Tag: Diet

An Ayurvedic approach for constipation relief

Constipation: Ayurvedic perspective

In Ayurveda, Constipation is known as ‘Vibandh.’ It is a common condition which affects a person’s normal bowel movements. In this condition, the affected person experiences difficulty in passing stools and emptying the bowel. In severe cases, the person may be unable to pass stools altogether for some time.

Ayurvedic Treatment of Constipation

According to Ayurveda

  • According to Ayurveda, the occurrence of constipation is linked to poor eating and lifestyle habits. This discomforting condition develops due to a gradual build-up of undigested food in the stomach and occult stool in the large intestines. As a result, the body’s Vata dosha is impaired, leading to an obstruction in the digestive tract. When the digestive tract is obstructed, the body is unable to support a proper bowel movement. This leads to the problem of constipation.
  • Hence, as per Ayurveda, the reason behind constipation is the improper functioning of the colon because of the cold and dry qualities of Vata energy. The excess of Vata in the body causes disruption to apana vayu, the downward energy which supports elimination and stability. Due to Vata imbalance, apana vayu flows in an upward direction rather than its usual downward flow.

Symptoms of Constipation

  • Some of the symptoms of constipation are indigestion (dyspepsia), acid eructation (belching), nausea, flatulence, stomach ache, scanty faeces, pain at the anus during defecation, feeling of heaviness of the body, lower back pain, and lack of appetite.
  • Ayurvedic approach to constipation relief involves the use of time-tested home remedies, use of herbs/herbal formulations, as well as dietary and lifestyle changes, in order to increase the regularity of bowel movements.

constipation-symptoms

Constipation relief: Ayurvedic approach

  • Ayurvedic remedies for relieving constipation are chiefly aimed at countering the effects of excess Vata in the patients, and restoring normal bowel movements. For this, Ayurveda recommends the addition of oil, warmth and hydration to the body’s excretory system.

Some useful Ayurvedic remedies which can be beneficial in managing constipation are:

Eat Vata-pacifying foods

  • To address the root cause — that is, Vata imbalance — of constipation, it is important for patients to modify their diet pattern and include foods that pacify the Vata. Towards that end, the diet of a patient suffering from constipation should comprise of properly cooked vegetables, warm foods, and warm drinks. It is also important to avoid cold foods and drinks, salads, dried fruits, and almost all types of beans.

Drink plenty of hot fluids

  • One of the best remedies that can normalize bowel movements for patients affected by constipation is to increase the daily intake of warm or hot fluids. Since warm water or herbal teas can effectively offset the cold quality of Vata, they should be taken frequently during the day. However, it must be noted that warm fluids should ideally be taken either 20 minutes before meals or one hour after meals.

Add organic oils to the diet

  • Some beneficial dietary changes, like increasing the use of organic oils, can provide relief in constipation. Oils provide lubrication to the tissues, so that the stool comprises an appropriate amount of grease or fat. Although nearly all oils can be used to treat constipation, the most supportive oils for managing Vata excess include ghee, olive oil, and sesame oil.

Increase the intake of fruits

  • The consumption of certain fruits is also useful in tackling the problem of constipation in a natural way. Fruits are fibrous and hydrating, and can pacify the Vata. The fruits that are believed to be especially beneficial in constipation include ripe bananas, papayas, peeled apples, soaked prunes, peaches, and soaked raisins.

Drink fruit juices

  • The juice of fruits like prunes and pineapple is recommended for relieving constipation. These juices have the ability to move excess Vata in the colon. The juices can be diluted with water if needed, or can also be warmed slightly.

Take hot milk with ghee

  • Hot milk, with ghee added to it, can be taken at bedtime to relieve constipation naturally. For this remedy, one or two teaspoons of ghee should be added to a cup of boiled milk. The combination of hot milk and ghee can treat the problem of constipation in patients who have a Vata or Pitta constitution.

Avoid foods that can cause constipation

  • Certain foods are known to cause or aggravate constipation, and should, therefore, be avoided by patients affected by the condition. The foods to be avoided in constipation are: refined foods such as white flour, white rice, bread, pizza, and pasta etc.
  • Moreover, ice creams and other colds foods, and high -protein food items like cheese, soybeans, and red meat should also be avoided. Furthermore, it is advised that the bran should not be removed from the flour because the bran is insoluble fiber. It has the ability to clear the obstructions in the intestines and alleviate constipation.

Other useful herbs for relieving constipation are

Use Triphala herb

  • The use of Triphala is one of the most powerful natural remedies for pacifying Vata and managing constipation. Triphala is a potent Ayurvedic formula prepared from a combination of three widely-known herbs — Amla (Emblica officinalis), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula). Triphala can balance the body’s Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas, and is especially beneficial for the colon. Triphala can support healthy elimination when taken in the form of powder or tablets at night, preferably 30 minutes before sleep.

Herbal Remedy for Constipation

Use Psyllium husk

  • Psyllium husk acts as a bulking agent in the colon and supports the elimination process. It can ensure the regularity of bowel movements because it is a natural source of soluble as well as insoluble fiber. For treating constipation, Psyllium husks should be soaked in warm milk or warm water. The intake of the husks should be followed by sufficient hydration.

Practice Yoga

  • Constipation can also be relieved with the help Yoga, particularly an inverted posture like viparita karani (the posture in which legs are placed up against the wall). This posture can put Vata back in the balance because of the reverse the flow of prana in the body. Hence, this posture awakens the lower part of the stomach and promotes a regular functioning of the ‘stuck’ organs in the pelvis.

Final Word:

  • The Ayurvedic approach for treating constipation involves the above-mentioned natural remedies which can rectify the Vata imbalance and normalize the stool movement. However, people suffering from chronic, recurring, or intense constipation should use  Ayurvedic remedies under the guidance of a renowned Ayurveda practitioner.

How to treat oral thrush naturally?

Amavisha.

Meaning: As per this shloka, a person who indulges in taking incompatible foods, excessive foods, overeating develops amadosha which is similar to poison. Hence, it is also called Amavisha.

(Reference: AstangaHridayaSutrasthanam, Chapter No. 8, Shlok No. 13 & 14)

As per Ayurveda aspect:

    • In Ayurveda, candidiasis is considered as the deficient digestion or agnimandya. Agnimandya occurs due to the accumulation of toxins in the bloodstream which causes toxicity and results in the development of various health issues. It usually occurs at the seat of Vatadosha in the lower part of the digestive tract. As the ama gets accumulated in the large and small intestines which inhibits the normal flora from proliferating.

Three doshas that are responsible for candidiasis are explained below:

Vatadosha:

  • It mainly occurs due to the excessive intake of sweet, bitter and pungent, wheat dairy and high protein rich diet items.

Pitta dosha:

  • IT occurs due to the intake of spicy, sour, pungent and acidic foods.

Kaphadosha:

  • Kaphadosha is aggravated due to the intake of oily, heavy and cold food items. Sleeping immediately after the overeating also generates ama in the body.

oral thrush treatment

As per modern aspect:

  • Oral thrush is also known as oral candidiasis in which the fungus Candida albicans accumulates on the lining of the mouth. Candida is present as a normal organism in the mouth but sometimes due to the overgrowth, it can cause various symptoms. It causes creamy white lesions in the tongue or inner part of the cheeks. It may also spread to the roof of the mouth gums, tonsils or back of the throat.

How oral thrush can be caused?

  • Generally, the immune system works to repel the harmful invading organisms such as bacteria, fungi or virus while maintaining a balance between good or bad microbes that inhabits the body. But in some of the cases, these protective mechanisms fail and there is an increase in the number of candida fungi and allows the oral infection to take hold.

Here are some risk factors that increase the chances of oral thrush:

  • Weak immune system: It is likely to occur in infants and older adults due to the weak immune system. Some medical conditions suppress the immune system such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, organ transplant, etc.
  • Diabetes: If the blood sugar is not under control or the diabetes mellitus remains untreated then the saliva contains a large number of sugars which encourages the candida growth.
  • Vaginal yeast infections: Vaginal yeast infections are caused due to the fungus that causes oral thrush.
  • Medications: Medications such as prednisolone, inhaled corticosteroids, or antibiotics disturbs the natural balance of microorganisms in the body which increase the risk of oral thrush.
  • Other oral conditions: Wearing dentures mainly the upper dentures or other conditions that cause dry mouth increases the risk of oral thrush.

Other common causes are:

  • Use of antibiotics for a longer period of time or at a high dose.
  • Having poor oral hygiene
  • Dry mouth due to a medication or any medical condition.
  • Smoking
  • Having radiotherapy or chemotherapy for treating cancer.

Babies or elder people are a high risk of developing oral thrush or people with some other conditions such as vitamin B12 deficiency or iron deficiency or underactive thyroid.

What are the symptoms of oral thrush?

In the early stages, oral thrush may not cause any symptoms but when the infection gets worse one or more symptoms of the following may develop:

White or yellow colored patches of bumps in the inner part of the cheeks, tongue, gums, tonsils or lips.

  • Burning sensation in the mouth
  • Slight bleeding if the gumsare scraped
  • Cotton-like sensation in the mouth
  • Dry and cracked skin at corners of the mouth
  • Difficulty in swallowing
  • The bitter taste of mouth or loss of taste
  • In some of the cases, it can affect the esophagus though this is uncommon.

ORAL THRUSH CARE PACK

How oral thrush can be treated naturally?

  • Planet Ayurveda is one of the most fast-growing Ayurvedic clinics of India that has come up with a wonderful combination of herbal remedies which manages the symptoms related to oral thrush which is oral thrush care pack.
  • These This pack is prepared from the pure, authentic and best quality herbs that strictly follow the principles of Ayurveda. These are free from additives, chemicals, fillers, and preservatives. These are purely vegetarian and are not tested on animals.

Gandhak Rasayana:

  • Gandhak Rasayana is made from the shuddhgandhak (purified sulfur) in which the word rasayan means rejuvenation. As it has a natural property to rejuvenate the body without any side effects. These tablets have antibacterial, anti-viral, antipruritic and anti-inflammatory properties. In Ayurveda, it is considered as a raktashodhaka (blood purifier) and also helps to balance the Vata, pitta as well as KaphaDosha.

Dosage: 1 or 2 tablets twice or thrice daily with plain water after meals.

Manjistha Capsules:

  • Majistha capsules are formulated with the pure and standardized extra extract of manjistha. This herb works both as internally or externally to promote skin growth and luster.
  • It also treats the cracked skin and promotes the healing process of skin tissues. Being a blood purifier it removes the toxins and acts as a strong antioxidant as well as astringent. These capsules are used as the best alternative to chemical-based skin treatment.

Dosage: 2 capsules twice or thrice daily with plain water after meals.

Arjun Saar and Gum Care Powder:

  • Arjun Saar contains arjuna and amla in it because these wonderful herbs have a great combination of anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-fungal and immunity boosting properties it in. This formulation is rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, vitamins, and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, copper, and zinc.
  • Gum care powder is a natural herbal formulation that maintains the hygiene and healthy condition of the oral cavity which includes the tongue, teeth, oral mucosa, and gums. This formulation acts as a total mouth rehab. It contains herbs like haritaki, sonth, karpur, poog, Marich, khadir, twak, lavang, safatika, etc. All these herbs reduce the inflammation by releasing the abscess.

Usage: Rinse with water alternatively once in a day.

Acido Plan Syrup:

  • Acido plan syrup is the herbal liquid formulation used for the management of acidity. This formulation absorbs quickly in the body and provides instant relief. It contains a standardized extract of a powerful combination of herbs such as Triphala (haritaki, bibhitaki and Amalaki), saunf, ghritkumari, patola, pittapapada, Shatavari, sajjikshar, and kokum. These herbs are effective in treating nausea, dyspepsia, loss of appetite, acute gastritis and mucosal damage.

Dosage: 1 to 2 teaspoon twice or thrice daily with plain water after meals.