Maharishi Ayurveda Scotland

Maharishi Ayurveda Seasonal Health Advice

From our Online Maharishi Ayurveda Physician - Dr Donn Brennan

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PITTA SEASON (July to October)

Dr Donn Brennan"Summer is the season when Pitta dosha is most predominant. Pitta is the hot, fiery element - keeping cool and enjoying being near water is very natural. Favour cool food and drink but avoid ice-cold drinks, especially after eating. Have more recreation and enjoy pitta-reducing foods." - Dr. Donn Brennan

Summer
Now the sun is high. Nature is in full bloom. It is pitta season. Time to enjoy. The qualities of pitta predominate at this time of the year, from May to August. So the kapha aspect of our nature, which had reached its height in May, starts to spontaneously decline. The mood lifts as the fine weather arrives. We want to get out and enjoy.

Cool Down the Intensity of Pitta
Naturally as pitta arises within us we take steps to keep it balanced. Pitta is intense. So it is now essential for us to chill out. Otherwise we may suffer road rage or other pitta imbalances as the season progresses. Take a holiday. Get out and enjoy nature. Also enjoy family and friends. Organise a picnic with friends. Golf. Walk the hills. Do plenty of whatever you enjoy. Swim.

Be in Your Element - Water
Now there is something special for summer. Water. Pitta is the element of fire. So water is best for cooling pitta. Walk by water. Swim. Sail. Surf. Or even just sit and look at it. Be by a waterfall. Above all drink it. We need more fluids in summer and water is the best. Your daily shower should be cool now, not hot and consider a second cool shower on a very hot day.

Where Does Pitta Reside in the Body?
There are special locations in the body where pitta predominates and these warrant special attention in summer. Stomach and liver are two and they are kept balanced by choosing the appropriate foods for pitta. These are all the foods you are naturally drawn to in summer. Salads, sweet fruit and fruit juices, etc. Looking at the pitta food list now is just confirming what you would most enjoy in summer. Another site of pitta is the skin. So protect it from the intense sun. Another, the eyes, so wear your sunglasses. Another, the heart, which is soothed by your enjoying life.

Pitta Pacifying Diet

a) The most important principles include:
Favour juicy, cooling foods with high water content. Avoid hot spices (chillies, cayenne, etc.), alcohol, vinegar, fried foods, tomatoes, yogurt and cheese.

Also, food should be fresh and organic if possible. Avoid left-overs, packaged, canned or bottled foods, processed foods, preservatives, artificial ingredients and salty foods.

b) Favour the Following Foods:
An asterisk * after the item means it is especially helpful to favour or to avoid that particular food.

GENERAL: Cool to lukewarm drinks according to preference. Favour sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes.

GRAINS: Wheat, white rice (basmati, jasmine, etc.) barley, oats, quinoa, kamut, amaranth, couscous.

LEGUMES: Mung beans, small kidney beans, non-fermented soy bean products (tofu is OK, avoid tempeh). All others OK in moderation.

VEGETABLES: Asparagus, artichokes, yellow squash*, zucchini*, okra, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, green beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, peas, cilantro*, sprouts, lettuce, chard*, Brussel sprouts, parsley, cucumber*, kale*, bok choy*, winter squashes*, sweet corn, all green leafy vegetables* except spinach.

DAIRY: Milk* (boiled and served cool to warm), butter, ghee*, sweet lassi*, cream, panir (homemade cheese from milk).

SWEETENERS: Whole, natural sugar cane (in small amounts,) date sugar.

OILS: Ghee* is best. Olive or coconut oils.

NUTS & SEEDS: Pumpkin seeds. Blanched almonds in small amounts.

SPICES: Coriander*, cilantro*, cumin, turmeric, saffron, fennel*, cardamom, parsley*, fresh basil.

FRUITS: Sweet grapes, avocado, sweet mango, coconut, melons*, sweet plums, persimmon, pomegranate, sweet apples, sweet pears, raisins, dates.

c) Reduce the Following Foods:
An asterisk * after the item means it is especially helpful to avoid that particular food.

GENERAL Pungent* (hot, spicy), sour and salty tastes. Vinegar*, alcohol* and acidic* foods.

GRAINS Corn, millet, rye, buckwheat, brown rice.

VEGETABLES Tomatoes* and tomato sauce*, radish, onions, carrots, beets, spinach*.

FRUITS Grapefruit*, olives*, orange*, peach, sour grapes*, pineapple*, berries*, prunes, banana*, lemon*, lime*, cherries. Avoid any sour fruits.

DAIRY Yogurt*, cheese* (especially aged and salty such as feta or blue cheese,) sour cream, cream cheese.

SWEETENERS Molasses, brown sugar, honey.

OILS Almond, corn, safflower, sesame*, canola.

SPICES Chili peppers*, cayenne*, onion, garlic*, mustard seeds*, cloves, celery seeds, fenugreek, catsup*, mustard*, asafoetida (hing.)*, ginger, black pepper, soy sauce.

Pay Attention to the Rhythm of Pitta

Pitta times of the day:
Pitta 10am - 2pm   Digestion is strongest so have lunch as your largest meal
Pitta 10pm - 2am   Sleep, Metabolic "housecleaning"

For optimal health and healing, we need to align our behaviour to gain maximum support from the natural, rhythmic swings of Vata, Pitta and Kapha activity. Simply stated we want "support of nature" for our most important physiological activities.

Disregarding the laws of nature leads to illness. Living in accord with natural law brings the full support of the healing power of nature that underlies the growth and development of all living things. This is one of life's basic lessons and a guiding principle of Ayurveda.

Rose: The Gift of Summer - Balancing Sadhaka Pitta

Maharishi Ayurveda places the rose at the pinnacle of the flower kingdom. The essence of roses contains over 3,000 different bio chemicals, making it the most complex of all aromatic oils. Rose oil has been prized throughout the ages as a way to calm the emotions, soothe stress, cool frustration, and cultivate love.

"The rose has been used in India for a long, long, time," says Vaidya R.K. Mishra, Director of Research at Maharishi Ayurveda Products International. "In Maharishi Ayurveda it is used to help alleviate depression, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, and memory loss. It is also used to enhance beauty."

According to the ayurvedic texts, it is not a coincidence that the rose is associated with romance, because it balances Sadhaka Pitta, the subdosha of Pitta that governs the emotions and their effect on the heart.

Sadhaka Pitta can go out of balance more easily in summer, when the hot, humid weather increases all aspects of Pitta dosha, the mind-body operator that governs heat, digestion, and metabolism in the body.

Traditional preparations of the rose include the essential oil and Rose Petal Conserve. Rose Petal Conserve contains dozens and dozens of dried rose petals, making it a concentrated, potent means for balancing the emotions. But if you cannot find it, Rose Water can be substituted. Add it to lassi or milk for a refreshing, cooling drink.

Recommended Ayurvedic Products for the Pitta Season

All the following products are available from Edinburgh and Glasgow TM Centres.

Pitta Churna is good during the Pitta season, especially for those with a Pitta body-type. Churnas are blends of herbs and spices which may be sprinkled over food or used in cooking. It provides a balance of all the 6 food tastes which Maharishi Ayurveda considers important in healthy eating.

Pitta Tea is cooling and refreshing blend of Cardamon, Liquorice, Ginger, Cinnamon and Dried Rose Petals. Maharishi Ayurveda Herb and Spice Teas are formulated according to traditional Ayurvedic recipes from the finest natural ingredients. They are delicious to drink hot or cold, entirely caffeine- free, and designed to promote balance and positive health.

Ghee or Clarified Butter is highly prized in Maharishi Ayurveda especially for Pitta body-types.

Massage Oil: for the daily oil massage recommended by Maharishi Ayurveda Coconut oil can be a cooler oil than Sesame oil for the summer.

Almond Energy: an all natural sumptuous drink which helps to strengthen body and mind.

Aller-Tabs: this herbal offers comprehensive nutritional support from a complete ayurvedic formula that strengthens the body's natural resistance to allergens, such as pollen.

Aroma oils for ayurvedic balance:
Use in a diffuser or sprinkle a few drops in your bath and relax!
Pitta Blend - Cooling: The sweet smell of Pitta blend aroma oil works olfactory magic. To cool your body and soothe your mind. When it is hot outside, when your skin feels sensitive, or when you feel plain irritable or impatient- USE IT !!!
Even Temper - for life's pressures. When pressure makes you see red the chances are that Pitta, the Ayurvedic principle that creates a hot temper, is out of balance. Take a deep breath and allow the cooling blend of pure essential oils to restore inner harmony.

General Principles for Healthy Eating

Proper Food Preparation

Sesame Oil Massage

Before bathing, take some warm ripened sesame oil, (or in the Pitta season you may prefer a cooler oil such as coconut), and gently massage the body, paying special attention to the head, ears and feet. Use a circular motion over the joints, stomach and breasts, and longitudinal motions over the long bones and sternum. Leave for up to 20 minutes and lightly wash off. Soap is optional!

Ghee or Clarified Butter

Take 250g or more unsalted butter and melt slowly in a large pan. Gently simmer for 30-40 minutes. When the frothing has stopped and the ghee is clear and golden brown, remove from the heat and strain through muslin into glass jars. Ghee does not need to be refrigerated.
Ghee has many fine qualities according to ayurveda. Used in cooking it enhances the sattva or pure quality in food. Also it acts as a digestive. It is good for both Vata and Pitta.

One Day Wonder

Revitalize from the stress of everyday life with the sumptuous treatments known as Panchakarma. Deeply relaxing, One Day Wonders effectively eliminate the harmful effects of stress and fatigue. Contact Edinburgh or Glasgow TM centre to book your place.

Raw Foods

Those with strong digestions, usually those with Pitta constitution, may take some raw foods. Raw foods are best taken at lunch when digestion is strongest. E.g. grated carrot, beetroot (without vinegar), bean sprouts, parsley, fresh ginger.

Further Reading

“Contemporary Ayurveda” by Hari Sharma and Christopher Clark
“A Woman’s Best Medicine” by Nancy Lonsdorf et al
“Freedom from Disease” by Hari Sharma

 

The Twenty Approaches of Maharishi Ayurveda include: