Do you know that eating is one of the most joyful things that one lives for! Even though we live for many things and aspire to do many things, eating consciously is a joy for most of the people!
But if you check the statistics of the world digestive disorders are the most
frequent health issues that come to a medical doctor.
Why is it that such a joyful process becomes a burden? Let us look into it.
Photo credit to Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels
Modern
medicine has always a chemical treatment for digestive disorders and in the end, it leads to many other side effects like kidney failure or heart diseases,
etc.
While Ayurveda treats the digestive disorder
through treatment for gas, acidity, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, and
stomach and mouth ulcers in a comprehensive and organic way!
Digestive disorder basically affects your mouth, digestive tract, digestive bladder or
stomach, and then small and large intestines. Common identified digestive
disorders are:
●
Peptic ulcer,
●
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease,
●
Cancer,
●
Stomach and mouth ulcer
●
Constipation,
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome,
●
lactose intolerance,
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Hiatal hernia, etc.
These diseases show the most usual symptoms of digestive disorders like:
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bloating,
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bleeding,
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diarrhea,
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heartburn,
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nausea,
●
vomiting
Common causes for digestive disorders
All digestive problems start from the mouth and end in the gut
or intestines. The digestion of food starts from the mouth with the action of
saliva. But most people when they eat fast and swallow the food
unconsciously this saliva action does not happen and food reaches the stomach
without the primary digestion. This is the primary cause of all digestive
disorders!
Eating cold, heavy, rotten, or old food,
eating too spicy or pungent, eating
erratically or unconsciously without
chewing the food properly, eating while watching TV or while talking, etc
also, increase the chances of this
disorders.
Ayurveda says eating too much Rajasic and Tamasic food creates an
imbalance of doshas and causing digestive disorders.
The gut feeling can tell you whether your digestive system is smooth and safe and
active! A healthy gut means silent and smooth the functioning of digestion. To maintain a healthy gut:
●
eat in time,
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keep the toilet time regular,
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avoid processed foods like bakery or gluten food,
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invite new probiotics regularly with the intake of yogurt,
curd, and other yeast producing foods,
●
drink lots of water, fresh fruits, and vegetable juices after an hour of
eating,
●
understand your dosha type and eat according to the physical and
mental needs decided by the dosha type.
The treatment
for digestive disorders in Ayurveda includes step by step as::
●
cleansing the digestive system,
●
restoring the natural cycles of digestive juice or enzyme production,
●
rejuvenating the digestive fire or Jadaragni and then
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revitalizing the digestive processes and
●
resuming with energizing the excretory system.
Cleansing the complete digestive system includes Virechhana, using some purgative herbs or oils, and clean the entire system from mouth to the rectum. Hot water mixed with lemon juice can also clean the system.
Ayurveda also uses Dauthi and Basti for the removal of ama from the digestive tract through the stomach and small and large intestines and expelled through the anus. Massage techniques like Panchakarma and Abhyanga and rejuvenating techniques of Shirodahara like Thakra Dhara are also adopted for removing ama from the system to rejuvenate the brain and nervous system.
ShirodharaThese treatments will remove the emotional, mental, and physical ama (toxins) from the system and creating digestive enzyme production with the introduction of natural and soft, and smooth liquid foods!
Next, Jadaragni automatically originates and its level has to be maintained with proper food and herbal juices, rest, sleep, and other regular yoga practices!
Vatha imbalance causes constipation. Hence consuming Vatha balancing diet is the best way to treat constipation. Avoid cold and dry food and fresh vegetables. But consume warm and freshly cooked food and cooked vegetables with some ghee added to it. Ayurvedic recommendation for constipation is to drink a mixture of hot water, ghee, and salt for a quick fix!
Ripened Papaya is the ultimate solution for all digestive disorders! Eat Papaya daily 30
minutes before or one hour after lunch which can cure all digestive disorders including stomach cancer. The enzyme, Papain
in Papaya has the power to cure even
Cancer!
Yoga recommends Shat Kriya techniques as the first way to heal digestive disorders. Mainly Jala Nethi and Trataka cleans the nasal and ocular ama and balance the Ajna chakra by eliminating the mental and emotional ama from the system.
Dauthi, mainly Vastra Dauthi and Vamana Dauthi and Shanka Prakshalana can cleanse the digestive system for restoration of the digestive function and rejuvenation of Jadaragni (digestive fire)!
The practice of Agnisara followed by Nauli weekly can improve the quality of Jadaragni in the belly. One who practices Agnisara and Nauli once a week will have pure and high Jadaragni and good digestive power. Kapalabhathi kriya also increases Jadaragni!
The practice of Nadi Shuddhi Pranayama three times a day with 9 rounds in every session can heal any type of digestive disorder. Together with this, Brahmari and Ujjayi Pranayamas can improve the quality of sleep, high Jadaragni, and good digestive functions.
Mudra Yoga also supports the digestive function very powerfully. Tridosha Mudra is the best Mudra for balancing all doshas to improve digestive function! Other mudras like Vayu Mudra, Akasha Mudra, Prathvvi Mudra Varuna Mudra, Vyana Mudra, Prana Mudra, Apana Mudra is also important to balance the corresponding elements and doshas. Apana Mudra, Vyana Mudra and Prana Mudra help to keep the good function of Apana Vayu, Vyana Vayu, and Prana Vayu respectively thereby balancing the digestive functions!
