End of Summer Cleansing: Cooling Pitta, Calming Vata
By Dr. Leena Sripada, ND, AAWC
September is an interesting combination of hot days and cooler nights representing an interplay of Pitta and Vata. If your constitution is a Vata-Pitta, this is an especially important time to tend to balance: cleansing the excess Pitta heat that has built up over the summer, while gently pacifying Vata as the winds of fall begin to stir.
Summer’s Pitta Build-Up
Summer is the season of Pitta dosha, with its qualities of heat, intensity, sharpness, and drive. For many, this is the time of year when Pitta imbalances begin to show up. Think of:
Skin issues like acne, rashes, hives, or redness.
Digestive heat such as loose stools, heartburn, or acidity.
Overwork and burn-out from the fiery drive to “do it all” while the sun is high.
Irritability, frustration, or impatience in the mind.
By the time we reach September, Pitta has accumulated. If this is not released, this heat can carry into autumn and winter, contributing to chronic inflammation, fatigue, and stress. Ayurveda emphasizes cleansing at the transition of each seasonal change.
An Ayurvedic End-of-Summer Pitta Cleanse
Ayurveda recommends a gentle seasonal detox, not through harsh fasting, but through foods, herbs, and routines that cool, soothe, and release excess heat.
Diet for Pitta Detox
Favor cooling, hydrating foods
Choose lightly cooked meals rather than heavy or oily foods, to give digestion a rest.
Avoid excessive spicy, fried, or sour foods which fuel Pitta.
Opt for bitter and astringent tastes (like leafy greens and legumes) to naturally detoxify —> eat what grows in your garden or farmer’s market (swiss chard, rapini, herbs)
Herbal Allies
Neem – cooling and purifying for skin, blood, and liver.
Manjistha – supports lymphatic cleansing and skin health. (Burdock is similar to this as well).
Triphala – gently regulates elimination, clearing excess Pitta from the GI tract.
*work with your Ayurvedic practitioner for specific herbal suggestions customized for your constitution.
The Rise of Vata
As the days shorten and evenings become crisp, Vata qualities begin to dominate: light, dry, cold, and mobile. You can see Vata in the natural world—in the cool wind, dry leaves, and shifting seasons.
In the body and mind, this can show up as:
Dry skin and hair
Gas, bloating, or constipation
Anxiety, worry, or restlessness - also a sense of loneliness or emptiness
Irregular sleep patterns
Without care, the combination of lingering Pitta heat and rising Vata dryness can leave you feeling depleted, irritable, and ungrounded.
Tips for Fall Vata Care
Warm, grounding meals – Shift toward soups, stews, roasted root vegetables, and warm grains with ghee.
Daily oil massage (Abhyanga) – Use warm sesame oil to nourish skin, calm the nervous system, and counter dryness.
Stable daily routine – Eat, sleep, and work at regular times to calm Vata’s irregular nature.
Gentle movement – Choose yoga, walking, or stretching instead of high-intensity exercise that further depletes energy.
Seasonal wisdom
The transition from summer to fall is a powerful opportunity to restore balance. By cleansing accumulated Pitta heat and protecting against rising Vata, you prepare your body and mind for the months ahead with steadiness and resilience. Think of it as clearing the slate—releasing summer’s excess fire so you can welcome autumn’s winds with calm, grounded strength.
If you would like to discuss end of summer cleansing or transition into fall, you can book your consultation here with Dr. Leena Sripada, ND. The transition of seasons are always important for your Ayurvedic checkup to prevent immune issues, digestive imbalance and aggravation of current health issues - especially if you are a combination of vata + pitta.
If you would like to read more about ways to address pitta, check out the NEW BOOK released “Cool the Fire” with 100+ pages of practical Ayurveda.
—> Contact: https://www.doctorleena.ca/contact
Cool the Fire, is a practical guide to help you calm the summer flames.
Inside, you’ll not only discover simple recipes, soothing rituals, and cooling remedies — you’ll also meet the Pitta archetypes which help you identify and understand more about your Ayurvedic type. Read more —→
