Pitta Pacifying Foods: Heal Skin Issues, Inflammation, Indigestion

In Ayurveda, the ancient science of holistic healing, the concept of doshas plays a pivotal role in understanding individual constitution and health. Pitta dosha, governed by the fire and water elements, is responsible for metabolism, digestion, and transformation in the body. When Pitta becomes aggravated, it can manifest in symptoms such as inflammation, irritability, and digestive issues. To pacify Pitta and restore balance, dietary adjustments are crucial. Here’s a comprehensive guide to Pitta pacifying foods:

Grains

Favour: Rice (Basmati, white or wild), Amaranth, Barley, Cereal, dry, Couscous, Wheat Bran, Durham (Wheat) Flour, Granola, Oat Bran (Cooked), Oats (Cooked), Pancakes, Pasta, Quinoa (Cooked), Rice Cake, Spelt, Sprouted Wheat, Tapioca (Sago), Wheat
Moderate: Polenta, Brown Rice, Muesli, Dry Oats, Oat Bran (dry), Crackers
Avoid: Buckwheat, Bread made with yeast, Corn, Millet, Oat Granola, Rye

Vegetables (Steamed or boiled- not fried)

Favour: Asparagus, Acorn Squash, Tender & Bitter Greens (Collards & Dandelion), Artichoke, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Burdock Root, Butternut Squash, Cabbage, Fresh Corn, Cauliflower, Cucumber, Celery, Okra, Green Beans, Jicama, Olives (black), Parsley, Parsnip, Peas, Potatoes (Sweet), Pumpkin, Rutabaga, Scallopini Squash, Spaghetti Squash, Sprouts, Squash (Summer & Winter), Yellow Crook Neck Squash, Zucchini, Wheat Grass
Moderate: Mushroom, Beets, Onion, Spinach, Leeks, Eggplant, Potato (White), Bell Pepper (without seeds- use sparingly)
Avoid: Beet Greens, Fenugreek Greens (Methi), Garlic, Horseradish, Green Olives, Kohlrabi, Tomatoes, Turnip, Turnip Greens, Radishes, Onions (Raw), Mustard Greens, Daikon Radish

Fruits (Generally ripe and sweet)

Favour: Apples (Sweet), Apple Sauce (Unswetened), Apricots (Sweet), Avocado, Berries (Sweet), Cherries (Sweet), Coconut, Figs, Grapes (Sweet), Mangoes (Ripe and Sweet), Melons, Oranges (Sweet), Pear, Pineapple (Sweet), Plums (Sweet), Pomegranates, Quince (Sweet), Prunes, Raisins, Watermelon
Moderate: Lime, Apples (Sour), Bananas, Strawberries (Sweet), Cherries (Sour), Papaya, Grapes (Green), Lemon, Mangoes (Green), Peaches
Avoid: Grapefruit, Kiwi, Apricots (Sour), Plum (Sour), Tamarind, Sour Sop, Rhubarb, Persimmons, Strawberries (Sour), Oranges (Sour), Berries (Sour), Cranberries

Lentils & Legumes (Well cooked- until soft)

Favour: Mung Beans, Mung Dhal, Red or Brown Lentils, Lima Beans, Garbonzo Beans (small portions- 1/2 cup), Black Beans, Black-Eyed Peas, Kidney Beans, Aduki Beans, Black Lentil, Pinto Beans, Soy Beans, Split Peas, Navy Beans, Temphe, Tofu, White Beans, Green Peas, Dairy, Cow’s Milk (2% or 1% is best), Goat Milk, Unsalted Butter, Cottage Cheese, Mild, soft cheeses (Not aged, unsalted), Goat Cheese (Soft, unsalted), Ghee, Yoghurt (Freshly made, diluted with water/ homemade Buttermilk), Paneer (Indian Cheese)
Moderate: Soy Flour, Soy Powder, Miso, Soy SausageTur Dhal, Urad Dhal, Hard Cheeses, Sour Cream, Ice Cream
Avoid: Soy Sauce, Yoghurt (Frozen or with fruit), Butter (Salted), Buttermilk (Commercially made), Feta Cheese

Meat/ Animal Products

Favour: Chicken (White), Turkey (White), Eggs Whites, Fresh Water Fish, Venison (Deer), Buffalo
Moderate: Shrimp, Egg Yolk
Avoid: All Seafood, Beef, Chicken (Dark meat), Turkey (Dark meat), Fish (From the sea), Lamb, Pork, Salmon, Sardine, Tuna fish, Shell fish, Duck

Condiments

Favour: Black Pepper, Coconut, Coriander Leaves (Cilantro), Mango Chutney (Sweet), Mint Leaves, Mint Chutney, Sprouts, Lettuce, Ghee, Carob
Moderate: Lime, Dulse (Red Algae), Hijiki (Sea Vegetable), Kombu (Kelp), Seaweed, Salt, Tamari, Scallions, Tamarind Chutney
Avoid: Daikon Radish, Black Sesame Seeds, Chili Peppers, Mango Chutney (Spicy), Ketchup, Mustard, Lemon, Mayonaisse, Soy Sauce, Vinegar, Gomasio (Un-hulled Sesame Seeds), Lime Pickle, Horseradish, Chocolate, Pickles

Nuts

Favour: Coconut, Charole (Indian nut), Almond (Soaked & hulled)
Moderate: Pecans, Pine Nuts, Macadamia Nuts
Avoid: Almonds with skin, Walnut (All kinds), Brazil Nuts, Cashews, Hazelnut, Peanut, Pistachio

Seeds

Favour: Flax Seeds, Buttered Popcorn (no Salt), Psyllium, Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower
Moderate: Sesame Seeds (light Brown)
Avoid: Black Sesame Seeds, Chia, Tahini

Oils

Favour: Sunflower Oil, Ghee, Canola Oil, Soy Oil, Olive Oil, Flax Seed Oil, Primrose Oil, Walnut Oil, Coconut Oil
Moderate: Almond Oil, Safflower Oil
Avoid: Corn Oil, Sesame Oil

Beverages

Favour: Almond Milk, Aloe Vera Juice, Apple Juice, Apricot Juice, Berry Juices (Sweet), Cherry Juice (Sweet), Coconut Milk, Coconut Smoothies, Cool Dairy Drinks (Not Iced Cold), Date Shakes, Goat Milk, Grape Juice, Mango Juice, Mixed Vegetable Juice (Freshly, Made), Grain Teas (Barley, Cafix, Pero,, Roma), Peach Nectar, Pear Juice, Pomegranate Juice, Prune Juice, Rice Milk
Moderate: Soy Milk, Chai, Black Tea, Miso Broth, Orange Juice, Alcohol (Beer, Dry White Wine), Carrot Juice, Carrot/Vegetable Combination Juices, Ginger Tea, Chocolate drinks, Banana Shake/Smoothie, Coffee, Apple Cider
Avoid: Berry Juices (Sour), Caffeinated Beverages, Carbonated Drinks, Carrot/ Ginger Juice, Cranberry Juice, Grapefruit Juice, Cherry Juice (Sour), High Sodium Drinks, Ice-Cold Drinks, Lemonade, Papaya Juice, Pungent Teas, Sour Juices and Teas, Tomato JuiceIced TeaChocolate Milk, Pineapple Juice, V8 Juice, Alcohol (Hard, Red & Sweet Wine)

Herbal Teas

Favour: Alfalfa, Bansha, Blackberry, Barley, Borage, Chamomile, Chickory, Chrysanthemum, Corn Silk, Elder Flower, Dandelion, Fennel, Yarrow, Hibiscus, Hops, Jasmine, Kukicha, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Lemon Grass, Licorice, Lotus, Nettle, Oat Straw, Passion Flour, Peppermint, Raspberry, Red Clover, Rose Flowers, Saffron, Spearmint, Strawberry, Violet, Winter Green
Moderate: Rose Hips, Basil, Orange Peel, Comfrey, Cinnamon, Anise,
Avoid: Ajwain (Indian Spice), Eucalyptus, Yerba Mate, Clove, Fenugreek, Ginger (Dry), Ginseng, Hyssop, Juniper Berry, Mormon, Osha, Penny Royal, Red Zinger, Sage

Spices

Favour: Fresh Basil Leaves, Black Pepper, Coriander Seeds, Cumin Seeds, Cardamom, Dill, Fennel, Mace, Mint, Peppermint, Saffron, Spearmint, Tumeric, Wintergreen, Rose Water, Neem Leaves, Vanilla
Moderate: Orange Peel, Anise, Caraway, Cinnamon, Parsley, Cilantro Leaves, Tarragon, Bay Leaves, Fenugreek, Rosemary, Thyme, Almond Extract, Allspice
Avoid: Ajwan (Indian Spice), Asafoetida (Hing), Basil (Dried), Cayenne, Cloves, Garlic (especially raw), Ginger (Dry), Horseradish, Marjoram, Mustard Seeds, Nutmeg, Oregano, Onion (especially raw), Paprika, Pippali (Indian Spice), Poppy Seeds, Sage, Savory Mint, Amchoor (Indian Spice)

Sweeteners

Favour: Barley Malt, Brown Rice Syrup, Dried or Fresh Sugar Cane Juice, Maple Syrup, Turbinado (Unrefined Raw Sugar, “Sugar in The Raw”), Date Sugar
Moderate: Honey, Fruit Juice Concentrates
Avoid: Jaggery (Indian Brown Sugar), Molasses, White Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup

Food Supplements

Favour: Aloe Vera Juice, Barley (Green), Brewer’s Yeast, Blue Green Algae, Spirulina
Moderate: Bee Pollen, Royal Jelly
Avoid: Amino Acids

Incorporating these Pitta-pacifying foods into your diet can help alleviate symptoms of excess Pitta and promote overall balance and well-being. By choosing cooling and nourishing foods, you can support your body’s natural ability to maintain harmony and vitality. Remember to listen to your body’s cues and make adjustments based on your individual needs and preferences. Ayurveda offers a holistic approach to dietary wellness, empowering individuals to cultivate balance and resilience from within.

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