Pitta Dosha regulates all heat, transformation in mind and metabolism in the body. The dosha regulates food digestion. Pitta regulates important digestive fires or “Agnis” of the body. Pitta dosha is a combination of fire and water. These forces control or influence each other.
Pitta characteristics include heat, acidity and sharpness. Those qualities which are opposite to these in lifestyle and diet can help restore balance to pitta dosha. Foods which can balance pitta dosha include a few dry, heavy and cool foods. These type of foods can offer sustained nourishment and also cools to regulate the fiery quality of pitta dosha. Pitta dosha regulates absorption, digestion, nutrition, assimilation, metabolism, eye lustre, body temperature, skin coloration, understanding and intelligence. Pitta dosha arouses jealousy, hate and anger.
Pitta Soothing Diet
Dry, heavy and cool foods with a mild sweetness, astringent or bitter taste can help balance pitta dosha. Following foods can be taken to balance pitta dosha –
- Dairy – Butter, milk and ghee are good pacifiers of pitta dosha. Cheese, yogurt, buttermilk and sour cream can be avoided as sour taste aggravates pitta.
- Sweeteners — Except molasses and honey, all sweeteners are good pacifiers.
- Fruits — Sweet fruits should be eaten such as cherries, grapes, avocados, pomegranates, melons, coconuts, mangoes, oranges, plums and pineapples.
- Vegetables — Cucumbers, asparagus, potatoes, green leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, cauliflower, broccoli, okra, celery, lettuce, zucchini and green beans. Tomatoes, hot peppers, beets, carrots, onions, radishes, garlic and spinach should be reduced.
- Spices — Coriander, cinnamon, fennel and cardamom are fit for balancing pitta dosha. Ginger, black pepper, cumin, fenugreek, celery seed, mustard seed, clove and salt should be taken in small amounts as they can increase pitta.
Some Pitta Aggravating Foods –
Various spices shoot up pitta dosha.
- Oily and pungent foods.
- Fermented foods also increase pitta.
- Smoking, tobacco, alcohol, vinegar, pickles, corn, curds, til and mustard oil increase pitta dosha.
- Sour fruits and unripened apricots and bananas.
- Brown rice, millete, corn and rye increase pitta.
