Hyderabad: In India, the months of May and June come with prickly heat and bright sun right on top of our head, until finally, rain relieves the scorching summers.
Dr S Yasmin, MD in Ayurveda and Assistant Professor in SASSAS Ayurveda Medical College, Andhra Pradesh says, “The summer season is known as 'Grishma Ritu' in Ayurveda. High humid temperatures cause Hyperthermia as well as dehydration in the body. Ayurveda has identified the seasonal change, its influence on the bodily mechanisms, its ability to cause disease and death in extreme conditions. Ayurveda recommends several ways and means to protect the body from the heatwave and restore health”.
Therefore, to your rescue and to “Beat the Heat”, Dr Yasmin recommends the following tips that will help alleviate excessive heat from your body.
FOOD TIPS
Green Gram/Moong salad
Take a cup of moong dal and soak for 2 to 3 hours in water and strain it. Keep them in a clean cloth and tie. Hang this or keep it in a cool and dry place. Next morning add a little sugar or jaggery and eat on an empty stomach. It is easy to digest too.
Raisins (Kishmish)/Grapes Drink
Soak raisins in cold water overnight. Next morning, churn it manually, filter and add a little sugar (optional) and drink it. It provides electrolytes, minerals like sodium and potassium. Cold grape juice too soothes the body.
Turmeric & Honey Mix
Take 1g of turmeric, 1 Tbsp of honey or a little sugar and mix them. It reduces excessive heat and acts as an antiviral. It is therefore useful in common cold, often witnessed during summers.
Coriander Water
Take a cup of coriander leaves and add water to it. Add a small amount of sugar and mix well till the sugar dissolves. Now strain the water in a clean glass and drink it. It prevents heat stroke.
Jaggery Water
Mix 1 Tbsp of jaggery in water and add some cardamom. Mix well until the jaggery dissolves completely. Ayurveda recommends taking it every day during the summer season.
OTHER TIPS
Make a paste of sandal + khus grass + edible pink camphor & apply to the body. This soothes the body and the aroma relaxes the mind.
Apply sesame oil or coconut oil on the umbilicus (Navel). This is helpful in making the body feel cool and relaxed.
Coldwater bath is refreshing but one should refrain from it immediately after exposure to the sun. Sometimes cold water baths cause skin diseases and other complications.
Use pleasant odours or hang garlands of jasmine flowers. Camphor or sandal room fresheners are also good. These aromas elevate the mood as they have cool potency inside.
Therefore, these are some of the best ways to 'Beat The Heat' in these summers and be safe at home. Even if you don’t step out of your home, keep a check on your health and your body temperature along with practising some exercises or yoga to stay fit at home.
Also, read: Blood sugar control is key for people with diabetes and COVID-19
