Based on the information you’ve provided, it’s understandable that you’re concerned about not having a daily bowel movement despite following a vata-balancing regimen. It’s great that you’re so dedicated to your health and are incorporating many beneficial practices. Let’s break down some potential reasons for your experience and explore what might be happening.
Understanding Vata and Constipation
In Ayurveda, Vata is associated with the qualities of dry, light, and cold. When Vata is out of balance, these qualities can become excessive in the colon, leading to dryness and hardness of the stool, which results in constipation. Your symptoms of not passing stool every day and feeling gassy are classic signs of a Vata imbalance in the digestive system.
Potential Reasons for Your Situation
Even with your diligent practices, there could be a few factors at play:
Underlying Vata Imbalance: While you are following a Vata-balancing diet, the imbalance might be more deeply rooted. Vata can be aggravated by factors beyond just diet, such as stress, anxiety, irregular sleep, excessive travel, or a very active and fast-paced lifestyle. These can all contribute to the dryness and irregular movement in the colon.
The Nature of Your Constitution: Some individuals, especially those with a strong Vata constitution, may naturally have a tendency towards irregular bowel movements. While a daily bowel movement is considered ideal, a bowel movement every other day may be normal for some people, as long as the stool is soft, well-formed, and there is no straining or discomfort. The key is to avoid straining and feeling bloated.
Triphala’s Action: Triphala is a wonderful and gentle laxative, but its effect can vary from person to person. For some, a different dosage or timing might be needed. While it’s generally recommended at night, sometimes taking it in the morning can also be effective.
Individual Digestion: Everyone’s digestive fire (agni) is unique. The foods you’re eating, even if they are warm and have ghee, might not be fully digested, leading to a build-up of toxins (ama) and gas. The presence of gas suggests incomplete digestion.
Dosage and Consistency: The amount of ghee you consume with your meals and the amount of triphala you’re taking can influence their effectiveness. The amount of ghee needed can vary based on individual needs and the dryness of the food.
The Role of Buttermilk: While buttermilk is generally good for digestion, some individuals with a Vata imbalance may find that it can be a bit drying or cooling, especially if it’s consumed cold or in excess.
Hydration: While you’re consuming fluids, ensure you’re drinking enough warm water throughout the day. Dryness is a key Vata quality, and insufficient hydration can make the stool dry and difficult to pass.
Stress and Nervous System: The gut and the nervous system are closely connected. When you’re stressed or anxious, the Vata dosha can get aggravated, which directly impacts the peristaltic movement of the intestines, leading to sluggishness and gas.
Next Steps and Considerations
Given your situation, here are some things to consider and potentially discuss with an Ayurvedic practitioner:
Review Your Lifestyle: Beyond diet, think about your daily routine. Do you have a regular sleep schedule? Do you feel stressed? Incorporating practices like gentle yoga, meditation, or a short walk after meals can help calm Vata.
Adjust Triphala: You could experiment with the dosage of your Triphala. Sometimes a slightly larger dose might be needed. An Ayurvedic practitioner can help you determine the right amount.
Consider Other Herbs: Depending on your specific needs, an Ayurvedic practitioner might recommend other herbs or formulations that are specifically targeted for Vata-type constipation.
Warm Water: Make sure you’re drinking plenty of warm water throughout the day, not just with your morning Amla. Sipping warm water can help soothe the digestive tract and aid in elimination.
Massage: A gentle, clockwise abdominal massage with warm sesame oil before bed can be very soothing for Vata and can help stimulate bowel movements.
Remember, Ayurveda is highly individualized. What works for one person may not work for another. It’s a journey of understanding your body and making subtle adjustments to find what helps you achieve balance.
Treatment
1) Erand bhrishta haritaki- 1 tsf before food 2 times with warm water
2) sukumar ghrita 20 ml +yava kashara 500 mg + saindhava 500 mg - 1 hr after food 2 times with warm water
No need to worry dear,
Avoid excessive vatavardhak ahar vihar like too spicy, bitter, astringent food,pea,brinjal, cauliflower, capsicum etc.
And start taking these medications, 1.Abhyarishta 20ml with equal amount of Lukewarm water just after having meal twice in a day. 2.panchsakar choorna 1tsf with lukewarm water twice in a day after having meal.
Follow up after 15 days.
Take care😊
Kind Regards, Dr.Isha Ashok Bhardwaj
Hello Anjali ji, It’s good that you are aware of your prakriti and taking food accordingly.For few days, stop ccf tea and triphla and start this-
Treatment - 1.Abhyaristha -4tsp with 4tsp lukewarm water twice a day after meal 2. Arogyavardhni vati -2-0-2 after meal 3.Erand tel- 2-3 drops in warm milk at bedtime.
Diet- 1.Eat fibre rich food like salad, fruits,whole grains. 2.Eat apples, orange,oats, soaked and peeled almonds. 3.Adequate amount of water. 4.Avoid items made of maida like bread,buns,pizza, noodles, packaged snacks. 5. Drink hot milk daily. 6. Drink 2-3 glasses of warm water empty stomach. 7. Always take warm and freshly prepared food. 8. Avoid fried food,spicy ,oily ,fast food.
Yoga- Mandookasana, vajrasana, kapalbhati, malasana.
Lifestyle modifications - Don’t ignore constipation problem as it can to many diseases in the future. Avoid those food items when causes constipation. Walk for atleast 30 minutes after dinner. Exercise and do yoga daily. Follow these and you will definitely get relief. Take care Regards, Dr. Anupriya
Along with that include Abhaya aristha- 4 tsp with equal quantity of water twice daily after food Include more fibre in your diet Fresh fruits vegetables Avoid spicy non vegetarian foods Drink plenty of fluids Regular walking
Start with Tablet livomyn 1-0-1 after food with water Avipattikar tablet 1-0-3 after food with water Tablet Nityam 0-0-1 after food with water Do pranayam lom -vilom kapalbhatti bhastrika daily for 5-10mins twice. Avoid processed fatty fast sugary street foods Include whole grain millets, seasonal vegetables, leafy green vegetables in your diet Take seasonal fruits.
Irregular bowel movements and floating stools can be linked to different factors, even when following a Vata-balancing regimen. Often, Vata imbalances can lead to dryness in the colon, which may cause irregular bowel movements and gas. Floating stools may indicate excess undigested fat due to poor digestion. Despite your dedicated adherence to Vata-pacifying practices, there could be underlying issues worth exploring.
First, consider the role of your Agni, or digestive fire. If Agni is weak, digestion can be compromised, leading to incomplete stool formation. A slight deviation from your dietary routine might enhance Agni, improving the situation. Begin by incorporating ginger tea 15-20 minutes before meals, as ginger can stimulate digestion. Add a small slice of fresh ginger with a few drops of lemon juice and a pinch of rock salt. This preparation aids in balancing Vata and optimizing Agni.
Second, assess your meal portions and timing. Smaller, more frequent meals could lessen the digestive load and prevent gas. Avoid consuming raw, cold, or incompatible foods such as milk with sour or salty items, which might aggravate Vata.
You can also try yoga or gentle abdominal massages. Positions like Pavanamuktasana (wind-relieving pose) and other Vata-reducing asanas can promote regularity. Also, ensure proper hydration with warm water through the day, avoiding chilled beverages to support your digestive system.
If the issue persists, consider consulting with an Ayurvedic practitioner for personalized evaluation. It might be necessary to refine your regimen further, examining other aspects such as stress management and sleep, as they might contribute to digestive irregularities. Adjusting these factors can restore balance, reducing dependence on laxatives.
Hingwastaka churna 1/2-0-1/2 tsp after meals Chitrakadi vati 1-1-1 chew the tablet
HELLO ANJALI,
-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
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
5) GANDHARVA HARITAKI TABLETS= 2 tab at night =for constipation to pass stool daily
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
Given your vata prakriti and the detailed regimen you already follow, it seems like the issue might be related to your agni, or digestive fire, as well as some subtle imbalances that could still be present in your routine or diet. Floating stool can often signify undigested fat or gas, which points to digestive inefficiency. While you’re on the right track with many practices, a few tailored tweaks might help.
First, ensure you’re staying sufficiently hydrated, as vata imbalances can often lead to dryness, affecting stool passage. Drink warm water throughout the day, but avoid cold or carbonated drinks. Since you consume ghee, check its quantity—too much can sometimes slow digestion. Adjust to a level where it supports digestion but doesn’t overwhelm it.
Consider adding hingvastak churna, a classical blend supportive for vata digestion, before meals. This can be taken with a small piece of ginger and warm water. This may help reduce gas and enhance your agni. Also, try to have your main meals at regular times, as erratic eating schedules can disrupt vata balance.
Reflect on your daily routine for stressors or irregularities, as a calm mind is crucial for balanced vata and proper digestion. Incorporating a gentle yoga practice or pranayama, like nadi shodhana, can be beneficial.
If these adjustments don’t provide relief, it’s important to consult with a practitioner for a more detailed evaluation. In some cases, persistent digestive issues can indicate underlying conditions that need medical attention. Remember to proceed with care and monitor any changes closely.
