Pitta Dosha
FIRE + WATER
HOT - SHARP - LIGHT - LIQUID - SPREADING - OIL - SOUR
Responsible for Metabolic (Digestion)
FUNCTIONS OF PITTA:
Governs bodily metabolism
Digestion, absorption, assimilation of food
Maintenance of body temperature
Sensitive and reactive body
Intelligence, understanding, comprehension, knowledge
Appetite, thirst, taste
MANAGING PITTA
PITTA’S MAIN ROLE IS METABOLISM
If your digestion is low this will affect everything.
Pitta molecules combine to form enzymes & hormones which lead to metabolic function. Understanding Pitta and Agni is very important in Ayurveda. Agni (digestive fire) works under the direction of Pitta intelligence. Pitta governs every function that Agni governs. No matter how high quality of the food you eat, if your digestion is not strong this will impact your whole physiology.
‘In balance’ Pitta gives you courage, ambitions, transformation, and visual perception, and ‘out of balance’ Pitta arouses anger, hatred, jealousy, and inflammatory disorders.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF PITTA IMBALANCE
skin disorders eg. rashes, sensitivities, psoriasis, eczema, etc
irritability and frustration
anger and suppressed emotions
indigestion eg. acid reflux, heartburn
feeling nausea or weak if skipping meals
critical, judgemental, impatient
loose stools (yellow in colour)
everything has to be perfect
BALANCING PITTA
FAVOUR
Favour cooling foods both energetically and in temperature (this doesn’t mean cold, raw foods)
Favour spices cooling herbs and spices like coriander, cilantro, fennel, mint and cardamom.
Moderate amount of high-quality oils like olive, coconut oil or ghee in your daily diet
Favour plenty of hot and or room temperature water
balanced diet of protein, carbohydrate and vegetables with fresh seasonal fruit.
snack recommendation is a handful of almonds (soaked over night and peeled with a some sultanas)
routine in your meals and daily routines
Favour sweet, bitter, astringent tastes : click more for info on Ayurvedic Tastes
AVOID
Avoid spicy foods eg. chilli and cayenne
Avoid stimulating drinks such as coffee, alcohol and any fermenting drinks
Avoid cold or carbonated drinks
Avoid processed or frozen foods
Overeating or eating very heavy meals
Deep fried foods
Avoid pungent, sour, saly tastes : click more for info on Ayurvedic Tastes
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A PITTA-PACIFYING LIFESTYLE
Go throughout your day with calmness, clarity and perspective without needing to control everything
A regular, daily routine with regular times for eating, sleeping, working, etc
Daily Abhyanga - applying oil to the body for minimum of 7 minutes, maximum of 48 minutes. Click here for more info on Abhyanga
Gently exercise routine, no strenuous excessive exercise eg. yoga, hiking, swimming
Keeping yourself cool avoiding any hot weather, activities or saunas
Daily Nasiya - nasal drops with medicated oil or plain black sesame oil