Popping pills? You may be constantly distressed with acid eructation impinging your daily work life and might continuously be under medication, But are you on the right track? Ever thought of an alternative to these regular pops? Here are some quick and effective remedies; let’s check the Ayurvedic treatments for acidity.
What is hyperacidity?
Hyperacidity is the burning sensation in the stomach that slowly occurs in the esophagus and causes moderate-to-extreme discomfort, characterized by belching and acid reflux.
Certain foods could disturb the digestive mechanism, driving the excess secretion of stomach acid, and unfortunately, that might be your favourite ones.
A sedentary lifestyle and bad eating habits can lead to acidity.
Chronic acidity can also lead to heartburn, a lingering sensation in the chest.
Reasons for hyperacidity
Pinging on this, go and turn around all your daily habits; you will find significant relief!
- More spicy food like pickles, chutney, tamarind, red and green chili, onion, garlic
- Eating more junk food like Burgers, hot dogs, chaat, Chinese foods, etc.
- Waking up late at night
- Empty stomach intake of pain reliever pill
- Mental stress
- Staying empty stomach for longer
- Consumption of smoking, tobacco, alcohol, etc
- Consuming tea and coffee on an empty stomach
Symptoms of acidity
- Indigestion
- Burning sensation in stomach and throat
- Lack of desire to eat food
- Vomiting or nausea after eating
- Alternative constipation and diarrhoea
- Lack of appetite
Ayurvedic concept of acidity
In Ayurveda, acidity is often referred to as Amla Pitta ()Amla means sour) and Pitta. By its very name, we can see that an imbalance of Pitta Dosha causes this disorder.
The elements of Fire and Water govern the humor; these, in turn, control the digestive fire and stomach enzymes.
Ayurveda says high Pitta dosha and impaired Agni (digestive fire) are two primary reasons for acidity.
Ayurveda suggests various treatments, dietary modifications, and lifestyle changes to treat hyperacidity and help to get good digestion.
Ayurveda also recommends avoiding fermented foods and beverages to prevent acidity and other gastric issues.
This is also why people of Pitta body constitution (Pitta prakruti ) usually suffer from hyperacidity, heartburn, peptic ulcers, etc.
Factors that aggravate the Pitta dosha, like stress, anger, hot and spicy foods, and the scorching environment, can add to acidity.
While Pitta is usually the victim blamed for acid indigestion, the Kapha dosha too can be a significant factor that has its abode in the stomach and the chest region.
As Kapha dosha controls the digestive juices and generates mucus, indigestion that buds from low metabolism and mucus congestion are common in acid reflux.
You can identify mucus-rich acid reflux if you are feeling sluggishness.
A bitter taste in your mouth after your late-night meals and hunger pangs, chest congestion, especially in the morning, a heavily coated tongue, and a tendency to pile on weight are the symptoms of hyperacidity.
Risk factors and Complications
- You are more likely to get hyperacidity if you are:
- Obese
- Pregnant
- Underlying hiatus hernia
- NSAIDs like aspirin
- Caffeinated and carbonated drinks
- Smoking
- Fatty and junk foods
- Sleeping immediately after meals
Complications
Prolonged and untreated hyperacidity may lead to peptic and duodenal ulcers.
It also causes esophageal cancer, tooth decay, esophagitis, esophageal stricture, aspiration pneumonia, Barrett’s esophagus, etc.
Ayurvedic treatment for acidity
Internal medications are effective at the initial stages to pacify the aggravated doshas.
In Ayurveda, the treatment is done in two ways: samshamana and samshodhana. Samshodhana therapy includes panchakarma procedures such as Vamana(emetic therapy), which helps uproot sour belchings and associated symptoms. All these medicines should only be used after consulting the doctor.
A wide range of antacids is available in the market; use this as per the suggestion of your healthcare provider.
Some commonly used formulations are Avipathi churna, Laghu sutshekhar Ras, Kamdugdha ras, shankha bhasma, guluchyadi kashayam, etc.
Natural tips to prevent acidity
It involves lifestyle and diet modification, which synergistically work together to achieve the desired effect.
Lifestyle modifications:
- Stop falling off the bed immediately after eating.
- Exercise regularly
- One should walk a little after eating food.
- Get enough sleep. what to eat and drink.
- Take meals in a calm atmosphere at regular intervals.
- Practice Yoga and Pranayama such as Vajrasana, Bhujangasana, Salabhasana, Bhastrika Pranayama, Shitali Pranayama, and Shitkari Pranayama.
Diet modifications:
- Avoid tea, coffee, carbonated or alcoholic beverages, and aspirin-type drugs.
- Avoid processed and fermented foods.
- Avoid using garlic, ginger, onions, tomatoes, and vinegar.
- Also, avoid sour, salty, and spicy foods.
- Try to limit non-vegetarian food.
- Curd should be strictly avoided, especially during the nighttime.
- The diet should consist of bitter juices, wheat products, and porridge, consuming more honey and sugar.
- Consuming coloured vegetables gives many benefits as it will increase the alkalinity in your body.
- Consume raw coconut and its water, cucumber, etc.
- Eat light food like porridge and khichdi as meals.
- Cow’s milk, pomegranate juice, grapes, seasonal fennel, dry grapes, amla, figs, old rice, etc., should be consumed in abundance.
- Gulkand with milk is an excellent remedy to pacify your aggravated pitta dosha.
- Sweet substances like Mishri, Amla, Gulkand, Raisins, etc., should be used.
- Do not consume tea, coffee, alcohol, tobacco, or cold drinks.
- Do not stay empty stomach for long.
- Use milk regularly
- Drink one or two glasses of water on an empty stomach in the morning.
- Take roasted cumin and coriander seed powders and mix them with 50 grams of sugar. Take half a spoon three times daily to get rid of hyperacidity.
- Make a mixture of equal parts of rock candy (or unrefined sugar), fennel, and green cardamom. Whenever you feel heartburn, mix one teaspoon of the mixture in a glass of cold milk and have.
- Ensure to drink 100-500 ml of tender coconut water twice daily for hyperacidity relief. Mix equal parts of powdered fennel, liquorice root, basil leaves, and coriander seeds. Have ½ teaspoon of this mixture with ½ teaspoon of powdered rock candy (or unrefined sugar) 15 minutes before lunch and dinner.
Conclusion
A healthy lifestyle is essential to a healthy body.
Let’s conclude with some facts from ikigai, the Japanese secret to healthy living, which says
- Stay active, don’t retire.
- Take it slow
- Don’t fill your stomach.
- Surround yourself with good friends.
- Smile
- Reconnect with nature
- Give thanks
- Live in the moment
