According to Ayurvedic seasonal cycles, summer is considered Pitta season, where the energetic principles of fire and water are strongest. It is during summer that Pitta dosha, inherently driven by the solar force, is most predominant, as it comprises fire and water elements.
As the Sun strengthens, the tilt of the Earth brings us “closer” to this radiant energy so and it affects us ALL. Early mornings and longer evenings allow for more activity and perhaps less sleep. We naturally sleep a lot less in the Summer, and much to your surprise some can shift as much as one hour between Summer and Winter. The point is quality sleep, how much you need depends and will change and decrease during this solar time.
Pitta dosha is the expression of radiant energy within the body. As we move in and out of the Summer Solstice, the Earth is receiving the most sun and heat, and bringing the qualities that are sharp, hot, bright, intense, and penetrating. But it is also oily, and humid. Pitta spreads and heat spreads when mixed with water. The earth is slowly heating up, releasing moisture, clouds, and for some rain. Then we burn away the moisture and get a little hotter and drier. This is the general rhythm of Summer, depending on location.
“During the summer there is enhancement of katu (pungent) taste, the roughness and weakness in the body is severe”
Charaka Samhita Sutrashtana VI:6
During this time of year, Ayurveda recognizes that Pitta can easily accumulate and manifest as various imbalances. Ayurveda’s method is to recognize excess. When there can be too much of something and then create, generate and imbalance. No matter what your Prakruti, we must all be mindful of Pitta now. And if Pitta is part of your constitution, you need to work extra hard to not drive an imbalance.
SIGNS OF ELEVATED PITTA DOSHA IN THE BODY
- Excess or more sweating
- inability to control, and regulate body temperature
- heartburn
- acid reflux, hyperacidity
- Skin acne
- Rash
- Ulcers
- loose bowel movements or diarrhea
- hair falling
- putrid-smelling sweat or feet
Generally, a Pitta person is prone to a low tolerance for heat, hot Sun, or hard physical work. When out of balance emotionally, the sharp quality of Pitta can even arouse the mind toward aggression, irritability, anger, hatred, judgment, criticism, and jealousy.
In general, to balance Pitta, apply its opposite qualities to any given imbalance. For example, if a person has eaten chili peppers, tomatoes, and salty chips making creating hyperacidity and peptic ulcer we counterbalance with cooling foods (yogurt), remedies (fennel), and practices (sheetali pranayama) to bring ease back to mind and body.
“During the summer, the sun evaporates the moisture of the earth by its rays. In that season, the intake of sweet, cold, liquid, and unctuous diets and drinks are prescribed.
One should further avoid taking diets that are salty, sour, pungent, or hot. Physical exercise is a lot to be given up during this season.”
“During the summer, the sun evaporates the moisture of the earth by its rays. In that season, the intake of sweet, cold, liquid, unctuous diets and drinks are prescribed.
One should further avoid taking diets that are salty, sour, pungent, or hot. Physical exercise is a lot to be given up during this season.”
Charka Samhita Sutrashtana VI: 27-32.
Due to the strong properties of the sun and the body’s need to stay cool and release internal heat. Therefore Agni, our bodily fire, is pulled out to the extremities to keep the body cool. This, in turn, diminished our digestive capacity and it is why in the summer we are not as hungry and want to eat less. Ayurveda advises keeping our diet simple and easy to digest when it’s hot. No need to get ourselves all worked up, rev up our metabolism to digest fancy food. Keep cool, keep it simple. Eat for health.
Increase sweet, bitter, and astringent-tasting foods that are light in nature. Eat plenty of bitter salad greens such as lettuce, arugula, radicchio, basil, and endive are particularly Pitta balancing. Include cool drinks and raw foods in the diet, including cucumber, mango, and coconut water. Natural fruit juices without added sugar, mint teas, and raw berries are good choices.
SUMMER FOOD OPTIONS
FAVOR
- coconut water, watermelon,
- cilantro, leafy greens, okra, zucchini, asparagus, kale, broccoli
- olive oil, ghee
- cucumber, soaked/peeled almonds
- pomegranate, apples, cranberry, mint
- dill, fennel, cardamom, coriander, and saffron
AVOID / MINIMIZE
- tomatoes, eggplant, chili peppers, garlic, dry ginger
- black pepper, fermented foods, spicy foods
- sour fruits
- heavy protein and animal meats
- mustard oil, molasses, coffee.
As for alcohol beer is better than wine and hard alcohol and drink plenty of water to off–set the drying and heating nature of alcohol. Red wine is more heating than white wine. Also best to avoid daytime drinking and wait until the sun goes down.
EXERCISE LIGHTLY
To prevent excess Pitta from accumulating in the body, we should enjoy light exercise during the summer. This is not the season to overdo or overwork any form of vigorous exercise since that would overheat and aggravate Pitta. Therefore avoid long-distance running, spinning, endurance training, and other forms of exercise that overall heat the body. Longer recovery is needed along with stretching when there is intense activity.
Avoid exercising during the hottest time of the day between 11 am and 3 pm and favor early morning or sunset exercise.
YOGA
- Sheetali and sheetkari cooling and calming daily morning pranayama
- Utthita Trikonasana (downward gaze)
- Parighasana
- Dhanurasana
- Naukasana
- Ardha Matsendarasana
- Setu Bandhasana
PITTA SUPPORTS
In Ayurveda, aromas of essential oils and resins derived from plants can be used to pacify aggravated doshas (bioenergies). Having a rose water mister is a wonderful refresher for the face and body! The following essential oils are also recommended for Pitta season:
- sandalwood
- rose
- lavender,
- jasmine
- lotus
- gardenia
- khus
- vertivert
It is often wise to supplement our diets with one or more gentle and cooling herbs during Pitta season to maintain proper digestion, and elimination, and to prevent excessive accumulation of hot, light, and mobile energies. In addition, Pitta season can create conditions for inflammation and over-activity of certain metabolic processes and secretions.
SIMPLE LIFESTYLE RECOMMENDATIONS
Since the stomach, liver and skin are the principal seats of Pitta dosha, simple cleansing techniques aimed at these regions are commonly employed in the summer months.
- Upon awakening, drink room temperature water, scrape the tongue to check on digestion and get ready for morning yoga to release heat. Including Chandra Namaskar and cooling pranayama is a good start. The emphasis throughout your practice can be on surrendering, forgiving, relaxing, and being gentle with yourself – a cooling, grounding sadhana.
- Spend time outside in the cool, green forest. before 10 am and after 5 pm. Avoid being outdoors during the hottest times of the day.
- Morning meditation. Release excess heat post movement and take a few minutes to relax and focus your breath down behind your belly button. Relax behind the navel and breathe in and out here a few minutes.
- Evening cool down: rub coconut oil on the feet at bedtime. Brings calming energy to the whole body.
- Enjoy teas of rose, lemongrass, and mint to pacify the hot quality, improve digestion and calm the mind.
- Wear clothing of light texture and color. Excellent choices would be cotton, linen, and bamboo of white, blue, and green. Red and yellow shades tend to increase the fire that is already present.
Wishing you an amazing PItta-loving summer season.
Feeling out of balance? Schedule an Ayurvedic consultation and let’s work together to support your best health and your best life!
