Balancing Pitta’s Qualities

Pitta substances have many qualities or attributes. These are given below in capital letters along the left margin. One can offset, balance, palliate, reduce the disturbed principle by avoiding certain diet, lifestyle, and other experiences and by DOING some things of the opposite attribute or energy. Read and follow the list below for how to balance pitta.

AVOID the CAPITALIZED by DOING the following to help balance Pitta

HOT—avoid mid-day activity and especially being in the sun; avoid pungent foods/spices such as peppers, chilies, etc., sour foods as vinegar, grapefruit, lemons, and other citrus, and excess salt (saindhava/mineral salt is cooling); cool sleeping environment is important, too; behavior that tends to critical, judgmental, anger, jealousy, hatred, envy, aggressive, competitive should be avoided as these are heat provoking

SLIGHTLY OILY—avoid excess consumption of oils, fats, dairy, coffee, avocados, etc.;  favor dry foods; eat modest amounts of raw fruits and vegetables; essential fatty acids are important so this is not a recommendation against all oil intake

LIQUID—avoid excess fluids, avoid hydrophilic food and drink such as yogurt, salt (except mineral salt, which is diuretic), sour foods, cheese, and excessive amounts of juicy fruits and vegetables, etc., avoid sedentary lifestyle (exercise promotes sweat); drink cool / room temperature liquids when and if thirsty, favor living and working in dry climates  (winter and spring seasons are problematic for liquid in many geographical areas); favor PK elimination techniques (purgation) during this time (junctions of summer / fall or spring / summer) to control increase of liquid in physiology; use sandalwood-like substances to control congestion buildup, favor dry / windy living areas

SPREADING / MOBILE—this attribute of pitta is responsible for courage, aggression, competitiveness, seeking fame and power, which leads to suggestions that proper boundaries are in place for these individuals; team sports are important for balancing these attributes; since liquidity gives pitta the ability to move around the body one should monitor fluid/oil intake to prevent dehydration, excess body heat, and stagnation of secretions, etc.; strenuous activity in the pitta times 10 to 2 should be avoided

SHARP—stimulants tend to be in this category—especially alcohol—these should be minimized; fermented foods are to be reduced for this reason; sensory experiences (sounds and light), especially that have these values should be reduced; some feel dental flossing the teeth may make gums unnecessarily tender from excess sharp-be gentle

LIGHT—reduce exposure to windy areas/weather and high altitudes; light foods should be had in moderation;  substitute heavy bedding / clothing for light bedding / clothing—heavy things help ground vata;  alcohol is light and should be avoided;  this feature of pitta embraces luminosity and bright light is a problem for pitta so be careful of bright sun (especially midday) and try doing sunning exercises to strengthen the eyes’ ability to handle bright sun light naturally;

ACID / SOUR—citrus contain vitamin C, citric acid, which are acidic and increase pitta—these should be moderated; B-Vitamins are pitta increasing and should be taken in moderation for the same reason; vinegar, tamarind sauce, are to be used with care; lime juice is sour to taste but cooling and sweet in affect—better for pitta;

FLESHY SMELL—this attribute of pitta suggests that one moderate exposure to strong smells as they may be irritating to pitta;

The Big Picture

1.      Remove the causes of the imbalance by direct behavioral avoidance; give particular attention to the attributes of the imbalance as detailed above

2.      Remove excess pitta by elimination therapies—pancha karma

·        Do therapeutic purgation as indicated

·        Do blood letting as indicated

·        Do cooling, drying, and lightening therapies as indicated

3.      Balance pitta

·        Avoid its attributes in food, emotions, thinking, lifestyle

·        control metabolism with dietary, lifestyle, and activity changes to promote coolness and dryness

4.      Balance / strengthen digestion

·        Increase fire component in food, lifestyle

·        Increase sweet and astringent foods in diet especially when heat is problematic to the imbalance

5.      Eliminate tissue toxicity—

·        Herbal and dietary strategies that help eliminate heavy metals, petro-chemicals etc.

·        Avoid suppression of urges

6.      Rejuvenation of tissues with herbals and behavioral programs as indicated

 © Copyright 2001 Michael S. Dick All Rights Reserved