Dry mouth, also called xerostomia, can make you feel like your mouth is a desert wasteland. Conventional medicine offers some relief in the form of prescription medication. However, chronic dry mouth sufferers might also benefit from following some of the recommendations of the traditional Indian medical practice of Ayurveda, which identifies dry mouth as a product of internal imbalance. Ayurveda is not a replacement for conventional medical therapies.
Causes
Conventional medicine identifies a variety of different causes for dry mouth, according to the website of Brigham and Women's Hospital. Blood pressure medication, diuretics, anxiety and depression medications can all cause dry mouth as a side effect. Radiation therapy, when applied to the head or neck, can destroy salivary glands. Dry mouth can lead to complications, including difficulty talking, chewing and swallowing. It can also leave you prone to developing cavities, since saliva plays a significant role in keeping your mouth free of bacteria.
Ayurvedic Diagnosis
Ayurveda identifies three basic types of energy or "doshas" in the body, called vata, pitta and kapha, according to the website of the University of Maryland Medical Center. The vata energy is responsible for motion, especially circulation and heartbeat. Pitta controls your metabolism and digestion, including pre-digestion and saliva production. Kapha allows for growth, and supplies water to all parts of the body, including the mouth. Ideally the three doshas work in perfect harmony. Where pitta and kapha energy becomes overwhelmed by vata, problems with dry mouth can occur.
Dosha Imbalance
In ayurveda, digestion is the cornerstone of health. Driving the digestive process is a type of energy called "agni," which means fire or spark, according to Walter Kacera, Ph.D., ayurvedic nutritionist and therapeutic herbalist in London, Ontario, and author of "Ayurvedic Tongue Diagnosis." If you suffer from an irrregular metabolism, your might lose agni, which can result in a dry mouth, cracked tongue and receding gums. Vata types, who tend to be thin, tall and nervous, are especially vulnerable to this type of agni dysfunction, Kacera notes.
Other Symptoms
Your ayurvedic practitioner will probably diagnose you with a loss of agni or irregular metabolism if you suffer from bloating, gas, constipation or diarrhea in addition to dry mouth, according to Kacera. Without the smooth flow of agni, your immune and nervous systems might also suffer. Dry skin, sciatica and insomnia might also accompany agni disruption or an excess of vata energy.
Causes
A primary cause of agni disruption is an erratic or irregular schedule, especially when it comes to meals, Kacera notes. Dry mouth can also result from eating too many bitter or astringent foods, according to Murali Manohar, ayurvedic physician at the Raksha Ayurvedic Centre in Hyderabad, India and author of "Ayurveda for All." Bitter foods include dark leafy greens, basil, turmeric and bitter melon. Tea, broccoli, lentils and quinoa are some astringent foods.
Treatments
To balance vata energy and harmonize your agni digestive fire, eat regular meals. Manohar recommends naturally sweet foods, such as grains, root vegetables, milk and bananas, but not refined sugar. Sour fruits, like limes, might help expel gas and stimulate your appetite, while salty foods can help initiate the flow of saliva. If you're looking for a more involved ayurvedic treatment, consult a professional, who can offer a more in-depth diagnosis and recommend exercises, herbs, breathing techniques and massage to help you overcome dry mouth.
