The summer season is upon us and we all know how hot it gets in India. In some parts of the country, the heat really gets unbearable and it is around this time that we can see people suffer from various heat problems. 

 Let’s get an idea of what kind of health problems are common in the summer season. According to Ayurveda, there are three physical energies or doshas that make our constitution. In the summer season, the ‘pitta’ dosha increases in the body. Pitta represents heat. As the environment outside of our bodies is hot, it is but natural that Pitta will be the dominant dosha in our bodies.

Following are some symptoms associated with an imbalance in Pitta:

• Swelling: parts of the body might swell, become red and hurt
• Pyrexia: Increased body temperature. It is a reaction of the body to infections and other foreign substances.
• Excess Perspiration: The body starts secreting excess sweat from the sweat glands to cool the body. This may be good for internal mechanisms, but excess sweat can lead to skin problems and affect personal hygiene.
• Rashes: Rash or irritated skin is often seen in individuals in the summer season. It is also seen in people with asthma and the ones who are allergic to certain substances.
• Burning sensations: A lot of people suffer from Burning sensations in the body, especially in the feet.
• Loose Bowels: A condition in which faeces are frequently discharged from the body in liquid form.

Treating these imbalances involves calming the pitta dosha in the body. Ideally, balance should always be maintained among the three doshas in our body. 

A proper balance helps maintain bodily health and can keep the individual away from diseases and other ailments. Ayurveda’s primary goal is to help maintain this balance in the human body.

Ayurvedic treatment for summer season disease includes a number of guidelines and treatment options. 

• KEEP YOURSELF HYDRATED!

Keeping yourself hydrated is utmost important in Summer. Avoid icy drinks directly after coming from the sun. Drink room temperature water and always carry a water bottle along with you. 

To keep yourself cool, include buttermilk in your diet, drink coconut water and fruit juices  without ice and sugar (avoid if diabetic),  kokum sorbet 

• PRACTICE YOGA  

Practice Yoga or any exercise daily to stay healthy, calm and cool throughout the season. Exercise in the morning before 10 a.m. or in the evening after 7 p.m. when the day is naturally cooler.

Try these cooling Yogasanas like Sheetali Pranayama or anulom vilom once a day. It cools the body and helps nerves and muscles to relax

• AVOID SOUR, SPICY, OILY & FERMENTED FOOD

Avoid foods that are heavy to digest. Spicy and Oily foods produce more heat in the body so reduce the spicy intake in your food. Eat fresh food instead 

• INCLUDE THESE FOODS IN YOUR DIET TO PACIFY PITTA

Have more legumes like mung beans, green whole mung beans, make soup or liquid form of kitchari out of mung by adding green vegetables and cooling spices like mint, dill, fennel and coriander. Include Ghee and oils in your food to help down to lower the heat in the body

• EAT LOTS OF WATERY SEASONAL FRUITS & WATERY VEGETABLES 

Summer has some great seasonal fruits like watermelon, mangoes, Tadgola, pears,etc . Enjoy these fruits but eat in moderation. Add vegetables to your diet  like Bottle gourd, ash gourd, pumpkin, asparagus, cucumber, zucchini, and cooling herbs like mint leaves, coriander leaves, etc

LASTLY, TAKE CARE OF YOUR MIND, SOUL & BODY  

We all have a hustle and bustle lifestyle, we need to take care of our own self! Some quick tips here to avoid heatstroke, heat, nausea feeling, etc.

Using an umbrella can help people prevent heat stroke. 

If head pain is there due to hot weather, apply ghee to the temple region of head and between the eyebrows and massage it for 2-5 minutes, this will give you relief. For more benefit- Ayushakti Freedom balm works the best for instant relief. 

One guideline is to never fast or skip meals.

 Inadequate food and energy for the body can lead to the body becoming weak.

 A weak body will have trouble withstanding the summer heat. 

Also avoidable is excessively spicy food. 

According to Ayurveda, spices in food serve to stimulate Agni (digestive fire) in the stomach. In other words, it increases the heat in the body. An increase in heat will contribute to the accumulation of Pitta and is therefore undesirable.