Heartburn and acid reflux - #60

Dear Priyanka, Managing hyperacidity through Ayurveda involves balancing the Pitta dosha, improving digestion, and incorporating soothing practices. Here’s a comprehensive Ayurvedic prescription: 1. Dietary Recommendations (Ahara) Avoid Acidic and Spicy Foods: Minimize consumption of citrus fruits, tomatoes, spicy foods, and vinegar, as they can aggravate acidity. Favor Cooling Foods: Include sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes. Good options are: Vegetables: Leafy greens, cucumbers, and zucchini. Fruits: Sweet apples, pears, and melons. Whole Grains: Opt for easily digestible grains like rice and oats. Healthy Fats: Incorporate ghee and olive oil in moderation. Warm, Cooked Meals: Focus on warm, cooked foods that are easier to digest and soothing to the stomach. 2. Herbal Remedies Amla (Indian Gooseberry): Known for its ability to balance Pitta and improve digestion. It can be taken as juice or powder. Ginger: Helps stimulate digestion and reduce nausea. Use fresh ginger in teas or meals. Licorice Root (Mulethi): Soothes the stomach lining and helps alleviate acidity. Triphala: A blend of three fruits that aids digestion and detoxification. 3. Lifestyle Modifications Regular Meal Times: Eat at consistent times and avoid skipping meals to maintain digestive balance. Smaller Portions: Consume smaller, more frequent meals rather than large ones to prevent overwhelming the digestive system. Avoid Eating Late at Night: Allow at least 2-3 hours between your last meal and bedtime to facilitate digestion. 4. Stress Management Meditation and Deep Breathing: Incorporate daily practices to reduce stress, as stress can exacerbate acidity. Gentle Yoga: Poses like seated forward bends can help calm the digestive system. 5. Hydration Warm Water: Drink warm water throughout the day to aid digestion. Herbal Teas: Consume soothing teas like chamomile, peppermint, or fennel. 6. Consultation Personalized Guidance: For persistent hyperacidity, consult with an Ayurvedic practitioner for a tailored treatment plan that addresses your unique constitution and symptoms.

In Ayurveda, heartburn and acid reflux are often linked to an imbalance in Pitta dosha, which governs heat and digestion in the body. To soothe this, we’ll focus on cooling and balancing Pitta through diet and lifestyle changes. First, avoid spicy, oily, and fried foods, as they can aggravate Pitta and worsen your symptoms. Sour foods like citrus fruits, vinegar, and tomatoes should also be limited. Instead, focus on cooling, light, and easily digestible meals. Cooked vegetables, whole grains like rice, and cooling herbs such as coriander and fennel can be helpful. Include more foods like cucumber, coconut, and leafy greens, which are naturally cooling. Drink plenty of water, but make sure it's lukewarm or at room temperature—avoid cold drinks, which can disrupt digestion. Herbs like amla and licorice are excellent for soothing acid reflux. You can take 1 teaspoon of amla juice or powder daily, as it balances Pitta and promotes digestion. Drinking fennel tea after meals can also help ease heartburn. It’s also important to avoid eating late at night and lying down immediately after meals. Try to eat smaller portions and take time to chew your food properly. Practicing gentle yoga and meditation can help calm the mind and balance digestion.