Fire + Water

The elemental composition of Pitta consists of fire and water. It is commonly described as hot, light, sharp, oily, liquid, and mobile. Summer is known as the "pitta season" for its hot, sunny days.

The common translation of pitta is "that which digests things". According to ayurveda, this is the dosha responsible for our ability to mentally digest our life experiences and biologically digest our food. Pitta is responsible for all our chemical and metabolic transformations.

Dosha Pitta controls digestion, metabolism, and energy production. Pitta's main function is transformation. People who are mostly Pitta have a fiery nature that shows up in both the body and the mind.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS 

Pittas are generally of average size and weight. They sometimes have bright red hair, but baldness or thinning hair is also common in Pittas. They have excellent digestion, which sometimes leads them to believe that they can eat anything. They have a warm body temperature. They sleep soundly for short periods of time and have a strong sex drive.

When in balance, Pittas have lustrous skin, perfect digestion, abundant energy, and a strong appetite. When out of balance, Pittas can suffer from rashes, burning sensations, peptic ulcers, excessive body heat, heartburn, and indigestion.

EMOTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Pittas has a powerful intellect and a great ability to concentrate. When they are in balance, they are good at making decisions. They are precise, insightful, direct, and often outspoken. Unbalanced Pittas can be temperamental and argumentative. When Pittas are overrated, their typical response is, "What did you do wrong?"

BALANCED PITTA

When Pittas are in balance, they have a glowing complexion, strong digestion, abundant energy, and a healthy appetite. They are precise, direct, articulate, and capable of making important decisions even under pressure. Their high degree of organization, combined with their strong sense of direction, ambition, and confidence, allows them to be agents of change and agitators. They make excellent teachers and speakers and are often seen as leaders in their community.

IMBALANCE IN PITTA

When Pitta is out of balance, it is evident through rashes, acne, thinning hair, peptic ulcers, excessive body heat, indigestion, and heartburn. Emotionally, Pittas can be short-tempered and aggressively argumentative, even on seemingly "small" matters. Pittas tend to blame others, external circumstances, even the weather, for their bad mood.

HOW TO BALANCE PITTA

Pitta is hot, strong, sour, pungent, and penetrating. To balance Pitta, make choices that are refreshing, sweet, and stabilizing. Balance rest and activity by allowing some free time each day. Be careful not to create unnecessary time pressure for yourself.

Don't skip meals and don't wait until you're hungry to eat. Prefer foods that are sweet, bitter, or astringent.Also, eat more refreshing foods like cucumbers, sweet fruits, and melons. Spend time regularly in nature. Take walks in the forest and along natural bodies of water. Keep plants and flowers fresh in your home and office.

Do a daily massage with cooler oils such as coconut, sesame or Pitta Oil.

Go for cooler colours in your clothes and surroundings, such as blues, greens, and silver.

Recommended Ayurvedic teas for balancing Pitta are Relax and Purify.