According to traditional Ayurvedic medicine, disease develops due to an imbalance in one of the three realms of energy called doshas. Vata, pitta and kapha doshas each reign over different aspects of health. As Hari M. Sharma states in "Fundamentals of Complementary and Alternative Medicine," "pitta governs bodily functions concerned with heat and metabolism." An imbalance of pitta causes digestive disorders, including frequent problems with heartburn. To treat heartburn with Ayurvedic practices, you must use diet, exercise, meditation and herbs to bring pitta back into balance with vata and kapha. Talk with your family doctor before beginning Ayurvedic treatment, and consider getting a consultation from an Ayurveda practitioner.
Diet
According to Amala Guha in "Ayurvedic Concept of Food and Nutrition," "When food is similar to one's dosa it will aggravate the dosa. Therefore, one must select the proper food group to balance the dosa." Since pitta is associated with fire, limit spicy foods, heated foods and salt to reduce excess pitta. Eat small meals whenever you feel hungry, and include more raw vegetables, breads, pastas, mild-flavored fruits and sweet foods in your diet. Avoid stimulant foods such as caffeine-containing coffee, tea or chocolate.
Exercise
Since pitta is tied to body heat and fire, frequent high intensity exercises contribute to unbalanced pitta by causing your body to generate more heat. It is important to exercise, but when you start noticing heartburn you may benefit from reducing your heat generation during exercise, or reducing the amount of heat you feel during exercise. You may try a slower pace exercise, or exercise in the morning, in the evening, in the shade or in a cool room.
Rest
Often, a busy schedule contributes to unbalanced pitta. When you notice heartburn, consider making more time in your schedule for rest and relaxation. Incorporate meditation or yoga into your routine. Meditation will allow your mind and body to slow down and relax. Meditation often helps reduce frustration and other emotional symptoms related to unbalanced pitta. Ensure you get adequate sleep each night, and try to keep a regular sleep schedule.
Herbs
Ayurvedic practitioners use herbs to help balance the doshas. Many aspects of an individual's lifestyle, symptoms and needs must be considered before implementing herbal treatment. Many herbs can aggravate medical conditions or interact negatively with medications. An Ayurvedic practitioner may suggest adding an herb to your foods regularly or may suggest using the herb to make a daily tea or tincture. Coriander, a herb commonly used to treat digestive problems and to balance pitta, enhances the flavor of foods when added during meal preparations.
References
- "Fundamentals of Complementary and Alternative Medicine"; Chapter 23: Contemporary Ayurveda; Hari M. Sharma
- SOM Articles: University of Connecticut School of Medicine and Dentistry; Ayurvedic Concept of Food and Nutrition; Amala Guha; 2006
- University of Connecticut: Integrative Medicine Website: Ayurveda
- Ohio State University Medical Center; Ayurveda; Hari Sharma, M.D.
- University of Minnesota: What is the Philosophy of Ayurvedic Medicine?
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Ayurveda
