What Causes Excess Heat in the Body, and How Can It Be Naturally Balanced? - #14436

Excess heat? Yeah, that can be a real nuisance. It's like your body's having a fire its own. In Ayurveda, excess heat is often tied to an imbalance in the Pitta dosha. Think of Pitta like the fire element that dictates transformation n metabolism. When Pitta's elevated, whether through diet, environment, or even emotions like anger, it can lead to issues you mentioned – sweating, restlessness, skin issues. The root causes of heat can vary, so it's important to play detective a bit. Spicy, sour, or salty foods, fried or overly processed meals, alcohol? Definite Pitta aggravators. High stress or intense work schedules can also stoke the inner fire. Also, being exposed to excessive heat all the time, like in hot climates or through constant use of heating devices, might be contributing. So, first up, look at your diet. Cooling foods can make quite a big difference over time. Prioritize stuff like cucumbers, melons, coconut water, and leafy greens. Avoid hot and sour foods. And yeah, stay hydrated – seems obvious but often overlooked... put an emphasis on water-rich foods and herbal teas like chamomile or peppermint. Herbal remedies can be helpful too. As you said, Amalaki (Indian Gooseberry) and Shatavari are good options. They're known to pacify Pitta effectively. Brahmi works well too for calming an overactive mind (and inner heat), though it's more for mental stress. Don’t ignore lifestyle changes. Regular, moderate yoga and meditation can help dissipate heat, both physically and mentally. You can try Pranayama (especially Sheetali breath), which involves inhaling through a rolled tongue, thought to cool down the body’s core. That's something I again recommend as a part of your daily practice. Medical conditions like hyperthyroidism or some digestive disorders could indeed be at play. Because hyperthyroidism involves excess hormone production, it speeds up body's processes, so getting a thorough check-up might make sense here – just to rule out or confirm any real medical concerns. Remember, Ayurveda looks at balance, so consider all these aspects, and you'll be on your way to feeling cooler and more comfortable. Ask yourself: What's warming me up too much, physically and emotionally, and what cooler approaches can I invite in?