Exhausted from the rising mercury levels? You are not alone. Indian summers can be downright brutal. However, you need not rake up electricity bills by turning the AC on 24X7 at home to combat the heat. Taking to Instagram, celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar shared three natural, desi ways to keep heat at bay. The Magic Of Vala RootsIf you two to three strands of vala roots or vetiver are added to your water pot, it can make your water taste naturally sweet and also bring down body temperature. This is India’s OG infused/flavoured water and is a healthy alternative to artificially sweetened drinks or soft drinks which are high in calories. Vala was often used in the past to create hand-held fans. It has a fragrance similar to sandalwood. Apart from being a refreshing summer drink, vala root infuse water can also soothe headaches. It can also reduce acne or dandruff.Use MehendiBelieve it or not, apart from making your hands and feet look majestic, mehendi has more than aesthetic appeal. It can also help cool down body temperature. The natural fragrance of mehendi can also work as a de-stressor. Binge On ButtermilkRujuta suggested that buttermilk can be a great summer drink if you are not in the mood for drinking plain water. Chaas or buttermilk is a nutritional powerhouse. It is rich in calcium and B12, so it is great for your bone health. It also work as a great prebiotic and can feed the good bacteria in your gut. This reduces digestive issues and improves gut health as well. Buttermilk mixed with a bit of salt can also help your system recover from electrolyte loss that happens with dehydration. You can make it tastier by adding a dash of hing or cumin powder (jeera). Diwekar shot to fame after she was credited for Kareena Kapoor Khan’s dramatic weight loss and size-zero figure in the 2008 film Tashan. She is known to emphasise on eating local food and seasonal vegetables rather than fancy supplements.