As the weather warms up, we’ll be spending more time outdoors in the sun.  If you’re feeling hot, sweaty, irritable, or angry, that may be a sign that your Pitta dosha is aggravated.  Pitta is more prevalent in the summer, so we can accumulate it more easily.  Other signs of a Pitta imbalance include ulcers, acne, and stomach acidity.  Ayurveda says that by balancing Pitta, we can help to clear up all of these very different, yet completely related, conditions.  Spend some time near the water, walking in the moonlight, or swimming.  These are wonderful Pitta-pacifying activities.  Food is another way we can balance Pitta.  Avoid hot or spicy foods, and foods that are salty or sour.  This can be a challenge in the summer when pool parties tend to serve chips and dip, or spicy salsa, and soda pop, which is high in sodium and full of chemicals.  Instead, choose foods with a cooling quality: sweet fruits such as melons, cherries and grapes – and vegetables like asparagus, cucumber, broccoli, and zucchini.  And for a refreshing beverage, fruit teas are delicious! Organic India just came out with a new set of Fruity Tulsi Teas,  perfect  for Iced tea.Pour 2 cups of boiling water over 8 teabags and steep for 20 minutes.Remove teabags and add 2 cups of cold water. Refrigerate  to cool and pour over ice. Makes 1 quart.   Sweeten to taste. Keep a pitcher in the refrigerator so that it is easily available whenever you need a cool, refreshing drink. 

Fruity Tulsi Teas from Organic India