Pitta Dosha

Prakruti is our basic body constitution. It’s a bit like our DNA. At the time of conception, each person’s combination & proportion of Vata, Pitta & Kapha is determined according to genetics, diet, lifestyle and the current emotions of the parents. Essentially the dormant Doshas in the parents combine to form the constitution of the child. The unique and specific combination of the three Doshas at the time of conception is called ones Prakruti. Our Prakruti, like our DNA, does not change during our lifetime. However, as life goes on and conditions change - due to weather, diet, fatigue, lifestyle, emotions, stress etc - the balance of the Doshas in our body and mind also change. This altered state of the Doshas is called our Vikriti or current state of health. When people come for a consultation with an Ayurvedic practitioner, this is what we are most concerned with as it is only through designing a plan to bring the body back into balance that we can get back to our Prakruti and enjoy that state of health.

As we are right in the middle of Pitta Dosha season, I’d like to look specifically at Pitta Prakruti. Many of you who have a Pitta dominant Prakruti will resonate with this.

Pitta Dosha is composed of the elements Fire & water and, as such, many of the characteristics are heat related. Have a read through these and see if these feel like you:

  • Pitta dominant individuals have a moderately developed physique and reasonably muscular body;

  • The skin is generally soft, lustrous, warm and often has reddish tones or flushes easily. They will have less wrinkles than Vata types;

  • There may be freckles & moles;

  • Hair is usually thin, soft & silky and may tend towards red in colour. There can be early greying and even thinning/balding;

  • Face is usually angular with a neat, pointed nose;

  • Eyes will be bright and usually light blue, grey, hazel or copper brown with intense lustre;

  • There can sometimes a reddening of the whites of the eyes;

  • Mouth is medium in size and teeth are moderately sized and well placed. Often the teeth will be yellow-ish in colour;

  • Metabolism is strong and they will often feel hungry. Appetite is strong, as is digestion. They will consume large amounts of food and liquids;

  • When in balance they crave Sweet, Bitter & Astringent foods and cooling drinks;

  • There will be profuse sweating, especially when exercising. Sweat often smells;

  • Skin is generally warm and moist;

  • They cannot tolerate excess sun, heat and hard, physical work;

  • They can sleep for a moderate amount of time (around 6 hours) but sleep is deep and uninterrupted;

  • They prefer cool weather and try to avoid intense sun and heat;

  • They are ambitious, courageous & intelligent;

  • When aggravated there will be a tendency towards hatred, anger and jealousy;

  • They are very good at making decisions and planning and organising events;

  • They tend to be good leaders;

  • They enjoy and appreciate material wealth and like to show that off;

  • There will be a tendency towards heat related conditions such as - inflammations, infections, sun burn and other skin disorders, gastritis, stomach ulcers, diarrhoea, hyper-acidity and headaches.

Physical Features

These people are of medium height, are slender and body frame may be delicate. Their chests are not as flat as those of vata people and they show a medium prominence of veins and muscle tendons. The bones are not as prominent as in the vata individual. Muscle development is moderate.

The pitta complexion may be coppery, yellowish, reddish or fair. The skin is soft, warm and less wrinkled than vata skin. The hair is thin, silky, red or brownish and there is a tendency toward premature graying of hair and hair loss. The eyes may be grey, green or copper-brown and sharp: the eyeballs will be of medium prominence. The nails are soft. The shape of the nose is sharp and the tip tends to be reddish.

Physiologically, these people have a strong metabolism, good digestion and resulting strong appetites. The person of pitta constitution usually takes large quantities of food and liquid. Pitta types have a natural craving for sweet, bitter and astringent tastes and enjoy cold drinks. Their sleep is of medium duration but uninterrupted. They produce a large volume of urine and the faeces are yellowish, liquid, soft and plentiful. There is a tendency toward excessive perspiring. The body temperature may run slightly high and hands and feet will tend to be warm. Pitta people do not tolerate sunlight, heat or hard work well.

Psychologically, pitta people have a good power of comprehension; they are very intelligent and sharp and tend to be good orators. They have emotional tendencies toward hate, anger and jealousy.

They are ambitious people who generally like to be leaders. Pitta people appreciate material prosperity and they tend to be moderately well-off financially. They enjoy exhibiting their wealth and luxurious possessions.

To pacify Pitta, especially during Summer which is Pitta season, read my blog on Ayurveda for Summer:

https://www.thesacredspaceuk.com/blog/2019/6/20/ayurveda-for-summer

Mairead MoodieThe Sacred Space