Pitta prakriti in Caraka Samhita
The text derives each pitta trait from pitta's qualities: hot, sharp, liquid, sour and pungent. People of this type are described as delicate, with many moles or freckles, strong hunger and thirst, heat intolerance, copious sweat and strong body odour, fine light hair that greys early, loose joints, and a bold, quick temper.
Source: Caraka Samhita, Ca. Vi. 8.97; in Kaviratna's public-domain translation, para 113, pp. 595-596. The traits below are the ones the self-check asks about.
- Delicate, fine-boned (Ca. Vi. 8.97)
- Clear but with many moles, freckles or spots (Ca. Vi. 8.97)
- Fine, soft, light-coloured or sparse; greyed or thinned early (Ca. Vi. 8.97)
- Strong; I get hungry and thirsty easily (Ca. Vi. 8.97)
- A lot, and I drink a lot (Ca. Vi. 8.97)
- Heat: I cannot stand it (Ca. Vi. 8.97)
- I sweat a lot and notice a strong body odour (Ca. Vi. 8.97)
- Loose and flexible (Ca. Vi. 8.97)
- Bold and forceful; quick-tempered (Ca. Vi. 8.97)
- Moderate; I do not put up with hardship for long (Ca. Vi. 8.97)
Caraka also recognises mixed types, which show the traits of each dosha they combine (Ca. Vi. 8.99), and a balanced type with the good qualities of all three (8.100). A self-check is a self-reflection aid, not a diagnosis; see the evidence section of tridosha theory.
Herbs recorded as reducing pitta
From the Dravyaguna dataset, which records a dosha effect for 27 of its entries. Each name links to the monograph and its sources.
- Amla Phyllanthus emblica (syn. Emblica officinalis)
- Arjuna Terminalia arjuna
- Bala Sida cordifolia
- Bibhitaki Terminalia bellirica
- Brahmi Bacopa monnieri
- Guduchi Tinospora cordifolia
- Nagarmotha Cyperus rotundus
- Neem Azadirachta indica
- Nimba Azadirachta indica A. Juss.
- Saffron Crocus sativus
- Sariva Hemidesmus indicus
- Shatavari Asparagus racemosus
- Triphala
Recorded as increasing pitta: Agnimantha, Ashwagandha, Black Pepper, Ginger, Guggulu, Moringa, Pippali, Trikatu, Tulsi.
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Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here.