Rubbing your irritated eyes at the end of a long day? Eye Strain, heat and fatigue can be associated with a pitta imbalance. Specifically excess pitta in the eyes, Alochaka Pitta causes problems.
Pitta the force of transformation contains fire and water. Fire an element of transformation brings our world to life. Pitta is instrumental in our ability to take in light patterns, and create meaning in our life.
Vision (Rupa), one of the five senses is an amazing gift to interpret and interact with our world. Ayurveda teaches that right use of the senses underpins health, and sense organ care is an ongoing part of health maintenance. For many of us self-care for our eyes falls off our plates, until Alochaka Pitta goes out of balance and tired, dry itchy puffy eyes force us to take action. A lot of brain power is allocated to make sense from what we see, so it is worth it to take care of our eyes and get good raw data.
Pitta Season Can Aggravate Pitta
The long hot days of summer season can elevate pitta in general and pitta in the eyes in particular. Eye strain and fatigue is an early indication of problems. When pitta gets out of balance in the eyes this distorts our ability to use our sight in a healthy way to engage with the world.
Factors That Push Alochaka Pitta
- Long Days filled with light and activity
- Exercise in the heat of the day. Lighten up or change up your workouts to reduce pitta’s impact.
- Diet spicy, salty sour foods all aggravate pitta. Limit your intake during summer season.
- Eat less chocolate. Chocolate sadly, can aggravate pitta and vata in excess. Eat lowest sugar dark chocolate you can enjoy.
- Dehydration In pitta when you lose the water, you end up with too much fire. Make sure to drink enough during summer months.
I am one of those people who feels the heat of pitta season strongly. Over the years I have learned to take care of myself, particularly my eyes and sight during the summer months. Quality prescription sunglasses and broad brimmed hats are part of my summer eye protection travel kit.
How about you? I also use cooling therapies, like organic cucumber slices, or a lavender scented eye pillow on my eyes or cupping, when I take a break from writing on the computer. What do you do? Add your ideas to the comments below.
Actively Support Your Eye Health Reduce Alochaka Pitta Imbalance
- Wear Protective eye wear when out in bright light all day. Excess UVB rays can harm vision over time.
- Shift from heating breath work like agni sara to cooling pranayama and early morning workouts. Morning yoga or walks before the heat of the day
- Eat Eye supportive pitta balancing veggies and fruits, like kale, and fresh seasonal blueberries.
- Stay on schedule, get to bed early for enough sleep.
- Try some eye cooling therapies as a summer treat.
Keep the fire steady and water element happy for balance in pitta season. Stay hydrated as you move into the dryness of fall and vata. Take care to balance any heat that builds in your eyes this summer enjoy the colors and blooms of the summer season.
Ayurselfcare’s purpose is to educate on the benefits of Ayurveda. This article is not a substitute for professional medical care, treatment or advice. All the material here is for learning purposes only. Always share strategy and work with your health care team.