The Pitta dosha is comprised of Fire and Water elements, meaning it is hot (like fire) and flowing (like water). If you are currently experiencing a pitta imbalance then there’s a high chance you are suffering from some or all of the following symptoms… 

  • Feeling hot
  • Excess body odour
  • Poor eyesight
  • Excess bile
  • Diarrhoea
  • Acid reflux
  • Heart Burn
  • Ulcers
  • Skin Rashes
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Irritability
  • Stress
  • Hatred
  • Anger
  • Impatience
  • Competitiveness

In Ayurveda, we say that like-increases-like. For example, if you are feeling hot and then go outside in the middle of summer, wearing thermal underwear and a triple quilted winter coat, then evidently you are only going to get more hot and irritated! Whereas, if you are already feeling hot and then decide to go for a swim to cool off, well now you are taking actions to relieve or lessen the heat sensation. This example might seem obvious, but diagnosing symptoms like this and then performing rituals to offset those aggravations is fundamentally what embracing Ayurveda is all about. So now that you understand the process of balancing a dosha, lets talk more specifically about what you can do to balance a pitta aggravation…

Please take the dietary information listed above as a guide only.Ayurveda is more of a practice than a a strict set of rules. There are far too many people nowadays that get bogged down in the details and at Kalsi we are on a mission to keep Ayurveda simple. Please understand that your health and wellness is entirely unique to you and we would much rather you use the advice on this page as a guide to inspire your own decisions, because (let’s be honest) nobody knows you better than you do. Please never be hard on yourself and remember that even changing just one or two of the things mentioned in this blog can reap huge returns to your health and wellness. So, on that note, let us now talk a bit more about what you can do to balance your pitta dosha…

Take a timeout

Probably the most effective way to balance an aggravated pitta dosha is to simply chill out. The main function of Pitta within you is for transformation. It is like your computer processor, which is responsible for processing everything; that means your thoughts, your emotions, your digestion, your appetite your ideas and so on. In this way the flow of pitta energy is programmed like a machine to just work, work, work! It’s a bit like the Terminator; it doesn’t ever stop! But as we all know, when we don’t take a timeout, what happens? Well, we usually crash or burnout. So pitta aggravated people, please take heed of this advice and find some time to take a break. A good idea for this would be to set an alarm in your phone to buzz every 2 hours. This reminder can be used as a trigger to just stop doing whatever you are doing at that moment and take a 10- minute breather. You could practice savasana (dead body pose), which is a yoga posture that simply involves lying flat on the floor to connect with your breath and body.

Practice Mindfulness

When the pitta dosha becomes aggravated, we tend to become a bit hot around the collar; short tempered, aggressive and cranky. This can have a negative impact on the people around us, who are typically on the receiving end of our aggressive or negative mood. Mindfulness is the practice to be fully present, aware of where you are and what you’re doing, and not over reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around you. To be mindful takes time and practice and of course it’s easier said than done, especially when you’re already feeling frustrated. But just remember that when you snap or get angry at another person, it is more often your inability to control your emotions rather than being the other person’s fault. The world is full of challenges, nastiness, violence and aggression, but how you respond to those external stimulants is ultimately down to your own mastery of yourself and your ability to respond.

Spend more time in nature

 Ayurveda places a huge emphasis on tuning into the cycles and rhythms of the natural world and simply spending more time in nature is the ultimate way to reconnect with Mother Earth. It is widely known and accepted that being in a natural environment has a calming and restorative effect on the mind and body. Everything we have said about pitta dosha so far also suggests that you need to take a chill-pill right now. Relax and unwind, try not to overwork or get angry and snappy with other people around you. Going for a gentle walk in the forest or spending an afternoon on the beach therefore will undoubtedly nourish your pitta aggravations. Even if you live in a city and don’t have access to green spaces, then simply sitting next to a tree or taking a walk in the park can equally help you to reconnect with the elements.

Make time for recreation

Aggravated pitta is often connected to overworking and pushing yourself too hard, so make a conscious effort to stop working and find some time for playfulness. Also try to ensure that the activities you choose are light-hearted and not too intense. Taking time away from work, only to play competitive sport or push yourself to the max in a forceful workout is only going to make your pitta more agitated. Remember to laugh at yourself occasionally (pitta dosha is so darn serious) and don’t get annoyed when you lose a game. Choose to do activities that make you smile, listen to your favourite relaxing music and spend more time with your friends and family.

Keep Cool

We mentioned a few tips above with regards to pitta-balancing foods and so making dietary choices that are harmonising to pitta is a great place to start. Remember that most spices carry a heating energy, so avoiding or reducing any spicy foods is good for pitta. Alcohol also carries a heating energy, so be mindful of how much you drink if you are trying to curb a pitta imbalance. That doesn’t mean you have to be teetotal, but favouring lighter drinks like beer and wine over hard liquor is a good example of taking things steadily for the sake of your pitta imbalance. It also depends on the time of year, but if the climate is hot right now or it is summertime (the pitta season) then making extra efforts to keep cool is vitally important. This could mean going for a swim, wearing light and breathable clothing and staying away from the open sunshine, especially around the middle of the day during summers. 

We hope you have enjoyed reading this blog.

And lastly…please remember that Ayurveda is more of a practice than a set of strict absolutes. Try not to get stuck in the finer details. We hope this blog can inspire you to do some dosha-balancing rituals that will no doubt help you to reconnect with yourself and bring back your inner peace and harmony.Namaste. 🙏

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