-Ms. Ritika Krit, Founder, Kamree.
Digestion is key in Ayurveda. Much before Allopathy medicine underscored the importance of gut health, Ayurveda already proclaimed that most diseases have roots in our digestive system.
The core principles of Ayurvedic science say:
It’s best to consume foods and drinks at room temperature or slightly warmer. These encourage quick digestion. On the other hand, cold food tampers with healthy gut bacteria and prolongs digestion.
An empty stomach is a good thing. Contrary to vastly held belief, it is not necessary to consume three full meals a day. It doesn’t speed up metabolism; rather your metabolism needs some time-space between meals to function best. So, if you snack frequently between meals, your gut is never empty, thus leading to issues such as gas, bloating etc.
Eat mindfully. These means do not have distractions such as reading or watching TV; or while talking. Also, practice some deep breathing before eating if you are stressed. Relax, and chew each mouthful properly – this would assist digestion when food reaches your gut.
Eat seasonal vegetables and fruits. That’s because nature has its own way of offering us food which best suits the corresponding season. These are best for our gut microbiome.
For instance, during spring, eat bitter and astringent greens, and dandelion greens and sprouts, which help reduce excess kapha dosha. During summer, juicy fruits help cool pitta.
Include a few digestive herbs. Ayurvedic herbs such as Triphala help in gut detoxification and strengthens the digestive system. Consume one tablespoon at bedtime, and see the difference!
Psyllium husk, better known as sat isabgol, is another herb for improving gut health. It helps in cleaning and shedding away the toxins and bad intestinal coatings due to bad bacteria in gut. The herb also has high fiber, which aids digestion.
Few other easily available Ayurvedic herbs include turmeric, ginger, cumin, coriander and fennel (saunf, in hindi). Include these in your diet as part of cooking or consume along with warm water to improve digestion and healthy absorption of nutrients in your body.
Below, we provide some easy-to-use Ayurvedic remedies for gut ailments which are common for many folks.
- Constipation
Mix a tablespoon of ghee along with a pinch of salt in warm water. Consume this drink at bedtime. Ghee acts as a lubricator of the intestines, while salt removes bad gut bacteria.
Also, try eating a ripe banana two hours after your last meal, with a glass of hot milk or water.
- Bloating
Boil a few fennel seeds in water, and consume the drink. Alternately, you could also try some ginger drink with a drop of honey. Even chewing a few fennel seeds on their own can help reduce bloating.
- Acid reflux
Chew on a few fennel seeds and holy basil (tulsi leaves). You can even chew a clove (laung). These help with acid reflux issue.
Buttermilk also calms down your gut and helps digestion, warding off acid reflux.
- Diarrhea
Ayurveda recommends Bottle gourd (cabalash) as a superior remedy for diarrhea. You can prepare it in soup form, or a tomato curry and eat with rice. Such a dish contains lots of fiber as well as water, is easier to digest as well as low in calories.
Natural apple and pomegranate juice, and buttermilk are other great options to have if you have diarrhea. Ginger is yet another excellent remedy as it is full of antioxidants which replenish the lost nutrients and rehydrates the body in diarrhea.
- Indigestion
Dairy products and rice are best not eaten if you have indigestion. Try eating steamed vegetables, and sprinkle digestive spices such as black pepper, ginger and cinnamon.
Consume a drink of equal parts of onion juice and honey. You may also try buttermilk with a pinch of garlic paste for some relief from indigestion.
Remember: Gut health is significant not simply to feel and look your best, but also to keep your immune system strong.