Contributed by: Healthians Team
Introduction
People are becoming health-conscious, but in the quest for reaching their fitness goals, they tend to either follow some random diet or are imitating the lifestyle of other healthy people.
Some people are even adhering to the diet instructions available on the internet without any knowledge of the Prakruti of their body and the diet they require.
As a result, they suffer from digestion problems even after following a well-balanced diet & lifestyle.
According to the principles of Ayurveda, the digestive tract is the master system of the body. In this blog, we will discuss the science behind this traditional Indian medicine, and the reasons you should consider Ayurveda for the treatment of digestive problems.
Overview of the digestive system
Let’s first understand the human digestive system in simple words. The digestive system performs a complex process in the human body.
This process includes breaking down the large insoluble food particles into water-soluble food molecules and turning the food particles into nutrients so that they can be absorbed through the small intestine into the bloodstream.
Common digestive problems
We all encounter occasional digestive disorders in our day-to-day life such as upset stomach, heartburn, nausea, gas, constipation, acidity, diarrhoea, etc. These are common problems that can be easily addressed at home. However, there are several other complications in the digestive tract, that call for medical intervention. These include:
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Gallstones
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Spastic colon
- Appendicitis
- Bowel obstruction
- Celiac disease
- Peptic ulcer
- Stomach flu
- Crohn’s disease
Causes of digestive disorders
These digestive disorders can be caused by many factors that include:
- Poor or bad dietary habits
- A sedentary lifestyle
- A weak immune system due to stress
- Overeating or skipping meals
- Frequent snacking
- Lack of sleep
- Non-seasonal food intake
- Intake of incompatible foods
- An underlying infection
Ayurvedic understanding of digestive issues
The digestive aspects are referred to as Agni in Ayurveda. Food must be well digested in order to achieve optimal absorption.
Only a healthy Agni allows for the removal of accumulated toxins and undigested waste from your system. For the Agni to be healthy, the doshas (functional components of the body) have to be in equilibrium.
Ayurvedic management of digestive issues
Ayurveda is especially good when it comes to digestive disorders as all-natural treatments help to correct root causes of digestive ailments.
List of some highly effective Ayurvedic digestive formulations:
| Sl. No. | Contents of the formulation | Action |
| 1 | Arjuna, Ashwagandha, Shatavari | Proper digestion, control the cholesterol levels and maintain blood pressure |
| 2 | Ashwagandha, Boswelia, Turmeric, Ginger | Proper digestion and inflammation |
| 3 | Ginger, Clove, Fennel, Black piper | Proper digestion |
| 4 | Sitophaladi, Triphala, Trikatu and Mahasudarsan | Proper digestion and strengthen the immune system |
| 5 | Guggulu, Haritaki | Proper digestion and reduce joint pain |
| 6 | Turmeric, Guggulu, Triphala | Vascular support and digestion |
| 7 | Kalmegh, Amlaki, Bohera, Black piper | Rejuvenative the gastrointestinal tract |
| 8 | Neem, Ashwagandha, Fennel | Proper digestion and dysentery |
| 9 | Biranga, Haritaki, Chritaka, Pudina | Proper digestion |
| 10 | Senna, Amlaki, Aloe, Clove | Bowel regulator and relief from constipation |
A holistic approach to health
If you are suffering from digestion disorders frequently, then it’s recommended to consult a good Ayurvedic physician.
This is because Ayurveda aims to find the root cause of it rather than suppressing the issue for instant relief that can prove to be unhealthy in the long run.
Ayurvedic treatment has no side effects as these all-natural medicines are prepared by the essence of flowers, fruits, spices, vegetables and natural herbs. These natural ingredients help in curing diseases without causing any other problems.
The treatment may be slow but are very effective with no side effects. It helps in decontaminating and cleansing our bodies.
Ayurveda and yogic practices
When Ayurveda is discussed, then Yoga cannot be left untouched. Ayurveda and Yoga are sister sciences and run-in parallel lines.
The healthy shape of internal glands and tissues determines the health of the body, by excretion of waste matter from the body and the elasticity of the muscles.
Yoga asanas allow the internal organs to stretch in a specific way that they receive a unique massage, hence encouraging better performance.
For example, by performing the upside-down posture, the movement of the bowel improves and constipation is cured. The stomach muscle comes in proper shape, flattening, strengthening, and eliminating a protruding belly.
This yoga asana promotes the excretion of the waste matter from the body which massages and activates internal muscles for peristaltic activity and it also keeps internal organs in their proper places in the abdominal cavity.
Final thoughts
Ayurveda accompanied with Yogasana are the perfect solution to digestive problems. Ayurveda is a cost-effective and efficacious science. The medicines are readily available in our kitchen in form of herbs and spices.
It concentrates on the root of the problem and provides a permanent solution. It is not only the prevention but also the cure.
