Pitta On The Rise

Summer is dominated by pitta. This blog post highlights how to best counteract the imbalance.

Just as the seasons are subject to constant change so do the different types of doshas. To the discomfort of many, summer is dominated by pitta. The natural increase in pitta during summer can cause a dosha imbalance. The body's metabolic activity decreases when faced with excessive heat and agni, the digestive fire, is reduced. 

Dos and Don'ts

It boils down to the taste buds

The first step is to follow a healthy diet. Generally speaking it is advised to consume foods that are bitter or sweet. Bitter and sweet food reduce pitta while having a cooling effect on the body. 

Cold food is not good

Agni decreases when cold food is eaten. During summer it is not a good idea to consume cold foods as agni is already weakened thanks to warmer temperatures. 

Choose your spices wisely

Spicy food and seasoning such as chili increase pitta, and should be avoided during summer. Opt for spice that have a cooling effect such as fennel, turmeric, ginger, cardamom, coriander or pippali. They support agni without increasing pitta.

Vegetables is not the same vegetables

Select green leafy vegetables that soothe pitta such as chicory, fennel, cucumber, pumpkin, celery, asparagus or zucchini during the warmer months.

Fruits that calm pitta

Amalaki fruit, avocados, bananas, berries, pears, figs, pomegranates, cherries, kiwis, mangoes, melons and grapes are your best choice when it comes to calming pitta during summer.

Amalaki is especially effective if pitta is too high and agni too low. Even though it has a sour flavour, it acts as a sweet taste in the body. 

Eat in moderation

Lower your food consumption during the warmer seasons. Stop eating once sated, otherwise digestion is charged when too much food is consumed leaving you feeling tired and listless for the remainder of the day. 

Adjust your eating habits to the temperature

Consume up to 3 times a day with about 5-hour break in between meals. Also forego any form of snacking. 

Hydration is key

Don't forget to hydrate the body throughout the day. Opt for warmer beverages instead of cold drink such as ginger water or herbal teas and lassis.