Beauty is more than skin deep. The health of the skin mirrors the health of the internal body. Ayurveda as a holistic medical science evaluates the story the skin has to tell through its color and tone, texture and moisture, elasticity and firmness and the presence of rashes, lesions, pimples or acne. These variables all provide clues as to the internal functioning of the body and the Self.
Ayurveda understands that we are strongly impacted by our environment and by the changes in our environment. For example, in summer, we experience a lot of changes internally and externally that relate to the qualities of the season. Summer is the season of high fire in Ayurveda, or “Pitta Season”. It is marked by heat, light, intensity, and transformation, which in turn, increases these qualities within us.
When we cultivate these qualities in a balanced way, we enjoy a balanced physiology, even emotions, a clear sense of purpose and motivation, and healthy glowing skin. When imbalanced or poorly managed, these qualities can become excessive and contribute to imbalances such as anger, irritability, criticism (of self and others), heartburn, loose or burning stools, inflammation and skin eruptions.
The cardinal signs of inflammation are: calor (heat), rubor (redness), tumor (swelling) and dolor (pain). The skin, therefore, is an excellent diagnostic tool for these imbalances because it is usually the first to show the signs of excess fire (inflammation) accumulating in the body. In Summer, heat and humidity increase oil production and clog sebaceous glands, exacerbating redness, flushing and rosacea symptoms. Blocked sweat ducts can also cause itchy red bumps and dehydration can result in dry, flaky skin.
Liver & Skin Health
Skin conditions worsen in the summer because of the direct relationship between pitta dosha (heat or fire), the liver (the seat of pitta in the body) and skin (the receptor of pitta’s metabolic actions). The liver is considered the main organ where pitta resides and exerts influence. It is responsible for digestion, metabolism, and regulation of body heat. The liver breaks down substances, detoxifies the blood, produces bile, processes hormones, and regulates blood sugar. Because of its role in regulating these crucial physiological functions, the liver is essential to overall health, including that of the body’s largest organ: the skin.
Keeping Pitta Dosha in Balance – Summer Liver & Skin Health
To support the liver and skin during the hot, pitta-aggravating summer months, choose a few simple nutrition and lifestyle recommendations that work for you, keeping in mind that even a few small changes can go a long way toward creating balance.
- Avoid hot, spicy spices and use mild-moderate spices when cooking. Coriander, cardamom, fennel, dill, cilantro, and mint are all predominantly cooling. Turmeric and saffron are moderate spices that have an affinity for liver and skin health and offer anti-inflammatory benefits, especially when combined with other herbs.
- Follow an anti-inflammatory diet by reducing all processed sugars and foods, sodas, candies and packaged goods. Learn more about Fighting Inflammation with Ayurveda or try one of our anti-inflammatory recipes here.
- Enjoy restful sleep by winding down before the pitta time of night (10pm) and aiming for 7-9 hours of sleep. This is important because the liver does a lot of its detoxification work during restorative sleep. See our article on Ayurvedic Sleep Rhythms.
- Cooling breath practices such as sheetali pranayama calms pitta dosha by promoting flow of water and air elements in the body.
- Practice a cooling meditation.
- Avoid excessive exercise, which can overheat and deplete the waters of the body and internal tissues. Favor instead gentle body movements, walking, stretching and swimming.
- Yoga postures that help to relieve excess pitta dosha include twists and gentle forward folds.
- A coconut oil abhyanga or self-oil massage supports the skin, cools the body, and nourishes the nervous system.
- Rosewater eyewash has cooling effect on the eyes and the mind by reducing excess heated emotions.
- HYDRATION HYDRATION HYDRATION – keep the body calm and cool from the inside out. Drink filtered room-temperature water outside food, or try our Grape-Cardamom Elixir or make a Cooling Hibiscus Licorice Tea. Hibiscus flowers are known energetically to help purify the blood and the physical and emotional heart; they also improve skin complexion, reduce excess menstrual bleeding and help promote hair growth.
- Alteratives are herbs that support skin health through purification of the blood and liver. These include aloe vera, burdock, neem, sandalwood, manjistha, dandelion, red clover and yellow dock, among others. These herbs should only be taken under the advisement of a qualified Ayurvedic clinician who can ensure safe consumption and combination with other herbs or prescriptions.
- If supplementing with collagen to improve skin texture and elasticity, be sure to use a high-quality fish peptide collagen formula such as LifeVantage’s TrueScience Liquid Collagen, which also includes antioxidant support and Vitamin C supplementation. LifeVantage is an affiliate partner of Path Wellbeing, LLC.
See our article Balancing Pitta: Ayurvedic Practices for the Fire Season for more information.
Things to Avoid – Liver & Skin Health
- Avoid heavy dairy products such as cheese, milk and yogurt. Heavy dairies can clog the channels and prevent absorption and assimilation of nutrients and detoxification.
- Reduce red meat consumption. Red meat can also be hard to digest and is considered heating and rajasic, according to Ayurvedic metabolic energetics.
- Excess sun exposure can cause further skin inflammation, cause sun-poisoning and increase your risk for skin cancer. Enjoy time outside in the early morning and evening, when the sun is less intense.
- Don’t smoke, avoid pharmaceuticals as much as possible and reduce alcohol consumption. The liver has to work overtime to filter out the toxins left by these substances. By reducing its workload, the liver has more time and energy to focus on healing and detoxification.
- Avoid breathing in toxic fumes from cleaning products, paint or solvents because this can damage the liver. If you want to paint walls, for example, open windows, turn on fans and wear a mask. Always use gentle, non-toxic cleaning products.
- Many personal products and cosmetics are laden with endocrine disruptors and toxic chemicals that pose a long-term risk to your health and wellbeing. The liver is responsible for processing and detoxifying these chemicals from your body after they have been absorbed into your bloodstream through your skin. Ditch the dirty cosmetics and make healthier non-toxic choices.
You can NOURISH your way through the summer months.
Because skin health is essential to overall health, many find comfort just in knowing that you don’t have to suffer through heat and humidity or the symptoms of increased acne, redness, flushing and rashes. You can calm and cool the body and the Self with simple nutrition, herbal and lifestyle remedies that work for you.
Whether you’re just starting to notice signs of imbalance, or experience pitta-type skin conditions regularly, we hope these guidelines can support you. Remember to create time for stillness that fosters the clarity of your goals and purpose. Just as the moon and darkness of the nighttime balance the intense heat of the day, our intentional actions to slow down and nurture ourselves balance the the internal flame that drives our goals and motivation. When the elements within us are in balance, that balance is reflected throughout. Beauty is more than skin deep. The health of the skin mirrors the health of the internal body.
Article authored by Chloe Chaput, who is dedicated to her role as a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist to work with women’s health, male and female fertility challenges, parents or caregivers, and children to address a variety of clinical health concerns at the root of their cause. Contact Path Wellbeing today to set up your appointment with Chloe Chaput, CAS.
Edited by Kirsten Ahern, Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist and Founder of Path Wellbeing.
The information contained within this article is for educational purposes only and should not replace the direct advice of a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. Always consult a medical or other professional healthcare provider when considering a new health regime.
