Foods & Vegetables That Cool You Down In The Summer, According To Your Dosha

By Dr. Puja Shah

Summer, the season of Pitta, brings with it a surge of heat that can easily shake you off balance.

Ayurveda’s solution to this is to harmonize our diet with the seasons and with our dominant Dosha.

Each Dosha comes with its own unique qualities and imbalances. Pitta, characterized by its heat, intensity, and sharpness, is particularly prone to flare-ups in the summer.

But regardless of your dominant Dosha, it’s a good idea to focus on foods that cool down and balance yours, so you can reduce excess heat, prevent aggravation, and stay comfortable and healthy all summer long. Here’s a list to get you started:

Cooling Foods & Vegetables For Each Dosha

Vata Constitution

Foods:

Sweet fruits like mango and ripe bananas: These fruits are naturally sweet and hydrating, which help balance the dryness and lightness of Vata.
Coconut water: A natural coolant that is hydrating and helps to balance the light and dry qualities of Vata.
Dairy products such as milk and ghee: Nourishing and grounding help counter Vata’s tendency toward dryness and instability.
Whole grains like rice and oats: These provide steady energy and grounding, helping stabilize Vata.
Sweeteners like honey and jaggery add a soothing sweetness that balances Vata’s tendency towards dryness and coldness.

Vegetables:

Sweet potatoes: Grounding and nourishing, they help to counteract Vata’s light and airy nature.
Cucumber: Cooling and hydrating, perfect for calming the dry and hot qualities of Vata.
Zucchini: Moist and cooling, which helps to soothe Vata’s dryness.
Carrots: Naturally sweet and grounding, beneficial for balancing Vata.
Beets: Grounding and slightly sweet, good for stabilizing Vata’s airy qualities.

Pitta Constitution

Foods:

Sweet fruits like melons and pears are cooling and hydrating, ideal for balancing Pitta’s heat.
Dairy products such as milk and yogurt: Cooling and soothing, they help pacify Pitta’s fiery nature.
Coconut water: Naturally cooling and hydrating, perfect for Pitta.
Rice and barley: These grains cool down and help reduce Pitta’s heat.
Sweeteners like maple syrup: Naturally sweet and cooling, suitable for balancing Pitta

Vegetables:

Leafy greens like spinach: Cooling and hydrating, ideal for reducing Pitta’s heat.
Cucumber: Extremely cooling and hydrating, perfect for calming Pitta.
Broccoli: Light and cooling help reduce Pitta’s heat.
Cauliflower: Cooling and balancing for Pitta.
Asparagus: Cooling and diuretics help reduce heat in the body.

Kapha Constitution

Foods:

Apples and pomegranates: These fruits are astringent and light, helping to reduce Kapha’s heaviness.
Light grains like quinoa and barley: Light and dry, these grains help balance Kapha’s heaviness and oiliness.
Legumes such as lentils and chickpeas are light, dry, and beneficial for balancing Kapha.
Spices like ginger and turmeric: Warming and stimulating, helping to counteract Kapha’s sluggishness.
Honey (in moderation): Light and astringent, it helps reduce Kapha.

Vegetables:

Leafy greens: Light and dry, they help reduce Kapha’s heaviness.
Peppers: Light and slightly spicy, good for stimulating Kapha.
Asparagus: Light and diuretics help reduce Kapha’s water retention.
Brussels sprouts Light and dry, beneficial for balancing Kapha.
Radishes: Pungent and light, good for stimulating and reducing Kapha.

About Dr. Puja Shah, Editor-in-Chief of The Natural Law

Dr. Puja Shah is an award-winning author whose 93 year old grandmother swore by Ayurvedic remedies and practiced yoga into her last days. And so while her education includes 9 years of medical training as a dentist, 3 teaching qualifications in yoga, and dozens of courses in meditation, it’s no wonder that she always goes back to Ayurveda. Puja harnesses Ayurveda regularly with her children and husband Amish Shah, Founder of The Natural Law.

Shop our Pitta-cooling bestsellers

It’s a good time to stock up on Dosha-cooling supplies for the summer. Our curated selections below focus mostly on Pitta, since that’s the most aggravated Dosha in the summer, but they can also provide relief for other Doshas too.

Currently available to US Customers only

Neem Skin Salve

Benefits: This neem salve is perfect for soothing and protecting your skin against the harsh summer sun. Neem is known for its cooling and healing properties, making it ideal for Pitta.

Usage: Apply this salve to protect and nourish your skin, keeping it cool and hydrated.

Neem Oil

Benefits: Neem oil can be used directly on the skin or mixed with a carrier oil. It is excellent for reducing heat and inflammation, which are common summer issues, especially for Pitta.

Usage: Use this oil for massages or add it to your skincare routine to maintain cool and balanced skin.

Organic Jasmine Green Tea

Benefits: The perfect summer drink, jasmine green tea is naturally cooling and rich in antioxidants. It helps to pacify Pitta and provides a soothing effect on the mind and body.

Usage: Enjoy a cup of this tea to stay hydrated and cool while also balancing your Dosha.