Hot Weather, Cool Body: Ayurvedic Rituals for Summer Wellness
Summer ,the warmest season of the year. ,where the sun is sharp, bright and having high intensity of heat also called as dry season. During this season the day will be longer and night will be shorter, so the earliest sunrise and latest sunset occur during this time. Due to the dry, hot atmosphere ,different health issues are commonly seen in this season.
In Ayurveda summer season is called as Greeshma Ritu, one among the 6 seasons according to hindu calendar, due to the high intensity of heat , Excessive exposure to sunlight can affect the nourishment of the body, ie why during this season the body strength of the person will be in the low level, where the kapha in the body dries off and the pitta get aggravated and vata get accumulated. During this season one has to prevent disease and maintain the health of individuals. There will be increased dehydration in the our body ,and lot of imbalance happens to our body.
Common diseases
• Heat stroke
• Heat rashes
• Sun burn
• Measles
• Mumps
• Chickenpox
• Typhoid
• Food poisoning
The food poisoning, typhoid and other indigestion related diseases are caused due to the improper management or storage of the food, it become stale and bacteria develops thus disease occurs. Chickenpox, measles, mumps are some of the viral infections that usually outbreaks during summer season.
Typhoid may be caused due to the contaminated water.
Other diseases such as Dehydration, heat stroke, sunburn and heat rashes are most common.
Dehydration – the loss of body fluids ,due increased sweating or inadequate water intake, the body metabolism get disrupts and the person feels tired, giddiness and may lead to unconscious.
Heatstroke – occur due to the severe dehydration or due to the prolonged exposure to the sun, where person feels tired and giddiness.
Heat rashes – these occur to the skin ,like red bumps/blisters which are itchy and burning .Seen commonly in children.
Diet advised
Summer ,the season where there is high intensity of temperature and the losses too much energy from the body .so to regain back the energy the person has to follow certain diet .
1. Intake of fluids- frequently drink water which is clean and safe.
2. Naturally cooling drinks-
• Tender coconut water, which has lot of electrolytes, and cooling in nature.
• Buttermilk -improves the digestion,boost the immunity, a refreshning drink, has cooling effect ,and reduces
the body heat ,it’s a nutrient rich diet also.
• Fruit juices- the seasonal fruits such as mango, watermelon, ..etc which has high source of vitamins
,minerals, antioxidants help to boost the energy and hydrates the body. Fresh juices are considered to
natural fluids to cools the body.
• Sugarcane juice-its also a good refreshening drink advised in summer season, instant energy booster ,helps
in dehydration, aids digestion and prevent acidity.
3.Herbal tea – the tea prepared out of cooling herbs such as Mint, lemongrass, hibiscus can be taken as a refreshening drink.
4. Intake fruits which are naturally grown ie; seasonal fruits such as Mango, Pineapple, Jackfruits .
Food & Activities Avoided
Those food which are spicy, oily, fast foods, carbonated drinks, caffeine, food that are heavy to digest, Refrigerated food items can indirectly cause aggravation of pitta in the body.
Exposure to sun and wind, avoid too much exercises and exertion.
Lifestyle modification
• The food which are sweet, bitter and astringent in taste and intake of fruits and vegetable which has high amount of water content.
• Mild exercise advised,such as swimming.
• Walking especially in evening over the sides of beach or garden.
• Wear light coloured clothes
• Day sleep advised. During night advised to sleep in a terrace or balcony.
• Bath twice daily
• Yoga – Balasana, Shavasana, Paschimottanasana , Ardha matsyendrasana, bhujangasana,those asana which encourage the forward bend,helps to cool the body. It helps relaxation of mind too.
• Meditation- Sheetali pranayama,Sheetkari pranayama helps to cools the body.
Treatment Advised
1. Takradhara– It’s a type of shirodhara,where the buttermilk is the medium which is prepared with medicated herbs and the takra is being poured to the forehead in a continuous motion,which help to balance the vata and pitta dosha.
2. Shirodhara- it’s an ayurvedic healing technique,focuses on rebalancing the fundamental forces of the body, improves sleep quality.
3. Ksheeradhara- it’s a procedure where the medicated milk is being poured either over the forehead or on the body in a continuous motion, helps in cooling the body.
4. Abhyangam – the oleation to the body can be administered by using those oils which are cold in potency,chandanadi taila.reduces the dryness of the skin .
5. Vasthi-it’s a purificatory procedure in ayurveda ,which helps to balance the vitiated vata dosha in the body.
Greeshma ritu ,can be managed and prevent the disease occur during this season by following the dietary, lifestyle modification and the ritucharya (seasonal regimen) .Thus by following certain regimen in each season helps to prevent the disease and also to maintain the health of an individual.