Acidity as per Ayurveda
Our stomach reduces hydrochloric acid to digest the food that we eat. Whenever we eat food the cells within the lining of the stomach pump the acid to liquify all the elements of the food.
Problems occur when this cells produce large amounts of acid more than your stomach needs. When this happens you will suffer from stomach acidity. You would know if you were suffering from stomach acidity if you feel a burning sensation just about the stomach or right below your breastbone this is the most classic sign of acidity.
According to Ayurveda acid reflux is caused when the heat energy within our cells known as the Pitta becomes imbalanced. Pitta is located in the stomach and is symbolized as a sharp intense hot and acidic energy.
When an individual consumes Pitta aggravating foods like vinegar, citrus juices tomatoes, chilies, onions, garlic, alcohol, fried foods it leads to heartburn, stress, irregular eating patterns. Sleep deprivation and taking painkillers as well as antibiotics also increases production of heat toxins which leads to heartburn or acidity.
In Ayurveda, acidity is referred to as Amla Pitta. By its very name we can see that this disorder is caused by an imbalance of Pitta Dosha. Pitta Dosha is governed by the elements of fire and water this in turn go on the digestive fire and stomach enzymes.
This is also the reason why people of Pitta Constitution tend to suffer from hyperacidity peptic ulcers and heartburn. Things that aggravate the Pitta Dosha can also bring on about of acidity.
While Pitta is usually the one blamed for acid indigestion, the Kapha Dosha has its seat in the stomach and the chest. Because Kapha controls the digestive juices and generates mucus, indigestion that stems from weak metabolism and mucus congestion are common patterns in acid reflux.
You can identify a coffee acid reflux if you have a feeling of sluggishness, feel a bitter taste in your mouth after late night meals, a heavily coated tongue and a tendency tendency to pile on weight.
Causes for acidity
- Intake of excessive quantity of spicy and oily substances
- Looking access carbonated drinks tea and coffee
- Irregular and improper eating habits
- Psychological issues such as anger depression and anxiety
- intake of high fat contents such as chocolate
- Improper salivation in the mouth
- In excess intake of alcohol
- Lack Of physical activities and exercises
- Improper sleep
- Hyperthyroidism
- Being overweight or obese
- If you are overweight or obese the added pressure on your abdomen and stomach can cause the acid in your stomach to travel up the esophagus causing acidity and heartburn.
- Eating large meals or lying down right after a meal
- Being snacking close to bedtime
- Eating certain foods such as citrus tomato chocolate mint garlic onion spicy and fatty foods
- A diet low in dietary fiber.
Bad lifestyle habits and bad habits such as smoking lying down immediately after meals and eating close to bedtime are also common reasons for acidity and heart burn.
Medications if your frequently take aspirin, ibuprofen or certain sedatives you might experience heartburn and acidity.
Medications including drugs for asthma, antihistamines, antidepressants are also risk factors for acid reflux.
Common symptoms of acidity includes
- Nausea or a want to throw up after every meal.
- Dysphagia all the feeling of food being stuck in the throat.
- Regurgitation or a sour tasting acid that backs up in your throat
- Feeling bloated or feeling full no matter how much or little food you consume.
- Heart burn, a constant burning feeling that moves from the abdomen to the chest
- Loss of appetite
- Belchings
- Vomiting
How to avoid hyperacidity in daily life
- Avoid food which increases acid secretion. Pitta is the heat energy within every cell but it is mainly located in the stomach area. Excess intake of heat producing foods can mean that the digestive tract overreacts with an increase in acid production.
- Pitta aggravating foods such as vinegar, tomatoes, sour citrus fruits, orange juice, salsa, yogurt, onions, garlic, chili peppers, salty fried foods and alcohol. All aggravate indigestion when too much acid is present. This foods should be completely avoided until the acid level is brought into complete balance and if there is sensitivity to this food they should be avoided in general.
- Avoid eating too fast. If you eat your meal faster than there are high chances of indigestion as well as hyperacidity.
- Don't skip breakfast or don't skip meals. It is important to not skip meals if you suffer from acid in digestion.
- Eating breakfast is specially crucial. Even if you are not specially hungry in the morning. It is important to at least take something light like fruit warm milk or dates.
- Skipping breakfast has the effect of aggravating a sub-dosha of Pitta called the Sadhaka Pitta which governs the emotional heart. It is responsible for contentment and Bliss.
- Avoid stress. Try to avoid stress situations and practice stress management techniques like meditation and pranayama. Enjoy natural beauty the natural beauty helps to balance the Sadhaka Pitta and reduces stress.
- Eat food that alleviate Pitta.
- Eating Sweet bitter and astringent food alleviates excess Pitta. So it is beneficial to eat bitter gourd, pomegranate, milk etc. Cow's milk and ghee also neutralize excess Pitta.
- Pomegranate juice and pomegranate chutney also help to balance the acid in the stomach. It tastes sour but is actually both astringent and bitter which help balance pitta.
Ayurveda home remedies for acidity
Ayurveda is safe and it provides a natural way to heal acidity there are some of the Ayurvedic remedies for acidity problems. This home remedies are easily available and very effective and gives you relief instantly.
1. Bananas: The potassium in bananas is an excellent antidote to acidity. Eating a ripe banana can provide you relief from the discomforting symptoms of acidity.
Due to the high fiber content bananas helps strengthen your digestive system. It also lowers the pH levels in the body. The soluble fiber in banana pushes the food to move through your digestive tract.
How to use banana:
Eat one or two ripe bananas in the day as a snack.
Banana pancakes make a great breakfast..
Add banana to a bowl of mixed fruit salad.
Make a banana smoothie with cold milk and jaggery.
2. Milk: The calcium in milk bars acid buildup and absorbs the extra acid produced for best results drink cold milk to ease your discomfort
Banana pancakes make a great breakfast..
Add banana to a bowl of mixed fruit salad.
Make a banana smoothie with cold milk and jaggery.
2. Milk: The calcium in milk bars acid buildup and absorbs the extra acid produced for best results drink cold milk to ease your discomfort
3. Mint leaves : Effective medicine for gas and acidity suggested in Ayurveda. Mint reduces acid production and cools the burning sensation in your stomach.
Chop and boil some mint leaves then drink the cool solution for relief.
4. Basil leaves or Tulsi: The holy basil leaves have soothing and carminative properties. This brings instant relief from acidity. The leaves stimulate our stomach to produce mucus which helps relieve heartburn.
Bessie leaves also soothes inflamed stomach lining caused by excessive stomach acid. Basil exhibits anti ulcer properties which curbs gastric acids and flatulence.
Just chew three to four basil leaves everyday
You can also prepare hot tea by dipping three to four basil leaves in a cup of boiling water. Simmer it for a few minutes and sip it hot.
Also add a few basil leaves to your black tea.
This are the ways in which you can consume the basil leaves to get relief from acidity.
5. Fennel seeds: Fennel seeds contain a compound called anethole that soothes the stomach lining. It helps prevent stomach acidity spasms and flatulence.
Fennel seeds are best cure for indigestion in pregnant women.
Store baked fennel seeds in a jar and chew 1x4 tsp after every meal. You can also soak some fennel seeds in water and drink up the water.
Prepare fennel seed tea by soaking it in hot water. It is very effective in treating in digestion and bloating.
6. Buttermilk: Buttermilk contains lactic acid that neutralizes the acid in the stomach. This brings immediate relief to the symptoms of acidity. The lactic acid further cause the stomach lining comes irritation and cures acid reflux.
Buttermilk is also a great probiotic. The bacteria present in buttermilk prevents gas and bloating. It boosts digestion absorption and proper elimination.
Sprinkle a dash of black pepper and a teaspoon of coriander leaves to enhance the effects of buttermilk. You can also add carom seeds or other spices to enhance the taste. Make buttermilk a constant in your meals and never see the face of acidity.
7. Cumin seeds: It is alkaline in nature cools down the aggravated doshas and cure hyperacidity. Cumin seeds help in enzymatic secretions that boosts digestion. Since ancient times cumin has served as a cure for stomach pain and indigestion. Regular consumption of Cumin relieves diarrhea, nausea, flatulence and other problems of the tummy.
Cumin water is an amazing cure to acidity and bloating. Cumin acts as a natural painkiller that eases the discomfort and pain in the abdomen caused by gas.
Crush some roasted cumin seeds and add to water stir and drink it.
And a teaspoon of cumin seeds to a cup of boiled water and drink it after a meal.
You can also add crushed cumin seeds to your buttermilk.
8. Jaggery: Jaggery is rich in magnesium which helps in digestion by boosting the intestinal strength and reducing stomach acidity. This reduces acid refluxes and bloating.
Jaggery also helps in correcting the loss of appetite. This reduces the chances of long gaps between the meals. Thus bringing down the instances of indigestion and stomach problems.
Choose a small piece of jaggery after a meal to curb acidity.
You can also make a drink of jaggery by soaking a piece of jaggery in cold water and drink the water when the jaggery dissolves completely.
9. Milk and sugar: This is one of the most powerful anti acid remedy. All you need is half a glass of cold milk with a spoon or two of sugar dissolved in it.
10. Papayas: Eating papayas can keep you safe from acidity as it contains the papain enzyme types in improving digestion. It's fiber content also clears the stomach of toxins.
11. Coconut water : Coconut water is rich in fiber and great for detoxification of the body. It can also help with smooth bowel movements.
12: Ginger: Ginger is a medicinal spice that can reduce gas and offer relief from acidity.
Chew some carom seeds after your meals for smooth digestion.
13. Almonds: Soak and peeled almonds is a natural home remedy for ulcer heartburn and acidity. But remember to soak and peel it.
Lifestyle changes to prevent acidity
Chew your food properly and eat mindfully. Move walk or exercise at least 20 minutes a day. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water every day hydrate and keep the toxins flushed.
Eat portions of food at regular intervals
Practice yoga and pranayama
Avoid wearing tight clothes while eating or sleeping and don't wear them for too long.
Fasting two gastritis patients might have hunger disturbances they should avoid fasting or delaying of meals.
Avoid stress and anger which imbalances Pitta and thereby worsens acidity.
Avoid spicy food chili sesame seeds, black gram, horse gram, mustard oil, curd and foods that are heavy to digest are to be avoided.
This is how Ayurveda helps in getting relief from Acidity.