What is Pitta dosha and how to fix it? Pitta Dosha is a mix of the fire and water elements and influences our digestion and appetite. Pitta dosha is a fundamental defect of our body that affects our skin, mental state, and emotions. Pitta type people have a healthy metabolism are very perceptive, sharp, and intellectually inclined. When aggravated, Pitta can make us temperamental and prone to ulcers, heartburn, and inflammation. An imbalance of pitta dosha is a common problem due to which you feel physically unwell. But not everyone knows much about this, and people often have this question in their minds about balancing Pitta dosha in the body. But before that, one must understand the signs and types of this imbalance.
There are five types of every dosha explained by Dr Pooja Kohli, VP - Ayurveda Growth, Nirogstreet
So five pitta types are Pachaka Pitta, Ranjaka Pitta, Sadhaka Pitta, Alochaka Pitta and Bhrajaka Pitta and their functions are as under:
- Ranjaka Pitta- responsible for the formation of plasma and blood cells and their circulation through liver, spleen, stomach, and heart
- Alochaka Pitta - governs the organ of sight that is Eye
- Pachaka Pitta- responsible for digestion
- Bhrajaka Pitta- governs skin
- Sadhaka Pitta- emotions
Symptoms Of Pitta Dosha Imbalance In Body
- Swelling and inflammation: Many people often see the effect of inflammation on their body, but they find it a common problem and often ignore it. But do you know that swelling on your body could be a sign or symptom of pitta dosha (imbalance)? Let us tell you that when the pitta dosha (imbalance) begins in your body, its effect is seen all over the body. For example, symptoms like swelling, pain and inflammation in affected parts of the body.
- Vomiting and nausea: A person can get very upset due to frequent nausea or vomiting, but do you know that pitta dosha (imbalance) also has a lot of importance behind it. Yes, due to deterioration or imbalance of Pitta dosha, your body deals with various digestive problems. These may include chest irritation, vomiting and nausea.
- Digestive problems: You may find yourself ill for several days due to digestive problems. In such a situation, people take many types of medicines, which do not affect them. This is because your Pitta dosha is unbalanced in your body. You may have acidity problems, chest irritation, abdominal pain, constipation and other stomach problems.
Some other symptoms include:
- Increasing mental warmth leads to anger, jealousy and frustration.
- Heaviness or tenderness in the testicles/breasts.
- Headache with the burning sensation in the head.
- Increased sweating and body odour.
- Increase in hunger and thirst.
- Sore throat with infection.
- The body heat increases
How to bring pitta back to normal to control your temper?
Do you feel angry all the time? If yes, it could be a sign of aggravated pitta in your body. According to Ayurveda, Pitta plays a significant role in our body only if it's balanced but irritates, and it can lead to various health issues like skin disease, hot flushes or a person can become angry. Pitta refers to heat. Pitta is physical energy that is liquid. Bitterness combines the elements of fire and water. This dosha controls digestion, metabolism and transformation in the body. Pitta dosha is the hottest dosha as it is associated with fire. The effect of pitta on the body increases heat. Pitta dysfunction causes swelling, anger, heat buildup, and many other symptoms in the body. When the pitta dosha increases (i.e. excess pitta) in the body, it affect health.
Ms Namita Piparaiya (Ayurveda Lifestyle Specialist) shares a few things that can help balance excess Pitta
The right diet
The person should follow a healthy lifestyle like proper sleep, having meals on time, exercise etc. Pitta Prakriti person should never skip meals. A pitta balancing diet favours sweet, watery fruits and vegetables like pomegranate, melons, celery, and cucumber. Barley and wheat are also cooling and help Pitta. Spicy and pungent foods should be minimized. Sweet, Bitter and Astringent tastes are recommended for pitta pacification:
- Fermented and bakery product should be strictly avoided.
- Alcohol and caffeine are not at all recommended.
- Minimize Sour, Salt and spicy meal
- Avoid fried, salty and spicy food
Gentle, soothing yoga
The morning should be started with exercise and Yoga practice followed with chanting or prayers. Cooling yoga practices that are neither too intense nor too easy to help stabilize Pitta. This would include gentle, slow movements coordinated with the breath, focusing on the exhalation. Specifically, cat-cow, moon salutations, child pose, bridge pose, etc., are suitable for Pitta.
Also Read: Tips To Spot An Allergy Attack
Team activities
Pitta people can get very competitive and may push themselves too much. Team activities or team sports are great for releasing pressure and learning to work with others harmoniously. One should avoid late-night work as it will aggravate the pitta in the body, so the best rule is to follow early to bed and early to rise.
Daily Meditation
Pitta people are naturally very introspective; they like to think about and assess experiences. Therefore, meditation is an effective way for them to continue working on their self-awareness and minimize emotions like anger, frustration, and judgment. They can start their mediation with cooling pranayama practices like Vishama Vritti, Pranayama, Sitali, or Sitkari breathing. Benefits of meditation: Meditation has many uses in the body. Meditation strengthens the nervous system.
- Blood cortisol levels remain controlled.
- Reduces anxiety and stress.
- Respiratory rate improves.
- Heart rate becomes good.
- Improve blood circulation
- Blood pressure Balance.
- The mind gets to rest.
Here are some ayurvedic medicine to reduce pitta dosha
- Amla or Amalaki is one of the best pitta home remedies. It helps to cleanse the pitta from the digestive system. Amla can be eaten as a fruit, or Amalaki capsule can be consumed as a medicine to reduce pitta.
- Neem is a powerful herb that helps in controlling pitta. Neem is bitter and is one of the best herbs to manage pitta disorder. Neem can be taken in any form, such as tablets or herbs.
- Ayurvedic Ghee is medicinal ghee containing pomegranate, Triphala, and Indian herbs that reduce pitta.
- Ghee prepared from cow's milk is an excellent home remedy to reduce pitta and body heat.
- Triphala helps to calm pitta dosha. Shatavari is another herb of choice for pacifying pitta.
- Cardamom is a common spice that is effective in reducing pitta.
- Cumin can be taken after lunch to reduce pitta.
Recommended therapies by Dr Pooja Kohli
When specifically, Sadhak Pitta gets vitiated people feel angry and irritated. Now the question is, what can be done to balance pitta in the body? It can be offset through diet, lifestyle, herbs, yoga and a few therapies like Nasya and Shirodhara.
- Shirodhara:- This therapy will allow anyone cools down his anger, it can be taken under the supervision of any Ayurveda doctor and according to season and need it can be done with oil, milk or take.
- Nasya:- Putting two drops of ghee (Preferably Medicated Bhrami Ghee) in each nostril will help patients pacify pitta dosha.
Conclusion
Pitta people should try to stay cool-headed, avoiding too much sun exposure and hot and spicy foods. Their temperament runs hot, so they must practice yoga, pranayama, and meditation regularly to work on self-development. Once balanced, Pitta has compelling the energy that keeps our digestion healthy and our intellect sharp.
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