The pitta dosha is one of the three basic bodily energies which governs the mental health and metabolism of the body. Several ways are suggested in Ayurveda to take care of the proper balance of this Dosha. The three Doshas, once at optimum levels, facilitate health at the mental and physical level. If any of the doshas vitiated, it results in poor health.
Pitta is the primary and purposeful energy within the body. Pitta is related to the fire and water element of Panch mahabhoot. Vitiated pitta causes several difficult symptoms and health disorders. In such a scenario, an individual is required to cleanse the body for excess pitta.
What is Pitta Dosha?
The word pitta springs from the Sanskrit language word ‘tapa’ meaning heat. Pitta is bodily energy that combines parts of fire and water element. It governs digestion, metabolism, and transformation within the body. Also aggravated pitta results in inflammation, anger, heat buildup within the body and plenty of alternative symptoms.
Signs of aggravated Pitta Dosha
- Heat will increase within the body and causes discomfort.
- Inflammation resulting in joint pain.
- Stomach heat will increase resulting in pyrosis, acid reflux, and ulcers.
- Diarrhoea, constipation or impaired digestion.
- It causes anger, irritation, and frustration.
- Increased sweating and foulness.
- Increased hunger and thirst.
- Sore throat with infection.
- Headaches and burning sensation in eyes.
Causes of aggravated Pitta Dosha
There numerous reasons for the increase of pitta in the body. This includes:
- An improper diet leads to an increase in pitta (pungent, sour, salty, deep-fried, and processed food).
- Exposure to chemicals and toxins.
- Spending a considerable amount of time under the sun/heat.
- Stress and tension cause excessive emotional flare-ups.
- Overloaded with work and inadequate rest.
Diet to scale back Pitta Dosha
Diet here doesn't mean to stop eating or less eating but right eating. To curb the vitiated pitta various measures together with flavouring remedies and dietary changes need to be implemented. Diet is that the key answer to the question 'How to manage pitta?'. Following tips can help you to pacific aggravated Pitta.
- Include foods that will pacify pitta. Consume food that is bitter, astringent, and sweet. Measures opposites that facilitate, pacify pitta.
- Apples(sweet), ripe grapes, milk, ghee, melon, plum, asparagus, unifoliate greens, cabbage, papaya, cucumber, cauliflower etc are beneficial in pacifying pitta.
- Grains like oats, quinoa, rice, wheat etc should be included in the diet.
- Good to consume legumes together with lentils, split peas, soybeans, black beans and white beans.
- Almonds pumpkin seeds, coconut, and flower seeds reduce increased pitta.
- Food including honey, white sugar, sesame oil, beef, chicken, salmon, walnut, cashews, preserved butter, urad dal, brown rice, corn, bananas, grapefruit, pineapple, tamarind, beets, eggplant, garlic, tomatoes, and turnips should be avoided.
- Avoid foods that are salty, sour and pungent and ideally take lightweight food that is easy to digest and doesn't overburden the digestive system.
- Eat fruits, vegetables that are bitter, sweet and astringent at least once a day.
- Include spices like coriander, cumin, turmeric and fennel for taste in food.
- Increase water intake and hydrate yourself at regular intervals of time.
Herbs to pacify Pitta Dosha
There are several home remedies in Indian culture for pacifying pitta dosha imbalance. They contain herbs that help to correct increased pitta. Few important herbs, that are commonly available in the kitchen, are mentioned below.
- Amla or Amalaki is one of the most effective and powerful herb/ fruit. It helps to cleanse pitta from the system. Amla is consumed as a fruit or Amalaki Capsule is consumed as a drug to scale back pitta.
- Neem is another potent herb that helps to regulate pitta. It's a tree and is bitter. it is one of the most effective herbs to manage pitta nullification.
- Triphala is a product made from a mixture of three fruits and it is very beneficial in reassuring pitta dosha.
- Cow’s milk ghee is a superb home remedy to scale back pitta and body heat.
- Jeera or cumin seeds are placed in lukewarm water that could be taken once in lunch to scale back pitta.
- Cardamom or Elaichi is a common spice that is effective in reducing pitta.
Yoga Poses to scale back Pitta Dosha
Yoga and exercise increase body heat. It is necessary to do pitta pacifying yoga that doesn’t heat the body. It is suggested to perform yoga early morning. There are several useful Yogasanas or postures given in Ashtanga Yoga that will facilitate in reducing pitta.
Balasana (Child Pose)
Sit on your knees, bend forward to touch the ground with your forehead and keep your hands along the body line.
Sukhasana (Easy Pose)
Sit simply with crossed leg and both hands resting on the knees with palm facing upward.
Makarasana (Crocodile Pose)
It is a very simple pose. Only you need a soft surface to lie on your belly with your body fully relaxed. Arm crossed below the forehead.
Matsyasana (Fish Pose)
Lie down on your back and stay relaxed. Keep your hand below the hips with your palm facing downward. Raise your chest and bring your elbow closer to the body. Touch the top of the head on the ground. Bring weight on your elbows rather than on your head.
Bhujangasana( cobra pose)
It involves lying on your abdomen with hands underneath the shoulder and head upraised. Raise the upper body by stretching the hands and inhale. Exhale and lower down the upper body.
Navasana (Boat Pose)
Lie down on a soft surface with feet together and hand-stretched along the body line. Raise your legs at knee level and bring your chest upward with the help of back muscles. Raise your both hands parallel to the ground.
Ustrasana (Camel Pose)
Kneel on a soft surface and place your hand on the back of your hips. Slowly and gently bend backwards and slide your hand on your legs until they become straight. Don't over bend your neck, be natural.
Salabhasana (Locust Pose)
Lie down on your belly with your chin touching on ground. Place your hands below your thighs. Raise your chin and legs as high keeping your hands below the thighs.
Shavasana (corpse pose)
Lie down on a soft surface with your body fully relaxed. Keep your legs reasonably apart so that thigh muscles should not feel any strain. Keep your hands beside your body with your palm facing upward.
Note:- perform yoga under the strict guidance of a qualified instructor. Failing to which may cause injury or ill effect on your body and mind.
