Pitta Dosha

The Pitta dosha is associated with fire and water, and it possesses qualities that are hot, sharp, light, and mobile. This dosha builds up during the warmth of late spring, peaks during the heat of summer, and then decreases during the cooler fall months. You can balance the Pitta dosha with opposing qualities that are cool, dry, heavy, and stable. 

Fire is dominant in the Pitta dosha and is linked to transformation, metabolism, and digestion. These qualities impact physical digestion and absorption, as well as the transformation and assimilation of information from the senses of hearing, sight, touch, and smell.

Pitta tends to be hot, sharp, and unstable. Physically, individuals with this constitution often feel warm, have oily skin, penetrating eyes, sharp features, a moderate weight, and well-defined musculature. When out of balance, they may experience diarrhea, infections, and skin rashes, as well as weakness in the liver and blood.

The Pitta personality is typically characterized by high focus, competitiveness, courage, and energy, accompanied by clear and concise communication skills. They enjoy solving problems. When stressed, they may dig in their heels, become intense, and speak in a sharp tone. Emotionally, they can experience intense anger, resentment, and jealousy.

Since the doshas are balanced through opposing actions, Pitta needs to remain cool and calm during the summer months. Incorporating cool, heavy, and dry qualities is key to maintaining balance. Excellent food choices for this season include sweet, bitter, and astringent flavors. Opt for cooling spices like fennel, coriander, cumin, tarragon, and mint. Enjoy sweet summer fruits such as apricots, peaches, sweet berries, and melons, along with milk, cottage cheese, rice, beans, and vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber, summer squashes, kale, and lettuces.

Asana practice should occur early in the morning and involve poses that promote coolness, ease, and lightness while releasing heat from the small intestine, central abdomen, and liver. All inversions, standing and seated twists, and forward bends are particularly recommended. Pranayama should be cooling. 

Daily Abhyanga (massage) with coconut or sunflower oil offers a cooling and grounding effect. If you choose to use essential oils, select rose, sandalwood, or lavender.