Do you frequently feel very hot, get irritated easily, or get hungry quickly? Do you have digestive issues? Or is your skin sensitive or prone to acne? If yes, you may have a PITTA DOSHA TYPE.
Ayurveda is a complete healing science that treats your body's illnesses while taking into account your body type. Ayurveda is one of the world's oldest healing systems. It originated in India and promotes a total healing approach that includes diet, exercise, and lifestyle modifications.
Pitta Dosha is a combination of Agni (Fire) and Jala (Water) elements and is responsible for heat generation within the body. It is primarily concerned with digestion and how the body processes and utilizes consumed food.
This Dosha governs the body's metabolism, or the rate at which energy is burned or heated. It is believed to be located between the stomach and the small intestine and is responsible for a variety of bodily functions.
The Ayurvedic Classics include Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Hridayam, and Ashtanga Sangraha. They talk about human physiology and medicine in prose and poetry. These textbooks contain a comprehensive discussion of doshas as well as strategies to address any aggravation of these dosha kinds.
Qualities of Pitta:
Chapter 1 of the Ashtanga Hrudaya Suta Sthana states (in Sanskrit):
“पित्तं सस्नेह तीक्ष्णोष्णं लघु विस्रं सरं द्रवम् ।”
pittam sasneha tīksnosņam laghu visram saram dravam |
Pitta is characterised by qualities such as Sasneha: slightly oily, unctuous, Teekshna (penetrating into deep tissue), Ushna (hotness), Laghu (lightness), Visram (bad odour), Sara (fluidity and movement), and Drava (liquidity).
Pitta regulates the entire digestive process, from consumption to development. Pitta also regulates colour perception, sweating, and body temperature. An imbalance in Pitta can cause serious problems with self-esteem, memory, energy, and overall intelligence. This Dosha is required for the proper functioning of body functions that require energy.
Samsarga refers to an increase or decrease in individual Doshas, whereas Sannipata denotes an imbalance of all three Doshas.
Balanced and Imbalanced Pitta Dosha
These are some of the most significant Pitta dosha characteristics. Now, let's look at some of the differences you'll notice in your mind and body when the Pitta dosha is balanced compared with when it's imbalanced.
These are the qualities that a person exhibits when the Pitta Dosha is in balance.
- Sharp, almond-shaped eyes (usually green or hazel)
- Little body hair or soft and light body hair.
- High hairline, medium amount of soft hair; in the ageing process, thinning hair to male pattern baldness.
- Sharp nose, teeth, and chin.
- Freckles (reddish hair is also pitta-quality).
- Medium-to-small height
- Joints are flexible.
- Symmetry of hips and shoulders
- The tongue is coloured red.
- Rosy cheeks and lips.
The following happens whenever there is pitta imbalance. They are also the pitta dosha symptoms a person
- Easy sunburns
- Heartburn
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Agitation is a stress response.
- Dental sensitivity
- Burning sensation in eyes, skin, mouth, or during urination.
- Yellow, smelly, or excessive urine
- Excessive sweat
- Flushed nose, cheeks, and ears
- Bloodshot or yellow eyes (and skin).
- Acne or skin rash
- nosebleeds or excessive bleeding when cut
- Smelly feet, armpits, or a sour odour throughout the body
- Overanalyzing
- Tunnel vision and goal-oriented behaviour.
- Self-critical
- Obsessive or compulsive thoughts
- Liver issues.
- Blood issues
- Inflammation generally
- Fever
- Heat and agitation during sleep
- Small intestine/digestive acid problems
- Burnout
How to determine your Dosha type?
- An initial sign can be obtained simply by observing the patient's external characteristics and conversing with their doctor.
- Doctors can use Ayurvedic pulse diagnosis (Nadi Vigyan) to better understand the dosha constellation.
- The patient's organ function, as well as any potential disorders, can all aid in diagnosis.
- Ayurvedic tongue diagnosis helps the doctor identify dosha imbalances and digestive issues.
- Only a thorough diagnosis from an experienced Ayurvedic doctor can reveal the dosha constitution and the best course of treatment.
Pitta dosha treatment in Ayurveda
- Stay cool. Avoid hot weather, food, and spicy meals.
- Try to avoid overworking and find balance in your daily routine.
- Avoid skipping meals.
- Eat three filling meals per day, around the same time every day.
- Make sure your largest meal of the day occurs at noon when your digestive fire is strongest.
- Give yourself an ABHYANGA (self-massage with warm oil) every day before bathing, using a cooling oil like coconut.
- Meditation can help reduce mental stress.
Certain herbs can be very beneficial in managing the Pitta imbalance in your body:
- Amla (Amalaki) is excellent for balancing Pitta, especially in the digestive system. Amla can be consumed directly or through supplements like Triphala or effervescent tablets.
- Guduchi helps control excess Pitta, with its bitter properties making it suitable for Pitta management.
- Guduchi can be taken naturally or as Guduchyadi Kwath.
- Triphala, a mix of three fruits, assists in managing high Pitta dosha.
You must eat and live according to your dosha type. You must visit an Ayurvedic physician before beginning any medication on your own.
To discover more about your dosha type, listen to our podcast 'Dosha Types, Ashtanga Hridayam & Good Health!'
Curious about vata dosha? Explore our blog post on understanding vata dosha to learn more