In the ancient Eastern practice of
Ayurveda, people are defined by their unique blend of the three
doshas -
vata, pitta and kapha. This personal make-up is known as your
constitution or
prakriti.
It's believed that in order to achieve an
optimal state of
well-being and
happiness, your individual mind-body type must be embraced and balanced.
Today we will look at the second dosha,
pitta.

courtesy of Flickr
Pitta is comprised of
fire and
water, and as a result, is hot, fast, sharp, liquid and sour. Pitta is responsible for the management of
digestion and
metabolism.
Pitta types, when
balanced, are dynamic and playful, but when
imbalanced, can become aggressive and irritable.

courtesy of Flickr
Characteristics of pitta types include:
skin often irritated or red, tendency towards acne and/ or freckles
sleeps well and has a strong sexual appetite
may suffer from heartburn, fevers and/ or inflammation
enjoy midday and midnight

courtesy of Flickr
To
balance pitta, surround yourself with and increase exposure to that which is
cool, calm and moderate. Wear
thin, light clothes, and soothe yourself with
cool drinks.
Eat
sweet grains like basmati rice, barley and wheat, and enjoy natural sweeteners except honey.
Salads and most
fruit and vegetables will balance you.
Milk, butter and ghee are also very beneficial, but avoid sour foods such as yoghurt and cheese.
Aloe vera juice and refreshing
herbal teas should be included daily.

courtesy of Flickr
Reduce consumption of foods or drinks that are
spicy or salty, and anything that is
fermented or sour.
Alcohol, coffee, tea and red meat should also be minimised wherever possible.

courtesy of Flickr
Meditation is a great practice to include as a pitta type, as it will help bring awareness and stability to your fiery and ambitious nature. Regular
rest will serve you well.
The natural
athlete, pitta flourish under moderate exertion such as
yoga,
swimming and
cycling. Try to avoid
excessive competition, and keep exercise fun and playful.
Can you
identify with elements of pitta? Would you like to know
more? Let us know in the comments section.
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