With a stressful lifestyle and irregular eating patterns, most people nowadays are prone to digestive problems like indigestion, bloating, acid reflux, constipation, etc. Ayurveda offers herbal and holistic solutions for all these problems. These Ayurvedic home remedies for digestion are all you need for your digestive health.
Digestive Health: An Ayurvedic View
According to Ayurveda, Agni or digestive fire is the source of life. It is considered responsible for your overall health and all metabolic functions. Whenever you eat anything, you either nourish and strengthen your Agni or make it impaired and weakened (1). Harmful foods not only weaken your Agni but also result in the build-up of toxins or Ama, which is the root cause of most diseases.
Therefore, Ayurveda recommends many herbs and remedies to strengthen your Agni and improve your digestion.
How to Improve Digestion Naturally at Home?
Drink a Concoction of Ghee, Pinch of Salt and Hot Water
Ghee or Ghrita helps lubricate the insides of the intestines, and salt helps fight unwanted bacteria. In addition, ghee also contains butyrate acid, whose inflammatory effects help boost digestion (2). This home remedy is particularly beneficial for people who suffer from constipation.
To make this concoction, mix 1 teaspoon of ghee and ½ teaspoon of salt with 1 ¼ cup of hot water. Stir it well and sip it slowly after an hour of eating dinner.
Use Castor Oil
Another excellent remedy for constipation is castor oil, a well-known natural laxative. It is rich in ricinoleic acid, a fatty acid that binds to the receptors on the smooth muscle cells of your intestinal walls and stimulates contractions to push out the stool. You can take a tablespoon of castor oil at bedtime to provide relief (3) (4).
However, you must remember castor oil may not be healthy for everyone. Pregnant women especially should consult a doctor before using it.
Drink Buttermilk
According to Ayurveda, buttermilk is an effective home remedy to improve and strengthen the digestive fire or Agni (5). Rich in potassium, vitamin B12, calcium, phosphorus and probiotics, it helps boost digestion and treat several gastrointestinal problems like constipation, indigestion and acidity (5).
You can make buttermilk at home by mixing ¼ cup of yoghurt with ¾ cup of water. You can also add 1 teaspoon of rock salt, a pinch of roasted cumin powder, a pinch of grated ginger and fresh coriander leaves to the buttermilk to further improve digestion.
Chew Fennel Seeds or Drink Fennel Tea
In Ayurveda, fennel seeds are known for boosting digestion and treating several digestive problems, including heartburn, bloating, loss of appetite, etc. (6). Therefore, Ayurveda recommends chewing on fennel seeds after taking meals.
Alternatively, you can also make fennel tea to boost digestion. For this, mix 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds with 1 ½ cup of hot water and continue boiling it for another 5 minutes. Then, strain the tea and add honey to it if you like.
Take Ginger Tea
Ginger is one of the best Ayurvedic herbs to stimulate digestion. Powered with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties, ginger helps treat several gastrointestinal ailments like indigestion, ulcers, constipation, etc. (7) (8). Therefore, Ayurveda recommends drinking ginger tea often to prevent digestive problems.
To make ginger tea, grate 1 inch of ginger and add it to 1 ½ cup of hot water. Then, let it simmer for 5-7 minutes before straining it in a cup.
Drink Amla Juice
Amla or Indian gooseberry is a potent Ayurvedic herb for digestion. It helps treat various digestive ailments like acid reflux, heartburn and gastritis (9).
Therefore, Ayurveda recommends drinking freshly squeezed Amla juice in the morning, particularly for people suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (9).
Drink Bael Sherbet or Wood Apple Juice
According to Ayurveda, the juice of wood apple is an excellent remedy for digestive ailments like constipation, diarrhoea, stomachache, abdominal discomfort, acidity, indigestion, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (10).
You can prepare Bael Sherbet by using the pulp of a ripe wood apple fruit. All you have to do is soak the pulp in a cup of water for a few minutes and then use your hands to blend the pulp. Then, strain the water and remove the seeds. Blend the pulp further to prepare a smooth mixture. You can also add jaggery and sugar to it if you like.
Take Triphala
Triphala is an Ayurvedic formulation made of three herbs, namely Amalaki, Bibhitaki and Haritaki. It is highly effective in boosting digestion and relieving gastrointestinal disorders like constipation, abdominal pain, hyperacidity, flatulence, etc. (11).
You can take 1 teaspoon of Triphala every night before going to bed to regulate bowel movements and improve your digestive health.
The Final Takeaway
Ayurveda offers many herbs and herbal remedies to cure digestive problems like constipation, indigestion, acid reflux, etc. With the help of these home remedies for digestion, you can cure your gastrointestinal ailments and improve digestion naturally.
