Gastric Ulcer

According Ayurveda, Gastric Ulcer is due to aggravation of Pitta or Agni and disturbance of other doshas.

Peptic ulcer is the result of hyperacidity secreted by the cells lining of the stomach. It erodes the inner lining of the stomach. Dietetic indiscretion such as overeating, taking of heavy meals or highly spiced foods, coffee, alcohol and smoking are the main factors contributing to this condition. Other causes are the ingestion of certain drugs, food poisoning, certain infections, gout, emotional disturbances, stress, and nervous tension. The symptoms of peptic ulcer are sharp and severe pain and discomfort in the upper part of the abdomen. Gastric ulcer pain usually occurs an hour after meals and rarely at night.

Ayurveda gives effective treatments by balancing the “Pita” humour and correcting the Agni using following treatments

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Diagnosis of Gastric Ulcer or peptic Ulcer the Ayurveda way

Treatments for Gastric Ulcer

Panchakarma for Gastric Ulcer

Pre-purification Therapies for Gastric Ulcer

Main purification Therapies for Gastric Ulcer

Rasayana Therapies for Gastric Ulcer

Oral medicines for Gastric Ulcer

Diet regulations for Gastric Ulcer

Life style for Gastric Ulcer

Diagnosis – Peptic Ulcer The Ayurveda Way

The initial consultation with an Ayurveda doctor, including the diagnosis will last for more than an hour. The basic step in the diagnosis will be to find the person’s body humour (Dosha) Vata, Pita or Kapha because it is the imbalance of these body humours that create the disease.

The dominance of dosha in a person is found by asking several questions on his behavior, food habits, sleeping patterns, personal details like age, height & weight, place of life, profession, health problems and medical reports etc. Ayurveda diagnosis comprises of clinical and laboratory tests also. The doctor can decide if an Ayurveda treatment is helpful on providing these details.

Pulse, tongue, nail, and eye examinations are important diagnosis methods used to reveal a person’s body humour and its imbalance.

Pulse diagnosis in Ayurveda is not just counting the beats. It also reveals the health status of the entire body constitution, including the dosha imbalance and the health of the various body organs.

In tongue diagnosisthe doctor checks the general appearance, colour and coating of the tongue. In Ayurveda, as different areas of the tongue correspond to different organs of the body, the Ayurvedic practitioner can determine which organs of the body are out of balance by having a detailed tongue examination.

Nail examinationis done to check the type, colour and shape of the person’s nail. Imbalances of doshas are easily detected on close examination.

In the eye diagnosis, the colour, size, and even the shape of the eyes are important in determining the dosha dominance of a person. His mental status, nervousness, anxiety, confidence level etc can also be learned through eye diagnosis.

Treatments Methods for Gastric Ulcer , Peptic Ulcer

Ayurveda Treatment approach is to increase natural healing ability of the body and not to attack the disease with something from the outside, like drugs or surgery, and cure the diseases in one or two days. It may take a few weeks to regenerate the health. The healing response is one of the most complex and coordinated activities within the human physiology and often cannot be strengthened without the patient’s personal conscious efforts.

After the diagnosis, the doctor sets out to treat the patient in a very systematic manner. This would include a set of appropriate Panchakarma treatments and Rasayana therapies .

The Panchakarma Treatments are meant to flush out the toxins, They are classified as pre-purification, main purification and post purification phases and include various types of therapies like oil massages, fermented liquid massages, medicinal enemas, herbal purification methods.

The Rasayana Therapies are meant to nourish the body, to bring the doshas back to balance and to regenerate the body.These comprise diet regulations, daily regimens, intake of oral medicines and ayurveda tonics, yoga and a stress free life. After the treatment the ayurveda doctors will advise you how to lead a healthy life. The beneifts and results of the treatment are shown only after the Rasyana Treatment is over and docotrs advise is strictly followed. The results will manifest itself normally after 3 to 4 weeks as the body takes time to regenerate itself.

Panchakarma for Gastric Ulcer , Peptic Ulcer

Pre-purification therapies are the first ones applied to loosen the toxins, open up the circulation channels and get the body ready for discarding these wastes. These methods are highly relaxing for the body and mind.

The following pre-purification method is usually adopted for treating Gastric Ulcer.

Snehapanamis the intake of medicated ghee in empty stomach. It’s done only once a day and is generally continued for 3 to 7 days. Ghee is both a medicine and a carrier of the medicines it holds. It penetrates deep into the mucous layers, destroys the ulcers and allows tissue growth on the intestinal lining.

Common ingredients and herbs used are malabar nut, sweet flag, neem, asparagus, mustard, gooseberry juice etc.

The ghee does other functions too. It softens and opens the channels of circulation and elimination so that proper nourishment reaches the tissues. It also lubricates all the channels of the body, including the lymph, and forces out the toxins from them, into the digestive tract for eventual elimination during the upcoming main purification therapies of Panchakarma.

Main purification therapies for Gastric Ulcer, peptic Ulcer

Main purification therapy for Peptic Ulcer is the phase of elimination of toxins that were loosened at the pre purification treatment stage. These therapies are highly potential methods and are usually overseen by doctors.

The commonly adopted Panchakarma treatments for Gastric Ulcers are:

Vasthi means medicated enema. It washes out all the toxins that were brought into the digestive tract as a result of Snehapanam done in the pre purification phase. Since medicines reach the bowels directly without enzymatic actions, its effectiveness is very high. Herbs and other ingredients used for Vasthi are dillseed, castor plant, bael, honey, rock salt, oils etc.

Virechanam is the method of cleaning and evacuation of the bowels through the use of purgative medicines. It eliminates the ulcer causing excess bile toxins from the mid zone of the body. When the digestive tract is clean and toxic-free, it benefits the entire body systems. As a result, the person’s appetite increases, and his body strength enhances.

Herbal powder, medicated castor oil, or herbal paste is commonly used as the purgative medicine. Avipathychoornam is the herbal powder generally used for the treatment. It is a mixture of herbs like turpith, embellia fruits, dry ginger, cardamom, long pepper, cinnamon etc

Rasayana Therapies for Gastric Ulcer, Peptic Ulcer

These are body nourishing therapies to rejuvenate the body and mind after the Panchakarma treatments. They keep the enzymes in the tissue cells in their normal functioning condition, restore and balance the body functions and maintain the overall health and well being of an individual for much longer periods after the Panchakarma course. Rasayana includes oral medicines and diet regulation.

Oral medicines for Gastric Ulcer, Peptic Ulcer

The pitta dosha which is aggravated in gastric ulcer can be efficiently controlled with the help of herbal medicines. They are prepared specifically for the disease to help restore the lost balance.. Kashayam and Arishtam- herbal decoctions and fermentations Lehyams semi solid formulation are commonly prescribed.

Ulcer treatments involve not only the wound healing process but it should also facilitate tissue growth. The oral herbal medicines used act mainly by inhibiting acid secretion and blocking oxidative damage of the gastric mucosa.

Tinospora, basil, gooseberry, black pepper, nut grass tuber, cardamom, lemon, cinnamon, aloe-Vera, coriander, liquorice, etc. are some of the herbs used. Gooseberry significantly reduces stress induced leakage in gastric tissue and confers protection against ulcers.

Diet regulation for Gastric Ulcer, Peptic Ulcer

Diet regulation will be suggested for patients during and after the treatment. They are designed for controlling the digestive fire, better digestion, and for total well being.

Foods that are easy-to-digest and do not stimulate acid secretion are good for ulcer. Only foods that are nourishing to gastric tissues, cleanse the physiology, and strengthen digestion are to be eaten. The food consumed should be fresh, well-cooked and satisfying.

Increase the intake of bitter foods, sweet fruits and green leafy vegetables; they minimize acid secretion and rebuild the mucous layer. The usage of onion and garlic should be restricted. Drinking lots of water is necessary. Barley water can be taken throughout the day.

Sour, salty and pungent foods are not permitted. Hard-to-digest foods excessively activate acid secretion and hence are to be avoided. Eggs, meat, certain raw vegetables and fruits, hot chilly, spices, etc. in excess, carbonated drinks, beverages, tinned and packed food aggravate ulcer.

The necessary diet pattern would be selected by an experienced doctor. You can also find out your type of Prakruthi and decide a diet for yourself.

Life style for Gastric Ulcer , Peptic Ulcer

As lifestyle and eating habits are a major cause of ulcer, it is imperative to follow good life style. Meals should be taken at regular intervals. It is also important to eat only when hungry. The timing and method of eating are also important factors which should be taken into consideration. Food must be eaten with attention and satisfaction. Being distracted with books, computer, driving, phone calls, etc. during a meal dulls all chances of a balanced digestive process.

It is advised to take at least one or two weeks of rest after the Panchakarma experience. At this time the body is weak after a purification process and needs time to get back to normalcy. Avoid strenuous exercise, late nights, too much television, and other stimulating experiences.

General Information

The ability to properly digest food is very important to sustain health. Incompletely digested foods create toxins and impurities in the body and disrupt body functions. This process plays a major role in a wide variety of chronic conditions. Your Ayurveda Doctor will advise you how to increase your digestion power.

The nervous system controls your bodily functions, and the chronic condition is affected in some way when the nervous system activity becomes imbalanced. Vata is the physiological principle at the basis of nervous system. Imbalance in nervous system or Vata Imbalance worsens symptoms of chronic diseases. Yoga and meditation would help you to avoid stress situations.

It is important to have a lifestyle that does not disturb natural bodily rhythms. When we eat, sleep and exercise in constantly fluctuating and disturbing patterns, the body loses its natural balancing cycles and cannot cleanse or heal itself as effectively. Therefore, regularity in our daily routine can be extremely effective in reducing physiological imbalance to avoid chronic disease.


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