Acidity and Ayurveda

Acid reflux disease – also called Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which acid from the stomach moves up into the esophagus (food pipe)

People with GERD often feel acidity and a bitter taste in their mouth. For many people, it may just be an occasional condition, but for many others it may turn out to be a severe, lifelong issue

Ayurveda identifies Acid reflux disease as Amlapitta.
Dosha responsible for Amlapitta is aggravated pitta dosha.

Let’s understand how it happens as per Ayurveda. Ayurveda calls this process as Sampraapti.

When foods that aggravate pitta dosha (heat) are consumed in excess, the digestive fire (jatharagni) increases as a result of which HCl production increases in stomach. This acid starts irritating gastric mucosa which can lead to perforation of stomach as well as stomach cancer if not treated in time.

What causes acidity

Due to Ahaar (Your Eating Habits)

  1. Spicy food habits like eating samosa, burger, pizza, etc.
  2. Excessive use of chilly, Cinnamon, clove, mustard, garam masala powder (spice mixture), garlic etc. in diet
  3. Salty and sour foods like chips
  4. Eating of stale, fermented foods (dosa, uttappa, idli etc. bakery food items).
  5. Excessive intake of fast food
  6. Excessive intake of Oily foods, pickles
  7. Intake of food and beverages in its hot condition like soups
  8. Excessive intake of tea/coffee.
  9. Lesser intake of water, dry food
  10. Irregular meal times
  11. Repeated food intake (before the digestion of the previously taken food)
  12. Incompatible food like taking non-veg., pizza followed by milk shake.
  13. Skipping meals.
  14. Eating too late at night

Due to Vihara (Your Lifestyle Habits)

  1. Lack of rest, fast moving lifestyle.
  2. Insufficient sleep at night.
  3. Sleeping immediately after meals.
  4. Suppression of natural urges.
  5. Excessive exposure to sun and fire.

Mansik Kaaran (Mental Factors)

  1. Stressful life style
  2. Excessive anxiety, worry, jealousy, anger, fear
  3. Job dissatisfaction

Symptoms of Acidity

The disease often presents with symptoms like

  1. Indigestion (Avipaak)
  2. Tiredness (Klama)
  3. Nausea (Utklesa)
  4. Sour and bitter burping (Tikta-Amla Udgaar)
  5. Heaviness in stomach (Gauravata)
  6. Heart and throat burn (Hrit-Kantha Daha)
  7. Dislike towards food ( Aruchi)

6 Home remedies for Acidity Recommended by Ayurveda

When the reflux is not always but only rare of times, following remedies can be used to get relief from it immediately, though for chronic acidity, root cause treatment by Ayurvedic aushidis is required.

1. Cold Milk

This is one of the simplest home remedies for acidity. One simple glass of cold milk might help you get relief from acidity. As it is rich in calcium, it helps prevent acidic buildup in your stomach.

2. Coconut Water

Having 2 glasses of coconut water daily might help you with heartburn relief. Rich in fiber, it helps soothe your digestive system.  Also, it protects your stomach from the effects of excess acid production.

3. Mint Leaves

A cup of mint tea acts as an effective natural remedy for acid reflux. Also, you can boil the mint leaves and then drink the water.

4. Buttermilk

The probiotics in combination with lactic acid in the buttermilk relieves the acidity. For best results add cumin seed powder to relieve gas issues.

5. Banana

Elaichi Bananas is high in fibre and contains potassium. It acts as a buffer against acid reflux if taken everyday empty stomach.

6. Cumin Seeds

Cumin seeds aid digestion and also are an acid neutralizer. Consume crushed roasted cumin seeds for better results.

Tips to Reduce Acidity

  1. Avoid fried and fatty foods, chocolate, garlic onions, coffee, spicy foods, etc.
  2. Avoid large gaps between meals
  3. Eat small meals
  4. Eat 2 – 3 hours before sleeping
  5. Avoid consuming water with the meals to avoid bloating
  6. Avoid raw Onion
  7. Avoid eating before sleeping
  8. Don’t lie down soon after eating
  9. Avoid trigger foods that aggravate symptoms
  10. Avoid alcohol and smoking
  11. Try to maintain ideal body weight
  12. Maintain good posture while sitting post meals
  13. Take extra pillows under the head of your bed to raise the bed to avoid reflux. 
  14. Avoid tight clothes or tight belts

Ayurvedic Products to get relief in Acidity

A powerful blend of jeera, saunf, and dhania extracts, Jeeragest fights acidity, indigestion, and other stomach issues. It improves metabolism, burns excess fat, and aids weight loss.

Aloe vera juice aids digestive health due to its widely renowned anti-inflammatory properties. Our pure aloe vera juice is highly effective for indigestion and acidity.

Saindhava Lavan (edible salt) used in this formulation helps in digestion by softening food and helps in secretion of digestive juices.
Hing is instantly effective on flatulence and bloating.

Scroll to Top