Pitta dosha is made of the Fire + Water elements.
The gunas of pitta are:
hot + light + sharp + spreading + pungent + liquid + oily
The pitta individual is often intense, driven, sharp in mind (and tongue), and energetic. They may have red or light hair and light eyes, fair skin and medium build. Pittas have strong digestion and appetite.
Diet:
Pitta types have strong digestion and appetite. They may experience intense hunger, becoming hypoglycemic or irritable. Because of their hot, oily nature, pittas do best to avoid spicy, pungent and oily food. The tastes that balance pitta are: sweet, astringent and bitter. Sweet foods should come in natural form without added sugar, such as: dairy, sweet fruits, starchy carbs like rice, wheat, and sweet potatoes. Astringent foods include: legumes, apples, cranberries, pomegranate and some spices. Bitter foods include: most green vegetables, eggplant, burdock root, cumin, dill, turmeric and other spices. Pitta types should avoid the sour, salty and pungent tastes because they are heating. Pittas do well with three meals a day and a few snacks when hunger strikes.
Routine:
Pittas often enjoy having a daily schedule and being organized. They should wake up just before sunrise and may enjoy exercise in the morning or evening, avoiding the hotter part of the day. They may enjoy sports and alignment based yoga, taking care to avoid anything that encourages their competitive nature to excess. They should abhyanga with a light oil such as sunflower or coconut once per week. Pittas may also enjoy epsom salt baths with cooling herbs such as lavender and rose.
Balance:
The heat element can quickly overwhelm pitta creating irritability, criticism (of self and others) and frustration. To bring pitta back into balance, employ these qualities: cold + heavy + smooth + dry + bland. Pitta can be soothed with cooling foods, herbs and mind body practices like gentle yoga and meditation.
