The science of Ayurveda is built on the age-old principles which tells you that health arises from balance. This internal balance is achieved through perfect functioning of the three doshas in your body- Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each dosha has its specific aspect related to the physical, mental, and emotional wellness of your body. If there is imbalance in any of these doshas, your body can face various health issues.
In this article, you will be guided regarding Pitta dosha, what causes its imbalance, and some natural remedies as well as holistic ways to pacify them. Whether you are a beginner to Ayurveda or already an advanced practitioner, getting deeper insights about Pitta Dosha is going to work on your overall wellness.
Understanding Pitta Dosha
Pitta dosha in Ayurvedic terms comprises two, water and fire. These elements represent the force that transforms your body for the better. From the food you eat to thoughts you have, these elements play a vital role in managing everything inside your body. Like the fire digesting raw food and converting it into usable energy, Pitta also governs your digestion, body temperature, vision, courage, skin health, metabolism, and intellect. It is said to be the spark behind your ambition, analytical abilities, and enthusiasm.
Pitta dosha is majorly associated with decisiveness, leadership, and having a passionate drive to achieve goals. Individuals who have a Pitta-dominated constitution in their body tend to have sharp minds, warm bodies, medium builds, and strong determination. However, if the dosha is not balanced, it can consume more rather than nourish your body. Excess amount of Pitta dosha can lead to irritability, inflammation, physical burnout, and over-competitiveness.
Pitta dosha demands proper mindfulness as it offers brilliance and strength as well. Today’s fast paced modern lifestyle requires overworking, heated emotions, consuming spicy food, and being at a relentless pace. This can easily fan out Pitta’s flames from your control.
Causes of Pitta Dosha Imbalance
There are various reasons behind the imbalance of any dosha in your body. In Pitta, the imbalance arises when acidity, heat, and intensity in your body becomes excessive and it disturbs the natural harmony of the dosha. Below are some of the causes of Pitta dosha imbalance that are responsible for various health conditions.
Poor Dietary Habits and Overheating Foods
- Do not consume a diet that has excessive spice, salt, oily, and sour food items as it can aggravate your Pitta Dosha. Food such as red chilli pickle, rich gravies, and deep-fried snacks should be avoided at any cost.
- Consuming fermented food items or meals that are acidic in nature can also disturb your digestive balance. Vinegar, tomatoes, yogurt, aged cheese, and soy sauce should not be consumed.
- Excessive consumption of black tea, alcohol, coffee, and carbonated beverages can also irritate your digestive tract and raise internal fire more than a healthy range.
- Skipping meals, overeating, or eating at irregular hours can burden your digestive system if you have Pitta dominance.
Mental Pressure and Emotional Stress
- Impatience, repressed anger, and hostility can increase internal heat, especially when you are not expressing your emotions constructively.
- Competitive environments and high performance pressure surroundings can often fuel your inner- restlessness and can make you irritable as well as judgy about yourself.
- Your intense drive for controlling, perfection, and constant achievement can overstimulate your mind and also lead to emotional burnout.
- When there is a lack of emotional release and you tend to self-compare yourself, then mental heat can accumulate in your body, leading to mental burnouts and imbalanced Pitta dosha.
Seasonal Influence and Environmental Heat
- If you are frequently exposed to hot and dry climate especially during the summer as well as tropical regions then it can naturally spike your Pitta dosha.
- Spending a lot of time in direct sunlight or heated spaces can also add up to the physical heat load in your body, resulting in the imbalance of Pitta.
- Blue light overexposure and artificial lighting, especially during the nighttime can also overstimulate your nervous system, affecting the mental balance of your Pitta dosha.
Overexertion and Imbalanced Lifestyle
- If you have consistent work pressure and face lack of rest, then your nervous system can deplete, which will disturb the cooling mechanism that puts Piita dosha in check.
- Excess social media exposure and screen time can also activate the sympathetic nervous system, allowing it to mimic a Pitta-like response in mind.
- If you push your body without adequate hydration as well as rest or do intense workouts, it can increase the physical heat and acidity in your muscles.
Lack of Rejuvenation, Grounding, and Cooling
- If you have a lifestyle that is under nourishing but overstimulating, it can lead to an overheated system which cannot regulate by itself.
- Absence of some grounding practices such as slow movements, nature walks, mindfulness, and self-reflection can allow heat to accumulate in your body without the counterbalance of any cooling.
- Pitta will continue to build if your cooking rituals are without any intention. It will lead to exhaustion, emotional volatility, and inflammation.
Symptoms of Pitta Dosha Imbalance
When Pitta dosha in your body is not balanced, its fire-dominated qualities begin to turn inward. This results in burning not only your physical body but also your emotions and mind. The signs of Pitta imbalance are usually subtle at first, but if they are ignored, it can often escalate to chronic disturbances. Let’s understand some of the symptoms of Pitta imbalance that typically occurs across your body, mind, and emotions.
- Digestive Disturbances- The primary and most common sign of Pitta imbalance is the digestive disturbance in your body. This includes acid reflux, hyperacidity, burning indigestion, and heartburn. You will notice that those meals which felt nourishing before are causing major discomfort.
- Frequent or Loose Bowel Movement- Pitta imbalance can lead to a quick and hot digestive fire in your body. This will result in diarrhea or loose stools frequently and you will feel a major loss in energy.
- Skin Rashes and Eruptions- Your skin will also be affected because of the Pitta imbalance. The excess of this dosha can cause eczema, hives, acne, or redness in the skin. Consider this as a warning sign that your Pitta dosha needs your attention.
- Frequent Frustration and Anger Issues- If you are facing flare ups of rage, quick temper, or seething resentment, it can be a symptom of emotional heat building up.
- Impatience and Intolerance- If it is difficult for you to wait or you are often snapping at anyone for delays, then it is a signal that your Pitta dosha is not balanced.
- Constant Overthinking and Mental Overdrive- If your mind is Pitta-influenced that it becomes excessively sharp and hyper analytical. So if the dosha is not balanced, you will constantly overthink and over exert your mind a lot.
- Inability to Slow Down or Relax- Even during the resting hours, your mind will be caught up with random thoughts, your mind will continue racing and stressing about the future. This is also one of the major symptoms of Pitta dosha imbalance.
How to Balance Pitta Dosha using Home Remedies
When your Pitta dosha rises, it results in inner fire burn leading to irritability, imbalance, and inflammation. But some home remedies infused with Ayurvedic principles will restore the coolness and calm in your mind as well as body.
Consume Cooling Food over the Heating food Items
- Option for sweet, astringent, and bitter tastes that will balance Pitta in your body and be mindful about consuming spicy or salty flavors.
- Cultivate some naturally cooling and hydrating food items like cucumbers, melons, leafy green vegetables, and coconut water.
- Cook your meals in Ghee, Fennel, and use fresh coriander that will support your digestion without adding any excess heat.
Sip Herbal Teas to Cool Down and Soothe Yourself
- Coriander seed tea is extremely effective in reducing internal heat and detoxifying your liver.
- Herbal teas made from chamomile, rose petals, fennel seeds, and mind are majorly cooling and calming to your digestive system as well as your mind.
- Drink all these teas at room temperature or lukewarm and avoid ice-cold beverages as they can shock your digestive fire (agni).
Take Calming and Cool Baths
- Bathing in water that is infused with basil, turmeric, and neem leaves will reduce your skin inflammation and can detoxify pores.
- You can add rose water, lavender or sandalwood essential oil to lukewarm water for bathing. They will not only cool your body completely but will also calm your mind.
- Make sure to avoid hot showers or regular saunas if your Pitta dosha is not balanced as it can lead to heat exposure in your body.
Yoga, Meditation, Gentle Movements, and Pranayama
- Practice yoga poses that focus on opening your muscles, grounding, and cooling from within. Asanas like Paschimottanasana, Balasana, and Supta Matsyendrasana are important for calming your Pitta imbalance.
- Make sure to avoid heated yoga styles like power yoga or Ashtanga when Pitta is high in your body.
- Calming pranayama techniques and guided meditation will allow your mind to calm down and have mental clarity. Pranayama like Nadi Shodhana, Chandra Bhedana, and Sheetali will release your inner heat.
Use Cooling Ayurvedic Spices and Herbs
- Shatavari- It is an adaptogenic herb in ayurveda that nourishes and nurtures your body without increasing internal heat. It also assists in managing emotional as well as hormonal balance.
- Amla- Amla is also known as Indian Gooseberry and is excellent to pacify Pitta dosha. It is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C which helps in cooling your body as well as supporting liver functions.
- Use Guduchi and Licorice root in your food items, which are traditional ayurvedic herbs useful in reducing inflammation as well as clearing excess heat from your body.
- Sprinkle some coriander, cardamom, and fennel in your meals in order to gently stimulate digestion without irritating your gut.
Prioritize Sleep, Rest, and Emotional Downtime
- Schedule daily downtime even if it is just a short break from work during the day. It will help you to reset your nervous system and relax your mind.
- Engaging in over stimulating activities can cause imbalance of doshas in your body. Instead of this, choose some calming ritual during the evening time such as listening to soft music, journaling, and reading.
- Make sure that you are taking at least 7-8 hours of sound sleep every night. Go to bed before 10 pm because it is the ideal time to prevent yourself from catching the second wind of Pitta energy.
Embracing the Beauty of Balance
Pitta dosha governs the fire of transformation and light of intelligence in your body. So you should understand the importance of managing and balancing it with wisdom to keep yourself healthy. This will grant you the ability to inspire, create, and lead in life. Without the balance in Pitta dosha, your body will become an internal firestorm that will burn you out. Understand the nature of Pitta and adapt to an Ayurvedic treatment lifestyle that will help you in managing the excess of the consistency of dosha. This is your gentle reminder that you don’t have to dull your flame and only need to keep it warm, centered, and steady.
