Too Hot to Handle? Try These Natural Remedies for Anger and Irritability
- Belinda Baer
- 5 days ago
- 8 min read
As the summer sun blazes, we enter what Ayurveda calls Pitta season—a time when the fiery dosha dominates.
Characterized by heat, intensity, and transformation, Pitta season tends to heighten qualities like focus and ambition.
However, it can also stir up irritability, impatience, frustration, judgment, criticism, and even anger.
For those already prone to these emotions (those with a predominance of Pitta dosha in their constitution), the season's fire can be overwhelming.
Fortunately, Ayurveda offers a treasure trove of natural remedies for anger and irritability, designed to cool the mind, soothe the spirit, and restore inner harmony.
In this post:
Understanding Pitta and Emotional Imbalance
In Ayurvedic tradition, Pitta is composed of the elements fire and water.
It governs metabolism, digestion, and transformation—both physically and mentally.
When balanced, Pitta fosters intelligence, courage, and clarity.
But when aggravated, especially during the hot summer months, it can manifest as emotional volatility, perfectionism, criticism, and of course, irritability and anger.
Pitta imbalances are often marked by the following emotional symptoms:
Frequent irritation or impatience
Sudden outbursts of anger
Judgment and criticism of the self or others
Controlling behavior
Burnout or mental fatigue
To bring Pitta back into balance, Ayurveda emphasizes cooling foods, calming routines, and a compassionate mindset—along with natural remedies for anger and irritability that help us stay grounded and peaceful.
11 Natural Remedies for Anger and Irritability
Experiment with one or two of these recommendations to see how they help you keep your cool.
You may want to consult with an Ayurvedic practitioner to see which Pitta pacifying natural remedies for anger and irritability will be most beneficial for you.
1. Cooling Foods for a Calmer Mind
One of the foundational natural remedies for anger and irritability is diet.
Because Pitta is hot, sharp, slightly oily, and intense, favoring cooling, sweet, bitter, and astringent foods is key.
Eat More:
Cucumbers, melons, and leafy greens
Coconut water and aloe vera juice
Basmati rice, wheat, and quinoa
Milk and ghee
Avoid (or Significantly Reduce):
Spicy foods, vinegar, and fermented items
Tomatoes, onions, and garlic in excess
Coffee and alcohol
Red meat and fried foods
These dietary adjustments are among the simplest natural remedies for anger and irritability, offering a gentle and effective way to calm internal heat.
2. Herbal Allies for Emotional Support
Herbs are some of the most trusted natural remedies for anger and irritability in Ayurveda.
The cooling and adaptogenic properties of the following herbs help regulate both the mind and body.
Recommended Herbs:
Brahmi (Bacopa Monnieri) – Enhances mental clarity and calms the nervous system (Pole, 149).
Anantamul – Cools the heat of pitta in the mind as it nourishes the mind (Pole, 264).
Amalaki – Increases energy, clears excess heat in the blood, and is a restorative for the mind (Pole, 126).
Licorice root – Naturally sweet and soothing, perfect for excess heat in the body and mind.
Bhringaraja – Supports the mind and nerves against agitation as it nourishes the brain (Pole, 141).
Avipattikar Churna – Gently clears acidic toxins from the digestive tract as it gently stimulates digestion, clearing Pitta at its main site (the small intestines) to help calm the mind. (Pole, 297).
Using these herbs as teas, powders, or capsules can be one of the most effective natural remedies for anger and irritability for long-term emotional balance.
As always, it's best to consult with an Ayurvedic practitioner for proper dosage and herb compatibility.
3. Pranayama: Cooling Breath Practices
Breathing exercises are powerful natural remedies for anger and irritability, helping regulate the nervous system and immediately shift our emotional state.
Try:
Sheetali Pranayama – A cooling breath where air is drawn in through a rolled tongue.
Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing) – Balances both hemispheres of the brain, reduces stress and emotional turbulence.
Practicing these daily, especially in the morning or during stressful times, acts as a natural balm for emotional agitation and helps reinforce other natural remedies for anger and irritability.
While it is always best to learn Pranayama with a skilled teacher, check out this post to learn more about these Yoga Breathing Practices:
4. Mindful Movement and Cooling Yoga
Excess Pitta benefits from grounding, cooling, and restorative movement.
Avoid overexertion, hot yoga, or overly competitive activities.
Ideal Practices:
Gentle yoga flows with wide-legged forward bends and twists
Poses like Child’s Pose, Moon Salutation, and Legs-Up-The-Wall
Tai chi or walking in nature
Regular mindful movement complements other natural remedies for anger and irritability, by keeping energy flowing without increasing internal heat.
5. Self-Care and Daily Routine (Dinacharya)
Pitta thrives on routine, but it must be one that includes cooling and nourishing activities.
Ayurvedic self-care rituals are deeply effective natural remedies for anger and irritability.
Try:
Splashing the eyes with cool water upon waking.
The sense of sight is closely tied to Pitta dosha, and the eyes are a site where Pitta dosha and excess heat can accumulate.
Rinsing the eyes with cool water helps to clear and refresh the eyes and the sense of sight.
Abhyanga (self-massage) with Brahmi Oil, Kshirabala Oil, or coconut oil in the morning.
Learn more about Abhyanga in this post:
Lukewarm showers or baths infused with rose water.
Midday rests or brief naps to avoid overheating.
The long, hot days of summer require rest and naps, even though naps are usually discouraged in Ayurveda.
Regular bedtimes and early rising to maintain a natural rhythm.
These daily acts of care act as physical and emotional anchors and are often overlooked yet highly potent natural remedies for anger and irritability.
6. Emotional Awareness and Journaling
Sometimes, simply acknowledging and processing our emotions is healing and can help reduce Pitta emotions like anger, judgment, and criticism.
Journaling provides a healthy outlet for Pitta-driven emotions.
Prompts to Try:
“What triggered my irritation today, and what did I need in that moment?”
“How can I respond instead of react?”
“What am I grateful for right now?”
Writing regularly is a gentle yet powerful way to integrate natural remedies for anger and irritability into your emotional wellness toolkit.
7. Aromatherapy and Color Therapy
According to Ayurveda, the senses play a direct role in mood regulation.
Aromatherapy and color therapy are often underused natural remedies for anger and irritability, despite their powerful impact.
Scents That Soothe Pitta Dosha:
Use essential oils in a diffuser or the bath, or apply them to pulse points in a carrier oil.
At the same time, avoid stimulating colors like red or orange, and instead decorate with blues, whites, and greens to promote calmness and peace.
8. Time in Nature
Spending time near water—whether oceans, rivers, lakes, or even fountains—offers cooling, grounding energy that pacifies Pitta.
Nature immersion is one of the oldest natural remedies for anger and irritability, and its benefits are backed by both ancient wisdom and modern research (CPA).
Morning walks under the trees, gardening, or barefoot walks on cool grass all help disperse excess heat and frustration, making space for ease and joy.
9. Spiritual Practices and Meditation
Spiritual connection, whether through meditation, prayer, chanting, or mindfulness, offers profound emotional regulation.
These timeless practices are essential natural remedies for anger and irritability, helping you rise above momentary emotional storms.
Techniques to Explore:
Loving-Kindness Meditation (Metta) – Cultivates compassion toward self and others.
This is the Loving-Kindness Meditation that I learned over 25 years ago from my Yoga and Zen Buddhist teacher that I still use today.
May I be filled with lovingkindness. May I be well. May I be peaceful and at ease. May I be happy.
Mantra Repetition – “Shanti” (peace) or “So Hum” (I am) are grounding and calming.
Dr. Vasant Lad teaches the So Hum meditation and recommends silently repeating "So" on the natural inhalation and "Hum" on the natural exhalation.
Even five minutes a day can make a significant difference, working alongside other natural remedies for anger and irritability to transform emotional patterns.
10. Cultivating Compassion and Playfulness
One of the deeper insights of Ayurveda is that emotional healing often lies not just in what we avoid, but what we embrace.
For those with a dominant Pitta, cultivating lightness, humor, and connection is just as vital as cooling herbs or foods.
Try:
Engaging in art or creative hobbies
Watching comedies or playing games
Practicing forgiveness—starting with yourself
Spending time with pets or young children
These activities infuse your life with joy, serving as heart-centered natural remedies for anger and irritability that balance the Pitta mind.
11. Brahmi Ghee as Nasya Oil
In Ayurveda, the nostrils are considered a direct gateway to the brain and consciousness.
Nasya therapy—the practice of administering medicinal substances through the nasal passages—is a powerful method to influence the mind, mood, and nervous system.
One particularly effective treatment for calming emotional imbalances is the application of Brahmi Ghee into the nostrils.
Brahmi, a revered herb known for its cooling and brain-nourishing properties, is infused into clarified butter (ghee) to create a soothing, medicated substance that targets mental agitation at its root.
When applied through the nose, Brahmi Ghee helps cool Pitta aggravation, which often manifests as irritability, frustration, and emotional heat.
The cooling nature of both Brahmi and ghee helps reduce heat-related aggravation in the mind and body, promoting clarity, calmness, and emotional resilience.
Just a few drops daily can support better sleep, focus, and a more even temperament.
This nasya therapy acts as one of the most direct and effective natural remedies for anger and irritability, especially during the fiery Pitta season.
Always consult an Ayurvedic practitioner for guidance on proper technique and dosage tailored to your unique constitution.
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Season with Grace
Pitta season, with all its intensity and brilliance, is a time of great growth and transformation.
But just as fire must be tended to avoid burning out of control, we too must care for our emotional and energetic balance.
Using these natural remedies for anger and irritability, you can meet the challenges of summer with grace and strength.
From cooling foods to herbal allies, mindful movement to spiritual connection, you are fully equipped to stay calm, connected, and centered—even when the temperature rises.
As always in Ayurveda, listen to your body and heart.
What soothes one person may overstimulate another.
Begin with one or two of the natural remedies for anger and irritability mentioned above, and gradually build your own seasonal ritual of peace.
The fire within can be a force of warmth, light, and transformation. With care and intention, it doesn’t need to burn—it can simply glow.
If you know someone who you think would benefit from this post, please share it with them.
Some of the references from this post were from one of my favorite books by Sebastian Pole, Ayurvedic Medicine: The Principles of Traditional Practice, available on Amazon.
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