Ayurvedic Suggestions for Cooling Pitta

Fresh, sweet fruit and fruit juices are beneficial for balancing Pitta. They provide nutrition and keep the body cool and comfortable. Watermelon juice, fresh cucumber juice, lettuce juice and coconut milk are four of the most beneficial juices to pacify pitta. By consuming at least one of these items several times a day you will notice a tremendous difference in your reaction to the high temperature.

Fresh herbs such as mint, cilantro and watercress can also be juiced or made into a chutney to balance pitta. Or steep cooling herbs in boiling water each morning, cool to room temperature and drink the water through the day to get the benefit of the herbs and hydrate your physiology. Favor cooling spices such as cardamom, coriander, and fennel when cooking. Use Organic Rose Water or rose petal conserve as a cooling food supplement or add to summer drinks.

Salty lassi

This Salty Lassi is spiced with cumin and is a great refreshing drink in the summer.Feel free to experiment with other cooling spices like fennel and anise.

1 tsp cumin seeds
1 cup plain yogurt or coconut milk
1 cup chilled milk or water for vegans.
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 to 1 tsp salt
1/2 cup of ice cubes

A dollop of plain yogurt for garnishing


Dry roast  the cumin seeds for a few minutes until you start getting a wonderful aroma.  Cool and grind to a coarse consistency. In a blender blend all the ingredients. Top it up with a dollop of yogurt. Serve chilled. 

Makes 4 servings.

Mango Coconut Milk

This drink is very refreshing for the Pitta dosha. It is rich, nourishing, and invigorating.

 

Makes:  2 Servings

Ingredients:

1         ripe sweet mango, peeled and sliced

2 cups coconut milk

1 tsp rose or orange blossom water

¼  tsp cardamom

                sugar to taste (not needed for ripe mangoes)

Directions:

Boil the milk and let it cool to room temperature. Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. 

Variation: Add 10 mint leaves.

Rose Lassi

Delicate drink to cool Pitta dosha on summer days.

½ cup     fresh yogurt

1 cup     water

1 tsp     rose petal water

1 tsp     maple syrup

1 pinch     ground cardamom (optional)

 

Blend all ingredients until smooth.

Summer Mint Drink

This is a spectacular cooling drink, easy to make. Enjoy the restoring effects of fresh mint.You can make it with water or milk.

Ingredients:

For the syrup: Pour 1/2 cup boiling water over 1/2 cup sugar in a small bowl and stir until the sugar dissolves. Stir in 1/4 cup of tightly compacted fresh mint leaves (without the stems). Cover and chill for a minimum of four hours. Strain the mixture through a sieve. Discard the leaves. Store the syrup for up to three days. To use the syrup for a water-based drink, place one tablespoon of mint syrup in about one cup of water at room temperature and stir.

 

For a milk-based drink, you can also add 1-2 tablespoons of half-and-half cream to the water and syrup for a variation.