Ayurveda has its cool tricks for summer

Summer never sneaks up on us in the Middle East. It just arrives – full blown and powerful and overnight our bodies have to adjust to the new climes and resulting demands. This adjustment process can be quite a challenge, especially to those who are new to the region. It is vital that we hydrate our body sufficiently by drinking at least 8 to 10 glasses of water, i.e, 2 to 3 liters of water every day. However tea, coffee and juices are not included in this list.

Dehydration can inversely cause water retention and bloating due to the slowing down of the lymphatic drainage and insufficient hydration can also cause headaches, lack of concentration, tiredness, kidney malfunction, giddiness and dryness of the skin.

The Summer Dosha

During summer months, the Pitta dosha is more predominant especially during the months of July to October. Pitta is the energy that fuels all our biochemical activities, including transformation, digestion, metabolism and assimilation. Dr Chandy says, “As per Ayurveda, the time after 10pm is known as Pitta time, and if you are awake during those hours Pitta imbalance can happen. This is why it always recommended that you should be in bed by 10pm and be up by 6am.” Pitta imbalance can cause one to be more prone to frustration, irritability and anger outbursts, besides heartburn, skin rashes, acne, increased acidity and even ulcers. However you don’t have to be held captive to your raging Pitta dosha. Taking a few simple precautions and making some lifestyle changes can ensure that your summer is not a bothersome affair.

Summer and the Skin

During the summer months the sun’s rays are more powerful and therefore can cause more damage to the skin. It is important to protect one’s skin from the negative effects of the sun’s rays. Excessive exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause the appearance of brown spots and speeds the skin’s ageing process. Ayurveda believes in using natural ingredients to provide solace to the skin. These include the aloe vera, honey, avocado, papaya and the rose. In fact, summer or not, cotton eye pads soaked in diluted rose water help ease tension, stress, fatigue and the burning sensation in the eyes.

There are also many home remedies that one can use to soothe and protect the skin. Apply this on your face (avoiding the eye and mouth region) and let it dry or leave it for 15 minutes. Then gently wipe it away with a wet face towel or gently wash it away.

• Face packs of fruits like watermelon or cucumber or orange peel or banana or papaya mixed with honey or milk cream or rosewater can give the skin an unbeatable glow.

• When you return home after a day in the sun apply yoghurt on your face and exposed skin to counteract the sun’s effects.

• Sandalwood powder, neem paste, turmeric (Kasturi manjal )(not the spice you get in the grocery store but the paste from the turmeric root), milk cream or honey can be used on their own to help soften and smoothen one’s skin.

• Massage your skin regularly with coconut oil or sesame oil to improve circulation.

Summer and Your Diet

It is not just essential to keep your body protected from the outside during these hot months, it is also important to keep your body cool from the inside. You need to drink cooling drinks as opposed to caffeine rich drinks and eat more sweet, bitter and astringent items and try and keep items that are sour, salty and pungent in taste to a minimum.

To Drink

• Drink a combination of cumin, coriander, fennel and rose petals in water to improve digestion and to calm the mind.

• Grind ginger, curry leaves, mint leaves and salt together and mix it in laban (buttermilk) to create a cooling and energizing drink. If you can handle it, add a green chili to the mix.

• Tender coconut water and flesh are ideal for these months.

• The juice of cucumber or watermelon or lime or pomegranate are also ideal heat busters.

• Boiled and cooled milk with a pinch of cardamom or rose petal essence in it helps soothe the body.

• Avoid ice cold drinks and minimize your intake of tea, coffee and colas.

To Eat

• Eat juicy fruits like melons, pears and grapes.

• Increase the intake of broccoli, cucumber, asparagus and zucchini.

• Avoid sour cream, vinegar and ketchup.

• Add spices like mint, fennel, anise and cardamom to your food.

• Reduce your intake of sugar as it aggravates the Pitta dosha.

• Avoid cashew and pea nuts; however blanched almonds, walnuts, and pumpkin and sunflower seeds are alright.

Exercising in Summer

According to Ayurveda, exercise has to be done keeping one’s dosha in mind. It also recommends that exercise be kept light during the summer months, and avoid vigorous exercises as this will cause the body to overheat and aggravate the Pitta dosha. Exercises that don’t overheat the body include walking, yoga, swimming and cycling. It is also vital to exercise either during the early morning hours or after sunset and at all times avoid exercising between 11am and 3pm. One should also do pranayama and meditation to keep the body cool.

Summer Time and Massages

Massages are essential to help get rid of toxins from the body. It also helps balance the Pitta dosha.

• Abhyangam massages are great to relieve the body of stress and relax it.

• One can also have a body massage at home itself with cooling oils made of sandal, jasmine, Rose or champak. It enhances energy and decreases body odour.

• At bedtime rub coconut oil on one’s scalp and the soles of one’s feet. This will help the body stay cool. One can also use castor oil however this is a rather sticky and heavy oil.

(Binue Sivan is a Dubai-based freelance writer).