Ayurveda believes that digestive disorders occur due to altered lifestyle and faulty food habits. Inappropriate food includes inadequate food and even hunger, undue amounts of both foods and water, wrong food amalgamation which result in poor appetite, indigestion, diarrhea and other digestive disorders. Ayurveda manages the digestive disorders by managing the digestive fire(jatharagni) and balancing the doshas with the help of food, lifestyle and medicines.

The seven diet modes for food intake are as follows:

• Swabhava or the basic nature :- for ex – Moong dal that is light by nature and is easily digestible, whereas the urad dal ,milk and its products are heavy and difficult for digestion.
• Samyoga or the right combination :- for ex – Honey and warm water or fish and milk when taken together can be highly toxic.
• Sanskara or the expertise :- some qualities can be imbibed in the food, for ex – churning with perfumed or herb decoctions, fresh juices etc
• Maatra or the correct quantity :- certain food items should be taken separately in the right quantity.
• Desha or the place of production :- there are separate indications for the place pf production of raw materials and the place of consumption(according to the climatic conditions)
• Kaala or the accurate time :- the correct timing for taking up the meal is directly proportional to the absorption as well as proper assimilation.
• Upayoga or the precise utility :- this mainly stresses on the qualities like maintaining hygiene,offer prayers before taking food etc.

The digestive disorders can be treated effectively through Ayurveda with:

1. Diet and lifestyle changes
2. Panchakarma
3. Medicinal treatments

Follow these simple dietary modifications for a healthy life. Keva Ayurveda has the solution for the digestive disorders like Hyperacidity, Gastritis, IBS, Diarrhoea and many more.

Charaka samhita describes the vata phase of life as our final act starting around age 50 or 60.As the vata in our constitution increases,we experience a range of physical & mental changes,ranging from drier skin to declining cognitive abilities. Yet the vata stage can also bring softening & wisdom.

According to Ayurveda,Jara or aging is not a disease but a natural phenomenon like hunger,thirst or sleep.Jara is influenced by factors affecting shareera (physical),Indriya(emotional),satwa(psychic level),agni(metabolism) and bala/ojas(immunity).

Mental and physical ill health weakens dhatusamya (homeostasis) resulting in akalaja

vriddhavastha (pathological aging). Ayurveda takes a holistic approach towards the maintenance of dhatusamya,a state of equilibrium of normal anatomical, biological, physiological, mental & spiritual well being.Hence a balanced state of tissue (dhatu),energy systems(dosha),heat of transformation(agni) & metabolic wastes(mala) constitute homeostasis in Ayurveda that leads to healthy aging(sukhayu/kalaja vriddhavastha).

Some of the important factors that affect Jara or healthy aging include

• Kala parinama(time & transformation)
• Kala influences a human from conception till death & this time period is called Ayush(lifespan)
• Prakruti determines an individual’s capacity for transformation at the physical,mental &  emotional levels.
• Doshas determine longevity at the cellular level.
• Ahara(diet)is an important factor that influences aging or jara.
• As with each stage,an increase in vata during our elder years is completely natural.
• Lifestyle

One of the most supportive lifestyle commitments we can make to support vata is to slow down.

The following practices are particularly supportive of the vata stage of life.

Abyanga

The ancient self massage practice benefits both the physical &energetic body.Massaging warm oils into the skin & scalp naturally counters the dry,rough & cold nature of vata helping to lubricate & protect bodily tissues while gently insulating & grounding the nervous system.

• Nasya”

It is the practice of applying a medicated nasya oil to the nasal passages.

It is particularly calming to vata because it lubricates & soothes these delicate respiratory tissues while easing constriction,relieving stress,supporting mental clarity,improving the quality of voice & strengthening vision.

• Pranayama & meditation

During the vata stage of life,quieting the mind & nervous system becomes ever more important.

• Gentle exercise

Physically vata is the most delicate of the doshas so as your transition into the vata stage of life,it is important to cultivate a fine tuned ear for the needs of your body.

Vata is most supported by simple,whole foods that are cooked moist,soft in texture.These types of foods help to pacify vata by kindling agni, lubricating the tissues, promoting proper nourishment, grounding the body & encouraging warmth throughout the system.

Five karmas include

1 BASTI

it is considered to be one of the most important therapies as it helps in keeping the vata dosha under control which also helps in maintaining the balance of kapha & pitta dosha.keeping vata dosha under control is a proactive measure to keep diseases at bay.

It increases the immune system of the body through its cleaning process

It can cure diseases like colitis,cervical spondylosis,digestive disorders,back ache,obesity,piles and convalescence among others

It puts the body in a state of equilibrium.it is a wholesome treatment & provides substantial relief.

The overall health of a person increases who undergoes this treatment as all the body tissues are nourished & purified.

2 Vamana:The process is a must for people with kapha doshas.

Provides relief from sinus congestion,wheezing & breathlessness.Highly efficient treatment in Asthma & skin related diseases like psoriasis,reduction in weight,cholesterol & triglycerides,diabetes,obesity & anemia.

3. Virechana:

• Balances pitta dosha
• Flushes out toxins and excess mucus from the small intestine thus helps in improving digestion.
• Clears congestion from the liver thus improves metabolism
• Enhances fat digestion thus helping in weight loss.
• Relieves many gastrointestinal disorders
• It helps in all pitta related disorders such as hyperacidity,colitis,acid peptic disease,gynecological ailments,hemorrhoids,chronic headaches,migraine,allergies, skin diseases ( acne,dermatitis,psoriasis,eczema,leprosy & leucoderma)
• Helps manage paraplegia,hemiplegia ,joint disorders etc

4. Nasya: 

• Clears sinuses.This soothes the nasal passage & clears the sinuses to promote breathing.
• Heals migraine & headaches
• Expels mucus build up
• Improves voice
• Improves health
• It helps in insomnia
• Strengthens the shoulders,chest & neck.

5.Raktamokshana:

Raktamokshana expels out vitiated blood from the body.When blood gets vitiated by doshas it causes various diseases.so this procedure helps to let impure blood remove toxins within.

According to Ayurveda classics,the term Janapadodhwamsa (epidemic diseases)has been used to describe epidemics/pandemics which manifest due to polluted Vayu,Bhumi,Jala & Kala.These are considered to be a result of Prajnaparadha & Adharma. Ayurveda classics have described the concept of Sukshma krimi/Bhuta(organisms invisible to the naked eye). The term Bhutabhishanga (exogenous cause)has been used to describe diseases caused by them. Fever due to Bhutabishanga is similar to the conditions explained during the epidemics /pandemic.

In the Ayurvedic context of epidemic diseases,terms such as samsargaja & upasargaja have been used to indicate transmission from infected to the healthy through contact including exhaled air.Susruta has also described a condition that mimics all symptoms of an influenza like illness such as the current covid 19.

Jwara( fever),swasa(difficulty in breathing),kasa(cough),shiroruk(headache),pratisyaya(common cold),Gandhajnana( anosmia),Brama(giddiness) & vamathu(vomiting).

Clinical symptoms from heavily affected places of COVID -19 suggests that 98% had mild to moderate fever(Jwara) , 76% had cough (kasa) & 44% had myalgia (angamarda) & fatigue(tandra). 

Considering these factors COVID 19 can be considered as a kapha-vata samsargaja jwara( a febrile condition with predominance of kapha & vata) with pitta association in the initial stages.At advanced stages it acquires the status of sannipataja jwara ( a febrile condition with predominance of all tridosha(vata, pitta & kapha) which has been described in Ayurveda as difficult to cure.

Natural herbs like Guduchi,Kalmegh,Shunti,Tulsi,Yashtimadhu,turmeric & Aswagandha acts as strong immune modulator to build deeper long lasting immune power in the body & eventually protecting us from any viral infections, relief from frequent cough,cold,allergies & will surely help us in these tough times.

To boost one’s immune system,one can follow this home remedy:

• 3 glasses of water
• Pomegranate peel _1 whole
• Fresh ginger_ 1 inch
• Fresh turmeric – 1 inch
• Fresh Basil leaves/Tulsi-10 leaves
• Guduchi powder-1 tsp

Stir it well,boil for 5 to 10 min.strain out the ingredients and let it cool down.

Vijaysar (Pterocarpus Marsupium)

Vijaysar is a short-term tree, whose bark is used in different Ayurvedic medicines to control obesity and diabetes. Vijaysar is said to have fat lowering properties that help shed that persistent belly fat. Additionally, the resin and bark are used to establish a healthy digestive system. You could drink a cupful of herbal tea using vijaysar to get successful outcomes.

Triphala

Triphala helps removes toxins from the body and rejuvenates the digestive system. Triphala is an ancient composition made using three dried fruits comprising amalaki (amla), haritaki and bibhitaki, all of which have cleansing and rejuvenating properties. Ayurveda specialists instruct taking triphala churna in hot water at least two hours after dinner and a half an hour before breakfast.

Dalchini (Cinnamon)

Dalchini or cinnamon helps in refreshing the body’s metabolism, which additionally helps in cutting the belly fat. According to research published in the Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology, cinnamaldehyde in cinnamon stimulated the metabolism of the fatty visceral tissue, which means it could be useful in cutting belly fat. Drink a cupful of cinnamon tea beginning thing in the morning or as recommended by the doctor.

Methi (Fenugreek)

Filled with various health benefits, fenugreek or methi has been known to support lose weight effectively. It aids digestion, which is prime in shedding kilos. Galactomannan, which is a water-soluble element found in methi, assists curb your cravings and keeps you fuller for a lengthy period. Moreover, it also supports the rising metabolic rate of the body. All you need to do is to cook some methi seeds and crush them in a mortar and pestle to make a fine powder. Take some powder with water initial thing in the morning on an empty stomach. You can also immerse the seeds in water overnight. Absorb the water and chew the soaked seeds on an empty stomach.

Weight Loss Benefits

It’s not simply whether any weight loss occurring from the Ayurvedic diet comes from eating by dosha, or from the focus on complete foods and mindful eating. But some analyses have shown its usefulness, however. A review published in the International Journal of Obesity described that a trial of Ayurvedic developments for weight loss resulted in clinically notable weight loss as compared to placebo. And researchers from the University of New Mexico and the University of Arizona issued a study that announced that an Ayurveda and yoga-based lifestyle improvement program is a reasonable and workable approach to weight management.