Tips for a Gentle Ayurvedic Cleanse in Summer

The temperature is rising outside, signaling the hottest season of the year in the northern hemisphere. Have you checked your internal gauge lately? If signs of pitta imbalance (too much heat and intensity) are starting to appear, or you have a sense that ama (toxicity) may be accumulating from poor digestion, it may be time for an Ayurvedic cleanse.

A cleanse can lead to a more enjoyable summer, while also be preparing your immune system for a healthy fall and winter.

A gentle whole foods cleanse can be the perfect way to clear any leftover kapha imbalances (heaviness and stagnation) from the spring, prepare your system for the pitta season, or wash away any pitta imbalances that have already begun to accumulate. A simple Ayurvedic cleanse is a great way to reset your entire system by removing accumulated ama and strengthening digestion.

How Summer Affects Digestion

Any Ayurvedic cleanse works best when it starts with digestion, and summer is a season that calls for extra support in this area. Agni, your digestive fire, is naturally lower as the body works to keep itself cool by dispersing heat throughout the system.

That's why nature provides lighter, easier-to-digest foods in the summer. Summer fruits and vegetables also help support your liver and cleanse the digestive tract.

Healthy digestion actually supports immunity, since a major part of your immune system is found in the gut, in the form of gut-associated lymphoid tissue (NIH). By keeping your digestive system strong and healthy through the summer, these channels stay clean and ready to come to your aid when cold and flu season rolls around in the fall.

Tips for Cleansing in the Summer

How is an Ayurvedic cleanse different in the summer than other times of the year? The basics are the same. To learn more about how you can benefit from a traditional Ayurvedic cleanse and a basic seven-day home regimen, check out our guide, An Introduction to Ayurvedic Cleansing.

Below are some tweaks you can apply to customize your cleanse for the summer. You can keep it simple, and tailor it to work for you and your daily routine.

1. Use a Cooling Massage Oil.

Abhyanga (self-massage with oil) is a foundational practice in the Ayurvedic lifestyle and is excellent for balancing all three doshas while also grounding the nervous system and offering deep nourishment to the body.

You can adjust the herbal oil you use to fit the season: for example, in summer, consider Pitta Massage Oil, which offers the benefits of soothing, cooling herbs. Or, for an extra pitta-balancing experience, try Neem Oil or Neem Oil+.

2. Simplify Your Diet, and Add Vegetables and Greens.

The basics of Ayurvedic cleansing apply here: avoid all processed foods while cleansing, and enjoy simple wholesome meals with lots of vegetables and greens. You can do this throughout the summer, but during your actual cleanse, be sure to eat your veggies and greens in a cooked form. Enjoy asparagus, beet greens, cabbage, broccoli, celery, cucumbers, kale, collard greens, summer squashes, and bell peppers. Garnish your foods with fresh cilantro and a touch of coconut.

You can also try Everyday Greens to supplement your greens intake. For a simple, mono-diet style meal during the active cleansing phase, try a bowl of Cooling Mung Bean Kitchari, the traditional Ayurvedic blend of mung dal and basmati rice that's especially easy on digestion.

3. Make a Cooling Detox Tea.

CCF, a blend of cumin, coriander, and fennel, supports healthy digestion and is often considered a staple during an Ayurvedic cleanse.

Start by boiling two teaspoons of CCF Tea or Detox Digest CCF Tea in two cups of water, then reduce the heat to a simmer for five minutes. Strain and add a few fresh mint leaves for a refreshing treat. If you are experiencing high pitta, you can try Mellow Mind Tea, which has a base of CCF, along with more cooling digestive herbs. Drink warm

4. Practice Pitta-Balancing Yoga and Exercise.

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 such as hiking, swimming, tai chi, or qigong.

To further balance pitta, avoid practicing during the pitta times of day (10am–2pm). Early morning, before the sun is too hot and bright, is often a great time.

5. Support Your Cleanse with Herbal Supplements.

The Ayurvedic pharmacopeia offers several powerful herbs to cool, cleanse, and support the tissues where excess pitta tends to build:

• Blood and Skin: Cooling and cleansing herbs like neem and manjistha are great during this season. Use them together in Blood Cleanse to clear toxins from the blood and support healthy, glowing skin.

• Liver: As a predominant part of the body's cleansing system and the major seat of pitta, the liver is affected by physical and mental-emotional pitta imbalances, such as anger and frustration. You can support a healthy liver with Liver Formula.

• Intestines: When pitta accumulates in the intestines, especially the small intestine, it can lead to abdominal discomfort and overactive digestion. Amla has an affinity for cleansing pitta from the intestines, and Pitta Digest soothes excess heat, sharpness, and oiliness in the digestive tract.

Enjoy the Benefits

Once you are done with your cleanse, enjoy the light and sweet treats that summer has to offer, like berries, mangos, and watermelon. Ayurveda also recommends finding sweetness by spending time with friends and family, taking time to connect with nature, and wearing cooling colors like green and blue.

Follow the invitations of summertime, give yourself permission to slow down, rest, and play! Get outside, splash in a cool body of water, and spend your evenings bathing in the moonlight. Now, doesn't that sound like just what your pitta needs?

Frequently Asked Questions: Ayurvedic Cleansing in the Summer

How long should an Ayurvedic cleanse last in the summer?

A gentle summer Ayurvedic cleanse can run anywhere from a few days to a full week, depending on how much time you have and how your body responds. Many people start with a short, active cleansing phase of three to seven days, favoring lighter, cooked meals like kitchari and cooling herbal teas over an extended fast. The key word here is gentle. Don't stress, and don't overdo it.

If you're new to cleansing, An Introduction to Ayurvedic Cleansing walks through a simple seven-day home regimen, including which foods to favor and which Banyan herbs, like Blood Cleanse and Liver Formula, can support the process.

Is it safe to do an Ayurvedic cleanse in the summer heat?

Yes, when it's approached gently. Summer's natural warmth can actually make it a supportive time to lighten your digestion, since agni is already primed to process fresh, hydrating foods. The key is to avoid intense fasting or aggressive detox protocols that add heat and stress to a body already working hard to stay cool.

Favor cooling foods and herbs, gentle movement, such as swimming or restorative yoga, and plenty of water. If you have a health condition, are pregnant or nursing, or are new to cleansing, consult your healthcare practitioner or an Ayurvedic practitioner before starting, and consider Banyan's Pitta Digest tablets to help soothe digestion along the way.

What Banyan Botanicals products support a summer Ayurvedic cleanse?

Banyan offers a full line of organic herbs formulated for gentle, seasonal cleansing. Blood Cleanse and Liver Formula support the tissues where pitta tends to build, while Pitta Digest and amla soothe the digestive tract. Pitta Massage Oil and Neem Oil provide the same cooling support for your daily abhyanga, or self-massage.

These formulas are made with USDA Certified Organic herbs, sustainably sourced and tested for purity, so you can build your cleanse with ingredients you trust. Browse Banyan's full ayurvedic cleansing collection to find the combination that fits your constitution and your summer.

What should I eat during an Ayurvedic summer cleanse?

In general, simply aim to enjoy a clean diet: eat foods that are wholesome, seasonal, and easy to digest (for instance, processed foods, alcohol, and caffeine aren't recommended while cleansing as they all tax the digestive system). Keep meals simple, warm, and easy to digest. Favor cooked seasonal vegetables like asparagus, cucumber, and summer squash, plus a light protein source such as mung dal. Many people simplify further with a mono diet of kitchari, the traditional rice-and-dal blend that gives digestion a rest while still providing steady nourishment. Sip warm water or tea to help eliminate toxins that naturally accumulate.

Banyan's Cooling Mung Bean Kitchari recipe is a good place to start, and Kitchari Spice Mix makes it easy to season it the traditional way, without hunting down a dozen individual spices.