Summer

December is a month where Summer starts in Australia.

What a wonderful analogy we learnt in ayurveda that every action has a reaction. It also applies to the universe as well.

When it comes to the question, how many seasons are there and how does it happen?

इह खलु संवत्सरं षडङ्गमृतुविभागेन विद्यात्| तत्रादित्यस्योदगयनमादानं च त्रीनृतूञ्छिशिरादीन् ग्रीष्मान्तान् व्यवस्येत्, वर्षादीन् पुनर्हेमन्तान्तान् दक्षिणायनं विसर्गं च|| Charak Sutra 6 /4

A year is divided into six parts by seasons. This segmentation of the year (by seasons) is for the purpose of healthy regimen in different seasons.

These seasons are according to the north pole so it is obvious that it is opposite in the South Pole. (See the photos for the countries)

Season means

CHANGES IN NATURE.

CHANGES IN SUN RISE AND SUN SET.

CHANGES IN LIFESTYLE.

CHANGES OF MOOD.

CHANGES IN FOOD.

CHANGES IN PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL ATTITUDE.

We are entering into Summer by December so let’s talk about it.

FULL OF SUN = SUMMER

WHAT DO PEOPLE FEEL?

मयूखैर्जगतः स्नेहं ग्रीष्मे पेपीयते रविः| स्वादु शीतं द्रवं स्निग्धमन्नपानं तदा हितम्||

Charak Sutra 6/27

In the summer season, the Sun, by its rays, excessively dries up the environment.

So, in this season,food and drinks having sweet, cold, liquid and unctuous qualities are considered wholesome.

• HOT, DRY, LIGHT, EASILY MOBILE, BIT TIRED BECAUSE OF HIGH RAYS OF SUN.

• PEOPLE WANT TO DRINK MORE WATER TO GET HYDRATED.

• EXCESSIVE WATER INTAKE CREATES INDIGESTION ( BE MINDFUL WITH YOUR WATER INTAKE)

HOW MANY WAYS TO STAY HEALTHY ?
There are 3 ways Water, Food and Lifestyle

1. Water: To stay hydrated and feel relaxed: use Siddha Jal (medicated water)

Recipe:

Trina Panchamula contains five drugs namely kusha, kasha, nala, darbha and kandekshu. It pacifies Pitta and it is indicated in trishna/ thirst . In Bhaisajya Ratnavali, Shara is given in place of Nala. (Bhaisajya Ratnavali, Mutrakricharogadhikar 10)

Kusha – A holy grass – Desmostachya bipinnata
Kasha – kans Grass/ wild sugarcane – Saccharum spontaneum
Shara – Tough Asciatic Grass – Saccharum munja
Darbha – Kogon grass – Imperata cylindrical
Ikshu – Sugarcane – Saccharum officinarum

The above ingredients should be taken along with water in a ratio of 1:64 and then it should be reduced to half by boiling and later on filtered and used after cooling.

2. Stay Calm

To stay calm and reduce sweat:

Apply sandal paste or

Take a bath with fragrant water (rose, jasmine or sandal)

3. Nutritive Diet

According to Ayurveda,

SWEET = EARTH + WATER
SOUR = EARTH + FIRE
SALTY = WATER + FIRE
PUNGENT/ SPICY = AIR + FIRE
BITTER = AIR + SPACE
ASTRINGENT = AIR + EARTH

Sour, salty and pungent taste have FIRE in it. That means it creates excess heat in your body so it is better to avoid or reduce the consumption of that taste.

Have more of

Might you think that

Can I use spices in summer?

Yes, you can use cumin, coriander, fennel, fenugreek and turmeric.

Can I eat Mangoes?

Yes, but in moderation. To avoid indigestion add ginger powder and ghee into mango juice.

What other fruits and vegetables can I try?

You can have fruits and vegetables full of water which means juicy; Like melon, pineapple, any vegetables from the gourd family