Pitta

Definition

Pronunciation: PIT-tah

Also spelled: Pita

Bile; the principle of transformation

About Pitta

Pitta is the dosha of transformation, composed of fire and water elements. It governs digestion, metabolism, body temperature, perception, and the transformation of food into tissue.

Pitta's qualities are: hot, sharp, light, liquid, oily, and spreading. When balanced, pitta provides intelligence, courage, good digestion, and clear perception. When imbalanced, it causes anger, inflammation, heartburn, skin rashes, and excessive criticism.

Pitta is seated primarily in the small intestine, where digestive fire (*jatharagni*) resides. It also governs the eyes, skin, blood, and sweat glands.

Pitta is balanced by opposite qualities: cool, mild, heavy, and dry. Cooling foods, moderate exercise, time in nature, and practices that cultivate patience all pacify pitta.

There are five sub-types of pitta (*pachaka*, *ranjaka*, *sadhaka*, *alochaka*, *bhrajaka*) governing different transformative functions.