Hey there, it sounds like you’ve been through quite a tough time with GERD. Let’s dive in and see what Ayurveda might do to help you outlong-term with this.
You’re spot on with the Pitta dosha link – GERD is often a result of aggravated Pitta, causing excess heat and acidity. Addressing this imbalance can indeed bring lasting relief, but, as you said, it’s more of a journey than a quick fix.
For herbal remedies, you mentioned licorice (mulethi), amla, and giloy – these are great choices. Licorice can soothe and heal the stomach lining, reducing acidity. You might try drinking mulethi tea daily, but keep in mind it can raise blood pressure, so just check with your doc if that’s a concern. Amla, with its cooling properties, can be taken as a juice or powder mixed with water on an empty stomach. Giloy acts as an anti-inflammatory, it helps in detoxifying and cooling the system – it’s pretty great in tablet form, following package directions.
Now about diet – it’s super important in managing GERD from an Ayurvedic perspective. Definitely lay off the spicy, fried, and oily foods, as they aggravate Pitta. Stick more to cooling foods, like coconut water, cucumbers, and milder spices. Eating smaller meals, and not eating late in the night is vital. Try including a bit of fennel (saunf) at the end of meals; it aids digestion and reduces acidity.
Lifestyle changes are crucial as well. Larger meal late in the evening is a common culpret, so aim for lighter dinners 2-3 hours before bed. Yoga and pranayama are definitely helpful - poses that focus on gentle bending and twisting, like the Vajrasana (thunderbolt pose) post meals can help digestion. Pranayama like Nadi Shodhana and Sheetali can cool the body’s internal heat.
I hope you find this useful – each person’s path with Ayurveda is unique, so it might take some tweaking to find what truly works for you. Stay committed, persistent, and be kind to yourself during this journey!



