Pitta

Pitta is composed of the primordial elements tejas (fire) and, according to some texts, apas (liquidity).

Functions of Pitta dosha

pitta Pitta is the physiological operator that governs transformation and metabolism, the conversion of reactants into products with the production of energy and heat. It is responsible for upper digestion, the biliary fire, metabolism of one tissue into another, the blood, the skin, vision, the intellect and the emotions, the luster of the skin, courage, hunger and thirst.

Pitta's qualities

Pitta's nature is sharp, intense, acid, sour, hot, light, slightly liquid, and red or yellow. It is increased by any substance or influence having these same qualities.

Pitta dosha's location

Pitta's principle seat in the body is the upper digestive tract, including the stomach, liver, spleen, gall bladder, pancreas and duodenum. Because of its relationship to fire and light, pitta finds a seat in the skin and eyes and because of its intense pigmenting nature, it finds a seat in the blood.

Pitta constitution

People with significant pitta in their constitution have in general a good digestive fire and a sharp appetite. They may have a sharp appetite for projects and be entrepreneurial. Pitta individuals are creative, intense, possess good intellects and make good speakers, writers and teachers. They are courageous and warm hearted, even sentimental. People who are fair, freckled, blond or red-haired or have blue eyes tend to display more pitta in their consitution.

Symptoms and signs of increased pitta.

Signs of inflammation (heat, redness, swelling and pain), excessive sweating, heat and burning sensations, itching, discharge, anger, excessive hunger and thirst, burning, craving cold drinks and foods as well as cold environments, fever, insomnia, yellow and red coloration of excretions, eyes and skin.

Symptoms and signs of decreased pitta

Lack of appetite, feeling cold, sluggish digestion, pallor, lack of radiance to the skin.

Symptoms and signs of vitiated pitta

Signs of inflammation (heat, redness, swelling and pain), excessive sweating, heat and burning sensations, itching, discharge, anger.

Disorders caused by pitta aggravation

When aggravated, pitta creates inflammation in the body, including most diseases that end in -itis, meaning inflammation. There are 40 disorders caused by pitta. These disorders include most skin diseases, especially those characterized by redness, gastritis and ulcers, autoimmune disorders, allergy, liver and gallbladder problems, and most blood disorders.

Pitta constitution:

Pitta individuals may therefore have a tendency toward these problems. They tend to sunburn easily, are quick to anger, sweat easily

Factors that increase pitta

Hot weather, noontime, during digestion, spicy or pungent foods, salty and sour tastes, alcohol, anger.

The five types of pitta

Pachaka pitta: Sometimes called jatharagni or simply agni, the digestive fire, located in the stomach and first part of the small intestine. This can be equated with the action of enzymes, acids, etc. that break down the food.

Ranjaka pitta: Think of ranjaka as the biliary fire, located in the liver, spleen, gall bladder, pancreas. It converts rasa (plasma or chyle) into rakta (the cellular aspect of the blood), giving the blood its color, from which ranjaka derives its name, meaning red or color.

Sadhaka pitta: Think of this as the emotional fire, located in the heart (hrdaya). Sadhaka is responsible for digesting all that we ingest in the form of perceptions, thoughts, intellectual activities, memories and sense of self (ahamkara). If it is working properly, the product of these faculties will be a sense of fulfillment and achievement, as well as clear decisions.

Alochaka pitta: Loated in the eyes, alochaka converts forms and color (rupa) into an image.

Bhrajaka: Located in the skin, bhrajaka converts ingested and applied nutrients into strong, lubricated and lustrous skin.

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