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Beat the Summer Heat: Self-Care Rituals for Pitta Balance

Writer's picture: JacquelineJacqueline

Summer's heat can leave you feeling drained and irritable. Ayurveda offers a toolbox of self-care practices to cool your body and mind. Here's your guide to a pitta-pacifying summer:

  • Abhyanga Massage: Commence your day with a gentle self-massage (abhyanga) using coconut oil, recognized for its cooling properties. Alternatively, create a custom cooling blend using almond oil as a base and incorporate a few drops of sandalwood essential oil for its calming effect. Abhyanga not only nourishes the skin but also promotes relaxation, setting the tone for a balanced day.


  • Cool Showers:  Replace scorching hot showers with cool or lukewarm ones. The aim is to emulate the element of water, which governs Pitta dosha. If a cool shower is excessive initially, conclude your hot shower with a burst of cool water for an invigorating finish that aids in regulating your internal temperature.

  • Tongue Cleansing: This ancient practice, known as tongue scraping (valgvakshalana), eliminates toxins (ama) that accumulate overnight and can contribute to Pitta imbalance. These toxins can lead to bad breath, digestive issues, and even irritability. For optimal results, use a copper tongue scraper, leveraging copper's inherent antimicrobial properties.

  • Dietary Discretion: While this blog post focuses on self-care rituals, remember that your diet also plays a vital role in Pitta pacification. Favor cooling foods such as cucumber, melons, leafy greens, and yogurt. Limit spicy foods, stimulants like coffee, and excessive alcohol, which can further aggravate Pitta.

  • Movement with Mindfulness: Exercise is essential for overall health, but during the summer, opt for activities that don't generate excessive heat. Gentle yoga, swimming, or walking in the cooler mornings or evenings are ideal. Avoid strenuous workouts, especially during peak Pitta hours of 10 am to 2 pm.

  • Sensory Solace: Surround yourself with cooling colors like white, blue, and green. Wear loose, breathable clothing made from natural fibers like cotton or linen. For an extra cooling sensation, apply sandalwood paste or aloe vera gel to your pulse points or forehead after sun exposure.

Blue Body of Water
Photo by Pixabay

Consistency is key. By incorporating these Ayurvedic self-care rituals into your daily routine, you can effectively manage Pitta dosha and navigate the summer heat with a sense of calm and inner coolness.

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