Let me ask you something honestly.
Do you get breakouts no matter what fancy cream you try? Or maybe your hair is thinning or greying faster than your friends? Perhaps that constant acidity or dry throat that no antacid seems to fully fix?
I’ve been there. And like most people, I first blamed pollution, stress, bad genetics — basically everything under the sun. Until I stumbled on a concept in Ayurveda (and later found some modern science backing it up) — excess body heat.
Sounds simple, right? But here’s the kicker: body heat doesn’t just mean sweating on a hot day. It’s a deeper imbalance, what Ayurveda calls pitta dosha. When your body “runs hot,” it shows up in sneaky ways: pimples, ulcers, rashes, acidity, hair fall, restlessness, and even poor sleep.
Now, I’m not against modern medicine or products — but let’s be honest: creams and pills rarely fix the root cause. Until you learn how to cool your system from within, these issues keep boomeranging back.
The good part? Cooling your body naturally isn’t complicated. You don’t need exotic herbs flown in from the Himalayas. Most remedies are already in your kitchen, your bathroom, or just require 10 minutes of your day.
Let me share five tried-and-tested remedies (some I’ve personally experimented with, others come straight from Ayurveda and scientific research) that can genuinely help.
1. Hydrotherapy: Cooling From the Feet Up 🌊
I still remember the first time I tried this. It was peak summer, I was tossing in bed, AC blasting, and yet I couldn’t sleep. My grandmother casually told me, “Put your feet in cool water with rose petals. You’ll sleep like a baby.”
Honestly, I rolled my eyes. But desperate times…
To my surprise, within 15 minutes of soaking, my body felt lighter, calmer, and that restless heat was gone.
How to do it:
- Fill a bucket with cool (not ice-cold) water.
- Add a few drops of rose water or even fresh mint leaves if you have them.
- Soak your feet for 10–15 minutes, preferably before bed.
- Massage your soles gently while soaking.
👉 Pro Tip (experience + research): I now do this once or twice a week. On those nights, I fall asleep faster and don’t wake up in the middle of the night. A study in Medicine found that foot baths improve circulation and actually lower body core temperature in stressed individuals.
2. Rice Water: The Forgotten Cooler 🍚
You know that cloudy water left after soaking rice? Most of us throw it away. But in my house, my grandfather used to drink it regularly. He lived till 92, and I can still picture him sipping his clay cup of rice water before meals.
Turns out, he was right. Rice water isn’t just starchy water — it’s rich in B vitamins and has cooling properties Ayurveda has praised for centuries.
How to prepare it (the traditional way):
- Take 2 tbsp of unpolished (brown or semi-polished) rice.
- Rinse once, then soak in ½ cup water for 5–6 hours in a clay or steel pot.
- Strain and drink the water as is, without refrigerating or adding ice.
- Best taken 20–30 minutes before meals.
👉 Pro Tip (practical + testimonial): A family friend who suffered from frequent mouth ulcers started this daily. Within a week, her ulcers reduced drastically, and her acidity episodes went down. Science backs this too — rice water helps balance gut microbiota and reduces internal inflammation.
3. Sandalwood Paste: A Cooling Shield for Skin 🌸
If you’ve grown up in India, you’ve probably seen brides covered in a paste of turmeric and sandalwood. But it’s not just for rituals — sandalwood actually cools down the body and calms skin irritation.
How to use:
- Mix pure sandalwood powder with rose water into a paste.
- Apply on the forehead for mental calmness.
- Dab on pimples, rashes, or itchy patches for skin relief.
👉 Pro Tip (my own hack): During exam prep days in college, I used to get heat boils on my forehead. My mom would slap on a sandalwood paste. At first, I thought it was just superstition — but I noticed not only did the boils heal faster, I also felt oddly focused while studying. Research confirms sandalwood has anti-inflammatory and neuro-calming effects.
4. Sheetali Pranayama: Cooling Breathwork 🧘
This one is almost like having an inbuilt AC. Yogis have used Sheetali breathing for centuries to instantly bring down body heat.
How to do it:
- Sit comfortably in a quiet spot.
- Roll your tongue like a tube (don’t worry if you can’t, try Sheetkari by clenching teeth and inhaling).
- Inhale deeply through the rolled tongue, feeling cool air enter.
- Exhale slowly through the nose.
- Repeat 8–10 cycles.
👉 Pro Tip (practical habit): Try this after stepping into your car that’s been parked in the sun. Instead of blasting the AC and still feeling hot-headed, I do 3–4 rounds of Sheetali. Within minutes, I feel cooler and calmer.
5. Food as Medicine: What You Eat = How You Feel 🥗
This is probably the most powerful (and most ignored) piece. Every bite we take either fuels the body’s “fire” or soothes it.
Foods that increase body heat:
- Spicy, oily, and deep-fried items
- Excess salty or sour foods (except lemon/amla)
- Packaged, preservative-heavy snacks
- Too many dry nuts (unless soaked)
Foods that cool naturally:
- Water-rich veggies: cucumber, ash gourd, bottle gourd
- Fruits: watermelon, muskmelon, papaya, tender coconut
- Sweeteners: mishri or jaggery instead of refined sugar
- Drinks: coconut water, buttermilk (without too much spice), barley water
👉 Pro Tip (my daily hack): I replaced my 4 pm chai with fresh coconut water. At first, it felt like a downgrade (no caffeine kick), but after two weeks — my post-dinner acidity vanished. Modern research agrees: coconut water not only hydrates but also neutralizes stomach acid.
Quick Habit You Can Start Today ✅
Don’t overthink. Just try this one small rule:
When you shop, make half your basket “hydrating foods” — cucumbers, melons, gourds, coconut water.
This single switch ensures you’re cooling your body daily, without even realizing it.
Quick Recap
✔️ Soak feet in rose water → relax + deep sleep
✔️ Drink rice water → soothes acidity & ulcers
✔️ Apply sandalwood paste → cools skin & mind
✔️ Do Sheetali pranayama → instant inner cooling
✔️ Eat hydrating foods → prevents overheating
Must Read 📌
👉 5 Indian Superfoods for overall health — A practical guide to adding these traditional, powerhouse foods back into your diet.
FAQs
Q1. Why does my body heat up so quickly even without exercise?
It’s not always about workouts or the weather. Doctors explain that stress, spicy food, dehydration, or even hormonal changes (like thyroid issues) can make your body feel warmer. In Ayurveda, excess “pitta” (heat energy) is also blamed. If overheating is frequent, it’s worth tracking what triggers it—food, emotions, or environment.
Q2. Is constant body heat something to worry about?
Not always. Occasional heat spells can be managed with hydration, rest, or dietary tweaks. But if you’re always overheated, especially with symptoms like night sweats, palpitations, or unexplained weight loss, medical experts recommend checking for thyroid imbalance, infections, or other underlying conditions.
Q3. Which foods naturally cool the body?
Cucumber, watermelon, tender coconut water, buttermilk, and leafy greens are classic cooling foods backed by both nutritionists and Ayurveda. Many people find that cutting down on fried and spicy foods for just a week makes a noticeable difference in body heat.
Q4. Are there natural remedies to cool down instantly?
Yes. Drinking cold (but not icy) water, splashing cool water on your face, and applying a wet cloth on your neck or wrists can help quickly. Herbal options like coriander water, mint tea, or soaked fennel seeds are traditional remedies people swear by.
Q5. Can lifestyle habits prevent overheating in the long run?
Definitely. Staying hydrated, wearing breathable cotton clothes, sleeping in a cool environment, practicing yoga or meditation for stress control, and eating seasonally all support a balanced body temperature. Both science and Ayurveda agree that prevention is better than chasing quick fixes.
Final Thoughts 🌱
Body heat is not just about summer discomfort — it’s often the silent culprit behind your skin issues, hair fall, and acidity. Instead of chasing temporary fixes, focus on cooling from within.
If I had to recommend just one habit: always check the “heat index” of what you’re about to eat. Is it cooling, or is it adding fuel to the fire? That small pause can save you from long-term trouble.
📝 Disclaimer: This blog isn’t sponsored, nor are we defaming or promoting any brand. These are time-tested, research-backed suggestions meant for your well-being.
Nikita Palesha is a wellness advocate and eco-conscious writer who shares simple, sustainable tips for everyday living. She’s passionate about mindful choices that support a healthier planet and a balanced lifestyle.
