How can I treat floating Stools? - #30004
My stools have been floating since about a week. I have no other symptoms, have a very good apetite and all of my blood tests are normal. I have been taking abhayarishta after dinner. I neither smoke nor drink. My food habits are super clean too. I'm getting worried now.
Doctors’ responses
Floating stools by themselves, especially when there is no pain area, weight loss, weakness or abnormal blood test or usually not serious. They often occur due to excessive gas in the intestine or quicker bubble movement since you’re taking Abhaya Arista. It is very likely the cause at which speed of direction and can create mild fermentation, which makes stool lighter. If you stop Abhaya Rista for a week and observe stools may return to normal. Make sure to chew food well ,drink warm water instead of cold and avoid excessive Raw salads or carbonated drinks. Only if stools become greasy, foul smelling difficult to flush or if you notice weight loss or fatigue then you should get further test, otherwise, in your case, it looks harmless and temporary.
hello Tara ,
i understand your concern it’s normal to feel worried when you notice a change in your stools, especially when everything else seems fine. Floating stools usually indicate that there’s excess gas or fat content in the stool, which can happen if digestion is a bit sluggish or if there’s temporary mild malabsorption. Since your appetite is good, blood tests are normal, and your diet is clean, this is likely a temporary digestive imbalance rather than anything serious. Sometimes, even Ayurvedic tonics like Abhayarishta can slightly alter digestion in sensitive individuals.
Before starting any treatment, I’d like to know about your, frequency, appetite, sleep, and any stress you might be experiencing. These help in tailoring the right treatment for you. If everything is normal in these aspects, then we can follow the plan below.
treatment Plan : Ama Pachana (Digestive cleansing – 3 days): Triphala Churna: 3g with warm water at night before sleep
Internal Medicines (after Ama Pachana): Dadimashtaka Churna: 3g twice daily after meals for 10–15 days (helps normalize digestion) Sitamrashadi Kashayam: 20 ml twice daily after meals for 10–15 days (supports fat digestion and overall gut health)
Diet Recommendations: Eat warm, freshly cooked meals; avoid raw, cold, or oily foods Include rice, dal, lightly cooked vegetables, and yogurt if tolerated Avoid excessive ghee, fried foods, and heavy legumes temporarily Drink warm water throughout the day
Lifestyle & Habits: Gentle walking after meals to support digestion Avoid late-night meals or overeating Practice simple breathing exercises to reduce stress
Investigations (if needed): Stool test for fat content if symptoms persist beyond 2–3 weeks Liver function test and pancreatic function check if persistent
Do’s & Don’ts: Do eat warm, light meals regularly Avoid cold drinks, raw salads, and heavy processed foods Do maintain proper hydration Avoid unnecessary stress around digestion Monitor bowel movements daily Stop any unnecessary herbal tonics if they worsen symptoms
With proper care, floating stools usually resolve within 1–2 weeks. Follow this plan consistently, and you should notice improvement.
Warm regards, Dr. Karthika
1.Chitrakadi vati 2 tab twice daily with warn water before meals 2.Trikatu 1/2 tsp twice daily with warm water after meals
Foods to Include - Grains: Old rice, barley, broken wheat (daliya) - Legumes: Split moong dal (yellow), soaked and cooked well - Vegetables: Bottle gourd, ridge gourd, pumpkin, ash gourd, carrots (steamed) - Fruits: Pomegranate, ripe banana (if no acidity), stewed apple - Spices: Cumin, coriander, fennel, ajwain, turmeric (small amounts) - Fats: Desi ghee (1 tsp/day) to soften Ama and support Agni
Its a sign of ama an ayurvedic term So first you have to change your food consumption patterns Only eat when felt hungry Start with Amapachak vati 2BD B F Amrittotar kashaya 20ml BD A F Shaddharan gutika 2BD A F You are all set
No Need to worry dear,
1.Since Abhayarishta is the only new variable, consider pausing it for a few days to see if your stools return to normal. If they do, discuss the dosage with an Ayurvedic doctor to ensure it is right for your body.
2.Keep a food journal for a week to see if your floating stools correlate with particular foods. If you recently increased your fiber intake or started consuming more gas-producing vegetables, your digestive system may just be adjusting.
3.Try eliminating common culprits like dairy or artificial sweeteners for a short period to see if your symptoms clear up.
4.Continue with your clean eating, but be mindful of your food combinations. For Ayurvedic guidance, try adding spices like ginger or cumin to your meals, and sit down to eat in a calm environment.
Take care 😊
Kind Regards, Dr.Isha Ashok Bhardwaj.
Don’t worry take chitrakadivati 1tab bd , kutajaganavati 1tab, bilwasava 20ml bd Enough
Start with Tablet Liv-52 1-0-1 after food with water, will improve your digestion. Triphala tablet 0-0-2 at bedtime with water Avoid processed fatty fast street foods Keep a gap of 3-4 hrs. Between any snak/ meal Include Buttermilk with a pinch of asafoetida black salt and roasted jeera powder after lunch daily
In Ayurveda, the health of a person is closely tied to the state of their Agni (digestive fire) and the balance of the three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha). Floating stools, especially when there are no other major symptoms, can be interpreted in a few ways from an Ayurvedic standpoint.
Ayurvedic Perspective on Floating Stools Ama and Agni: Healthy stools are believed to be well-formed, light brownish-yellow, and slightly oily. Ideally, they should float, as this indicates a healthy, balanced digestive fire (Agni) and a lack of Ama. Ama is the term for undigested food and toxins that accumulate in the body due to a weak Agni. When Ama is present, the stools can be sticky, heavy, and sink in water. Therefore, floating stools could be seen as a sign of good digestion and the absence of Ama. However, if they are also greasy or oily, it could point to an issue with fat metabolism.
Vata Dosha: Floating stools can sometimes be associated with an imbalance of the Vata dosha. An excess of Vata, which is related to air and space elements, can lead to increased gas in the digestive tract. This gas can get trapped in the stool, making it less dense and causing it to float. Other signs of Vata imbalance include bloating, gas, irregular appetite, and sometimes a feeling of being “spaced out.”
Abhayarishta and your Symptoms: You mentioned taking Abhayarishta, an Ayurvedic formulation primarily used for digestive issues, especially constipation. Its main ingredient, Haritaki, is a powerful herb that can have a laxative effect. While it is generally considered safe and beneficial for digestion, it can influence your bowel movements. Given that your stools have been floating since you started taking it, it’s possible that the herb is having a specific effect on your system, perhaps by increasing the air (Vata) element in your gut.
What I suggest
considering your constitution (Prakriti), current imbalance (Vikriti), lifestyle, and other symptoms.
Dietary Adjustments: your diet for any foods that might be contributing to gas. This could include beans, lentils, cabbage, or other gas-producing foods. They might also suggest incorporating warming, easy-to-digest foods and spices like ginger, cumin, and fennel to help balance Vata and support your Agni.
Re-evaluating Abhayarishta: if the Abhayarishta is suitable for your specific constitution and current condition. While it is often used for constipation, its effect can vary from person to person. believe it is contributing to a Vata imbalance.
Lifestyle changes: emphasize the importance of a regular routine, stress management, and mindful eating to maintain a healthy digestive system.
HELLO TARA JI, IF YOU HAVE NO OTHER SYMPTOMS THEN IT IS NOT A SERIOUS ISSUE. FLOATING STOOL INDICATE AAM IN THE BODY. STOP TAKING ABHYARISHTA FOR 1 WEEK AND NOTICE THE DIFFERENCE.
TREATMENT- 1.CHITRAKADI VATI 0-1-1 BEFORE MEALS 2. AAM PACHNI VATI 1-0-1 AFTER MEALS
OTHER TIPS- .EAT SMALL PORTIONS OF MEALS. . DON’T EAT WHEN YOU ARE NOT HUNGRY. . TAKE EASY TO DIGEST FOOD. .AVOID FAST FOOD,FRIED FOOD AND MAIDA. .WALK FOR 20MIN AFTER DINNER. YOGA- VAJRASANA,MANDOOKSANA. FOLLOW THESE AND YOU WILL GET RESULT. TAKE CARE REGARDS ,DR.ANUPRIYA
Floating stools can often be attributed to excess gas content or malabsorption issues, and in Ayurveda, this can be linked to imbalances in the digestive fire (Agni) or disturbances in Vata dosha. While you mention having a good appetite and normal blood tests, let’s look at some practical Ayurvedic recommendations to help address the issue.
Firstly, consider incorporating a small quantity of ginger into your diet regularly. Ginger is known to enhance digestion and balance Vata. You can take fresh ginger juice or add it to warm water before meals to stimulate Agni. Alternatively, half a teaspoon of trikatu powder (a blend of ginger, black pepper, and long pepper) mixed with honey can be equally effective when taken twice daily.
Pay attention to your eating habits - ensure to eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly. Avoid drinking large quantities of water immediately before, during, or right after meals, as it can dilute digestive enzymes and weaken Agni. Sipping on warm water or herbal teas like cumin or fennel tea during meals is preferable.
Abhayarishta is primarily indicated for digestive issues and constipation, but if you feel it’s not helping, it might be worth evaluating if it suits your prakriti (constitution) or dosha balance. Adjustments might be necessary.
Try practicing yoga asanas like Pawanmuktasana (Wind-Relieving Pose) and Vajrasana after meals, known to support digestion.
If changes in stool persist beyond 2-3 weeks, it would be prudent to consult a qualified healthcare professional to rule out any underlying condition, despite normal blood tests. Ayurveda emphasizes balance, butmodern medical insights are beneficial for comprehensive care.
HELLO TARA,
-Normally well digested stools are compact, neither too hard nor too loose, sink in water and pass without efforts -Floating stool In Ayurveda suggest -Vata imbalance= excess air/gas trapped in stool -Kapha/Ama involvement= unprocessed mucus, undigested food particles, or unassimilated fats making stools lighter
-Since your appetite is good and blood tests are normal this points to digestive fire imbalance rather than a disease. It means the body is not fully breaking down and assimilating nutrients
In Ayurveda, this is understood as mandagni (low digestive fire) with Ama formation and vata-kapha vitiation
TREATMENT GOALS -Agni deepana (rekindle digestive fire)- improve digestion so food is completely processed -Ama pachana (remove toxins/undigested residue)- clear what is causing light, floating stools -Vata kapha Shamana = restores balance of air and mucus elements -Srotosodhana= improve assimilation and proper stool formation -Prevent recurrence= by adopting long term diet, lifestyle and stress management
INTERNAL MEDICINES
1) TRIKATU CHURNA= 2 gm with warm water before meals for 4 weeks =improves agni, digests ama, reduces kapha
2) HINGWASTAKA CHURNA= 2 gm with warm water/ghee before meals =relieves vata, gas, bloating, supports digestion
3) TAKRA spiced with cumin, black pepper, rock salt- daily after lunch =strengthens agni, balances kapha, cleanses channels
4) GUDUCHI TABLET= 1 tab twice edaily =restores agni without aggravating pitta, balances all three doshas
IF PROBLEM PERSISTS >1 MONTH= Mild virechana (purgation with castor oil + warm milk once a week) may be taken
DIET -warm, freshly prepared meals -mung dal khichdi with ghee -spices= cumin, ajwain, ginger, hing, black pepper -cooked vegetables= bottle gourd, ridge gourd, pumpkin -herbal teas= cumin-fennel-ginger
AVOID -excess milk, cheese, curd at night -raw salads, cold drinks , ice cream -heavy beans rajma, chana , fried/oily food -mixing milk with salty/sour foods
LIFESTYLE AND YOGA -eat at regular times, avoid skipping meals -avoid overeating even if appetite is strong -Yoga asanas= vajrasana after meals, pawanmuktasana, trikonasana, ardha matsyendrasana
PRANAYAM -kapalbhati -nadi sodhana -bhramari
PROPER SLEEP= avoid late nights
SIMPLE REMEDIES -warm water with a pinch of dry ginger powder after meals -jeera-ajwain tea -1 tsp ghee in warm water before bedtime -buttermilk with roasted cumin + rock salt post lunch
DO FOLLOW
HOPE THIS MIGHT BE HELPFUL
THANK YOU
DR. MAITRI ACHARYA
Floating stools can be a sign that your body is processing fats differently than usual. It might be linked to vata imbalance, affecting digestion and nutrient absorption. Since you’ve been taking abhayarishta—an ayurvedic preparation mainly used for constipation—let’s look into some other adjustments to support healthy digestion.
First, consider including more warm, cooked foods like soups and stews, avoiding raw, cold, or excessively oily foods. These meals are calming for vata, which in turn helps in better digestion and absorption. You can also incorporate some spices like asafoetida, cumin and ginger in your cooking to enhance agni (digestive fire) and stabilizing digestion.
Drinking a cup of warm water with a teaspoon of fresh grated ginger and a dash of lemon juice before meals can stimulate digestive enzymes, which may help with the fat processing.
You might also want to try triphala—it harmonizes all three doshas and supports digestive balance. Take about half a teaspoon of triphala powder with warm water before bedtime.
Ensure you are not over-consuming laxative herbs or supplements as this can also affect the consistency of your stools. Abhyarishta is beneficial, but it might be worthwhile to review the need for continuing it if you’re not experiencing constipation.
If you continue to notice floating stools for more than a week or if you experience additional symptoms like pain or discomfort, it’s wise to consult a healthcare professional. Remember to approach your diet and lifestyle changes slowly and let your body adapt. Keep an eye on your overall well-being and stay in tune with any shifts that might signal a need for further evaluation.
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