Introduction to Pitta dosha

Pitta dosha is one of the three main doshas in Ayurveda, and it represents the fire element in the body. It is responsible for significant bodily functions such as digestion and metabolism. It also keeps the body warm. If your digestion is slow, it may lead to improper digestion of food, which may lead to the formation of toxins (ama) in the body. Whereas an aggravation of Pitta in the body may cause acid reflux, irritability, anger, and inflammation. It also governs skin colour and body temperature. People with a dominant Pitta tend to have a fiery demeanour, both physically and mentally.

Characteristics of Pitta people

An Ayurvedic practitioner can best determine whether your body’s personal constitution is Pitta dominant or not. However, there are some general characteristics that are commonly observed in people with a Pitta constitution. Let us take a look at these characteristics:

• People with a Pitta constitution generally have a medium build and a good physique with adequate muscle mass.
• Pitta individuals have a robust digestive system due to the presence of strong digestive fire and a higher metabolism rate.
• Due to their faster metabolism, they also tend to have a stronger appetite compared to other individuals.
• Pitta individuals also tend to gain weight faster than anyone else.
• They tend to sweat profusely in warmer climates.
• They are articulate in their thoughts and communication and talk in a very persuasive manner.
• People with a Pitta constitution have a warm body temperature. Their skin may feel warm to touch.
• Pitta people may have soft and silky hair with moderate thickness.
• Due to the presence of fiery Pitta, these people may be easily impatient, irritable, or angry.
• They might be sensitive to hot and humid temperatures.

How to Balance Pitta Dosha

If you want to balance Pitta dosha, you need to adopt a Pitta-pacifying diet and lifestyle. Pitta represents the fiery element, so individuals with a strong Pitta tend to display similar physical and emotional tendencies. To balance this dosha, it’s important to incorporate food habits and lifestyles that are cool and less strenuous.

Pitta Body Type in Detail

Physical characteristics of Pitta Individuals: 

People with a Pitta constitution are medium-built. Their skin is generally soft and sometimes oily. Due to the overproduction of heat and oiliness, they also tend to get acne or skin rashes. Their eyes are medium-sized, and they generally have proportionate facial features. The hair of Pitta people has an average volume and is soft to touch. But they are also prone to premature greying and balding. Additionally, their hair can sometimes be wavy. Owing to the fiery element, their skin is warm, and their hands and feet may remain warm even in cold weather. They also have a tendency to sweat profusely, even with the slightest rise in temperature. Their skin tone might be reddish, which is a sign of a fiery Pitta. Their eyes are well defined, deep-set, and tend to be lighter in colour.

Due to the presence of a strong digestive fire, Pitta individuals have a strong appetite. This characteristic can make them gain weight faster. However, with yoga and adequate physical activity, they can maintain a healthy weight just like any other individual.

 Mental and Emotional Characteristics: 

Pitta individuals are highly charismatic by nature. They walk and talk with grace, and they have a commanding presence. They are generally well-sorted individuals who are highly focused and goal-oriented. People with a dominant Pitta constituency may also be perfectionists, have a sharp memory, and have a good intellect. They also tend to display good leadership qualities and are great visionaries. Pitta individuals are also competitive by nature and may thrive in highly competitive environments. Their skills and analytical skills make them natural problem solvers. However, if there is an imbalance of Pitta dosha, these individuals can also be short-tempered and irritable, and they may have trouble controlling their anger in certain situations. Pitta individuals need to find balance between their assertive and angry natures to strike a balance and maintain harmony in both their personal and professional relationships.

Common Diseases in Pitta Individuals: 

Once the fiery element, Pitta, goes haywire in the body, it can give rise to a number of diseases or health conditions revolving around heat and inflammation. Therefore, it is necessary to live a life based on Ayurvedic principles to keep our doshas balanced. Here are some common health conditions among Pitta individuals.

• Acid Reflux
• Heartburn and Ulcers
• Rashes and redness on skin
• Acne or breakout 
• Psoriasis
• Eczema
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Liver Disorders
• Hypertension
• Migraines or headaches
• Eye problems
• Stress disorder or anxiety

Diet and Lifestyle for Pitta people:

To keep the above health conditions at bay and live a healthy life, people with a dominant Pitta constitution should consume a Pitta-pacifying diet and make lifestyle modifications that balance the aggravated Pitta dosha in their body.

1. Eat soothing foods : To balance the heat of the Pitta inside the body, people should consume soothing foods such as cucumber, watermelons, coconut, and leafy green vegetables (kale, spinach, and red cabbage). In addition, they should avoid extremely spicy, hot, and pungent foods, which may aggravate their bodily heat. They may incorporate rice, quinoa, oats, and wheat in their diet. Moreover, bitter and astringent foods may also help pacify Pitta. Incorporation of healthy fats such as ghee, coconut oil, and avocados is also essential in the diet.
2. The Role of Hydration: Staying hydrated should be the top priority for a Pitta individual. Along with the regular water, they may consume juices (sweet fruits), coconut water, and buttermilk to maintain hydration and pacify the aggravation of Pitta. Staying hydrated will also make up for water loss due to profuse sweating in the body.
3. Don’t Overexert: While exercising is important to stay fit and agile, do not go overboard with your exercise routine, especially in a hot and humid environment. Instead, you may try to do activities such as swimming, yoga, pranayama (like shitali), and meditation to remain calm, cool, and composed.
4. Choose Cooler Environments:Being in blazing hot temperatures can easily make a Pitta person angry and irritable; therefore, it’s essential for them to avoid excessive heat exposure and find refuge in cooler environments.
5. Manage stress levels: Due to the ambitious and competitive nature of Pitta individuals, they can get easily trapped in a stressful mood. Hence, it is important to practise mindful relaxation from time to time and maintain stress levels.

Tips for balancing Pitta dosha

Foods to eat/Pitta Diet

A Pitta diet may include foods that have cooling properties. Starting with fruits, a person with a dominant Pitta dosha may eat watermelons, apples, coconut, ripe mangoes, strawberries, oranges, papayas, plums, figs, etc. For veggies, they may eat kale, spinach, celery, cooked carrots, asparagus, lettuce, mushrooms, broccoli, bell peppers, etc. A generous inclusion of healthy fats from avocados, ghee, and coconut oil is essential. And for legumes and grains, you may consume black beans, kidney beans, green gramme beans, pasta, wheat, oats, quinoa, rice, etc. Avoid spicy and hot foods, which may aggravate the body’s heat.

For a personalised diet chart and to learn more about what food items one should consume for a Pitta constitution, book your appointment today with YATAN Holistic Ayurvedic Centre. Call us at 1300 552 260.

Activities/Exercise for Pitta People

In order to keep the body healthy, people with an aggravated Pitta should incorporate activities that calm them and are cooling to both body and mind. Even though Pitta people can easily do high-intensity exercise without getting tired, it is essential to maintain proper balance and equanimity. They may try:

• Swimming
• Hiking in nature.
• Cycling
• Yoga such as Ardha Matsyendrasana, Balasana (Child pose), Parsva Sukhasana (Seated side bend pose) etc. You can check out our YATAN Yoga book and YATAN Yoga Therapy to learn more about these poses. 
• Gentle Cardio 
• Pranayama such as Sitali Breath is the best technique in reducing pitta and expelling heat from the body.

Herbs and supplements to take

To pacify an aggravated Pitta, several herbs may be beneficial, such as Guduchi, Amla (Indian gooseberry), fennel seeds, Triphala, Shatavari, Gotu Kola, etc. One must always consult an Ayurvedic practitioner to assess their Pitta aggravation and to know which herb should be taken in what quantity.

Please note that the above mentioned exercises should be done only by individuals with a regular health condition. If you have a long standing or underlying health condition, consult your healthcare provider before starting any new exercise program.