Summer-fresh into autumn!

What is good in summer? What does it mean when our Pitta dosha increases during the most beautiful time of the year? The ancient Ayurvedic texts describe the dosha rhythms very precisely and provide tips for the different times of day and year. This way, we can keep our constitution optimally balanced. Because, according to Ayurvedic health teachings, health is a completely natural state, and we can maintain it if we do not disturb our body too much. The seasonal recommendations are therefore very valuable and help us particularly when a dosha has become imbalanced.

Here are some of the best tips for the Pitta season, now in late summer and early autumn.

Sour makes you cheerful?

This old adage does not necessarily apply to Pitta types or if we have accumulated an excess of Pitta due to external influences, e.g., stress or heat, in summer and early autumn. This is because Pitta has sour and pungent qualities, which is why Pitta types tend to be acidic. With a Pitta imbalance, we don't become cheerful; instead, we become more irritable or bad-tempered.

To avoid further increasing elevated Pitta, it is best to choose foods and drinks that are not too sour, salty, or pungent. Therefore, you should avoid sour fruits, vinegar, (undiluted) yogurt, coffee, black tea, or alcohol.

Everything with a sweet, bitter, and astringent taste is good now, e.g., sweet fruits, cream, milk. Drink enough. Pitta tea (cooled to room temperature if necessary), peppermint, fennel, or chamomile tea, as well as cooling lassi (yogurt diluted with water) are ideal and help to de-acidify.

The use of Ghee (pure clarified butter), with its sweet, cool, and soft properties, also helps to balance Pitta. Use one or two teaspoons when cooking or stir a small amount into milk.

Relax and take care of yourself

Avoid strong and prolonged heat influences such as hot showers or baths, saunas, sunbathing, etc.; however, do not take cold showers either, but rather lukewarm or at a temperature that is comfortable for you, as cold influences can cause Pitta to rise again in a counter-movement.

Full-body oil massages with Pitta massage oil or coconut oil in the morning are wonderfully cooling, relaxing, and soothing. You can also massage your head and feet with coconut oil before going to bed. Try it out – you will be surprised by the balancing effect.

Create your personal work-life balance

This Ayurvedic recommendation is particularly important if your Pitta dosha is already out of balance. Even short regeneration phases during the day are an important step back to equilibrium.

After lunch, stay seated for a few minutes, and occasionally check in with yourself to see if you feel exhausted or rushed. In such moments, consciously take a short break to slow down, lean back, and close your eyes.

Fixed meal times are beneficial: light breakfast and dinner, with lunch being the main meal – ideally between 12 and 2 PM.

Leisure time = time to enjoy

Regular exercise is also beneficial, but be careful not to overexert yourself.

And if possible, take a daily walk – preferably in nature, through the forest, or near bodies of water. A short evening walk also helps regenerate. In the evenings, you should ideally avoid working or watching exciting movies. Enjoy some time for yourself to relax, appreciate nature, read a good book, listen to relaxing music. All light, playful activities bring balance.

Go to bed as early as possible, as rest is important for your balance. Perhaps you can use a fragrance lamp or diffuser with sweet and Pitta-calming scents in your bedroom.