Summer Superfoods According To Ayurveda

Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word that means “The Science of Life”. It originated in India around 5000 years ago which is one of the only holistic healing systems focusing on maintaining a balance between the body, mind and soul. Ayurvedic experts’ main aim is to promote good and healthy life instead of fighting the disease. Ayurveda believes and recognises that ultimately all intelligence and wisdom flows from one absolute source of nature and manifests itself in our health through the law of nature. Ayurveda medicine complements nature and a lifestyle close to nature by promoting harmony between the individual and nature for a balanced lifestyle according to nature’s laws.

Recognising the different doshas (the mind and body constitution) of people, Ayurveda recommends medications and treatments accordingly as each individual is unique. Rather than making an individual’s symptoms its centerpoint, Ayurveda treatment focuses on establishing and maintaining the balance of the life energies in human beings. It seeks to heal and cure the disorders of mind and body by restoring its harmony and wholeness through preserving its alliance.

The Tri Gunas of Ayurveda-

The three gunas of Ayurveda- Sattva, Rajas and Tamas are defined as stability, activation and inertia. They are considered to be manifestations of Triguna. These psychological features are not restricted to humans alone, but are also attributed to almost all living beings, including the food we eat, animals around us and all other elements in the environment we live in. Each living being is said to have a predominance of one or the other feature, Guna/Prakriti, which gives that matter its unique quality. Having control on the gunas can help with the perfect balance of body, mind and soul.

We all know as the seasons change, different individuals suffer from various skin and hair problems like rashes, infections, acne, dandruff, hair fall and other problems. With the summer season coming up, people need to follow a strict skin and hair care routine by focusing on a healthy and nutritional diet. There are summer superfoods that provide an amazing cooling effect and are beneficial in this season as suggested by the Ayurvedic experts. Let’s have a look at summer foods.

Summer Superfoods-

The concept of Ayurveda focuses on the understanding that our diet has a direct effect on our overall health. The seasons are characterised by vata dosha, pitta dosha and kapha dosha in the body. Summer is hot, bright, and sharp, and is known to be pitta dosha season. Accordingly, Ayurveda suggests that we follow a diet that includes food which has a cooling effect on our body. The people with the characteristics of pitta dosha should remain calm and not allow it to be aggravated. The right foods eaten seasonally can help promote sattva (purity) detoxification and rejuvenate the body, which leads to an overall increase in immunity, physical and mental strength, and digestion.

1. Sattu- Sattu is usually made up of bengal gram and is said to have an instant cooling effect on the body. It’s high in insoluble fibro, which makes it good for your intestines, and its low glycemic index makes it good for diabetics. A perfect cooling agent and powerful energizer, you need to add sattu in your diet.

2. Amla (Indian gooseberry) – Amla, or Indian gooseberry, is a popular and healthy fruit, and is known for its many nutritional benefits. This bittersweet fruit works as an excellent coolant on hot days. Did you know that amla juice contains about 20 times more vitamin C than any other juice? So this summer consume amla ka murabba or amla juice to ensure good health.

 3. Ghee- According to Ayurveda, ghee is loaded with healthy fats that help keep our body going. Also, our body becomes dry in summer, therefore, consuming half a spoon of ghee every day can help balance internal moisture. In Ayurvedic terms, ghee is known as a food that strengthens the immunity of the body, aids digestion and tempers overactivity of the three bodily doshas.

4. Ginger- Ginger’s pungent root has anti-inflammatory properties to help relieve overheated and irritated skin. Drinking ginger juice can help soothe an upset stomach. Stock up on ginger tea or juice this summer or you can also add it daily to your curries to stay healthy.

5. Alkaline Vegetables- During the digestion process, our stomach tends to secrete stomach acids which help break down food. Sometimes, due to unhealthy lifestyle and eating habits, the acid level of the body increases, leading to acidity and acid reflux. In order to reduce the chances of increased acid levels, you should give yourself alkaline foods like green leafy vegetables, root vegetables like sweet potato, beets, carrots, nuts, onion and garlic, etc. Eating green leafy vegetables can be very helpful in digestion during the summer season.

6. Coconut water- It is one of the best electrolytes in the summer. This refreshing elixir not only helps rejuvenate your body system but also protects you from dehydration in extreme heat. Thanks to the presence of essential minerals such as zinc, magnesium, calcium, potassium and sodium. Drinking coconut water or adding coconut in your curries and vegetables will keep you rejuvenated.

7. Water Rich Fruits- Summers also welcome water rich fruits like watermelon, berries, grapefruit, pineapple, peaches, mango, etc. These fruits have an amazing cooling effect which helps to take off the heat during the summer season.

 8. Herbs- Herbs like Ashwagandha, Brahmi, and TulsiThese three cooling herbs help cool your body. Ashwagandha is known as the king of herbs as it reduces inflammation in the body and treats serious conditions like arthritis. Brahmi can soothe the nerves in the body and reduce stress in the body. Tulsi, or Holy Basil, acts as a detoxifying and cleansing agent. It cools the body system during the excruciating heat. You can have tulsi with tea or water as well to see effective results.

The term Ayurveda comprises two words – Ayu (life) and Veda (conocimiento). It deals with various aspects related to health and well-being in their varied aspects, such as happy life, lasting happiness, and longevity. The Ayurvedic diet, consisting of superfoods, is part of Ayurveda and has been practised for thousands of years.

Ayurveda is a form of holistic medicine that focuses on promoting balance between body and mind. According to Ayurveda, five elements make up the universe – vayu (air), jala (water), akash (space), teja (fire) and prithvi (earth). These elements are believed to form three different doshas, which are defined as types of energy that flow through your body.

Each dosha is responsible for physiological functions.

The Ayurvedic diet focuses on maintaining a proper balance between the body, mind and soul. It sets guidelines for when, how and what you should eat based on your body type or doshas. There are specific foods to promote the balance between all the three doshas, we just have to determine our dominating dosha. There are three different types of doshas.

• Pitta (fire and water)
• Vata (air and space)
• Kapha (earth and water)

With different personality traits, people can be divided into three categories according to Ayurveda as explained above. Ayurveda is all about finding the right balance between the body, mind and spirit. Knowing your body type allows you to maximise happiness, live a quality life and maintain a proper balance. Ayurveda is known to provide a roadmap for each individual depending on his/her body type or doshas. The five elements are divided to form the three doshas- Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These doshas have unique and different personality traits.

Get to know your dosha with the help of above mentioned traits. Try the best Ayurvedic wellness and skin regime by Shivya. All the products are 100% natural and organic with zero artificial ingredients, affecting and helping the body with maximum health benefits.