Balancing Pitta Dosha: Ayurvedic Tips, Diet, and Characteristics - All about Pitta Dosha
What is Pitta dosha?
Pitta is known to be the fire in the body but exists in the form of water or oil. Pitta is the energy that plays a significant role in metabolism and various transformations, including the processing and perception of thoughts on mental and sensory levels. The word Pitta is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘tapa’ that means heat. Pitta is bodily energy that is fluid since it combines elements of fire and water. The effect of Pitta on the body is to increase heat. This leads to inflammation, anger, heat buildup in the body, and many other symptoms.
Pitta Dosha Characteristics
Ushna (hot, heat producing), Slightly unctuous(oily), Teekshana (penetrating), laghu (light), Visra( produces bad smell), sara (causes movement) and dravya (liquid)
Functions of Normal Pitta Dosha
Pitta dosha is responsible for sustaining our bodies with digestion, heat production, desire, hunger, thirst, colour and complexion of the skin, intelligence, courage etc.
Pittha Dosha sthana
Pitta dosha is predominantly found in the region between heart and the umbilicus.
The Time & Space effect of Doshas
Based on the movement of the Sun, the middle part of the day & the period around midnight are dominated by Pitta dosha. This is why we feel the most hunger in the midday period when the Sun’s “fire” energy is at it’s peak.
The Five divisions of Pitta Dosha
Pitta dosha is subdivided into sadhaka ,alochaka ,bhrajaka ,ranjaka and Pacaka pitta respectively
1. Sadhaka Pitta – fire of the heart and mind
2. Alochaka Pitta – fire of sight and visual perception
3. Pachaka Pitta – digestive fire
4. Bhrajaka Pitta – fire that causes lustre/glow of the skin
5. Ranjaka Pitta – fire that imparts healthy color to blood/liver/excretions, can be balanced with the cooling effects of fennel and watermelon in the diet.
Sadhaka pittha
Sadhaka Pitta is a subtype of the pitta dosha in Ayurveda, responsible for governing the heart and mind. Sadhaka means 'to achieve' in Sanskrit, and Sadhaka Pitta is the fire that motivates us to accomplish tasks.
If Sadhaka Pitta is in balance, you will feel energized to achieve goals and reach aspirations. If Sadhaka Pitta is out of balance, you will lack motivation and zeal for life, and you are susceptible to suffer from depression and anxiety.
Alochaka pittha
Alochaka Pitta resides primarily in the eyes and governs visual perception. It is responsible for the luster, colour and translucence and temperature of the eye, as well as the perception of colour and light. When Alochaka Pitta is out of balance, it can lead to bloodshot eyes or poor vision.
Pachaka pittha
Pachaka Pitta resides primarily in the small intestine and stomach, but it can also be found in all parts of the alimentary canal. It is considered to be one of the most important sub-doshas, since healthy digestion is seen as the root cause of good health in Ayurveda.
Brajaka pittha
Bhrajaka Pitta subdosha rules our skin - our largest organ - and sense of touch. Bhrajaka Pitta is associated with how we absorb and disperse heat and moisture. In balance, our skin is supple, hydrated, and bright. Out of balance we may develop rashes, discoloration, and even cancers of the skin.
Ranjaka pittha
Ranjaka Pitta governs how blood forms and circulates through our body and organs. In Sanskrit, the word Ranjaka means “coloring agent.” Accordingly, Ranajaka Pitta colors our inner and outer physiology. In balance, Ranjaka Pitta maintains healthy pigmentation - from our hair and skin tone to our bowel movements and urine - and optimal blood function. Out of balance, we may experience issues of the blood, such as liver malfunction or anemia. We may also experience discoloration of our hair, skin, and bowel movements.
Factors that Cause High Pitta Levels
An improper diet comprising food that increases Pitta (pungent, sour, salty food)
Spending too much time in the sun/heat.
Consuming too many stimulants, such as alcohol and nicotine, or spicy food can exacerbate a pitta imbalance.
Excess anger (krodha) or sadness (shoka)
Consumption of ushna (hot), vidahi( corrosive) foods
Aggravated Pitta dosha Symptoms
Desire for cold comforts, Burning sensation, Bitter taste in the mouth,Anger, Thirst,Tiredness, Yellow coloration of the skin ,disturbed Sleep,sweaty scalp,scanty hair, premature greying of hair,baldness, Fever,Nausea, Vertigo,Diarrhea, Excessive hate, jealousy or criticism, Hot flashes, Ulceration,Skin diseases such as eczema, Bleeding disorders, Photophobia, Migraine, Sour, acidic or metallic taste in the mouth
How to balance Pitta Dosha
· Pitta can be reduced by implementing a range of measures including lifestyle modifications, herbal remedies, and dietary changes intake of ghee, application of ghee on the body, use of foods and herbs that have sweet, bitter and astringent rasa (taste)
· Apples, ripe grapes, milk, ghee, melon, plum, asparagus, leafy greens, cabbage, papaya, cucumber, cauliflower, bell pepper, fig, and watermelon should be a part of the diet to maintain a balanced pitta and cool the body.
· Grains like oats, quinoa, rice, wheat, and pasta can be included in the diet.
· Avoid heavy foods and preferably take light food that is easy to digest and does not overburden the already heated-up digestive system, especially for those with a pitta type imbalance.
· Eat fruits and vegetables an hour before the meal or after for the best effect.
· Be hydrated and drink sufficient water.
· Use of natural perfumes that have mild , cool and pleasant effects, wearing garlands of flowers and gems like lotus, jasmine or pearls, spraying the body with cool water infused with herbs, exposure to moonlight
· listening to mild, pleasant instrumental music, spending time in hills and near water bodies, and integrating coriander and cardamom into the diet can help soothe the pitta type imbalance.
· Avoid conflict and arguing
· There are also specific internal medicines too described in the texts to balance the doshas as part of medical treatments, which is crucial for managing kapha, pitta, and vata imbalances.
Ayurvedic Herbs Said to Optimise Pitta
Amla
Guduchi
Triphala
Sariba
Manjistha
Usira
Nimbi
Patola
Trivril
Methika
Draksha
How to reduced pittha immediately ?
· You can include amla juice daily in your diet plan to reduced pittha immediately
· Favour you foods by taking fruit juices which are cooling in potency
· Taking gulkandh on a daily basis can reduce pittha
· Taking triphala powder daily can bring down pitha immediately
· Virechanam on a periodical days
· Sariba or nannari helps to bring down pittha immediately
· Infuse ushira(Vetiveria zizanoides L) in your water to drink
· You can have tender coconut water on a daily base
· Try to switch your diet from hot potency to cool potencied food to reduce pitta and body heat. Drinking milk and eating dry foods can also help
Fruits of favour -Apples,pomegranate ,musk melon ,water melon ,figs .
Vegetables of favour -All gourd varieties like pumpkin ,snake guard etc
Nuts of favor -Almonds ,figs ,pista,walnuts ,dry grapes
Spices of favor -Turmeric ,coriander ,cinnamom ,ela
Dairy products: like ghee ,milk and buttermilk
Can people suffering from pittha dosha drink coffee ?
As excess intake of coffee can lead to acidity,heart burn ,irritability and digestive issues ,people with excess pittha are advised to avoid coffee
Whats the best drink to reduce to pittha dosa ?
· Drinking luke warm water processed with cumin after food can reduce pittha
· Coconut water
· Methi-infused water
· Ushira-infused water
· Ash guard juice, if you are someone who often suffers from colds, use a pinch of Pepper along with the juice to reduce the excessive cooling.
· Cucumber and mint juice
· Hibiscus /rose petals infused water