Ayurvedic Self-Care for Acid Stomach: Finding Relief and Restoring Digestive Balance

At Thomas Chiropractic & Ayurveda, we understand the discomfort and challenges that come with an acid stomach. It is a condition often caused by indigestion and poor digestion, which can hinder the absorption and assimilation of food. According to Ayurveda, an ancient system of medicine, when the digestive system is weakened, it compensates by increasing the production of digestive liquid and fire, leading to an overheated system and high pitta dosha, resulting in acidity in the stomach.

The Ayurvedic Approach to Acid Stomach

To find relief from an acid stomach, it is crucial to follow an appropriate Daily Lifestyle Regimen based on your dosha, or mind-body type. Paying particular attention to your diet and eating habits plays a vital role in supporting your digestive system. Incorporating specific yoga poses, such as Thunderbolt, can also be beneficial for relieving acid stomach.

Herbal Remedies for Alleviating Acidity

Herbs can play a significant role in alleviating acidity and restoring digestive balance. Ayurveda recommends incorporating certain herbs into your daily routine to aid in soothing the stomach. One such herb is Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus). Mixing 1/2 teaspoon of Shatavari with 1/2 cup of warm water or milk before meals may help relieve acidity. Additionally, drinking 1 cup of fennel tea three times a day can provide relief from acidity.

Engaging the Five Senses for Balancing Acidity

Engaging your five senses can be a helpful practice for balancing acidity in the body:

• Taste: Incorporate bitter and astringent foods, herbs, and spices into your diet to reduce acidity. Consider using the summer churn, a collection of spices like coriander, mint, and fresh ginger, along with a little salt and lemon flakes daily.

• Smell: Utilize aromatherapy with sweet and cool aromas like sandalwood, jasmine, cinnamon, and fennel.

• Sight: Depending on the emotional root of your acidity, use yellow if it's related to anger or rage, and blue if it's associated with suppressed emotions like grief or sadness.

• Hearing: Listen to the midmorning raga, a musical composition, between the hours of ten A.M. and one P.M.

• Touch: Apply one drop of coconut oil with slight finger pressure to the marma point known to relieve acid stomach.

Ayurvedic Diet for Acid Stomach

The Ayurvedic diet can be highly effective in managing acid reflux and promoting a healthy digestive system. By incorporating cooling and soothing foods, you can calm the digestive system and reduce acidity. Here are some dietary recommendations:

Cooling and Soothing Foods

• Sweet, Bitter, and Astringent Tastes: Include foods with these tastes in your meals. Incorporate leafy greens, cucumbers, fennel, and coriander into your dishes.

• Avoid Trigger Foods: Steer clear of foods that can aggravate acid reflux symptoms. Minimize or avoid spicy, hot, and acidic foods such as chili peppers, citrus fruits, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and vinegar.

• Cooked and Digestible Meals: Opt for cooked meals rather than raw foods, as they are generally easier to digest. Prepare light and nourishing meals using steamed or sautéed vegetables, whole grains like rice and quinoa, and lean proteins such as tofu or small portions of white meat poultry or fish.

• **Gentle Spices

FIVE-SENSE THERAPIES Engaging your five senses can aid in balancing acidity: -

Taste: Incorporate bitter and astringent foods, herbs, and spices into your diet to reduce acidity. Consider using the summer churn, a collection of spices: coriander, mint, and fresh ginger. along with a little salt and lemon flakes daily. -

Smell: Utilize aromatherapy with sweet and cool aromas like sandalwood, jasmine, cinnamon, and fennel. - Sight: Depending on the emotional root of your acidity, use yellow if it's related to anger or rage, and blue if it's associated with suppressed emotions like grief or sadness. -

Hearing: Listen to the midmorning raga, a musical composition, between the hours of ten A.M. and one P.M. - Touch: Apply one drop of coconut oil with slight finger pressure to the marma point known to relieve acid stomach.

If you have been struggling with these digestive concerns, you're in the right place! We will discuss the effectiveness of the Ayurvedic diet and medicines in alleviating symptoms such as burning sensation in the stomach which is one teaspoon of Amalaki in warm water.

One of the key solutions we'll uncover is the Ayurvedic diet for acid reflux: Cooling and soothing foods that help calm the digestive system. Include sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes in your meals. Incorporate leafy greens, cucumbers, fennel, and coriander into your dishes.

Avoid Trigger Foods: Steer clear of foods that can aggravate acid reflux symptoms. Minimize or avoid spicy, hot, and acidic foods such as chili peppers, citrus fruits, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and vinegar.

Pay attention to your body's reaction and modify your diet accordingly. Cooked and Digestible Meals:  cooked meals rather than raw foods, as they are generally easier to digest.

Prepare light and nourishing meals using steamed or sautéed vegetables, whole grains like rice and quinoa, and lean proteins such as tofu or small portions of white meat poultry or fish.

Gentle Spices and Herbal Teas: Coriander seeds, saffron, and cumin seeds aid digestion and promote a balanced stomach acid level.

Fresh Ginger only, Coriander Tea one teaspoon of coriander seed boiled in one cup of water strained and cooled. add date sugar if need sweetener.

Add these spices to your cooking or enjoy them as herbal teas to soothe the digestive system. Here are the classic Ayurvedic medicine for acidity and gastritis, highlighting potent herbal remedies that have been used for centuries to promote digestive health. Here is the recipe:

Take equal amounts of fennel seeds, coriander seeds, and cumin seeds boil in two cups of water down to one cup then strain and drink slowly over a day. Hing which is apophatic: a garlic substitute can be ordered from Amazon and taken in capsule form for reducing gastritis.

Another remarkable remedy (check out the video and others on nutritionfacts.org)we'll focus on is Amla, also known as Amalaki, and its benefits in managing acid reflux. Amla, with its high vitamin C content and a myriad of antioxidants, acts as a potent digestive aid and supports a healthy gut. Amla's cooling and soothing properties make it an effective remedy for excess stomach acidity.

By reducing heat in the digestive system, amla can help alleviate symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn.

Digestive Tonic: Amla acts as a potent digestive tonic, enhancing overall digestive function. It stimulates the secretion of digestive juices and enzymes, including stomach acid, which aids in proper digestion.

By improving digestion, amla helps prevent the buildup of undigested food that can contribute to increased stomach acidity.

Gastric Protection: Amla possesses antioxidant properties that protect the gastric mucosa from damage caused by excess stomach acid. It forms a protective layer on the stomach lining, reducing inflammation and irritation.

This protective effect helps prevent the development of gastric ulcers and promotes the healing of existing ulcers.

Alleviates Hyperacidity Symptoms: Amla can provide relief from common symptoms of hyperacidity, such as heartburn, bloating, and indigestion. Its natural cooling properties help soothe the burning sensation and discomfort associated with excess stomach acid.

Amla also helps regulate bowel movements, reducing the chances of acid reflux and gastric discomfort. Regular consumption of amla can strengthen the digestive system, improve nutrient absorption, and restore balance to the digestive fire (Agni).

This helps maintain optimal stomach acid levels and prevents fluctuations that contribute to acid-related issues. Amla is an Ayurvedic superfood that can improve your overall digestive well-being. Amla can enhance your overall digestive capacity and combat acidity effectively.

Differentiating between low stomach acid and an increase in stomach acid can help you better understand your condition. Can You Make a Note of Your Symptoms Low or High Acid?

Symptoms of Low Stomach Acid: 1. Bloating and discomfort after meals 2. Feeling full quickly while eating 3. Belching or gas shortly after eating 4. Acid reflux or heartburn 5. Nausea or vomiting 6. Undigested food in stools 7. Weak or brittle nails 8. Nutritional deficiencies (iron, vitamin B12, etc.)

Causes of Low Stomach Acid: 1. Age-related decline in stomach acid production 2. Chronic stress or anxiety 3. Helicobacter pylori infection 4. Autoimmune conditions affecting the stomach lining 5. Pernicious anemia (a condition that affects vitamin B12 absorption) 6. Long-term use of acid-suppressing medications

Symptoms of Increased Stomach Acid: 1. Burning sensation or pain in the upper abdomen (heartburn) 2. Acid regurgitation (sour taste in the mouth) 3. Difficulty swallowing or feeling like food is stuck 4. Nausea or vomiting, especially after meals 5. Bloating and belching 6. Black, tarry stools (indicating gastrointestinal bleeding)

Causes of Increased Stomach Acid: 1. Excessive alcohol consumption 2. Smoking 3. Certain medications (e.g., nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) 4. Bloating and discomfort after meals

Ayurvedic treatments and explanation of causes of the increase in stomach acids versus low stomach acids:

Increased Stomach Acid in Ayurveda: In Ayurveda, increased stomach acid is referred to as "Amlapitta." When Pitta becomes imbalanced, it can lead to excessive acid production.

Common causes of Amlapitta include consuming spicy, greasy, or acidic foods, excessive anger or stress, and irregular eating habits.

Ayurvedic treatments for increased stomach acid aim to pacify Pitta dosha and restore balance to the digestive system. 2. Emphasizing cooling

calming foods such as 3. fruits: apples, blueberries, 4. Vegetables: dark leafy greens cooked as a soup, steamed broccoli, cauliflower, boiled beets in a salad, cilantro, coriander, fennel 5. Whole grains quinoa, cous cous, buckwheat, and

6. Herbal teas. Take a mild laxative like smooth move tea and only steep for 3-9 minutes rather than 15 minutes this is to flush acid. This is one of the most effective Ayurvedic treatments for flushing acid that I have used for over thirty years in my Ayurvedic practice.

7. Avoid hot and spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol, and citrus fruits. 8. Herbal remedies: Using herbs like aloe vera, licorice, fennel, coriander, and Indian gooseberry (amla) to soothe the digestive system and reduce acidity.

9. Lifestyle changes: Practicing stress-reducing techniques like meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises.

10. This cannot be Over-Emphasized: Maintaining regular meal times and avoiding overeating. 10. Must eat the largest meal of the day between 10 am -3 pm if at all possible. Why? Because this is the time of the day that the secretes the highest amount of Stomach acid. If you don't eat at appropriate times the body gets a strong secretion of stomach acid directly on the inner lining of the stomach ad becomes very inflamed leading to infection and ulceration.

Low Stomach Acid in Ayurveda Ayurveda refers to low stomach acid as "Mandagni" an Ayurvedic word meaning: clogged up the stomach with bacteria in the stomach mucus and undigested foods or weak digestive fire. It is often associated with an imbalanced or weakened Agni. Factors contributing to Mandagni include a sedentary lifestyle, consuming heavy, oily, and processed foods, and excessive intake of cold and raw foods. Ayurvedic treatments for low stomach acid focus on strengthening Agni and enhancing digestion.

Some approaches include: 1. Warmth and stimulation: Consuming warm, cooked, and easily digestible foods to ignite Agni. 1. Including spices like ginger, black pepper, cumin, and cardamom in meals. 2. Digestive herbal remedies: Using herbs like ginger, fennel, cumin, and ajwain (carom seeds) to stimulate digestion and increase stomach acid production. 3. Mindful eating: Eating in a calm and relaxed environment, chewing food thoroughly, and avoiding distractions to support the digestive process. 4. Lifestyle adjustments: Engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing stress levels to promote optimal digestion Ayurvedic diet for severe low stomach acid Warm and Well-Cooked Foods: Focus on consuming warm and well-cooked foods as they are easier to digest. Choose soups, stews, steamed vegetables, and cooked grains. Avoid or minimize the intake of raw and cold foods, as they can be harder to digest and may further weaken Agni. Emphasize Digestive Spices: Incorporate digestive spices into your meals to stimulate stomach acid production and improve digestion. Some beneficial spices include ginger, black pepper, cumin, coriander, cardamom, fennel, and turmeric.

Choose Nourishing Fats: Include healthy fats in your diet, such as ghee (clarified butter), coconut oil, and olive oil. These fats help lubricate the digestive system and support the absorption of nutrients. Light Protein Sources: Consume light protein sources that are easier to digest, such as mung beans, lentils, tofu, and small amounts of white meat poultry, or fish. Soaking or sprouting legumes before cooking can further enhance their digestibility. Avoid Heavy and Processed Foods: Steer clear of heavy, greasy, and processed foods as they can burden the digestive system and worsen low stomach acid symptoms.

Minimize your intake of fried foods, processed meats, refined sugars, and packaged snacks. Some commonly used herbs include ginger, licorice, fennel, cumin, ajwain (carom seeds), and trikatu (a blend of black pepper, long pepper, and ginger).