Snippets of Ayurvedic Wisdom
- Dr. Arlini Singh
- Jun 6
- 4 min read
Issue #2, June 2025
Namaste all
June's warm, humid breeze calls for balance at A-YUR-VEDA's nurturing home, 520 Guelph Line, Burlington.
From our clinic, we share Ayurvedic wisdom to keep you cool and vibrant. Join us to thrive this summer in our lakeside community!
June's warmth in Burlington can stoke Pitta's fire, causing irritability or overheating.
This Cooling Cucumber Raita, is a Pitta- balancing Ayurvedic side dish, served at room temperature to support digestion. It's soothing ingredients calm heat and hydrate. Cucumbers are sweet, cooling and light and these qualities calms and reduces Vata and Pitta dosha. However, cucumbers are Kapha increasing, so Kapha need to have cucumbers in moderation in the summer months and avoid altogether in the other seasons.
Ingredients
Serves 2
2 mini cucumbers ( or one large cucumber), grated
1 cup plain organic yoghurt (room temperature)
1/2 tsp roasted cumin powder
1/4 tsp ground coriander
1 tbsp fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
Pinch of rock salt
Instructions
Squeeze excess water from grated cucumbers to avoid a watery raita.
Whisk yoghurt until smooth.
Mix in all the grated cucumbers, cumin, coriander, mint and salt
Let sit for 5 minutes for flavours to mingle.
Serve at room temperature with warm rice or flatbread
Why is this recipe great for Pitta?
Cucumbers are hydrating and cooling, reducing Pitta's heat. Yoghurt, besides being great for gut health, also soothes inflammation, while mint and coriander calms digestion. Roasted cumin adds warmth to aid agni (digestive fire /metabolism) without overheating and rock salt balances electrolytes.
Bonus Tip : Cucumber -infused water can also help cool tempers and bring the chill vibe to a fiery Pitta day.
For more tips on how to balance Pitta dosha during summer, book a one to one consultation for 1 hour with our Ayurvedic Doctor, Dr. Arlini Singh.
Great to balance Pitta dosha, is to take a mindful walk in Nature. Ayurveda suggests walking barefoot on grass for at least 5 minutes (or longer if you can) to ground Vata dosha. Then once your shoes are back on, you can hit the trails again. Please wear supportive shoes or sandals to avoid injuries, Walk during cooler morning hours to avoid Pitta's peak heat and carry a water bottle to stay hydrated. Wear sunglasses to protect the eyes from the heat. Sight is a Pitta sense and eyes need to stay protected. Wear a suitable hat and light sweat absorbent clothes as the skin is also a Pitta organ.
For an all natural bug spray, grab a bottle of our Bug Spray by Paper Street Soap Co. This is an all natural product with all organic ingredients. In celebration of summer, our bug sprays are currently sellling at $20 for a 2 fl oz bottle. This is a highly potent formula so you won't need to use much unlike the regular insect repellants. What we do love about the bug spray is that, not only is it easily portable, but also that we are not absorbing any of the chemicals usually found in bug sprays.
Ayurveda treats the patient as a whole - ie. Ayurveda treats on a physical, mental, emotional and spriitual level. Whilst we spoke about Pitta in the physical body, Pitta in the mental and emotional body is also important. During the hot summer days, tempers flare and we see more anger and heated emotions - think road rage. A few minutes of mindfulness - could be the walk in nature, or meditation or gentle yoga or even journalling - all help to reduce Pitta mentally and emotionally.
A relaxing herbal tea is Mellow Mind Tea by Banyan Botanical. This is a blend featuring chamomile, lavender and gotu kola, typically used to calm the mind and reduce stress. which can help soothe Pitta's fiery emotions like irritability and anger expecially during summer when Pitta is predominant.
Questions from the Community :
Ava from Burlington asks : Every summer, I feel sluggish and occasionally irritable. I cannot seem to achieve as much as I do during the other seasons. This frustrates me and and I need to know what can Ayurveda suggest that I do? I badly need to say cool, balanced and energized in the summer as my children are out of school for the holidays and I don't want to be the one always yelling and not fun to be around.
Hi Ava!
Summer is Pitta season in Ayurveda, where heat and intensity can build up in the body, leading to sluggishness, irritability, or even digestive issues.
To stay cool and balanced, try these tips:
Diet: Favor cooling, hydrating foods like cucumber, watermelon, coconut water, and leafy greens. Avoid heavy, spicy, or fried foods that increase internal heat. A refreshing mint or cilantro-infused water can work wonders!
Lifestyle: Rise early to enjoy the cooler, calmer morning hours. Practice gentle, cooling exercises like swimming or yoga—try poses like Child’s Pose or Moon Salutations to soothe Pitta.
Herbs: Consider sipping a tea with cooling herbs like fennel, coriander, or rose petals (consult an Ayurvedic practitioner for personalized advice).
Self-Care: A daily self-massage with coconut oil can cool the body and calm the mind. Aim for light, breathable clothing in white or pastel shades to reflect heat.
Stay hydrated and listen to your body—balance is key!
Wishing you a cool, energized summer!
I love reading and I read avidly. Sometimes I come across a sentence that gets me to ponder deeper into the meaning. This month, I want to share with you the following from
Discovering the True You with Ayurveda, by Sebastian Pole.
He says, " A true relationship creates a space in which those parts of us that have been shut away can creep out and see the light again."
Powerful thought, powerful meaning.
Until next month,
Warm Regards
Dr. Arlini Singh (B.A. LL.B; Ay.D
Ayurvedic Doctor
289-768-7303
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