Alright, so it sounds like we might be dealing with an imbalance, particularly of Pitta, in your case. Pitta, which is closely tied to our digestive processes, can definitely get aggravated with spicy, oily, and heavy foods. Your symptoms — the pain under the ribcage, bloating, and acid reflux-like sensations — seem to align with this quite a bit.
Firstly, let’s talk food. Since Pitta dominantly governs digestion, calming it down can start with lighter, cooling meals. Think about incorporating more leafy greens, sweet fruits, and cucumbers — these can soothe and cool down excess Pitta. Avoiding too much heat and spice is ideal, which it sounds like you’re already doing. Also, eating smaller, more frequent meals can help stabilize the Agni, or digestive fire, so you’re on the right track there.
When it comes to herbs, you’ve touched upon some great ones! Ginger and turmeric can be pretty helpful, though they are heating, so use in moderation. Aloe vera juice before meals can be soothing for the digestive tract and help with the inflammation you’re experiencing. If you’re into herbal teas, cumin-coriander-fennel tea works really well to balance Pitta and ease digestion discomfort!
Panchakarma or therapies like Abhyanga (self-massage) with cooling oils, like coconut or sunflower, could soothe the nervous system and indirectly support digestion. These can support overall detoxification and bring relief, though they need to be planned under guidance to suit your specific needs.
Stress might be adding fuel to the fire— quite literally. In Ayurveda, Vata dosha gets imbalanced during stress, impacting Pitta further. Simple breathing exercises or yoga practices such as pranayama can calm the mind and have a positive impact on your digestion too.
Now about timeframes… everyone’s journey is different, but small changes can sometimes show results in a few weeks. Finding that balance is more of a marathon than a sprint, so be patient with yourself as you try these adjustments.
