How To Stay Cool During the Summer

I live on the West Coast of BC, Canada and look forward to the summers. It usually means lots of trips to the lakes that surround us. Climate change has definitely made the summer heat waves difficult on some days. So how do can we stay cool the Ayurveda way?

Summer weather is considered high Pitta time. This means heat, heat, heat! It's especially aggravating for those of us who are already high in Pitta Dosha. The body will naturally cool us down as it tries to maintain it's internal temperature; this is done primarily through sweating. Too much sweating can lead to dehydration, irritation, skin rashes, heat stroke and acne.

I used to make the common mistake of having my drinks packed with ice to help cool me down. According to Ayurveda, ice is a big NO. Ice will only distinguish the fire in your digestive system. Imagine pouring ice cold water on a hot stove. Ayurveda recommends natural ways to cool the body from the inside out. So instead of reaching for the iced drinks consider one of these more beneficial ways to cool down.

Adding a cooling herb such as mint to your drink. Eating more heat reducing vegetables and fruits such as cucumber, watermelon, broccoli, green beans, asparagus, sweet potato, kale. Drinking coconut water, or lemonade/limeade, lassi.

Other cooling herbs to add to your diet during the summer are:

ROSE - One of the most soothing ways to cool down, who doesn't love a rose! Add rose powder, leaf or syrup to a drink, a smoothie or make a tea out of it.

AMALAKI - This powerful fruit has immense cooling properties as well, it is loaded with Vitamin C which is great for the skin as well.

SANDALWOOD - In India, during the hot humid summers, a paste made of sandalwood rubbed across the forehead will cool down the head very quickly. This may be especially beneficial for those who get heat related headaches/migraines.

ALOE - Aloe is well known for it's cooling properties, whether it's used internally or externally on burns/sunburns. If you are feeling heat related symptoms such as excessive sweating, diarrhea or inflammation, drink a glass of aloe water/juice in the morning and you can do one in the afternoon as well. This help cool the body down.

CORIANDER - This is an easy one to use. Cut up some fresh leaves or use dried coriander and you add to any dish you like. Great flavor and a cooling herb

And of course if you have the ability to go out to the lake and take a dip in the water, nothing will beat that. But remember, Pitta hours are between 10am-2pm, this is when the sun is the strongest so make sure you stay covered up and avoid doing strenuous activities during this time of the day.