1 big bunch parsley
3 kale leaves
6 romaine leaves
Few mint leaves, as desired
Blend the above ingredients in a blender.
Hydrating Green Drink
8oz coconut water
2 cucumbers
8 celery stalks
1 tsp ginger
dash of cardamom
juice of ½ lime
Blend the above ingredients in a blender.
To find out your unique dosha, take the quiz.
If you need help balancing your doshas to optimize your health, please reach out to me.