Hyperacidity - Ayurvedic Amlapitta
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Dr.Upneet Kaur, BAMS
graduated from Baba Farid University Of Health Sciences, Faridkot, Punjab. By Dr.Upneet Kaur, BAMS
Published on 04/10/2008
Hyperacidity is a very common manifestation. It is known as Amlapitta in Ayurveda. Let's study more about it!
Ayurvedic Perspective
What is Amlapitta (Hyperacidity)?
Definition & Pathology:
According to Ayurveda, The three doshas present in the human namely, Vata, Pitta and Kapha are situated in the grahani (duodenum) that is the seat of digestive fire or agni. Fasting, eating during indigestion dearrange the pachaka pitta and as a result agni pachaka pitta vitiates. This process is known as "amla pitta ".
According to modern medicine, Hyperacidity is caused when hydrochloric acid, which is use to digest food, is release up the esophagus. On its way up the acid irritates the sensitive tissues in the esophagus and throat. Usually the esophageal sphincter muscle contracts thus preventing the stomach acid from shooting up into the esophagus, but if this muscle is not functioning properly, the acid can slip past it and this is when heartburn symptoms start, however it is called Gastroesophageal reflux or Hyperacidity.
Classification:
• Adhoga Amlapitta (downward)
• Urdhwaga Amlapitta (upward)
• Amlapitta caused by Vata
• Amlapitta caused by Pitta
• Amlapitta caused by Kapha
Symptoms:
Adhoga Amlapita
• Thirst
• Burning sensation
• Fainting
• Giddiness
• Dellusion
• Rashes on skin
• Poor digestion
• Perspiration
Urdhwaga Amlapitta
• Vomiting of green, yellow, blue, black, slightly red or of bright red color having sour material
• Belching of similar nature
• Burning sensation in the throat, chest and upper abdomen
• Headache
• Burning sensation in the palms and soles
• Loss of appetite
Caused by Vata
• Tremors
• Delirium
• Fainting
• Feeling of pins and needles
• Weakness of body parts
• Pain and darkness before eyes
Caused by Pitta
• Feeling of heaviness
• Weakness
• Coldness
• Vomiting
• Coating on tongue
• Burning sensation
• Itching of skin
Caused by Kapha
• Fainting
• Loss of apetite
• Headache
• Salivation
• Sweet taste in the mouth
Causes:
• Eating of spicy and highly seasoned food like chilly, pickles, etc.
• Prolonged ingestion of aspirin or some anti-inflammatory drugs
• Prolonged alcohol ingestion
• Heavy smoking
• Stress is also an important cause for hyperacidity
• Idiopathic
Symptoms:
• Nausea, vomiting, and loss of desire to eat which may persist for 1-2 days
• Heartburn or sour belching
• A sense of abdominal distension
• Flatulence
• Vomiting of blood or blood in stools
• If gastritis persists there may be eventual development of anaemia
Therapies:
• Home remedies
• Ayurvedic remedies
• Yoga asanas
Home Remedies
• Abstinence from smoking and alcohol is a must.
• Avoid stress.
• Papaya chewable tablets can be purchase in health stores and they are helpful reducing heartburn.
• Drink a large glass of water at the first sign of heartburn, if the symptoms are not too strong this will help.
• Make a juice using raw potatoes. Wash the potato very well do not peel it, just place it in the juicer, mix it with some other juice for taste and drink immediately after juicing.
• Chew a few Tulsi leaves to get relief of the symptoms.
• Keep a small piece of gur in your mouth and suck it slowly. Repeat it every hour till the symptoms subside.
• Eat Watermelon, Banana or Cucumber every hour.
• Eat a few Almonds when symptoms are present.
• Drink Coconut water 4 – 5 times a day.
• Drink a glass of cold milk for fast relief.
• Keep a small piece of Harad in your mouth and chew it after every meals.
• Take one piece of Clove and suck it slowly.
• Sleep with your head and shoulder on a high pillow for elevation.
Ayurvedic Remedies
• Take 1 – 2 tablets of Amlapittantak Lauh with honey twice a day.
• Take 1 – 2 teaspoons of Avipattikar Churna ( powder ) with milk or water twice a day.
• Take 1 teaspoon ful of Dadim Awleha with honey or water twice a day.
• Take 125 – 250 mg of Punchamrit Parpati with honey, curd or butter milk twice a day.
Yoga Asanas
• Vajra Asana
• Yoga mudra
• Shitali Pranayama
Definition & Pathology:
According to Ayurveda, The three doshas present in the human namely, Vata, Pitta and Kapha are situated in the grahani (duodenum) that is the seat of digestive fire or agni. Fasting, eating during indigestion dearrange the pachaka pitta and as a result agni pachaka pitta vitiates. This process is known as "amla pitta ".
According to modern medicine, Hyperacidity is caused when hydrochloric acid, which is use to digest food, is release up the esophagus. On its way up the acid irritates the sensitive tissues in the esophagus and throat. Usually the esophageal sphincter muscle contracts thus preventing the stomach acid from shooting up into the esophagus, but if this muscle is not functioning properly, the acid can slip past it and this is when heartburn symptoms start, however it is called Gastroesophageal reflux or Hyperacidity.
Classification:
• Adhoga Amlapitta (downward)
• Urdhwaga Amlapitta (upward)
• Amlapitta caused by Vata
• Amlapitta caused by Pitta
• Amlapitta caused by Kapha
Symptoms:
Adhoga Amlapita
• Thirst
• Burning sensation
• Fainting
• Giddiness
• Dellusion
• Rashes on skin
• Poor digestion
• Perspiration
Urdhwaga Amlapitta
• Vomiting of green, yellow, blue, black, slightly red or of bright red color having sour material
• Belching of similar nature
• Burning sensation in the throat, chest and upper abdomen
• Headache
• Burning sensation in the palms and soles
• Loss of appetite
Caused by Vata
• Tremors
• Delirium
• Fainting
• Feeling of pins and needles
• Weakness of body parts
• Pain and darkness before eyes
Caused by Pitta
• Feeling of heaviness
• Weakness
• Coldness
• Vomiting
• Coating on tongue
• Burning sensation
• Itching of skin
Caused by Kapha
• Fainting
• Loss of apetite
• Headache
• Salivation
• Sweet taste in the mouth
Causes:
• Eating of spicy and highly seasoned food like chilly, pickles, etc.
• Prolonged ingestion of aspirin or some anti-inflammatory drugs
• Prolonged alcohol ingestion
• Heavy smoking
• Stress is also an important cause for hyperacidity
• Idiopathic
Symptoms:
• Nausea, vomiting, and loss of desire to eat which may persist for 1-2 days
• Heartburn or sour belching
• A sense of abdominal distension
• Flatulence
• Vomiting of blood or blood in stools
• If gastritis persists there may be eventual development of anaemia
Therapies:
• Home remedies
• Ayurvedic remedies
• Yoga asanas
Home Remedies
• Abstinence from smoking and alcohol is a must.
• Avoid stress.
• Papaya chewable tablets can be purchase in health stores and they are helpful reducing heartburn.
• Drink a large glass of water at the first sign of heartburn, if the symptoms are not too strong this will help.
• Make a juice using raw potatoes. Wash the potato very well do not peel it, just place it in the juicer, mix it with some other juice for taste and drink immediately after juicing.
• Chew a few Tulsi leaves to get relief of the symptoms.
• Keep a small piece of gur in your mouth and suck it slowly. Repeat it every hour till the symptoms subside.
• Eat Watermelon, Banana or Cucumber every hour.
• Eat a few Almonds when symptoms are present.
• Drink Coconut water 4 – 5 times a day.
• Drink a glass of cold milk for fast relief.
• Keep a small piece of Harad in your mouth and chew it after every meals.
• Take one piece of Clove and suck it slowly.
• Sleep with your head and shoulder on a high pillow for elevation.
Ayurvedic Remedies
• Take 1 – 2 tablets of Amlapittantak Lauh with honey twice a day.
• Take 1 – 2 teaspoons of Avipattikar Churna ( powder ) with milk or water twice a day.
• Take 1 teaspoon ful of Dadim Awleha with honey or water twice a day.
• Take 125 – 250 mg of Punchamrit Parpati with honey, curd or butter milk twice a day.
Yoga Asanas
• Vajra Asana
• Yoga mudra
• Shitali Pranayama
Western Perspective
Types of Amlapita according to Modern Medicine
• Gastritis
• Peptic Ulcers
Gastritis:
Causes:
• Over eating
• Excessive intake of alcohol
• Food poisoning
• Swallowing of acids and alkalies
Symptoms:
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Headache
• Giddiness
• Discomfort in stomach
• Sour eructations
• Frequent vomiting
• If chronic, then Anemia
• Coated tongue
• Foul breath
• Increased flow of saliva
• Scanty urine
Food Plan:
• It's better not to take spicy and oily foods.
• Curds and cottage cheese should be used freely.
LIFE STYLE:
• Avoid exposure to hard mental or physical work.
• Avoid anxiety, worry and anger.
• Take complete rest.
• A walk in the early morning for about a mile is very useful.
Causes:
• Fasting
• Eating during indigestion
• Over eating Irregular eating
• Intake of unsuitable food
• Faulty place, time and preparation of food
• Hereditary
• Smoking
• Alcohol consumption
• Stress
Symptoms:
Food Plan:
• When condition is acute patient should be given a liquid diet of liquefied cooked vegetables and Khichari.
• Barley water can be taken throughout the day. Boil 1 cup of barley with 3 cups of water and boil down to 2 cups of water and drink as tea 3 times per day.
• Avoid onions, garlic and pungent, salty and sour foods.
• Increase consumption of bitter foods.
This article is for education only; it is not intended to treat, diagnose, prescribe, or heal any condition. For all health conditions and yoga you are advised to seek professional advice.
Queries may be sent to dr_upneet@yahoo.co.in.
• Gastritis
• Peptic Ulcers
Gastritis:
Gastritis is a type of Amlapitta. In this disease, inflammation of the stomach takes place. Hydrochloric acid and some other digestive enzymes are secreted by the glands of the stomach. Inflammation of the stomach thus results in the impairment of these secretions leading to indigestion. It is a very troublesome condition which needs immediate treatment.
Causes:
• Over eating
• Excessive intake of alcohol
• Food poisoning
• Swallowing of acids and alkalies
Symptoms:
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Headache
• Giddiness
• Discomfort in stomach
• Sour eructations
• Frequent vomiting
• If chronic, then Anemia
• Coated tongue
• Foul breath
• Increased flow of saliva
• Scanty urine
Food Plan:
• Fast for two or three days or more, depending on the severity of the condition.
• Drink only warm water during this period. This will give rest to the stomach and allow the toxic condition causing the inflammation to subside.
• After the acute symptoms subside, adopt an all fruit diet for the next three days and take juicy fruits like apples, pears, grapes, grapefruit, oranges, pineapple, peaches and melons.
• Thereafter gradually come to a balanced diet consisting of seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables and fruit.
• Avoid the use of alcohol, tobacco, spices, meat, red pepper, sour foods, pickles, strong tea and coffee. He should also avoid sweets, pastries, rich cakes and aerated waters.
• Avoid hot drinks and foods.• Drink only warm water during this period. This will give rest to the stomach and allow the toxic condition causing the inflammation to subside.
• After the acute symptoms subside, adopt an all fruit diet for the next three days and take juicy fruits like apples, pears, grapes, grapefruit, oranges, pineapple, peaches and melons.
• Thereafter gradually come to a balanced diet consisting of seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables and fruit.
• Avoid the use of alcohol, tobacco, spices, meat, red pepper, sour foods, pickles, strong tea and coffee. He should also avoid sweets, pastries, rich cakes and aerated waters.
• It's better not to take spicy and oily foods.
• Curds and cottage cheese should be used freely.
LIFE STYLE:
• Avoid exposure to hard mental or physical work.
• Avoid anxiety, worry and anger.
• Take complete rest.
• A walk in the early morning for about a mile is very useful.
Peptic Ulcer:
Ayurveda considers this as another type of Amlapitta. This disorder is more generally classified as a grahani disorder, which is a disorder in the seat of agni in the stomach. The actual ulceration of the stomach wall which is the classic description of a peptic ulcer is clearly due to an excessive amount of heat or Pitta in the body. The question to ask before treating the increased Pitta is, why is the Pitta excessive. In the West we often relate gastric ulcers with stress and anxiety. This factor is not overlooked in Ayurveda and is properly handled with the eating and lifestyle changes.
Ayurveda considers this as another type of Amlapitta. This disorder is more generally classified as a grahani disorder, which is a disorder in the seat of agni in the stomach. The actual ulceration of the stomach wall which is the classic description of a peptic ulcer is clearly due to an excessive amount of heat or Pitta in the body. The question to ask before treating the increased Pitta is, why is the Pitta excessive. In the West we often relate gastric ulcers with stress and anxiety. This factor is not overlooked in Ayurveda and is properly handled with the eating and lifestyle changes.
Causes:
• Fasting
• Eating during indigestion
• Over eating Irregular eating
• Intake of unsuitable food
• Faulty place, time and preparation of food
• Hereditary
• Smoking
• Alcohol consumption
• Stress
Symptoms:
• Epigastric pain: Pain is referred to the epigastrium and is often so sharply localized that the patient can indicate its site with two or three fingers-the ‘pointing sign’.
• Hunger pain: Pain occurs intermittently during the day, often when the stomach is empty, so that the patient identifies it as ‘hunger pain’ and obtains relief by eating.
• Night pain: Pain wakes the patient from sleep and may be relieved by food, a drink of milk, or antacids.
• Water brash: This is a sudden filling of mouth with saliva which is produced as a reflex response to a variety of symptoms from the upper GIT, e.g., peptic ulcer pain
• Burning during, after and between meals
• Gastric reflux, fatigue, increased stress, loose stools or constipation.
• Hunger pain: Pain occurs intermittently during the day, often when the stomach is empty, so that the patient identifies it as ‘hunger pain’ and obtains relief by eating.
• Night pain: Pain wakes the patient from sleep and may be relieved by food, a drink of milk, or antacids.
• Water brash: This is a sudden filling of mouth with saliva which is produced as a reflex response to a variety of symptoms from the upper GIT, e.g., peptic ulcer pain
• Burning during, after and between meals
• Gastric reflux, fatigue, increased stress, loose stools or constipation.
Food Plan:
• When condition is acute patient should be given a liquid diet of liquefied cooked vegetables and Khichari.
• Barley water can be taken throughout the day. Boil 1 cup of barley with 3 cups of water and boil down to 2 cups of water and drink as tea 3 times per day.
• Avoid onions, garlic and pungent, salty and sour foods.
• Increase consumption of bitter foods.
Amlapitta though a serious disease can be healed by the simple home remedies, Ayurvedic remedies, yoga asanas, diet plan and by doing some changes in normal lifestyle. So, one should adopt these things in life not only to heal Amlapitta but for every disease.
This article is for education only; it is not intended to treat, diagnose, prescribe, or heal any condition. For all health conditions and yoga you are advised to seek professional advice.
Queries may be sent to dr_upneet@yahoo.co.in.