What are Common Stomach Problems? How to treat them Naturally?

Ayurveda refers to digestive health as the core of overall well-being, calling the digestive fire Agni. When Agni is balanced, food is digested properly, nutrients are absorbed, and waste is eliminated efficiently. Weak or imbalanced Agni leads to Ama (toxic buildup), causing various stomach disorders.

1. Indigestion (Ajirna)

Cause: Weak digestive fire due to overeating, irregular meals, excessive heavy or oily food, stress.
Symptoms: Bloating, heaviness, gas, belching, nausea.
Ayurvedic Cure:

• Drink warm water or ginger tea before meals.

• Take Hingvastak churna with warm water.

• Eat light, easily digestible food like khichdi.

2. Acidity (Amlapitta)

Cause: Excess Pitta dosha due to spicy, sour food, alcohol, irregular eating, stress.
Symptoms: Burning in stomach/chest, sour belching, nausea.
Ayurvedic Cure:

• Drink cold milk or coconut water.

• Take Amla (Indian gooseberry) daily.

• Herbs like Shatavari and Licorice soothe the stomach lining.

3. Constipation (Vibandha)

Cause: Vata imbalance from dry diet, low fiber, dehydration, stress, sedentary lifestyle.
Symptoms: Hard stools, bloating, irregular motion, discomfort.
Ayurvedic Cure:

• Drink warm water in the morning.

• Consume soaked raisins, figs, or Triphala at bedtime.

• Include ghee in meals to lubricate intestines.

4. Diarrhea (Atisara)

Cause: Pitta or Vata imbalance from contaminated food, infections, stress, or weak digestion.
Symptoms: Frequent loose stools, weakness, dehydration.
Ayurvedic Cure:

• Drink pomegranate juice or buttermilk with roasted cumin.

• Take Bael fruit pulp for natural binding.

• Rest and eat light foods like rice gruel.

5. Gas & Bloating (Adhmana)

Cause: Weak digestion, eating incompatible foods, excessive legumes without spices.
Symptoms: Abdominal fullness, burping, flatulence.
Ayurvedic Cure:

• Add hing (asafoetida) and cumin in cooking.

• Drink warm water with lemon and ginger.

• Avoid cold drinks and heavy meals at night.

6. Peptic Ulcer (Parinama Shoola)

Cause: High Pitta, stress, irregular meals, spicy food.
Symptoms: Burning pain, especially before meals, nausea.
Ayurvedic Cure:

• Use Shatavari, Licorice, and Aloe vera juice.

• Eat cooling foods like cucumber, milk, and ghee.

• Avoid tea, coffee, alcohol.

General Ayurvedic Tips for Stomach Health

1. Maintain Strong Agni (Digestive Fire)

   • Eat at fixed times.

   • Avoid overeating and late-night heavy meals.

2. Detox Regularly

   • Take Triphala at night to cleanse the bowels.

   • Panchakarma therapies like Virechana help remove toxins.

3. Choose Dosha-Balancing Foods

   • Vata: Warm, moist, oily foods.

   • Pitta: Cooling, non-spicy, sweet foods.

   • Kapha: Light, dry, mildly spicy foods.

4. Spices for Digestion

   • Use cumin, coriander, fennel, ginger, and black pepper to aid digestion.

5. Hydration & Herbal Drinks

   • Drink lukewarm water.

   • Herbal teas (ginger, mint, fennel) keep digestion active.

Conclusion:
Ayurveda sees stomach problems as a sign of disturbed Agni and dosha imbalance. Treatment focuses on restoring digestive fire, removing toxins, eating according to dosha, and using herbs/spices to support digestion. Unlike symptomatic relief in modern medicine, Ayurveda works on the root cause, preventing recurrence and promoting overall health naturally.