Summer is here- and in Charleston, the days are only getting hotter. Read on to learn more about how you can not only survive but thrive in the hot summer months, regardless of your doshic constitution!

Summer and Pitta Dosha

Whether you are Vata, Pitta or Kapha, chances are that Charleston's high summer temperatures and extreme humidity can wear you down. Seasonal changes can affect all constitutions, as we are all affected by- and intimately connected to- our external environment. As summer is the Pitta season, the increased heat will be hardest for those with a Pitta constitution or imbalance, as they already have a lot of heat in their system. However, both Vatas and Kaphas can develop Pitta imbalances if they overindulge in Pitta-increasing activities, or spend a lot of time outdoors. The qualities of Pitta dosha are hot, light, sharp, liquid, oily and spreading. Vata shares the light quality with Pitta dosha, and Vata constitutions can find themselves quickly depleted if they do not eat enough grounding food (or enough food in general!). Kaphas are especially vulnerable to the liquid and oily atmospheric qualities present in summer, and the high humidity here can lead to heavy sweating and discomfort. The extreme heat can also make Kaphas feel more sleepy and sluggish, and lead to more sedentary behavior- which is not helpful for Kaphas! 

Here are some things that we can all do to minimize any negative effects of Pitta due to the summer weather:

• Avoid spending time outdoors during the hottest time of the day (10am-2pm)
• Wear a hat and sunglasses to protect your head and eyes from the  sun
• Wear lighter-colored clothing, made of natural fibers like cotton and linen
• Stay hydrated!
• Drink naturally-cooling drinks, such as coconut water, aloe vera juice and pomegranate juice
• Drink cooling herbal teas, such as Cumin-Coriander-Fennel, Peppermint, Rose and Hibiscus teas
• Avoid spicy foods and fried foods
• Moderate salt, sugar, alcohol and fermented foods
• Enjoy lighter, more easily-digestible foods, such as salads, fruits and vegetarian fare
• Exercise during the coolest times of the day (dawn and dusk)
• Leave the hot yoga classes to the fall, winter and spring seasons
• Try moon salutations instead of sun salutations
• Try shitali pranayama (yogic cooling breath) if you are feeling overheated.

Ayurvedic Home Remedies for Common Pitta Conditions 

Here are some of my favorite Ayurvedic home remedies for common Pitta-type conditions that may arise or flare up in the hot summer months. As they are "one size fits all" remedies, of course some will work better for you than others. This is one of the reasons why seeing an Ayurvedic counselor is helpful, as variations in personal constitution, genetics, diet and lifestyle habits, environment, etc, are all intimately connected to the disease process. If you have success with any of these, please feel free to share!

Acne:

• Apply a little toothpaste to the pimple at night before bed.
• Drink 1/4 to 1/2 cup of aloe vera juice twice daily until acne improves. 
• Blend a cucumber and apply the paste to the face, washing off after 1/2 hour.
• Make a paste with herbs such as turmeric, red or white sandalwood and neem an apply to the face for 1/2 hour daily [Note: Turmeric may cause temporary skin discoloration, so keep this in mind and try first in an inconspicuous area!]

Athlete's Foot:

• Soak feet in equal parts apple cider vinegar and water for at least 10 minutes daily until symptoms are gone.
• Powder the feet with baking soda before putting on socks and shoes.
• Wear open shoes as much as possible to keep the feet cool and dry.

Burns:

• If fresh aloe vera is available, fillet a segment of the leaf, place it over the burn and wrap with gauze to hold it in place.
• A paste of fresh aloe pulp with a pinch of turmeric can also help to relieve and heal minor burns. If fresh aloe is not available then store bought aloe vera gel can be used.
• Rubbing a little cooking oil or ghee to the site of a burn helps to retain moisture in the tissue.

Canker Sores:

• Mix equal parts turmeric and honey (or aloe juice) and make a paste, which can be applied to the affected area. Repeat as needed.
• Avoid sour foods and fruits, which can cause or aggravate the condition.

Dehydration:

• Drinking a sugar and saline solution provides quick relief. Mix 1 tsp sugar and a pinch or two of salt into a glass of room temperature and drink as needed.

Hemorrhoids:

• Add 1/2 tsp turmeric to 1 tsp ghee or coconut oil to make a paste and apply topically to the hemorrhoids. Applying castor oil can help to relieve irritation and inflammation as well.
• Avoid wiping with dry toilet paper.

Rashes:

• Blend 1 cup of fresh cilantro leaves in a blender with just enough water to make a semi-thick paste, then apply the paste to the affected area. Fresh cilantro is one of the best home remedies for cooling the blood and relieveing hot itchy rashes such as hives, poison ivy, etc.
• Fresh cilantro juice can also be taken internally in 1-2 tsp size doses along with room temperature coriander tea (1 tsp per cup of water), 2-3 times daily.

Source: Ayurvedic Herbology East & West: A Practical Guide to Ayurvedic Herbal Medicine by Vishnu Dass

Free Monthly Ayurveda Q&A!

Curious about Ayurveda and want to know more? Each month, I am offering an opportunity for locals to learn more about this 5000-year old traditional medical system, and how it can help us all to live longer, healthier and happier lives. Please join me for July's free monthly drop-in. I love sharing what I have learned in my studies with the community, and I am happy to answer any questions you may have.