Pitta is a combination of the elements Fire and Water and represents the concept of transformation and digestion. It is fire in the form of digestive enzymes that cooks the food that we eat transforming it into energy. Pitta also digests thoughts and feelings and assimilates them.

Nourishment comes from the food and thoughts that we digest.

 

 

Most Pitta qualities revolve around work.

We all have Pitta Dosha but it depends how much at the time of birth. If the Pitta within us is stable it gives positive qualities of discipline and a love of work and a regulated lifestyle. Work becomes a form of worship and must be done in a meticulous way; Pitta people know how to do things and must do them their way! They can be natural leaders and have a tendency to take on responsibility and look to solve problems even when it is not their job to do so. This can lead to trouble in some work situations.

If those who have a predominant Pitta Dosha can manage it they will be very controlled, however if they cannot pacify the fire within them it can explode into aggressiveness and a loss of temper. They will quickly forget this anger but in the meantime a lot of damage can be done. Just as the fire that cooks our food and heats our home is essential, that same fire when uncontrolled can burn our home to the ground!

This effect of excess fire can also be passive and may exert its negative influences in different ways. The person suffering from excess Pitta may experience frustration and an inability to express their enthusiasm and energy meaningfully. In this situation they may tend to become indifferent and they may withdraw.

This fire is what keeps us moving and functioning in life.

It is important to remember that any person (regardless of which Dosha is aggravated) can become angry and frustrated (or be positive and enthusiastic) but the way they express it and the reason they experience it will be different.

The qualities of Pitta are hot, light, oily, mobile, subtle, soft, clear, intense and fluid, sour, pungent, salty.

Pitta has a tendency to influence us more during the adult years (from maturation to menopause for women); during the summer season; during the digestion of food; during the day from around 10am to 2pm, and at night from about 10pm to 2am.

To help manage a state of aggravated Pitta read about Pitta Pacifying Dietetics and a Pitta Pacifying Lifestyle.