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In 2024, India experienced one of the worst heat waves in recent history. Between March and June, HeatWatch reported 733 heatstroke deaths in 17 states in India. The IMD further reported that 2024 was the warmest year since 1901, with 54 days of recorded heatwaves in the pre-monsoon season.
In the 2025 summer, the anticipation of Nautapa, i.e, the nine hottest days of the year, brings a renewed awareness of the dangers of extreme heat. Nautapa 2025 begins on May 25, 2025 (the day the sun enters the Rohini Nakshatra) and lasts until June 2. In the Ayurvedic view, the intense heat of Nautapa is seen as an aggravation of Pitta dosha. When your Pitta is not in balance, it can cause acidity, inflammation, and irritability.
In this blog, we will learn about some Ayurveda recommended cooling practices during Nautapa 2025 that can help you balance your body’s internal environment with the external heat.
What Is Nautapa and Why Is It So Intense?
Nautapa ('nau' means nine and 'tapa' means heat) signifies the nine days when the sun enters the Rohini Nakshatra, leading to the most intense heat of the year. In 2025, Nautapa will take place from May 25 to June 2.
This period is significant because of the heat-related illnesses (heatstroke, dehydration, and worsening of existing health conditions) caused by high temperatures and higher humidity. If you are of old or tender age or have prior health conditions, then you should be particularly aware during this time.
What makes Nautapa so intense?
In a scientific point of view, this is the time when the sun is closest to Earth in the Northern Hemisphere. The ground takes in a lot of heat and the heat keeps building because there is no rainfall yet. The air becomes dry, temperature increases sharply and the risk for heat strokes and dehydration increases.
In Ayurvedic terms, Nautapa upsets the natural balance in your body, mainly your Pitta dosha (heat, digestion, metabolism). Pitta is already hot by nature. When external heat increases during Nautapa, it pushes your internal heat too high. This explains why you may feel more irritated, sweat more, have acidity, loose motions or experience skin rashes during this time.
Role of the Sun (Surya)
In Ayurveda, the Sun is considered a powerful source of heat and energy. If you are not careful, the heat from Surya becomes too strong for your body to handle during Nautapa 2025. If you have Pitta problems (acidity, migraines, or skin breakouts), you might notice they get worse.
That's why it's important to understand your body and make smart, cooling choices during Nautapa 2025 to stay safe and healthy.
What Happens to Your Body During Nautapa?
Your body goes through a lot during Nautapa, especially because of the extreme heat. If you are not careful, this heat can disturb your internal balance and lead to a number of health problems.
Common Symptoms of Heat Imbalance in the Body
Let us now understand some of the most common signs that your body is heating up more than it should:
- You are always very hot or sweaty.
- Your digestion feels off and you experience gas, acidity or loose motions.
- You get constant headaches or migraines.
- Your skin starts breaking out in rashes or acne.
- You get angry or irritated about small things.
- You become tired or drained quickly.
- Your sleep becomes disturbed or broken.
- You get mouth ulcers or a burning feeling in your stomach.
Impact on Digestion, Mood, Skin & Immunity
If your body overheats, your digestion also becomes weak. You might feel bloated after meals or experience sudden stomach issues. Your mood may swing easily and you may be more aggressive, restless, or anxious. Skin problems like prickly heat, red patches or sunburn can also show up. Also, your immune system becomes weaker, making it easier to catch infections or feel tired all day.
Pro Tip: Simple Self-Checks for Pitta Aggravation
- Stick out your tongue in the morning - if it is red and has a bitter or metallic taste, your Pitta is high.
- Check your sweat - if it smells sharp or sour, that's another clue.
- Notice your emotions - if you get easily irritated or impatient, your inner heat may be rising.
Every one of these signs are ways your body signals you to cool off. Ayurvedic medicines for heat during Nautapa can ease these symptoms naturally and comfortably.
Why Does Pitta Rise in Summer?
As we have understood, Pitta dosha is the most disturbed during Nautapa 2025. Basically, Pitta controls your heat, digestion, metabolism and even your emotions. It is made up of the fire and water elements and is therefore hot, sharp and intense.
The outside heat rises sharply in summer, especially during Nautapa. Since Pitta is already hot by nature, the external heat adds more fire to your body. Therefore, you may feel overheated, irritated, and more prone to digestive and skin problems.
This is how your body reacts when Pitta increases too much:
- Acidity or heartburn.
- Loose motions or nausea.
- Skin rashes or pimples.
- Anger, frustration, or short temper.
- Excessive sweating with a strong odour.
- Poor sleep and fatigue.
How Can You Bring Pitta Back Into Balance?
To stay healthy during Nautapa 2025, you need to know how to cool your Pitta. That means making small but smart changes in your everyday life.
Here are some Nautapa cooling tips:
- Eat cooling foods like cucumber, watermelon, coconut, and soaked almonds.
- Avoid spicy, oily and fried foods as they add heat to your body.
- Drink herbal infusions such as coriander water, rose sharbat or vetiver (khus) water.
- Wear light, breathable clothes like cotton or linen.
- Try Ayurvedic heat remedies like aloe vera or mint for drinks and skincare.
- Stay out of the sun during peak hours and sleep more.
Which Ayurvedic Herbs Cool the Body Best?
The external heat during Nautapa 2025 can also increase heat inside your body. As a result, you might feel tired, sweaty, irritated or experience acidity, skin rashes or dehydration. In Ayurveda, we recommend certain cooling herbs to calm this inner fire and balance your Pitta.
These are the best Ayurvedic remedies for heat and how to use them at home:
1. Mint (Pudina)
In Ayurveda, we consider mint as one of the most refreshing and cooling herbs. It reduces body heat, fights inflammation and calms your digestive system. If you're bloated, gassy or restless in summer, mint can help.
How to use: You can add fresh mint leaves to your drinking water, make mint tea or even add them into chutneys as a garnish.
2. Aloe vera (Kumari)
Aloe vera is renowned as a soothing and cooling herb for your skin and gut health. It is believed to heal sunburns, neutralise stomach acid and promote digestion. It is therefore considered ideal for hot summer days, especially Nautapa 2025.
How to use: Drink 2 tablespoons of fresh aloe vera juice with water in the morning or apply the gel directly onto sore skin if it feels hot or irritated.
3. Amla (Amalaki or Indian Gooseberry)
Amla is rich in antioxidants and it also acts as a coolant. It reduces internal heat, boosts your immunity and makes your skin glow. Amla helps with frequent acidity or loose motions.
How to use: You can eat raw amla with a pinch of salt, drink amla juice in the morning or simply mix amla powder in water.
4. Fennel seeds (Saunf/Shatapushpa)
Fennel seeds are naturally sweet and cooling. They help with digestion issues like bloating, gas and acidity. Fennel seeds also cool your liver which gets overworked in the heat.
How to use: Soak 1 teaspoon fennel seeds in water overnight and drink the water in the morning. You can also chew roasted fennel seeds after meals.
5. Rose (Desi Gulab)
Rose is considered an effective coolant in Ayurveda. It reduces heat in the body, calms your mind, and treats skin problems such as prickly heat or rashes. Rose also regulates your emotions and imparts a feeling of freshness.
How to use: Drink rose sharbat, make herbal tea from dried rose petals or put rose water on your face to cool the skin.
6. Coconut (Nariyal)
Coconut is nature's best summer gift. It cools you from within, helps keep you hydrated and also improves your digestion and skin health. Coconut water also replenishes essential minerals in your body that you lose in sweat.
How to use: Drink fresh coconut water in the morning or afternoon and apply coconut oil to the scalp or skin for external cooling. You can also use its milk in shakes or meals.
7. Coriander (Dhanyaka)
Coriander seeds are excellent for cooling your body and improving digestion. They are also mildly diuretic, i.e., they help flush out excess heat through urine.
How to use: Boil 1 tsp coriander seeds in water, strain and drink it as a herbal tea. You can also sprinkle fresh coriander leaves on your curries or salads.
8. Khus (Vetiver or Ushira)
Khus roots have a very strong cooling effect. They are used as part of Ayurvedic remedies for heat to maintain body temperature and fight heat related fatigue or headaches.
How to use: Soak the khus roots in water overnight and drink the water the next day. You can also use khus essential oil in your bath water or apply a few drops on your wrists.
9. Shatavari
Shatavari is especially helpful for women in the summer. It cools your body, nourishes the reproductive system and calms your mind when you are physically or mentally stressed. It also works well for dry skin and dehydration problems.
How to use: Mix 1 tsp shatavari powder with cold milk or water and drink it in the morning. You can also take it as a capsule.
10. Mulethi (Yashtimadhu or Licorice Root)
Mulethi is believed to soothe your throat and stomach. It is even more helpful if you feel a sore throat or burning sensation in summer. It also supports your respiratory health.
How to use: Boil a small piece of mulethi in water, cool it, and drink it as herbal tea. For a quick remedy, you can mix mulethi powder with honey.
11. Lemongrass
In Ayurveda, lemongrass is used to reduce body heat and skin inflammation. It not only relaxes you but also cools your body and mind.
How to use: To make lemongrass tea, boil a few leaves in water. You can also add it to bath water or as a room freshener for a calming effect.
Final Thoughts
Nine days may not seem like much but during Nautapa 2025, they can really test your body and mind. If you feel drained, moody, sweaty or just not yourself during peak summer, then now you have a solution to calm your Pitta naturally. With these cooling herbs, smart food choices, oil massages and a calm routine you can actually feel lighter and more energised even when the heat is at its extreme.
So this Nautapa 2025, try these Ayurvedic remedies and see the difference for yourself. Reach out to our expert Jiva doctors for more information. Just dial 0129-4264323.
