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Amidst the ongoing heat wave conditions in Delhi and surrounding areas, there is no hope of getting respite from the scorching heat in the coming days. As the mercury rises to 45 degrees and above, our body has to work extra hard to maintain the right temperature. According to Ayurveda, summer can take a toll on the body due to dryness, dehydration, sweating and extreme heat. It also weakens immunity and aggravates Pitta dosha, which normally helps regulate hormones and emotions. (Also read | Heatwave Superfood: Drink Torani or rice water to keep the body cool and hydrated, know how to make it)
Ayurveda suggests drinking water laced with fennel seeds, coriander seeds or mint leaves and eating pitta-pacifying foods like watermelon and cucumber during this season. Practicing Shitali Pranayama also cools the body, while coconut oil massage and sandalwood paste can soothe the skin.
Ayurveda tips to deal with heat
Dr Sachin (BAMS), Medical Consultant, Rasayanam, shares 10 Ayurvedic tips to stay cool during heatwave:
1. Stay hydrated with Ayurvedic drinks: Drink plenty of water infused with herbs like fennel seeds, coriander seeds, or mint leaves. You can also drink buttermilk (lassi), aam panna, vine juice or coconut water to stay cool and hydrated.
2. Include pitta pacifying foods: Eat foods that pacify Pitta dosha, such as sweet, bitter and astringent tastes. Examples include cucumbers, melons, leafy vegetables, asparagus and zucchini.
3. Use cold spices: Include cool spices like fennel, coriander and mint in your food. These spices help reduce body heat and can be added to food or consumed as tea.
4. Use of Aloe VeraApply fresh aloe vera gel on your skin. Aloe vera has natural cooling properties which when applied on the skin, soothes and cools the body.
5. Practice Pranayama: Engage in Sheetali (cooling) breathing techniques. Roll your tongue into a tube, inhale through the mouth, hold the breath for a few seconds and then exhale through the nose. This provides coolness to the body. Anulom-Vilom, also known as alternate nostril breathing, gently calms the mind while balancing the body’s energy, promoting a feeling of inner coolness and peace.
Similarly, Chandrabhedi Pranayama, or left nostril breathing, aids in eliminating excess heat from the body, promoting a pleasant feeling that pervades both body and spirit. Incorporating these age-old techniques into your routine not only provides physical relief from the summer sun but also enhances mental clarity and emotional balance, ensuring a harmonious and refreshing experience even in the midst of the hottest days.
6. Coconut Oil Massage: Do abhyanga (self-massage) with coconut oil. Coconut oil has cooling properties and massaging it on the skin can help reduce body heat.
7. Apply sandalwood paste: Apply a paste made of sandalwood powder and rose water on your forehead and chest. Sandalwood has a cooling and soothing effect on the body.
8. Consume Amla: Amla is known for its cooling properties and is rich in Vitamin C. You can consume it fresh, in juice form, or as a powder mixed with water.
9. Wear a Cooling Crystal: Wearing cool gemstones like moonstone or pearl can help balance pitta and keep the body cool. It is believed that these stones have a cooling effect on the body.
10. Avoid hot sunny hours: According to Ayurveda, avoiding sunlight during peak hours (10 am to 4 pm) can help avoid overheating. Stay indoors or in shady places during these times.
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