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Home Pharmacy for Pitta
by Alakananda Devi (Alakananda Ma), M.B., B.S. (Lond.)
Pitta clients are distinguished by their ability to take on their own Ayurvedic care as a project. A typical pitta client will have Ayurvedic food lists on the refrigerator and a special tote bag for their herbs, anupans such as aloe vera and their flask of Brahmi tea. Pitta needs to feel empowered. Thus it can be good to encourage your pitta clients to create a home pharmacy of herbs and mixtures they can use at their discretion. This article can be used as a handout to help pitta in creating and making the most of their home pharmacy. For maximum, shelf life, the herbs in the home pharmacy should be stored in screw top glass jars and kept in a cool, dark place.
Amlaki
The value of Amlaki in a home pharmacy goes for beyond its standard use
to cleanse the colon and remove excess pitta from the system.
A woman with discoid lupus, characterised by lesions on the skin of the
face, relies on Amlaki to aid cellular regeneration and act as an antioxidant.
Another, eight months pregnant and afflicted with hyperacidity, found
that a small pinch of Amlaki taken at the onset of symptoms provided welcome
relief. In cases of pitta hypoglycaemia, a similar small pinch
of Amlaki can bring instant calming of troublesome symptoms such as dizziness,
irritability and excess hunger. Due to astringent taste, a pinch size
dose of Amlaki will bind the stool, even though a larger amount will act
as a laxative. Thus Amlaki is also valuable for pitta stomach
upsets with loose bowels. Amlaki is also an ideal hair rinse for pitta,
said to strengthen hair roots and reduce such pitta manifestations
as early greying and balding.
Mahasudarshan
Funnily enough, some pitta individuals actually crave the bitter
taste provided by Mahasudarshan. As an important addition to a home pharmacy,
Mahasudarshan can be used as a flu preventative after exposure, to disperse
toxins after a fever has gone down, and to help the liver after toxic
chemical exposure or accidental ingestion of a food allergen. It will
help with acne, boils and rashes and can be valuable during allergy season.
For the chemical sensitive individual with multiple food allergies, knowing
how to use Mahasudarshan can make the difference between a functional
life and one dominated by bizarre and disabling symptoms.
For pitta people who crave breads and sugar, a half teaspoon
of Mahasudarshan mixed in honey and taken before breakfast can greatly
alleviate these cravings.
Shatavari
Every pitta—especially every pitta woman—should
be taught how to prepare Shatavari Kalpa. Roast an ounce of Shatavari
with one or two tablespoons ghee in a cast iron pan until light brown
and add two tablespoons of sucanat, rapadura or turbinado sugar, two pinches
saffron and a pinch of cardamom. A teaspoon of this recipe can be taken
in the morning to prevent attacks of hypoglycaemia or other tikshnagni
manifestations. Shatavari Kalpa is also beneficial to regulate menstruation
as well as for daily use in pregnancy and during menopause. Thus Shatavari
Kalpa is an excellent all round home remedy for the pitta woman.
Coriander
Coriander of course features in cumin, coriander and fennel tea, valuable
for pitta stomach upsets and urinary problems. Pitta
will also appreciate cool coriander and sandalwood tea for cystitis and
burning urination. For pitta fevers, mild heatstroke, hot flashes
or during heat waves, pitta can enjoy room temperature coriander
and rose tea. Coriander seeds can also be crushed or ground and added
to a lassi or takram—two tablespoons of yoghurt,
a cup of pure water, a teaspoon of ground coriander seeds and a pinch
or two of rose petal powder will make delicious drink to aid digestion
and absorption for pitta individuals. To make a pleasantly bitter
and pitta soothing coffee substitute, pitta can roast
and grind coriander seeds and then steep them in hot water.
Fennel
“Take a cup of fennel tea and call me in the morning” is a
phrase that is useful for an acute—non life-threatening— pitta
problem such as acute indigestion, glossitis, stomatitis or cystitis.
Fennel is extremely soothing in pitta inflammatory conditions
and so forms a key part of the pitta home pharmacy. It can also
be combined with liquorice to make a wonderfully pitta soothing
beverage.
Liquorice
As long as your pitta client does not have hypertension, liquorice
will be an invaluable addition to their home pharmacy. Liquorice tea soothes
hyperacidity and pre-ulcer conditions—in fact liquorice is the basis
of the ulcer medicine, Tagomet. Liquorice can also be used during flu
season and allergy season to ease annoying persistent coughs and pitta
tonsillitis. Clients with brittle or thinning hair should add a cup of
liquorice tea to their daily routine, as should those who complain of
issues with eyesight. Pitta women can douche with liquorice tea,
or better still a combination of liquorice, turmeric and Triphala, as
a home remedy for vaginal irritations or yeast infections.
Brahmi
An all too frequent occurrence in the life of any pitta-provoked
person are those days when one ‘gets out of bed on the wrong side,’
waking irritable, moody and upset. Brahmi is essential in the life of
a modern, stressed-out, over achieving pitta. A morning cup of
Brahmi tea can turn the moody day around, bringing greater tranquillity
and ease, as well as ensuring a sharper mind and better day’s work.
Brahmi can also be combined with tulsi for a soothing drink to promote
calmness and clarity of mind and enhance meditation.
Hibiscus
A favourite ingredient in many summer cooling drinks, Hibiscus is a good
ally for pitta. In spring, a rehydrating drink can be prepared
using Hibiscus and fresh dandelion roots from the garden. Simmer 10 washed
and pesticide free dandelion roots in one gallon of pure water for four
hours. Remove from the heat and add one cup organic hibiscus flower powder.
Let the hibiscus steep as the mixture cools. Add some lemon juice and
lemon zest, sweeten to taste with honey or maple syrup and drink for electrolyte
balance.
For a summer cooler, 1 quart spring water, one quarter cup hibiscus, one
eighth cup organic rose petal powder, brew as a sun tea, add one tablespoon
of Aloe Vera juice to each cup.
For a good emenogogue for pitta, use hibiscus tea with a small
amount of cinnamon.
For cystits, make hibiscus tea with added sandalwood powder.
Sandalwood
Used in several of the teas mentioned above, sandalwood powder is invaluable
for pitta. Pitta can also mix sandalwood powder into
a paste to use for headaches, shin irritations or acne. A bottle of sandalwood
oil is also very helpful in the pitta pharmacy. Applied on the
forehead, it is helpful for pitta headaches and fevers, while
a drop on the navel can calm a pitta tantrum.
Rose
Organic rose petal powder is also used in several of the teas mentioned
here. It can be mixed with goats milk (or powdered goats milk) to maker
a facial for pitta skin. On summer nights, pitta can
stir a teaspoon of rose powder into their bedtime warm milk.
Alakananda Devi
(Alakananda Ma)
is director of Alandi Ayurvedic Clinic in Boulder, Colorado, and principal
teacher of Alandi School of Ayurveda, a traditional ayurvedic school and
apprenticeship program. She can be reached at 303-786-7437 or by email
at: info@alandiashram.org.