In view of rising temperatures across the country, the Directorate General of Health Services, in coordination with the Ministry of Ayush, has issued a comprehensive public health advisory recommending traditional wellness practices to combat heat-related illnesses.

As heatwave conditions continue to prevail in several parts of India, the Ayush Vertical under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, in coordination with the Ministry of Ayush, has issued a comprehensive Public Health Advisory on Extreme Heat/Heatwave for the current summer season. The advisory, released on May 18, 2026, provides detailed guidance for the general public, vulnerable groups, employers, workers, and participants in mass gatherings.

According to the advisory, infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly, outdoor workers, and individuals suffering from chronic illnesses such as heart disease and hypertension are particularly vulnerable during heatwave conditions and require special care and monitoring.

The advisory incorporates traditional wellness and preventive measures from various AYUSH systems. The Ayurveda section recommends cooling dietary practices, intake of hydrating beverages such as buttermilk, coconut water and lemon-based drinks, and use of traditional preparations including Nimbukaphala Panaka (lemonade), Amra Prapanaka (raw mango sharbat) and Chincha Panaka (tamarind drink) to help regulate body temperature during extreme heat.

The Siddha and Yoga sections advise the adoption of cooling refreshments and breathing techniques such as Sheetali Pranayama, along with gentle yoga practices to reduce heat stress. Sheetali Pranayama, a breathing technique that involves curling the tongue and inhaling through the mouth, is known to have a cooling effect on the body.

The advisory further encouraged people to include hydrating and cooling food items such as cucumber, watermelon, lime, musk melon, ash gourd and tomatoes in their daily diet during the summer season. Citizens have also been advised to regularly follow weather updates issued by the India Meteorological Department and take necessary precautions during heatwave alerts.

The advisory urged citizens to remain alert for symptoms of heat-related illnesses such as dizziness, headache, nausea, altered mental status, high body temperature, dehydration, seizures and loss of consciousness. Heatstroke has been identified as a medical emergency requiring immediate medical attention, with the advisory recommending prompt use of emergency helplines 108 or 102 in severe cases.