Hot days and scorching sun call for refreshment. The first thing that comes to mind is a cold drink. In summer, many people reach for cold beer or fizzy drinks with lots of ice. But the effect of icy refreshment is short-lived. The body is not made for such a “shock”. We quench our thirst and cool down in a more body-friendly way.
According to Ayurvedic principles, summer is dominated by the Pita dosha, which is characterized by warmth, intensity and transformation. According to Ayurveda, the key to maintaining health and well-being in summer is to balance and control Pita. Sweet, carbonated and highly chilled drinks disrupt the body’s natural balance.
Ayurveda recommends natural, nutrient-rich drinks that effectively cool and hydrate:
- Drinks that cool the body: Reduce body heat and soothe the digestive system.
- Drinks that hydrate the body: Help maintain electrolyte balance and prevent dehydration.
- Natural drinks: Without processed sugar and artificial ingredients.
Recommended Ayurvedic summer drinks:
Coconut water
Benefits: Natural electrolytes, hydrates the body, cools the circulation.
Recipe: Simply drink fresh coconut water or mix it with some mint for extra flavor.
Buttermilk (water left over from making raw butter)
Benefits: Aids digestion, cools the body and provides probiotics.
Recipe: If you do not have the opportunity to make or buy buttermilk, you can make a yogurt drink by mixing it with water, and adding a pinch of cumin powder, salt and chopped coriander leaves.
Refreshing cucumber water with mint
Benefits: Extremely refreshing drink reduces heat and hydrates.
Recipe: Cover cucumber pieces and mint leaves with water, add a dash of lemon juice and a pinch of rock salt.
Pink lassi
Benefits: Cools the body, calms the mind and aids in digestion.
Recipe: Mix yogurt with water, add rose syrup, a pinch of cardamom powder and a little sugar.
Barley water
Benefits: Hydrates and prevents urinary tract infections.
Recipe: Boil barley in water for 10 minutes, strain and drink the water.
Sugar cane juice
Benefits: Reduces body heat and reduces Pitta dosha.
Recipe: Fresh juice is made from sugarcane stalks. Since this is not available here, you can make a drink from unrefined cane sugar (jaggery). Add a mint leaf and a little lemon juice.
Coriander seed water
Benefits: Reduces Pitta and keeps the body cool.
Recipe: Soak coriander seeds in water overnight. Strain and drink in sips.
Young coconut water
Benefits: Cooling, rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Recipe: Enjoy fresh or season with a pinch of salt. As green coconuts are hard to come by in this country, buy high-quality, preferably organic, coconut water in a tetrapak.
Fennel tea
Benefits: Reduces body heat and supports healthy digestion.
Recipe: Boil fennel seeds in water, strain and drink.
Water with mint leaves
Benefits: Cooling and invigorating.
Recipe: Add mint leaves to a jug of water.
Aloe vera juice
Benefits: The juice has cooling and healing properties.
Recipe: Extract juice from the leaves of aloe vera and drink in moderation.
Also worth mentioning is the drink Aam Panna, which you can only prepare if you have the opportunity to buy unripe mangoes. Aam Panna is a tangy and spicy drink made from unripe mangoes. It is a traditional folk drink in India, prized for its ability to beat the heat.
Ingredients:
- 2 unripe mangoes 2 tablespoons unrefined cane sugar Jaggery 1 teaspoon roasted laka cumin powder
- A pinch of black salt
- Fresh mint leaves (optional)
- In some areas, ginger, pepper, chilli and aniseed are also added.
Preparation:
Cook the mangoes: Cook unripe mangoes until they are soft. Leave to cool, then peel and squeeze out the flesh.
Puree: Puree the mango, jaggery, roasted cumin powder, black salt and a few mint leaves (if using) in a blender.
Dilute: Add water and blend until it is liquid. Adjust thickness and sweetness as desired.
Advantages of Aam Panne:
Hydration and electrolyte balance: Aam Panna is rich in essential electrolytes like sodium, potassium and magnesium that maintain fluid balance in the body and prevent dehydration.
Cooling effect: Raw mango has a cooling effect on the body. In combination with the refreshing properties of mint and the hydration properties of water, Aam Panna helps to reduce body heat.
Helps with digestion: The spices contained in Aam Panna, such as cumin and black salt, aid digestion and prevent common summer problems such as indigestion and diarrhea.
Strengthens the immune system: Raw mangoes are a good source of vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system and helps the body fight infections.
Restores lost nutrients: Sweating in summer leads to losing important minerals. Aam Panna helps to replace these lost nutrients and keeps you energized and healthy.
Drinking cooling and hydrating drinks in summer is key to maintaining balance and well-being. By incorporating Ayurvedic summer drinks into your daily routine, you can refresh yourself and enjoy various health benefits.
We read the prakrti constitution in the 1st house-bhava.
Cooling down the body is essential if we have a pitta constitution.
That we are prone to dehydration is shown in the Yotish in the birth chart.
Chandra in Simh,
Mangal in Kark,
Surya juti Mangala,
Mangala in Meena,
Mangala malefic transiting Miina.
