Certified Ayurvedic Health Counselor, Yoga Teacher, Licensed Massage Therapist
Heather will soon complete her Ayurvedic Practitioner certification and plans to continue to become a Doctor of Ayurveda. She's interested in all kinds of therapeutic/healing modalities and is one of The Ayurveda Experience's in-house Ayurvedic Health Counselors. She lives in Albuquerque with her two cats and loves to cook!
Welcome, friends! Here in Albuquerque, New Mexico, summer starts early and lingers well into fall. So when I say I can't live without this product in summer, it's pretty much from May to October, and it's a game changer. My Pitta is high for a number of reasons. My main dosha is Pitta, I'm in the Pitta stage of life (adulthood), I live in a hot climate, I'm a full-time student, and I'm approaching menopause. For anyone who isn't sure how all of that ties into having high Pitta or might need a refresher, the qualities of Pitta are hot, sharp, light, liquid, spreading, oily, sour, pungent, bitter, and it can take on a fleshy or pungent smell. Pitta is the essence of heat and transformation and is associated with the colors red and yellow.
Not sure of your dosha? Click here to take our quiz.
I'm a little sensitive. (This can be physically or emotionally and can manifest in sensitive skin or feelings)
I can get irritated somewhat easily. (This can also apply to internal or external conditions, like high acidity in the digestive system or being easily irritated in traffic or interpersonal situations)
Others refer to me as bright and brilliant. I have a sharp memory and an inquisitive mind. (Pitta is associated with the sun. Pitta people are often involved in mentally challenging work, like IT, engineering, education and the medical field, just to name a few)
I have a strong appetite and can get "hangry" if I don't eat.
My body temperature runs hot and I feel physically hot when emotions run high.
I am prone to having pink or flushed and/or skin irritations and sensitivities such as acne, eczema, psoriasis or roseacea.
With all of these attributes going on in the mind and body, wouldn't it be great to get some instant relief to cool and soothe aggravated Pitta?
Here it is - the product I can't live without. I actually have one in my bathroom and one that I carry with me everywhere. It's Ajara's Sweetgrass Aloe Refreshing Toner, and the mist is like a portable spa treatment. I highly recommend it for anyone who needs a cool-down in the summer, even if you're not a Pitta-dominant person.
There are probably countless situations where people's frustrations and body temperatures run high, but here are some of the times this toner has come in handy for me, besides when I apply it in the morning after cleansing/exfoliating and before applying oils:
I'm sure there are applications for this wonderful product that I haven't even considered, and I would love to hear about your experiences in our community forum! Insert topic link here:
The first, and most prominent ingredient is Sweetgrass, which is also known as manna grass and holy grass. It's considered sacred by many Indigenous peoples in North America and is used in herbal medicines as well as cleansing rituals as a smudge. In Europe, it has been used to place before church doors on saints' days, as well as for adding flavor to candy, tobacco, soft drinks, teas, perfumes, and even vodka. In many traditions, it is known to invite good spirits, cleanse energetic spaces and bring a sense of calm. After just one spray of the fine mist, you can feel the calming and soothing properties in the skin and the senses.
Next is plantain leaf distillate. Many of us think of plantains and envision them as a sweet side dish or a savory snack, like tostones or patacones. While plantains are delicious, the plantain leaf is a completely different plant and is an amazing herb with a long history of medicinal benefits. Generally considered to be a common weed, its anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, and anti-infective properties have been used as a remedy for skin conditions for centuries. One constituent of plantain leaf is called allantoin, and it is very effective at soothing inflammatory conditions like sunburn and acne--it's no wonder that we'd put this healing herb in a formulation for Pitta-type skin!
Helichrysum flower is another ingredient that might not be a household name, but probably should be. It is in the sunflower family and is usually steam distilled to produce an essential oil that is very popular for its fragrance. It also has cleansing properties, contains several antioxidants, is used to reduce scarring, and promotes overall skin health. It is especially helpful with sensitive, Pitta skin because it reduces skin irritation and redness. We especially love this ingredient in our toner because it provides a soothing sensation to the skin and promotes a glowing, youthful complexion.
This amazing toner also contains an ingredient that everyone knows and loves: aloe vera. This plant is commonly used in home remedies for rashes and sunburns, so it's no surprise that it's also used to calm and soothe the heat and irritation often found in Pitta skin. It helps the skin feel physically cooler and more hydrated while also promoting an even-toned complexion and reducing the look of uneven spots. Aloe is so versatile that people with high Pitta can often drink aloe juice or aloe gel to soothe a variety of ailments, including high acidity in the digestive tract and difficult menses.
Finally, what makes such a big difference in this toner is the absence of alcohol, which dries and irritates the skin. Instead, the creator of Ajara opted for soy glycerin, which locks in moisture and nourishes even the deepest cells. Glycerin also prepares the skin to absorb and assimilate other products into the skin, which is why I insist on using this toner before I apply my favorite oils. Soy glycerin also works in concert with all of the other ingredients in this product to enhance the overall effect of softness and hydration.
So with only five natural, organic, vegan, cruelty and chemical-free ingredients, this product goes with me everywhere to help manage and balance my excess Pitta, whether I'm feeling it in my body temperature, my skin, or my moods. I hope you'll try it and let me know what you think!
The Ayurveda Experience brings to you amazing concoctions of oils made from incredible Ayurvedic herbs!
Fight the look of signs of aging on the Face, Neck, and Décolleté
Learn More