Understanding Pitta
The elements that make up Pitta are fire and a tiny bit of water. The qualities of the Pitta Dosha are oiliness, sharpness, lightness and instability. You have both a mental fire and a physical fire, when Pitta is balanced you feel clarity and discernment in the mind and a healthy metabolism and temperature in the body. If your mental Pitta is weak you may be stuck in a pattern of errors, think about relationships or job choices. If you have a difficult time seeing the clear choice in situations you may also be lacking Pitta. When you have too much Pitta you may become hyper-critical, compulsive or insistent. Because Pitta is fiery you may also feel rage, a need for dominance and anger when overactive.
A balanced Pitta:
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Healthy digestion
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No excess heat or inflammation
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Motivated, courageous and takes on leadership roles
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Free from acne and excess oil
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Empowering
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Mind is clear and calm
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Is asleep by 10:00pm
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Kind and compassionate
An imbalanced Pitta (needs cooling):
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Stress and intensity
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Excess sweat
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Bossy, critical
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Heartburn
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Loose stools
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Skin is red and has acne
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Impatient or irritable
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Can't fall asleep until midnight or 2am
Pacifying Pitta
If Pitta is hot and spicy then we balance with the opposite: cool and sweet. Foods like mint, fennel, cucumber, cumin, coriander, cardamom, coconut oil and coconut water help to pacify Pitta within your body. Create a routine with each meal and do not skip any of them, your digestive system seeks consistency. Speak softly and lovingly to yourself and others, write a love note and place rose oil on your pulse points. Avoid spicy foods, hot tubs, saunas and hot weather as that will further perpetuate the nature of Pitta.