Summer First Aid

This is the second installment of “Yoga and Ayurveda Summer Series,” with a focus on first aid for summer ailments, all of which are either available in your own home or easy to obtain. All natural without using chemicals and medications! My Ayurveda teacher Dr. Vasant Lad calls this your “kitchen pharmacy.”

Here are home remedies for common summer conditions:

Bug bites: While there is a strict rule that we should never use essential oils straight from the bottle because they are so concentrated, there is an exception. And this exception is amazing! Place one drop of these three essential oils—peppermint, tea tree and lavender—in the palm of your hand. Dab the mixture on each bug bite. The itch will stop immediately and, in many cases, the redness will disappear in a few hours. Please wash your hands with an oil-based cleanser to avoid getting the oils in your eyes.

Heartburn: Into 1 cup of water add 10 drops of lime juice, ½ teaspoon sugar, and ¼ teaspoon baking soda. Add the baking soda last for an effervescent effect. Drink immediately. Works every time!

Diarrhea: Peel an apple. Cook the pulp with 1 teaspoon of ghee, pinch of nutmeg and pinch of sugar. Eat this 2-3 times during the day.

Pitta type headaches start in the temples and radiate into the center of the head. They are characterized by shooting, burning, piercing pain that is made worse by bright lights, high temperatures and eating sour or spicy foods. Often accompanied by nausea and irritability. Take 2 Tablespoons of aloe vera gel three times a day. OR Eat something sweet like a piece of fruit or ice cream.

Fatigue: Rest. There’s a reason why every image we have of summer includes having your feet up with a cool drink in one hand and a book in the other. Oh yeah, and sunglasses to complete the look.