Ayurvedic treatment for Hyper-acidity

Ayurvedic treatment for Hyper-acidity

Amlapitta (Hyperacidity):
Synonyms:
Amlapitta (Ayurvedic terminoloty), Heartburn, Hyperacidity

Introduction:
‘Pachaka pitta’(Digestive enzymes) are secreted in the stomach for digestion of food. In the disease Amlapitta (Hyperacidity), the liquid quantity of digestive enzymes get increased, however, its digestive functions decreases.
According to modern medicine, hyperacidity is actually a condition called ‘oesophageal reflux’ in which stomach acid flows upward from the stomach to the chest, causing burning sensation in the chest and sometimes even as high in nasopharyx.

Causes for Acidity | Hyperacidity:
According to Ayurveda, when a person with pre-existing tendency for excessive ‘pitta’ (digestive enzymes) secretions, takes incompatible, unhygienic, excessively sour, salty, hot and pungent food articles & drinks, there is abnormal  secretions of ‘pitta’ take place which produce the disease.
Premonitory symptoms:
Burning in throat and in the region of heart, Indigestion, Nausea
Symptoms:
Main symptoms are dyspepsia, fatigue, nausea, sour belching and feeling of heaviness in abdomen, burning sensations in region of heart & throat and anorexia.

Types:
According to Ayurveda, there are two types of hyperacidity as below.
1)      Urdhvaga amlapitta or heartburn (due to upward movement of ‘pitta’): This is described above.
2)      Adhoga amlapitta (due to downward movement of ‘pitta’): Mostly affect the small intestine. Patient may have feeling of thirst, burning sensation, fainting, giddiness, mental confusion, passes different types of faeces, nausea, urticarial rashes, low appetite, horripilation, sweating and yellowish skin.


Prognosis:
The disease is curable in early stage, if treated with care. In chronic stage, it is difficult to cure.

Complications:
Gastric and duodenal ulcers, diarrhoea, fever, severe pain in abdomen, vertigo and oedema are common complications of hyperacidity.

Ayurvedic treatment of hyperacidity:

General line of treatment:
The disease originates in stomach; hence if the patient is strong enough giving medicated emesis is the best line of treatment in ‘Urdhvaga’ type. Use bitter emetics like ‘Nimba’ and ‘Patola’ along with powder of ‘Randia dumetorum’ and ‘Ralk salt’.
In ‘Adhoga amlapitta’, give purgation by ‘Triphala’ decoction mixed with ‘Trivrit’ powder.
Specific line of treatment:
1)      Urdhvaga Amlapitta:
If the patient is very weak, then palliative type of treatment should be given.
Famous Ayurvedic formulations of this type:
Churna (powder): Eladi churna, Kamdudha ras
Kwath (decoction): Patoladi kwath, Guduchchyadi kwath
Avleha(medicated jam): Haridra khanda, Drakshadi leha, Saubhagya sunthi paka
2)      Adhoga Amlapitta:
For this type, mixture of haritaki, trivrit, draksha and licorice is the best medicine.
Famous Ayurvedic formulations for this type:
Churna (powder): Avipattikar churna, Triphala churna, Guduchyadi churna
Kwath (decoction): Bhunimbadi kwath, Triphala kwath
Avleha(medicated jam): Trivritadi avleha, Bahushal guda
Diet Plan:
One has to follow the ‘Ayurvedic lifestyle’ during the entire treatment.