Pitta (पित्त) means “that which digests”. It comes from the root tap, meaning “to heat, burn, shine.”

It is the doṣa of transformation, composed of Agni (fire) and Jala (water).

It governs digestion, metabolism, vision, discernment and the intellect (buddhi).

Primary qualities (guṇas): hot (uṣṇa), sharp (tīkṣṇa), light (laghu), flowing (sara), slightly oily (sneha) and liquid (drava).

Sites of Pitta: eyes, brain, small intestine, liver, skin.

Functions: digestion of food, light, thoughts and emotions. Clarity of perception. Production of bile and enzymes.

Mental tendencies: focused, driven, confident, discerning, but also prone to anger, impatience and perfectionism.

Signs of imbalance: skin issues, acid reflux, burning sensations, loose stools, irritability, inflammation and burnout.

Diet: Emphasise sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes. Use cooling herbs like coriander, fennel, and cardamom. Avoid spicy, oily and fried foods.

Lifestyle: Rest before exhaustion. Avoid overwork. Create space in your schedule and in your mind.

Environment: Seek cool, calm settings. Spend time near water. Walk under the moonlight.

Asana: Favour calming, non-competitive practices like Yin, Restorative or gentle lunar flows.

Pranayama: Use Śītalī (cooling breath) and Candra Bhedana (left-nostril breathing) to pacify excess heat.

Meditation: Focus on compassion (maitrī), contentment (santoṣa), and letting go of perfectionism.