Think of heat,energy, light, transformation, courage, valor – these characteristics are attributed to Pitta Dosha in every individual. Pitta Dosha predominantly constitutes the fire and water elements and hence it expresses itself with the influence of the properties like hot, oily, penetrating, liquid, pungent, and sour. Our body is comprised of all three Dosha’s (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), and the Dosha that dominates and expresses itself through the appearance, bodily functions, and the mental qualities majorly contributes to determining the constitution and well-being.
Identification Of Pitta Dosha’s Balanced State
In a balanced state of Pitta Dosha, you will experience normalcy in the physiological functions like digestion, metabolism, body temperature and its external manifestation like vision, thirst, appetite, skin complexion, suppleness, intelligence, courage, and valor.
Identification Of Pitta Dosha In An Imbalanced State
When the Pitta Dosha is imbalanced, the excessive fire element will leave you feeling hot, sweaty, and a burning sensation in the body. Other distinct features of increased metabolism due to Pitta Dosha imbalance includes feeling hungry, craving for food within a short interval of having a sumptuous meal, and excessive thirst. The mental qualities of staying overly cautious alert, or worrisome and increased frustration leading to loss of sleep are very common.
Increased Pitta Dosha directly affects its homologous tissue and wastes, i.e., blood and sweat, respectively. Hence, profuse sweating and rashes on the skin point toward the vitiation of Pitta Dosha. If such symptoms are notably evident on a persistent basis, it’s suggestive of an elevated Pitta Dosha. In an advanced stage, symptoms can include sour eructation; reddish discoloration or patches on the skin; a bleeding disorder; yellow discoloration of feces and urine; sclerosis of the eyes and skin; delayed wound healing with inflammation,pain,and pus secretions; giddiness; fainting; blindness or disorders of the eyes; graying of hair and balding. Lowered Pitta Dosha means its inherent qualities are subdued and its opposite qualities are more apparent leading to loss of luster, cold extremities, low digestive power and low metabolic rate.
A lowered Pitta Dosha means its inherent qualities are subdued and its opposite qualities are more apparent, leading to loss of luster, cold extremities, low digestive power,and low metabolic rate.
Maintaining The Pitta’s Balanced State
The Pitta Dosha varies daily,seasonally,based on location, diet, and lifestyle, and all of these factors greatly influence your unique body constitution.
- Pitta Dosha naturally dominates during the late morning and afternoon (roughly from 10 am to 2 pm) and also from midnight to early morning (from 10 pm to 2 am).
- After a meal, the Pitta Dosha dominates during the digestive phase (roughly an hour and a half post-meal).
- Summer season increases the heat and staying in a hot country could take this to extremes, resulting in an increased accumulation of the Pitta Dosha.
Tips To Keep Calm And Avoid Triggers
To balance the inbuilt hot qualities in the Pitta Dosha, follow a cooling and calming lifestyle and avoid any trigger factors.
Trigger Factors
- Hot climate and exposure to sun rays in the afternoon
- Skipping meals and irregular meal timings
- Hot, oily, and spicy foods and those that taste sour, salty, and pungent
- Salty snacks, pickles, mustard, vinegar, chilly, unripe and sour fruits, sour cream, sour yogurt
- Excessive consumption of tea, coffee, and alcohol
- Staying awake at night and snacking
- Heavy exercise routine during summer and afternoons
- Books and movies that invoke a feeling of violence, hatred, and aggressiveness
Calming Regimen
- Keeping the environment cool and pleasant and exposing yourself to a daily dose of fresh air
- Eating fresh food that tastes naturally sweet, bitter, and pungent like vegetables, fruits, wheat, rice, milk, and ghee
- Eating in moderation and in short intervals
- Staying hydrated, drinking coconut water, fresh juices
- Adequate sleep and rest
- Staying in the company of good friends and associates
- Calming yoga practice like yin yoga, restorative yoga, meditation, and yoga nidra
- Anointing the body with a coolant paste like camphor, sandalwood paste, and Vetiver paste
- Inhaling cool and pleasant fumes
- Cultivating hobbies that are soothing to the mind and senses like listening to pleasant music, playing musical instruments, and reading books that make you feel good and happy
How Pitta Disorders Are Treated In Ayurveda
Based on the strength of the patient and the stage of diseases, Pitta Dosha dominant disorders are treated through a palliative and purification treatment.
1. Palliative Treatment
Medicated Ghee Consumption (Sarpipana)
Cow’s ghee can be a part of the daily diet. Yashtimadhu ghrita or Panchatikta ghrita are also specifically recommended for Pitta Dosha disorders.
Herbs
Herbs that taste sweet, bitter and astringent with cooling potency are commonly used to alleviate Pitta Dosha, like Neem (Azadirachta indica), Yashtimadhu (liquorice), Guduchi (Tinospora Cordifolia), Amalaki (gooseberry), Haridra (turmeric), Khadira (Acacia Catechu), coriander, and Musta (Cyperus Rotundus).
Formulations
Some of the recommended formulations are Avipattikar Churna, Sutshekhar Rasa, Praval Panchamrut, Kamadudha Rasa, Chanadan Asava, and Gulkand (rose petal jam). Shadangapaniya, Pancha Saara Panak, Lemon Sherbet, Amla (gooseberry) Juice are some of the refreshing Ayurvedic juice preparations for pacifying Pitta Dosha
2. Purification Treatment/Panchakarma Treatment
Panchakarma treatment comprises initial herb treatment and diet followed by internal oleation, external oleation, and steam.
Virechana (Purgation)
Thereafter, the main treatment, i.e., Virechana (purgation) is administered using herbal preparations like Aragwadhadi leha, castor oil with Haritaki, and Trivrit churna. Purgation is considered as one of the best modes of eliminating vitiated Pitta Dosha and toxins through downward motion.
Finally, a diet regimen to regain digestion and strength is followed at least for a fortnight. Healthy individuals can also undergo Virechana (purgation) during autumn as the accumulated Pitta Dosha in summer naturally tends to spread and manifest into diseases in the former season. Mild purgatives like Avipattikar churna are also advised on a daily basis.
Blood-Letting (Venesection/Leech Therapy)
This therapy is done in the case of skin diseases and blood disorders.1
A word of caution: Remember, this article contains general information about medical conditions and treatments and is not an alternative to the medical advice from your doctor or a professional healthcare provider.
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