Pitta Doṣa

What is a Doṣa (Dough-Sha)? (Can be skipped for those who are already familiar)

A Doṣa in Ayurveda refers to the bodily, mental, and emotional constitution of a person. There are three main Doṣa called Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, each one being made up of two elements. Each person is born with one or two predominant Doṣa (known as prakṛti) which will often determine the unique qualities in both their physical and mental makeup. When dis-ease begins to manifest, we can see how two or more elements, and their qualities, begin expressing in an “excessive” manner. The way in which we restore balance then, is through using opposing elements and qualities to those that are aggravated to begin with.

• Vata = Ether/Space (Ākāśa) + Air (Vāyu) 

• Pitta = Fire (Agni) + Water (Āpas)

• Kapha = Water (Āpas) + Earth (Pṛthvī) 

PITTA DOṣA

Elements of Pitta Doṣa: Fire (Agni) & Water (Āpas)

• All about transformation

• Governs the body’s intelligence, at a cellular level. Makes sure that everything functions in the way that it should.

• Responsible for all metabolic activity in the body

• Governs digestion, assimilation and absorption of nutrients consumed in our food

• In charge of producing blood cells, plasma, and pigments in the body such as the color of the blood, hair, teeth, eyes, and skin

• Helps maintain circulation and body temperature

• Governs the eyes, eyesight, vision, and clarity — both physically but also mentally

• Metabolizes information in our brain into understanding

• Metabolizes emotions in our heart into pure consciousness

• Keeps mind alert and sharp, helping us to analyze, dissect, and discern between what is of use to us and what is not

Qualities of Pitta Doṣa:

“Pittam sasneha tikshnoshnam laghu visram, saram dravam” — The qualities of Pitta are oily, sharp, hot, light, smelly, spreading, and watery.—Ashtanga Hrdayam: Sutrasthana I:11

Pitta’s Physical Body

• Medium frame/medium-sized bones

• Tend to be at healthy weight - neither underweight nor overweight

• Tend towards reddish discoloration - in skin (cheeks, lips, eyes)

• Also tend towards yellowish discoloration - teeth, white’s of the eyes, skin, urine, bowel movements, tongue

• Tend to have light-colored eyes - blue/green

• Eyes are sensitive to the sunlight

• Tend to have thin straight hair - usually blonde or red

• Skin - oily, acne, eczema, rosacea, rashes, itchiness, tenderness, redness, moles, freckles

• Tend to hold excessive heat - burning eyes, gingivitis, bleeding/tender gums, burning in throat, heart burn, acid reflux, acidity, nausea, diarrhea, burning urination, burning when passing bowel movements, inflammation

• Strong body odor

• Excessive sweating

• Cannot handle much physically intense labor

• Poor eyesight

• Hair loss

• Infections - can be recurrent

• Gout

• Hot flashes

Pitta’s Mental and Emotional Body

• Sharp-minded

• Intelligent, bright

• Curious

• Quick to learn new things

• Good at planning and organizing

• Funny

• Decisive

• Clarity of mind

• Motivated

• Enthusiastic

• Good leaders

• Anger, irritability, frustration, impatience

• Jealous/possessive

• Critical, judgmental

• Over-analytical

• Short-tempered - does not like being told “No”

• Can be harsh and sharp when expressing themselves

• Difficulty letting things go- including emotions

• Competitive

• Like things done their way

What Balances Pitta Doṣa?

Pitta Doṣa is balanced by the elements of air, space, and earth. Air and space give Pitta the flexibility, openness, and creativity that they require to maintain the balance of their overly-planned lives! Air, space, and earth all bring a coolness to Pitta that help balance their excessive heat. And Earth also brings a heavy and grounding quality, as well as a softness, which Pitta can sometimes lack, as it is very light and sharp in nature.

Things That Balance Pitta Doṣa

• Staying away from heating foods

  • Acidic fruit, tomato, peanuts/peanut butter, chocolate, pickled food, fermented food, alcohol, and heating spices (mustard seeds, chili, cloves, cardamom, garlic, onion)

• Favor cooling foods and spices

• Favor astringent, sweet, and bitter tastes

• SUN — Protect the eyes with sunglasses and the head with a hat whenever you are out in the sun. In general avoid too much exposure to the sun.

• Avoid heated arguments or relationships with people who enjoy conflict / provoking arguments

• Avoid very hot showers

• Avoid very vigorous exercise - favor walking and light swimming

• Enjoy activities that do not require mental activity

• Spending time near or in water

• Sitali pranayama

• Hrd Basti - Heart basti - Ayurvedic therapy that helps release stagnated emotions, and helps strengthen and nourish the heart muscle

• Flexibility — Trying to leave space for non-planned activities outside of the daily/general routine

• Doing things slowly and consciously

• Practicing compassion

• Staying open-minded, not fixating on any one opinion or way of looking at something

• Avoiding thought-provoking activities before bed such as watching the news, or reading something intense

… and much more!