AYURVEDA AND ARRIVAL OF THE SOLSTICE
Updated: Jun 28, 2022
From an Ayurvedic perspective (a traditional Indian medicine, translated by some as "the science of life"), living well implies being in balance between the external environment we live in and the internal one (our mind and body). When out of balance, we may suffer from the natural and constant changes of life.
The arrival of the solstice can manifest in different ways according to each geographical location. So it is very important to understand what the winter and summer are like where you live, and how it influences your body and mind.
For those who are going through winter in a Vata moment, that is, with more restless thoughts and behaviors, with more difficulty to concentrate and more sensitivity to the cold, the cold and dry winter is extremely disturbing, so make sure to keep your body well hydrated and choose warming and digestive teas, but mild, so as not to promote more dryness. Licorice, fennel, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and ginger with mild apple are great options, the famous Chai with a bit of milk goes really well at this time too, adding more nourishment for whoever is Vata.
If you are in a Kapha phase, which is characterized by slower metabolism and digestion, lethargy, and laziness, damp cold is poison, so keep yourself warm with spicier teas like basil, thyme, pepper, cinnamon, turmeric, and ginger.
The external cold can also trigger an excessive increase in internal heat, which can throw your Pita out of balance. If you are in a phase of hot and accelerated digestion, inflammatory processes and feelings like irritability and intolerance can occur. Take care not to increase the internal fire so much, use calming teas like chamomile, fennel, and coriander.
All of those who are entering winter can benefit by enjoying the sun during the day, keeping their feet warm, and doing plenty of physical activity to heat up the body and move the energy around.
For those who entered the summer which is already itself a Pita season and full of heat, when being in a more pita state, it is important to bring lightness, taking care that the external heat does not add to the internal heat, generating an excess of this element. Teas that can help are pomegranate, hibiscus, chrysanthemum, fennel, black tea, besides the possibility of adding milk and/or honey to bring sweetness to the palate.
For those who are in a more Kapha moment, summer is an invitation for a lighter, more natural diet, seeking foods that are fresh and that receive a lot of sun. This will help bring the fire element to the kapha. For people of this dosha, consuming teas such as ginger, pomegranate, hibiscus and Chai, will intensify the feeling of heaviness and slowness that the summer heat brings with it.
For more Vata moments, summer will tend to accent dryness. So sweeter teas like those of fennel, clove, ginger, cinnamon, chamomile and apple will slow down the consequences of this trend. And light activities like hiking, yoga and conscious breathing will always support us in search of this balance!
