This time of year it is very common to get a 'pitta' or fire imbalance due to the hot weather. Luckily there are several natural methods of managing and reducing these symptoms, here are my 5 top tips...
1. Coriander water every morning! Or even better coconut and coriander water...
To make this: Crush 1 tbsp of coriander seeds (not in to powder) and place in a glass of filtered water or coconut water over night, drink first thing in the morning, every morning! This easy remedy works wonders on cooling down your whole system and clearing our any toxins that have built up in your tissues.
2. Follow a pitta reducing diet... This means cutting down on anything with qualities the same as pitta, these include hot, oily, sharp, sour substances and include foods that are pungent, sour, raw, salty, oily, very dry, fried and fermented. Caffeine and alcohol specially red wines and spirits are also very aggravating and so are vegetables that are the colour of fire such as chilli, tomato, carrot and red pepper. Cut down on any red meat and cheese too! Favour cooling and softening foods such as coconut products, potato, cooked greens, soya, gentle herbs and spices such as nutmeg, cardamom and fennel and go for sweet, bitter or astringent flavours. If you need to drink go for bitter beer, cider and sparkling wine with plenty of water.
3. Go swimming... This is a lovely cooling activity that lets your body dispel some heat and some stress which is also heat quality!
4. Find a routine, specially with sleeping, switch off your phone an hour before bed, make sure your room is well ventilated, drink a cup of almond or coconut milk with a pinch of cardamom and nut meg before sleeping and breath 20 deep breaths holding down your right nostril, this is introducing lunar energy and will help your body relax. It is better if you have a general routine for eating too, eating at regular times each day and not too late in the evening.
5. Go for a walk in the evening when it gets cooler, the cool breeze will be great for you and even better with the company of a non controlling friend.
