Ayurveda emphasises the importance of digestion to maintain and return to a balanced state of health. When you experience unhealthy digestive processes, this results in toxins in the colon which, if unremedied for too long, can result in a range of health conditions and ailments.
Pitta type depression is considered to originate in the colon which results in those toxins entering the nervous system which in turn impacts on this and mental functioning. Understandably, following a pitta pacifying diet is a good first step (the Introduction to Ayurveda mini-course online can help you understand the principles of Ayurveda).
Fear of losing control, failure, committing mistakes are common with pitta type depression. As pitta is associated with the fire element and the concept of heat with that, feelings of anger are also typical in those experiencing this condition. Although mild pitta depression symptoms can be felt and often caused by circumstances such as disappointments occuring in life, being let down etc, this can be a very serious type of depression. Serious because it can involve suicidal thoughts (note, however, there is a difference between suicidal thoughts and "being" suicidal). Your doctor should be consulted.
Someone experiencing pitta symptoms can be almost addicted to high achievement and take it very badly when things don't go well. This can be a catalyst for depressed feelings in such a person. Such feelings may not be too long lasting, however.
Someone with this type of depression can be more prone to seasonal affective disorder which is essentially a mild form of depression. In modern scientific terms, this can be linked with the reduced hours of sunlight in winter months especially as sunlight activates serotonin production.
As with all Ayurvedic remedies, there are very specialist Ayurvedic herbs that can be used as well as commonly found or purchased natural remedies, in addition to small lifestyle changes that can make a big difference. Each tiny step you take becomes one more step until you arrive at your destination. Nothing happens overnight so don't put pressure on yourself or be self-critical: if you don't manage something on a given day or morning, for instance, it's fine!
Managing some symptoms
A topical solution is to rub a little coconut oil or sunflower oil on to the scalp or soles of the feet at bedtime. Coconut oil, in particular, is associated with cooling properties and hence counters the "heating" effect of "pitta" (this is explained in the Introduction to Ayurveda mini-course online which can be taken on-demand online or in a live workshop.
Brahmi is an Ayurvedic herb highly recommended for calming and mental clarity. It can be taken in herbal tablet form and easily obtainable (please ask where to get this if interested). Brahmi tea or ginkgo tea is recommended. If you consider yourself not a tea drinker, don't think of these as "teas". They are remedies to help you. People often consider medicines horrible to consume but know they must and they do so. Ginkgo tea can be bought in stores such as Holland and Barrett and popular High Street supermarkets also stock teas containing ginkgo. Specialist Ayurvedic herbal blends are also recommended so just ask if interested.
Natural nose drops are a fairly common practice for some conditions in Ayurveda including ghee oil for anxiety and related symptoms such as agitation, sesame oil to lubricate sinus passages etc and, as a support for pitta type depression, brahmi infused ghee oil nose drops twice daily on an empty stomach are recommended (this is, of course, a more specialist product).
Lifestyle/Other
Taking time, even 10 - 15 minutes a day (ideally twice a day) to just be still, sit quietly and simply breathe slowly and steadily will be helpful. So few people take real time for themselves, refusing to stop, convincing themselves they "have to" be "doing". The Breathing and Other Self-Help mini-course has very useful techniques for those who are new to this especially where agitation type symptoms are experienced as breath control is a key part of this.
Likewise, the Rethinking Responses mini course can be helpful in overcoming negative thought patterns, trauma, anxiety or stress triggers.These courses are available online so can be taken wherever and whenever you like. However, if you would like on-going support for any ailments or concerns that arise, you can get in touch via my main Therapy website.
In Ayurvedic therapy, digestion, food choices and habits are very important and it looks at the effects of different foods on the body, not just the mineral, protein, vitamin etc content.
Some foodstuffs to avoid that could help reduce some symptoms, if you eat many of these, are sour fruits, apples, bananas, guava, grains such as millet, corn and buckwheat. Vegetables that are best not consumed in excess are potato, aubergine, tomatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, tamarind, pickles and winter squash. Yellow split peas (mung lentils) are preferable over red lentils, toor dal (also known as pigeon pea, a beige coloured lentil with yellow inside) and adzuki beans. It is also advisable to consume less milk, especially if it is not at is freshest, and sour cream as well as chicken, shrimp and fish.
Cutting down on the following can help with mental clarity. These are avocado, watermelon, plums, apricots, wheat, brown rice, mushrooms, garlic, onion and pumpkin. Bean types to try avoiding are urad dhal (black lentils), black beans and pinto beans. Dairy produce is renowned for its "heavy" quality and is therefore unhelpful. I would suggest avoiding hard, mature cheeses. Beef, lamb and pork are also advised against.
I hope you will find some of this guidance helpful. Thank you for taking the quiz.
Pitta type depression is considered to originate in the colon which results in those toxins entering the nervous system which in turn impacts on this and mental functioning. Understandably, following a pitta pacifying diet is a good first step (the Introduction to Ayurveda mini-course online can help you understand the principles of Ayurveda).
Fear of losing control, failure, committing mistakes are common with pitta type depression. As pitta is associated with the fire element and the concept of heat with that, feelings of anger are also typical in those experiencing this condition. Although mild pitta depression symptoms can be felt and often caused by circumstances such as disappointments occuring in life, being let down etc, this can be a very serious type of depression. Serious because it can involve suicidal thoughts (note, however, there is a difference between suicidal thoughts and "being" suicidal). Your doctor should be consulted.
Someone experiencing pitta symptoms can be almost addicted to high achievement and take it very badly when things don't go well. This can be a catalyst for depressed feelings in such a person. Such feelings may not be too long lasting, however.
Someone with this type of depression can be more prone to seasonal affective disorder which is essentially a mild form of depression. In modern scientific terms, this can be linked with the reduced hours of sunlight in winter months especially as sunlight activates serotonin production.
As with all Ayurvedic remedies, there are very specialist Ayurvedic herbs that can be used as well as commonly found or purchased natural remedies, in addition to small lifestyle changes that can make a big difference. Each tiny step you take becomes one more step until you arrive at your destination. Nothing happens overnight so don't put pressure on yourself or be self-critical: if you don't manage something on a given day or morning, for instance, it's fine!
Managing some symptoms
A topical solution is to rub a little coconut oil or sunflower oil on to the scalp or soles of the feet at bedtime. Coconut oil, in particular, is associated with cooling properties and hence counters the "heating" effect of "pitta" (this is explained in the Introduction to Ayurveda mini-course online which can be taken on-demand online or in a live workshop.
Brahmi is an Ayurvedic herb highly recommended for calming and mental clarity. It can be taken in herbal tablet form and easily obtainable (please ask where to get this if interested). Brahmi tea or ginkgo tea is recommended. If you consider yourself not a tea drinker, don't think of these as "teas". They are remedies to help you. People often consider medicines horrible to consume but know they must and they do so. Ginkgo tea can be bought in stores such as Holland and Barrett and popular High Street supermarkets also stock teas containing ginkgo. Specialist Ayurvedic herbal blends are also recommended so just ask if interested.
Natural nose drops are a fairly common practice for some conditions in Ayurveda including ghee oil for anxiety and related symptoms such as agitation, sesame oil to lubricate sinus passages etc and, as a support for pitta type depression, brahmi infused ghee oil nose drops twice daily on an empty stomach are recommended (this is, of course, a more specialist product).
Lifestyle/Other
Taking time, even 10 - 15 minutes a day (ideally twice a day) to just be still, sit quietly and simply breathe slowly and steadily will be helpful. So few people take real time for themselves, refusing to stop, convincing themselves they "have to" be "doing". The Breathing and Other Self-Help mini-course has very useful techniques for those who are new to this especially where agitation type symptoms are experienced as breath control is a key part of this.
Likewise, the Rethinking Responses mini course can be helpful in overcoming negative thought patterns, trauma, anxiety or stress triggers.These courses are available online so can be taken wherever and whenever you like. However, if you would like on-going support for any ailments or concerns that arise, you can get in touch via my main Therapy website.
In Ayurvedic therapy, digestion, food choices and habits are very important and it looks at the effects of different foods on the body, not just the mineral, protein, vitamin etc content.
Some foodstuffs to avoid that could help reduce some symptoms, if you eat many of these, are sour fruits, apples, bananas, guava, grains such as millet, corn and buckwheat. Vegetables that are best not consumed in excess are potato, aubergine, tomatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, tamarind, pickles and winter squash. Yellow split peas (mung lentils) are preferable over red lentils, toor dal (also known as pigeon pea, a beige coloured lentil with yellow inside) and adzuki beans. It is also advisable to consume less milk, especially if it is not at is freshest, and sour cream as well as chicken, shrimp and fish.
Cutting down on the following can help with mental clarity. These are avocado, watermelon, plums, apricots, wheat, brown rice, mushrooms, garlic, onion and pumpkin. Bean types to try avoiding are urad dhal (black lentils), black beans and pinto beans. Dairy produce is renowned for its "heavy" quality and is therefore unhelpful. I would suggest avoiding hard, mature cheeses. Beef, lamb and pork are also advised against.
I hope you will find some of this guidance helpful. Thank you for taking the quiz.
