Green Smoothies – important tips to remember

It is important to remind people that anything you choose to ingest often has a positive and negative benefit to it.  Although I drink green smoothies daily and believe they are a great way to help alkalinize your pH daily, some caution for the general population might be warranted in terms of ingesting them in excess.

Drinking green vegetables which are full of fiber feed all bacteria in your gut- both good and bad. If you have been on courses of antibiotics in your life, taken birth control pills or other medications, you likely have some bad bacteria in your system. Certainly digestive disturbances like gas or bloating would be some indication that you might benefit from more good bacteria in your system.  There is a strong gut-brain axis so feeding bad bacteria could lead to the generation of toxins that negatively affect your mental health. (Stool tests can help determine the ratios of good to bad bacteria but in many instances supplementing with good bacteria can influence the ratio favoring the good). I read some reports of people having bad bacteria in their system- bacteria that feed on iron for instance can make people more susceptible to iron- deficiency anemia. There are herbs that can kill bad bacteria- please book an appointment to discuss this with me. You can read my post on probiotic bacteria to refresh your memory about the importance of bacteria.

Drinking green smoothies without rotating the greens you put in them is not ideal. For instance, the brassica family which includes kale, collards, arugula, broccoli, and others can act as goitrogens in those with low thyroid function if ingested in excess. I probably would not recommend green smoothies for people with questionable thyroid function (both low and high).Because of the oxalates in spinach, those susceptible to calcium oxalate kidney stones would be at risk ingesting green smoothies all the time. In fact, I would not recommend green smoothies at all for those folks. There are positive benefits for most of the population from drinking green smoothies such as higher intake of minerals including calcium and magnesium, a considerable increase in vegetable fiber, more energy (chlorophyll, a pigment found in plants mimics hemoglobin in the blood thus green smoothies give you more life energy) and more hydration for your tissues, thus some tips to making your experience better are warranted.

Buy organic greens for maximal benefit; otherwise they are high in pesticides. Rotate the greens you put in your smoothies every 2 weeks if possible. For two weeks, choose kale and romaine lettuce; the next two weeks choose spinach and leaf lettuce; the next two weeks choose parsley and bok choy; the next 2 weeks choose collards and chard. These are ideas only. if you can think of other greens you really like then add them into your rotation…Then add other veggies to the basic greens selected; choose cucumbers (peel if not organic), organic celery, organic apples, kiwi (if you like extra fruit) and 1/2 avocado for healthy fat. I add fresh peeled ginger root (1 – 2 cm) and I have been known to add other herbs like fresh organic sage or fresh cilantro. I always add a glass of water to the basic mix and blend in a decent blender. I use the Ninja blender from Canadian tire which is affordable and effective to blend greens. Other people like to use Vita-mix blenders.

Since I have been drinking green smoothies, I have more energy and I have more stable blood sugar. I have more color in my face and my immune system is stronger. Try them out and post a comment about your experience on my blog…

It is time to rewrite your script…

We all have grown up with a lot of conditioning and programming due to the influences of those around us; our parents, our cultural roots, our educational upbringing or the society in which we were raised. As a result of these influences, we have all developed our own unique belief systems that determine how our life is created each and every day. When I was diagnosed with M.S. in 2003, I spent two years in contemplation of my life path and the factors that had influenced me. You might say the the disease woke me up and acted as a catalyst for my own personal transformation. In fact, I have written a book on this experience and I plan on self- publishing this year. The M.S. was a huge gift because it started a path of self search for me that was deeply insightful and awakened a state of joy in myself that did not exist before my diagnosis.

What I didn’t realize is that this state of personal transformation is happening to a lot of people all over the world. I have realized that almost everyone is waking up in their own lives in their own way; this is part of the evolutionary shift in people’s consciousness well underway right now that will culminate in the year 2012. I am seeing the shift in all of my patients in different ways. I don’t share my own personal beliefs about this state of awakening because that is not my job as a naturopath to talk about this sort of thing. I may be a silent observer but I see that people’s hearts are opening more to others in their lives, many are more aware of determining the factors that make their own personal heart sing so that they can live more authentically and most people are doing a lot of self searching. I see that people that are challenged right now whether it be financially, professionally, personally, or with regards to their health are being forced to do a lot of self searching. That is the gift inherent in any challenge- pain whether it be mental, emotional, physical or spiritual is a great motivator. It motivates you to search for the answers to your own well being.  Each person’s journey is unique but we all share the need for compassion and understanding from others especially in a difficult time.

In this time, we are being challenged to rewrite our own script for our life. We are not to settle for what we were raised to believe about life or to look to others to validate our own need for self acceptance or belief in ourself. Our basic worthiness must come from within. If you look to the external world to validate you at this time you will likely feel disappointed. You must believe in yourself and your ability to have a better life whether it be financially in terms of abundance, personally in terms of relationships, physically in terms of health and well being and even spiritually whatever that connection looks like to you.

It is time to claim your worthiness, your goodness, your sparkly light, your healthy vibrant self who is capable of accomplishing anything that you set your mind/body/spirit to at this time in your life. The question is how do you want to rewrite your script to reflect more of who you are?  How can you live your life more authentically and align yourself internally with your own inherent goodness so that you can share the highest most divine expression of yourself with the world and touch others around you with your love and kindness? I dare you to rewrite your script this year…you can do it!

Mind/Body Medicine is the new frontier of medicine(part two)

Mind/body medicine utilizes the mind/body/spirit axis to influence healing. This might feel like a big responsibility to take the reins of your own personal healing but remember to see it like a challenge versus a heavy burden. I’ve blogged a lot about how important your thoughts are in influencing healing so for starters get clear on what you are hoping to achieve. Be very specific. For myself, I would love to remyelinate my brain. Therefore I need to take time in my day to direct my attention to visualize that task happening. I suggest 20 minutes twice daily to start with.

Adam (the dreamhealer) has been instrumental in creating specific visualizations so you can do just that. I suggest reading his book “Intention Heals”. If you do not have access to Adams books, he suggests doing the following: research the area of concern thoroughly so you can create accurate visualizations; understand the body’s mechanism for healing this area; what is the healthy functioning of this area? I also spend time visualizing what I will be able to do in time.

I used to run long distances so sometimes I spend time visualizing myself running…I imagine that it feels effortless to run for a short distance. It feels great to feel the pavement under my feet…to feel the solid power in my legs and feel the oxygen flowing through my lungs. I imagine that I am carrying a stop watch and that I see it stop on the twenty minute mark. I visualize myself waking up pain free and symptom free and feeling great the day after my run.  I see this as one possible outcome of remyelinating my central nervous system- more enjoyment of my body and what it can do.

Sometimes I use visualizations to bring up specific memories from my past to create a happy feeling state… a moment where I felt pure joy in the past to draw upon in my present reality. When you use your mind in the positive to bring about positive changes in your body and spirit then it is working in your favor. Too often, we use our mind to dwell on what isn’t perfect in ourselves or our lives rather than directing our focus to what we really want; if we focus on what we want and that wanting brings up to a better space than it is never time wasted. Imagine that your body is doing everything the way it has been designed to do; imagine that the power of your own healing is limitless; you have to believe it first. I dare you to believe! Happy New Year!!

Mind/Body Medicine is the new frontier of Medicine (part one)

The field of mind/body medicine is the new frontier of medicine. Research has validated the mind/body connection and how it can affect healing and create positive change in the individual. For many years, we have put our doctors on a pedestal and given them all the power to make us better. We need doctors and they are a vital part of health care but there also needs to be a shift back to the individual; a shift into self empowerment. What can you do in your own life to help yourself heal? How can you use your mind in a way that promotes healing and a return to optimal wellness?  How do you harness the inherent power of the mind and focus it like a laser in the direction of your current imbalance to correct your course? Mind/body medicine views illness as an opportunity for personal growth and transformation. When viewed this way, it takes the fear out of illness and substitutes a new word – challenge…

Certainly in my own life experience, I viewed my illness as an opportunity to connect with my awareness and it was a powerful life altering experience for the better. It really woke me up and transformed my sense of ‘being’. Seeing yourself as a victim of your current health challenge does not put you in a state of being that optimizes healing. It makes you shrink in the face of your predicament.  Start to see your health imbalance or illness as a challenge and a way to empower yourself. Look for all the reasons why this challenge may have shown up in your life? Is is challenging you to grow in a new direction, become more authentic in the way that you live your life, connect in a more heart centred way with those around you, or heal from old emotional hurts? Is it challenging you to change your diet and lifestyle and put more emphasis on self care or change your perspective on a whole lot of things that are showing up in your life?

There are so many reasons why an illness will show up; use is to catalyse your own self transformation. Mind/body medicine tools such as meditation, guided imagery and biofeedback are very powerful tools to have in your healing tool box. All of these tools can help shift the expression of the autonomic nervous system for starters. Many people in Western culture spend a good majority of their life in the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system- this is the fight or flight branch of the nervous system otherwise known as the stress response. This is the ‘be prepared for danger’ side of our psyche. This side prepares us for battle but does not help us heal. M/B tools shift the expression of the autonomic nervous system to the parasympathetic branch – this side fosters healing. The parasympathetic branch is all about rest and relaxation, digesting your food, feeling a sense of calm, a slower heart rate…being versus doing…

You have to utilize self discipline to maximize your healing and benefit from using mind/body medicine in your life. You need to learn one tool whether it be meditation, guided imagery or biofeedback and set aside time in your day and night and be consistent. I suggest 30 minutes twice daily. By making it part of your daily practice, you are bringing ‘healing’ into your mind/body/spirit axis and as a nice side benefit, you are more centred, more loving and more effective in the rest of your day. You are empowered and can see the results that come from your self discipline and focus – more healing in your physical body and a sense of trust that no matter what shows up in your life in terms of your health, you are well equipped to deal with it. For more information on these tools or to learn how to use them, please book an appointment at my office. Until then, remember how powerful you are and how you can influence your health in a positive way.

Supporting your Immune System through the Winter

Supporting your immune system

To support your immune system this fall, stock your fridge with fresh ginger, lemons, shitake mushrooms, garlic and lots of orange and yellow vegetables. The most important nutrients for the immune system are Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and zinc. Vitamin C is found in peppers, kiwis, and oranges. Vitamin A is found in orange and yellow vegetables such as carrots, squash and sweet potatoes. Zinc is found in red meat and chicken.

To boost your immunity a great cold and flu tea is as follows:

Take fresh ginger root and cut off a two inch piece. Peel the ginger and grate the ginger into a saucepan. Cut three slices of fresh lemon. Cut off the peel and throw the lemon in the saucepan.  Add six cups of water and bring to a boil. When it’s boiling, turn the heat down to medium and simmer for the next ten minutes. This is a great tea which has antiviral properties because of the ginger. The addition of the lemon makes the tea more alkaline which shifts your pH to one that is more health promoting.

Feed a cold but starve a fever. If you have a fever, listen to your body and only consume clear fluids until the fever comes down in temperature.

If you find you have frequent colds, take 1000 mg Vitamin C daily through the fall and winter months. If you feel like you are coming down with something (sore throat, fever), I would take 1000 mg every hour until you are feeling better. This will often prevent an infection. If you dose until the point of diarrhea, then you have gone too far. Everyone has a level of bowel tolerance; if you get diarrhea from dosing Vitamin C then you have reached saturation of the tissues. Because Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin you cannot overdose; you will just get diarrhea if you take too much. Talk to your naturopath before you take Vitamin C if you are on conventional medications.

Homeopathic medicines are very effective to prevent flu. Mucococcinum, a clinically proven homeopathic preparation, formulated to stimulate the body’s own defenses in order to combat all types of influenza. It is prepared with homeopathic dilutions of the worst flu epidemics of the 20^th century. Double-blind, placebo-controlled studies have shown mucococcinum is 88% effective in the prevention of any flu type. Dose one tablet every 2 weeks for the entire cold and flu season (late fall, winter and early spring). See me for more information on Mucococcinum.

Belladonna 30c is another good homeopathic remedy to have on hand. Take 5 pellets when you have a high fever and sore throat away from food and drink; dose five pellets every 20 minutes if necessary. If after 3 doses, you notice no improvement, then stop dosing. Stop dosing once you notice any improvement, even if it is slight.

Herbal medicines to boost immunity include Echinacea, Cold Fx, oil of oregano or cat’s claw tincture. Don’t use the same antiviral all the time; your body will get used to it and it will not be as effective. I recommend rotating antivirals every ten days if you are around people who are sick or you cannot afford to get sick yourself.

Basic hygiene is so important as well. Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap. Sing happy birthday to yourself to determine the amount of time needed to get rid of germs. Do not touch your nose, eyes, mouth as you go about your day. Get adequate sleep (at least 6.5 hours) and exercise daily for at least 30 minutes unless you are under the weather. Drink enough water (your urine is pale yellow or clear). Think good thoughts! People who are more optimistic tend to have stronger immunity.

Are you choosing thoughts that make you feel good?

We think countless numbers of thoughts daily so it is best to be vigilant about what you are thinking. Are you aware that your thoughts can make you feel bad and that you can direct your thoughts in a way that makes you feel good? I pay attention to what people are saying to me and there overall feeling tone as well as my feeling tone and what I am saying to others. I really notice when other people are talking negatively about something and will often stop them and point that out to them in a loving way. I ask those around me to do the same when I am in their presence. It helps us both stay conscious and aware of the present moment. 

There is always going to be negativity in the world (but there is a lot of good in the world as well.) One must view the glass as half full…it feels so much better. I have had to work on my ‘head space’. There was a time when I was my own worst enemy; not now. I had my own health crisis (the inherent gift). That woke me up eight years ago but the journey goes on… there are always challenges but that is the life journey, it’s what is. Can you find the joy in it?

I love myself now so I notice thoughts that are potentially injurious to my interior space when they show up. I do not give these thoughts the space to grow and multiply; if they creep in, I am mindfully aware of them.  I then choose to direct my thought to something that feels better. It is a choice in every moment. I am far from perfect but I am self aware. Catching the thought in that moment and choosing a thought that feels better is key.

Esther and Jerry Hicks wrote a fantastic book that talks about feeling states and climbing up the emotional guidance scale in ‘Ask and It is Given’. Cindy Teevens who won the spiritual author contest with her book ‘ Alchemy – How to Feel Good no matter what’ continues on with the thread. What I most appreciated about her book was her comment about how all thoughts that keep you feeling separate lead to suffering. That is so true! That is a good filter to view your thoughts through – if they cause you to feel separate (ego) choose another thought. All thoughts that cause you to feel separate automatically create suffering. If you realize that, then you can choose thoughts that cause you to feel more connected to others – those thoughts feel better to think.

For example, if I am going to a party and  I think thoughts like ‘I won’t know anybody. I am socially awkward’ then how good will I feel when I get to the party? Not great, right? I am already in a state of anxiety because of what I am thinking before I get to the party. Those thoughts are keeping me feeling separate from others. What if I thought, ‘I really want to open my heart to people and find out about them tonight. I want to come from a loving place.’ These thoughts are coming from an ego-less space of connection. Feels better right?

Cognitive therapy is so important for your state of well being. It gets easier once you start being mindful of your thoughts. You can choose thoughts that make you feel bad and you can choose thoughts that make you feel good – your choice. Do you love yourself? Do you naturally gravitate to thoughts that ensure that you can’t be accepted or loved unless you do x, y or z? How about just accepting yourself in this moment because it feels so much better than telling yourself that you are not okay unless you are better or more (ego) – all the things that keep you feeling separate versus connected to others.

We all need to connect right now, to love others as they are, to accept them in their imperfection, that is something you choose (just like thoughts) and in that moment of accepting you send an affirmation to all your cells and your being ‘I can be loved despite my imperfections’ because I accept imperfections in others (which is the human condition). Now that is something that feels good. You can choose thoughts that make you feel good. Try it and let me know how it goes!

 

 

Breathing to Enhance your Health

Breathing oxygen is something most of us take for granted and don’t pay much attention to but we should. Optimal breathing is probably the most significant factor in your overall health and longevity. The benefits of optimal breathing include positive impacts on your respiratory system such as eliminating waste through your breath. According to ‘The Tao of Breathing’ by Dennis Lewis, 70% of our body’s waste products are eliminated by your lungs. That is reason enough to pay more attention to your breathing. The circulatory system relies on breathing to carry oxygen to every cell and the more we are focused on breathing into parts of our body that are causing us distress and being more mindful, we can use our breath as a healing tool and direct it to areas of congestion or discomfort. For instance, you could breathe in healing colors like green to areas of pain.

Breathing exercises can calm the nervous system by promoting the parasympathetic branch of the nervous system (versus the sympathetic branch which is fight or flight/stress)and balance both hemispheres of the brain depending on the technique. When we have thoughts or emotions that are stressful, we tend to hold our breath or breath shallowly. This makes us feel more anxious and blocks our inherent self-regulating property that comes from optimal breathing. Bringing your attention back to your breath can focus you on the present moment and reduce the stress response. Optimal breathing also has positive effects on your digestive, urinary, endocrine system and your skin. So what are some ways you could use breathing to enhance your health?

One breath I use commonly is called the relaxing breath. I learned this from Dr. Andrew Weil’s cd’s on breathing exercises (for more info or to purchase please visit his website). To do this breath, you put the tip of your tongue against the back of your front teeth. You breathe in silently through your nose for a count of four. Then hold your breath for a count of seven. Exhale through your mouth (with your tongue still connected to the back of your front teeth) for a count of eight. This completes one full breath. It is recommended to work up to four breaths (and no more) when you feel comfortable with this technique. This is a great breath to do whenever you are feeling stressed or anxious. It helps reset your nervous system so you are in more of a parasympathetic state or calming state. Don’t underestimate the power of breathing to help with coping with anxiety or any less than optimal mood state.

I also recommend that patients just meditate on their breath. Lie down for this exercise or sit with your spine straight in a chair. Start with ten minutes and focus on your breath. Follow your breath as you inhale and exhale. Breathe from your abdomen and fill your entire lungs up with a full breath - if it helps put one hand on your chest and the other hand on your abdomen. Whenever thoughts come up that distract you from your breath, gently bring your attention back to your breath. Don’t worry if you find it challenging to focus on your breath. Your mind will show up telling you that this is boring, a waste of time or whatever thoughts are needed to take you off your focus on breathing. Just keep bringing your attention back and before you know it, the time will be up. (I use a egg timer when I meditate. You just set the time and it will go off when the time is over). It takes discipline to meditate on your breath; the payoff is a quieter mind in the long run and a state of relaxation in the axis of your mind/body/spirit plus all the health benefits that come along with optimal breathing. Start with ten minutes daily and work up to twenty minutes twice daily if you are really keen.

Breathing connects you to all of life. You need breath to thrive and be vital and be connected to your inner being. Breathing also connects you to a greater life force that energizes all things and can guide you in your life’s journey. We are all interconnected; we are all one. Remembering to breathe is the first step to greater connection to the whole.

Emotional Freedom Technique

Emotional Freedom Technique has been a wonderful addition to my mind/body medicine specialty. This technique was developed by Gary Craig, a former Stanford engineer and personal performance coach who recognized that thoughts can greatly impact well being and personal performance. EFT is a form of alternative psychotherapy that involves tapping on acupuncture points. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, harmonious flow between organs and systems is reliant on these meridian pathways and is crucial for health and well being.

Instead of inserting needles, the end points of meridians are tapped on in order to improve energy flow throughout the meridian system (which is the body’s energy bloodstream). It is not important to know what meridian is out of balance because the tapping sequence covers all the meridians. Meridian tapping techniques are an effective way of changing emotional states. Tapping these meridians while voicing positive affirmations helps clear any short circuits in your energy flow which restores your mind and body’s balance.

You really must experience EFT in order to appreciate it. A client may come in with one particular issue and after some rounds of tapping, what happens is something else that the client may not even be aware of bubbles up. So often what you think is the issue is not the root cause of the disturbance. EFT makes things more clear. It is a gentle technique that does not elicit strong emotions that are overwhelming to the client. Whatever happens to bubble up is relevant and the obvious next step in healing the current disharmony.

I love EFT because it works on anything. I have used it on chronic pain, arthritis, addictions, grief (death in the family), stomach aches, autoimmune disease, anxiety, depression, fatigue, lack of motivation, low self esteem, relationship distress, fears, phobias,and migraines with success. It is especially beneficial if you are an emotionally sensitive individual.

There is immediate benefit from using EFT. You will experience results even from one session. If you are a private person, rest assured you do not have to go into any dark history that you would rather not revisit.  Whatever is top of mind in the moment is all that needs to be briefly addressed.

I’m passionate about EFT and I hope you will come in and experience it for yourself. It is a technique that once learned can be used as a self help tool. People that endorse EFT include Dr. Deepak Chopra and Dr. Bruce Lipton, both innovative leaders in medicine and healing today.

Finding your own Balance- Are you Kapha?

Kapha individuals are the strong, stable, dependable types. They are easy going and not ruffled by much. They are most resilient in the face of stress. In their balanced state, they are calm and sweet. They value family and relationships. If you are in relationship with a Kapha type, count yourself lucky. You are likely in a love filled supportive relationship. Kapha types when out of balance can be the most likely type to put on body weight; they can also struggle with fatigue and apathy when in this state. They may sleep too much when in a state of imbalance. Environmental factors that can cause a Kapha to be aggravated include too much damp; cold will also aggravate them.

In terms of dietary factors that will aggravate Kapha types, factor in too many sweets, heavy, deep fried foods or cold foods. Salt and sour can also aggravate. Substances that are pungent balance Kapha (think chili pepper, garlic, herbs and spices including cumin, coriander, cinnamon, pepper and basil). These substances help stimulate digestion and metabolism. Foods that are bitter (dark leafy greens) also help keep Kaphas lighter and play a role in detoxification. Foods that are astringent such as legumes, fruits and vegetables help absorb excess water in the body. Clear vegetable soups with legumes would be a balancing meal for Kapha types.

Nuts can be too oily for Kaphas although sunflower and pumpkin seeds are okay for them. The best grains for Kapha include barley, buckwheat, millet and couscous. Rice and wheat should be eaten in small amounts. Nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, peppers) can aggravate but fresh green chili peppers are recommended. Fruits such as cherries, berries, pears, and apple are especially balancing. Dried fruits are also tolerated.

Kaphas should eat light at breakfast and dinner; their main meal should be at mid day. Avoiding dairy helps Kaphas reduce their congestion which may show up in the sinuses or chest in the form of bronchitis. Drinking warm ginger tea can also help balance them. They should avoid drinking ice cold drinks.

Kaphas are not a constitutional type that needs to eat frequently. Rather they can do well eating less frequently; snacking in between meals is not a benefit to them. However they should not skip meals or fast. They should eat lightly. Because they have a tendency to gain weight, it would be useful to train themselves not to overeat.

Kaphas need to exercise regularly. Engaging in mental activity is beneficial for them. Travel and meeting new people can invigorate Kaphas. Don’t allow yourself to oversleep and make time to go sweat from time to time at your health club as steams are beneficial to Kaphas. For more information on balancing Kaphas, please read ‘Perfect Health’ by Deepak Chopra.

Finding your own Balance – Are you Pitta?

If you are predominantly Pitta, you are likely ambitious, enthusiastic and decisive. You are likely very successful at what you do. Type A people are typically Pitta. When out of balance though, Pittas can be overly demanding and hard driving. Anger is a common manifestation of this imbalance. It’s no wonder, that an out of balance Pitta can suffer from hypertension or even a heart attack. Other Pitta ailments include skin problems like rashes, acne, migraine headaches, hyperthyroidism, heartburn and colitis; fevers and excessive perspiration are common to Pittas as well. So how do Pittas find their balance?

Dietary changes are key to balancing Pitta.  Because the digestive fire is high in Pittas, they digest their food well and have a healthy appetite. Fruits and vegetables should be increased and if they’re raw, even better. Salads are your best friend. Vegetables that can aggravate Pittas include tomatoes, radishes, hot peppers and raw onions.  Vegetables that favor Pitta include the Brassica family (cabbage, brussels sprouts, broccoli, kale, etc). Leafy greens,cucumbers,and cilantro are good for Pittas because of their cooling effect.  Sweet fruits including grapes, mangos, melons, and plums, figs and raisins benefit Pitta the best. Foods such as citrus fruits (except lemon in small quantities which is alkalanizing and thus beneficial), yogurt, sour cream, pickles, and vinegar tend to aggravate Pitta because of their sour quality. Pittas should reduce their intake of flesh food, eggs, mustard, garlic, ginger (which are too heating), caffeine, alcohol, salt, and tobacco. Alcohol is said to be akin to throwing gasoline on the fire and reducing or eliminating intake altogether will help Pittas feel in balance.Pittas tolerate grains such as buckwheat, rice and wheat. Pittas need to drink a lot of water to cool them off and replace water lost through sweat.

With regards to physical exercise for Pittas, avoid excessive exercise especially in the heat. Swimming is one of the best balancers along with water aerobics. Taking a walk after sunset along the river would also be beneficial.  Essential oils that are well tolerated topically include mint, sandalwood and rose. A few drops could be added to Coconut oil for your skin and could be used as a massage oil or added to a cool bath.

These changes made to diet and lifestyle will help balance the Pitta dosha so you can still be successful while maintaining harmony within your interpersonal relationships. Balancing your predominant constitution takes you one step closer to optimal health. For more information on balancing Ayurvedic constitutional types, please read Perfect Health by Deepak Chopra…