Shoola - #3365

Shoola sounds like exactly what you’re describing, where the abdominal pain gets intense and comes in sharp waves. In Ayurveda, shoola is actually a common term for severe pain in the belly, and it can be linked with all the doshas but often pulls in vata or pitta elements. Since your pain gets worse after spicy or heavy meals, it does hint at pitta imbalances. But that bloating and gas could mean vata is playing a part too. You’ve probably already guessed it, what you're eating might be a trigger. Foods that are too spicy, oily, or heavy can aggravate pitta, while cold, dry foods can mess with vata. A balanced approach can really help. Consider making your meals more simple, opting for warm, well-cooked, easier-to-digest foods. Stick to grains like rice, or light dals, cooked with ghee might suit you. Since kapha isn't acting up here, you don't need to worry much about its usual heavy diet restrictions. So, about ajwain and hing you mentioned: those are indeed great for settling vata and digesting toxins. Ajwain can help with gas and bloating, while hing can calm down the belly and ease pain too. How do you use 'em? Try a pinch of hing with a glass of warm water before meals. You can chew a teaspoon of ajwain with warm water to aid digestion and reduce bloating. But, definitely, for recurring pain, you’d benefit from a more personalized game plan. Sometimes, simple home fixes don’t do the trick against deeper imbalances. I'd say, check your lifestyle too — stress, skipping meals, or irregular eating, these can trigger the pain. Make sure you're getting enough rest and managing stress; a routine with predictable meal times and relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation will help reduce stress that's affecting your digestion. When dealing with pain that impacts daily life, I say find an Ayurvedic practitioner in your area. They'll dive deep into your prakriti, or body constitution, and create a strategy that really matches what you need right now. Don’t ignore getting checked for serious underlying conditions, if it persists – mainstream medical advice alongside Ayurveda can do wonders. So, tackle the imbalance together with lighter meals, herbs, and lifestyle tweaks. It takes some trial and error, but eventually, you'll find what brings your stomach back to its happy place, without those painful waves interrupting.