Now that we are at the end of September, the heat and humidity reach their last days. A noticeable shift has happened in the air. The mornings are cooler and reveal the inevitable presence of autumn.
While the summer happens externally, what happens internally? According to the Ayurvedic theory, our bodies reflect the transitions of the seasons. We are indeed a small snapshot of the universe. Whether you thrive in the heat, the summer still influences each of us.
Summer is ruled by the passionate and sharp Pitta Dosha. Compiled from the Elements of Fire and Water, you may notice that these elements occur more often in the summer. After three months of baking in the heat, we all start to absorb some extra fire in our systems. Symptoms of accumulated heat include:
- Irritability
- Result or hives
- Acne
- Headache
- Sour indigestion
- Sour farmers
- Impatience
- Fury
This is the time to cool the body not to bring that extra heat in the fall.
A great way to pacify Pitta Dosha is to record rose In your daily routine. The sweet scent of Rose is romantic and has an affinity with the heart. The softening of the heart ensures more openness and less anger and irritability. Why don’t you try roses? Rose oil, rose water and rose tea are good places to start.
Rose Essential Oil
Rose Essential Oil is usually very cooling. White rose oil is most suitable for Pitta. Yellow and red roses are both considered as heating and more conducive to Vata types.
Rose Essential Oil is calming, helps prevent negative dreams, to prevent harmless care and to prevent agitation and to promote sound sleep.
To use: Add a drop of rose oil to a generous amount of coconut oil (which also cools down) and gently massage the feet at night before bedtime. I would recommend this routine during the warmer months. However, while it starts to cool down, you switch to another basic oil such as sesame, sunflower or almond oil.
Rose water
You can find this jewel in most natural food stores in the aisle for Health and Beauty. Rosewater is an excellent way to cool off dry, itchy, red eyes. I often advise clients to keep a bottle on their desk to spray their eyes every hour or so. This practice is especially useful if people stares at a screen for hours every day. Moreover, the scent is refreshing and uplifting, perfect for work.
Note: It is crucial to buy 100% pure rose water. Dyes or synthetic scents should not be near the eyes.
Pink tea
Cool yourself internally with a refreshing cup of rose tea. Roses are considered sattvicOr pure and light. Use this tea to tame an irritated mind and open the heart. Below are instructions about making a cold or hot rose tea infusion.
Cold infusion
Ingredients:
- 1 hanging teaspoon of dried organic rose petals
- 1 cup of water
Instructions:
- Add 1 rounded teaspoon and 1 cup of cool water to a pintball pot.
- Screw the lid tightly and let it steep in your fridge overnight.
- Sieve and enjoy at room temperature.
Hot infusion
Ingredients:
- 1-2 cups of fresh, organic rose petals
- 3 cups of water
Instructions:
- Place rose petals in a saucepan with 3 cups of water.
- Cook for 5 minutes.
- Sieve and serve – Add a dash of maple syrup for sweet (honey is heated).
I encourage you to start integrating rose essential oil, water or tea in your daily rhythm. You will not only find lighting of stored summer heat, but you will feel refreshing, feel floating and you might might soften some in the area around your heart. Enjoy!
Writer Lauren Sauer graduated from the Kripalu school of Ayurveda and a certified 500 hours of Kripalu Ayurvedic yoga teacher. As an Ayurvedic health adviser, she is passionate about teaching others to become their own health care lawyer, to live with the rhythms of nature and simply delay and breathe. She currently lives in the beautiful Berkshires as an intern at the Kripalu school of Ayurveda.
Only for educational purposes. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent a disease or to sell a product.
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