Pitta spring wellbeing guide

When the dosha pitta is in balance it embodies good health. It brings a healthy appetite and thirst, hormonal balance, courage and flexibility, glowing complexion and a strong sense of wellbeing. Ideal for welcoming in the new energy of spring.

However, if pitta is allowed to tip out of balance as we head towards the warmer months of spring, we are in danger of experiencing a hot fiery pitta in the heat of the summer.

What are the signs of increased pitta

Here are the symptoms to look out for:

• An aversion to heat

• A sour or bitter taste in the mouth

• Loose bowels

• Red, flushed skin

• Heartburn, high blood pressure, skin rashes, and hot flushes

• Emotionally, a pitta may become angry, frustrated and irritated

If you don’t know which dosha you are, take our quiz to find out.

How can you help balance pitta in the spring?

You can balance pitta’s intense, volcanic nature with the opposing qualities of calm, coolness and moderation. In particular, not skipping meals, and favouring ‘cooler’ foods, as well as spending time laughing every day and getting out and about amongst the natural world.

Those with a dominant pitta dosha will benefit from reducing heat, especially as we move towards the warmer time of year where pitta will begin to increase.

The pitta diet in spring

Pitta types are typically aggravated by hot and fiery foods. Although spring can still be cool, it’s starting to heat up. So, spring is a good time for pitta types to start introducing cooler foods. Try a nourishing salad with seasonal vegetables but dressed with aromatic spices such as cumin, coriander and fennel just to keep the spring chill at bay.

Other good eating practises include:

• Introduce cooling, refreshing foods into your daily diet.

• Favour foods that are sweet, bitter or astringent and, therefore, more cooling

• Reduce foods that are spicy, salty or sour and avoid pungent foods - all of which will encourage heat

• Avoid stimulants, dairy and highly fatty or processed foods (these take more energy to break down and pressurise the digestive system)

Daily spring rituals for pitta

As we are not yet into the heat of the summer, spring can actually be a good time to embrace the inner athlete and let off some extra steam without becoming over-heated. Practice exercises that are cooling, regulating and balancing. For a pitta, these can be Moon Salutations and shoulder stands.

Yoga Nidra is also a great practise to help pittas stay calm and collected. This powerful relaxation meditation technique performed in the lying position and is one of the most beloved of all the relaxation-meditation techniques in the world today.

This is because the technique is practical and easy to do and creates the deep rest and relaxation required for good health, mental peace and higher awareness.

Here’s how to get started:

Lie on your back with your arms by your side. Become aware of the parts of the body that are touching the ground beneath you. Now take your awareness to the breath, allowing each exhalation to flow long and deeply and let go of any anxiety or fatigue. Feel your body sinking more heavily into the floor. Then turn to the senses with a first focus on hearing and then touch, sight (with your eyes closed) and your sense of smell. Fine tune your awareness with deep breathing.

Continue for 10 minutes. In your last exhales, experience a sense of letting go and release.

Spring herbal heroes for pitta

Herbs to help calm the fire of pitta are those that are characteristically cooling, calming and anti-inflammatory:

• Aloe vera - Typically, cooling, calming and anti-inflammatory for the digestion

• Spirulina and Chlorella - Excellent natural detoxifiers and cleansers for the whole body

• Peppermint - Cooling and calming for the digestion

• Rose - Calming and cooling for frazzled, hot tempers

Try Pukka teas such as  Peppermint & Licorice, Mint Matcha Green and Three Mint.