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Simple Guidelines For Decreasing Pitta
Signs & Symptoms of Increased Pitta
You may be experiencing some of the following signs or symptoms:
- red, inflamed rash, acne, cold sores
- acute inflammation in body or joints
- acid reflux, gastric or peptic ulcers, heartburn
- nausea or discomfort upon missing meals
- loose stools
- uncomfortable feeling of heat in the body
- frustration, anger, irritability
- judgment, impatience, criticism, intolerance
- red, inflamed or light-sensitive eyes
- excessive perfectionist tendencies
To decrease pitta, Ayurveda has given us dietary, lifestyle and herbal treatment strategies. Here are a few underlying concepts that these strategies are based on:
- Cooling
- Surrendering
- Moderation
Pitta-Pacifying Diet:
General Guidelines:
Enjoy:
- Foods that are naturally sweet, bitter and astringent.
- Cooling foods, both energetically and in temperature.
- A balance of whole, freshly cooked foods and fresh, raw foods.
- Most beans.
- Cooling herbs and spices like coriander, cilantro, fennel and cardamom.
- Dairy, if you digest it well, but avoid drinking milk with your meals. It is best to have it at least an hour before or after other food.
- A moderate amount of high-quality olive, sunflower and coconut oils or ghee in your daily diet.
- Routine times for your meals.
- Taking a deep breath after swallowing your last bite and heading off for your next activity.
- Eating your meal in a peaceful environment.
Avoid:
- Foods that are pungent, sour and salty.
- Warming foods, both energetically and in temperature.
- Chili and cayenne peppers.
- Highly processed foods (like canned or frozen foods, "TV" dinners or pastries).
- Eating fresh fruit or drinking fruit juice within 1/2 hr of any other food.
- Caffeine, nicotine and other stimulants.
- Red meat.
- Deep fried foods.
- Alcohol, except for an occasional beer or white wine.
Pitta Pacifying Herbal Remedies
Herbs are useful allies when it comes to balancing the doshas. Ayurveda has a long history detailing the use of herbs and herbal combinations. Some Ayurvedic practitioners will customize herbal formulas to suit the unique constitutions of their clients. General formulas based on traditional combinations of herbs are also used. Below are some formulations that are especially useful for balancing pitta.
Pitta-Pacifying-Lifestyle:
General Guidelines:
Enjoy:
- Surrendering rather than controlling.
- A regular, daily routine with regular times for eating, sleeping, working, etc. Make sure you have time to play and to relax as well as to work.
- A 10-20 min. self-massage daily with 1/2 c. warm sunflower or coconut oil before bathing. Click here for more information on abhyanga.
- A moderate exercise routine that includes a challenging form of yoga, swimming or biking, about five times per week. Avoid exercising during the hot part of the day.
- Keeping yourself cool, mind and body.
- Sweet and soothing music, smells, scenes and company.
Our lives, environments and health change regularly. We recommend that you take this Vikriti test again in about month. Then you can see how things have changed and decide which remedies would be the most beneficial to regain balance.
It may be helpful to learn more about pitta so that you can understand why
following these simple guidelines really can help. For more information
about pitta, please select "Pitta Constitution" from the Ayurveda drop-down menu at the top of this page.
Copyright
The above information was written by Dr. Claudia Welch and edited by Melissa A.Sfida for the exclusive use of Banyan Trading Co. The information is protected by copyright and may not be reprinted without the written permission of Dr. Claudia Welch and Banyan Trading Co. More about Dr. Claudia Welch
Disclaimer
The above Prakriti test and results are intended as a convenient tool to provide practical information on your Ayurvedic constitutional type. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. In addition, it should be noted that while this information should be considered highly useful it is not meant to replace the skilled constitutional analysis of a professionally trained Ayurvedic Physician.
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