Happy Summer Solstice! Today is officially the first day of summer, and the longest day of the year here in the Northern Hemisphere. The summer solstice marks a time of intensity, fertility, renewal, & abundance. Many countries still celebrate this special day of light with festivals, bonfires, feasting, singing, and dancing. This year's solstice coincides with a full moon- a rare occurance, happening only once every 70 years! 

Summer: The Pitta Time of Year

Ayurveda teaches us that Summer is the Pitta time of year. Pitta dosha, being composed of fire and water, is hot, sharp, oily, liquid, and light. Of these, the hot and sharp qualities are the ones that we now have to pay the most attention to. Summer weather increases pitta qualities in everyone, and this can be especially hard on those who already have a lot of Pitta in their constitution! An increase in Pitta can quickly overheat both the body and the mind. It can show up in the body as increased acidity, diarrhea, redness/feverishness, rashes and hives, and itching. In the mind, we may see increased irritability, anger, aggression, and mental agitation.

One of the best ways we can counteract an increase in Pitta is by cooling down the hot quality. In the Lowcountry, it is smart to avoid spending time outdoors from 10am-2pm, which is the Pitta time of day and the hottest time of the day. If we have to be outdoors at this time, wearing both a hat and sunglasses can be protective. Wearing lighter-colored clothes can also keep us cooler. Staying hydrated is important, and in addition to water, drinking cooling herbal teas (i.e. peppermint tea, cumin/coriander/fennel tea, rose tea) and naturally-cooling drinks (i.e. coconut water, pomegranate juice, aloe vera juice) can be very helpful for reducing internal heat. Drinking ice cold drinks, however, is not recommended as it slows down our digestion and can lead to digestive disorders. Summer is also the perfect time for salads and raw vegetables (which are cooling) and for lighter, more-easily digestible foods. It is not the time of year for red meat, pork and lamb, or for excessively spicy foods, as these are all very heating/Pitta-increasing.

For yogis, some great Pitta-soothing asanas to practice are: boat, bow, bridge, camel, cobra, cow, fish and tree. These all help to remove excess Pitta from the small intestine and liver, which are primary storehouses of Pitta in our bodies. Moon salutations are particularly cooling. Inversions are not recommended for yogis with Pitta conditions as they tend to aggravate Pitta further by bringing excessive blood to the thyroid, thymus, eyes and brain. Shitali pranayama is a breathing exercise that can be used to cool the body quickly. First, stick out the tongue and roll both sides upward. Inhale through the rolled tongue, hold the breath in the belly for a few seconds (cooling Pitta in the digestive tract) and then slowly exhale through the nose. 

Here is a good general summer routine that we all can adopt to soothe our Pitta dosha:

• Wake up early in the morning
• Walk barefoot in the grass in the cool morning dew
• Do exercise in the early morning hours (or at dusk). Summer is a good time for lighter exercise such as walking, cycling & yoga.
• Self-massage with coconut oil or sunflower oil (cooling oils)
• Take a lukewarm (or cool) shower, with neem or sandalwood soap to reduce excess oil
• Wear organic cotton or other lightweight and light-colored, breathable clothing
• Eat a small, nutritious breakfast (avoid skipping)
• Have lunch around noon, and not too late
• Swim in cool water, take a short afternoon nap
• Have an earlier, light dinner (between 6-7 or before sunset)
• Rub coconut oil on the scalp and soles of feet before going to bed, to remain cool overnight
• Go to bed by 10-11pm, sleeping on your right side to activate the lunar nostril (cooling to the body)

Ayurveda Q & A

Q: How does drinking ice water disturb our digestive system?

A: Iced water reduces the permeability of the gastric mucus membrane and inhibits the secretion of digestive enzymes, therby slowing down digestion. This results in the production of toxins. The tongue often gets a coating if significant amounts of chilled drinks are consumed, which indicates an accumulation of toxins in the stomach or intestines.  Ice also constricts the blood vessels in the gums, which is a shock to the mouth and contributes to receding gums. 

[Excerpted from Textbook of Ayurveda, Volume 3: General Principles of Management and Treatment by Vasant Lad, M.A.Sc.]

Q: If I am a Vata or a Kapha, should I still follow a Pitta-reducing routine?

According to Ayurveda, it is more important to follow a seasonal routine than one for your dosha, unless there is an imbalance that needs to be managed. An Ayurvedic counselor can help you to determine if there is an imbalanced dosha, and will work with you to bring it back into balance. The summer Pitta-reducing routine listed above would be suitable for all constitutions, unless there is a significant Vata or Kapha imbalance.

Coming Soon!

Thanks to all of you for your patience as my practice evolves. I am in my last two months of formal Ayurvedic study with the Asheville School of Massage and Yoga, and will complete my certification as an Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor in August! For these next two months, my focus will be on working with my internship clients, but I will begin scheduling clients for Ayurvedic consultations in early September. I will also be updating my website in July with herbal products (teas, tinctures and other) available for sale! Please feel free to email me anytime for more information.

In the meantime, be sure to check out my friend and herbal sister Hannah Weber's new herbal store, Herbal Passion, in West Ashley. She and other local herbalists are offering fun product-making classes there throughout the summer.

Jennifer xx