Pitta is hot, sharp, light, oily, liquid, and spreading in nature. It is sour, bitter, pungent to the taste, and has a fleshy smell. These qualities are revealed in the body of the pitta person, as shown in the pitta characteristics below.

THE PITTA INDIVIDUAL

Hot: Good digestive fire; strong appetite; body temperature tends to be higher than average; hates heat; tendency toward grey hair with receding hairline or baldness; soft brown hair on the body and face.

Sharp: Sharp teeth, distinct eyes, pointed nose, tapering chin, heart-shaped face; good absorption and digestion; sharp memory and understanding; irritable; probing mind.

Light: Light/medium body frame; does not tolerate bright light; fair shiny skin, bright eyes.

Oily: Soft oily skin, hair and feces; sensitive to deep-fried food (which may cause headache).

Liquid: Loose liquid stools; soft delicate muscles; excess urine, sweat and thirst.

Spreading: Tendency toward rashes, hives, acne, inflammation all over the body or on certain areas; wants to spread his or her name and fame all over the country and world.

Sour: Sour acid stomach, acidic pH; sensitive teeth; excess salivation.

Bitter: Bitter taste in the mouth; nausea; vomiting; repulsion toward bitter taste; cynical.

Pungent: Heartburn, burning sensations in general; strong feelings of anger and hate.

Red: Red flushed skin, eyes, cheecks and nose; red color aggravates.

Yellow: Yellow eyes, skin, urine and feces; jaundice; overproduction of bile; yellow color aggravates.

By virtue of these attributes, pitta people have a sensitive and reactive body with a medium frame and weight. They seldom gain or lose much weight. They may have sharp, yellowish teeth with soft and, at times, bleeding gums. Their eyes are bright but tend to be sensitive to light. Pitta people usually have strong appetite and thirst, and like cold drinks and sweets.

Pitta types have excellent abilities for learning, understanding and concentrating. They are highly disciplined, can be excellent leaders and are blessed with wisdom.

Pitta individuals never yield an inch from their principles, which sometimes leads them to fanaticism. They can be judgmental, critical and perfectionistic, and tend to become angry easily.

They love noble professions and often make large amounts of money to spend on luxurious items. They like perfume and jewelry. Overall, the pitta constitution is endowed with moderate strength, much material knowledge, wealth and a medium span of life.

Summer is the time when pitta gets easily aggravated. Sunburn, poison ivy, prickly heat and short tempers are common. These pitta disorders tend to calm down as the weather gets cooler. Diet and lifestyle should emphasize coolness: cooling foods, avoidance of chilies and hot spices, exercise during the coolest time of the day, and cool climates.

General guidelines for balancing pitta:

* Avoid excessive heat
* Eat cooling, non-spicy foods
* Avoid excessive oil
* Exercise during the coolest part of the day during hot seasons
* Avoid excessive steam
* Limit salt intake

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