What Ayurveda can teach you about not being that mean person at gatherings

  1. Ever attended a wedding where a drunk, mean uncle ruined things by criticizing the venue, food, bride, groom, and everyone else?
  2. Ever get caught with an aunt who is loud and super difficult to please?
  3. Ever felt so intensely involved in the duties you were delegated at a party that every little distraction made you angry and judgmental of others?
  4. Ever wondered why BBQ+ hot sun+ too much beer/wine combo turns some people into “monsters”?
  5. Ever met a friend or a cousin at a get together who perfectionist tendencies about how each wine glass should be kept drive you crazy?

That…my friends…is vitiated Pitta or Pitta Imbalance. Pitta is made up of fire and water elements.

Learn to recognize people with high Pitta imbalance in your life

Know any Type-A, go getters who are bright, ambitious, hard-working, focused, diligent, always have the answers (or so they believe)? These are your typical Pitta-folks.

Pitta types are alert and intelligent. They love learning and have a natural capacity for problem solving. Pitta people like to be leaders and planners and love opulence and material prosperity.

Do you know people who have these qualities and burnout easily? That’s because Pitta types often ignore the needs of their bodies and go into pitta imbalance. Ambition and desire to be productive and successful is a higher priority for them.

How does a Pitta behave?

Pittas have a refined sense of taste—in food and elsewhere in your life—and while they probably make money easily, they may often spend it on luxuries. They tend to be highly principled, charismatic, and are equipped with natural leadership qualities.

They do not tolerate hot weather well, intense sun, or difficult physical labor. In fact, they probably prefer to remain cool, and may like cooler, drier climates best.

Pittas imbalance can show up as jealousy, envy, criticism, self-righteousness, and judgmental.

What does a Pitta dosha body look like?

The pitta body type is one of medium height and build, with ruddy or coppery skin. They may have many moles and freckles. Their skin is warm and often, luminous. Their musculature is naturally lean but athletic, and body weight probably tends to remain fairly steady. Their face is generally heart shaped. They may have sharp facial features like a pointed nose and a tapered chin.

Pitta eyes are probably medium in size, light in color, and can be sensitive to bright light, while their gaze is piercing. Their skin and scalp are relatively fair, slightly oily, reddish in color, and may be especially sensitive or reactive. Their hair is soft and fine, might be prone to early graying or balding, and may either include reddish hues or be conspicuously red. Their body temperature tends to be consistently warm or hot, their extremities are usually warm to the touch, and they sweat easily.

Did you know why that one friend can eat every two hours?

Those with pitta-dominant constitutions have a strong metabolism, good digestion, and strong appetites. They like plenty of food and liquids and tend to love hot spices and cold drinks. This excessive hunger and insatiable thirst could also point towards pitta imbalance.

What does Pitta Imbalance look like?

  1. Yellow coloration of the skin
  2. Giddiness
  3. Weakness
  4. Defective functioning of the sense organs
  5. Destruction of ojas, a desire for cold things
  6. Burning sensations
  7. A bitter taste in the mouth
  8. Excessive thirst
  9. Fainting
  10. Reduced sleep
  11. Anger
  12. Critical of others
  13. Impatient
  14. Loose stool
  15. Acid reflux/heartburn

Why should I get back Pitta imbalance corrected? 

Imbalanced pitta is often at the root of inflammatory disorders, which can affect organs and tissues throughout the body. Common symptoms include skin rashes, burning sensation, ulceration, fever, inflammations or irritations such as conjunctivitis, colitis or sore throats.

If pitta accumulates unchecked, it will often lead to severe anger, rage, hostility, intense jealousy, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and even depression. Aggravated pitta can also cause dizziness, insomnia, herpes flare-ups, shingles, yellow urine, heat, and tenderness in the breasts, nipples, or testicles, prostatitis, premenstrual irritability, and heavy or painful menstrual bleeding.

Lesson learned

Ayurveda teaches us that like increases like. The fierier you are by nature, and the fierier things you put in your body (spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine) at fiery hours of the day (peak of the afternoon when the sun is up) … the more imbalanced your Pitta will get. Yup, the mean, drunk uncle at the wedding.

In the end…

If pitta dosha is your main life force, you’re more likely to develop conditions like Crohn’s disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, and infections. Excess pitta may cause the skin to appear red or yellowish in color or it may be hot to the touch. You might also see hives, rash, acne, eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis.

For more information, schedule a call today!