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Pitta Dosha Characteristics & 5 Tips on How to Cool Your Fire Naturally
- Belinda Baer. Ayurvedic Practitioner at Wise Woman Ayurveda
- Sep 2, 2023
- 8 min read
Updated: Jul 28
Understanding Pitta dosha characteristics can help women over 40 better understand their tendencies toward overdoing, overheating, skin issues, and acidic digestion.
In this post:
What Is Pitta Dosha?
Pitta dosha is the dosha that is all about transformation.
It governs the enzymes in digestion (or agni), the synapses of the neurotransmitters of the brain, the transformation within cells, and the quality of the blood, to name a few of its responsibilities.
Pitta is composed of the fire and water elements, according to Ayurveda and the Charaka Samhita (an ancient text which comes to us from India), which influences Pitta dosha characteristics.
The fire element, or agni, can be palpable in the temperature within the body, the reaction to chili peppers, or a red flush in the face.
The water element gives Pitta the ability to spread; this can either be something good when it's balanced, like spreading one's name and acquiring fame, or it can be seen as an imbalance in skin rashes and inflammatory conditions.
Like all of the doshas, Pitta dosha is quite beautiful when balanced, but when out of balance, it can create anger, frustration, jealousy, or criticism and judgment of the self or others.
When Pitta is out of balance over time, it can lead to acid indigestion, GERD, skin issues, high blood pressure, hot flashes, night sweats, and more.
Pitta dosha is increased during the middle years of life for all of us, from around puberty to menopause for women (50-60 for men).
This is the period of time when you may find yourself raising your family and/or out in the world, conquering your career.
Pitta can easily go out of balance both at the beginning and toward the end of this period of life, especially if you have a lot of this dosha in your constitution.
Imbalance begins when we accumulate more of what we already have. For women with a natural Pitta constitution or those going through a Pitta phase of life, it’s easy to push too hard, over-plan, or overheat—especially in summer or during times of hormonal change.
How to Determine Your Constitution
Many books about Ayurveda will include a constitution test.
Or you can try this online dosha quiz on my website to help determine your constitution.
My suggestion when doing these dosha quizzes is to try to answer based on your memories of yourself from childhood.
If the questions are answered based on current conditions, you may find your current state of balance (vikriti) rather than your constitution (prakriti).
Book recommendations to help you on this journey:
Prakriti by Dr. Robert Svoboda
Ayurveda: The Science of Self-Healing by Dr. Vasant Lad
Pitta Dosha Characteristics
Qualities (Gunas) of Pitta Dosha
Ayurveda emphasizes an understanding of the qualities, or gunas, of the doshas.
Imbalance begins when we accumulate more of what we already have.
For women with a natural Pitta constitution or those going through a Pitta phase of life, it’s easy to push too hard, over-plan, or overheat—especially in summer or during times of hormonal change.
The general rule of Ayurveda is that like increases like and opposites decrease.1,2
That means, if we have a lot of heat in the body, then using cooling foods, herbs, thoughts, and activities will help to reduce that heat.
If, instead, more heat is added via heating foods, herbs, thoughts, and activities, the heat within the body will increase and may eventually lead to disease.
The same is true for the rest of the qualities (gunas).
Oily will be pacified, or reduced, with drying foods, herbs, thoughts, and activities.
Sharp/penetrating will be reduced with slow/dull.
Light will be reduced with heavy.
Fleshy-smelling will be reduced with sweet-smelling.
Spreading will be reduced by static.
And the liquid quality will be reduced by solid substances.
As Charaka reminds us, “Like increases like, and opposites balance.” Pitta increases with heat, sharpness, and intensity. So to soothe it, we need to invite cool, slow, soft, and sweet.
According to the Astanga Hridayam, one of the ancient texts of Ayurveda, the qualities of Pitta dosha are:
oily
sharp/penetrating
hot
light
fleshy smelling
spreading
liquid.3 (Charaka Samhita Online)
Following the rule above of "like increasing like and opposites decreasing," applying the opposite qualities to Pitta dosha will help to reduce it.
Counteract the above qualities with:
dry
slow
cool
heavy
sweet smells
static
solid
For example, if you are feeling oily, you can eat and do things that have a predominance of the dry quality to reduce the oiliness.
Eating chickpeas and other legumes, applying fuller's earth clay to the skin, and drinking pomegranate juice are all drying according to Ayurveda. These are just a few examples of how to reduce oiliness for Pitta dosha.
Learn more about the 20 Qualities of Ayurveda in this post:
Pitta Dosha is Responsible For
metabolism
digestion
absorption
assimilation
enzymes
nutrition
body temperature
neurotransmitters and neuropeptides (for processing thoughts)
digestion of thoughts, feelings, and emotions
vitality
learning
understanding
Pitta Body Type
medium frame and weight
sensitive and reactive body
seldom gain or lose much weight, or they may fluctuate slightly up and down with weight
sharp, yellowish teeth
soft, perhaps bleeding gums
bright eyes that are sensitive to light
strong appetite and thirst
fine, thin hair, which often turns grey early in life or goes bald
sharp facial features
heart-shaped face
fair, shiny skin
tends toward loose, liquid stools
prone to rashes, acne, and inflammation
soft, oily skin that reddens and flushes easily
soft, oily feces and hair
heartburn, acid stomach
fetid smell under armpits, feet, and socks
Behavioral Pitta Dosha Characteristics
attached to principles, maybe to the point of fanaticism
may give a wrong answer with great confidence
love noble professions
make good money and spend it on luxuries
enjoy perfume and jewelry
Psychological Pitta Dosha Characteristics
excellent leaders
very disciplined
excellent capacity for learning, understanding, and concentrating
blessed with wisdom
intelligent
Pitta Dosha Characteristics When Balanced
understanding
intelligence
courage
determined
Pitta Dosha Characteristics Out of Balance
jealousy
anger
hatred
frustration
irritation
judgment and criticism of the self or others
inflammatory disorders
acidic digestion
A 51-year-old client began experiencing nightly hot flashes and sharp, middle-of-the-night wakeups. She was also dealing with criticism and micromanagement at work—fueling her internal fire. Addressing both lifestyle and emotional heat helped cool her mind and body.
Now That You Know the Pitta Dosha Characteristics, How to Find Balance?
1. Spend Time in Nature
People with Pitta dosha characteristics or a Pitta imbalance often spend a lot of time in their heads.
I often think of Pitta as a head walking around without a body.
It's as if people with Pitta in their constitution don't even know that they have a body.
Going into nature helps to take an individual out of their head and into their body and any activity that has this effect is good for reducing Pitta.
2. Take time to slow down
For those with Pitta dosha characteristics, the Pitta mind is amazing at making lists.
In my own experience, my Pitta mind can make so many "to-do lists", which are filled with unimportant items that feel really important to my Pitta mind at the time.
When I find myself making these lists for myself today, I try to hone in on what is truly important.
Those lists have stolen a part of my life away from me, and ultimately injured relationships.
I no longer want to be checking off my lists at the expense of living a vibrant, connected life.
Ayurveda doesn’t ask you to give up your drive. It invites you to balance your brilliance with softness—to fuel your fire, not fry your nervous system.
3. Swim or spend time near water.
The coolness of water helps to calm those with Pitta dosha characteristics.
Whether swimming in a pool or lake, sitting by a burbling brook, or even sitting in a cool bathtub, water helps reduce a Pitta imbalance.
4. Avoid spicy, sour, and salty foods. Favor sweet*, bitter, and astringent foods
Spicy, sour, and salty foods increase the heat in those with Pitta dosha characteristics, which can lead to Pitta imbalance, acidic digestion, and an increase in inflammatory disorders.
Sweet*, bitter, and astringent foods help to cool and soothe people with Pitta dosha characteristics as they balance agni (the digestive fire).
Sweet*
Sweet in Ayurveda denotes foods that are building, such as milk, grains, oils, meats, sweet fruits, sweet veggies, and natural sugars.
White sugar is so processed that it loses the qualities that balance Pitta, and is instead acidic.
Maple syrup and coconut sugar are good sugars to use for pacifying individuals with Pitta dosha characteristics.
Bitter
Bitter foods include many leafy greens (except spinach, mustard, and nettle which are heating), many herbs, dandelion, and aloe vera, and are excellent for calming those with Pitta dosha characteristics.
Astringent
Astringent is less of a taste and more of a feeling of dryness in the mouth.
Pomegranate, turmeric, green banana, chickpeas, and alfalfa sprouts are good examples of the astringent taste that pacify Pitta dosha.
Explore these 3 Tastes to Pacify Pitta Dosha in this post:
5. Cooling Herbs
For Pitta imbalances, including hot flashes, Pitta digestion problems, and sleep issues, Ayurveda recommends cooling herbs.
Here is a list of some cooling herbs to explore, but it is always best to consult with an Ayurvedic practitioner or your healthcare provider before beginning any new herb.
Cooling herbs for reducing Pitta imbalances:
Shatavari
Brahmi
Coriander
Cilantro
Fennel
Anantamul
Amalaki
Rose
Licorice
Lavender
To learn more about these herbs, check out this post about cooling herbs for Pitta dosha:
To explore cooling Ayurveda herbal teas and herbal tea blends that help pacify Pitta imbalances, check out this post about summer Ayurveda herbal teas.
FAQ: Pitta Dosha
Q: What season increases Pitta the most?
A: Summer, particularly late summer, when heat and intensity are highest.
Q: Can you have both Pitta and another dosha in your constitution?
A: Yes, most people have a dual-dosha constitution in the case of Pitta, either Pitta-Vata or Pitta-Kapha. You can also have an imbalance in any of the doshas, not just your predominant doshas. For example, Vata dosha is the dosha that goes out of balance the easiest for everyone, no matter their constitution.
Q: What’s the best oil for Pitta self-massage (Abhyanga)?
A: Coconut oil is naturally cooling and ideal in summer. You can also try Brahmi oil for a cooling and calming effect. Or Ksheerabala oil is another favorite of mine for summer, since it cools the body and soothes the nervous system.
Q: How does a Pitta imbalance affect sleep?
A: Pitta often causes a second wind after 10 p.m., middle-of-the-night wakeups, hot flashes, and thoughts around planning and organizing. Cooling rituals and pranayama can help.
Next Steps and Free Support
Recognizing these Pitta dosha characteristics is the first step to understanding and then reducing any Pitta imbalances you may be experiencing.
Now that you understand a little about the Pitta dosha characteristics, the qualities that affect it, and some ways to balance Pitta dosha, you can begin experimenting with these recommendations to balance Pitta to see what kind of difference they may make in your life.
📥 Download:
🎧 Listen: Cooling the Fire: A 9-Minute Meditation for Summer Nights
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Book a consultation and receive your personalized Ayurvedic recommendations--a gentle, dosha-aligned guide to your day, your body, and your season of life.
Final Thoughts
Understanding your Pitta dosha characteristics isn’t about labeling yourself—it’s about noticing the patterns that shape your energy, digestion, and emotions. When you learn to cool your fire before it burns out of control, you make room for clarity, grace, and rest.
Ayurveda reminds us: balance is not about perfection—it’s about cultivating awareness.
Here are some more posts to help you understand Pitta dosha:
Vagbhatta, and K. R. Srikantha Murthy. Astanga Hrdayam. 5th ed., vol. 1, Krishnadas Academy, 2001, 10.
Singh R.H., Singh G., Sodhi J.S., Dixit U.. "Deerghanjiviteeya Adhyaya". Charaka Samhita New Edition, edited by Dixit U., Deole Y.S., Basisht G., eds., 1st edition, CSRTSDC, 2020, pp. 3, Doi:10.47468/CSNE.2020.e01.s01.003
Vagbhatta, and K. R. Srikantha Murthy. Astanga Hrdayam. 5th ed., vol. 1, Krishnadas Academy, 2001, 8.
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