Pitta Dosha
Pitta पित्त
dosha theory
Also: fire dosha, metabolic principle
The principle of heat, digestion, and transformation in the body. Composed of Tejas (fire) + Apas (water).
Pitta-prakriti skin signs
- Fair, freckled or moley, sensitive
- Redness, prone to inflammation
- Pigmentation tendency (Vyanga, melasma)
- Acne with redness; rosacea
- Premature greying with reddish-brown hair tones; thinning
- Easy sunburn
Cosmetic-relevant qualities of Pitta
- Ushna (hot) — Pitta-aggravation causes burning, redness
- Tikshna (sharp) — Pitta-aggravation causes acne, ulcers
- Drava (liquid) — Pitta-aggravation causes sweat, oily discharge
To pacify Pitta in cosmetics
- Use Shita (cooling) and Madhura (sweet) and Tikta (bitter) preparations
- Chandana (sandalwood), Ushira (vetiver), Yashtimadhu (licorice), Manjishtha, Sariva are the canonical Pitta-pacifying cosmetic herbs (the Varnya Mahakashaya is largely Pitta-pacifying)
- Coconut-oil-based preparations preferred over sesame in summer / for Pitta-prakriti
- Avoid sun exposure; never bathe in hot water
- Rose water as vehicle; cucumber, aloe gel as cooling adjuncts