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Ayurvedic Insight
Issue #10, July 2002
In this Issue
Ayurvedic Lifestyle Tips To Keep You Cool This Summer
At first, Ayurvedic terminology may seem a little hard to grasp,
but once you learn the basics it can be quite easy to understand and
apply to your life. Then you can use the age-old wisdom to maintain
balance throughout your life’s many seasons and transitions.
In applying Ayurvedic principles, one of the first things to learn
and remember is that “like increases like.” So, just as
you wouldn’t turn the heat on in your home in the peak days
of summer, it is unwise to increase the heat inside your body when
it’s already hot outside. Rather you should make simple lifestyle,
dietary and herbal choices, which help you stay cool and calm. Last
month we shared some specific diet tips to help you beat the summer
heat. This month, we invite you to combine those dietary changes with
activities that keep you cooler and calmer.
General guidelines are: some of pitta’s qualities are hot,
penetrating, sharp and oily – similar to the qualities of summer.
So, if we remember the principle of like increases like, we realize
that things that are hot, penetrating, sharp and oily can aggravate
the heat in our body and manifest things like heat rashes and other
skin irritations. We can remedy this by applying opposites to the
qualities of pitta. How?
Be sure to engage in a routine and eat foods that possess opposite
qualities by making plenty of time for cool, playful and calming activities.
Combine this type of activity with a healthy diet and herbal regimen
and you can limit or alleviate conditions caused by excess heat.
You will be less prone to heat rashes, skin irritations, inflammations,
infections, boils, hyperacidity and diarrhea. You are also likely
to enjoy a dramatic decrease in states of impatience, anger and intolerance.
So, if you have a fiery (pitta) personality or just find yourself
aggravated by the heat, notice whether or not you are engaging in
enough soothing activities and encouraging a flow of positive thoughts.
Here are some specific Ayurvedic adjustments to help you avoid heat
aggravation and maintain a healthier state of balance this summer:
- Get plenty of fresh air by taking nice walks or otherwise engaging
in a moderate exercise routine during the cool times of day/night.
- Everyday, just before you shower, indulge in a 15-minute self-massage
with sunflower, coconut or pitta massage oil. This will make your
skin cooler and less irritable. You’ll also enjoy healthy luster
and glow.
- Surround yourself with sweet smells, scenes and company.
- Listen to soft, peaceful music.
- Meditate or practice personal prayer or reflection, daily.
- Eat foods and spices that are light and naturally cooling like
bitter vegetables, coconuts, berries, cilantro, fennel.
- Limit or avoid foods spiced with chili peppers, cayenne, dried
ginger, mustard seeds and other hot spices.
- Wear light, well-ventilated clothing in cooling colors such as
white, blue and purple.
- Try to be positive and encourage yourself to be patient and tolerant.
- Avoid overly critical or judgmental thoughts.
- If you are having trouble sleeping because you are overheated,
try sleeping on your right side, it’s often an effective way
to cool the system.
- Favor refreshing activities like swimming and a gentle yoga routine.
- Wear sunscreen if you’re going to be outdoors as sunburns
are especially pitta-aggravating.
- On an otherwise ordinary evening, try basking in the light of
the moon for 20 minutes or so. No tan, but it is very cooling, peaceful
and calming.
- Avoid hot tubs or steam rooms, instead go for a cool dip in the
pool or swim in the ocean.
- Be sure to take long, slow, deep breaths while you are waiting
in traffic or otherwise stuck in the heat of summer.
- If you have a yoga practice, consider replacing sun salutations
with moon salutations for the duration of the summer.
- Observe a routine with regular times for rest, relaxation and
play.
- Take pitta-pacifying herbs. Blood Cleanse is particularly good
for cooling the blood and limiting skin irritations.
Liver Formula is especially helpful for a sluggish liver and emotions
of excess anger and aggression. Digest Ease is useful for heat related
digestive complaints like hyperacidity, acid reflux and heartburn.
Amalaki, a key ingredient in Triphala, is a natural anti-oxidant commonly
taken in conjunction with Digest Ease for those with sensitive digestive
systems due to heat in the GI tract.
We hope you enjoy the healthiest summer ever and stay cool, calm
and balanced with Banyan Botanicals.
Special thanks to Dr. Claudia Welch for her contributions to this
list.
Balanced By Banyan Botanicals has been created in
response to the numerous calls and emails we have received from clients
who have achieved greater health through the use of our products and
services. We proudly pass these true stories along to you - hoping
to inspire you on your journey toward improved health and ever-increasing
happiness.
Victory Over Bronchitis
"I was suffering from an acute case of bronchitis for several
months. After having visited the doctor and taking antibiotics, I
found little or no improvement. While browsing the Internet I came
across your site and ordered the Lung Formula. I have been using it
for one week and my chest is totally clear and all irritating coughing
is already gone. Please accept my heartfelt thanks to your company
and staff for the wonderful work that you are doing."
Nandlal Jadoonanan
South Richmond Hill, NY
Recipe: Cool As A Cucumber Raita
Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh yogurt
- 1/4 cup cucumber, peeled and finely diced
- 1 tablespoon fresh scallions, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger root, peeled and finely grated
- 1/8 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped coriander leaves
Simply combine all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl.
This goes well with most curries, dals and Indian dishes. Other vegetables,
such as grated daikon radish or carrot, can also be used here.
Comments: This is used as a condiment and is fine
for occasional use of pitta & kapha types, and regular use for
vata.
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