For years together, Ayurvedic scholars have maintained that agnimandya, or indigestion, is the principal cause of several diseases. Any impairment of agni (a fundamental bodily bio-element) causes amlapitta.
In traditional Ayurvedic terms, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), heartburn, or acidity is known as ‘urdhvaga amlapitta’ (symptoms manifested in the upper gastrointestinal tract) or ‘adhoga amlapitta’ (symptoms manifested in the lower gastrointestinal tract). It affects millions of people across the globe. Medically, acidity occurs when gastric juices from the stomach are pushed to the lower part of the esophagus. Although a simple condition, it leads to severe discomfort for the individual.
By its very name, acidity stems from the imbalance of the Pitta dosha (governed by the biological elements of fire and water). Ayurveda, considered one of the most ancient scientific and holistic approaches to life, provides innumerable remedies for this condition. After all, it's all about balancing the body, mind, and spirit. But first, let us understand the causes and symptoms of acidity.
When two doshas (Vata and Pitta) are predominant in your prakriti (your unique, natural dosha balance), a dynamic dance takes place within your body, owing to your lifestyle factors, the change of seasons, and external influences.
According to studies, the combination of these two doshas reduces jatharagni – the bioenergy, ‘digestive fire’, or agni present in the stomach and duodenum. This is responsible for digestion. However, reduced jatharagni leads to food remaining vidagdha or undigested. Eventually, the food becomes acidified, thus resulting in amlapitta.
Some of the fundamental features of amlapitta or acidity are:
The most common causes of acidity are as follows:
According to Ayurveda, agni, the ‘digestive fire’, is the gatekeeper of good health. What you eat nourishes the fire in your digestive system. The volume and strength of the stomach acid, digestive enzymes, and bile (in the GI tract) constitute agni. It transforms the food that you consume in your body into the building blocks of sustenance and energy you require to thrive and be fully functional. Any imbalance in your metabolic health leads to an impaired agni, thus resulting in acidity or gas.
Some of the most frequently encountered symptoms of acidity or acid reflux are:
Ayurveda focuses on balancing the doshas in the body – the Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Pitta, derived from the word ‘tapa’ or ‘heat’, drives metabolism in the body. It regulates the body temperature and aids digestion. An aggravated Pitta disallows agni from digesting food appropriately, resulting in the build of ama (toxins). Further, lifestyle choices such as consumption of junk food or stress and even lifestyle disorders result in acidity.
If you constantly get bouts of acidity or gas, it is essential to focus on balancing the Pitta dosha in the body. Here are some natural Ayurvedic remedies that could help you:
Cooling carrier oils such as coconut, olive, or sunflower oil are ideal.
Learn more about Pitta dosha: Pitta Dosha Symptoms | 10 Ingredients to Cool Pitta | Pitta Diet: Everything You Need To Know
Besides incorporating these natural Ayurvedic products into your diet, you must remember a few do’s and don’ts to reduce acidity. These are purely based on Ayurvedic principles that will help you calm your Pitta dosha.
Do remember that any natural treatment of acidity takes time and effort from your end. You must focus on pacifying the aggravated Pitta in your body.
Besides adding these Ayurvedic remedies to your daily routine, you can also practice yoga and pranayam to maintain harmony in your body by balancing your doshas.
Don’t know your dosha yet? Click here, participate in a quick 3-minute quiz, and you are good to go!
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