Dear Urvashi Bhateliya You have recurrent gas (flatulence) which, when reversed (Urdhva Vata), triggers a runny nose. Symptoms are more noticeable after a day without grains, and also when gas has a foul smell. This suggests Vata aggravation in the gut with Ama (undigested toxins) producing Pratiloma Vata movement, affecting the nasal passages via gut–nose reflex (Āma–Vata–Shiroroga connection).
Probable Cause (Ayurvedic View)
1.Irregular gut movement → Vata vitiation in large intestine. 2.Undigested food (Ama) produces foul-smelling gas. 3.Urdhva Vata movement irritates nasal mucosa → runny nose.
Treatment Plan
Internal medicine:
1. Hingvastak Churna – ½ tsp with warm water before meals, twice daily. 2. Avipattikar Churna – ½ tsp with warm water at bedtime (for digestion & mild detox). 3. Trikatu Churna – ¼ tsp with honey after meals (to burn Ama).
External / Nasal
1.Anu Taila – 2 drops in each nostril every morning after bath. 2.Steam inhalation with Amrit Bindu
Diet & Lifestyle
Eat light, warm, cooked foods; include ginger, cumin, ajwain in cooking.
Avoid raw salads, cold drinks, heavy dairy at night.
Do not skip grains completely — use light ones like rice or millet.
Drink warm water through the day.
With kind regards Dr.Sumi.S
In Ayurveda, the body’s functions are governed by three fundamental energies or doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. A balanced state of these doshas signifies health, while an imbalance can lead to various health issues.
Understanding the Gas Problem (Vata Imbalance) Gas, bloating, and indigestion are often attributed to an imbalance of Vata dosha, particularly in the digestive tract. Vata is associated with air and space and is responsible for movement in the body, including the movement of food through the digestive system.
Causes of Vata Imbalance:
Improper Diet: Eating dry, cold, or raw foods, irregular eating times, and eating on the go can aggravate Vata. The information you provided about eating no grains all day and then experiencing gas suggests a possible Vata imbalance. Grains, especially cooked and warm, can be grounding and help balance Vata.
Weak Digestion (Agni): Agni, the digestive fire, is crucial for breaking down food. A weak Agni leads to the accumulation of undigested food, which ferments and produces gas.
Lifestyle: Stress, lack of sleep, and irregular routines can all disturb Vata.
The Connection to Runny Nose (Kapha Imbalance) A runny nose is a classic symptom of Kapha dosha imbalance. Kapha is associated with water and earth and governs lubrication, moisture, and immunity. An excess of Kapha can lead to the production of mucus and phlegm.
Why the Connection?
“Upward Movement of Vata”: When Vata in the lower abdomen is aggravated and unable to move downward (as it should), it can move upward. This upward movement of Vata can carry with it subtle energies and toxins (Ama) that irritate the upper respiratory tract. This irritation can then trigger a Kapha response, leading to a runny nose as the body tries to flush out the irritants.
Shared Root Cause: In some cases, a weak digestive fire (Agni) can be the root cause of both issues. A weak Agni not only leads to Vata-type gas but also to the accumulation of Ama (toxins). When Ama enters the circulation, it can settle in different parts of the body, including the respiratory tract, causing a Kapha-like reaction (runny nose).
The Smell of Gas: The observation that a bad smell in the gas is linked to a runny nose further supports the Ama theory. The bad smell suggests fermentation and a build-up of toxins. When these toxins are in the system, the body’s natural defense mechanism, including the production of mucus to eliminate them, can be triggered.
Ayurvedic Solution (General Guidelines) Ayurveda’s approach is to address the root cause, which in this case appears to be a combination of aggravated Vata and a weak digestive fire.
Balancing Vata:
Diet: Favor warm, cooked, and well-spiced foods. Include grounding foods like cooked grains, stews, and root vegetables. Avoid cold, raw, and dry foods.
Hydration: Drink warm water throughout the day.
Routine: Maintain a regular daily routine, including meal times and sleep.
Strengthening Agni (Digestive Fire):
Spices: Incorporate digestive spices like ginger, cumin, coriander, and fennel into your cooking.
Herbal Teas: Sipping on warm ginger tea or cumin-coriander-fennel (CCF) tea can significantly aid digestion.
Mindful Eating: Eat in a calm environment, chew your food thoroughly, and avoid overeating.
Managing Kapha (for the runny nose):
Neti Pot: Using a Neti pot with warm saline water can help clear the nasal passages.
Herbal Inhalations: Inhaling steam with a few drops of eucalyptus or mint oil can also be helpful.
Start with Yastimadhu churan 1tsp twice daily after food with honey, This will improve in runny nose problem. Tablet Liv-52 1-0-1 will improve your digestion and prevents gas formation It’s weak digestion that cause low immunity , hence this causes your problem
Avoid chilled, oily, spicy and processed food. Regular exercise. Increase intake of raw vegetables and fruits. Sy.Gason 15ml twice after meal Tab.Bresol 2-0-2 Tab.Immunocin 2-0-2
HELLO URVASHI,
You have gas in the stomach and intestines. Instead of moving downwards and exiting naturally , sometimes the gas moves upward toward the chest, throat and head. This upward push can -create head pressure or headaches -trigger runny nose (because the gas irritates the nerves and mucus membranes in the head region) -cause burping, bloating, and discomfort
When the gas smells bad, it means food is rotting or fermenting in the gut because digestion is weak- this produces toxins (ama )
You also noticed this happens when you skip grains for a whole day- which can worsen vata dosha(dryness, instability, gas) In Ayurveda, this is called udavarta(reverse flow of vata) with kapha involvement (runny nose)
TREATMENT GOALS -strengthen digestion -remove toxins -correct vata movement so gas flows downward -balance kapha in head and nose to stop runny nose -improve gut-brain / nose connection so symptoms don’t repeat
INTERNAL MEDICATIONS
1) HINGWASTAKA CHURNA= 1 tsp with warm water after meals =improves digestion, removes gas, corrects downward flow
2) TRIKATU CHURNA= 1 pinch with honey 10 min before meals =burns toxins, stimulates appetite
3) AVIPATIKAR CHURNA (if acidity present)= 1 tsp with warm water at bedtime =clears excess pitta and supports bowel movement
4) SHUNTHI CHURNA= 1/2 tsp with warm water morning empty stomach =warms digestion and reduces mucus
5) SHITOPALADI CHURNA + YASHTIMADHU CHURNA= 1 tsp with honey twice daily after rmeals =balances kapha in nose, reduces runny nose
DURATION= usually 21-45 days for stable improvement
NASYA= 2 drops of Anu taila in each nostril in morning after bath =clears nasal passages, strengthen connection between head and gut
LIFESTYLE CHANGES -eat at regular times= don’t skip meals -avoid lying down immediately after eating -don’t eat heavy dinner- keep it light and warm -avoid cold water, ice creams, cold drinks they slows digestion -avoid eating when angry, stressed, or in hurry - this disturbs vata -walk for 10-15 minutes after meals
YOGA POSES -Pawanmuktasana -vajrasana -setu bandhasana -ustrasana
PRANAYAM -Anulom Vilom= balances vata and kapha -bhramari= calms nerves and head pressure -kapalbhati= only id no acidity
DIET -warm, cooked foods= rice, wheat chapati, mung dal, cooked vegetables -digestive spices = cumin, coriander, fennel, ajwain, ginger, black pepepr -ghee in moderation= lubricates intestine
AVOID -raw salads, cold milk, curd at niht -beans like rajma/chole without proper soaking -excess cabbage cauliflower, ubrcolli, cucumber -cold and refrigerated foods -skipping grains entirely for long periods
HOME REMEDIES
1) AJWAIN-JEERA TEA =boil 1 cup water with 1/2 tsp ajwain , 1/2 tsp cumin, 1 slice ginger- drink warm after meals
2) GINGER-LEMON-HONEY MIX =1 tsp ginger juice + 1/2 tsp lemon juice + 1/2 tsp honey before meals= improves digestion
3) WARM WATER SIPPING =sip warm water throughout the day to melt toxin
4) STEAM INHALATION =add ajwain or eucalyptus oil to hot water, inhale for 5 minutes to clear nose
Your issue is gut-driven nasal irritation due to reverse vata movement and toxin formation. Ayurveda treats it by fixing digestion first, not just stopping the one flow If you follow. a combined approach- internal medications, external nasal therapy, proper diet, yoga pranayam and toxin clearing routine- your gas, headaches, and runny nose can improve significantly and stay controlled
DO FOLLOW
HOPE THIS MIGHT BE HELPFUL
THANK YOU
DR. MAITRI ACHARYA
hello Urvashi bhateliya ,
It sounds like you’re going through a tricky combination of digestive and nasal symptoms that are bothering you a lot. In Ayurveda, when gas (or “Vata” imbalance in the gut) increases and is not properly digested, it can create an internal disturbance called “Ama” which is basically undigested toxins. This ama can irritate not only your stomach but also other parts of the body, including the respiratory system.
The connection between your gas and runny nose likely happens because the excess gas and toxins in your digestive system disturb the balance of doshas mainly Vata and Kapha. When this imbalance happens, mucus production can increase in the nasal passages, leading to a runny nose. Also, eating no grains for a day might have disrupted your usual digestion, causing more gas and triggering this reaction. Bad-smelling gas indicates excess fermentation or imbalance, which often reflects digestive fire (Agni) being weak or irregular.
To calm this situation, first focus on improving your digestion with simple, warm, easily digestible foods and restoring balance to your gut. Avoid cold, heavy, and raw foods that can worsen gas and mucus.
Treatment plan:
Start with Ama Pachana (digestion support):
Take 1 tsp of Triphala churna with warm water at night for 7 days to cleanse toxins gently. Use Jeeraka (cumin) water: Boil 1 tsp cumin seeds in 1 cup water, strain, drink warm after meals to reduce gas and improve digestion. Avoid grains or foods that upset your digestion for some days. Focus on kichadi (moong dal + rice cooked with mild spices) and warm soups.
Nasal relief: Steam inhalation with turmeric and eucalyptus once a day to clear nasal passages and reduce mucus. Avoid cold drinks, ice creams, and heavy oily foods that increase mucus and gas.
If symptoms persist or worsen, consider checking digestion strength, food sensitivities, and allergy tests. You may also need to balance Kapha and Vata doshas with herbal support once digestion improves. This will take time but consistent care will calm your digestion and respiratory symptoms together.
Warm regards, Dr. Karthika
The occurrence of gas, particularly when it rises in the body and contributes to a runny nose, can be explained through Ayurvedic understanding. This could be related to imbalances in the doshas, particularly Vata and Kapha. Vata is associated with movement and air, and an imbalance can cause improper digestion leading to gas formation. When gas moves upwards, it can influence Kapha dosha, possibly leading to increased mucus production, thus causing a runny nose. Eating non-grain foods might have triggered your digestive issues due to Vata imbalance, possibly due to lighter, airier qualities of these foods, aggravating Vata.
Here are some tailored suggestions to help manage these symptoms:
1. Dietary Changes: Incorporate warm, cooked foods that are easy to digest, like soups and porridges. Avoid cold, raw foods that aggravate Vata. Include spices like ginger, black pepper, and cumin to aid digestion and balance Vata.
2. Hydration and Fluids: Drink warm water throughout the day. Avoid cold or carbonated drinks that can disturb Vata.
3. Meals Schedule: Eat regular meals at consistent times, ensuring each meal is balanced with proteins, fats, and carbohydrates to stabilize digestion and prevent gas.
4. Herbs and Spices: Consider taking fennel seeds after meals to reduce bloating and gas. Drinking herbal tea with ginger and cinnamon can also soothe digestion.
5. Routine and Lifestyle: Incorporate daily routines (dinacharya) like waking up, eating, and sleeping at the same times every day to keep Vata balanced. Gentle yoga and pranayama can help ground Vata and stabilize your digestion.
If the symptoms persist or worsen, it would advisable to seek professional Ayurvedic guidance to identify and treat any underlying issues more thoroughly. Avoid delay if you notice severe discomfort to consult a healthcare provider.
Gas and runny nose might seem unrelated at first, but in Ayurveda, they can be linked through the lens of dosha imbalances. This kind of symptom often indicates an imbalance in vata, which relates to air and ether elements in the body. Vata imbalances can cause digestive issues, such as gas, which can trigger other disturbances. This includes upward movement of air which might, in turn, provoke mucus production hence causing a runny nose. Poor digestion and accumulation of ama (toxins) can exacerbate these imbalances.
To tackle this, it’s crucial to improve your agni, or digestive fire. One practical step is starting your day with warm water and a pinch of ginger to stimulate digestion. Avoid cold foods and beverages which can aggravate vata. Incorporate warm, cooked meals easily digestible and balanced in flavors. If you’ve noticed grains causing issues, it may be due to incomplete digestion; consider consuming dosha-specific grains like basmati rice which tend is easier on digestion for vata types.
Additionally, practicing pranayama daily, such as Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing), can help balance the energy channels, also called nadis. This can aid in harmonizing vata and reducing symptoms like gas and runny nose.
Try sesame oil massage (abhyanga) as this can calm vata and provide relief. However, if symptoms persist or you suspect a more serious underlying issue, consult a healthcare provider. Tailoring these practices to your daily life should help mitigate symptoms over time. Don’t forget to assess environmental factors and eating habits closely, as they both play a key role in managing vata imbalances successfully.
For Immediate Relief take
Ajwain + black salt (½ tsp mix) after meals with warm water — reduces gas quickly.
Jeera water (boil cumin seeds, drink warm) — aids digestion.
Avoid lying down right after eating.
Diet Adjustments
Keep a food diary to track triggers.
Avoid excess raw vegetables, onions, cabbage, beans at night.
Reduce high-FODMAP foods in one meal if eating no grains.
Eat cooked, warm meals — avoid cold/iced drinks with food.
Remedies Include
1.Trikatu churna (dry ginger, black pepper, long pepper) ½ tsp before meals with warm water
2.Hingvastak churna ½ tsp with ghee in rice/khichdi
Eat at regular times.
Avoid overeating or mixing too many food types in one meal.
Light walk after meals helps release trapped gas.
Gashara churna - 1/2 tsp with warm water twice daily Chitrakadi vati- 1 tab to be chewed twice daily Sithophaladi churna- 1/4 th tsp with honey twice daily Sanjeevini vati- 1 tab twice daily after food with warm water Do pranayama meditation Avoid oily spicy fried foods
HELLO URVASHI,
You are experiencing gas problems, and sometimes when the gas is reversed or smells bad, it leads to a runny nose and head pain. You’ve noticed it happens more when you avoid grains
In Ayurveda, your symptoms suggest an imbalance of vata and Kapha dosha -GAS/BLOATING/REVERSAL = vata imbalance especially samana and apana vata -RUNNY NOSE/MUCUS/POST NASAL DRIP= kapha disturbance, sometimes triggered by toxins -HEADACHE DUE TO GAS= vata moving upward (udana Vayu), disturbing prana Vayu
POSSIBLE CONNECTIONS 1) improper digestion-> leads to toxins 2) ama+vata disturbance-> gas, bloating, foul smell 3) when ama circulates, it can block the channels-> triggers kappa response like runny nose 4) refraining from grains may reduce Kapha dosha-> increases vata-> worsen gas
HERBAL REMEDIES
1) HINGWASTAKA CHURNA= 1/2 tsp with warm water before meals =improves digestion, relieves gas
2) TRIKATU CHURNA= 1/4 tsp with honey after meals
3) SITOPALADI CHURNA= 1/2 tsp with warm water if runny nose persists
REMEDY -warm water with ajwain+jeera post meals -avoid cold foods, carbonated drinks, or eating raw at night
DIET -eat lightly cooked grains like rice khichdi -avoid going completely grain free -avoid incompatible foods- milk+fruits, curd at night -include ginger, cumin, asafoetida, black pepper
LIFESTYLE -do deep pranayama, especially anulom vilom -walk after meals -don’t suppress natural urges like passing gas or sneezing
THANK YOU
DR. HEMANSHU MEHTA
