Would you like to know how to balance your Pitta dosha?
In this episode, we recommend 10 foods that will help you do that.
You'll also learn why these foods are good for Pitta.
Hi this is Livia with Healthy Happy and Wise
bringing you the latest Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle tips.
I will start the list with my number 10 choice for best Pitta-balancing foods: mung dal.
Mung dal is basically an Ayurvedic superfood that is good for all doshas.
For Pitta it's good because it's sweet and astringent.
Pitta dosha is balanced by the sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes, so mung dal covers two of those.
In addition, mung dal is cooling, which balances Pitta's hot nature.
You can make a soup and add some vegetables,
or combine mung dal with basmati rice to make kitchari, a popular Ayurvedic porridge.
Most beans are heating, on the other hand, so that's why mung dal is the best legume for Pitta.
At number 9 I have leafy green vegetables.
Leafy green vegetables are very popular for their high nutritional profile,
and they are also favored in Ayurveda for both Pitta and Kapha doshas.
Leafy greens such as kale, cabbage, and chard are bitter, astringent and cooling,
so they are ideal for Pitta dosha, especially in the summer.
However, not all leafy greens are cooling.
Mustard greens, for example, are heating, so make sure to consume those in moderation.
At number 8 I have one of my favorites: rose water and rose petal jam.
Rose is sweet and cooling, and it's especially beneficial for calming fiery Pitta emotions.
Rose is really good for the heart.
I like to put rose water in my lassi,
and in any kind of pudding, such as rice pudding and tapioca pudding.
Rose petal jam is also a delightful treat. You can just eat a teaspoon-full
for a quick treat, or in case of a Pitta aggravation emergency.
I like to put it on pancakes and even toast.
You can also sweeten your morning oatmeal with rose petal jam.
At 7th place I have zucchini and other summer squashes.
These are the best vegetables for Pitta because they are cooling and
astringent, along with cucumber, which is sweet and cooling. These vegetables are
also very good for hydrating the body. Another squash that Ayurveda recommends is Loki,
which is an Asian squash that is also excellent. You may find it in an
Asian store, or you can grow it yourself. It's easy to grow, prolific, and the bugs don't seem to like it.
Number 6 on the list is a Pitta-pacifying spice mix.
Making your own spice mix will allow you to add Pitta-balancing qualities to any of your dishes.
You can cook with this spice mix or take it with you
and sprinkle it on your meals when you eat out. It's more potent when you cook with the spice mix
but it's still beneficial to add into the meal at the end.
The best spices for Pitta are coriander and fennel.
They're both cooling; coriander is astringent and fennel is sweet.
Other spices that balance Pitta include
cardamom, cumin, turmeric, cloves, cinnamon, and all herbs.
You can make up your own recipe, or check out our video on how to make a Pitta spice mix.
Number 5 on the list is coconut, which is the most Pitta-pacifying nut.
That's how people in tropical climates stay cool; they drink fresh coconut water
and add coconut meat to their dishes.
Coconut oil has become the most popular way to enjoy the benefits of coconuts in the West.
It has cooling properties as a cooking oil and also as a massage oil for Pitta.
But it's very difficult to digest so don't overdo it even if you are Pitta.
At place number 4 I have mint. It is the number one herb to cool Pitta.
And mint tea is an excellent beverage for Pitta.
In the summer, you can drink it cool, but not ice cold, and in the winter you can have it warm.
It also enlivens the digestive fire without aggravating Pitta.
You can add some cane sugar and lime juice for a refreshing summer drink.
At number 3 I have pears. I have learned from Vaidya Mishra years ago,
that a sweet juicy pear is the best way to calm down Pitta quickly.
It works if you are hungry or if you are angry. Other sweet juicy fruits are also excellent,
such as mangoes, melons, and grapes. The key is sweet and ripe.
Sour fruits aggravate Pitta, so avoid unripe and sour fruits.
At place number 2 is milk.
Organic, un-homogenized, and preferably raw cow's milk.
It's also a good idea to boil the milk before you consume it to improve its digestibility.
You can drink it at room temperature in the summer, and warm in the winter.
Milk is sweet and cooling so it pacifies Pitta. It is also very nourishing for the body
and soothing for the mind and emotions. Other fresh dairy products are also excellent for Pitta,
including ghee, butter, cream, paneer, ricotta, fresh mozzarella, and lassi.
Aged cheeses and sour dairy products on the other hand aggravate Pitta.
In case you're wondering, ice cream sounds like a good idea for Pitta in the summer, doesn't it?
But ice-cold foods are not recommended in Ayurveda for anyone,
and frozen dairy is clogging for the body.
So ice cream is not the best way to consume milk even for Pitta.
And now let's look at the number 1 food to balance Pitta.
It is the number one Ayurvedic superfood and the number one food to pacify Pitta and Vata: ghee.
Ghee is sweet and cooling and is the best cooking oil for Pitta.
Pitta dosha is not as dry as Vata, but not as unctuous as Kapha, so it still needs lubrication.
Ghee is easier to digest than most other oils, and it is the only fat
that improves digestion. Ghee is also used topically on the skin for Pitta conditions,
such as burning and rashes. Ghee also helps deliver the nutrients
from the food and spices to your cells. That's why in Ayurvedic medicine
herbs are often prepared in ghee. Ghee can be used for frying, cooking, and baking.
Its smoking point is higher than that of olive oil or coconut oil, so it's safer for high-temperature cooking
Ghee can now be purchased in health food stores and in many online retailers.
But I like to prepare my own.
We have a video if you would like to learn an easy way to make it.
So these are the 10 foods I like to use in the summer to pacify my Pitta.
I use ghee, mint, and rose water every day,
all the other items on the list several times a week.
And fortunately, there are plenty of cucumbers and summer squashes this time of the year,
along with fresh herbs and leafy greens.
What are your favorite foods to balance Pitta dosha?
Please let us know in the comments. I would be interested to know.
Remember to check out healthyhappynwise.com to learn more about the
Ayurvedic lifestyle and diet. If there are any topics you are interested in,
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Thank you so much for watching. I'll see you next time.