Balancing Pitta Dosha: Ayurvedic Insights for Summers
Each season brings unique characteristics and qualities which can impact our physical and mental well-being. Summer is considered the Pitta season in Ayurveda because Pitta’s hot and fiery qualities are more dominant during this time of the year- especially if you already have a constitutional type dominated by Pitta dosha. This can lead to imbalances and health issues such as inflammation, skin rashes, acid reflux, and irritability.
With Ayurveda, we can gain insights into how the summer season can affect our bodies, allowing us to make mindful decisions that promote balance and harmony across our physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Concept of Doshas in Ayurved
According to Ayurveda, three doshas or biological energies govern the functioning of our bodies and minds. These doshas are known as Vata, Pitta, & Kapha. Each dosha combines the five elements – ether, air, fire, water, and earth – but in varying proportions.
Vata Dosha
Pitta Dosha
Kapha Dosha
These doshas are considered to be the fundamental energies that govern all biological, psychological, and physiological functions of our body. Each individual possesses all three doshas, but their proportion varies significantly, leading to a diverse array of characteristics that make every human being a unique mosaic of traits. However, it’s worth realizing that maintaining a balance of these three doshas is of utmost importance for overall health and well-being.
Symptoms of Pitta Dosha Imbalance
When Pitta is in balance, our body is likely to be healthy, energetic, and have good digestion. When there is an excess accumulation of pitta in the body, we may experience the following:
- Inflammation: Pitta is associated with heat and inflammation, so excessive pitta in the body can lead to inflammatory conditions such as joint pain and skin problems like, rashes, hives, and acne.
- Digestive Problems: Pitta governs digestion, so excess pitta in the body can cause digestive issues such as acid reflux, heartburn, constipation and diarrhea.
- Irritability: Pitta is also associated with intense emotions, so an excess of pitta in the body can lead to irritability, anger, and frustration.
- Excessive Sweating: Pitta is responsible for regulating body temperature, so excess pitta in the body can lead to excessive sweating and overheating.
- Fatigue: An excess of pitta can also lead to feelings of exhaustion and fatigue, as the body works overtime to regulate the heat and intensity associated with pitta.
- Insomnia: Pitta is also associated with the mind and can lead to restlessness, insomnia, and difficulty sleeping when it is imbalanced.
Factors Responsible for Pitta Dosha Imbalance?
Various factors, including food, environment, climate, and lifestyle, can cause an imbalance in Pitta.
Pitta is primarily associated with the fire element, and spicy, acidic, or oily foods can increase Pitta in the body. Additionally, the people we surround ourselves with can also have an impact, as stressful or competitive relationships or work environments can increase Pitta. Environmental factors such as heat and pollution can also exacerbate Pitta. Finally, physically or mentally demanding activities can contribute to the Pitta imbalance.
By being aware of these factors and changing our diet, environment, and lifestyle, we can maintain a balanced Pitta and promote overall health and wellness.
Steps to Balance Pitta Dosha Immediately
If you have a predominance of pitta in your constitution, it is important to be particularly mindful about following a seasonal routine in the summer. Following as many of the below recommendations as possible will go a long way toward preventing an unhealthy accumulation of pitta.
Here are some steps you can take to balance Pitta Dosha:
Diet Changes
- Follow a Pitta-Pacifying Diet: Pitta is aggravated by hot, spicy, and oily foods. To balance pitta, it’s important to consume foods that are cooling, calming, and nourishing.
- Drink Plenty of Water: Staying hydrated is important for Pitta dosha, as excess heat can cause dehydration. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay cool and hydrated.
- Use Cooling Spices: Spices such as coriander, fennel, and cumin can help balance Pitta dosha. Add these spices to your meals to help cool the body and aid digestion.
- Avoid Alcohol & Caffeine: Both alcohol and caffeine can be aggravating for Pitta dosha. Avoid these substances, or consume them in moderation.
Exercise
- Practice Cooling Yoga Poses: Yoga poses such as forward folds, gentle twists, and restorative poses can help cool the body and calm the mind.
- Exercise During Cooler Times of Day: If you prefer to exercise outdoors, try to do so during the cooler times of day, such as early morning or evening.
- Practice Calming Exercise: Exercises such as swimming or a slow walk in nature can help calm the mind and reduce excess heat in the body.
Lifestyle Practices
- Get Enough Sleep: Adequate sleep is important for balancing Pitta dosha. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep per night, and try to maintain a regular sleep schedule.
- Practice Relaxation Techniques: Practices such as meditation, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation can help calm the mind and reduce stress, which can be aggravating for Pitta dosha.
- Stay Cool: Avoid exposure to excessive heat and sunlight, and try to stay in cool, shaded areas as much as possible.
These steps can be helpful for balancing Pitta dosha immediately, but it’s important to remember that Ayurveda is a holistic system of medicine that takes into account the individual’s unique constitution and imbalances. Consult with an experienced Ayurvedic doctor to develop a personalized treatment plan for your specific needs.
Balance Your Pitta Dosha With These Super Foods
Consuming foods that are appropriate for the season can aid in the promotion of purity, detoxification, and rejuvenation of the body, leading to a significant improvement in overall immunity, physical and mental strength, as well as digestionHere are some of the summer foods that Ayurveda suggests to include in your daily diet:
- Coconut: Coconut is cooling and hydrating super food, making it an excellent food to balance pitta in summer. You can drink coconut water or add coconut milk to your smoothies and curries.
- Cucumber: Cucumber is a refreshing and hydrating food that can help cool down the body. You can eat it raw as a snack, add it to salads, or make a cucumber raita to accompany your meals.
- Watermelon: Watermelon is another cooling and hydrating fruit that is perfect for summer. You can eat it as a snack, blend it into a smoothie, or make a refreshing watermelon salad.
- Leafy Greens: Leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and collard greens are rich in antioxidants and can help reduce inflammation in the body. You can add them to your salads, smoothies, or sauté them with some ghee and spices.
- Coconut oil: Coconut oil is a cooling oil that can help reduce inflammation in the body. You can use it to cook your meals, or add it to your smoothies and salads.
- Mint: Mint is a cooling herb that can help reduce pitta in the body. You can add fresh mint leaves to your water, make a mint tea, or use it to flavor your dishes.
- Coriander: Coriander is another cooling herb that can help reduce inflammation and improve digestion. You can add fresh coriander leaves to your salads, soups, and curries.
- Aloe vera: Aloe vera is a cooling and hydrating plant that can help soothe the skin and reduce inflammation in the body. You can drink aloe vera juice or add it to your smoothies.
Remember to eat these foods in moderation, and always consult with your doctor, before making any significant changes to your diet.
Key Takeaways
During summer, the heat and intensity of the sun can aggravate Pitta dosha, leading to symptoms such as skin rashes, acne, inflammation, acidity, and irritability. Therefore, it is important to balance Pitta during summer by following a Pitta-pacifying diet.
Understanding the relationship between the Pitta Dosha and summer can be beneficial for maintaining overall health and well-being.
By following Ayurvedic tips and practices for balancing Pitta during the summer months such as, eating cooling and hydrating foods, staying hydrated, avoiding exposure to the sun during peak hours and engaging in calming activities, we can reduce the risk of health issues and enjoy the vibrant energy of the season.
So, let’s embrace the wisdom of Ayurveda and enjoy a balanced and rejuvenating summer season!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pitta Dosha?
Pitta is one of the three doshas in Ayurveda that govern the functioning of the body and mind. Pitta is associated with fire and is characterized by the qualities of heat, intensity, and transformation.
Why is it important to balance pitta in summer?
Pitta tends to increase in the body during the summer months, which can lead to symptoms such as acidity, inflammation, and skin rashes. Balancing pitta during summer can help maintain optimal health and prevent these symptoms.
What are some signs of pitta imbalance?
Some signs of pitta imbalance include skin rashes, acne, heartburn, acidity, anger, irritability, excessive sweating, and feeling overheated.
What are some cooling foods to eat during summer?
Some cooling foods to eat during summer include fresh fruits (especially melons), cucumbers, coconut water, cilantro, mint, fennel, and cooling spices such as coriander and cumin.
What are some ways to balance pitta during summer?
Some ways to balance pitta during summer include staying cool, eating cooling foods, staying hydrated, avoiding spicy and oily foods, getting plenty of rest, practising relaxation techniques, and avoiding excessive exposure to the sun.
About Author
Dr P.T. Keshavan Nambisan is a renowned Ayurvedic expert and the fifth-generation representative of his family, which has been practising traditional Vaidyas of the Old Malabar region of Kerala for generations. He graduated with a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences.
With over 20 years of experience, Dr Keshavan is known for his expertise in addressing complex, chronic, and progressive illnesses such as autoimmune diseases, cancer, chronic kidney disease, and autism spectrum disorders. Before co-founding UWAY, he served as Coimbatore’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer at The Arya Vaidya Chikitsalayam (AVP).