Herbal Remedies For GERD/ ACIDITY And How To Cure It with Ayurveda

ABSTRACT

The human body needs the energy to do any work whether it is physical work or mental work. The human body consumes energy for every process or work like exercise, walking, talking and many more. The only source of energy they use comes from the food they consume. Apart from eating food, digestion is also important because digested food is converted into energy. For this, our GI tract plays an important role. Proper functioning of the GI tract leads to complete digestion of food. The stomach plays a major role in digestion because various enzymes and acids are released here which help in the digestion of food. This whole process of digestion needs to be properly functioning. Normally, When food enters the stomach from the oesophagus, the lower esophageal valve closes to prevent the reflux of food back into the oesophagus. For any reason, when this lower esophageal sphincter is not closed, there is an upward flow of acid that is produced in the stomach into the oesophagus and throat. This leads to irritation in the esophageal lining. Here we are going to discuss the same condition that is known as GERD. Let’s start!

INTRODUCTION

In the normal process of digestion stomach contents travel in the downward direction. When acid from inside the stomach flows upward into the oesophagus and throat, it is called Acid reflux. This acid irritates and inflames the tissues inside the oesophagus which runs from the stomach up through the chest to the throat. It might feel like indigestion, a burning stomach after eating or heartburn (burning chest pain close to the sternum). Acid reflux is considered chronic when the patient has it at least twice a week for several weeks. This chronic reflux in the oesophagus is known as GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease). GERD is a constant, mechanical problem that means the mechanism that is supposed to keep acid out of the oesophagus is not working properly. Now we are going to conduct a detailed study of GERD, its causes, symptoms, diagnosis and Ayurvedic correlation of GERD with Amlapitta. Also a detailed study about diet and home remedies that are useful in GERD, its treatment and herbal remedies for GERD by Planet Ayurveda.

CAUSES OF GERD

After a swallow of food, the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes to allow food and liquid into the stomach. In normal conditions, the sphincter gets close after the flow of food into the stomach. But when this sphincter is not closed, then the acid from the stomach can flow into the oesophagus. Conditions that cause GERD are as follows

• Obesity
• Hiatal hernia
• Pregnancy
• Delayed stomach emptying
• Smoking, alcohol, coffee and other beverages
• Eating spicy food, large meals and fried food
• Taking certain medicines like aspirin

According to Ayurveda, causes (निदान) of Amlapitta are as follows

विरुधदुष्टाम्लविदाहिपित्तप्रकोपिपानान्नभुजो विद्गधम् |
पित्तं स्वेहेतुपचितं पुरा यतद्मलपितं प्रवदन्ति सन्त:||

(योगरत्नाकर 57/1)

Eating food that increases acidity like sour and spicy food (विरुध, अम्ल, विदाही)

SYMPTOMS OF GERD

Symptoms of GERD usually start with frequent burning sensation and may include the following other symptoms

• A burning sensation in the chest is often called heartburn
• The backwash of food or sours liquid in the throat
• Upper belly or chest pain
• Trouble swallowing, called Dysphagiaṣ
• The sour taste of the mouth
• Nausea
• Burping (sour belching)

Symptoms (लक्षण) of Amlapitta

अविपाकक्लमोत्क्लेशतिक्तामलोद्गारगौरवेः |
हृतकण्ठदाहारुचिभिश्चामलपित्तम् वदेद्भिष्क् ||

(योगरत्नाकर 57/2)  

• Indigestion (अविपाक)
• Tiredness (क्लम)
• Sour belching  (तिक्तामलोद्गार)
• Heaviness of body  (गौरवेः)
• Heartburn (हृतकण्ठदाह)
• Loss of appetite (अरुचि)

DIAGNOSIS OF GERD

• Barium Esophagram– A barium esophagram is an X-ray study in which a patient swallows barium and this barium when reaches the oesophagus and GI tract, coats a lining on it. After this X-ray is taken and the abnormality is evaluated.
• Upper endoscopy– This test helps in examining the lining of the Oesophagus, stomach and first part of the small intestine.
• Esophageal pH test- This test measures the flow of acid from the stomach to the oesophagus and the duration of acid stay in the oesophagus. The normal pH of the oesophagus is close to 7. This test measures the pH below 4.
• Esophageal manometry- This test helps in examining the esophageal motility. A Catheter is used to measure the pressure of esophageal muscles and sphincters (both upper and lower sphincters).

AYURVEDIC OVERVIEW OF GERD

In Ayurveda, GERD can be correlated to Amlapitta due to their symptoms closely resembling each other. It is called Amlapitta because itis a Pitta-dominant disease that occurs when it attains acidic nature (Amlata) by consuming acidic food (Pitta Prakopka) in nature. Due to this, the vitiated Pitta causes indigestion and heartburn. It also leads to sour belching and many more disturbances. This is a Pitta-dominant disease that occurs with the association of Vata. When Apathya ahara (unwholesome diet), Amla (sour), Vidahi ( food that generates acidity) and Pitta prakopaka anna paana (diet that increases pitta)are consumed, thePitta gets aggravated in excessive quantity and attains Amaltaand causes Amlapitta. The doshas involved inAmlapitta arePitta (pachaka), Vata(samana, prana, apana), and kapha (kledaka, bodhaka). The dushya involved are Rasa and Rakta. According to Yoga Ratnakara, in Amlapitta Bhunimbadi kwath (decoction), Chitrakadi kwath (decoction), Pippali Ghrita, Yavadi kwath (decoction) and Eladi churna can be given.

HOME REMEDIES FOR GERD

• Fennel or saunf – 1 teaspoon of fennel powder with a glass of lukewarm water
• Black cumin seeds – Boil 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds with 1 glass of water and drink it
• Clove seeds – suck a piece of clove to get rid of GERD
• Drink lukewarm water empty stomach
• Chewing cardamom pod every day
• Apple cider vinegar
• Mint leaves
• Ginger tea or chewing raw ginger
• Ajwain – Boil 1 teaspoon of ajwain with 1 glass of water and drink it
• Shatavari – 3gm twice a day with milk
• Yashtimadhu – 3gm twice a day with milk
• Powder of amla 3-6gm BD with water

DIET FOR GERD

• Vegetables like white pumpkin, bitter gourd, and leafy vegetables except for methi
• Wheat, barley, cucumber
• Take an adequate amount of fluids like pomegranate juice, lemon juice, amla juice, fruits like gooseberry, dry grapes, black grapes, pomegranate, fig
• Follow the meal times

PANCHKARMA IN GERD

पूर्वं तु वमनं कार्यम् पश्चान्मृदु विरेचनम् |
कृतवान्तिविरेकस्य सुस्निग्धस्यानुवासनम ||

(योगरत्नाकर 57/16)

In Amlapitta, the first choice for panchakarma is Vamna, then mild Virechana and then Anuvasana basti

• Vamana – Therapeutic emesis
• Virechana – Mridu virechana is given in amla pitta( therapeutic purgation )
• Anuvasana which is followed by Asthana in chronically afflicted patients
• Rakta moksha- If even after Vamana and virechana, the aggravated doshas are not alleviated, then raktamokshana should be administered methodically

HERBAL REMEDIES FOR GERD BY PLANET AYURVEDA

In the field of Ayurveda, the widest range of medicines and herbs are offered by Planet Ayurveda. By selecting natural herbs and good-quality raw materials, Planet Ayurveda is promoting an effective range of medicines and formulations. That’s how Planet Ayurveda always promotes Ayurveda through their best and highest quality of drugs. Here for Amlapitta, the acidity care pack is the best formulation by Planet Ayurveda. It plays an important role in pacifying aggravated Pitta.  This acidity care pack is complete care for Amlapitta which consists of products like heartburn capsules, digestion support, amalaki rasayan and Mahashankh vati. Let’s have a detailed look at the products consisting in the Acidity Care Pack.

1. Heartburn Capsules
2. Digestion Support
3. Amalaki Rasayan
4. Mahashankh Vati

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

1. Heartburn Capsules

It is a natural herbal supplement used in the form of a capsule that is formed from Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), corals, pearls and minerals. It helps in relieving acidity, removing toxins from the body and acid neutralisation. Giloy (Terminalia cordifolia) is a natural stabiliser that helps to control all three doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha). It reduces toxins from the blood and it is a natural immune booster. Corals present in these capsules are a rich source of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. Agate is a mixture of many minerals, mostly silicates. It is also indicated in heartburn and gastritis.

Dosage – 1 capsule, twice daily with lukewarm water

2. Digestion Support

It is also used in the form of capsule which is a combination of herbs such as Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Vibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), Funnel (Foeniculum vulgare), Dhania (Coriandrum sativum), Pippali (Piper longum)& Jeerak (Cuminum cyminum). This supplement is made up of natural extracts of herbs that help in the normal digestive system.

Dosage – 1 capsule, twice daily with lukewarm water

3. Amalaki Rasayan

Amalaki rasayan is a capsule form of  Fresh Amla (Emblica Officinalis) fruit pulp and many other herbs. It has immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties. In Ayurveda, amla is used in various herbal formulations. It is used as a complete health remedy. It is useful in treating various disorders of the digestive system and respiratory system. It has antioxidant properties and improves metabolism. It is fibre-rich and this helps in digestion and relieving flatulence.

Dosage – 1 capsule, twice daily with lukewarm water

4. Mahashankh Vati

Mahashankh Vati is one of the herbal medicines in the form of a tablet that helps in the treatment of digestion problems like indigestion, abdominal pain and other gastric issues. This formulation consists of ingredients like Pippali (Piper longum), Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica), Danti (Baliospermum montanum) and many others. It is used for digestive problems, like loss of appetite, hyperacidity and many more diseases.It also works as an antipyretic and anti-rheumatic.

Dosage –  1 tablet twice a day with lukewarm water, 10 minutes before meals

CONCLUSION

Amlapitta is the most irritating disease due to faulty lifestyle, dietetic indiscrimination and mental stress. Vitiation of Pitta is necessary for the clinical manifestation of amlapitta. The basic concept of treatment is Nidan parivarjana (to avoid disease-causing factors in diet and lifestyle), sanshodhan (expelling out vitiated doshas and malas from body openings like mouth, anus and nose), and sanshaman (doshas are pacified without expelling out of the body) chikitsa (treatment). Sanshodhana chikitsa (expelling out vitiated doshas from the body) consist of treatment by panchkarma i.e Vamna (therapeutic emesis), Virechana ( therapeutic purgation), Anuvasana basti (herbal mixture/ oils are administered through the rectum and Raktamokshana (eliminating vitiated blood from the body). Along with it, Pathya (wholesome) Ahara (diet) and Vihar (wholesome lifestyle) also play an important role in the management of Amlapitta. A person by performing an appropriate diet and mode of life doing exercise, having control over oneself also being truthful, the disease subsides.