Its 45 degrees centigrade out there, and our skin seems to be sucking the heat in deeper into our body rather than helping us cool down. An occasional afternoon downpour brings more grief than relief for it layers on humidity that is thick enough to slice with a knife. Throw in a little pollution and each second becomes pure hell when we are outdoors.
The recently past heat wave seems to be consuming India and is probably indicative of an approaching hot summer. It's brutal May, sizzling June and searing July and August are yet to come.
News papers and magazines are flooded with “summer detox” and similar articles. Most of it will either be a rehash of what we read last year or stuff that just doesn’t apply to Indian climate, temperament and palate
As anyone who's ever had a scorching sunburn or a nasty case of poison ivy can attest, summer can be hard on skin. Luckily, most of the summer skin care damage is easy to remedy. Here are fast fixes and summer skin care tips for five common seasonal snafus, plus steps to safeguard your skin through Labor Day and beyond.
First, lighten up toxin load. Eliminate alcohol, coffee, cigarettes, refined sugars and saturated fats, all of which act as toxins in the body and are obstacles to healing process. Also, minimize use of chemical-based household cleaners and personal health care products (cleansers, shampoos, deodorants and toothpastes), and substitute natural alternatives.
Another deterrent to good health is stress, which triggers body to release stress hormones into body system. While these hormones can provide the "adrenaline rush" to win a race or meet a deadline, in large amounts they create toxins and slow down detoxification enzymes in the liver. Yoga, and meditation are simple and effective ways to relieve stress by resetting your physical and mental reactions to the inevitable stress life will bring.
Best way out is re-introducing Parents' wisdom or we could call it just common sense. It’s the stuff that looks after the environment both outside and inside our system, it doesn’t call for Kiwis from NewZealand or Quinoa from South- America. Its about patronizing our local farmers, relishing our home-grown recipes
Top 10 choices are:-
Yogurt/Curd (दही)
For all those who suffer from constipation, gas and acidity in the summers, this one is an absolute must have on a daily basis. The thing though is that you must set the curd at home and with whole milk. This allows the essential fats, the Vit D and the Vit B along with the B12 to be retained. The process of turning milk into Curd naturally enhances it with the “good bacteria”. The growth of this essential bacteria is curtailed in the “probiotic” products available in the market, that’s exactly why they don’t go bad for days together and have a long shelf life. Curd will help make your intestines strong, reduce acidity attacks and keep the bloating down. For best results have curd -rice as a meal.
Gulkand (गुलकंद)
A super food made with rose petals and sugar along with some traditional herbs and spices. Prevents breakouts on the face and keeps skin fresh and glowing all through the summer. Its another hidden gem from the Indian kitchen, rich in phyto-nutrients, polyphenols and probiotics. So tasty that you will have trouble thinking of it as a therapeutic product. Start your day with a teaspoon or have half a tea-spoon with lunch and dinner.
Coconut Water(नारियल)
The divine nectar from the most divine fruit that India has to offer is not just a thirst quencher but has the perfect balance of sodium and potassium required to give our skin a baby fresh look. Prevents dehydration too and is a well known cramp & migraine reliever during PMS trouble
Garcinia Indica or called as Kokum(कोकम) Syrup/Sherbet
Native to the Western Ghats of India, Kokum has been traditionally used as a fruit, as a part of curry and very popularly as a sherbet. Other than ensuring that no ulcer grows in your mouth or stomach during summers, it also works as an anti-obesity agent and most importantly has properties to prevent cancer. Little wonder then that it is bestowed with the status of ‘amrut’ or nectar in the native regions along the Konkan caost.
Sabja seeds
Sabja seeds floated on every falooda, chaas and kheer in Indian homes. Not just a quick detox but an instant cooler and bloating reliever. Even a glass of water with soaked sabja seeds can help us get thinner.
Mango
Mango is great to taste, it’s a quick and effective cleanser of the entire system and an under-utilised (infact most times misunderstood) weight loss aid. Do soak it in water for about 20-30 minutes before consumption.
Sorghum (जवार)
Sorghum is one of India’s ancient grain and naturally cooling in nature. To overcome that weight loss plateau eat Sorghum Bread or bhakris . It works as a weight loss aid, if added with the ghee to Sorghum Bread which is Rich in Vit B1, Iron and fibre. Its also popular in India as a brain food.
Cumin (जीरा)
Indian spice it can detox our system, calm our nerves and aid our fat burning efforts this Summer. Roast it a bit and turn it into a powder – adding it to our chaas with a pinch of blacksalt and you feel and look cooler than ever.
Cashew apple
It’s the conical fruit out of which the cashew nut sprouts. Five times richer in Vit C than an orange, this one makes for a perfect tangy drink with just a single bite. That’s exactly why even the global food giants are interested in this. Brazilians love this fruit and eat it not just for its detoxing properties but also for its ability to zing up sex life and burn stubborn fat. Last word – don’t ignore this local but exotic fruit.
Clay Pitcher(मटका) Water
Add the khus-khus(खस खस) grass to the bottom of Clay Pitcher(मटका), pour water on top and wrap a Muslin(मलमल) cloth around it. How does it help you? Well khus-khus(खस खस) is India’s ancient secret of keeping everything cool, yes our people knew how to make water cool & safe even before the advent of refrigerators. The porous Clay Pitcher(मटका) adds a unique taste and keeps water free of any pathogens – lets call it pure and mineral enriched. khus-khus a herb is pure, mineral rich and herbed water for a complete detox of the system. Khus-khus is also called as Vetiver and is used in all high –end soaps and perfumes, not just for its distinct aroma but for its ability to reduce emotional anxiety and bring about a calming effect.
Note:
This is a work of creating awareness about general health. No actual attitude toward, marketing promotion of products or connection with such is to be inferred.
GRATEFUL:
My Parents( My GOD and GODDESS )
Launchora
Friends & Associates
Best Regards.
Pavan Datta