A Review on Ayurvedic Medicines for Amlapitta

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ANVESHANA
Review Article
AYURVEDA MEDICAL JOURNAL
ISSN: 2395-4159
A REVIEW ON AYURVEDIC MEDICINES FOR AMLAPITTA
(HYPERACIDITY)
Saroch Vikas1, Singh Jajbir2
1
Asst. Prof. of Rasashastra & Bhaishajya Kalpana, 2PG Scholar of Kayachikitsa,
PG School of Ayurveda & Research, Desh Bhagat University, Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab, India
Corresponding Author: sarochmd@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Amlapitta is a very common disease in present era. It is very troublesome disease and can
give rise to many serious problems if not treated in time. Signs and symptoms of Amlapitta are
very similar to gastritis or hyperacidity. According to conventional medical science the most
common causes of gastritis are H. pylori infections and prolonged use of Non-Steroidal Anti
Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS). The incidence of gastritis in India is approximately 3 in 869
that is about 12,25,614 people suffering from gastritis out of the total 1,06,50,70,607 population.
Hence there is a need to understand the concepts and first line treatments.
Key words: Ayurveda, Amlapitta, Hyperacidity
INTRODUCTION
Vitiation
of
agni
in
Amashaya (stomach) region due to various reasons causes Amlapitta. Some of the common
pitta vitiating factors are fasting, eating between meals, worry, hurry, spicy foods etc.
These
factors
derange
the pachaka
pitta (digestive enzymes etc.) and as a result pachaka pitta vitiates. Thus developed
condition
is
called
Amlapitta.
Hydrochloric acid (HCl) when not utilized
well, or when produced in large quantity in
the stomach region causes inflammation of
stomach (gastric = related to stomach), that
is called gastritis. This can derange the
digestive procedures. The increased or normal level of HCl can destroy the soft tissue
(epithelium) lining of esophagus, stomach,
duodenum etc. If not managed on time this
can give rise to ulceration (breech in tissue).
Usually the esophageal sphincter muscle
contracts thus preventing the stomach acid
from shooting up into the esophagus, but if
this muscle are not functioning properly, the
acid can slip past it and this is when heartburn symptoms start, which is called
Gastroesophageal reflux.
REVIEW
Table 1: Classification of Amlapitta
Type
Direction
Symptoms
Thirst, Burning
Adhoga
Downward
sensation, fainting,
Amlapitta
rashes on skin etc
Vomiting, Headache,
Urdhwaga
Upward
Burning sensation, Loss
Amlapitta
of appetite
Tremors, Delirium,
Vata
fainting, darkness
predominant
before eyes
Salivation, sweet
Kapha
predominant
sensation in mouth
Weakness, Coldness,
Pitta
predominant
Vomiting
Vikas Saroch & Jajbir Singh: A Review on Ayurvedic Medicines for Amlapitta
Ayurvedic Treatment for Amlapitta
The main key for treating Amlapitta
is to improve digestion. As the saying goes
“Prevention is better than cure” it is better
to avoid all the causative factors of Amlapitta. One should follow the meal times.
Avoid eating spicy foods, or foods containing excess amount of garlic, salt, oil, chillies,
etc. very often. Include liquids like lemon
juice, kokam juice, sweetlime juice,
pomogranate juice, amla juice. Shatavari
kalpa mixed with water. Medicated water
with ushir (wala) or coriander seeds, or laja
(puffed rice). Shadangodak (water medicated
with musta, parpatak, ushir, chandan, udichya
& shunti). Moramla (jam of amla), gulkand
(jam of rose petals) can be taken singly or
along with milk gives good relief, dadimpak
(sweet syrup of pomogranate juice).
Vegetables like white pumpkin, bitter gourd,
okra, all leafy vegetables can be eaten except
methi which should be definitely avoided.
Fruits like black grapes, sweet lime,
pomogranate, fig, dry fig, black resins.
Table 2: Ayurvedic Medicines Prescribed for Amlapitta
Marketed
Formulation
Description
Dhootapapeshwar
Amlapitta Mishran
Suspension
Bhunimbadi Kadha
Patoladi Kashayam
A proven remedy for Amlapitta with prompt relief
being an excellent Pittashamak.
Effective in Agnimandya and Aruchi by
regularizing Pitta secretion & enhancing action of
Agni. It reduces nausea, heart burn & epigastria
pain. It strengthens Annavaha Srotas by
reestablishing metabolic activity
Bhunimbadi Kadha is a very famous Ayurvedic
medicine in liquid form for fever. This medicine
is used more in northern part of India, as
compared to South India.
Patoladi Kashayam is an Ayurvedic medicine in
liquid form. It is an herbal water decoction. It is
mainly used for the treatment of skin diseases.
This medicine is formulated based on Kerala
Ayurveda principles
Indications
Dose
Amlapitta, Hrullasa,
Chhardi, Shirahshoola,
Udarshoola
1 to 2 tsf. 2-3 times
a day preferably
before food
Balances Pitta
Skin diseases
12 – 24 ml, before
food, at about 6 am
and 6pm or as
directed by Vaidya
10 – 20 ml, before
food or on empty
stomach, once or
twice a day, or as
directed by Vaidya
Maha
Dhanwantharam
Gulika
Ayurvedic medicine used to safeguard pregnancy
during pregnancy care. This medicine is
formulated based on Kerala Ayurveda practice
Anti-inflammatory
Ayurvedic medicine, used
to relieve arthritis pain
1 – 2 tablets 2 – 3
times a day or as
directed by Vaidya
Hingwastak
Churna
Hingwastak Churna mainly contains very safe and
easily available herbal spices
Balances Vata and Pitta
and increases Pitta
1–3g
DISCUSSION
It is clear that Amlapitta is mainly
due to aggravation of pitta. Factors responsible for aggravation of this pitta dosha are
excessive intake of pungent and sour food
items, alcoholic preparations, salt, hot and
sharp stuff which cause burning sensations.
Anger, fear, excessive exposure to sun and
fire, intake of dry vegetables and alkalis, irregularity in taking food, etc. should be
avoided as far as possible. As a rule, all persons with acidity can take a milk diet excellently, although some, at first have trouble
in absorbing milk. This is because the large
amount of acid in the stomach forms hard
AAMJ / Vol. 1 / Issue 2 / Mar – Apr 2015
curds combined with the proteins of the
milk. Often these are vomited. Yet milk is
excellent in the condition, especially when
preceded by a fast, adjusted to your general
condition. The milk diet should be adhered
to several weeks if possible.
Along with this, drink warm water
freely. Ayurveda insists on this because, according to it, "hot destroys hot" (ushnam ushnena hanti). Moreover, it has been found by
physiological experiments that cold water
increases the amount of acid secreted in the
stomach. When the stomach seems to be in
better condition, the milk may be taken with
an evening meal consisting of easily digesti41
Vikas Saroch & Jajbir Singh: A Review on Ayurvedic Medicines for Amlapitta
ble and non-irritating foods. For a time, it is
better to use foods requiring only moderate
mastication, since mastication naturally increases the flow of gastric juice with its acid.
Yet insufficient mastication of the food chosen will aggravate by causing gastric irritation. So, mastication should always be moderate in this particular condition. It is important not to overeat, but to take small meals,
three times a day. Avoid artificial stimulants, all of which raise pitta. Alcohol, in any
form, is like throwing fuel on the pitta fire.
The drawback of the caffeine in coffee and
tea is that it increases acid production in stomach if consumed excessively.
CONCLUSION
One has to follow code of dietetics
for better health. Appropriate quantity and
quality of food consumed helps to prevent
and control hyperacidity. One should also
take food considering one’s own capacity of
digestion. With the complaints of Amlapitta,
following the dietary do’s and don’ts helps to
produce soothing effect on the inner layer of
the stomach, reverses inflammatory changes
and controls the digestive secretions by
which hyperacidity can be tackled.
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How to cite this article: Vikas Saroch, Jajbir Singh. A Review on
Ayurvedic Medicines for Amlapitta (Hyperacidity), AAMJ 2015; 1
(2): 40-2
Source of Support: Nil. Conflict of Interest: None declared
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