Summer is almost here, and you can't wait to plunge into the pool or head for the beach. But before you rush out to sample the joys of summertime, make sure you are following a diet and routine that will help keep the fire of Pitta dosha in balance.

According to ayurveda, every individual is a unique combination of the three doshas or psycho-physiological principles Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Vata is mainly air and space, Pitta fire and water and Kapha water and earth. These doshas also govern the seasons of the year, with Pitta, the fire element, ruling the hot summer months. During the summer, even if you do not have a lot of Pitta in your make-up, you may find that you need to take steps to placate Pitta to stay healthy and balanced. This goes not only for your overall health but skin and hair health as well.

Here are some suggestions to keep your skin looking beautiful all summer long:

1. Drink lots of water through the day, not only to replenish moisture lost to the heat and sweat but also to help flush toxins out of the body and keep skin looking clear and lustrous. Herb or spice teas, made with skin-enhancing ingredients, offer added therapeutic benefit. To balance Pitta, choose cooling herbs and spices such as mint, cardamom and fennel. Stay away from iced beverages because they hinder digestion and can create toxins leading to skin breakouts.

2. Eat Pitta-balancing fruits, vegetables and herbs, which supply the skin with essential nutrients and come with free-radical fighting antioxidant properties while they help keep your skin cool. Carrots, lettuce, summer squash such as zucchini, celery, asparagus and leafy greens are good vegetable choices. Sweet juicy fruits such as pears, grapes, watermelon and mangoes both nourish and cleanse. Fresh ginger, cilantro, mint and basil add flavor and aromas to dishes without aggravating Pitta dosha.

3. The sweet, bitter and astringent tastes balance Pitta while the sour, pungent and salty tastes aggravate it. Go easy on spicy or sour foods, especially if you plan to go out and enjoy the sun for the day, to keep your skin from breaking out or getting inflamed.

4. Milk is a cooling, Pitta-pacifying beverage that also supplies nutrients to your skin and helps to keep it from drying out. Drink a cup of milk every day, and also combine milk with ingredients like almond meal and rose water to make a Pitta-balancing skin cleanser.

5. Get plenty of quality rest each night. Keep your bedroom cool, dark and comfortable and sleep on cotton or linen sheets. Get to bed early and awaken early for clear healthy skin and sparkling eyes.

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