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Writer's pictureVandana Pitke

Pitta Dosha

Updated: Mar 11, 2020


I am too HOT... Call police and the fireman

Too HOT .... Say my name you know who I am (AND I say Oh yeah....)

One of my Favorite songs and these lines Remind me Nothing but The PITTA ....


Pitta, heat, is made up of the elements fire and water. It is oily, sharp, hot, light, spreading, and liquid.

Functions of Pitta:

Pitta governs digestion, nutrition, metabolism and body temperature. The qualities of Pitta are hot, sour, pungent, sharp and acidic.

Fire is predominant with the pitta dosha and relates to transformation, metabolism, and digestion.

These qualities govern physical digestion and assimilation, control the transformation and assimilation of the senses, and provide the capacity to perceive reality and the ability to understand.

Physical Characteristics of Pitta:

Medium physique, strong, well-built and hey tend to gain weight evenly.

Skin fair or reddish, often with freckles; sunburns easily.

Hair usually fine and straight, typically turns gray early; tendency toward baldness or thinning hair.

The nails are soft. The shape of the nose is sharp and the tip tends to be reddish.

Perspire a lot; the body temperature may run slightly high and hands and feet will tend to be warm.

The pitta voice is sharp and penetrating.

Pitta Appetite and Digestion:

Strong digestion, strong appetite; get irritated if they have to miss or wait for a meal.

Have a strong metabolism, good digestion and resulting strong appetites. usually takes large quantities of food and liquid.

Pitta Mind:

Sharp mind, good concentration powers

Orderly, highly focused.

Assertive, self-confident, and entrepreneurial at their best; clear and concise communicators and enjoy solving problems.

Competitive, courageous and enjoy challenges and energetic.

Like to be in command.

Others may find them stubborn, pushy, opinionated.

Good public speakers; also capable of sharp, sarcastic, cutting speech.

Generally good management and leadership ability, but can become authoritarian.

Subject to temper tantrums, impatience, and anger.

Pitta Life style Habits:

Have a natural craving for sweet, bitter and astringent tastes and enjoy cold drinks.

Uncomfortable in sun or hot weather; heat makes them very tired so usually prefer cool temperatures and climates.

Like to spend money, surround themselves with beautiful objects and They enjoy exhibiting their wealth and luxurious possessions.

Passionate and romantic; sexually have more vigor and endurance than Vatas, but less than Kaphas.

When under stress, Pittas become irritated and angry.

Pitta Sleep and Energy Cycle:

Pitta-types generally sleep well, though somewhat lightly. They tend to prefer a firm bed and few covers, due to pitta’s tendency to overheat.

Pittas crave a moderate amount of sleep—somewhere between vata and kapha, which is generally supportive of their physiological needs.

However, pitta-types can easily forego sleep when they are preoccupied with a project or are up against a deadline. Pitta sleep is often disturbed by fiery, vivid, and active dreams, but pitta-types typically return to sleep easily if they are awakened.

Difficulty falling asleep is the classic pitta-type sleep disorder because pitta is elevated in the mind and in the atmosphere from about 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. This can activate the mind, stimulate ambition, and can completely overwhelm any desire to sleep. As a result, many pitta-types are night owls and can be incredibly productive at night.

Symptoms / Conditions due to Pitta Imbalance:

Typical physical problems include rashes or inflammations of the skin, acne, boils, skin cancer, ulcers, heartburn, acid stomach, hot sensations in the stomach or intestines, insomnia, bloodshot or burning eyes and other vision problems, anemia, jaundice.

Psychological Symptoms:

When out of balance, this dosha becomes competitive,

Quarrelsome, dominating, impatient, resentful and intolerant

Aggressive, demanding, pushy

Excessive perfectionist tendencies

Frustration, strong anger, irritability

Agitation as a stress response

Overanalyzing

Tunnel vision with goal-orientated behavior

Self-critical

Obsessive or compulsive thinking

Jealousy

Hatred

Desire to seek revenge

Burnout

Physical Symptoms:

Inflammation in general

Fever

red, inflamed rash, acne, cold sores

acute inflammation in body or joints

Flushed nose, cheeks, or ears

nausea or discomfort upon missing meals

uncomfortable feeling of heat in the body

Easily sunburns

Heartburn, acid reflux gastric ulcers

Diarrhea

Teeth sensitivity

Burning sensation in eyes, skin, mouth, or with urination

Yellow, smelly urine, or excess urine

Excess sweat

Smelly feet, armpits, or a general sour smell to the body

Bloodshot eyes or yellow in eyes (and skin)

Nosebleeds or excess bleeding when cut

Liver issues

Heat and agitation with sleep or insomnia

Small intestine/digestive acid issues

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