Pitta Dosha Characteristics
Updated: Aug 28
Pitta dosha is the dosha that is all about transformation.
It governs the enzymes in digestion, the synapsis of the neurotransmitters of the brain, the transformation within cells, and the quality of the blood, to name a few of its responsibilities.
Pitta is composed of the fire and water elements, according to Ayurveda, which influences Pitta dosha characteristics.
The fire element can be palpable in the temperature within the body, the reaction to chili peppers, or a red flush in the face.
The water element gives Pitta the ability to spread, this can either be something good when it's balanced, like spreading one's name and acquiring fame, or it can be seen as an imbalance in skin rashes and inflammatory conditions.
Just to review, Vata is composed of air and ether, and Kapha is composed of water and earth.
Like all of the doshas, Pitta dosha is quite beautiful when balanced, but, when out of balance, it can create anger, frustration, jealousy, or criticism and judgment of the self or others.
When Pitta is out of balance over time, it can lead to acid indigestion, GERD, skin issues, high blood pressure, and more.
Pitta dosha is predominant for all of us during the middle years of life from around puberty to menopause for women (50-60 for men).
This is the period of time when you may find yourself raising your families and/or out in the world conquering your career.
Pitta can easily go out of balance both at the beginning and toward the end of this period of life, especially if you have a lot of of this dosha in your constitution.
Just to review, Kapha is predominant during the time from conception to puberty, and Vata is predominant from menopause (50-60 for men).
In this post:
How to Determine Your Constitution
Many books about Ayurveda will include a constitution test. Or you can try an online constitution test like this one from Banyan Botanicals.
My suggestion when doing these tests is to try to answer based on your memories of yourself from childhood.
If the questions are answered based on current conditions, you may find your current state of balance (vikriti) rather than your constitution (prakriti).
Book recommendations to help you on this journey:
Prakriti by Dr. Robert Svoboda
Ayurveda: The Science of Self-Healing by Dr. Vasant Lad
Pitta Dosha Characteristics
Qualities (Gunas) of Pitta Dosha
Ayurveda discusses the qualities, or gunas, of the doshas. The general rule of Ayurveda is that like increases like and opposites decrease.1,2
That means, if we have a lot of heat in the body, then using cooling foods, herbs, thoughts, and activities will help to reduce that heat. If, instead, more heat is added via heating foods, herbs, thoughts, and activities the heat within the body will increase and may eventually lead to disease.
The same is true for the rest of the qualities (gunas). Oily will be pacified, or reduced, with drying foods, herbs, thoughts, and activities. Sharp/penetrating will be reduced with slow. Light will be reduced with heavy. Fleshy-smelling will be reduced with sweet-smelling. Spreading will be reduced by static. And liquid will be reduced by solid.
According to the Astanga Hridayam, one of the ancient texts of Ayurveda, the qualities of Pitta dosha are:
oily
sharp/penetrating
hot
light
fleshy smelling
spreading
liquid.3
Following the rule above of "like increasing like and opposites decreasing," applying the opposite qualities to Pitta dosha will help to reduce it. Counteract the above qualities with:
dry
slow
cool
heavy
sweet smells
static
solid
Learn more about the 20 Qualities of Ayurveda in this post:
Pitta Dosha is Responsible For
metabolism
digestion
absorption
assimilation
enzymes
nutrition
body temperature
neurotransmitter and neuropeptides (for processing thoughts)
digestion of thoughts, feelings, and emotions
vitality
learning
understanding
Physical Pitta Dosha Characteristics
medium frame and weight
sensitive and reactive body
seldom gain or lose much weight, or they may fluctuate slightly up and down with weight
sharp, yellowish teeth
soft, perhaps bleeding gums
bright eyes that are sensitive to light
strong appetite and thirst
fine, thin hair, which often turns grey early in life or goes bald
sharp facial features
heart-shaped face
fair, shiny skin
tends toward loose, liquid stools
prone to rashes, acne, and inflammation
soft, oily skin that reddens and flushes easily
soft, oily feces and hair
heartburn, acid stomach
fetid smell under armpits, feet, and socks
Behavioral Pitta Dosha Characteristics
attached to principles, maybe to the point of fanaticism
may give a wrong answer with great confidence
love noble professions
make good money and spend it on luxuries
enjoy perfume and jewelry
Psychological Pitta Dosha Characteristics
excellent leaders
very disciplined
excellent capacity for learning, understanding, and concentrating
blessed with wisdom
intelligent
Pitta Dosha Characteristics When Balanced
understanding
intelligence
courage
determined
Pitta Dosha Characteristics Out of Balance
jealousy
anger
hatred
frustration
irritation
judgment and criticism of the self or others
inflammatory disorders
acidic digestion
Now That You Know the Pitta Dosha Characteristics, How to Find Balance?
1. Spend Time in Nature
People with Pitta dosha characteristics or a Pitta imbalance often spend a lot of time in their heads.
I often think of Pitta as a head walking around without a body.
It's as if people with Pitta in their constitution don't even know that they have a body.
Going into nature helps to take an individual out of their head and into their body and any activity that has this effect is good for reducing Pitta.
2. Take time to slow down
For those with Pitta dosha characteristics, the Pitta mind is amazing at making lists.
In my own experience, my Pitta mind can make so many "to-do lists", which are filled with unimportant items that feel really important to my Pitta mind at the time.
When I find myself making these lists for myself today, I try to hone in on what is truly important.
Those lists have stolen a part of my life away from me, and ultimately injured relationships.
I no longer want to be checking off my lists at the expense of living a vibrant, connected life.
3. Swim or spend time near water.
The coolness of water helps to calm those with Pitta dosha characteristics.
Whether swimming in a pool or lake, sitting by a burbling brook, or even sitting in a cool bathtub, water helps to balance Pitta.
Avoid spicy, sour, and salty foods. Favor sweet*, bitter, and astringent foods
Spicy, sour, and salty foods increase the heat in those with Pitta dosha characteristics, which can lead to acidic digestion and increase inflammatory disorders.
Sweet*, bitter, and astringent foods help to cool and soothe people with Pitta dosha characteristics.
Sweet*
Sweet in Ayurveda denotes foods that are building, such as milk, grains, oils, meats, sweet fruits, sweet veggies, and natural sugars.
White sugar is so processed that it loses the qualities which balance Pitta, and is instead acidic.
Maple syrup and coconut sugar are good sugars to use for pacifying individuals with Pitta dosha characteristics.
Bitter
Bitter foods include many leafy greens (except spinach, mustard, and nettle which are heating), many herbs, dandelion, and aloe vera and are excellent for calming those with Pitta dosha characteristics.
Astringent
Astringent is less of a taste and more of a feeling of dryness in the mouth.
Pomegranate, turmeric, green banana, chickpeas, and alfalfa sprouts are good examples of the astringent taste that pacify Pitta dosha.
Explore these 3 Tastes to Pacify Pitta Dosha in this post:
Consider booking a consultation to learn more about how to find balance in your life
Now that you understand a little about the Pitta dosha characteristics, the qualities that affect it, and some ways to balance Pitta dosha, you can begin experimenting with these recommendations to balance Pitta to see what kind of difference they may make in your life.
Here are some more posts to help you understand Pitta dosha:
Vagbhatta, and K. R. Srikantha Murthy. Astanga Hrdayam. 5th ed., vol. 1, Krishnadas Academy, 2001, 10.
Singh R.H., Singh G., Sodhi J.S., Dixit U.. "Deerghanjiviteeya Adhyaya". Charak Samhita New Edition, edited by Dixit U., Deole Y.S., Basisht G., eds., 1st edition, CSRTSDC, 2020, pp. 3, Doi:10.47468/CSNE.2020.e01.s01.003
Vagbhatta, and K. R. Srikantha Murthy. Astanga Hrdayam. 5th ed., vol. 1, Krishnadas Academy, 2001, 8.
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