Summer Soothers in Ayurveda

The scorching summer makes us all the more vulnerable to heat related disorders like prickly heat, excessive perspiration, occasional dizziness, sun burns and loss of strength and stamina.

Here are some handy hints that could help you to keep your cool in the hot climate:

• Increase intake of liquids, particularly water.
• Spicy, hot and fried foods are a no-no for this season.
• Intake of products that have a cooling, soothing and calming effect on our system would be beneficial.

Ayurveda Herbs help relieve the Heat:

• ROSE: The use of Rose is extremely beneficial in the hot climate. It is not only cooling, but also a delicious fragrant remedy. To combat heat related maladies that are common in summers like hyperacidity, occasional indigestion, burning sensation in the skin and eyes and also in skin eruptions and boils, you could benefit by taking rose preparations in the form of Rose syrup or jelly.

The Rose syrup is available in the market or it can be made at home. This provides a cooling effect to the entire system and due to its tranquilizing effect, relieves the fatigued and exhaustive state of the body. ‘ Gulkand’ is a sweet Rose jelly, which is a combination of rose petals and sugar. This can be taken one or two teaspoons twice a day. Also, keep some rose petals in clean water overnight and splash the water on your face early morning. This helps to relieve the burning sensation, helps in improving complexion and also clears pimples.

• SANDALWOOD: Another nature’s gift in this season is the sandalwood. It is used both externally and internally to subside the effect of aggravated heat in the body. Sandalwood is easily available in the market in the form of syrup and essence, which can be taken in cold water to undo fatigue, thirst and skin burns.

In summers, when you suffer from headache due to heat, a paste made out of sandalwood can be applied on the forehead for quick relief.

There are a number of soaps, talcum and sprays made out of this herb. Not only this, beads of sandalwood are worn in ornaments to keep cool.

• HENNA: The herb of Henna provides a cooling and soothing effect. A paste made by crushing a few leaves of ‘Mehndi’ can be applied to resist a burning sensation in the soles of feet and hands. It could also benefit those suffering from headaches due to excessive heat. This paste is also advocated in some skin ailments.

• COCONUT: Coconut is sweet in taste and cold in action. According to the Ayurvedic view, coconut aids in balancing the distortion in the body systems caused by aggravation of the fire body humor. Therefore the use of coconut has been emphasized in the ailments that result from increased heat in the body. It is beneficial in curing the associated maladies like hyperacidity, gastritis, and excessive thirst and heartburn. A pain in the abdomen accompanied with burning sensation can be cured with the intake of coconut water because of its properties to subside both heat and pain.

• ASPARAGUS: Asparagus is another herb that has a cool and tranquilizing effect on the body. As it helps to subside the heat humor inside the body, it a boon for the summer seasons. Also, the herb of asparagus has a calming and soothing effect on the brain and helps to improve the intellect. In summers, if you are suffering from burning sensation in your stomach and chest due to excessive heat, you could try a decoction made out of boiling one teaspoon full of Asparagus roots in a glass of water. It can be sipped plain or with additional milk at bedtime.

• AAMLA: The fruit of Aamla is another boon for the hot climate. As it is cold by nature and has a sweet after taste, it is useful in decreasing the body heat and heat related disorders like burning sensation in eyes and in sole of the feet, increased thirst etc.

During the summers, the most often symptoms due to the elevated external heat can be relieved by taking fresh juice of the fruit or sweet jelly called ‘Aamla murabba’. These also act as a tonic to do away mental and physical fatigue. The applying a paste made of Aamla in milk can relieve burning sensation of the skin and headaches associated with a heat stroke.

• GRAPES: Grapes are soft and slimy by nature and cold in potency. The taste as well as the after taste is sweet. Being slimy and cold by nature, grapes tend to decrease the ‘Pitta’ or heat. Also the fruit of grapes is invigorating and rejuvenating. Fresh fruit or the juice extracted from the same can be taken to boost up your energy levels.Grapes are essentially beneficial in heat related maladies like burning sensation of the palms and soles, excessive perspiration, excessive thirst etc. Try a sweetened drink prepared by pounding a handful of grapes and find relief.