Understanding Pitta Imbalance

Pitta Dosha, commonly translated into “that which digests, cooks and transforms”, is a combination of the Fire and Water elements.  It is characterized as being hot, sharp, mobile, penetrating, sour, and oily.  Its main functions include transformation, digestion, and metabolism. In the human body, it transforms food into Chyle - a fluid formed after digestion. The main location or seat of Pitta dosha is the stomach and small intestine.  People with a dominant Pitta dosha tend to be driven, fiery and ambitious. 

Are you a Pitta Dominant? Take Our Dosha Quiz to Find Out!

Understanding Pitta Imbalance

Pitta Dosha corresponds to heat and fire within our body and mind. It is the main driving force that governs some major transformational changes in our body, It is also directly associated with our metabolic fire - The Agni, so a hampered digestive system is an indication of pitta imbalance. 

A Pitta imbalance may manifest in our body with physical symptoms like:

• Increased or unnatural appetite
• Increased body temperature
• Frequent hot flashes and flareups
• Frequent ulcers
• Nausea and giddiness
• Frequent dehydration
• Skin issues, Acne, Allergies
• Hairfall and thinning of hair
• Vision abnormalities
• Hormonal imbalance 
• Insomnia 

A Pitta imbalance may manifest in our body with behavioral symptoms like:

• Anger issues and frequent burst-outs.
• Jealousy 
• Overly goal-oriented
• Frequent burnouts
• Frustation and Impatience
• Hard to accept failures and accept the loss

When Pitta goes out of balance is not checked at the right time, there are higher chances that it may also corrupt Vata and Kapha doshas along with it.

The Triggers: Reasons for Pitta to go out of balance 

Pitta dosha is characterized as being hot, sharp, mobile, penetrating, sour, and oily.  Ayurveda believes in the concept of Like increases Like, so anything and everything that increases the basic natural qualities of Pitta will cause an increase of the dosha in the body whereas, anything that decreases these qualities will result in depletion of the dosha in the body.  Remember, Stability is a state of balance. So an increase or decrease of the dosha is called and known as a clear imbalance. 

Some dietary factors that aid in Pitta imbalance are :

• Consuming excess pungent, sour, spicy, salty foods will directly increase pitta in the body causing an imbalance. 
• Consuming fried, junk, heavy and greasy meals will also show a very similar effect.
• Regular consumption of alcohol, sodas, and various aerated drinks.
• Consuming heating spices and herbal teas will also increase the heat in the body. 

Some behavioral factors that aid in Pitta imbalance :

• Exposure to direct sunlight for a long duration triggers a Pitta imbalance. 
• Untimely meals, overeating, or not eating in sufficient quantities also trigger a Pitta imbalance.
• Not getting enough sleep and constant stress result in the deeper manifestation of the imbalance.
• Not taking enough rest days causes burnouts which also results in the imbalance of the dosha. 

Tips for Balancing Pitta Dosha

Excess Pitta tends to increase the level of heat and intensity in the system. On a daily routine, the individual should naturally introduce a calm, grounding energy that aids in disrupting the cycles of stress and busy-ness. As much as we may resist, a daily routine is vital for balancing Pitta.

1. Take the pressure off

Excess Pitta can cause a bit of an all-or-nothing mindset, fueled by a driving internal sense of ambition. It is important for individuals, to remind themselves to take some pressure off and not to take life too seriously. Instead, have the willingness to make mistakes and laugh about them. Bring space into the day to relax, to reduce any excess stress for better decision making.

1. Introduce play with productivity

It is important to create time to slow down, relax, and be playful. It is recommended to always leave space for some downtime every day, as much as possible. Permit yourself to take a step back from duty and to-do list work, and do something that makes you happy and playful. It will help you to get out of your head and tune in with your body.  The goal is to back off from effort and intensive work and be productive while being playful. 

1. Rest is a priority

Where Pitta is concerned, prioritizing “rest” matters. It is recommended to consider committing to an early bedtime as a way of discouraging Pitta’s tendency to be productive late at night. Staying up late tends to be more disruptive than helpful for Pitta. A minimum of seven hours of sleep is recommended. In addition to a sleep schedule, allowing space for restoration throughout the whole day is vital, rejuvenating, and Pitta balancing. When Pitta is out of balance, it can lead to experiencing fiery hot emotions.  Giving space to relax throughout the day to soothe yourself is essential.

1. Take care of your skin

While skincare is usually a key factor in any daily routine, it is especially important when excess Pitta is present.  Pittas’ hot qualities can often express themselves through the skin as redness, inflammation, rashes, acne, or other irritations. It is essential to cool down the system by consuming cooling foods like Amla and Aloe vera or self-massage. 

1. Move, but in an easy motion

When Pitta is high, we want to be mindful of how we engage in physical activity. Over-exercising, in an intense manner, can be Pitta aggravating. While exercising is vital, it is important not to overdo it. Physical exercise for Pitta people should be mostly in a way that protects the body against excess heat and intensity while cultivating a relaxed effort. The best forms of exercise for Pitta are those activities that have a moderate pace and are adequately challenging without pushing too hard on oneself. An approach to movement that is both fluid and grounding is the ultimate pace for Pitta people. Exercises include hiking, yoga, swimming, cycling, snowshoeing, and many more. A Pitta Balancing Diet Pitta is balanced by a diet of fresh, whole foods, both cooked and raw, which is energizing, dry, and rich in carbohydrates. These foods calm Pitta by decreasing the fire within, averting inflammation, balancing the Agni (the digestive fire), grounding the body, and reducing excess liquids. It is recommended for Pitta people to avoid oily, chilly, salty, and heavy foods such as fried food. Recommended Pitta foods include:

• Fruits and vegetables: coconut, cranberries, apple, pomegranate, cucumber, asparagus, kale, broccoli, potatoes, peas, etc.
• Dairy and fats/oils: whole milk, unsalted cheese, ghee, sunflower oil, coconut oil, cottage cheese but in moderation, etc.
• Nuts, seeds, and legumes: lentils, chickpeas, peeled almonds, sunflower seeds, pecans, etc.
• Grains: basmati rice, quinoa, barley pasta, couscous, etc.
• Sweeteners: Honey but in moderation
• Beverages:  mint tea, chamomile tea, rosehip tea, black tea with milk and honey, etc.

Pittas are highly goal-driven, planners and leaders when in a state of balance. So use the above tips very wisely and thoroughly to create a sense of balance and stability ever-active mind. Stay Cool, Stay Happy and Stay Balanced.  Join us to read more of such articles and support our mission of mindful living for the modern world by subscribing to our blog and hitting us a follow on Instagram and Facebook @sarvedalife.