With digestive disorders plaguing much of the population, it is no great surprise that a large portion of conventional healthcare is devoted to gut health. However, this too has failed to result in any lasting solution.
In fact, more often than not, the associated discomfort and even embarrassment of digestive diseases causes many to fail to address the issue leading to even more serious complications.
Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be this way. Ayurveda provides a pathway to perfect gut health through an impressive combination of herbal remedies, therapies, and lifestyle modifications.
Digestion and Ayurveda
Being the ultimate holistic system of healing, Ayurveda focuses on the health of the mind, body, and spirit. This means that it not only treats the symptoms of an illness, but also its underlying cause, all while promoting overall wellbeing.
Ayurveda views the digestive process primarily in terms of Agni (fire or digestive power), which is essentially the root of all metabolic functions. When an individual’s Agni is weakened, they become prone to digestive issues and ill health. This Agni must therefore be nourished, strengthened, and balanced to ensure good health.
As a result, Ayurvedic remedies for treating digestive disorders primarily focus on correcting the Agni and restoring normal digestive function.
Ayurvedic remedies and therapies for digestive health
In order to treat and resolve digestive disorders, it is important to identify all the factors that could contribute towards poor gut health and a weakened digestive fire. According to Ayurvedic medicine, some of the causes of digestive problems include:
- Poor dietary choices
- Imbalanced or aggravated doshas
- Seasonal influences
- Emotional stressors
- Build-up of ama
Therefore, in order to effectively treat digestive diseases, Ayurvedic medicine encompasses different remedies, therapies, and lifestyle changes to provide a route towards optimal health and wellbeing.
These include:
Herbal remedies
Ayurveda offers several herbal remedies for common digestive problems. Some of the most popular and commonly used herbs are:
- Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Ginger is a versatile herb known for its digestive benefits. It helps stimulate digestion, reduces gas and bloating, and relieves nausea. Ginger can be consumed as a tea, added to meals, or even taken in the form of ginger capsules.
- Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
Peppermint has carminative properties that help alleviate gas, bloating, and indigestion. It also relaxes the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, promoting smoother digestion. Peppermint tea or oil can be used for relief.
- Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
Fennel seeds have been traditionally used to improve digestion. They aid in reducing bloating, flatulence, and abdominal discomfort. Chewing on fennel seeds or drinking fennel tea can be beneficial.
- Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
Coriander seeds are known for their digestive properties. They help improve digestion, alleviate gas, and soothe an upset stomach. Coriander seeds can be crushed and steeped in hot water to make a tea.
Triphala is a traditional Ayurvedic herbal formula consisting of three fruits: Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula). It is commonly used to support overall digestive health, regulate bowel movements, and cleanse the gastrointestinal tract.
- Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis)
Aloe vera gel has soothing and cooling properties that can help reduce inflammation in the digestive tract. It is beneficial for conditions such as acidity, heartburn, and gastritis. Aloe vera juice or gel can be consumed orally.
- Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Licorice root has anti-inflammatory properties and supports a healthy digestive system. It can help relieve acidity, heartburn, and stomach ulcers. Licorice tea or chewable licorice tablets can be used.
While mostly safe, it is equally important to acknowledge that herbal remedies may not be suitable for everyone and can interact with certain medications or medical conditions. Therefore, consultation with a licensed Ayurvedic practitioner or healthcare professional is always recommended before incorporating herbal remedies into your routine.
Diet
Naturally, a large part of gut health is dependent on the food consumed. This is where the Ayurvedic diet and Ayurvedic way of life come into play.
The Ayurvedic diet focuses on an individual’s unique constitution or dosha; this makes it an ideal system to form a customised diet and treatment plan for each individual’s specific ailment.
According to Ayurveda, there are three primary doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each dosha is associated with specific qualities and elements, and an imbalance in these doshas is believed to contribute to illness. The Ayurvedic diet aims to balance the doshas by recommending specific foods and eating habits.
For example:
- Vata Dosha: People with a dominant Vata dosha tend to be creative, energetic, and prone to anxiety. To balance Vata, the diet should include warm, cooked foods, such as soups, stews, and cooked grains. Foods that are grounding, nourishing, and moist are recommended. Avoiding cold and raw foods, as well as excessive caffeine and dry foods, is beneficial for Vata individuals.
- Pitta Dosha: Pitta-dominant individuals are typically intense, focused, and ambitious. To balance Pitta, the diet should include cooling and calming foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, and moderate amounts of whole grains. Spicy and oily foods should be limited, as they can aggravate Pitta.
- Kapha Dosha: Kapha-dominant individuals tend to have a stable and nurturing nature but can be prone to sluggishness and weight gain. To balance Kapha, the diet should include light and warming foods, such as steamed vegetables, legumes, and small amounts of healthy fats. Reducing the intake of heavy, oily, and sweet foods is recommended for Kapha individuals.
In addition to the specific recommendations for each dosha, an Ayurvedic diet also emphasizes mindful eating, consuming freshly prepared meals, and avoiding processed and artificial foods. It promotes the use of herbs, spices, and herbal teas for their healing properties and encourages eating in a calm and peaceful environment.
Lifestyle
Along with diet and eating habits, lifestyle factors too, can play a significant role in the prevention and management of digestive disorders. These factors include:
Regular exercise promotes healthy digestion by stimulating the muscles of the digestive tract, improving bowel regularity, and preventing constipation.
Stress and anxiety can have an immense impact on the health of the digestive system, and may even result in conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acid reflux, and ulcers. Therefore, practicing stress management techniques like meditation can help support digestive health.
Sleep plays a crucial role in supporting digestion; whereas poor and inadequate sleep can disrupt the digestive process.
Adequate, good quality sleep helps by:
- Regulating the production and release of various hormones involved in digestion
- Regulating gut motility
- Influencing the composition of gut microbiota
- Alleviating the symptoms of heartburn and acid reflux
- Limiting alcohol consumption
Excessive alcohol consumption can irritate the digestive system leading to conditions such as gastritis, peptic ulcers, and liver disease. Limiting alcohol consumption is therefore an easy way to promote gut health.
Massages and Treatments
Ayurvedic massages and treatments work holistically by targeting various aspects of the body and mind. By promoting relaxation, reducing stress, improving circulation, and supporting the balance of doshas, they can help optimize digestion and alleviate digestive disorders.
Some Ayurvedic therapies commonly used to support digestion include:
Abhyanga is a full-body massage with warm herbal oils. This Ayurvedic massage technique helps relax the body, calm the nervous system, and improve circulation. By reducing stress and tension, Abhyanga can indirectly support digestion, as stress can negatively impact digestive function. The use of specific oils in Abhyanga can be tailored to an individual’s dosha imbalance, further promoting balance in the body.
Pizhichil is a unique Ayurvedic therapy that involves squeezing warm herbal oils over the body while receiving a gentle massage. This treatment helps improve blood circulation, relieve muscle tension, and promote relaxation. Pizhichil can have a soothing effect on the nervous system, which indirectly benefits digestion by reducing stress and anxiety-related digestive issues.
Udvartana is a massage using an herbal powder or paste, often mixed with oils. This therapy involves vigorous strokes that stimulate the lymphatic system, enhance circulation, and exfoliate the skin. Udvartana can help improve digestion by increasing metabolic activity, reducing ama (toxic waste) accumulation, and promoting detoxification.
Nasya is a treatment focused on the nasal passages. Ayurvedic herbal oils or medicated powders are administered through the nostrils to help alleviate congestion, balance the doshas, and promote overall well-being. Nasya therapy may help address digestive issues that are related to excess mucus or Kapha imbalance.
Panchakarma is a comprehensive Ayurvedic detoxification and rejuvenation program. It involves a series of therapies, including oil massages, steam treatments, herbal enemas, and dietary adjustments. Panchakarma is designed to eliminate toxins (ama) from the body, balance the doshas, and enhance overall health, including digestive health.
It is not really a secret at all.
But, in fact, a carefully formulated recipe of therapies, lifestyle changes, dietary recommendations, and herbal remedies; through which it is possible to not only attain optimum digestive health, but also to prevent common digestive ailments and disorders.
It is therefore no wonder that Ayurveda has become the go-to for so many seeking relief, restoration, healing and nourishment. After all, it is the ideal way to simultaneously promote the wellbeing of the mind and the body.
For a more comprehensive understanding of the best ways to cure and treat digestive disorders using Ayurvedic medicine, visit The Ayurvedic Clinic. Our panel of experienced consultants can guide you towards the most natural and holistic practices that help you achieve perfect gut health along with physical, mental, and spiritual rejuvenation.