Ayurveda – Science of Ayurveda – Pitta type has many qualities of fire. Fire is hot, penetrating, pungent and stimulating. Similarly, pitta people have warm bodies, penetrating thoughts and sharp intellects. When out of balance, they can become very agitated and irritable. Pitta body type is one of medium height and build, with red or copper skin. They may have many moles and freckles. Their skin is warmer and less wrinkled than Vata skin. Their hair tends to be silky and they often experience premature greying of hair loss. Their eyes are of medium size and the conjunctiva is moist. The nose is sharp and the tip is red in colour.
People with pitta predominant formation have a strong metabolism, good digestion and a strong appetite. They like a lot of food and liquids and prefer hot spices and cold drinks. However, their constitution is balanced by sweet, bitter and astringent tastes. Pitta people have good and moderate sleep. They produce large amounts of urine and faeces, which are yellow, soft and plentiful. They sweat easily and keep their hands and feet warm. Pitta people have a low tolerance for sunlight, heat and hard physical exertion.
Mentally, Pitta types are alert and intelligent and have a good understanding of power. However, they are easily agitated and aggressive and tend towards hatred, anger and jealousy when unbalanced. In the outside world, Pitta people like to be leaders and planners and seek material prosperity. They like to showcase their wealth and possessions. Pitta people have diseases related to fire elements like fever, fever and jaundice. Common symptoms include skin rashes, irritation, ulcers, fever, swelling or irritation such as conjunctivitis, colitis or sore throat.
Since the qualities of pitta are oily, hot, light, mobile, dispersive and liquid, an excess of any of these qualities aggravates pitta. Summer is the time of summer, the season of bile. Sunburn, poison ivy, prickly heat and a low temper tantrum are common. When the weather cools, these types of pitta disorders get pacified. Diet and lifestyle changes emphasize coolness – avoiding cold foods, peppers and spices (especially difficult for New Mexicans), and cold climates. People with excessive pitta need to exercise during the coldest part of the day.
Evaluation and treatment of imbalance
Ayurveda incorporates various techniques to assess health. The doctor carefully evaluates the major signs and symptoms of the disease, especially concerning the origin and cause of the imbalance. They also consider the suitability of the patient for various treatments. The doctor arrives at the diagnosis through direct questioning, observation and a physical exam, as well as inference. Basic techniques such as pulse, tongue, eye and physical appearance; And listening to the tone of voice is employed during an assessment.
Palliative and cleansing measures, when appropriate, can be used to address the cause of the imbalance or to help eliminate the imbalance, along with management suggestions. Recommendations may include the implementation of lifestyle changes; starting and maintaining the recommended diet; and the use of herbs. In some cases, participating in a cleansing program called Panchakarma is suggested to help the body get rid of accumulated toxins to get the most out of the various suggested remedies.
In short, Ayurveda addresses all aspects of life – body, mind and spirit. It recognizes that each of us is unique, each reacts differently to many aspects of life, each with different strengths and weaknesses. Ayurveda through insight, understanding and experience presents a vast wealth of information on the relationship between causes and their effects, both immediate and subtle, for each unique individual.
Ayurvedic Concepts
According to Ayurvedic theory, everyone is made up of a combination of five elements: air, water, fire, earth and space. These elements create three energies or life forces in the body, called doshas: Vata, Kapha and pitta. Although there is a unique mix of the three doshas, one dosha is usually most dominant in each individual.
In Ayurvedic treatment, the balance of a person’s doshas is believed to explain some of his individual differences and the likelihood of disease. An imbalanced dosha is believed to disrupt the natural flow of vital energy or prana. Disrupted energy flow is believed to impair digestion and allow a buildup of body waste or ama, which further impairs energy and digestion.
Vata dosha is a combination of space and air. It controls movement and is responsible for basic body processes such as breathing, cell division and circulation. Vata body areas are the large intestine, pelvis, bones, skin, ears and thighs. People with the main doshas of Vata are believed to be quick-thinkers, thin and sharp, and susceptible to anxiety, dry skin and constipation.
Kapha dosha represents the elements of water and earth. Kapha is believed to be responsible for strength, immunity and growth. Kapha is the fluid from the body’s areas of the chest, lungs and spinal cord. People with Kapha as their main dosha are considered calm, have a solid body structure and are more susceptible to diabetes, obesity, sinus congestion, and gall bladder problems.
Pitta dosha mixes fire and water. It is believed to regulate hormones and the digestive system. The areas of the pitta body are the small intestine, stomach, sweat glands, skin, blood and eyes. It is believed that people whose primary dosha is pitta are prone to a fiery personality, oily skin and more susceptible to heart disease, stomach ulcers, bloating, heartburn and arthritis.
Ayurvedic Assessment
The initial evaluation with an Ayurvedic practitioner can last an hour or more. The practitioner will usually ask detailed questions about your health, diet, and lifestyle. They will feel 12 different pulse points on your wrist. An Ayurvedic practitioner also examines your tongue for clues about areas of the body that may be out of balance. The appearance of skin, lips, nails and eyes is also observed. After the evaluation, the doctor will determine your unique balance of doshas. A dosha is usually predominant and may be unbalanced. The practitioner also determines your constitution or peanut.
Dietary considerations
Common food guidelines for reducing Vata include eating hot, well-cooked, raw food. Small meals should be taken three or four times a day and one can snack as needed by maintaining a gap of two hours between each meal. Regularity in meal timing is important for Vata. People with a Vata-dominant constitution do well with one-pot meals such as soups, stews and casseroles. They may use more oil in cooking their food than the other two doshas and may experience better digestion if they limit their intake of raw foods.
Well-cooked oats and rice are good for Vata as they do not dry out much when cooked with lots of water and butter or ghee. While cooked vegetables are best for Vata, occasionally a salad with a nice oily or creamy dressing is fine. Nightshades—tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants and peppers—as well as spinach should be avoided if the Vata person has stiffness, joint or muscle pain. Sweet, ripe and juicy fruits are good for Vata. Astringent and drying fruits, such as cranberries, pomegranates and raw apples should be avoided. Fruits should always be eaten on an empty stomach.
Many Vata people can meet their protein needs with the judicious use of dairy products and use eggs, chicken, turkey, fresh fish, and venison. Legumes are difficult to digest and should be consumed in limited quantities by those trying to pacify Vata. The beans should be split type and soaked before cooking. Cooking them with a little oil and spices like turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger, garlic and asafoetida (asafoetida) will help prevent data from getting worse.
All nuts and seeds are good for Vata but are best used in the form of butter or milk. Ten almonds, soaked overnight in water with the skins removed the next morning, are a satisfying morning meal. Sesame oil is hot for Vata, but all oils are good. All dairy products are good for Vata as hard cheese is eaten in moderation. All spices are good, but they should not be overused. Vats may contain half a glass of wine, diluted with water, during or after a meal. Since Vata people have addictive tendencies, they should avoid sugar, caffeine and tobacco. The intensity itself can be intoxicating for Vata, so one should seek relaxation and meditation to reduce Vata.
Ayurvedic Herbs
Ayurveda understands health as a reflection of one’s living with nature and when this harmony is disturbed then disease arises. In ancient times, sages and rishis believed in Ayurvedic herbs to cure many health problems and ailments. These herbs were thoroughly studied and used before any conclusion could be reached about the accuracy of medicinal values of these herbs and their effectiveness in treating various diseases and ailments. Due to their natural Ayurvedic herbs, they are considered free from any side effects and thus enjoy global appeal.
Ayurvedic medicines are mostly prepared using a mixture of herbs and other plants, including oils and common spices. Ayurveda has proved itself capable of overcoming various health problems occurring in the human body by combining a variety of plants and herbs to gain the benefits of medicinal or therapeutic value. Today Ayurveda is being widely used in modern medical systems. It was inspired by many types of research conducted by scientific research and has proved how effective and positive the role of plants or herbs can be on human health.
Herbs play an important role in the Ayurvedic system and a minor herb is known to easily and effectively dissolve stones in the kidney, bladder and gall bladder. Apart from timely treatment, Ayurvedic herbs are also known to provide lasting relief from any disease by removing metabolic toxins from the body. Learn more about different medicinal plants and their uses.
