Staying Healthy with Ayurveda:
The Season of Summer

It is stating the obvious to say that summer, regardless of the months your country's summer falls in, is the hottest time of year with the longest and usually sunniest days. It is the time when your half of the planet is tilted a little closer to the sun.

Since the Pitta dosha is comprised of fire and to a lesser degree, water, we can deduce, then, that summer is the time when Pitta dosha is activated and predominant. Three facts are important in this regard:

1. Everyone must protect themselves from the potential for Pitta/heat imbalance, whether you are Pitta predominant or not.
2. If you are Pitta predominant, you may need to be extra careful during in the summer.
3. If you have a current Pitta imbalance, regardless of your predominant dosha, then you definitely need to take extra care.

What Does It Look Like Physically to be Pitta Predominant?

• Body Frame: Moderate frame, neither thick nor thin
• Weight: Moderate
• Skin: Soft, fair, oily, pink/red or sallow complexion, sunburns easily
• Hair: Soft, oily, early grey, baldness, strawberry blond or red hair
• Teeth: Regular, moderate sized, yellow color even if cleaned, soft gums
• Eyes: Medium-sized, sharp and penetrating, green, grey, yellowish tint to iris, easily bloodshot, fiery
• Joints: Neither predominant as in Vata, nor invisible as in Kapha

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