Everything in nature exists within cycles. We are a part of nature, therefore we also exist within cycles. Cycles are constantly ebbing and flowing from one phase into another. There is no one definitive moment where there is a distinct end point or beginning.
The Ayurvedic doshas are the primary energies that govern the different phases in a cycle. The doshas comprise varying combinations of the five elements: earth, water, fire, air and ether.
Environmental cycles have a strong impact on our holistic health because we are a result of the elemental energy we experience. Seasonal changes, therefore, impact our states of being; mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.
Awareness of the changes of different seasons and their impacts on our tendencies from a holistic perspective enables us to flow with nature. We can find harmony with nature’s cycles as opposed to developing imbalances and disease from them.
This article outlines seasonal changes from Spring to Summer – from kapha season with a prevalence of earth and water, to pitta season with a prevalence of fire. We will review the signs and tendencies of Summer imbalances and ways to prevent these imbalances to support holistic health.
Accumulation of Fire
All natural physiological and environmental patterns follow a flow of accumulation, aggravation and alleviation of the elements. This natural cycle does not in and of itself result in imbalances. It does, however, increase the likelihood for imbalances to occur.
When elemental energies (doshas) accumulate and become aggravated, they result in symptoms. If these doshas persist and become excessive, imbalances and diseases can manifest and chronic conditions can result.
During the second half of spring pitta, or fire energy, is beginning to accumulate. This is the time to begin preparing the body, mind and spirit to balance the qualities of fire: hot, sharp, light, dry, penetrating, pungent and sour. This is preventative care for pitta imbalances.
In Sanskrit, the word pitta comes from tapa. Tapa means to heat – to become hot. It also means austerity and concentration. The word pitta means the energy that creates heat. Pitta, therefore, is responsible for bodily metabolism, digestion, absorption, assimilation of food, maintenance of body temperature, appetite, thirst, taste, color, luster of eyes, hair, skin, body sensitivity and reactivity, understanding, comprehension, knowledge, courage, ambition, transformation and visual perception.
These are all processes of action and transformation.
Aggravation of Fire
When fire becomes aggravated, pitta’s governing actions will become imbalanced. Examples include acidic reflux, nausea, insatiable hunger, overactive metabolism, loose stools, burning diarrhea, profuse sweating, blood sugar imbalances, internal inflammation, skin inflammation, rashes or acne, eye issues, anger, irritability, frustration, blame, criticism and burn out-type fatigue.
People can be more prone to pitta-type imbalances if they live in hot and humid climates. People with a lot of pitta in their constitution are also more susceptible to fire-type imbalances. People in the pitta stage of life (from puberty to retirement age) are more prone, as well as people who are stressed or overworked.
Essentially, the more fire that is present in some form or another, the more likely pitta imbalances are to result.
Alleviation of Fire
The golden rule to bring balance in Ayurveda is ‘like increases like and opposites decrease.’ To bring balance to pitta qualities we can increase the qualities of cooling, calming, grounding, slow and neutral. We want to bring these qualities in starting in late Spring to prevent pitta from going out of balance in Summer.
If you are already experiencing some pitta-like symptoms, you will still benefit from the following recommendations. For best results, work with a trained Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist for both preventative care and disease management.
Nutrition:
Bring in refreshing foods that lighten the body and keep the system cool.
- Herbs such as cilantro, dill, thyme, mint and fennel cool the digestive tract;
- Cooling vegetables such as beets, rhubarb, summer squash and corn;
- Fresh greens cool the blood with the bitter taste;
- Seasonal fruits such as berries tone the tissues with the astringent taste;
- Room temperature water – never cold or iced as this will constrict the organs and prevent the proper flow of bile which is governed by pitta;
- Avoid or reduce pitta aggravating foods such as:
- spicy foods
- coffee
- fermented foods and alcohol
- salty, fried or processed foods
- citrus foods
- sour dairy products.
Here are Pitta Cooling Chutney Recipes that reduce fire with any meal.
Here is a drink to cool and nourish pitta: Ginger-Cardamom Grape Elixir Recipe.
Here is a delicious breakfast recipe that is nutrient-dense, hydrating and cooling: Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp
Lifestyle:
The healing benefits of sweet surrender cannot be understated when it comes to balancing pitta dosha.
- Pitta dosha struggles to relax. Fire energy pushes for a full schedule, driven by a sense of accomplishment. In our fast-paced modern society, consistent time to restore is vital, and especially necessary at the end of Spring and throughout Summer.
- Discover leisurely and unstructured activities that promote joy, play and laughter.
- Meditation, yoga nidra and non-competitive exercise including walking, gentle cycling, leisurely swimming and restorative yoga are all balancing.
- Exercise early in the morning before the sun is too strong.
- Cooling abhyanga, or self-massage, can be practiced with coconut oil and enhanced with the addition of aromatherapy. Cooling and relaxing essential oils include lavender, chamomile, sandalwood and rose.
- Cooling breathing practices, or pranayama, include sheetali and lunar pranayama, which stimulates the ida nadi – or the cooling lunar channel of the body – by slowly inhaling through the left nostril and exhaling through the right nostril.
Through balancing the qualities of pitta dosha at the appropriate time we can foster holistic health and flow with the cycles of nature.
Article authored by Chloe Chaput, who is dedicated to her role as a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist (CAS) to work with women’s health, male and female fertility challenges, parents/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.
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.
