We all are no strangers to the fact that managing body heat is crucial for one’s overall wellbeing. It also ensures bodily functions and prevents heat-related illness. One should stay hydrated and avoid strenuous activity in hot weather. Body heat occurs when the core temperature of the human body rises owing to a lot of external and internal factors. It is of utmost importance to regulate body temperature for preventing heat exhaustion, heat stroke and other complications.
What are the causes of increased body heat?
Increased body heat can be caused owing to one’s lifestyle, medical conditions and other environmental factors. Following are the causes of increased body heat-
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Dehydration- Lack of adequate water tends to reduce the body’s ability to cool itself through sweating.
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Hot weather conditions- Prolonged exposure to heat increases the temperature of the body.
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Spicy and hot foods- Excessive consumption of spicy or hot food tends to increase metabolic heat.
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Fever- certain infections can cause a rise in the body temperature.
| Ayurvedic Remedy | Main Benefit | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Rosewater Lemonade | Cools down Pitta dosha | Acidity, skin rashes, emotional stress |
| Fennel & Coriander Water | Reduces internal heat & detoxifies | Body heat, UTI, bad breath |
| Aloe Vera Juice | Soothes inflammation, improves digestion | Acidity, ulcers, pitta imbalance |
| Abhyanga (Oil Massage) | Relieves stress & fatigue, cools body | Hyperactivity, dry skin, heat exhaustion |
| Mint-Infused Water | Cools the liver & improves hydration | Bad breath, heat stroke, anger issues |
What are the immediate ways to reduce body heat?
Following are some immediate ways to reduce body heat-
1. Take a cold shower.
A cold bath effectively lowers one’s body temperature by dissipating excess heat.
2. Drink cold fluids.
Hydrating with cold water or electrolyte-rich fluids provides instant relief.
3. Avoid caffeinated drinks.
One should replace caffeinated beverages with drinks such as buttermilk.
4. Eat hydrating fruits and vegetables.
One should include water-rich foods such as cucumber and citrus fruits to cool down the body naturally.
5. Perform breathing exercises.
It is very important to practice breathing exercises and cooling techniques like, ‘Sheetali Pranayama’ help bring down body heat.
What are the tips to prevent excess body heat?
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One should drink sufficient water throughout the day.
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It is important to avoid eating spicy or fried food during hot weather.
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It is also important to limit strenuous activities.
How to get rid of body heat using Ayurveda?
Excess body heat is caused by an imbalance of Pitta dosha. We all know that Pitta dosha governs transformation, metabolism and heat in the body. Following are the ways to get rid of body heat using Ayurveda-
1. Eat cooling foods for pitta dosha.
One of the fastest ways to lower internal heat is by monitoring the diet we consume. When pitta has one burning up, you should favour foods that are light, naturally sweet and astringent. Some of the cooling fruits that you should consume are watermelon, grapes, apples, mango, coconut and pomegranate. The cooling vegetables one should eat are cucumber, asparagus, celery, kale, spinach and green beans. One should also eat mung beans, lentils and chickpeas. The coconut water is a natural electrolyte balancer and amla juice is rich in vitamin C.
2. Hydrate with cooling ayurvedic drinks.
When Pitta becomes aggravated, owing to spicy food, hot weather and stress, it leads to symptoms like excess sweating, acidity, heartburn, mouth ulcers and anger. Thus, for balancing the extra heat, cooling ayurvedic drinks play a key role in pacifying Pitta and restoring internal harmony in the body. Proper hydration is essential for managing body heat. However, when it comes to Pitta, ‘cooling’ does not mean ice-cold. We all know that iced beverages may feel refreshing at the moment. However, they can weaken the digestion and increase the internal heat. Therefore, one should enjoy cooling ayurvedic drinks at room temperature. Following are the drinks one can consume to get rid of body heat using Ayurveda-
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Rosewater lemonade.
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Mint-infused water.
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Aloe vera juice.
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Fennel and coriander seed water.
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Herbal teas.
These cooling drinks contain herbs and ingredients that reduce the internal heat without any side effects. It also helps bring back digestive comfort and clear skin. Thus, proper hydration is the key for regulating body temperature. Ayurvedic drinks support the liver and kidneys and prevent dehydration and overheating. Cooling herbs like mint, rose and coriander calm the digestive fire. It also relieves acidity and bloating. Cooling drinks also have calming effects. They also reduce stress, anger and emotional heat. When the body naturally accumulates heat, cooling drinks maintain electrolyte balance and prevent sunburn. Coriander water detoxifies and cools the urinary system and rose water refreshes the skin.
3. Perform ayurvedic massage.
Also known as Abhyanga in Ayurveda, the ayurvedic massage is the daily practice of warm oil self-massage that helps cool the body, calms the nervous system and nourishes the tissue. It is powerful for managing Pitta restoring moisture and it also supports emotional steadiness. It is important to apply oil before a shower. It should be applied using long strokes on limbs and circular motion on joints. One should also apply the money on the scalp, chest and hands. These are the areas where the heat and Pitta tend to accumulate. Many studies show that a single touch can reduce anxiety and stress. It will also help one feel secure and safe. Abhyanga, which is known to eliminate fatigue and reduce mental stress, creates lymphatic stimulation. It also detoxifies the body. This powerful balancing treatment stimulated the body’s energy channels. It also opens kundalini which is a subtle force that opens the mind to long-term benefits.
Many healthcare practitioners suggest making use of herb-infused oils as per their doshas. As per Ayurveda, massage oils offer a natural response to an unbalanced state of skin and they also help combat all types of skin concerns such as dull skin and inflammation. Warming oils like sweet almond oil and black sesame oil are the most popular oils. One should also lookout for camphor, red sandalwood and jasmine oils. Practicing abhyanga daily can be highly beneficial.
Once absorbed in the body, massage oils can have numerous effects such as soothing and softening the skin. Following are the benefits of Abhyanga oil-
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Varna prada- It improves the complexion of the body.
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Jarahara- It rejuvenates the body tissue.
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Vatahara- Alleviates vata dosha. It also reduces the effects of any trauma.
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Shramahara- It relaxes the muscles and relieves fatigue.
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Kleshasaha- It helps overcome stress and anxiety.