Have you ever felt too full or bloated after eating? Have you ever suffered from constant burping, a burning sensation in the chest, stomach, or abdomen, or a sour-tasting acidic sensation in the throat? We all have gone through these symptoms at least once in life! Acid reflux or acidity is one of the most common ailments today. In Ayurveda, acidity is considered primarily a Pitta dosha disorder. That’s why Ayurveda focuses on restoring the Pitta balance to reduce acidity and improve digestive health. Our body is interconnected with the different elements in the environment. The changing seasons also cause imbalances in the three doshas leading to improper digestion, acidity, and other issues. Ayurveda recognizes the significant impact that the changing seasons have on our body. It emphasizes balancing the doshas by adopting seasonal lifestyle and dietary changes and consuming Ayurvedic medicines for acidity to support digestive health and overall well-being.
Understanding Pitta Dosha and Acidity
Pitta dosha, in Ayurveda, is one of the three fundamental energies that govern the various processes of the body and the mind. It regulates heat, metabolism, and transformation in the body and mind. Pitta is responsible for energy production and assimilating nutrients in the body. It also regulates the Jathragni (digestive fire) for the digestion and absorption of food. When Jathragni is weak, food is not digested properly and this partially digested food (Ama) accumulates in the body causing indigestion and Amlapitta (hyperacidity). Pitta dosha is aggravated by excessive heat, spicy and oily foods, alcohol, overworking, emotional stress, and exposure to hot environments, etc. This also leads to digestive issues like gas, bloating, etc., and other conditions like ulcers, inflammation, skin rashes, and hypertension, etc.
Seasonal changes also influence the Pitta balance in the body. Hence, it’s important to maintain Pitta balance in all seasons. Ayurvedic treatments for acidity typically focus on calming Pitta dosha through diet and lifestyle modifications. Changing the diet and daily routines according to the changing seasons can help balance Pitta.
Spring (Vasanta) Tips
Spring or Vasant, the Rituraj of ritus, is the time for celebration, renewal, and rejuvenation. While the temperatures in Vasant are moderate and mild, there’s an increase in moisture and humidity in the atmosphere. This warmth and humidity can aggravate Kapha and Pitta dosha in the body. Accumulation of Pitta in the body can cause mild acidity, skin rashes, irritability, and heat in the body.
Ayurvedic Solutions for Acidity Management in Vasanta:
- Increase bitter, pungent, and astringent food in your diet. Add leafy greens and bitter vegetables to your daily diet.
- Old Barley, Wheat, Rice, Lentils, and Pulses should be consumed.
- Try to reduce the consumption of spicy and oily food.
- Go for light and easily digestible food.
- Herbs like Neem and Turmeric have detoxifying properties. Increasing their intake, either as spices or as medicines, also helps to balance Pitta.
Summer (Grishma) Tips
Grishma, or Summer, is considered the hottest season of the year, causing many issues for the body. Grishma has a significant impact on the Pitta dosha. High heat causes an imbalance in the Vata and Pitta doshas. The heat and intensity of Grishma aggravate the Pitta accumulated in Vasant. It causes Amlapitta, heartburn, inflammation, gas, and other issues.
Tips to Manage Acidity in Grishma
- Stay hydrated to keep Pitta in balance in the summer heat. However, don’t drink cool, refrigerated water. Instead, drink water at room temperature.
- Avoid eating hot, spicy, oily, and fermented foods. Instead, consume Leafy Greens, Cucumber, Mint, Fresh Fruits with high water content, Coconut Water, and cooling beverages like Buttermilk and Juices.
- Avoid or minimize consumption of food that aggravates Pitta like Spicy, Salty, Fried food, Alcohol, Caffeine, etc.
- For those who suffer from hyperacidity in Grishma, adding cooling herbs like Shatavari, Shankhpushpi, Fennel, Cumin, Mint, etc. to your daily routine can help.
Monsoon (Varsha) Tips
Varsha Ritu or monsoon brings relief from the intense heat of the Grishma. However, it also causes the vitiation of Vata dosha and the deposition of Pitta dosha. This vitiates the digestive fire and also decreases the body’s strength.
Tips to Manage Acidity in Varsha
- Vasha ritu vitiates the digestive fire, which can sometimes cause slow digestion. So, it is better to avoid heavy food. Eat warm, easily digestible food like Soup, Rice, Meat Soup, etc.
- Avoid raw food and meat as it can take a long time to digest.
- Add Old Barley, Wheat, Rice, Lentils, and Pulses to your diet.
- Drink boiled water.
- Use spices like Ginger, Cumin, Turmeric, Asafoetida, Black Pepper, etc. to support digestion.
Autumn (Sharad) Tips
Autumn, also called Sharad Ritu, is a transitional season between summer and winter. It significantly influences the Pitta dosha. In Sharad, temperatures are moderate and humidity decreases bringing dryness to the environment. The humid atmosphere can disrupt the balance of Jathragni, leading to an imbalance in Pitta dosha.
Ayurvedic Solutions for Acidity Management in Sharad
- Despite the cooler temperatures, it’s important to stay hydrated during autumn. Drink warm water or herbal teas throughout the day to maintain internal moisture and support digestion.
- Increase the consumption of Lentils, Green Beans, and Yellow Mung Dal during this season. Tuvar (yellow pea) Dal, Chana, Rajma, and Urad should be used sparingly.
- Include foods like root vegetables, grains like Barley, Wheat, Old Rice, Green Gram, Ghee, and warming spices like Cinnamon, Ginger, and Cardamom.
- Include sweet, bitter, and astringent food in your diet. Vegetables like Snake Gourd (Chichinga), Bottle Gourd (Lauki), Bitter Gourd (Karela), and Ash Gourd (Petha) are strongly pitta pacifying as they are sweet and slightly bitter.
- Avoid foods that aggravate pitta dosha like food with excess fats and oils, seafood, curd, hot spices, alcoholic beverages, and fermented foods.
Winter (Hemant and Shishir) Tips
Winter (Hemant and Shishir ritu) is the season of cold and dryness. The cold and dry climate of Hemant has a pacifying effect on the Pitta dosha. The cooler climate and reduced heat help alleviate Pitta-related symptoms like acidity, heartburn, gas, inflammation, skin irritations, etc.
Tips to Manage Acidity in Hemant and Shishir
- The chilly climate can calm the digestive fire, making digestion sluggish. Consume a warm, nourishing diet that is easily digestible.
- Eat Warm Soups, Cooked Grains, Nuts, Seeds, Root Vegetables, Fruits like Pomegranate, Dairy products, etc.
- Maintaining fluid balance is important in Hemant ritu too. Stay hydrated by drinking warm water and herbal teas to support digestion.
Herbs and Medicines for Ayurvedic Acidity Treatment
Herbs like Amalaki, Haritaki, Shatavari, Ashwagandha, Yashtimadhu, Sunthi, etc. have cooling properties and work well as Ayurvedic treatment for hyperacidity or Amlapitta. Proprietary medicines like Punarvasu’s Anacid Tablets and Syrup offer relief from various symptoms of acidity. Punarvasu’s Avipattikar Tablets, Sutshekhar rasa, Kamdudha Rasa (sada), Shatavari Tablets and Ghrita,Kamdudha Rasa (Su. Yu.), and Maha Shankh Vati are a good option for those suffering from Amlapitta or hyperacidity and other gastric issues.
Conclusion
Seasonal changes have a profound impact on our digestive health. Hence, it is essential to adapt our diet and lifestyle according to the changing seasons to manage acidity all year round. The timeless wisdom of Ayurveda’s ritucharya can help us tailor our diet to seasonal changes, doshas, and individual Prakriti. Adopting these Ayurvedic medicines for acidity and diet practices in our lifestyle can help us alleviate acidity and also improve our overall digestive health. In our quest for sustained well-being, Ayurvedic medicine and practices can become our guiding light, illuminating our path toward wellness through every season.
