Your Ayurvedic Guide to Summer + Iced Herbal Infusion Recipe

Welcome to Pitta season!  

Since today is the solstice, and the official first day of Summer, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to share my Ayurvedic Summer tips and recipes.  

In Ayurveda, it is said that like increases like and opposites balance; Have you ever wondered why some people are sun-worshippers, relishing the heat of Summer with a heightened sense of vibrancy and harmony, while others feel uncomfortable and lethargic, pining for the crisp lightness of Winter?  

Depending on your constitution, Summer may feed your energy by stoking your internal fire, or it can aggravate the innate tendencies of a more hot-natured (Pitta-dominant) individual. Those in the latter category may find themselves struggling with skin irritation or breakouts, digestive issues like heartburn or acid reflux, inflammation, and extreme perfectionism or even obsessive compulsive behaviours.

Since Summer is characterized by long days of bright sun, sharp heat, and intensity (all characteristics that are directly in line with the Pitta dosha), the best way to avoid the symptoms of an overabundance of Pitta in the system is to adopt an Ayurvedic seasonal routine that focuses on grounding and cooling, which in turn allows us to enjoy the unique gifts that Summertime has to offer without any unpleasant side effects.

𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲

Most people find it beneficial to go to bed early and rise with the sun this time of year, and to get some movement in early in the day. Before you bathe, you can try massaging with a light coating of Pitta-soothing oil, like coconut or sunflower oil, which helps to calm the nervous system and cool the body. Summer is also an ideal time to spend time in nature, and emphasize rest and relaxation. You can practice grounding by standing barefoot on the earth, swimming in a natural body of water, or sitting for a meditation with your back against a tree.  

𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲

While Summer is a great season to be active, exercise is very heating, and it’s important to workout intentionally and at the appropriate level of intensity. It’s best avoided during the heat of the day (between 10AM and 2PM), and it’s important not too push too hard. Exercising at 50-70% of your maximum capacity, and breathing through your nose, will both help to avoid an over-accumulation of Pitta. There are also some excellent yoga poses designed to massage, strengthen, clear, and detoxify the solar plexus (abdominal cavity, which holds the most heat). If you enjoy yoga, you can try to incorporate Cat/Cow, Cobra, seated or reclined twists, and Child’s Pose into your practice.  

𝗗𝗶𝗲𝘁

Summer is a time to favour light, bitter, and astringent foods. Since our digestive fire (or “agni”) is already primed by the Pitta climate, we are better able to tolerate raw fruits and veggies this time of year, and nature enthusiastically provides, with abundant in-season produce to enjoy plenty of fresh fruits, salads, and smoothies. It’s best to avoid heating spices, excessive sugars, or congesting or acidic foods like coffee. Instead, I love to make a new iced herbal infusion every week to keep in the fridge, so I have something hydrating and refreshing to sip on after my workouts or whenever I’m starting to feel the heat.  

This week, I made a Nettle Infusion with turmeric, ginger, and lemon.  Besides their natural bitter and astringent qualities, nettles stimulate liver detoxification, clear inflammation, and act as a natural Antihistamine, helping to reduce the symptoms of seasonal allergies.  And although ginger is heating by nature, it is also tonifying and well-tolerated by most dosha-types. You can leave it out if you prefer.

Nettle Infusion

 4 cups of filtered water

 3 nettle tea bags (you can also use loose leaf)

 1-inch piece fresh ginger, roughly chopped

 1-inch piece fresh turmeric root (you can also use 2 turmeric tea bags)

 Juice from 1/2 a lemon

Sweetener, if desired (I like to use stevia, as it is the least heating, but you could also add a Tablespoon or two of honey or coconut sugar)

Bring water, nettles, ginger, and turmeric to a boil in a medium pot. Remove from heat and let steep for 30 minutes. Stir in lemon juice and sweetener, and refrigerate until chilled. Will keep for 3-5 days in the fridge.

*If you would like some added electrolytes, you can also add a pinch of Pink Himalayan or Celtic sea salt.