Ayurvedic Management of Constipation: Constipation isn’t just uncomfortable, can take a serious toll on your mood, energy, and daily life. It is the most common digestive problem which occurs due to poor eating habits and an incorrect lifestyle. Every person must have suffered from constipation at one point in their lifetime. There are many types of treatment for constipation, however, Ayurveda stands out significantly as it treats the problem naturally. Your gut health plays a major role in digestion, energy, and overall well-being. Including the right foods in your diet can naturally support smooth and regular bowel movements.
In Ayurveda, constipation is known as “Vibandha” which is irregular bowel movements arise from an imbalance of Apana Vata. It is the subtype of Vata engaged with downward movements. Eating Vata provoking foods – light, dry, airy – will cause Vata imbalance. In Ayurveda, suppressing vegas or natural processes such as Flatus. Eating astringent and pungent, lack of sleep at night. Traveling is also believed to cause constipation.
Ayurveda focus on improving constipation by changing the vata imbalance with the application of herbs or internal and external oleations. Internal oleation is by taking herbal ghees or oils, and external oleation is as a body massage. There are also certain Yoga Asanas that can fire up the bowel and relieve constipation.
Other Doshas may also interfere with normal bowel movements which contributes to diverse bodily and digestive symptoms. A pitta imbalance and Apana Vata imbalance might create excess heat in the body, thus causing dryness in the colon. The stools will be smelly and sticky in this instance.
An imbalance of Kapha dosha and Apana Vata dosha affects the movement of the intestine, causing bulky infrequent stools.
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Charaka Samhita (Chikitsa Sthana 15/44):
विबन्धो वातानुबन्धेन भवति।
Translation: Constipation occurs due to the vitiation or aggrevation of Vata dosha.
Ashtanga Hridaya (Sutra Sthana 12/12):
अपानस्थानगतो वातः शुष्कोष्णलघुभोजनात् |
आतोपगौरवसङ्गविबन्धानः प्रवर्तते ||
When Vata is located in the Apana region gets disturbed due to
• Ruksha (dry), Shita (cold), Laghu (light) aahara
• Alpahara (inadequate food)
• Vata vardhaka ahara-vihara (Vata-aggravating food and lifestyle)
• Ativyayama (excessive exercise)
• Atinidra or Anidra (irregular sleep)
It causes symptoms like bloating, heaviness, retention (of feces), and constipation.
Over-the-counter antacids are readily available and provide an easy, effective way to calm the symptoms of heartburn or indigestion. A person taking an antacid on a regular basis should also note that it can have certain side effects, including diarrhoea or constipation, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and flatulence.
Antacids suppress stomach acid, leading to weaker digestion and dependency.
A study, published in the Journal of International Medical Research, suggests an antacid that increases gastric pH from 1.5-3.5 can reduce the concentration of gastric acid by 100-fold.
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Ayurveda deals with the root cause of the disease which ensures less chances of occurrence of the same health issue occurring again. To tackle any disease dietary habits, lifestyle habits and medication along with various therapies are mentioned in Ayurvedic text. To manage the problem of constipation, Acharyas have described various measures which are mentioned below.
Warm Water and Herbal Tea: Drink at least 80 ounces of water or herbal tea per day. Warm and hot fluids are best because they balance vata’s cold quality.
Fruit: Fruit is hydrating, fibrous, and generally balancing to vata. Especially supportive choices include ripe bananas, peeled apples, soaked raisins, soaked prunes, and peaches.
Ghee: Ghee is an elixir and does wonders to human body. Apart from the body, it nourishes mental health as well, reducing the number of thoughts, keeping overthinking and anxiety at bay by bringing Vata balance!
Tarkabhyasa: Regular consumption of Tarka ( buttermilk) is a foremost habit to cultivate as per Ayurveda classics to improve digestive health & reduce swelling.
Establish a consistent meal schedule with proper intervals between breakfast, lunch & dinner. It will ensure proper functioning of digestive system.
Amla, Bibhitaki, and Haritaki makes up the Triphala Churna together. It is a natural laxative which softens stool, detoxifies, boosts immunity, promotes gut health, and enhances skin health.
सौवर्चलं सैन्धवंच शुण्ठी स्वर्णपत्रिका ।
शतपुष्पा सम चूर्ण पानं रात्रौ हितं स्मृतम् ॥
Saunf (Fennel seeds), Sunthi (Dry Ginger) Senna leaves, Saindhav(Pink salt) and Shiva (Haritaki) together create Panchsakar Churna . It is the simplest way to cleanse your gut, balance Vata-Kapha, and glow from within.
Hingwastak Churna strengthens the gut naturally and balances Vata dosha, providing lasting relief from digestive issues. It is prepared by mixing equal amount of Hing (Asafoetida), Saunth (Dry Ginger), Jeera (Cumin), Ajwain (Carom Seeds), Sendha Namak (Rock salt), Safed Namak (Rock Salt), Miri (Black Pepper) and Pippali (Long Pepper).
Benefits:
Always consult your Ayurvedic practitioner before trying any new remedy.
Charaka Samhita Siddhi Sthana 1/39:
वाताहरं बस्तिकमश्रेष्ठं..
Translation: Basti is the best therapy to pacify Vata.
In the process of Basti treatment, oils and medicated decoctions are delivered in the body through the anus with the help of an instrument. Basti Karma helps to maintain and reset the balanced condition of Vata dosha and therefore, it is helpful in treating constipation.
If constipation is not treated timely it can lead to many chronic diseases like:
Adapt to these changes gradually and feel the difference in your body, mind, and skin. Incorporating these measures improve gut health which is turn improves both physical and mental health as gut is called the second brain!
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