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Pitta Dosha

Elements: Water and Fire

In Ayurveda Pitta is known as Energy of Digestion and Metabolism. Pitta Dosha (bio-energy) is a combination of water and fire elements and formulated by the dynamic interplay of the both. These elements are transformative in nature thus they constantly modulate and control each other. In human body Pitta represents the fire element; it includes gastric fire or digestive fire, action of enzymes and amino acids that play a major role in metabolism, and the neurotransmitters and neuropeptides involved in thinking. People with Pitta personality are known for warm friendly behaviour and leadership qualities. Pitta is hot, sharp, light, oily, liquid, and spreading in nature. It is sour, bitter, pungent to the taste, and has a fleshy smell.

All these characteristics are revealed in the body of the Pitta person. The main centres of Pitta in human body are small intestine, stomach, sweat glands, blood, fat, eyes, and skin. Pitta governs digestion, absorption, assimilation, nutrition, metabolism, body temperature, skin coloration, the luster of the eyes, intelligence, and understanding. It gives the person appetite, vitality, and the capacity to learn, understand and determine what is right or wrong. The imbalanced Pitta can cause many physical and psychological problems like anger, criticism, negative emotions, acidity, ulcers, heartburn, rashes and thinning hair. Pitta can be thrown out of balance by, eating spicy or sour food; being angry, tired, or fearful; or spending too much time in the sun. People with a predominantly Pitta constitution are thought to be susceptible to heart disease and arthritis.

Pitta Prakriti people have light to medium body frame with well-built physique and medium height. Their chests are not very flat and they show a medium prominence of veins and muscle tendons. Pitta people may have sharp but yellowish teeth with soft and, at times, bleeding gums. Person with Pitta Prakriti has usually soft nails. Pitta people usually have a sensitive and reactive body with a medium frame and weight. They usually keep in shape as they rarely gain or lose much weight. Pitta constituent people usually have strong metabolism, good digestive fire and strong appetites. Thus they usually take large quantities of food and liquid at a time and often get irritated if they have to miss or wait for a meal.  Pitta type people have a natural longing for sweet, bitter and astringent tastes and enjoy cold drinks.  Pitta is a fire element, thus people with Pitta constitution tend to have higher body temperature with warm hands and feet. They do not feel comfortable in sunlight heat or hot weather as heat makes them tired. Pitta people do not like hard work as well as they also have a tendency toward excessive perspiration.  Pitta Prakriti people are passionate and romantic and sexually have more vigor and endurance than Vatas, but less than Kaphas.

There are some qualities of balanced Pitta person.
- Good digestion
- Energy
- Goal-setting inclinations
- Good problem-solving skills
- Keen powers of intelligence 
- Decisiveness 
- Boldness and courage 
- Bright complexion

Pitta is related with fire and control digestion and metabolism, body temperature, and biological transformations in the body. Usually Pitta people have strong efficient digestion, they can generally eat just about everything but they should include cool or warm food in their diet with less butter and added fat. Excessive use of salt, overuse of sour and spicy food and overeating are the main causes that trouble Pitta so such food items should be reduced, instead starchy foods such as vegetables, grains and beans, salad, milk and ice cream should be included in the diet. Alcoholic and fermented foods should also be avoided. Pitta person should not take coffee also as the acid in the coffee is also Pitta aggravating, instead they can have herb teas like mint, licorice root or other that pacify Pitta.

 

Pitta Dosha
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