Have you been feeling angry, impatient and frustrated? Are you experiencing migraines, heartburn and acid reflux?
If yes, then you may be suffering from a Pitta imbalance.
What is Pitta, how does it get imbalanced, and what can you do to bring it back to balance? Find out in this article.
What Is Pitta Dosha?
Ayurveda mentions three Doshas or biological energies, namely Vata, Pitta and Kapha, that are responsible for performing all the physical and mental functions. Any imbalance in these Doshas can give birth to numerous diseases and disorders.
According to Ayurveda, Pitta Dosha is the hottest Dosha in the body. It is responsible for governing digestion, transformation and metabolism. Derived from the word ‘Tapa’, meaning heat, Pitta is associated with the fire element of the body. However, it also comprises the water element and therefore has a fluid nature. An imbalance in Pitta Dosha can cause inflammation and lead to many health disorders.
Characteristics of Pitta Dosha
Similar to all the other Doshas, Pitta Dosha also has its own set of qualities or characteristics, known as Gunas. Pitta is Ushna (hot), Theekshana (sharp), Laghu (light), Drava (Liquid), Chala (Mobile) and Snigdha (oily) in nature. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid hot and oily substances in case of Pitta imbalance.
Causes of Pitta Imbalance
There are many causes of Pitta imbalance in the body, some of which are mentioned below:
- Eating foods that are pungent, sour and salty in taste
- Overindulging in deep-fried, and processed foods
- Exposure to chemicals and other toxins
- Emotional stress and tension
- Lack of proper rest as a result of overworking
- Consuming high levels of stimulants like coffee, tea, alcohol, and nicotine
- Excessive exposure to sun or heat
Symptoms of Pitta Imbalance
Following are the common signs and symptoms of Pitta imbalance in the body:
- Increased hunger and thirst
- Premature greying of hair
- Hormonal imbalance
- Migraines and insomnia
- Craving for things that have a cooling effect on the body
- Sore throat
- Heavy or painful bleeding during menstruation
- Excessive heat that causes discomfort
- Tenderness in the breasts or testicles
- Heartburn and acid reflux
- Feeling angry, impatient, frustrated and unstable
- Becoming judgemental and having perfectionist tendencies
Consequences of Pitta Imbalance
An imbalance of the Pitta Dosha in the body can cause many diseases such as heartburn, sunburns, eczema, dermatitis, acne, acid reflux, peptic ulcers, blood clots, kidney infections, hyperthyroidism, jaundice, diarrhoea, chronic fatigue syndrome, poor vision, autoimmune disorders, depression, etc.
How to Pacify Pitta Dosha Using Diet?
- Eat foods that are bitter, astringent, and sweet in taste.
- Prefer eating Pitta pacifying foods such as apples, milk, ghee, melon, plum, leafy greens, cabbage, papaya, cucumber, etc. Grains such as oats, rice and wheat also help to balance Pitta Dosha.
- You should also eat nuts and seeds, especially almonds, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds.
- Avoid eating foods that aggravate Pitta such as honey, sesame oil, beef, chicken, salmon, walnut, cashews, salted butter, urad dal, eggplant, garlic, tomatoes, etc.
- Do not eat heavy and deep-fried foods.
- Add spices like turmeric, coriander, cumin, etc., in a moderate quantity.
- Always keep your body hydrated with water.
Yoga that can Help Balance Pitta Dosha
There are many Yoga Asanas that can also aid in pacifying Pitta Dosha in the body. Some of these Yoga Asanas are Marhariasana (Cat Pose), Chandra Namaskara (Moon salutation), Utkatasana (Chair posture), Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose), Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend Pose), Ardha Sarvangasana (Half Shoulder Stand), Setubandhasana (Bridge Pose) and Shavasana (Corpse Pose).
You should also meditate regularly to alleviate stress and anxiety, which are the leading causes of Pitta imbalance.
Herbs to Pacify Pitta Dosha
Ayurveda mentions many herbs and Ayurvedic formulations that can help pacify Pitta Dosha, such as Amla or Amalaki, Neem, Triphala, Yashtimadhu, Bhringaraj, Guduchi, Brahmi etc. Spices such as cumin seeds and cardamom are also highly effective in pacifying Pitta Dosha.
Takeaway
One must keep Pitta Dosha in balance with the help of food, Yoga and Ayurvedic herbs. Otherwise, it can cause many health problems such as metabolic disorders, digestive problems, eye diseases, skin disorders, etc.
