Ayurveda Remedies for Sun Stroke

Human life revolves around traditions and festivals that evolved as a result of changes in climatic elements like temperature, humidity, and rains that ultimately influence harvest. Six seasons are observed in the Indian subcontinent, however, out of six seasons, three seasons are more important. Summer is a special season because it sanitizes the tropics but we are exhausted at the same time. Dr. PV Ranganayakulu, our expert on Ayurveda explains how to derive most from summer and stay healthy.

Ayurveda considers the aggravation of humor pitta is responsible for this condition. This humor is aggravated by the summer heat, therefore one should take appropriate precautions. However, those precautions are mostly impractical today due to the population rise and shrinking of the wild. So, we may simulate such ambiance in our homes. For instance, Ayurveda recommends- spend more time at waterfalls. We can make our home interiors contain more moisture with cross ventilation. Keep the indoor temperature at less than 30° C.

Heatstroke is nothing but hyperthermia, wherein the temperature of the body rises beyond our tolerable limit. This is known as ushnataap(fever with high temperature) in Ayurveda. When the core temperature of the body is elevated to 104°F and beyond the brain fails to maintain the temperature regulation system. The human body is evolved to work at 98-99°F optimally. The rise in heat inside the body is dangerous to the physiological processes that keep us alive. Some people, particularly senior citizens are more prone to suffer the effects of temperature failure.

Staying long hours in the high-temperature zone, doing excessive physical exercises, consumption of alcohol, roaming in the sun, etc ultimately fails the temperature regulation center in the brain. Failure to sweating is one of the important causes of sunstroke. When sunstroke is suspected look for these symptoms.

1. Loss of sweating
2. High body temperature
3. Confusion, agitation, delirium, seizures etc.
4. Nausea and vomiting
5. Flushed or red skin
6. Increased rate of breathing
7. Headache
8. Increases heart rate
9. Low blood pressure
10. Fainting

Therefore Ayurveda suggests that one should use herbs like gooseberry, giloy, usheer, chandan, coconut, etc to nullify the effect of heat on the body. The common remedies are:

1. Do not overexert
2. Avoid coffee, alcoholic beverages, aerated drinks
3. Rest in a cool place
4. Drink water frequently
5. Wet mopping on the body
6. Take the juice of bilwa fruit
7. Drink amla (gooseberry) juice
8. Drink coconut water
9. Drink buttermilk
10. Apply coconut oil to the scalp
11. Eat fruits with high water content like watermelon
12. Avoid salty, sour, and hot (spicy) foods
13. Eat sweet, bitter, and astringent foods
14. Eat less, drink more, and stay hydrated.
15. Enjoy flowers and fragrances

When the patient is not able to sweat in spite of high temperature around, they must be kept indoors with good ventilation. The following medicines would be beneficial to cool down the body.

1. Chandanadi Vati (two tablets twice a day)
2. Mrutasanjivani sura 25 ml twice a day

The highest temperature is recorded at 2 pm and the lowest temperature is recorded at 5 am. Therefore one should not venture into the sun between 11 am and 4 pm for better health. Those who go out should wear a white cap or carry an umbrella. The working class, who depend on manual labor for daily wages is most hit by the summer. For them drinking more water with salt and sugar would be more useful.