Summer Ayurvedic Routine: It’s just April and India’s acting like the sun left the oven on and went on vacation! With drastically increasing temperature, our body becomes dry and lethargic. The ever rising temperature so early calls for a solution which calms our mind and not only body. Let’s dive deep into the cold ocean of Ayurvedic principles to beat the heat.
Body and External Environment During Summer
Summer season is included in Ayurved textbook in the Uttarayan or Aadankala.
As one of the great acharyas of Ayurved, Acharya Vagbhatt describes Ritucharya (seasonal regimen) in his book. He describes the Grisma Ritu (summer season) as:
“तस्मिन्ह्यत्यर्थतीक्ष्णोष्णरूक्षा मार्गस्वभावतः
आदित्यपवनाः सौम्यान् क्षपयन्ति गुणान् भुवः
तिक्तः कषायः कटुको बलिनो अत्र रसा क्रमात्
तस्मादादानमाग्नेयम् “(अ. सू. 3-3)
Meaning:
- Due to the nature of the path, both the Sun and wind become very strong, powerful and dry during this half of the year.
- It takes away all the cooling qualities of the earth.
- Bitter, Astringent and Pungent tastes (Tikta, kashaya and Katu Rasas) will be more powerful, respectively, in the successive Ritus.
- Hence Adana Kala is dominated by fire.
Why is Detoxification necessary in Grisma Ritu?
In summer, the intense heat throws the Pitta dosha (which controls digestive fire) off balance the sun rays become powerful
and appear to be destructive. Kapha decreases day by day, and Vata increases, consequently, which can result in:
- Acid reflux, bloating, and a slow digestive system
- Skin issues like rashes, pimples, and inflammation
- Regular headaches and constant tiredness
- Feeling cranky and emotionally unstable
Summer Ayurvedic Routine: Diet
- Madhura Rasa (sweet) dominated food in adequate quantities.
- Shheet: Cold infused drink added with powder of cinnamon leaves, cinnamon and cardamom etc) which is kept inside a fresh mud pot.
- Amla Kanji: Sour and fermented cooling drinks
- Very cool water kept in mud pot along with flowers of patala and karpura (camphor) should be used for drinking.
- Boiled rice, which is white in colour, (like full moon) should be eaten along with meat of animals of desert.
- Rasala (curds churned and mixed with pepper powder and sugar)
- Panaka panchasara, syrup prepared with raisins (draksha), madhuka, dates (karjura), kasmarya, and parushaka.
Summer Ayurvedic Routine: Night Regimen
“निशाकरकराकीर्ण सौधपृष्ठे निरासु च
आसना स्वस्थचित्तस्य चन्दनार्द्रस्य मालिनः
निवृत्तकामतन्त्रस्य सुसूक्ष्मतनुवाससः
जलार्द्रतालवृन्तानि विस्तृताः पद्मिनीपुटाः” (अ. सू. 3-37)
- At nights, one should sleep on the terrace, facing moonlight.
- Avoidance of sexual activities.
- By fanning with fans made of leaves of Tala or large leaves of padmini (lily) made wet.
- Garlands of flowers of camphor, jasmine and of pearls and beads of white sandal paste.
Delhi Weather: Record February Heat Signals Intense Summer Ahead
Gen-Z Way of Detoxification in Summer:
These simple and effective steps should be included in your regimen. They hit you like a bucket of cold water on a hot summer day.
1. Abhyanga (maasage)
For this use Pitta balancing massage oil or any soothing oil for your body. Try mixing soothing oil with coconut oil to tackle out dryness.
2. Cooling Detoxification Tea:
Here’s a simple Cooling Detox Tea based on Ayurvedic principles, perfect for balancing Pitta during hot summer days:
Boil these ingredients with water and upon cooling enjoy it sip by sip.
- 1 tsp coriander seeds
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- A few fresh mint leaves
- 2–3 rose petals (optional)
- 2 cups water
3. Pitta Balancing Yoga:
The summer season is a good time to keep your exercise and yoga routine on the mellow side, as an intense workout can aggravate pitta’s heat. Incorporate yoga poses for pitta dosha, or enjoy other gentle activities.
4. Liver Detoxification:
As a predominant part of the cleansing system of the body and the major seat of pitta, the liver is affected by physical pitta imbalances as well as mental and emotional pitta imbalances, such as anger and frustration. To tackle this use Katuki churna (Picrorrhiza kurrora) by consulting a certified Vaidya ( Ayurved practitioner).
5. Avoid Panchakarma Therapy:
Panchakarma includes 5 treatments. It includes various steps such as Vamana (therapeutic vomiting), Virechana (purging through herbal medicine), Vasti (medicated enema), Nasya (Nasal clearing using warm oils, herbal remedies, and fumes), Raktha Moksha (detoxification of blood). Panchakarma is not advised for healthy person in summer season due to intense heat.
6. Skin care routines:
To minimize the dryness of skin during summer Cooling and cleansing herbs like neem and manjistha are great during this season.
a. Gentle Cleansing
Use a natural cleanser like rose water or a paste of sandalwood + milk to remove excess oil and heat.
b. Cooling Toner
Spray or dab rose water or cucumber juice as a toner. It hydrates and balances Pitta.
c. Moisturize Naturally
Apply aloe vera gel or coconut oil—both are cooling and light.
d. Sun Protection
Use a natural sunscreen or apply licorice root paste or a mixture of sandalwood + turmeric + milk for protection before stepping out.
Drink fennel seeds or coriander tea once or twice a week to purify the blood and reduce skin breakouts.
7. Meditation
Sit in a cooling environment and meditate for atleast 10 minutes to ensure mental calmness during this season. Meditation ensures to keep the triguṇa of body in check. This leads to fresh and enthusiastic mind all over the summer.
Avoid alternating heat and cold situations to prevent your body from any sudden illness.
Summer Ayurvedic Routine Benefits
- Ensures good physical and mental health.
- Detoxify the body.
- Balances three doshas and gunas in our body.
- Prepares the body for upcoming season.
- Prevent body from any seasonal ailments.
Make sure to follow the routine this summer season to beat the summer heat with mindblowing ayurvedic principles. As Ayurved ensures long life without any vyadhi (disease) if seasonal regimen is followed carefully.
