Pitta cooling foods and drinks are an easy way to stay cool during the summer, which is not just challenging for Pittas. Every body type needs to be mindful of staying cool during the hot summer months.
Pitta dosha governs metabolism and transformation in the body, including digestion. Pitta is associated with heat, and its effects are especially felt during the hot summer.
“Pittam sasneha tikshnoshnam laghu visram, saram dravam“
Pitta is oily, sharp, hot, light, fleshy-smelling, spreading, and liquid.
— Ashtanga Hrdayam: Sutrasthana I:11
Signs of an aggravated Pitta can be seen in these mind and body symptoms.
Pitta Imbalance Symptoms: Mind
- Irritability
- Anger
- Impatience
- Judgment
- Criticism
- Jealousy/Envy
- Frustration
- Excessive perfectionist tendencies
Pitta Imbalance Symptoms: Body
- Intense hunger
- Excessive hunger
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Hiccups
- Acid reflux
- Heartburn
- Loose stools/diarrhea
- Low blood sugar
- Sensitivity to spicy and/or fried foods
- Inflammation of the stomach or esophagus
- Appendicitis
- Peptic ulcers
The very first and easiest way too cool down Pitta is following a Pitta-pacifying diet, which can help keep this fiery element in balance. Here are some general guidelines on Pitta cooling foods and drinks and how best to have them.
Use cooling herbs and spices in your cooking. Additional easy ways to add more cooling herbs to your daily life are takras and lassis, teas or chutneys. Scroll down for a simple Coconut Mint Chutney recipe which falls right in line with Pitta cooling foods.
Coconut Mint Chutney Recipe
One of my favorite things to make in the summer are coconut mint chutneys, an Indian condiment.
1 cup shredded dried coconut
1/4 whole lime, juiced
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
1 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp honey
2 pinch pink Himalayan salt
1/4 cup water
Roast the mustard seeds until they begin to pop. Add all ingredients to a food processor and blend.
Enjoy and stay cool for the summer!
About the Author
Tanja Bungardt-Price is a certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, educator, certified yoga teacher; member of the faculty for ayurveda studies, yoga teacher training, at Heaven Meets Earth in Evanston, Illinois; Ayurveda lecturer at the UofA Integrative Medicine Program, and member of NAMA. Tanja and her husband Bill Price, a certified Panchakarma therapist, own Ananda Ayurveda & Yogalish in Tucson, Arizona.
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