Summer is a good time for the body to eliminate toxins. Our bodies are primed to cool down and detox. Pitta dosha (composed of the elements of fire and water) or the energy of transformation is light, sharp, hot, oily, smooth, mobile, and clear. It resides in our blood and liver. During the hot summer months, pitta may surface as exhaustion, anger, irritability, intensity, judgement, diarrhea, or as a skin rash. We can cool and comfort ourselves through seasonal nourishment of all our senses, tailored movement, deep rest through breathing and meditation practices.

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In addition to seasonal care, consider detoxing the liver because of its role in:

1. filtering and detoxifying blood.

2. synthesizing proteins.

3. producing critical enzymes and hormones.

4. regulating glycogen storage.

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Liver is the seat of anger, hate, and resentment. It is also tied to feelings of envy, irritability, frustration, impatience, and excessive ambition. it is important for willpower, courage, confidence, contentment, satisfaction, enthusiasm, cooperation, acceptance, and surrender.

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In order to detox:

•Avoid sugars, meats, alcohol, oils, drugs, heavy foods, and toxins.

•Favor ghee over other oils and fats but use it sparingly.

•Select cooling spices and garnishes such as ground coriander, fresh cilantro, fennel, cumin, turmeric, mint, and lemon or lime. 

•Target the first 3 weeks of September.

• Ramp up your efforts in the last week when you abstain from oil massage, consume kitchari, alternate between cucumber-celery juice and apple-beet juice, drink hibiscus or herbal tea, and supplement with detoxing Ayurvedic herbs).

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