Digestive Health

Natural Ayurvedic Solutions for Digestive Issues

Every day, millions of people struggle with digestive issues and seek relief. But if you're looking for natural solutions, look no further than Ayurveda. This ancient Indian practice has been utilized for centuries to help people effectively manage and fight common digestive problems such as indigestion, bloating, and constipation.

Learn about the many Ayurvedic remedies and medicines available to help you fix digestive issues and live a happier, healthier life.

What’s the Importance of Maintaining a Healthy Digestive System?

The digestive system is essential, breaking down food and extracting nutrients. Without a healthy digestive system, our bodies would not be able to absorb the vital nutrition needed to function properly. Therefore, it is important to maintain a healthy digestive system to stay healthy and energetic.

Some benefits of maintaining proper digestion include improved nutrient absorption, better immunity against disease, better energy levels, and digestion-related issues such as bloating, constipation, indigestion, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be reduced or even eliminated. Furthermore, having good digestion helps keep your weight balanced by promoting the regular elimination of waste products.

List of Common Digestive Issues

• Acidity and Heartburn: It is known as acid reflux, when food or acids from your stomach move in the opposite direction. Heartburn, a burning sensation behind your breastbone or in your neck and throat, is caused by acid reflux.
• Constipation: Constipation is when a person has trouble passing stool or goes over three days without a bowel movement. It can cause abdominal pain, feeling bloated and uncomfortable, and is often caused by not eating enough fiber-rich foods or drinking enough fluids.
• Diarrhea: Diarrhea is a condition that causes loose or watery stools. Various factors, including infections, food intolerances, medications, and more can cause it. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, and frequent trips to the bathroom.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common digestive disorder that affects the large intestine. "To make changes, you can try adding more fiber to your diet, avoiding foods that contain gluten, or trying the low FODMAP diet, which is a special diet."
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): IBD is a group of chronic disorders which causes inflammation or ulceration in the small and large intestines. The two most common forms are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Common symptoms of IBD include abdominal pain, weight loss, diarrhea, fatigue, and rectal bleeding.

Importance of a Balanced Diet

Eating a balanced diet involves consuming recommended amounts of food from all five food groups on a daily basis to maintain good health. This will ensure a balance of nutrients in your diet. Eating a balanced diet can help alleviate digestive issues like constipation, heartburn, bloating, and other common problems.

A balanced diet should include the following:

• Whole Grains such as whole wheat bread, oats, barley, and quinoa
• Fruits and Vegetables
• Dairy products for calcium, Vitamins A and D
• Healthy fats from sources like avocados or nuts provide essential fatty acids.

Role of Natural Spices & Herbs in Digestive System

The history of using herbs and spices is very long for helping to improve digestibility. In addition to enhancing the taste, aroma, and color of foods, herbs, and spices can help aid digestion by stimulating digestive enzymes, reducing inflammation in the digestive tract, and supporting the elimination of toxins from the body. 

Spices used in cooking come from different parts of plants like roots, leaves, stems, rhizomes, fruits, seeds, and bark. These spices have chemical compounds that are beneficial for their medicinal properties.

Foods to Avoid for a Healthy Stomach

• Fried Food: Fried foods are difficult to digest and often contain unhealthy fats that can upset our digestive system. It is best to avoid fried foods as much as possible.
• Added Sugars: Too much-added sugar can cause an imbalance in blood glucose levels, leading to gastrointestinal issues such as bloating, constipation, or diarrhoea.
• Spicy Food: Too much spicy food can irritate the lining of your digestive tract, causing heartburn and indigestion. It can even result in acid reflux and make ulcers worse.
• Dairy Products: Dairy products, such as cow's milk, yoghurt, cheese, ice cream, and butter are some of the worst offenders regarding digestive health. Dairy is highly inflammatory and can lead to various digestive symptoms, including bloating, gas, and abdominal pain.

Foods to Eat for a Healthy Stomach

• Fruits: Fruits are packed with fiber, which helps to keep your bowels moving regularly and assists in eliminating toxins from your body. Add apples, oranges, bananas, berries, and other fruits to salads or smoothies for extra fiber and nutrients.
• Vegetables: Vegetables should comprise a large portion of any healthy diet due to their abundant vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts are especially beneficial for digestion.
• Whole Grains: Whole grains can provide a good source of insoluble fiber that helps to keep your digestive system running smoothly.
• Healthy Fats: Healthy fats help to promote healthy digestion by aiding in the absorption of vitamins and minerals from other foods.

Lifestyle Changes for a Healthy Stomach

There are many simple things you can do to improve your digestion and keep it functioning optimally:

• Plenty of fiber helps ensure regular bowel movements and properly keeps waste through the digestive tract.
• Drinking enough fluids is important for proper digestion. Drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water daily to keep your body well-hydrated.
• Regular physical activity helps stimulate the digestive system's muscles to keep waste moving. Aim for at least 30 mins of physical activity daily or 3-5 times weekly.
• Eating too many fatty foods can slow digestion and make it difficult for your body to absorb important nutrients.
• Mental health plays an important role in digestive health. Stress can lead to indigestion and other digestive issues if left unchecked.

Natural Remedies for Good Digestion

1. Triphala

In Ayurvedic medicine, Triphala is considered a tridoshic rasayana because it promotes longevity and rejuvenation in patients of all ages and constitutions.

2. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is known to have a positive effect on digestive health. Its natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties can help reduce inflammation in the intestines caused by certain conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

3. Ginger

Ginger is among the most popular herbal remedies for digestive health. It helps aid digestion, reduce gas and bloating, and help with nausea.

4. Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice that has been traditionally used to aid digestion. It contains curcumin, an active compound that helps to reduce inflammation, improve gut health and regulate digestion.

5. Licorice root

Licorice root is a well-known herbal remedy for digestive health. The active compounds found in licorice root reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract while providing a protective coating that can help heal ulcers.

6. Peppermint

Peppermint is widely used to aid digestive health. It has been known to help relieve symptoms of indigestion, such as bloating, abdominal pain, and nausea.

ZanduCare Products & Solutions for Healthy Digestion

1. Triphala Capsules

Zandu Triphala Capsules are made to provide a powerful blend of health benefits for digestive and immunity support. Its three Ayurvedic ingredients work synergistically to fortify gut health, improve digestion, and alleviate constipation.

2. Amlapitta Har Vati

Zandu Acidity Regulator is a natural supplement that helps reduce stomach acid reflux while strengthening the digestive system and improving bowel movements. It is formulated to help soothe the burning sensation in the abdomen caused by acidity and provide relief from associated symptoms like heartburn and indigestion.

3. Pancharishta

If you are suffering from indigestion, acidity, gas, flatulence, or constipation, Zandu Pancharista is your one-stop solution. This Ayurvedic remedy is made with thirty-five powerful herbal ingredients that work to provide relief and support a healthy digestive system.

Source

• When food or acids from your stomach move in the opposite direction, it is known as acid reflux. Heartburn, a burning sensation behind your breastbone or in your neck and throat, is caused by acid reflux. (Medlineplus)
• To make changes, you can try adding more fiber to your diet, avoiding foods that contain gluten, or trying the low FODMAP diet, which is a special diet (NIH)
• To maintain a healthy diet, it is important to eat daily from each of the five food groups in the recommended amounts. This will ensure a balance of nutrients in your diet. (Betterhealth)
• Spices used in cooking come from different parts of plants like roots, leaves, stems, rhizomes, fruits, seeds, and bark. These spices have chemical compounds that are beneficial for their medicinal properties. (NIH)
• In Ayurvedic medicine, Triphala is considered a tridoshic rasayana because it's believed to promote longevity and rejuvenation in patients of all ages and constitutions. (NIH)