In Ayurveda, hyperacidity resembles amlapitta. Pitta is vitiated by the imbalance of Agni (digestive fire). Amlapitta has two types:
- Urdhvaga amlapitta: pitta movement upwards
- Adhoga amlapitta: pitta movement downwards
Consumption of pitta ( aggregating foods and foods of incompatible nature (virudh aahar) vitiate all the doshas, predominantly pitta dosha. Vitiated doshas produce heating toxins that are expelled upwards into the food pipe causing heartburn. Increased intake of tea or coffee, or oily, spicy, or fried foods aggravate pitta and leads to acidity. Aggressive nature and hyperactivity are also causal factors. Pitta is aggravated by late-night work schedules, irregular eating patterns, and/or drinking alcoholic and carbonated beverages. Increased intake of painkillers and antibiotics also causes acidity and heartburn.
Symptoms:
- Chest pain
- Heartburn
- Pain while swallowing food
- Prolonged heartburn
- Vomiting
- Coughing
- Respiratory illness
- Pain in stomach and chest
- Flatulence
- Bloating
- Ulcers in stomach
- Ear pain
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- Low weight and rejecting food are acidity symptoms in children
According to Ayurveda harmful foods, such as fried foods, processed meats, and very cold foods, can create an undigested residue that forms toxins, or in Ayurvedic terms “ama.” Ama is described as the root cause of disease.
So, the health goal is to balance this metabolic fire. When it comes to good eating habits:
- Eat only when hungry.
- Keep gaps of at least three hours between meals, so the previous meal is digested.
- Avoid smothering agni with cold, wet, spicy, oily, and fried food.
- Avoid tea, coffee, and carbonated or alcoholic beverages.
- Avoid processed and fermented foods.
- Avoid using garlic, ginger, onions, tomatoes, and vinegar in cooking.
- Also, avoid rich gravies, sour, salty, and spicy foods.
- Curd should be strictly avoided.
- Take meals in a relaxed atmosphere at regular intervals.
- Practice Yoga and Pranayama such as Vajrasana, Bhujangasana, Salabhasana, Bhastrika Pranayama, Shitali Pranayama, and Shitkari Pranayama.
A diet of light simple foods is the best. Alkalus help regulate this gastric fire. Ghee stimulates agni and improves digestion. Proper chewing is essential to good digestion.
Home Remedies:
- Make a powdered mixture of equal parts of rock candy (mishri), fennel, and green cardamom. Whenever you experience heartburn, mix 1 teaspoon of the mixture in a glass of cold milk and drink.
- According to Ayurveda, buttermilk soothes the stomach, aids digestion, and reduces irritation in the stomach lining that causes acid reflux.
Home recipe for acid reflux:
- Combine 1/4 cup plain yogurt with 3/4 cup water (or double this, keeping the same ratio).
- Mix well.
- Add 1 tsp rock salt, a pinch of roasted jeera (cumin) powder, a bit of grated ginger, and fresh coriander leaves.