What Causes Excessive Heat in the Body, and How Can It Be Reduced Naturally? - #14428
I often feel excessive heat in my body, which leads to sweating, restlessness, skin breakouts, and even acid reflux. I want to understand what causes excessive heat and what natural remedies can help cool the body down and restore balance. Some of the common reasons for excess heat include high Pitta dosha (as per Ayurveda), excessive spicy food intake, dehydration, overexposure to the sun, and stress. Many people recommend cooling foods like coconut water, cucumber, mint, and buttermilk to regulate body temperature. Others suggest Ayurvedic herbs like Shatavari, Amalaki, and Brahmi to calm internal heat. However, I want to know whether excess heat is linked to a specific health issue, like hormonal imbalances or digestive problems. For those who experience high body heat, what remedies worked best for you? Did diet changes, lifestyle adjustments, or herbal treatments help in cooling down the body and reducing discomfort? Would love insights into the best natural ways to reduce excessive body heat and whether medical conditions could be contributing to this issue.
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Doctors’ responses
Excessive heat in the body can be caused by a variety of factors, both physical and emotional. In Ayurveda, this is often linked to an imbalance in the Pitta dosha, which is responsible for heat, metabolism, and transformation in the body. Other contributing factors include high-stress levels, dehydration, consuming spicy or hot foods, hormonal imbalances, and digestive issues. The body’s temperature regulation can be further challenged by environmental factors, like prolonged exposure to the sun, or conditions such as acid reflux or hyperthyroidism.
To naturally balance internal heat, many people turn to cooling foods like cucumber, mint, coconut water, and buttermilk. These foods help to hydrate and calm the system. Ayurvedic herbs such as Shatavari, Amalaki, Brahmi, and Turmeric are also known for their cooling properties and can support digestion and overall internal balance. Regular consumption of aloe vera juice and avoiding excessive caffeine or alcohol can also contribute to cooling the body down.
In terms of lifestyle adjustments, practices like reducing stress through meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises can be very effective. It’s also important to stay hydrated, avoid being outdoors during peak heat hours, and wear breathable fabrics. Additionally, adjusting the diet by reducing spicy, oily, and acidic foods can help lower internal heat and prevent flare-ups like skin breakouts or acid reflux.
Excessive body heat can be a bit tricky, but it’s often connected to a Pitta dosha imbalance. So, someone with a predominately Pitta constitution or lifestyle habits that increase Pitta might deal with these heat symptoms. Over-consumption of sour, salty, spicy foods, or even alcohol could be firing up that internal heat.
But it’d not just diet. Emotional stress, overexposure to sun, or even hormonal imbalances sometimes play a role. Like you mentioned, digestion can fire up the heat too – agni, or digestive fire, might be too strong, leading to acid reflux or skin issues. Even poor hydration sometimes reduces body’s natural cooling process.
To cool things down, focus on Pitta-pacifying foods. Think light, cooling, sweet and astringent tastes - stuff like coconut water is great for hydrating and cooling. Cucumber, watermelon, mint, and coriander are cooling too. You might even consider trying buttermilk, known to soothe internal heat.
Herbs? Yes, Shatavari and Amalaki can be great pals for calming you down. Shatavari is really nourishing and cooling for Pitta, while Amalaki is naturally cooling and can be helpful for acid reflux kinda stuff. Brahmi too, great for mental calmness and reducing stress, which fuels Pitta.
Lifestyle-wise, maybe avoid the midday sun, practice moderation in exercise, or try cooling yoga poses like forward bends. And stress management? Slow down your mind with meditation or pranayama like Sheetali breathing.
But hey, if this heat’s bugging you all day, it’s worth checking with a qualified healthcare provider to rule out conditions like hyperthyroidism or hormonal imbalances, just to be safe.
Persisting heat and discomfort isn’t something to ignore. Find that sweet and cooling pace where your body feels relaxed and balanced, and if problems persist, seek medical guidance.

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