pitta dosha: an elemental view
understanding pitta dosha
If you’re at all familiar with Āyurveda, you’ve likely heard the terms Vata, Pitta, and Kapha dosha thrown around. But what exactly does dosha mean, and what the heck are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha?
Let’s layout the basic framework around the concept of dosha and then we’ll dive specifically into Pitta dosha. The goal is to strengthen your relationship with the concepts and to help you become more confident in working with this dosha in your day-to-day life. We will define Pitta dosha, chat a little about the how and why behind the dosha, and give you some practical and approachable tools that you can incorporate into your routine to create a healthy balance in relation to it.
the doshas and the qualities of pitta
Āyurveda recognizes that the entire gross, physical world is made up of five elements; ether, air, fire, water, and earth. These elements are also what our bodies are made up of, and these elements manifest in the human body as three constitutional types, what we call doshas. Another way to look at this is that dosha is your particular elemental makeup.
Vata dosha is a combination of ether + air elements, Kapha dosha is a combination of earth + water elements, and Pitta dosha is a combination of fire + water elements. These three doshas govern all the functions of our body, mind, and consciousness. When in balance, the body and mind are in harmony, and when out of balance, dosha contributes to the disease process.
The qualities of fire + water elements (and therefore, the qualities of Pitta dosha) are hot, quick/sharp, mobile (spreading), light, and oily. Pitta dosha rules and regulates body heat, temperature, metabolism, transformation (digestion, absorption, assimilation), perception, understanding, hunger, thirst, and intelligence. Having strong digestion, medium build, and sensitive skin are all signs of Pitta dosha.
Balanced Pitta shows up as a healthy drive, determination, passion, and radiance. When out of balance Pitta can cause issues of the skin (hives, rashes, urticaria, breakouts), loose stool, strong hunger, anger, jealousy, irritability, and perfectionist tendencies.
Pitta’s keyword is INTENSE.
how pitta manifests in the body
Individuals with a Pitta constitution have a medium build, with a medium bony structure. They often run hot; meaning they tend to feel hot, sweat easily, and have hot, quick, and sharp digestion, and elimination. Pitta individuals also have brilliant, sharp, piercing minds, as well as sharp tongues.
Each dosha has a home site in the body. The home site of Pitta is the small intestine. It also shows up in the red blood system and rules the liver. Those with Pitta constitution tend to have strong appetites, can take large quantities of food, and may have excessive perspiration. They have good power of comprehension, they are ambitious, and don’t mind leading. They also tend to enjoy exhibiting their wealth and possessions.
They have oily skin, oily digestion, and tend to have higher levels of body odor. Lightness in the eyes, redness of skin, hair, and eyes, and light sensitivity, are all signs of Pitta dominance.
what unbalanced pitta may look like
When Pitta is out of balance, some of the things you might notice include:
Skin sensitivities such as hives, rashes, urticaria, and acne, all of which may be spreading in quality
Premature graying of hair/hair loss
Excessive perspiration
Agitation, anger, frustration, or a hot temper
Indigestion in the form of acidity or heartburn
Loose and or hot stool
Impatience, intolerant, or critical mindsets
Sharp hunger
Difficulty sleeping
Excessive perfectionist tendencies
If these symptoms are something you are dealing with, read on to learn what you can do to calm Pitta when it’s high and start to find balance again.
balancing pitta dosha
In Āyurveda, we use the ten pairs of opposites (or gunas) to describe everything in the material world. When we think of the time of year, the food we eat, and even the practice we incorporate it's important that we pause and ask ourselves what qualities am I experiencing when I interact with this “thing”.
Is it relatively hot, or relatively cold? Is it relatively dry, or relatively wet? Fairly heavy, or light? By evaluating things through the lens of these gunas, we get a clear picture of the doshic makeup of the thing, and also how it will impact us.
Āyurveda teaches us that “like increases like, and opposites balance”. With that in mind, let's talk about ways to incorporate opposite qualities of Pitta dosha to help when things get off track.
Opposite qualities would include: cool, soft, stable, slow/dull, heavy, and dry.
ways to balance pitta dosha
Diet
Favor foods containing sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes - dark leafy greens, root vegetables, rice, lentils, dates, and almonds. Fresh, cooling foods are a great option, too.
Use cooling spices such as fennel, cilantro, cardamom, and mint. Our Pitta Churna is a lovely addition to your pantry!
Avoid deep-fried/fatty foods, foods that are pungent, sour, or salty in taste, highly processed foods, red meats, and alcohol. Avoid warming/heating spices such as peppers, cumin, ginger, and black pepper.
Not sure what to cook, or how to spice? Set up an individualized health consultation with Kristin Linde.
Abhyanga
Our Pitta Daily Massage Oil is crafted with cooling, skin-soothing herbs in a base of sesame, sunflower, and coconut oil that shifts according to the season. This oil is perfect for bodies that tend towards skin irritation, and it smells lovely keeping Pitta's mind happy too! Read more about this practice here.
Yoga + Pranayama
There are a number of yoga + breath work practices that are very effective at managing excess Pitta in our on-demand library. Shitali helps to dissipate excess heat from the body and mind, and this flow incorporates postures centered around cooling and calming Pitta.
Cooling, Soothing Herbal Tea
When Pitta gets overheated and cranky, Cool Refresh is a lovely support. Cooling, blood nourishing, and a little sweet - this blend makes a Pitta pacifying and delicious cup.
Aromatherapy
We carry lovely aromatherapy supports for Pitta here at the Ayurvedic Wellness Center. Rose, Jasmine, and Khus attars are especially supportive.
As we move toward Pitta season here in the northern hemisphere, we begin to see a shift in our external environment, from the heavy, cold, and wet qualities of spring, to the hot, sharp, and oily qualities of summer (Pitta season). This is a time to begin to tend the flames of Pitta in order to keep ourselves in check as things warm up.
May this article be of support for you in keeping calm, cool, collected and balanced. Interested in one-on-one support? Contact us at contact@ayurvedicwellness.center.
related products
vata root down tea
Root Down Tea is formulated to counter the light, dry, airy qualities of Vata Dosha. When you need to feel grounded, present, and steady of mind brew a daily cup of Root Down. This blend contains Ayurvedic Herbs that support the nervous system, strength of digestion, and the adrenals.
Boil 2-4 tsp for 10-20 minutes and strain. Add milk/mylk and sugar for an extra cozy cup. If adding milk, be sure to boil for an additional minute or two. Do not boil mylk.
In a pinch, steep 1-2tsp in hot water for 10 minutes.
pitta cool refresh tea
When Pitta get overheated and cranky, Cool Refresh is a lovely support. Cooling, blood nourishing, and a little sweet - this blend makes a Pitta pacifying and delicious cup.
Steep 2-4 tsp in hot water for 3-5 minutes. Let cool completely (for most effectiveness), or drink warm.
Alternatively, brew at room temperature or under the light of the moon for 8-12 hours. Discard herbs and refrigerate.
kapha bright fire tea
Bright Fire tea is a warming antidote to slow, sluggish Kapha-type digestive fire. A cup of this tea 20-30 minutes before a meal supports strong digestion, and lessens the physical accumulations Kapha brings.
Boil 1-2 tsp in water for 5-10 minutes. Strain and enjoy! In a pinch, try steeping 1-2 tsp in hot water for 5-10 minutes.
2oz + 5oz
a multi-use Pitta pacifying digestive.
Pitta doesn’t need the heating digestive spices in the same way Vata and Kapha will benefit. Instead we use spices to cool, dry, and counter inflammation for Pitta. This blend balances Pitta pacifying tastes with just enough kick to keep it interesting.
use: Add to culinary dishes for a Pitta pacifying flavor, or season at the table. Compliments sauces and dressings with a cooling touch.
2oz
These doshic rollers are one of our favorite and most convenient ways to calm excess dosha using the wonders of aromatherapy. Each roller is a blend of essential oils in a light fractionated coconut base oil that feels good going on, and provides a long lasting experience.
Our rollers are perfect for traveling or daily use. Throw one in your bag for anytime access. Roll onto pulse points, or your face mask for on-the-go aromatherapy.
Vata Be Grounded is the perfect oil to use any time you need to relax, go inward, and center. It pacifies Vata dosha by soothing an agitated nervous system, calming an overactive mind, and supporting strong vitality.
Pitta Be Calm works to cool and calm a heated mind or nervous system. It is an effective floral relaxant and simultaneously promotes uplifting moods.
It is the perfect oil for those with tendencies towards irritability, anger, or an uptight personality. With regular use, the workaholic will gain great benefit from the cool, calming effects. It is a nice oil for children and will support pleasant moods and greater attention span.
Kapha Be Energized penetrates through stagnant energy and can be used to effectively refresh, energize, and cleanse your office or home of stale air or low energy.
8ml
Because lips need Āyurvedic love too! Choose from our line of doshic lip balms, or select one of our seasonal balms.
Vata: An herbal infusion of asvagandha, complimented by a sweet and aromatic trio of almond, cardamom, and Turkish rose.
Pitta: An herbal infusion of amalaki, complimented by a cooling trio of coconut, Malagasy lemongrass, and peppermint.
Kapha: An herbal infusion of tulsi, complimented by an invigorating trio of grapefruit, eucalyptus, and Malagasy ginger.
Chai Spice: the real deal! a blend of black pepper, cinnamon, clove, anise, and vanilla. Spicy divinity!
Moon: The vanilla and peru balsam scent will lull you to sleep. Azulene packed blue chamomile soothes your lips for some true beauty z's!
Cooling, calming, and pacifying to Pitta dosha, our rose water is our favorite when we’re feeling a little hot, a little intense, or a little crabby. Use as a body, room, or linen spray to keep your cool. A must in our travel carry-on as well.
80ml
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