The seasons are characterized by cycles of vata, pitta and kapha. Maintaining good health during all four seasons requires living in harmony with these natural cycles, continually adjusting to the changes in the outer environment through the food we choose to eat, the type and amount of exercise we do, the clothes we wear, and so on. The following suggestions will help you be at your best during the summer season.

Ayurveda recognizes that each person has a unique mind-body constitution. Ayurveda then identifies the various components of that individual's constitution, determines where imbalances and disturbances exist, and provides education, guidance and a plan for helping the individual bring about their own improvements in health and wellness.

Every human being has five senses, which are associated with the five elements. Sound and hearing are related to the element of space, color and sight to fire, taste to water, smell and aroma to earth, and touch to air. These five senses are the gateways of perception for the human being, and they can be used for healing purposes.

Aromatherapy uses incense and essential oils made from flowers, plants, trees, and grasses to relay fragrances through the olfactory sense to the brain, in order to bring healing energy to mind and body. Ayurveda teaches that smells are directly related to doshic balance and imbalance, and that certain aromas are heating, cooling, or neutral.

Pitta and the heat of summer may be soothed by the use of cooling, calming, sweet aromas such as sandalwood, jasmine, rose and khus. Lemongrass, fennel, peppermint, gardenia, rose geranium and mint may also be beneficial.

Sandalwood is anti-inflammatory and cooling; it is calming and soothing for pitta but may increase kapha or vata. Jasmine too is cooling and sweet and good for pitta, but it may build up kapha over time. Khus (the essence of khus grass) is grounding, pleasant, and cooling. It has a sweet smell and pacifies pitta, but it may provoke kapha and vata.