Ayurvedic Solutions for Indigestion

by Kottakkal Support March 15, 2024

Ayurveda considers healthy digestion as the most important factor for health and longevity. Healthy digestion creates a healthy life and weak digestion creates an unhealthy life. Healthy digestion ensures your body is assimilating the nutrients you are taking in through the foods you eat. The saying “You are what you eat,” is quite literal in this sense. Nutrients that are properly assimilated become your physical body and when digestion is weak, your physical body becomes weak and prone to illnesses.

Did you know that digestion starts from the moment you start thinking it is time to eat! And when you are cooking, the aroma from your food signals the secretion of saliva and digestive enzymes to start digesting. People who regularly cook healthy meals have the best digestion. Also, the action of chewing food secretes saliva that signals digestive enzymes to start working.

Teeth are an integral part of digestion, and it is important to have healthy, strong teeth. The ability to fully chew food is subjected to the condition of the teeth. Deteriorated dental health affects the mechanical part of digestion and over time can lead to nutritional deficiencies.

Unhealthy Eating Habits and Ama

When we regularly skip the process of cooking and order takeout food and eat on the go this weakens digestion. Weak digestion causes indigestion, acidity, and malabsorption of nutrients. This leads to the formation of improperly digested food substance that Ayurveda calls ama. Ama is a sticky substance that accumulates via weak digestion, clogs the bodies channels, and impairs metabolic functions. Ayurveda recognizes ama as a major cause for symptoms of illness.

Ama accumulates in the gut and affects the mucosal lining or “skin” of the digestive system. The mucus lining has an essential role in protecting the body from harmful substances. If the mucosal lining loses its integrity then a condition known as malabsorption can develop. The health of your digestive system determines your overall health, which includes strength, immunity, and longevity.

Indigestion Causes Multiple Disorders

Hyperacidity is a chronic digestive disorder where there is a reflux of digestive juices which causes an acidic sour taste in the throat. This happens due to weak digestion and the lower esophageal sphincter, a valve controlling the one-way flow of food to the stomach. This weakness causes acidic burning, regurgitation of food in the throat, nausea, and vomiting.

•  Sour taste in mouth
• Burning or pain in the chest
• Regurgitation of food into the throat
• Difficulty swallowing
• Dry cough, hoarse throat
• Sensation of a lump in your throat
• Belching
• Constipation

Malabsorption is inflammation caused by ama in the gut that overtime can cause nutritional deficiencies. The presence of ama is what triggers many complex pathological conditions. Due to circulating bodily fluids, ama is distributed throughout the body and impairs the balance of homeostasis. This can lead to the formation of many symptoms and disorders.

•  Impaired taste or smell
• Excess saliva in the mouth and throat
• Chronic loose stool from lack of bile
• Food intolerances
• Anemia, low energy, low blood pressure
• Electrolyte depletion, muscle cramps, headache

Nutritional deficiency occurs when the body is not getting enough nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. There are a number of conditions that are caused by nutritional deficiency such as anemia. The body requires vitamins to stay healthy and function properly. 

• Peripheral neuropathy: B12 and thiamine deficiency
• Dermatitis: Vitamin A, zinc, essential fatty acid deficiency
• Night blindness: Vitamin A deficiency
• Bleeding: Vitamin K deficiency
• Anemia: iron, folic acid, vitamin B12 deficiency
• Tinnitus: associated with anemia due to iron, folic acid, B12 deficiency
• Inflamed tongue, sore mouth: iron, B12, folic acid and Vitamin A deficiency
• Increased appetite: body signals negative feedback looking for nutrients
• Deficient monthly cycle: protein deficiency
• Muscle spasms, burning, pricking sensation: calcium, magnesium deficiency

Herbal Support for Healthy Digestion

• Jiraka Arishtam balances both vata and pitta dosha, the main herb jiraka helps support healthy digestion, increase appetite, and eases gas, bloating and heaviness in the gut.
• Chitraka Asavam balances both vata and kapha dosha, the main herb chitraka kindles digestive fire and digests ama, eases gas, bloating and heaviness in the gut. 
• Musta Arishtam balances both kapha and pitta dosha, the main herb musta helps ease gas, bloating and heaviness in the gut, kindles digestive fire and digests ama.
• Pippalya Asavam balances both vata and kapha dosha, the main herb pippali helps improve appetite and digestion, eases gas, bloating and heaviness, and removes ama from the gut. 
• Vilwadi Gulika balances all three doshas and the main herb vilva helps remove ama from the gut, supports healthy digestion by calming gas, bloating, and other issues related to digestion.
• Hinguvachadi Churnam balances pitta and kapha dosha, the main herb hing supports digestive strength, calms gas, bloating, and eases abdominal pain.
• Hingwadi Gulika balances both vata and pitta dosha, the main herb hing helps improve appetite and digestion, and calms gas and bloating.

Herbal Support for Healthy Teeth

• Valiya Arimedas Tailam (mouth wash) is recommended for gandusha. The main herb is Arimeda which supports healthy teeth, gums, and helps reduce mouth sores.
• Dasanakanti Tooth Powder is an herbal tooth powder that supports the mouth, teeth and gums. The main herb Arimeda balances kapha dosha, calms swelling and inflammation, and supports healthy teeth and breath.

AYURVEDIC CONSULTATION

Kottakkal is committed to offering the highest quality Ayurvedic Healthcare. We offer two ways to have an Ayurvedic consultation. 1. Free 15-minute Consultation with our Ayurvedic practitioner, Julie Wardwell, for when you need a product recommendation for a basic health problem. 2. In-depth Consultation with our Ayurvedic doctor, Vaidya Vishwanath Guddadar for when your condition is chronic with multiple symptoms.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Kottakkal Ayurveda products and information are not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. If you have serious, acute, or chronic health problems, please consult a trained health professional. If you are seeking the advice of a trained Ayurvedic professional, call (800) 215-9934 or email us at contact@kottakkal.shop. We will provide you with information to consult with Ayurvedic professionals. Always check with your doctor before taking herbs when pregnant or nursing.

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