Anger is like an umbrella term for a multi-layered and complicated emotion. If left unattended and suppressed, it can take form as a raging dragon that scorches everything in its path, ultimately leading to guilt, suffering, and pain. No branch of study or science has understood the body and the mind as thoroughly as the ancient Indian practice of Ayurveda.

Anger is an emotion that is difficult to react to, tame or bring under control. Extreme anger often leads to unpleasant situations which can otherwise be avoided. It is not always easy to understand the root cause of the anger. Anger can cause your relationships with friends, families and can create many problems in your life. We often end up becoming illogical in anger. Ayurveda has brought to light the exercises and eating habits which can be adopted by people to control their anger.

Ayurvedic Diet To Control Anger

The study of Ayurveda states that hot, spicy, fermented foods should be avoided when one is angry. One should stay away from citrus foods and sour foods until s/he has calmed down. Under any circumstance, alcohol shouldn’t be consumed since it further blurs the vision of the person.

Herbal Tea: Chamomile Tulsi Rose Tea

To prepare this tea, take one part chamomile, one part tulsi or holy basil and one part rose powder. Steep half a teaspoon of this mixture in a cup of hot water and keep it for some time, until the water cools down. Drinking this tea three times a day can soothe the anger.

Grape Juice Potion with Cumin, Fennel Seeds, and Sandalwood

To make this potion, take one cup of grape juice and add half a teaspoon each of cumin or jeera, fennel or saunf and sandalwood powder or Chandan to it. This drink, when consumed, might settle angry feelings in the body and also heal any burning sensations in the stomach.

Eat cooling, naturally sweet, bitter and astringent foods.

Coconuts – It can be consumed in the form of coconut water, coconut milk, coconut meat, and coconut oil should be ingested.

Cucumbers –Acts as a coolant

Fruits & berries– sweetness helps with the blood pressure

Dark leafy greens – Kale, collard greens, and dandelion greens are bitter and pacify the anger.

Chickpeas, artichoke, parsley, cauliflower and lettuce are all astringent foods

Apart from this, Ayurveda focuses on breathing exercises

Breathe Cool. There are three pranayama techniques that help with anger in particular:

Deep diaphragmatic breathing. Mentally say, “Breathing in, I am aware of my anger.” “Breathing out, I let it go.” Feel the anger with each breath you take. Feel the emotion leave your body every time you exhale. By paying attention to your anger, you are allowing it to dissolve and pass away.

Sheetali Pranayama (Cooling Breath). This breathing technique calms the fight-or-flight and stress response. It helps with anger. With your tongue, make a tube-like shape by rolling the left and right sides of the tongue together. Slowly breathe in cool air via your tongue “straw” for 4-5 seconds as you draw your chin upward. Breathe out through the nose for 6-8 seconds as you bring your chin back down. Repeat for 7-12 breaths – until you feel like you’ve taken a chill pill.

Sitkari Pranayama. Let your teeth show a bit. Draw your tongue back behind your teeth slightly and breathe in through space between your upper and bottom teeth. As you breathe in, slowly lift your chin up to a comfortable reach. Then, exhale through the nose while bringing your chin back down to neutral. Repeat for 7-12 breaths.