The Pitta dosha is comprised of Fire and Water elements, meaning it is hot (like fire) and flowing (like water). In Ayurveda, the Pitta element is responsible for Transformation, so think of it as being the processor within your computer system that executes all actions and tasks in the mind and body! Need to process our food into energy? Pitta dosha has got that covered for us. Need to process our thoughts to comprehend and understand? Again, Pitta is right there on the ball, ready to transform our ideas into comprehension.

The primary quality of Pitta is ‘fire’ but as it manifests in all living things, the motion is actually more ‘liquid-like’ which is why ‘water’ is Pitta’s secondary component. People often struggle at first with the idea of Pitta being like fire and water together (as they would appear to be opposite) but the best way to describe this connection is to focus on the spreading characteristic. Think of the glowing heat that spreads from a fire and then the way that water spreads into every corner of the vessel it occupies. In this way, the Pitta dosha permeates and flows with its transformative energy throughout the mind and body.

Qualities of Pitta Dosha

The main attributes of the Pitta Dosha are as follows...

• Hot.
• Oily.
• Sharp.
• Liquid Like.
• Spreading.
• Flowing.
• Irradiating.

Bodily Functions of Pitta Dosha

The Pitta dosha is responsible for the following bodily functions…

  • Aids digestion.
  • Supports metabolism.
  • Absorbs nutrients.
  • Breaks down food.
  • Regulates body temperature.
  • Controls Appetite.

Mental Functions of Pitta Dosha

And in the mind, Pitta is responsible for the following functions…

  • Processing thoughts.
  • Processing emotions.
  • Processing ideas.
  • Processing experiences.
  • Cognition and understanding.

Pitta Imbalances

Pitta imbalances can often be observed whenever we experience the following symptoms…

• Feeling hot.
• Excess body odour.
• Early balding.
• Poor eyesight.
• Excess bile.
• Diarrhoea. 
• Greying hair.
• Acid reflux.
• Heartburn.
• Ulcers. 
• Skin rashes.
• Sensitivity to light.
• Irritability.
• Stress.
• Hatred.
• Anger.
• Impatience.
• Competitiveness.

Location Of Pitta Dosha

According to Ayurveda, the doshas are located in different areas of the body, and the Pitta dosha predominantly resides in the following regions…

• Stomach.
• Small intestines.
• Blood.
• Liver.
• Gallbladder.
• Spleen.

Do you need to focus on balancing Pitta?

One of the best ways to know when your Pitta dosha is out of balance is to take the Kalsi Ayurveda Vik Test ®. A quick 2 minute quiz that shows you which dosha needs balancing RIGHT NOW in your constitution. 

TAKE THE KALSI VIK TEST