Pitta Dosha- An Overview on Qualities, Location and Variations

Abstract

One of the three doshas, called Pitta, is very important for digestion and metabolism. There are five different varieties of pitta dosha: pachaka, ranjaka, alochaka, bhrajaka, and sadhaka. Food digestion, Sara and Kitta’s vibhajan, and the feeding of the Agneya component of Pitta, which is distributed throughout the body, are all tasks carried out by the pachaka pitta. It also goes by the name jatharagni. After aiding in food digestion, this agni form Pitta divides the Sara and Kitta bhaga. Being there, it nourishes and gives Pitta power to relax.It is amply demonstrated in our book that Pachaka Pitta is accountable for Aahar Pachan. On the other hand, modern or contemporary science has established via several research studies that different digestive fluids are what actually cause food to be broken down. All digestive enzymes, such as amylolytic, proteolytic, and lipolytic enzymes, may be likened to pachaka pitta, as suggested by the functions of pachaka pitta. Let’s discuss it in detail!

Introduction

Humans have a warm blood type. It is thought that life exists where there is heat. When a person’s body heat runs out, they are no longer alive and have died. Pitta generates and sustains body heat. All bodily metabolic processes, including digestion, are controlled by this pitta. Pitta also keeps the metabolism of cells running smoothly. Pitta generally translates as fire. The term, however, does not indicate fire in the sense that you would typically associate with candles or an open fire. The heat energy in the body, or Pitta dosha, is unseen. It shows up as changes in your metabolism. Pitta is always involved when our food is digested in the stomach and intestines, when enzymes are created, or when hormones are released from the endocrine glands into the bloodstream. This also means that Pitta bio-energy, which mostly comprises the fire element, is a part of everyone.

Definition of Pitta

• Pitta is the name for the component of the body that produces heat.
• Pitta is referred to as that which “digests stuff ingested in the form of food.”
• Pitta is that which, while in a state of equilibrium, defends the body and, when aggravated, destroys the body.

Qualities of Pitta Dosha

• Sasneha’s unctuous, slightly greasy The characteristics of Pitta are Teekshna, penetrating, entering into deep tissues, Ushna, hotness, Laghu, lightness, Visram, unpleasant odour, Sara having fluidity, movement, and drava liquidity. The Pitta Dosha Is likened to fire.
• Slightly oily, unctuous _You would need some ghee or oil as fuel for a fire in order for it to burn. Oil would fuel a fire, making it more intense.
• Piercing, penetrating –Pitta may penetrate deep bodily tissues since it is composed of fire and water.
• Ushna hotness – Pitta Dosha has an impact on the body due to all the heated variables. For example, digestion, body temperature etc.
• Lightness _ Pitta also has the attribute of lightness because it has both water and fire elements, with the fire element being higher than the water element.
• Bad smell – The Pitta Dosha is typically a factor in the bad breath issue. Pitta is also a factor in the unpleasant odour of urine and faeces.
• Fluidity, liquidity – are also Pitta’s characteristics. Pitta can be thought of as a burning liquid fuel.

Happens in the Event of Pitta Disorders?

When subjected to emotional stress or wrath, high heat, heavy alcohol usage, meat, sweets, and white flour, Pitta can get out of balance. People with Pitta disorders consequently frequently have heartburn, diarrhoea, and unsettled stomachs. The fact that they are emotionally sensitive, frequently go to the bathroom, sweat a lot, and have an overly acidic metabolism are all telltale symptoms that their Internal bio-elements are out of balance. Other common symptoms include pain and inflammation.

Makeup, Qualities, Sites

Makeup of Pitta – Pitta is a mixture of the elements of fire and water. When pitta is in balance, it consists of the sattva quality, but when it is exacerbated, it consists of the rajas quality.

Qualities of Pitta

• Unctuousness
• Intense, deep penetrating
• Hot
• Light
• Foul smelling
• Flowing
• Liquid

Location of Pitta

Pitta is primarily found in the centre of the body, between the heart and the navel. The digestive fire is located in this hot region of the body. It contains organs involved in digestion, such as the pancreas, duodenum, and small intestine. The navel is the primary pitta seat. Pitta controls other pittas and their seats from this location. Pitta would make these exercises ineffective because of its “fire-like activity.”

Other Seats of Pitta

• Stomach
• Sweat
• Plasma
• Blood
• Lymph
• Eye
• Skin

Pitta Subtypes, Features

Pitta is a single entity, although it has five subtypes, each of which is reflected in one of the five bodily regions. Each Pitta’s function depends on that of the others because they are all interconnected.

The 5 types of Pitta are

• Pachaka Pitta and intestines Located in the stomach
• Ranjaka Pitta –it is located in the liver and spleen
• Bhrajaka Pitta Located in the skin
• Alochaka Pitta – Located in the eyes
• Sadhaka Pitta heart – Located in the head /heart.

1. Pachaka Pitta

It is situated between the stomach and the big intestine. Between Pakvashaya and Amashaya. It has all five of the fundamental elements (Panchamaha Bhuta), however fire predominates and water isn’t present. Due to its role in digestion and metabolism, it is known as “Anala fire.” Material transformation in food. The food is cooked, separated into trash and essence, Other varieties of Pitta receive grace and influence from it. As a result, Pachaka Pitta is the prevalent type of Pitta.

2. Ranjaka Pitta

Ranjaka is the name of the pitta that resides in the Amashaya-stomach. Blood is created by converting the beneficial portion of digestion. As a result, Rasa Dhatu is transformed into Rakta Dhatu.

3. Sadhaka Pitta

Sadhaka is the name of the pitta that resides in the Hrudaya-heart.It takes care of mental processes like knowledge, intelligence, self-awareness, etc., advancing the goals of life.

4. Alochaka Pitta

It is located in the eyes. It helps in vision.

5. Bhrajaka Pitta

It is found in skin and aids in the display of colour and complexion.

Variations of Pitta

Pitta Presents Itself in Three Kinds of Manifestations. They Are

• Pitta is in its balanced, equilibrium state (sthana/samya), which promotes excellent health.
• Vriddhi – pathological increase Kshaya pathological decrease.
• Kshaya- pathological decrease.

Functions of Normal Pitta

• Enables normal food digestion, which is necessary for the formation of healthy nutritious juices. All of the body’s cells receive these nutritious liquids, which also aid in tissue growth, good health, immunity, and endurance.
• Enables accurate visual object perception by the eye
• Helps in maintaining normal temperature of body
• Provides normal complexion to an individual
• Is charged with causing bravery, pleasure, and calmness to manifest.

Abnormality

Abnormal Functions of Pitta

• Will result in poor food digestion and the generation of harmful metabolites like ama. Ama causes obstructions in all of the body’s channels, depletes nutrients from tissues, builds up in tissues and channels over time, and damages them, leading to a variety of illnesses.
• Produces visual mistakes, eye disorders, and blindness by impairing how the eye perceives visual objects.
• Responsible for sluggish metabolism in the body, the foundation of many systemic diseases, and subnormal or abnormal body temperature.
• Gives a person with a compromised complexion and colour.
• Responsible for how fear, illusion, and worry show themselves.

Etiological Factors for Vitiation of Pitta

• excessive intake of scalding, acidic, and irritating meals.
• excessive eating of meals •Pitta relationship with tissues and excreta with strong flavours like those of spice, sour, and salt
• excessive consumption of fermented foods and beverages, sour milk, and peppers.
• excessive heat from a fire or other source.
• Excessive anger
• Excessive starvation
• Excessive indulgence in sex
• During autumn season, the middle part of the day and digestion.

Symptoms of Pitta Imbalance

Pitta imbalance occurs in two kinds. Pathological growth and reduction are the two.

1. Pathological Decrease of Pitta

There are no diseases brought on by a decrease in pitta, only signs of a shortage. However, a relative vata and kapha imbalance could also exist.
Symptoms of Pitta decrease are

• indigestion, a lack of digestive fire, and slow digestion
• Decrease of body temperature (hypothermia)
• Feeling of excessive coldness in body
• Lack of body luster, lusterless appearance, pathetic

Other symptoms

• Deterioration of normal pitta
• like items, foods, and activities that make pitta more active.
• A preference for savoury, salty, and sour foods as well as for hot, greasy dishes. All of these characteristics and flavours aggravate pitta.

2. Pathological Increase of Pitta

There are six stages to this. Not every person develops every stage of the diseased process. Further phases do not develop if earlier stages are treated appropriately in time.

Stages of Pathology

The following describes the various stages of pitta increase pathological manifestation.

A. Sanchaya

Pitta builds up in its own seats, causing the symptoms listed below.

Yellowish Tinge of Skin

B. Prakopa

Pitta’s aggravation in its own seats. Produces below mentioned symptoms

• Sour or acidic belching, heartburn
• Thirst
• Burning sensation

C. Prasara: Stage of Spread

The pitta, which had been aggravated in the previous stage, will now leave its seats and spread throughout the body. It either spreads on its own or spreads after combining with blood, vata, and kapha. Blood has also been regarded by Sushruta as a dosha. Below are several combinations that cause pitta to spread at this stage.

• Pitta
• Pitta-vata
• Pitta-kapha
• Pitta-rakta
• Pitta-vata-kapha
• Pitta-vata-rakta
• Pitta-kapha-rakta
• Pitta-vata-kapha-rakta

The following are signs of pitta spread

• Sense of boiling
• Squeezing sensation
• Burning sensation
• Feeling as if body is boiling

D. Sthanasamshraya

Stage of lodgment of pitta dosha in tissues – Pittha can become trapped in one or more tissues in the direction or course of its movements if it is not treated while it is still in the spreading stage. In tissues, this deposit is known as sthanasamshraya of pitta. Here, weak and vulnerable tissues are combined with morbid pitta.

This destructive combination is known as Dosha Dushya Sammurchana. A disease must be developed by this mechanism.

Pitta harms tissues after becoming lodged there. This damage triggers the onset of illness. Disease has not yet formed due to the recently started tissue damage, although early warning signs of disease are visible.

Diseases can emerge in any tissue or organ, depending on which organs or tissues vitiated pitta lodges in. Examples: Pitta getting lodged in

• Pitta-related tumours and illnesses, such as appetite loss, appear in the abdomen. Pitta-related urinary disorders, such as diabetes and kidney stones, appear in the bladder.
• Anus/rectum: piles, pitta-type fistulas, etc.
• Skin, muscle, and blood – causes herpes, pitta-type skin illnesses, etc.
• The pitta form of filariasis is caused by the feet.
• Gout, spur, joint pain etc
• The entire body – causes illnesses like tetanus, fever, etc.

E. Vyakta

stage of manifestation of disease – Vitiated pitta continues to harm tissues and create diseases when the fourth stage of pathogenesis of the disease, when it is still weak and in the budding stage, is not handled. These illnesses are fully developed, powerful, and observable with their distinctive signs and symptoms. Diseases develop in the same tissues or organs where pitta lodges and follow the same flow and motion patterns.

F. Bheda

stage of complications –If a disease is left untreated, even when it has fully manifested, pitta causes severe tissue damage that might result in serious complications that could be fatal

Treatment to Improve Pitta Imbalance

When treating pitta problems, prevention is key to avoiding the root causes of vitiation.

External Treatments

• Abhyanga – Massages using herbal oils infused with herbs that balance pitta.
• Samvahana – a gentle massage using herbal oils that are pitta-mitigating.
• Sarvanga dhara – which involves drenching the body in a stream of medicinal oils, ghee, and milk made with pitta-reducing herbs.
• During shiro dhara _A stream of medicinal oils, ghee, and milk made with plants that reduce pitta is poured over the head.
• Sugandha, gandha, hara, mani hara, application of odours and perfumes, floral garlands, pearl necklaces, etc.
• Anulepa –Regular and frequent application of pastes made from herbs that are cooling, such as camphor and sandalwood.

Internal Treatments

Snehapana

The process of consuming medicated lipids made with pitta-mitigating herbs in measured quantities until the body cells get saturated with the therapeutic effects. This is given as individual therapy or as a purgative pre-treatment procedure.

Virechana

A medically assisted purge

Vamana

medicinal emesis

Vasti

Herbal enemas administered via the anal, urethral, or uterine routes, including decoctions and unctuous enemas with ghee and oil made with herbs that reduce pitta.

Diet, Lifestyle Activities and Exercises

• Eating ghee or ghee that has been medicated Drinking milk, eating heart-healthy cold foods, and taking sweet, bitter, and astringent-tasting foods and medicines are all recommended.
• Pungent, sour, salty, and spicy foods should be avoided.
• Exposure to moonlight and a cool wind, enjoyment of music, comfort from cold.
• Anger, stress, and anxiety should be avoided.
• Taking part in loving and enjoyable activities.
• Nutritious and cordial conversations with friends, family, and children.
• Company of a devoted wife who has dressed in wet clothing, garlands, and coolant herbal pastes.
• Living underground or spending time close to fountains or sprinklers.

Herbs Used for Pitta Dosha Balance

Herbs from the ayurvedic tradition can help balance the doshas. The use of herbs and herbal blends to reduce pitta’s heat and promote physical and mental equilibrium has a long history in Ayurveda. The plants and mixtures listed below are very effective at balancing pitta.

Draksha Arishtam

The principal herb in Draksha Arishtam, which balances both pitta and kapha dosha, decreases excessive body heat, cools blood heat, calms bodily bleeding, and supports strength, endurance, and energy. 10–20 ml. once or twice a day, before or after meals .Before ingesting it, it can also be diluted with an equal amount of water.

Shankha Bhasma

Ayurveda claims that Shankh Bhasma possesses kshar (alkaline) properties that help neutralise the excessive acid generated. Due to its Sita (cold) nature, it could also instantly soothe the burning sensation in the stomach. By enhancing digestion, Shankh Bhasma also assists in lowering stomach pain.

• Shatavaryadi Ghritam
• Pravala Bhasma
• Acidact Tablets
• Drakshadi Kwatham
• Tiktakam Kwatham

The mixture of bitter herbs in the recipe balances the Pitta and Kapha doshas

• All three doshas, particularly pitta and kapha, are effectively balanced by a consistent, moderate intake of a combination of amla, haritaki, and vibhitaki. Take this mixture in a glass of warm milk twice a day. It strengthens each of the 13 digestive fires (agni).
• Kshirabala Oil
• Eladi Coconut Oil
• Triphala powder or pills can help with healthy digestion and elimination as well as eye comfort and eye function.
• Prepare a honey and haldi combination (turmeric). Take it every day if you have congestion. It can get rather hot, so be careful not to overdo it.
• A strong herb called arak is believed to worsen pitta. But if pitta is already exacerbated or on hotter days, try to limit your intake.
• Overnight, let brahmi leaves that have been cleaned disperse in water. Every morning, consume this tonic. All three doshas can be balanced with brahmi, but mainly pitta and vata. Because of its calming properties, this herb can also be used to enhance mental clarity and restful sleep.
• As a garnish, add finely chopped coriander to soups, vegetables, and other foods. One tridoshic herb that can balance all three doshas is coriander.

At last we just want to conclude that pitta is one of the three dosha of the body which helps in maintaining the harmony and improving the coordination between the body. So we should keep this in balance by following the above diet and lifestyle. Hope the above given information helped you to keep your pitta in balance. For any further queries, kindly contact herbalremedies123@yahoo.com.