SKIN FIX





It was ridiculously cold and dry last week, and I've been suffering from the dry, itchy skin ever since.

It's the type of itch that wakes you up at night. And keeps you up.

Yesterday, while flipping through satellite radio channels, I came across an MD fielding a call about this condition.

He did not recommend taking long, hot Epsom salt baths (which is what I do most nights).

He did not recommend using lotion. Or ayurvedic soap.

Instead, he suggested taking a very short shower with lukewarm water, and not using soap at all.

I'm going to try it.... once all the yoga clothes hanging on the shower rod are dry.

Interestingly, the book I'm reading suggests that Pitta Dosha not indulge in hot baths, either. Instead, the water should be lukewarm. And mixed with condensed milk.

(Those with a Pitta imbalance should also take walks in the cooling moonlight - not the heating sunlight - and sniff rose oil [no wonder I've been loving the gulab incense lately]).

Change is in the air.







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CHARACTERISTICS OF PITTA TYPE
(from this excellent website, where you can look up your own dosha or body type).


-Medium physique, strong, well-built
-Sharp mind, good concentration powers
-Orderly, focused
-Assertive, self-confident, and entrepreneurial at their best; aggressive, demanding, pushy when out of balance
-Competitive, enjoy challenges
-Passionate and romantic; sexually have more vigor and endurance than Vatas, but less than Kaphas
-Strong digestion, strong appetite; get irritated if they have to miss or wait for a meal
-Like to be in command
-When under stress, Pittas become irritated and angry
-Skin fair or reddish, often with freckles; sunburns easily
-Hair usually fine and straight, tending toward blond or red, typically turns gray early; tendency toward baldness or thinning hair
-Uncomfortable in sun or hot weather; heat makes them very tired
-Perspire a lot
-Others may find them stubborn, pushy, opinionated
-Good public speakers; also capable of sharp, sarcastic, cutting speech
-Generally good management and leadership ability, but can become authoritarian
-Like to spend money, surround themselves with beautiful objects
-Subject to temper tantrums, impatience, and anger
-Typical physical problems include rashes or inflammations of the skin, acne, boils, skin cancer, ulcers, heartburn, acid stomach, hot sensations in the stomach or intestines, insomnia, bloodshot or burning eyes and other vision problems, anemia, jaundice.




SIGNS OF PITTA AGGRAVATION:

-Angry, Irritable
-Hostile, Enraged, Destructive
-Impatient
-Critical of self and others
-Argumentative, Aggressive
-Bossy, controlling
-Frustrated, Willful, Reckless
-Acidity, heartburn, Stomach ulcer
-Fitful sleep, Disturbing dreams
-Diarrhea, Food allergies
-Bad breath, Sour body odor
-Very sensitive to heat, Hot flashes
-Skin rashes
-Boils
-Bloodshot eyes
-Acne
-Weakness due to low blood sugar
-Fevers, Night sweats
-Gets into fight with bank teller