How To Balance Pitta Digestion (tikshna Agni)

Pitta tends toward hot, sharp, and quick digestion, a condition called tikshna agni in Ayurveda. Digestion is ruled by Pitta, so Pitta people often have a strong digestive fire. This means they have a strong appetite and need to eat quickly when hungry, otherwise, Pitta people become hot tempered (hangry).

Pitta people secrete more enzymes and bile than other doshas, tending towards hypersecretion. For this reason, Pitta people may be able to eat large portions of food in one sitting. Because of their strong digestion, Pitta people can also handle eating out more than any other dosha. They can also eat more difficult to digest foods, such as raw foods.

However, food may move through the intestines too quickly for nutrients to be absorbed. Pitta should be careful to take the time to eat meals, as they can easily get caught up in mental activities and forget they have a body! As Pitta ages, their digestion becomes exhausted and they experience more and more signs of vishama agni or Vata type digestion.

Symptoms

Pitta resides in the small intestine and Pitta digestive problems will often begin there. Their GI tract is easily irritated or inflamed as their strong digestive juices start eating away at it. These strong juices can lead to hypermetabolism and diarrhea. The hot, sharp, and oily nature of Pitta can cause hypersecretion of enzymes causing hyperacidity, ulcers, and hypoglycemia. Pitta's hot nature often results in inflammatory conditions such as gastritis, diarrhea, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Because Pitta also resides in the liver, their sensitive livers make for an over-reactive immune system. For this reason, Pitta people may have more food allergies than other doshas.

Types of Pitta Digestive Disorders

• Inflammation
• Pathogens / infections
• Immune reactivity / allergies
• Hypersecretions of enzymes

Remedies

Foods with astringency such as pomegranate and legumes can help reduce inflammation and swelling in Pitta digestive tract. Demulcent foods like oatmeal, tapioca, and okra can soothe inflamed tissues. Anti-microbials can abate inflammation from bacteria and other pathogens. Aloe vera's anti-inflammatory and soothing demulcent qualities can restore tissue that has been damaged from allergic reactions. Balancing Pitta systemically can help reduce excessive enzyme secretions. Avipattikar churna is Ayurveda's classic formula for pitta digestive issues. Soothe Inflamed Intestines Tea is an Ayurvedic formula designed to reduce inflammation in the digestive tract. Food Allergy Healing Tea can help rebuild the gut after damage and inflammation due to food allergies.

Pitta Dietary Remedies Pitta Lifestyle Remedies

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