I'm really struggling with acid reflux — how can ayurveda help me manage it better?

Question

I am having the worst time with this acid reflux thing. It started a few months ago, and honestly it’s been such a pain. Like, I’d eat my dinner and not long after I’d feel like a volcano was erupting in my chest! It’s so bad that I’ve tried those over-the-counter medicines, but they only give me a little relief for a short time. My friend mentioned using ayurveda for acid reflux, but I don’t really know much about it. She said something about diet changes and herbal remedies in ayurveda that could help manage it. I am kinda skeptical, because I thought this was just something I’d have to deal with! But I've read that ayurveda acid reflux treatments could help ease things. I tried cutting out tomatoes and spicy food, since they seemed to trigger it, ya know? But sometimes, I just miss my favorite meals. I've also heard ginger tea can be helpful too? I'm scared to try too many things at once and make it worse, though! Can anyone tell me exactly what ayurveda suggests for acid reflux? Like, what should I eat or what things to avoid? Any specific herbs I should know about? I just really want to feel comfy again and not have to think about food making my insides all angry. Thanks for any tips you can give me!

Dr. Prasad Pentakota · Accepted Answer

Before advising treatment for acid reflects, it is important for you to know what is acid reflex what are the causes and how you can prevent?
In Ayurveda, we not only treat the symptoms, but along with that, we cure the diseases from the root cause so that the chances of recurrence will be very less 
But as per in modern science, they treat symptomatically, so for example, if you take panto, you will be relieved for temporary, but again the same symptoms, but Ayurveda, it’s not like that. We mainly concentrate on three fundamental concepts that is lifestyle changes that changes plus internal medicines, so it may take some time to show is its actual result, but believe me you will be having a good positive result.
According to Ayurveda, it is called as Amla pitta which is due to aggravated PITTA DOSHA that is excessive heat and acidity in the digestive system
The symptoms with your facing like burning sensation after meals and discomfort with certain foods are classic signs
So avoiding foods that are pungent sour like tomatoes, tamarind, citrus fruits, curd, fried items, spicy dishes, coffee, tea, and carbonate drinks must be avoided
The above foods may further increase acidity, leading to aggravated PITTA 
Replace them with soothing and alkaline food, take warm, freshly cooked meals, such as rice with moong dal steamed vegetables like bottle  gourd soft fruits like banana, or apple can be taken
Even you can take coconut water, which supports direction, and also does the cooling affect to your stomach
You can drink CCF  tea after meals, which helps in digestion and reduce acidity
Ginger tea can be helpful, but use in mild quantity as further it may increase the heat
Aloe vera juice can be taken on empty stomach diluted with water. It soothers the stomach lining and support healing.
The internal medicines like 
Avipattikara churna- 1/2 tsp before meals with water to be taken daily
Muleti kwath- 1 teaspoon in 400 ML water boil until it remains hundred ML filter and drink twice daily on empty stomach
Triphala churna-1 teaspoon with warm water at night
Eat meals at regular intervals. Have your dinner before 7 PM? Avoid sleeping immediately after having food walk at least for 10 minutes after taking food.
Do regular walking pranayama, meditation, and Yoga 
Sitting in Vajrasana position for five minutes daily can improve 
Sleep before 9 PM 
When resting sleeping on left side, helps reduce nighttime reflux
Start practising above mentioned habits and within a few weeks. Definitely you will see a positive changes. It takes consistent right amount of practice to see a positive result. Hope you will include in your daily practice and you will see improvement within a very short period of time.

Dr. Narendrakumar V Mishra · Answer

Avoid addiction if any. 
Regular exercise. 
Avoid late night dinner. 
Increase intake of raw vegetables and fruits. 
Regular use of buttermilk. 
Tab.Yashtimadhu 
2-0-2

Dr. Kirankumari Rathod · Answer

Avoid spicy food, fermented foods, maida, fried food, bekary food, potato, cold beverages, more intake of tea or coffee, avoid stress if any 
Take more water, leafy green Veggies, sprout, salad,
Include ghee in your diet 
Take mahatiktaka grita 1 tsp with before food 
Tab kamaduga rasa 1 tid before food 
Madiphala rasayana 1 tsp twice a day after food

Dr. Snehal Tasgaonkar · Answer

Include Hing (asafoetida) in your diet.
Include buttermilk in your diet.
Skip on all addictions.
Avoid all types of tea. None will help.
Try to have dinner before sunset, if that is not possible try walking atleast 15 mins after dinner. (no brisk walk)
Avoid pickles, papad, fried food, non veg food in dinner.

Syp. Bhunimbadi Kadha
2tsp twice a day before with luke warm water

Syp. Amlapitta Mishran 
2tsp twice a day after food.

In the start if you experience the reflux you can have 1tsp of Syp. Amlapitta Mishran anytime.

Dr. Atul Painuli · Answer

Acid reflex or GERD is the disease of digestive system.when person take improper meal such as spicy food/maida packed food ..and meal in impropriate timing such as late night dinner or heavy meals...

DIVYA ACIDOGRIT TAB=2-2 TAB BEFORE MEAL TWICE

DIVYA CHITRAKADI VATI
LIVAMRIT VATI=2-2 TAB AFTER MEALS TWICE DAILY

AVOID TEA /COFFIE AND ADDICTION OF ALCOHOL IF ANY

Dr. Surya Bhagwati · Answer

Soak overnight in a glass of water coriander seeds fennel seeds jeera seeds, morning strain and drink empty stomach before breakfast 
Take gulkand 2tsp twice daily before food with water 
Kamdudharas ras moti yukta 1-0-1 after food with water 
Triphala juice 15 ml at bedtime with water

Dr. Nisha Bisht · Answer

Sopia ,this is Hyperactivity or amlapittap in ayurved. Undigested food turning to acid in the chest.

Eat herbs-  coriander, fennel, cumin	Support digestion without increasing heat
*Aloe vera juice (30 ml/day)	Cools internal lining

Foods to Avoid

Avoid -
Tomatoes, onions, garlic,
Spicy, fried, sour food	,
Coffee, black tea, alcohol	Irritates stomach lining
Citrus fruits, vinegar,
Chocolate, mint	Loosens the lower esophageal valve
Cold drinks, ice creams	 cause reflux flare

Lifestyle Tips-

Eat early dinners – before 7:30 PM

Don’t lie down immediately after meals (wait 2 hrs atleast.)

Walk for 10–15 mins after meals (helps digestion)

Sleep on your left side to reduce reflux at night

Keep stress low (Pitta rises with stress)

These herbs are known to reduce acidity, improve digestion, and soothe your GI tract:

Herb	Benefits
Yashtimadhu churna
Avipattikar churna	
Shankh bhasma 1gm with warm water.
Triphala tablets at night with water.
Fennel seeds tea	Calms digestion and reduces gas

Dr. Arun Desai · Answer

Hello Sophia

PREVENTIVE TREATMENT FOR GERD ACIDITY

• DIETARY ADJUSTMENTS:
Identifying and avoiding trigger foods like Spicy Salty Sour fatty foods, alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, and spicy foods can minimize reflux episodes. 
• SMALLER MEALS:
Eating smaller, more frequent meals can reduce pressure on the stomach and minimize reflux. 
• SLOW EATING:
Eating slowly and chewing food thoroughly can improve digestion and reduce the likelihood of reflux. 
• AVOID OVEREATING:- Avoid Eating Too Much or Full Belly 
• DE-ADDICTION - 
Frequently Tea Coffee Chocolate Cessation:
Quitting Addictions is crucial as it strengthens the LES and reduces the risk of reflux. 
• BED ELEVATION:
Raising the head of the bed by 6-9 inches can help prevent acid reflux during sleep. 
• AVOID LYING DOWN AFTER EATING:
Waiting at least 3 hours after a meal before lying down or going to bed can reduce the risk of reflux. 
• WALK AFTER FOOD - Walk 100 Steps After Every Meals 
• LOOSE-FITTING CLOTHES:
Wearing loose-fitting clothes can reduce pressure on the abdomen and the LES. 
• CORRECT SLEEP POSITION:
Sleeping on the left side may help prevent acid reflux at night. 
• PRACTICE DYAN MEDITATION:- 
It helps to control Anxiety and Panic Attacks Peace Calmness mind 
• WEIGHT MANAGEMENT:
Losing weight if overweight or obese can significantly reduce pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and decrease reflux.

100 % RESULT ORIENTED AYURVEDIC TREATMENT U MUST TRY

• Tab.Kamdudha Ras Mukta Yukta 2 Tabs Before Food 
• Syrup.Amlapitta Mishran  15 ml twice a Day After Food 
• Avipattikar Churna 1 TSF Tsf Night After Food
• Tab.Mentat 1 Tabs twice a Day After Food 
• Dry Ginger +Liquorice Tea Early Morning

DO'S :- All Green leafy vegetables Salads Sprouts Fruits Dry fruits fibers.Fresh Butter milk.Plenty Of Water Fluids intake Rest Light for Digestion specially Semisolid food Rest Good Sleep Sheetali Pranayam counselling.Mulethi+ Water in Copper Vessels Overnight Kept Water

DON'TS :- Avoid Acidic Salty Sour Spicy Fried Oily Junk food Food Non veg Other Dairy products Milk Wheat Bakery Foods Maida Udad items Fermented Foods Excess Tea Coffee 
Stress Anxiety Sedentary Life Style Avoid Addictions etc

REGARDS

Dr Arun Desai

God Bless You 😊🙏

If you have any questions u can ask me.I will answer u to the level of your satisfaction.U have Text Option here

Dr. Maitri Bhavesh Kumar Acharya · Answer

Hi Sophia

Acid reflux is very uncomfortable Ayurveda has a gentle, effective path that not only manage but also correct the root cause over time.

the prime cause for acid reflux as per ayurveda is digestive fire imbalance, aggravated pitta (fire element) which leads to excessive heat and upward movement of acids.
we call it as AMLAPITTA in Ayurveda

WE CAN OVERCOME THIS BY TAKING AYURVEDIC MEDICATION + DIET MODIFICATIONS + LIFESTYLE CHANES

Diet include- 
eat warm, soft-cooked food like rice, khichri , oat meal
steamed veggies like Zucchini, Pumpkin, ash gourd etc
BUTTERMILK(more water diluted with roasted cumin powder)
INTAKE OF COWS GHEE- soothers stomach lining
Fruits- banana, melons, ripe papaya
fennel seeds after meals
coconut water
can also have fresh Aloe vera juice- best for acidity

AVOID- tomatoes, citrus fruits, lemons
vinegar containing food
Chinese food items- strictly avoided
fried, fermented, spicy, sour food items
avoid coffee, tea in excess
AVOID ALCOHOL STRICTLY
garlic, onion (if severe acidity)
processed food, snacks, pickles, cheese etc avoid

DAILY ROUTINE TIPS
eat at regular time (especially lunch)
Don't skip meals and do not overeat
Chew food slowly - as digestion process start In mouth itself
Avoid lying down immediately after meals
Sleep by 10 pm strictly

100% effective medications you can start
Avipattikar Churna- 1/2 tsp with warm water 15-20 min before meals twice a day
yastimadhu powder- 1/2 tsp with honey after food, twice a day
Amla capsule- 1 cap twice daily after meals with water
Amlapittanashak kadha- 2 tsp with water daily thrice a day before meals

one homemade drink you can try definately
FENNEL SEEDS- 1 TSP
CORIANDER SEED- 1 TSP
LICORICE POWDER- 1/4 TSP
AMLA POWDER- 1/2 TSP 
DRY ROSE PETALS- 1/2 TSP
WATER- 2 CUPS

BOIL UNTIL REDUCE TO 1 CUP
STRAIN AND SIP LUKEWARM AFTER MEAL- 30 MIN AFTER MEALS

DURATION OF TREATMENT- 3 MONTHS
after 3 months you will definitely get good satisfied result

do follow 
thank you

Dr. Ayush Varma · Answer

Acid reflux, as described in Ayurveda, often aligns with an imbalance in the Pitta dosha, which governs heat and sharpness in the body. Ayurveda provides several approaches to managing this, focusing on cooling the digestive fire, known as Agni, and balancing Pitta.

Firstly, it's crucial to adopt a Pitta-pacifying diet. Avoiding trigger foods like tomatoes, spicy dishes, and fried foods is a great start. Continue with this, yet also try to integrate cooling foods like cucumber, melons, and zucchini. Including more grains, particularly basmati rice and oats, can help stabilize the digestive process.

On the subject of beverages, ginger tea is generally warming—it might not be ideal in excess for Pitta exacerbations like yours. Instead, try fennel tea, or a bit of mint tea—both are soothing and cooling. Drink them after meals, not on empty stomach which might sometimes increase acid sensation.

Herbs such as amla (Indian gooseberry) are recommended for balancing Pitta and providing relief from acid reflux. You can find amla powder in health stores; try taking a teaspoon with water before meals. It's gentle yet effective on acidity issues and supports digestive health.

Lifestyle changes are equally important. Refrain from skipping meals, as it can disturb Agni. Eat smaller, more frequent meals, and ensure at least a couple of hours between your last meal and bedtime. When eating, avoid distraction; focus on your food to engage all senses, improving digestion.

Lastly, practice stress-relief methods. Stress can heighten Pitta, triggering reflux symptoms. Gentle yoga postures and pranayama (breath control) exercises, especially Sheetali Pranayama, can help cool and calm your system.

While these recommendations align with Ayurveda's foundations, everyone's constitution and health conditions are unique. It's wise to consult with a practitioner for personalized advice or if symptoms persist. If your reflux ever becomes severe or accompanies alarming symptoms, medical attention is necessary.

I'm really struggling with acid reflux — how can ayurveda help me manage it better? - #22234

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