Delhi and its surrounding areas will not be able to escape from the scorching heat in the coming days as the heatwave situation continues. When the temperature of the mercury rises above 45 degrees, our bodies have to work even harder to maintain the proper temperature. According to Ayurveda, Greeshma Ritu can take a toll on the body due to dryness, dehydration, sweating, and extreme heat. It also weakens the immune system and increases pitta dosha, which normally helps regulate hormones and emotions. (Also read | Heatwave superfoods: Drink tolani or rice soup to cool down and hydrate your body. Find out how to make it)
Ayurveda suggests drinking water infused with fennel seeds, coriander seeds and mint leaves during this season, and eating pitta-calming foods such as melon and cucumber. Practicing sheetali pranayama can help cool the body, while coconut oil massages and sandalwood paste can soothe the skin.
Ayurvedic tips to deal with summer heat
Dr Sachin (BAMS), Medical Advisor at Rasayanam, shares 10 Ayurvedic tips to stay cool during the heatwaves.
1. Stay hydrated with Ayurvedic drinks. Drink lots of water infused with herbs like fennel seeds, coriander seeds, mint leaves etc. You can also drink buttermilk (lassi), aam panna, bael juice (stone apple) or coconut water to cool down and stay hydrated.
2. Include foods that calm Pitta. Eat sweet, bitter, and astringent foods that soothe pitta dosha. Examples include cucumbers, melons, leafy greens, asparagus, and zucchini.
3. Use cooling spices: Incorporate cooling spices into your diet, such as fennel, coriander, and mint. These spices help lower body temperature and can be added to food or taken as a tea.
4. Aloe vera application: Apply fresh aloe vera gel to your skin. Aloe vera has natural cooling properties that soothe and cool the body when applied topically.
5. Practice pranayama: Adopt sheetari (cooling) breathing techniques. Curl your tongue into a tube and breathe in through your mouth, hold your breath for a few seconds, then exhale through your nose. This will help cool your body. Anulom Vilom, also known as alternate nostril breathing, gently calms the mind while balancing the body’s energies, promoting inner coolness and calmness.
Similarly, Chandravedi pranayama, or left nostril breathing, helps dissipate excess heat in the body and develops a sense of comfort that permeates the mind and body. Incorporating these age-old techniques into your daily life will not only relieve your body from the summer sun, but will also promote mental clarity and emotional balance, ensuring a harmonious and refreshing experience even during the hottest days .
6. Coconut oil massage: Perform Abhyanga (self-massage) using coconut oil. Coconut oil has a cooling effect and when massaged into the skin can help lower body temperature.
7. Use sandalwood paste. Apply a paste made of sandalwood powder and rose water to your forehead and chest. Sandalwood has a cooling and calming effect on the body.
8. Consume amla (Indian currant): Amla is known for its cooling properties and is rich in Vitamin C. It can be consumed raw, as juice, or in powder form mixed with water.
9. Wear cooling crystals. Wearing cooling gemstones such as moonstone and pearls can help balance pitta and keep the body cool as these stones are believed to have a cooling effect on the body.
10. Avoid peak solar hours: According to Ayurveda, avoiding the sun during peak hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) helps prevent overheating. Stay indoors or in a shaded area during this time.
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