The ayurveda related text describes the Ahaar as one of the three building blocks for the health of a person. The basics of digestive health’s can be better understood in the light of the ahaar concept of the ayurveda. There are several rules that are to be strictly followed for the maintenance of the digestive health. The ahaar or diet concept is very much important in ayurveda, as there are various medicaments that are based upon the dietary management of diseases.
We can easily find certain digestive management procedures for the treatment of various diseases. The concept of disease specific diet and the dietary management is followed from a long time.
The most common of all the digestive physiological disorder is indigestion it is known as ajeerna in ayurveda related text. This is the condition of improper digestion that can happen due to different reasons. Generally it occurs due to following reasons-
- The improper formation of aama (digestive juice),
- The malfunction of pitta dosha,
- The aggravated conditions of vata, and
- Due to the overeating.
The over eating, heavy foods, excess of water intake after food, excess oily foods, eating stale and chilled food, the use of carbonated drinks as well as the sweet dishes after food generally causes the indigestion. The ayurveda related text describes it as the position in which the food remains undigested due to the weakness of digestive fire (digestive metabolism disturbances).
The food after being chewed is converted into chyle that is termed as Ama rasa in the ayurveda text. This chyle is than acted upon by the various digestive stimulants and metabolic enzymes causing it to digest. This is called as the ‘Jathar Agni’. This process when interrupted by the above causes results in the indigestion. This condition is called as ‘mandagni’. At certain times this can be because of the anatomical abnormalities of esophagus, stomach or small intestine. The hyperacidity conditions can be the reason for the indigestion.
In ayurveda the treatment for the indigestion is as per the condition of the dosha as well as the condition of the patients. Normally for the treatment of the indigestion it is advised to do fasting. The fasting helps in the digestion of the excess of amarasa and the indigestion is removed.
By fasting the digestive system is relaxed and the digestive metabolism id regulated. One important tip for the patients suffering from indigestion is use of the hot water. It is called as ushnapaan. The use of hot water is very much useful in the treatment of indigestion. The hot water is said to be having the property of aamapachaan.
Besides these there are certain category of herbs that are used for the treatment of indigestion. These are known as deepan (digestive) and pachaan (appetizer). Some of these herbs are pipernigrum, piper longum, cloves, cayenne, ginger, cinamom, asafetida, garlic, turmeric, cardamom and more.
Apart from these there are medicinal preparation of several types that are used for the purpose of treating the indigestion like the asaava, arishta, vati, and lots more. For treating indigestion the use of various kshaar is also useful. The most important factor for the regulation of the indigestion and related disorder is to take proper sleep. The gap, between meals must be so much that the first meal is digested. The diet should be so planned that it is to be started by the sweet rasa and the stomach must be filled up to half by the solid part and the half of the rest part must be filled by liquids and the rest quartet part must be left for the circulation of the vata and entities. This is described in the ayurvedic text. Along with this the use of several postures from yoga are very much beneficial in treating indigestion.
Thus the use of simple herbs or herb based combinations and other medicines and yoga practices can definitely be of use for you to fight indigestion. The ‘vajrasana’ postures is supposed to be the most effective the cases of indigestion. It is the only posture that is done after meals. So follow these simple tips and be fit and fine.
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