Āyurveda For You – The Pitta Concept

We always see a comparison between Āyurveda and western medicine. But it is important to understand the difference between the two. Western medicine tends to focus on symptoms and the disease primarily with drugs and surgery as treatment options.

Āyurveda teaches us that all life must be supported by energy in balance. When there is minimal stress and the flow of energy within a person is balanced, the body’s natural defense systems will be strong and can more easily defend against disease. It must be emphasized that Ayurveda is not a substitute for Western allopathic medicine.

Ayurvedic treatment helps to eliminate an imbalance along with guidance to manage causes of imbalance. Managing the balance between vāta, pitta, and kapha (all doshas) according to one’s prakṛti ( constitution) is the ultimate goal.

We reviewed some basic information about the vāta dosha in the last article. We will try to understand more about Pitta dosha in this article.

Pitta translates roughly as fire but the term does not mean ‘fire’ in the literal sense, in the way you might experience or sense it as candlelight or in an open fire. Pitta dosha, the heat energy in the body, is invisible. It manifests itself in your metabolism

|| पित्तं सस्नेहतीक्ष्णोष्णं लघु विस्रं सरं द्रवम् ||

|| pittaṃ sasnehatīkṣṇoṣṇaṃ laghu visraṃ saraṃ dravam ||

Pitta expresses itself as the body’s metabolic system -made up of fire and water.

It governs the processes of digestion, absorption, assimilation, nutrition, metabolism and body temperature. In balance, pitta promotes understanding and intelligence. Pitta is the heat manager of the body.

Pitta Constitution (Pitta Prakṛti)

Fiery Pitta types are distinguished by being quick on the uptake and by their powerful intellect and ambition. These are born leaders, brimming with energy and strength, and with a tendency to be perfectionists. Pitta-influenced constitutions love a challenge, whether that’s professionally or in sport. They have an athletic build, and their aura is (unsurprisingly) fiery. Their hands and feet are never cold, even in winter. The Pitta types love sweet things just as much as bitter flavors and they love cold drinks.

Individuals with Pitta prakṛti have strong metabolism and good appetite. They often like spicy, salty food, but their constitution is balanced by sweet, bitter, astringent and cool flavors.

Pitta is predominantly located in the middle portion of the body between heart and naval. The primary location is the naval. Pitta people tend to have diseases involving the fire principle such as fevers, inflammatory diseases, and jaundice. Common symptoms include skin rashes, burning sensations, ulceration, fever, inflammations or irritations such as conjunctivitis, colitis or sore throats. Metabolism becomes hyper-acidic. Alopecia (baldness), conditions affecting liver and gallbladder are noticed.

Since the attributes of pitta are oily, hot, light, mobile, dispersing and liquid, an excess of any of these qualities aggravates pitta. Summer is a time of heat, the pitta season. Sunburn, poison ivy, prickly heat and short tempers are common.

Balancing pitta

The diet and lifestyle changes emphasize coolness—cool foods, (avoidance of chilies and spices..) cool climates. People with excessive pitta need to exercise at the coolest part of the day. Pitta dosha has the most influence on the emotional element.

sweet, bitter, astringent and cool flavors combat the Pitta fire.

Diet

Salads and raw vegetables are good for pitta types in the spring and summer as are any sweet fruits, Vegetarian food is best for pitta people. It helps calm their natural aggressiveness and compulsiveness. It is beneficial to incorporate sweet, cooling and bitter foods and tastes into their diets. Sweet dairy products are helpful too.

Here are a few examples of fruits and veggies to balance pitta

Fruits: Bananas, pears, plums, figs, pomegranates, cherries, mangos, melons, and

grapes.

Vegetables: All sweet and astringent types of vegetable, leafy green vegetables, green beans, broccoli, peas, cucumber, potatoes, cabbage, squash, mushrooms, lettuce, celeriac, asparagus, and courgettes.

Plenty of cooling water (body temperature), mellow, sweet juices, fennel tea, aniseed and caraway tea

.General guidelines for balancing pitta

• Avoid excessive heat
• Avoid excessive oil
• Avoid excessive steam
• Limit salt intake
• Eat cooling, non-spicy foods
• Exercise during the cooler part of the day

Compiler: Riya Sarolkar Boston, MA