Tell me about Pitta

Pitta represents the energy of transformation and is therefore closely aligned with the fire element. But in living organisms, Pitta is largely liquid, which is why water is its secondary element. Pitta is neither mobile nor stable, but spreads—much as the warmth of a fire permeates its surroundings, or as water flows in the direction dictated by the terrain.

If you have a predominantly pitta constitution, the qualities of Pitta (oily, sharp, penetrating, hot, light, unpleasant odour, mobile and liquid) will be expressed in your body and mind.

Pitta is closely related to intelligence, understanding, and the digestion of foods, thoughts, emotions, and experiences; it governs nutrition and metabolism, body temperature, and the light of understanding.

Predominantly Pitta people are likely to be passionate, fiery, intense and goal orientated. Their body will likely be of moderate weight and height, with good flexibility, muscle strength and athletic ability. In theory, a Pitta person has a lustrous complexion, perfect digestion, abundant energy and good daily routines established.

Pitta dominated individuals have a strong intellect (often in the gifted/talented areas of learning) and have good concentration skills. Thus, Pitta types make excellent academics, scientist, leaders, entrepreneurs and pioneers. Good decision-making, rational processes with the ability to lead and teach are all therefore qualities of Pitta dominance.

When out of balance, you might find the Pitta person to become outspoken, bossy, controlling and/or domineering. Pitta imbalance can also lead to someone becoming judgemental, jealous, impatient and angry. The excess heat in the mind can cause a Pitta person to be in constant conflict within their relationships, and find it hard to see another's point of view – there can be a rigid outlook.

The Pitta dosha is aggravated by excessive amounts of the pungent/chilli, sour and salty tastes. It is also aggravated by excessive use of alcohol and caffeine. Furthermore, irregular daily routines i.e. shift work, and excess exposure to hot environments (including the sun) will disturb Pitta.

When experiencing a Pitta imbalance, people will crave cooling foods, a cooling environment and cooler clothing. They might experience excess salivation, excess thirst and hunger, burning sensations in the body, and general excessive body heat and/or sweat.

Excess Pitta may manifest as skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, cellulitis, and/or fungal or bacterial infections.

When Pitta is in excess, a person is more likely to suffer from hyper acidity, heartburn, ulcers, IBS, bleeding conditions, menstrual or hormonal imbalances, UTIs, migraines, mouth ulcers, hot flushes, disorders of the mind such as depression, schizophrenia and destructive/violent behaviour, or eye conditions such as conjunctivitis.

Furthermore, Pitta is connected to any form of inflammation such as rheumatoid arthritis or an acute injury like a sprain.

An increase in body temperature, craving for certain foods, irritation of the eyes, excessive sweating, increase in desire, hyperactivity, quick temper and frustration, night sweats, nightmares, excessive desire for luxury lifestyle and fear of loss of such lifestyle, being excessively goal orientated, feeling of dissatisfaction and depression, excessive self-criticism and judgement, desire for excessive control of food. 

Generally the sites of Pitta are in the small intestine, digestive fire, digestive acid, sweat, sebaceous gland, blood, lymph and eyes. The primary seat is the stomach.

Pitta in balance

• Sweat easily and quickly

• A strong intellect (often in the gifted/talented areas of learning)

• Loose joints and good circulation

• Moderate immune function

• Good concentration skills – motivated and goal-orientated

• Good strength and stamina

• Excellent academics, leaders, scientist, entrepreneurs and pioneers

• Medium – tall and well developed athletic figures

• Good speakers and organisers with a strong sense of responsibility 

• Tendency towards anger, intolerance, frustration and impatience

• They do not like hot summers and too much sun

• Oily and firm hair with a tendency to early greying

• Warm, ruddy to freckled skin, prone to acne

• Naturally intelligent, rational and pragmatic

• Clear mind, sharp judgement

• Tolerant to pain

• Organised, private and have good willpower

• Penetrating thinking and a strong will

• Perfectionist tendencies

• Competitive

• Driven

  Causes of Pitta imbalance

• Excessive consumption of sour, salty, pungent and astringent foods

• Excessive consumption of oily and heavy foods

• Consumption of cooked food stored for long periods (24-48 hours)

• Excessive consumption of hot drinks (including green tea, caffeine and mint tea)

• Excessive consumption of red meat and red fish

• Excessive consumption of root vegetables

• Excessive consumption of raw vegetables and leafy greens

• Excessive consumption of condiments such as vinegar, mustard, fermented sauces and pickles

• Eating while feeling anger, hatred or frustration

• Sleeping during the day

• Overly luxurious and hedonistic lifestyle

• Excessive consumption of meat from wild animals

• Excessive working

• Excessive exercising

• Excessive exposure to heat

• Excessive intake of citrus fruits, spices such as chilli

• Eating meals too frequently or too many meals in a day

• Exposure to too many chemicals

• Intake of alcohol

• Stress

• Competition

• Lifestyle

Imbalance may manifest as

• Increase in body temperature, excessive sweating

• Irritation of the eyes

• Hyper acidity, heart burn

• Migraines

• Mouth ulcers

• Increase in desire

• Anger and frustration, quick temper

• Menstrual or hormonal imbalances including hot flushes

• Night sweats and/or nightmares

• Uncontrollable feelings of jealousy, desires and being excessively goal orientated

• Excess desire for luxury lifestyle and fear of loss of such lifestyle

• Being excessively goal orientated, Excessive self-criticism and judgement

• Feeling of dissatisfaction and depression

• Disorders of the mind including pitta depression; schizophrenia, destructive and violent behaviours

• Desire for excessive control of food, activity and lifestyle

• UTIs and other infections in the body

• Eye disorders

• Inflammatory conditions including auto-immune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout

• Excessive thirst and hunger

• Pitta type eczema, and dermatitis

• IBS

How to balance Pitta

·      Balance work, rest and play: A Pitta person will tend to overwork and overdo and therefore struggle to place importance on rest and recovery. This must be made a priority, if only for a few moments a day.  Yoga Nidra can be really helpful in this regard.

·      Pitta people define the word “hangry” and will become agitated very easily digestively and within the mind too, if not eating regularly enough (every 2-3 hours is ideal).

·      Spending regular time in nature can be extremely helpful. The natural environment (especially around trees, running water and mountains etc.) cools and softens the Pitta character and is the ideal space for rebalancing the Pitta elements in the body.

·      Gentle swimming and yoga can be ideal.

·      Being out in the full moon and embracing cool breezes will calm a Pitta dominated person.

·      Pleasant company of friends who are not controlling, small children, family.

·      Indulgence in perfumes which are pleasing, coolant and cordial

·      Encourage a good laugh and a lightness to life. This will help the pitta person now take themselves and their purpose too seriously.

·      Pitta dominated people tend to favour clothes that are dominant in blues, greens and silver, which will help them stay cool and soothe their energy field.

·      Aromatherapy oils such as sandalwood, rose, jasmine, mint, lavender, fennel, and chamomile are all great for pacifying Pitta.

·      Holding pearls, Rose Quartz, Moonstone and Amethyst can help too.

Dietary

Enjoy

·      Fruits: Sweet and juicy fruits like apples, melons, sweet cherries, and mangoes are beneficial. 

·      Vegetables: Choose sweet, bitter, and astringent vegetables like asparagus, cucumber, leafy greens (lettuce, spinach), sweet potatoes, and broccoli. 

·      Grains: opt for cooling grains such as barley, rice, oats, and wheat. 

·      Legumes: Beans like black beans, kidney beans, and green gramme beans can be helpful. 

·      Dairy: Milk, unsalted butter, and ghee are considered cooling and nourishing. 

·      Seeds & Nuts: Soaked and peeled almonds, coconut, flaxseeds, and pumpkin seeds are recommended. 

·      Oils: Coconut oil, olive oil, and sunflower oil have cooling properties. 

·      Spices: Use mild, cooling spices like cardamom, coriander, fennel, saffron, and turmeric in moderation. 

Foods to limit or avoid

 ·      Fruits: Limit sour and heating fruits like raw bananas, grapefruit, mango and pineapple. 

·      Vegetables: Avoid pungent, sour, and spicy vegetables such as raw garlic, raw onion, and tomatoes. 

·      Grains: Steer clear of heating grains like corn and brown rice. 

·      Fats: Limit oils with heating properties, such as sesame oil. 

·      Spices: Avoid or use sparingly pungent, hot, and sour spices. Avoid chilli.

·      Stimulants: Limit or avoid alcohol, coffee, and tobacco. 

·      Avoid cold foods such as raw vegetables, ice, ice cream and salads.

·      Avoid excessive consumption of sour, pungent and salty foods such as vinegars, red meat, red fish, mustard, fermented sauces and pickles.

Please note that there are medicines which can help such as coriander water etc, but best to consult with me directly rather than self-prescribing from the internet as medicine can be used in different ways to create different effects depending on the manner in which it is ingested and the time of day etc.

The Pitta time is summer, a season characterised by heat and intensity, which aligns with Pitta's qualities of fire and water. Pitta time typically runs from late spring to early autumn, with its peak during the hottest part of summer. This seasonal influence can increase Pitta in the body, leading to symptoms like inflammation, skin irritation, and agitation, necessitating a diet and lifestyle that emphasises cooling, grounding, and balancing activities.

Medicines

Please note that there are various medicines which can support doshic imbalance - but you are best to book for a consultation with a qualified practitioner to better understand what you individually and specifically need, rather than basing your assessment on what the internet says.

Love Emma x