The basics of Ayurveda lie within the energies. According to this science, the five elements present in nature combine to form the three Doshas. The elements air, water, earth, fire, and space unite to form three different Doshas, Vata Dosha, Pitta Dosha, and Kapha Dosha.
Every human has a dominating Dosha which decides the body type and personality traits of the person. When the lifestyle and diet are not proper and then the normal Prakriti of the person is disturbed which leads to an imbalance in any of the respective Dosha. This blog will tell you about the fiery Pitta Dosha.
What is the meaning of Pitta Dosha?
The word Pitta is derived from the Sanskrit language which means ‘tapa’ in Hindi and heat in English.
The Pitta Dosha is a combination of fire and water. It is the hottest Dosha as it is associated with fire. This Dosha governs the digestive system. The metabolism, digestion, and transformation are managed with this Dosha.
Pitta Dosha characteristics
Each Dosha has its own characteristics. The below mentioned are the traits of the Pitta Dosha.
Pitta Dosha Body Type:
- Medium height
- Skin is reddish to yellow, greasy & warm
- blemishes and freckles on the skin
- Soft, greasy hair which has a tendency for premature greying
- Easily gain and lose weight
Pitta Dosha Personality:
- Highly self-confident
- Learn quickly
- Low tolerance levels
- Restless mind
- Often reacts angrily
- Focused energy
- Enthusiastic, passionate, and charismatic
- Aggressive
What if this Dosha is imbalanced? What if the equilibrium of the energies is unstable? What will happen to our physical as well as our emotional health and what will be the impact of this situation?
C’mon, let’s go through this path, where you will learn to manage the vitiation through natural herbs and yoga asanas. By the end of this blog, you will also figure out what is your body signaling and how to reduce Pitta immediately and eventually.
Signs and Symptoms Pitta Dosha imbalance
Physical changes that a person goes through are:
- Burning sensations in the body
- Red, irritated, or rashes on the skin
- Skin discoloration
- Excess of sweat, bad breath, and bad body odor
- Fever and hot temperature, Hot flashes
- Heartburn
- Sensitivity to the sun and hot weather
- Allergies, Infections, and inflammation
- Painful, heavy bleeding, abdominal cramps during periods
- Urinary tract infections, ulcers,
- Irritation, Migraines, and headaches
- Kidney stones, gall stones
- Digestive disorders like acidity, acid reflux, diarrhea
- Loss of vision, eye disorders, burning sensation in the eyes
- Excessive thirst and hunger
- Premature hair loss, grey hair, oily hair, or excessive hair growth on the body
Behavioral Actions that a Person Exhibits
Violent behaviors, destructive and depression,
- Self-harm
- Panic attacks
- Anger, jealousy, irritability
- Obsessions, perfectionism, high expectations
Causes of Pitta Dosha Imbalance
Eating the foods that aggravate pitta. Foods that are pungent, sour, salty, very spicy, deep fried, processed, and animal-based.
- Consuming coffee (caffeine), black tea, or other stimulants.
- Smoking, drinking alcohol, or consumption of drugs.
- Too much exposure to the sun
- Emotional and physical stress
- Overworking, overburdening or over resting and not doing anything
- Using toxic substances and other chemicals.
Diseases related to an imbalance of Pitta Dosha
- Gallbladder, bile, and liver disorders, diarrhea
- Stomach ulcers, acidity, acid reflux, heartburn
- Skin disorders like hives and rashes
- Psoriasis, eczema
- Inflammation in the body
- Alopecia
Now let us read how to balance Pitta Dosha with an Ayurvedic approach. The technique involves an ancient science that helps to heal the body, mind, and soul.
Natural Herbs for pacifying Pitta Dosha
Bhringaraj: It is also called false daisy. It is known to balance the aggravated Pitta Dosha. It helps with inflammation and hair loss. It is natural hair tonic and is used in so many Ayurvedic hair products. By regular oiling, hair growth is also promoted.
Guduchi: In India, it is commonly known as ‘Amrith’ which stands for immortality. It acts as a tonic for the nervous system. It strengthens the system by soothing the nerves. It helps with immunity and has anti-allergic effects. Further, the presence of various antioxidants helps with a wide range of medical conditions.
Due to its taste and the post-digestive effect, it helps with the detoxification process and hence is an excellent herb for vitiating Pitta.
Mint: It is known for its schooling abilities that help in soothing the excessive inner heat and the pitta aggravated symptoms. Besides this, the herb is also used to improve digestive and respiratory health. Moreover, the different varieties of mint including peppermint, spearmint, and horsemint also have various antioxidants and antiseptic agents.
Shatavari: It is a sweet - bitter herb having cooling properties which makes it an ideal herb to calm the Pitta Dosha. It nourishes the body and purifies the blood. This herb is also known to improve digestive as well as reproductive functions. It rejuvenates the body and also stimulates vitality and longevity.
Brahmi: It works amazingly in the favor of the nervous system. The functions of the brain are enhanced. It also helps with mental relaxation and promotes a sound/healthy sleep. It is an important ingredient in various Ayurvedic medicines. It helps with various conditions like hair loss, senility, premature aging, chronic skin conditions, and epilepsy.
Yoga asanas for pacifying Pitta Dosha:
Adho Mukha savasana: The health benefits of this yoga pose are:
- It helps with the strengthening, lengthening, and stretching of the muscles.
- It enriches the brain with oxygen which relieves stress and anxiety. Further, it also increases memory and improves the focus of the person.
- It tones the abdomen and waist region.
- It is also known to remove lower and middle back pain by strengthening the spinal region.
Garbhasana: This asana as the name suggests resembles a fetus. In this, the body is folded up tightly. The various benefits are listed below.
- It stimulates the digestive fire and helps the aggravated pitta dosha manage itself.
- This pose massages and tones the abdominal organs promoting their proper functioning.
- It works best in the favor of nervous system disorders.
- Providing a sense of stability also curbs anger and other emotional outbreaks.
- The regulation of adrenal glands calms the mind and body.
Supta matsyendrasana: As per the Sanskrit language, Supta means supine or reclined position, Matsya means fish, Indra means ruler and asana means pose. Some of the benefits are listed below:
- It helps with spinal issues and improves the flexibility of the back region.
- It helps with the proper functioning of the digestive system as it massages and tones the abdominal organs
- Lengthening the spine not only stretches the backbone but also increases its flexibility & realigns the vertebral column.
- This pose encourages fresh blood flow to the internal organs and detoxifies them.
- This pose provides relaxation in the lower back and hip region by providing a sense of massage in the lumbar region.
Janu sirsasana: This yoga asana name is translated in English as; Janu- knee and Sirsa- head. It is an excellent pose as it improves the overall body posture and reduces prolonged sitting effects. The benefits are:
- By regularly performing this pose, the spinal region is strengthened. The curvature of the spine is also corrected.
- It stretches the overall body and promotes the proper functioning of organs like the liver, spleen, hamstrings, kidneys,
- It relieves the stiffness in the legs, shoulders, hips, and arms. Moreover, it also strengthens the limbs.
- It tones the abdominal region and improves digestion and metabolism. This asana is also helpful in shedding the extra kilos.
- It is therapeutic to the circulatory system. The heart is protected as it regulates the blood pressure and extra stress on this pumping organ.
- The brain’s activity is also boosted. The concentration ability is improved. Further, anxiety, depression, and insomnia are controlled. The migraines, headaches, and strain on the eyes are also controlled.
- This pose improves the control of the bladder and prevents the enlargement of the prostate gland.
- The respiratory ailments are also healed with help of this potent pose. People who suffer from asthma, bronchitis, and sinusitis find relief after performing this yoga asana.
- Lastly, this pose benefits women by regulating menstrual flow and reducing menstrual cramps. It also keeps itchiness, dryness, and fibroids away.
Viparita shalabhasana: this pose is also referred to as the Superman pose, because of the way it is performed, it looks like the person is flying through the air. It has various benefits like:
- This pose works holistically as it rejuvenates the body, mind, and soul.
- It enriches the body with oxygen as it improves blood circulation.
- The asana makes the body strong as it stretches and tones the chest, spine, back, abdomen, shoulders, & arms.
- The functioning of the digestive system is improved and the organs are stimulated due to a gentle massage.
- The mind is also relaxed with help of this pose. It soothes the nerves and calms the mind.
The natural way is the best way to heal the body and maintain the equilibrium of the energies. So, adopt Ayurveda and practice a healthy lifestyle so that your physical and mental health is protected.
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