Pitta Dosha

Concept of Tri-Dosha

In Ayurvedic philosophy, the five elements combine in pairs to form three dynamic forces or interactions called doshas. Dosha means "that which changes." It is a word derived from the root dus, which is equivalent to the English prefix 'dys', such as in dysfunction, dystrophy, etc. In this sense, dosha can be regarded as a fault, mistake, error, or a transgression against the cosmic rhythm. The doshas are constantly moving in dynamic balance, one with the others. Doshas are required for the life to happen. In Ayurveda, dosha is also known as the governing principles as every living thing in nature is characterized by the dosha.

The three active doshas are called Vata, pitta and Kapha.

Pitta Dosha:

• Pitta is a force created by the dynamic interplay of water and fire.
• These forces represent transformation. They cannot change into each other, but they modulate or control each other and are vitally required for the life processes to occur. (For example, too much fire and too little water will result in the boiling away of the water. Too much water will result in the fire being put out.)
• pitta has hot, sharp, light, liquid, sour, oily and spreading qualities. pitta has a strong smell, like a fleshy smell, and has a sour or bitter taste.
• Pitta governs digestion, absorption, assimilation, nutrition, metabolism, body temperature, and skin coloration, the luster of the eyes, intelligence, and understanding.
• Psychologically, pitta arouses anger, hate, and jealousy.
• Seat or location of the pitta in the body is the small intestine, stomach, sweat glands, blood, fat, eyes, and skin.

Pitta Personality - an individual with excess pitta in the body

• Because of the hot quality, the pitta person has a strong appetite and warm skin. The body temperature is a little higher than the Vata person. If hungry, he has to eat otherwise he will become irritable and hypoglycemic.
• Because of the sharp quality, the pitta person has a sharp nose, teeth, eyes, mind and while talking uses sharp words. They also have very sharp memory.

• Because of the oily quality, pitta person has soft warm oily skin, straight oily hair, and the faeces are oily and liquid.
• Because of the hot, sharp, and oily qualities, pitta person has a tendency to grey prematurely, a sign of early maturity. Pitta girls get earlier menstruation and reach puberty earlier.
• Because of the strong smell quality, pitta person perspires and there is a typical sulphur smell under the arm pit, and if he doesn't wash his socks, he will have a strong smell. That's why a pitta person loves perfumes.
• Because of the quality of love for knowledge pitta person has great interest in reading. He likes to read before he goes to bed, and sometimes the pitta person sleeps with a book on the chest.
• Pitta people are moderate in body frame, and they do not like bright light. Because of too much heat in the body, pitta person can get a receding hair line, or a big, beautiful, bald head.
• pitta people have a great capacity of organization and leadership. They are often wise, brilliant people, but can have a controlling, dominating personality.
• pitta people have a tendency towards comparison, competition, ambition, and they have a quality of aggressiveness, so naturally they criticize. They are perfectionists.

Tips to Balance Pitta -

• Avoid sesame oil, mustard oil, buttermilk, whey, fatty oily foods and acidic fruits.
• Avoid fish, mutton and alcohol.
• Avoid fasting, Keep cool.
• Avoid hot temperatures and hot food
• Favor cool, heavy, dry, sweet, bitter and astringent foods
• Reduce pungent, sour, salty, warm, oily and light foods
• Moderation in work, don't overwork. Allow for leisure time
• Regular mealtimes, especially at noon